Tue Sep 15, 2020 8:24 am
Cardiff City this season will have to get used to the fact teams are going to pay them far more respect as an attacking force.
By Glen Williams
Tuesday 15th September 2020
That is exactly what Sheffield Wednesday did on Saturday. The Owls did to Cardiff what the Bluebirds did to so many other teams last season.
Garry Monk's side sat deep, allowed Cardiff to have the ball, soaked up the pressure and tried to hit on the break or attack from the set piece.
Teams now know Cardiff are a dangerous attacking prospect and that, in turn, comes with its own challenges. City fell short of those challenges on Saturday afternoon.
It is certainly encouraging that Cardiff started the season with 62 percent possession, something fans have been crying out for in recent years, but what they did with the ball was simply not good enough - Neil Harris said as much after the game.
To have so much of the ball and not to register a serious attack on the Wednesday goal is a cause for concern. But, the caveat must be added, it is only one game. Well, two if you include the Carabao Cup.
City know now they will have to rely on more than counter-attacks and set pieces this season. Teams will sit deep against them and that is a fresh challenge they must overcome.
They must have far more guile and ingenuity in that final third now.