The seven Cardiff City players who really have a point to prove in final four games with contracts and futures on the line
While these final four fixtures are in a sense academic, in terms of there being nothing on the line for Cardiff City, there will be players who are fighting for their futures in amongst it all.
Monday 19th April 2021
MICK McCARTHY:
JUNIOR HOILETT / CIARON BROWN / LEE TOMLIN / MARK HARRIS / MAX WATTERS / JONNY WILLIAMS & RUBIN COLWILL ???
' JUNIOR HOILETT "
Junior Hoilett: Mick McCarthy does not seem to want him??
After starting the season as the nailed-on left-winger, Junior Hoilett has seemingly fallen off the face of the earth.
He started McCarthy's first game in charge, but since the manager changed formation he has not had so much as a sniff under this regime.
The problem is, he probably isn't attacking enough or quick enough to play as a second striker, like Sheyi Ojo and Josh Murphy have been, and is not defensively disciplined enough to play as a wing-back.
If he was to shift inside to that No.10 slot, well Harry Wilson, Jonny Williams and Leandro Bacuna are all scrapping for that spot, too.
The truth is, he has gone from battling with only Murphy for that left-wing berth, to falling three or four rungs down the ladder in three other positions in which he is not particularly comfortable.
The Canadian's contract expires this summer and despite talks beginning in the new year pertaining to an extension, all has gone quiet on that front.
Hoilett has many admirers among the Bluebirds fan base, but equally others think his time in the Welsh capital may have run its course.
He loves the city, he loves the club and he is a hugely-gifted footballer who can still offer a lot at this level. Whether that's under McCarthy or even workable in this system? Well, that's for him to prove in these final four games.
' CIARON BROWN '
Ciaron Brown: (McCarthy had to play a number of younger players when he took the job) limited & Championship??
Few would argue that Ciaron Brown hasn't coped admirably since coming back from his third loan stint up at Livingston.
The centre-back, whose versatility across that back line cannot be underestimated, has adapted well to life in the Championship. He looks comfortable enough in that back three, especially defensively.
But he does have his limitations. He looks nervy with the ball at his feet. He often just lumps it down the wing and hopes for the best, but, to be fair, that is the game plan which seems to have been laid out: Get it forward quickly and we'll go from there.
Defensively, though, he has been sound and has been the subject of much praise from McCarthy since he was brought into the side.
As things stand, though, he is also out of contract at the end of the season, although it has been reported that talks over a new deal are underway.
But, given McCarthy favours a system of three centre-backs, it is crucial Cardiff have at least four capable central defenders in their roster.
There is no knowing what the future holds for Sol Bamba in terms of football, quite frankly he has bigger things at play at the minute as he continues his fight against cancer, so that fourth centre-back role is vital. Injury can strike at any time, as we have seen with Sean Morrison and Curtis Nelson in recent months.
If Brown continues in a similar vein over the course of the next four matches, he will prove to McCarthy once and for all he does not have to go centre-back shopping in the summer.
' LEE TOMLIN '
Lee Tomlin Class, BUT wrong attitude,unfit,high wages and so so unreliable???
Then, there is the obvious one. The mercurial talent that is Lee Tomlin, but with only start this season and never fit??
It is a source of much frustration for supporters, and no doubt the player, that we have not seen him form a crucial part of the Bluebirds' strike force this season, especially given the other talent already in situ.
As things stand, there seems to be some disconnect between Tomlin's version of being fully fit and the level McCarthy expects from his players.
Tomlin has been playing for the under-23s for two months now, but as we know McCarthy's game plan is heavily reliant on an unrelenting press from the front which requires real peak fitness and performance levels.
The good news is Tomlin trained with the first team last week and trained well, according to the manager. He was not involved at the weekend and in all likelihood will be omitted from the squad which travels to Brentford on Tuesday.
But in the final three games, there is a hope he will at least have some part to play. There is hopefully a happy ending for him in this most miserable of seasons.
With Wilson heading back to Liverpool and Jonny Williams out of contract - more on that shortly - there could be a real dearth of creativity in that role next season which needs to be filled.
Let's hope Tomlin can finally perform.
' MARK HARRIS '
Mark Harris seems to be in and out with different managers, never keeping his place??
Mark Harris is another player who sits in a rather precarious position as things stand.
He enjoyed a purple patch during the Bluebirds' brief resurgence before Christmas, dovetailing really nicely with Kieffer Moore up front, but has been a bit of a spare part under McCarthy.
He is young and an academy product, both huge positives which work in his favour, but his deal expires this summer, despite negotiations understood to be underway before the managerial change.
The former Wales youth international boasts speed and energy and has also shown a penchant for nice link-up play, but having played so little Championship football, the question really remains whether he can cut it at this level.
There are many, of course, who believe he can and he now has four games, if selected, to prove that is the case.
' MAX WATTERS '
Max Watters, does not seem to be able to make the first team and unable to convince Mick McCarthy???
The striker was bought from Crawley Town back in January for a sizeable fee, which could rise to as much as £1m all in, but has had only a watching brief, really, since McCarthy took charge.
He has played more for the under-23s than he has done for the first team and has impressed for the young Bluebirds, scoring four goals in two outing. His tally in all competitions this term currently stands at 20 goals in 24 games.
Those are some hefty numbers and ones which make you sit up and take notice. However, he has made little impact when thrown on from the bench under McCarthy and his time on the pitch has been very limited.
But he has potential, just like the aforementioned Harris, and is someone the club see as more of a long-term project, hence the money invested in purchasing him.
He certainly knows where the goal is, that's for sure, he has proven as much this season, but needs to make that step up to the Championship. It's all well and good scoring those goals at under-23s level and in League Two, but the Championship is a different beast.
He will undoubtedly get his shot over the coming four games and a goal or two, just to boost him heading into pre-season, will do him a world of good. He has the opportunity to prove he is a viable, capable and ready-made option for McCarthy next season.
‘ JONNY WILLIAMS ‘
Averages 13 games a season for all the clubs he has ever played for incl Sub, pay as you play???
Jonny Williams one start for Cardiff, Injury prone, contracted till end of May, averages 13 appearances (incl Sub) over the last 10 years with all his club, Mick McCarthy brought Williams to Cardiff on a free in February.
A player universally loved in Wales. His jinking runs and eye-catching link-up play is a thing of beauty and something supporters have lauded for years in the Welsh capital.
Now he has the blue of Cardiff City on his back, though, and his club supporters are desperate for him to produce the goods.
His only start came in McCarthy's biggest drubbing so far, the chastening 5-0 defeat up at Sheffield Wednesday.
His contract expires at the end of the season, but there is a clause to trigger an extension. McCarthy is also a great admirer from their days together at Ipswich, so that plays into his hands.
But City fans will be hoping he can produce more when afforded the opportunities in the coming games, because he certainly has the ability to do so.
If he stays fit, he could be someone who emerges as an important player for Cardiff next season, should he be kept on??
Pay as you play.
RUBIN COLWILL Deserves to play at least in 3 or 4 of the remaining games?
Rubin Colwill
Rubin Colwill has enjoyed a tremendous breakthrough season in his young career and is a player who has elicited excitement among supporters.
Certainly those who frequently watch City's under-23s games have witnessed just how talented a player he is and acknowledge he has a big future ahead of him in the game.
He has been used a number of times from the bench by McCarthy in recent weeks and is almost the pick of the bunch when it comes to the untested youngsters waiting for their shot on the sidelines.
Colwill will certainly have more involvement next term and that in itself is cause for excitement, but if recent weeks are anything to go by, do not discount him having a more pronounced role in the final few fixtures, perhaps even from the off.
This is a fantastic opportunity for him to really prove to McCarthy, the coaching staff and the supporters that he can play a meaningful part in proceedings next term and that is an exciting prospect.
Of course, we mustn't heap too much pressure on an 18-year-old still finding his feet in the game. But his stature and ability are impressive and he has all the tools to seize any chance that is afforded to him as the season draws to a close.
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