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Neil Warnock Has Given Us Hope and Ignited Our Passion — Cardiff Pre-Season Report
Monday, 31st Jul 2017 11:00 by HarryFromBath

In the 13th of a series of pre-season reports, HarryfromBath assesses the mood around the Championship clubs by delving into their forums, looking here at how things have progressed for the Bluebirds this summer. Reports on Bristol City and Reading will follow later today with all the teams in the division covered before the start of the season.

“This is shaping up to be a very good season for us”, “This club is running so well. It’s fantastic to see and I can’t wait for the new season”, “We have a very good squad but have no chance of automatic promotion. We are one of a large number of clubs who are in with a good shout of a play-off place.”

“It finally feels like we are heading in the right direction.” While Bluebirds are looking forward to the coming campaign, most accept that finish around mid-table or the fringes of the play-offs is realistic given their relative lack of investment. “With luck we can scrape into the top six but it’s unlikely.”

“I reckon we are a mid-table side but who knows how far a close-knit team can go. Ask Leicester”, “Can the Warnock factor make a good squad perform above their individual ability?”, “Whatever happens, Warnock will certainly make us the hardest team to play against in the Championship.”

Neil Warnock

“Warnock has a job on his hands and he knows it”, “Promotion isn’t won by individuals but by teams and this manager knows how to build teams and spirit”, “Warnock will thrive off the challenge of outperforming teams like Wolves and Aston Villa who are spending millions on individual players”,

Neil Warnock imageNeil Warnock

“Warnock is settled and safe here. As long as there is no interference from above he has a pretty free rain.” The 68-year-old has been praised for stabilising the club and turning their season around with his “motivational power, ability and experience” after first arriving at the club last October.

“We are lucky enough to have an experienced manager who can mould and motivate a team of hard working winners”, “He can weld a team in spirit, togetherness and ability”, “Warnock will get the best out of what we have, but without an extra striker and midfield leader we will come up short.”

Departing Midfielders

“Strange seeing a squad named without Peter Whittingham, but we move on.” The club stalwart is the most high-profile departure this summer, switching to Blackburn on a two-year contract. Fellow midfielders Emyr Huws and Tom Adeyemi have of course arrived at Portman Road.

Kenneth Zohore imageKenneth Zohore "not for sale"

Defender Deji Oshilaja has gone to AFC Wimbledon having played at Gillingham on loan last year. Two strikers have also left, Idriss Saadi (on loan last season at KV Kortrijk) to Strasbourg along with veteran Rickie Lambert, whose contract was terminated by mutual consent.


Warnock has been reported as firmly saying that neither striker Kenneth Zohore nor centre-half Sean Morrison are not for sale. Bluebirds would not be surprised if wingers Craig Noone, who Warnock reportedly said “needs a move”, Anthony Pilkington or Declan John were to depart this summer.

Some Really Good Business So Far

“I’m not enamoured with our signings but am fully aware that Warnock knows what it takes to build a Championship team”, “We are definitely in the bargain basement with our new recruits compared with some in the division who are flashing the cash. Big name signings don’t guarantee promotion.”

Lee Camp imageLee Camp

Warnock has tried to strengthen all areas of the squad on limited funds. With Allan McGregor having played as first choice keeper last season on loan from Hull, two permanent signings, 32-year-old Lee Camp (from Rotherham) and Neil Etheridge, 27, from Walsall have now been added to the squad.

The defence has been further strengthened by the arrival of Callum Paterson, a 22-year-old full back from Hearts while midfielder Loic Damour, 26, has signed from Ligue 2 outfit Bourg-Perronas. Fans have been impressed by 25-year-old Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, the winger who joined from Rochdale.

“Tomlin is steps ahead of everyone else on the pitch and plays deadly balls which other players will need to anticipate and understand.” The most notable arrival at the Cardiff City Stadium has been attacking midfielder or playmaker Lee Tomlin, the 28-year-old having moved from Bristol City.

Lee Tomlin imageLee Tomlin

“We are on to something special with Tomlin. His brain seems to keep one step ahead of the others on the park. He can clearly pick a pass and will create chances, allowing players like Mendez-Laing to burst forward. With Zohore’s strength and willingness to bully defenders, we will create chances.”

Pre-Season Formations

City have had a solid pre-season, winning games away at West Country opponents AFC Tavistock (7-2), Bodmin Town (3-1) and Plymouth Argyle (1-0) before suffering their only defeat, a 2-1 reverse at Shrewsbury. Their final warm-up game saw them win 4-0 at home to Livingston on Friday evening.

EtheridgeHalfordBambaMorrisonBennettMendez-LaingRallsGunnarssonHoilettTomlinZohore

The starting XI for Friday evening’s comfortable win (above) is seen as close to the strongest available for the start of the campaign with keeper Lee Camp and right-back Lee Peltier absent through injury. Fans noted how wingers Junior Hoilett and Mendez-Laing would switch flanks during the game.

MurphyMangaBambaMorrisonBennettKennedyRallsGunnarssonRichardsPilkingtonWard

Looking at the XI which finished the game (above), centre-half Bruno Ecuele Manga impressed fans out of position on the right flank and may well be an option instead of Greg Halford. Both the sharpness and fluidity of the team has impressed watching Bluebirds throughout the game and this summer.

“We have looked quite pacy and dynamic going forward in our warm-up games”, “We are actually quick for the first time I can remember. Joe Bennett, Junior Hoilett, Kenneth Zohore and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing are all legitimately quick”, “I hope the weight of expectation doesn’t get to Zohore.”

“Zohore could do anything this season, 20 goals are the bare minimum I’m expecting. If he starts like he finished last season and shows a little improvement, we will get ridiculous offers for him in January. Clubs will fall over themselves trying to sign him. He’s not just a scorer, his link-up play is also great.”

Midfield Concerns

“We have no skill or vision in our midfield players. It’s a pity we didn’t have a Peter Whittingham or Emyr Huws to provide that”, “We really need a player to control midfield and give us a decent tempo in the middle. After shifting a few more players out of the club, I hope Warnock addresses this.”

“There is not enough pace or creativity in midfield.” Bluebirds are anxious to strengthen their central midfield. Joe Ralls and Aron Gunnarsson are seen as a solid pair who lack the ability to drive the side forward. Out-of-favour Owl Lewis McGugan was not offered a deal after a recent two-week trial.

“We could be too reliant on Zohore. There are not enough goals, pace or creativity in the heart of the team”, “It is obvious that our midfield has been lacking quality and leadership for the last three seasons”, “We are one player short of having a decent crack at the play-offs and that is in midfield.”

Websites

There are two busy, knowledgeable and friendly Bluebirds’ message boards, the Cardiff City Forum and Cardiff City Mad.

Other Previews



Photo: Action Images



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LankHenners added 11:31 - Jul 31
Thanks Harry - they'll be a tough team under Warnock and on last season's evidence Zohore could be a real goalscoring threat in this division.

One thing - Lee Tomlin looks a little different to how I remember him in that picture!
1

shakytown added 19:47 - Jul 31
Wish we had a manager capable of uniting and inspiring a team.
0

Warkys_Tash added 14:07 - Aug 1
No mention of Ward?
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