It has been
a memorable year for the blue half of South Wales with an unlikely promotion to
the Premier League secured during an always competitive, combative Championship.
The bluebirds of Cardiff are singing songs of delight, optimism and belief following
a tremendous promotion campaign. Perceived as outsiders in hugely congested promotion
battle, Cardiff deservedly overcame their much larger Championship counterparts
to secure their rightful place in the Premier League and it was made so much
sweeter seeing Swansea head in the other direction. Cardiff’s team is certainly
built on spirit and a determination never to give in and this belief is why
they executed an unlikely promotion. However, there will be a determination to
succeed in the Premier League next season and survival is the key component for
a successful season in South Wales.
Cardiff are
built on a solid defence, a combative midfield with flare in their attack. Their
style isn’t the most pleasing on the eye, but Neil Warnock has created a
foundation for success using his style which has succeed everywhere else hence why
he has the record amount of promotions in the football league. However, despite
his renowned success in the football league, he has struggled to get results in
the Premier League taking Sheffield United down and disappointing spells in
charge of QPR and Crystal Palace and this must be a course for concern for the
board and fans alike. However, due to his brilliant success last season, he has
earned every right to have another crack in England’s top flight. However, it isn’t
just his playing style and belief that has given Warnock success at Cardiff, he
has managed to unite the whole club since he took over in 2016. Cardiff’s
controversial owner Vincent Tan has always had a difficult relationship with the
fans however, Warnock’s appointment and returning to their traditional blue kits
after their ill fated red spell has since his relationship become much stronger
with the fans and there is strong sense of unity and belief around the whole
football club and this can only be a good thing. In simple terms, Neil Warnock
has done a magnificent job at Cardiff and he will hope that things can only get
better from here and do something which has alluded so far in management keep a team in the Premier League.
I’m sure
Neil Warnock is fully aware that Cardiff are going to need Premier League
quality players to survive and he will be scouring all areas of the transfer market
looking for that certain quality. Warnock has already begun his squad building
by signing the likes of Josh Murphy, Greg Cunningham and Alex Smithies. However,
one important aspect of a good Premier League team is a regular goal scorer at Premier
League level and although Cardiff have the talented Kenneth Zohore, they are going
to need more attacking power if they are going to have any chance of survival.
Furthermore, I’m sure Neil Warnock will assess his midfield and attempt to add
some flare into this department because they are very combative in midfield
with strong performers like Callum Paterson and Joe Ralls, but they should look
to add something different. A different dynamic in Cardiff’s midfield would certainly
give them a different edge and allow Warnock to change his style in particular games.
Despite these points, I’m sure the Cardiff fans will be relatively happy with their
squad and the business done so far by Warnock and I expect their will be more
movement before the start of the new season.
There will
be a feeling of hope and optimism this season at Cardiff and they will this
Premier League journey is a lot better than their previous Premier League campaign
in 2012/2013. Poor signings, scandals and poor management cost them severely in
that season but with Warnock in charge, Cardiff fans will believe they will be
more competitive and determined to do better this time around. Survival would certainly
be seen as a successful season for club and anything beyond that would be sensational
and those bluebird fans of Cardiff will continue to sing whatever direction their beloved club's season heads in.
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