Danish delight again, but still looking out for No.1
The things you chatted to your mates about after the game
KENNETH Zohore’s hot streak continued as he made it nine goals in his last nine outings – but it still wasn’t enough to stop Cardiff City being beaten by Wolves.
Defensive slip-ups saw Wanderers skipper Danny Batth score twice in the first-half either side of Zohore’s header. And Helder Costa wrapped up the win that gave Paul Lambert’s side a big push towards safety and saw the Bluebirds drop away from midtable.
Here’s what we learned from the game...
Warnock faced with defensive dilemma
The return of Bruno Manga to the starting side came as a huge boost to Neil Warnock at Molineux.
The Gabonese international put in three magnificent challenges to deny Helder Costa and Ben Marshall, and - given the length of his absence from the game slotted in seamlessly alongside Sean Morrison.
However, as a defensive unit, the Bluebirds looked a nervous wreck at times, conceding two goals from headers in the six-yard box.
Sol Bamba’s absence from the centre-back berth showed, and the game at Molineux certainly proved Warnock has some big decisions to make with regards to those in-front of Allan McGregor and how they will need to be deployed.
A promise rings true
Warnock reiterated in his press conference ahead of the trip to the West Midlands that certain members of his squad still had plenty to do between now and the end of the season to prove they’re worth being included in his plans for the 2017/18 campaign.
And one man who proved at Molineux that he falls into that category is Junior Hoilett.
The winger has certainly proved to be something of a Jekyll and Hyde player so far during his time with the Bluebirds, capable of producing moments of brilliance but so often underwhelming at the key moments.
His end product was off the mark against Paul Lambert’s side and Zohore wil have been hugely frustrated at now having better service from his wide-man having proved such a lethal finisher in recent months.
Certainly one to be filed under must do better in the final weeks of the season.
The great Dane delivers again
It didn’t surprise many to see Kenneth Zohore recover from the calf problem that stopped him playing for Denmark last week and give him the rest Neil Warnock wanted.
With still no sign of Rickie Lambert, the Bluebirds need their new No.9 and he again delivered with a ninth goal in nine games.
He looked sharper for the recent break and the finish for his 13th minute goal said everything about the finisher’s instinct and awareness in the box he has.
The best thing? He’s still improving and this was more evidence of him growing in confidence and stature with every passing game.
It’s going to be a long journey home
You wouldn’t have fancied being in the Cardiff City dressing room at Molineux.
Neil Warnock’s own version of the hairdryer has been downplayed somewhat since his arrival, a suggestion that he is relaxing in his older years.
But you only had to watch the veteran boss on the touchline to know he wasn’t happy with some of the things he saw in this defeat to Wolves.
Hopping mad at times with both the referee and his own players’ actions, even giving the kit man what for at one stage as a problem with Kenneth Zohore’s boots wasn’t sorted.
What should worry the Bluebirds stars is when he went quiet, knowing that what was delivered wasn’t good enough. It will be a long month if Cardiff don’t resume a bit more fire and steel for the final few games.
And you’d back Warnock to make sure his players know it.
Excitement soon turns to disappointment for McGregor
There was genuine excitement about Allan McGregor’s arrival on loan from Hull, the idea being Cardiff had a reliable, experienced No.1 who could help stop the wobbles at the back.
Warnock was willing to look past some soft goals being shipped in his first few weeks as he got over rustiness after a long injury lay-off, but McGregor has hardly set the world alight for a group of supporters eager to find a new goalkeeping favourite after former captain David Marshall’s departure.
He has done a steady job shall we say, but this was another performance that suggested there should be no loss of sleep when he goes back to Humberside after his loan spell ends. Though there was no blooper as such, he didn’t command his area or a feeling of safety when the ball came into the box. And, while he was not alone in being made to look silly by Helder Costa, being sold a dummy on your own line never really reflects well.