PLYMOUTH: 0 CARDIFF CITY: 1
BIG DANE ON TARGET AS BLUEBIRDS COMPLETE WEST COUNTRY TOUR WITH HARD-FOUGHT WIN
THE last leg of this unique preseason tour to Devon and Cornwall saw Cardiff City operate in more familiar surroundings: there was a healthy crowd, a Football League ground with four stands, and certainly a more competitive opponent.
So while Neil Warnock will insist this week’s games against AFC Tavistock and Bodmin Town weren’t without purpose, the Bluebirds were given a more thorough examination by Plymouth Argyle.
That was in evidence throughout a tight first half, before Kenneth Zohore broke the deadlock for the Bluebirds in typical fashion, racing through and sliding clinically past helpless Plymouth ‘keeper Luke McCormick.
It was the kind of test that Cardiff will face regularly in the upcoming season. Perhaps the opposition will possess more class and composure on the ball than Plymouth provided, more ruthlessness in front of goal certainly. Perhaps Burton Albion won’t allow Cardiff’s midfielders such time to pick their passes. Perhaps the Bluebirds’ fitness levels will be tested with a more rigorous pace.
But nonetheless Warnock would do well to use this as a blueprint for future away displays. Zohore’s goal, coupled with a complete defensive performance that almost nullified Argyle’s threat – bar a few exceptions - will have made the manager very happy.
Sure there were chances for the Pilgrims to level in the second half. But by then Warnock had started to ring the chances, with the season’s opener at Burton in his mind all the time.
Away from home against an opposition of greater stature (than previous games in pre-season), the gaffer experimented with a 4-3-3 for the first time this week.
He started with Aron Gunnarsson and Joe Ralls alongside new boy Loic Damour in midfield, while Nathaniel Mendez-Laing – electric again on the right – and Danny Ward offered width.
Former Argyle loanee Matty Kennedy was one of four introduced at the break, while more subs were made later.
Yet again, there was no place in the squad for the still-injured Lee Camp in goal. It looks likely that his rival for the No.1 jersey, Neil Etheridge, will begin the season between the posts. He made a couple of tidy saves before being replaced by Brian Murphy.
The first half had a strong whiff of pre-season about it from the word go.
There may have been nearly 500 noisy Bluebirds fans in the stadium, plus a healthy home contingent inside Home Park, but Warnock’s men looked laboured for a time. They nearly allowed Argyle’s star man Graham Carey an early goal, the No.10 firing on target but too close to Etheridge. Graham Fox ought to have put Plymouth ahead before the break too, sliding wide after Lionel Ainsworth’s canny cut-back.
Zohore cut an isolated figure for much of the opening 45 minutes, with the Bluebirds unable to provide adequate support for the big man, playing his first game since committing himself to the club amid interest from Hull City. There was a brief opening on the Dane’s right-foot that curled too close to Plymouth stopper McCormick.
Given a second chance three minutes after the restart, Zohore was never going to miss. It was a cleverly taken quick free-kick from half-time
sub Lee Tomlin that split the Plymouth defence, caught on their heels, and Zohore’s ruthless streak came to the fore once again. Cue jubilation and the usual chants of the Dane’s name.
Joe Ralls impressed in the midfield three, so too new boy Loic Damour, who looks to be quickly establishing himself as a first team hopeful. Few expected that when the unknown Frenchman signed from Ligue 2 outfit Bourg-en-Bresse but his energy and verve caught the eye before his withdrawal at Home Park, as they have done all week.
Damour’s replacement, Tomlin, however, was the catalyst. He injected quickness of mind into Cardiff’s forward play and suddenly, with the former Bristol City star closer to Zohore, Cardiff ’s centre-forward was enlivened.
Plymouth responded superbly to going a goal behind, sure, but the Pilgrims were continually being unpicked by Tomlin after leaving holes in their defence. Searching for that equaliser was understandable, with the Home Park faithful demanding as much preseason entertainment as their money would buy.
They nearly got the leveller they craved when substitute Nathan Blissett headed unthinkably wide from Gregg Wylde’s cross, as the Bluebirds were almost undone on the counter.
And it would be grossly unfair to state that Plymouth weren’t worthy of a point. But they lacked a clinical edge and a classy touch.
Tomlin and Zohore – the difference – provided that and so much more, in terms of excitement for the season ahead.
Away victories like these will embolden fans, players and management and make them believe the improbable is possible. FORMER Everton youngster Tyrone Duffus has joined Cardiff City’s Under-23 side after a trial period during their pre-season tour of Cornwall and Devon.
Duffus joined the Toffees’ youth set-up five years ago but was released by Ronald Koeman’s side earlier in the summer after not being handed a new deal to remain at Goodison Park.
The midfielder was one of four mystery trialists to feature for the Bluebirds’ Under-23 side in their 2-2 draw with AFC St Austell on Thursday night.
The 20-year-old is set to join the Bluebirds ahead of the 2017-18 campaign and will link up with the club’s Under-23 Development side.
Duffus – an attacking midfielder – never played first-team football for Everton but featured prominently in their youth sides.
One player who won’t beat featuring again for the Bluebirds is Idriss Saadi, whose transfer to Ligue 1 outfit Strasbourg has been confirmed by the club.
The Algerian has signed a four-year deal with the French club after moving for an undisclosed fee.
Saadi had only just returned to South Wales this summer and still had one year to run on his current contract, having enjoyed a highly successful loan spell at Belgian side KV Kortrijk, where he scored 16 goals in 35 appearances.
Despite Neil Warnock previously stating that the 25-year-old would be given a chance to impress, Saadi leaves the Welsh capital having made just two first team appearances for the Bluebirds.
The arrivals of Lee Tomlin and Danny Ward appear to have signalled the end for him at City.