Adams turns out the lights on Warnock’s big anniversary bash

CARDIFF City know better than most the instant impact a new manager can have.

After all, it is a year ago where, under Friday-night floodlights and in front of the television cameras, the Neil Warnock era began with a bang. Cardiff haven’t looked back.

Yet Warnock is unlikely to look back at this particularly anniversary with any great fondness.

Because, while Birmingham and Steve Cotterill enjoyed the benefits of the new-boss bounce, Cardiff were just flat.

And Che Adams’ 18th-minute goal was enough to leave them beaten for the second time in the league this season.

All on a night where Cardiff just seemed a little un-Cardiff like, certainly from the time Warnock arrived in the dug-out a year ago. It wasn’t that they keeled over or looked off the pace as they had done in the only other league loss this term, the 3-0 defeat at Preston.

But the sharpness was definitely missing, a touch of rustiness evident, all enough to let buoyant Birmingham deliver the new man a win.

The effort levels couldn’t be faulted, the execution could. Granted, Birmingham captain Michael Morrison looked inspired as he thwarted Kenneth Zohore – clearly Cardiff’s standout performer.

But Cardiff couldn’t make it happen for themselves, succumbing to the script set for Cotterill.

Not even a high boot from goalscorer Adams to the head of Joe Bennett was going to change that, as penalty appeals were ignored.

And if anything summed up the night, it was the fact Cardiff finished with 10 men when replacement Aron Gunnarsson limped off with an ankle problem after three substitutes had already been used.

That will be of more concern to Warnock than the performance, which seemed to be one of those games rather than indicative of something more. The evidence of Warnock’s year in charge tells you that.

But the warning signs for Cardiff were there early enough to be heeded. The game was in its infancy when Birmingham showed they could trouble Cardiff if they had the chance to run at defenders or behind them, be it with direct running or direct balls.

It was a ploy aided by the Bluebirds being unable to stamp their authority in midfield. With Craig Bryson in for Loic Damour – the only change from the draw with Derby – there should have been enough to allow Cardiff to continue where they left off before the international break.

But whereas Sol Bamba had looked so impressive in the anchor role of late, here he looked more than a little lost, chasing balls and being drawn out of a protective position.

It was all highlighted by the tempo and work-rate of the hosts. After 19 minutes, such a high-energy opening from Blues brought the opening.

Though their press had been effective, there wasn’t much pressure when a combination of Morrison and Bamba got the ball back for Neil Etheridge to clear. He didn’t, at least not with any conviction and Adams was away as he successfully beat Lee Peltier to the header and raced away with the ball, cutting inside a back-pedalling Morrison a little too easily and curling home.

Not for the first time, Warnock bowed to shake his head. It wouldn’t be the last time the Bluebirds boss looked a little exasperated with some pretty uncharacteristic play from his side.

Rather than give Birmingham a taste of their own medicine, Cardiff looked ponderous on the ball, Joe Ralls having to drop deep to try and instigate play, but then leaving a hole in midfield which Birmingham were quick to make the most of.

And when they did try and work the ball further up the pitch as Warnock pleaded with his side to do, the touch too often let them down or the wrong option was taken. Cardiff, two weeks on from their last game, looked rusty.

What offered hope was the way Zohore was taking to the game. He looked in the mood as he relished the opportunity to stretch his legs, Birmingham’s high line allowing him to get the chance to turn and have defenders scrambling. One ball aimed for Hoilett from one post to the other was desperately cut out, while a bril-