THIS WAY TO THE PREM?
Another Bluebirds win and a step closer to the promised land
CARDIFF City maintained their grip on second spot in the Championship with an excellent 3-2 win over Birmingham.
These are the main talking points...
GRUJIC ENJOYS BEST GAME AS MIDFIELD SHINE
There was some debate in the press box over whether it was Marko Grujic or Callum Paterson penalised for Birmingham’s softest of soft penalties.
But that matters not, and reflects more on Peter Bankes’ slightly bizarre decision than the performances of Cardiff’s two totemic midfielders, both of whom can make a case that this was their best display in a blue shirt. If anyone was guilty of a shove in the box as Jota lined up a corner, we may never know.
Grujic, in particular, was singled out for praise by Neil Warnock and at times looked every inch the Premier League player he’s been billed as.
“I thought that was Grujic’s best game since coming here,” said Warnock afterwards. “I thought he dominated in there. I thought he did ever so well.”
Especially late in the game, with the score 3-1, the Serbian was keeping possession with consummate ease, flicking the ball around Birmingham players at will.
It’s important to remember that he’s only 21 and is being asked to play a position – in a promotion-pushing Championship midfield – that he’s not used to. Defensive midfield has been a problem area since Aron Gunnarsson’s injury and Grujic’s arrival has coincided with an upturn in the Bluebirds’ form. For a naturally attacking midfield player, that’s some feat.
Even Joe Ralls, Mr Reliable himself, has not been missed in the past two games, such has been the solidity brought by Grujic.
Paterson, meanwhile, celebrated his seventh Bluebirds strike and just goes on and on.
His incredible knack of scoring when it really matters is no fluke. It stems from his desire to push forward from midfield, his buccaneering pressing style and his aerial prowess, which cannot be understated.
Central midfield has long been an area of concern for Cardiff fans. No longer.
MENDEZ-LAING IS BACK
Warnock attributed Mendez-Laing’s return to form to the fact the winger had hit the post in the latter stages against Barnsley.
It sounded strange initially, but in context made perfect sense. Having gone so long without finding the net, to come so close against the Tykes was the shot in the arm Mendez-Laing needed.
It’s been a long winter for the wide man, who looked bereft of confidence in the 1-1 draw at Millwall last month.
But having him back among the goals is a boon for the Bluebirds. Warnock was as surprised as many fans when Mendez-Laing tore the division to bits in the first five games of the season.
Now, the manager is convinced his bustling wide man can reignite that form.
“I said to him in training, if we can get your last 10 games of the season like your first 10 games, we’ve cracked it,” laughed Warnock.
Imagine that.
LIGHT AT THE END OF THE INJURY TUNNEL
As if a sixth consecutive victory wasn’t enough to keep smiles on fans’ faces, the sight of three huge players on the Cardiff bench – in both literal and metaphoric stature – must have given even more reason for cheerfulness.
Sean Morrison, Yanic Wildschut and Gary Madine were all named as
substitutes and could all feature against Brentford in midweek.
Morrison was brought on to shore up the defence, with Madine and Wildschut, both of whom carry a major attacking threat, unused subs.
With 10 games of the season remaining, Cardiff will hope to gradually reintroduce those who have been sidelined.
Having spent the best part of £6million on Madine, one presumes Warnock has high hopes for the former Bolton frontman and the impact he can make in the rest of the campaign.
He got 74 minutes from the returning Lee Peltier against Birmingham too and will hope the likes of Ralls, Gunnarsson, Matthew Connolly and Armand Traore can soon come back into the fold for the run-in.
HALFORD THE MAN TO SEE BLUEBIRDS HOME
Having barely featured in the first half of the season, Greg Halford is now a regular off the Cardiff bench. He made just five league appearances in the first six months of the campaign, but has made seven since February 3.
It’s clear Warnock trusts Halford as much as anyone else in his squad, having worked with the utility man at Rotherham. He values Halford’s physicality and defensive awareness so much in seeing games out, making the 33-year-old the ideal late substitution when Cardiff are winning.
Warnock believes getting Cardiff into the Premier League would eclipse his achievements with the Millers. But he’ll continue to use Halford.