Question time for Warnock
CITY SELECTION MANAGER CALLS FACES AHEAD TOUGH OF HOME PREMIER OPENER:
CARDIFF City have spent the week licking their wounds after an openingday Premier League defeat at Bournemouth, but have an instant opportunity to bounce back against Newcastle United this weekend.
Manager Neil Warnock stuck by his tried and trusted from the Championship for the Bournemouth game, but whilst there is no need to panic Cardiff played poorly and changes may well be made for the Saturday lunchtime TV clash.
After his summer transfer captures, Warnock has a number of options.
These are the key selection dilemmas he is likely to have been wrestling with this week.
Lee Peltier v Jazz Richards v Bruno Manga
WARNOCK will almost certainly go five at the back for games against the big guns this season, but that is unlikely to happen against Rafa Benitez’s side with Cardiff having to give themselves greater offensive options. So who plays right-back? Peltier, the man in possession, is a Warnock type defender - no-nonsense, rugged in the tackle, no frills. But he was given a bit of a runaround by Ryan Fraser down on the south coast and there are question marks from some about his ability on the ball at Premier League level, where possession can’t just be frittered away.
Bruno Manga could be switched there from centre-half, having appeared in the position several times during the promotion-winning campaign. But whereas his height was a virtue in the Championship, in the top flight a more natural full-back may be required to deal with tricky wingers.
Richards fits that bill, has shone for Wales at international level and even blotted out the great Eden Hazard of Belgium. Having been brought up with Swansea, he is also more comfortable on the ball, but injuries have hampered his time at Cardiff.
Likely outcome: Warnock will probably stick with Peltier for the time being, with Manga the most likely second option. But many fans are calling for Richards and feel he is the best bet as the season wears on. Not much to choose between him and Peltier defensively, but he’s probably a bit better in possession.
Bruno Manga v Sol Bamba
WITH Bamba pushed into midfield, Manga was one of the better performers at Bournemouth next to Sean Morrison at the back.
But Bamba further forward was always only going to be a short-term fix and this weekend Warnock will look to restructure his midfield.
That means a probable straight choice between Bamba and Manga as Morrison’s partner.
Likely outcome: This one would be harsh on Manga, who some feel is the Cardiff centre-back best equipped to deal with the Premier League. But Bamba is Warnock’s go-to man, the leader and boss the Bluebirds need at the back. It’ll be amazing if he doesn’t get the nod.
Harry Arter v Callum Paterson v Joe Ralls v Victor Camarasa
THE Bluebirds were over-run in the midfield against Bournemouth. Bad day at the office, or food for thought for Warnock who might need to tinker?
With Aron Gunnarsson still out injured, Warnock will have to perm three from four - or even two from four if he opts to play Bobby Reid just behind Kenneth Zohore.
Arter is available, having been ineligible last weekend, and surely comes straight into the team.
Warnock loves the bustling qualities of Paterson and Ralls, whose endeavour can never be in question.
But Camarasa, his new capture from Real Betis, is the one who could offer the poise and control on the ball the Bluebirds sometimes lack. If you keep giving it away at this level, you are far more likely to be punished by better players.
Likely outcome: This is perhaps the biggest dilemma of the lot for the manager. If he goes with three, Arter, Ralls and Paterson are likely to get the nod. If it’s two, Arter and probably Ralls. In time, however, the best blend may prove to be Gunnarsson, Arter and Camarasa, harsh though that would be on Ralls, who is a favourite with the fans - and the manager, who has no doubts about his Premier League qualities.
Josh Murphy v Nathaniel MendezLaing
CARDIFF’S new £11million capture was a surprise omission at the weekend, but came on to impressively press his case for inclusion versus Newcastle. Even in the star-studded Premier League, there aren’t too many wingers quicker than these two
whippets. But with Junior Hoilett a real Warnock favourite, there will only be room for one of them.
Laing is pace, bustle and power; Murphy is pace, poise and perhaps greater precision.
Likely outcome: On limited service, Mendez-Laing did okay at Bournemouth, but Murphy will probably get his full debut. If so, Laing could be highly effective from the bench.
Kenneth Zohore v Bobby Reid
MANY Cardiff fans want to see the two of them play, with Reid in the 10 position just behind Big Ken. However, one of the reasons Warnock loves Paterson in that role is his work ethic. He knows he doesn’t lose a defensive shift with Paterson, whilst also having aerial prowess and goal threat.
Paterson is not a natural 10 in the mould of a Lee Tomlin, but he was highly effective when played there in the role in the Championship. It was a Warnock master move. The higher you go, though, the greater the qualities required and Reid definitely offers something different in terms of prising open defences.
He’s got a lovely touch, but was somewhat isolated as the lone striker at Bournemouth and lacks Zohore’s physical attributes. The more the 90 minutes wore on, the more Zohore was missed.
Likely outcome: The Bluebirds fans would love to see the two of them. If it’s a straight choice for centreforward, though, Zohore has to get the nod.