South Wales Echo

WHO’LL MAKE THE BURNLEY CUT?

WEIGHING UP WARNOCK’S OPTIONS AHEAD OF VITAL BURNLEY CLASH PLUS THE TEAM YOU’D PICK TO TAKE ON CLARETS

- IAN MITCHELMOR­E Football writer ian.mitchelmor­e@walesonlin­e.co.uk

CARDIFF City dropped into the Premier League’s relegation zone for the first time this season after their hefty 5-0 defeat to champions Man City.

And in the process, Neil Warnock’s side were leapfrogge­d by their next opponents Burnley after the Clarets thumped Bournemout­h 4-0 at Turf Moor.

So having seen his side lose three matches on the bounce – albeit to three of the best sides in the division – Warnock no doubt has plenty to ponder ahead of the clash with Sean Dyche’s men on Sunday.

Here’s a closer look at the big calls facing the Yorkshirem­an ahead of the game... Right-back Lee Peltier was brought back into the starting XI at the weekend in an attempt to limit the talents of Man City’s attackers.

And while the plan seemingly worked to a tee for 30 minutes, three goals in 12 minutes before the break ultimately killed off the contest.

But it was to get worse for Peltier who was forced off the pitch minutes after the restart with a dislocated shoulder that will ensure he is unlikely to feature for the Bluebirds again in 2018.

It means there’s a straight shootout for the right-back berth between Jazz Richards – the man who replaced Peltier at the weekend – and Bruno Manga.

Richards certainly offers more in attack while his pace is also a valuable asset, but Manga has been one of Cardiff’s better performers at the back this season and has had plenty of faith shown in him by Warnock.

Much of this particular debate of course depends on whether or not Manga plays at centre-back or not, which bring us nicely to our next point... Centre-backs Sol Bamba was something of a surprise omission from the starting XI to face Man City, with Manga lining up alongside captain Sean Morrison at the heart of Cardiff’s defence.

Morrison endured a torrid afternoon against Pep Guardiola’s big guns, and even Manga – who was largely impressive at the back – made a howler at the death to gift Riyad Mahrez his second goal.

So does Warnock go back to his usual partnershi­p of Bamba and Morrison in the middle or does he continue with Manga in his preferred position?

Of course, the former would allow Warnock to shift Manga to right-back again but the latter would mean a big name missing out against the Clarets.

Over to you Mr Warnock. Left-back Greg Cunningham was finally given his first taste of league action for the Bluebirds at the weekend following his summer switch from Preston to South Wales.

But he must have felt something like a lamb to the slaughter as Cardiff - despite an impressive opening 30 minutes - were ripped to shreds in what amounted to a blink of an eye by Man City.

It’s unfair to judge the Republic of Ireland internatio­nal solely on Saturday’s game when you consider the strength of the opposition he faced.

So it begs the question, does he deserve the chance to shine against Burnley on Sunday, or should Joe Bennett make an immediate return to the starting XI?

Bennett has been one of Cardiff’s best performers since the promotion into the top flight, but £4m man Cunningham is breathing down his neck.

Centre-midfield Harry Arter, Victor Camarasa and Joe Ralls have started together in the centre of the park in Cardiff’s last five league outings.

And you’d expect that to continue against Burnley next weekend if Aron Gunnarsson’s isn’t fit.

But should the Iceman be in contention to finally make his first appearance of the campaign for the Bluebirds, then something will have to give.

He suffered yet another setback ahead of the Man City clash after picking up a knock in training, although it remains to be seen just how severe his latest problem is.

So this one depends entirely on Gunnarsson’s fitness, but even if he is fit, should he come back into the side? Cardiff icon Nathan Blake thinks so. But what do you think?

The attack

This is arguably the tastiest of the lot. And it could well hinge around winger Josh Murphy.

The summer recruit returned to action on Saturday after almost a month out as he replaced Junior Hoilett in the 75th minute of the defeat to Man City.

But with Nathaniel Mendez-Laing set to be out until around Christmas at the earliest, there’s now a lot of pressure on Murphy’s shoulders.

Going on his performanc­es so far, that’s something the former Norwich City man should relish given that he’s shown exciting flashes of the skill and pace he possesses.

But if he does start against Burnley, surely it would come at the expense of Bobby Reid. Hoilett has had to do so much defensive work in the last three games but could finally get the chance to showcase his talents at the business end of the pitch against the Clarets.

And on his day, Hoilett is unquestion­ably Cardiff’s most creative player.

So does Warnock deploy two wingers, with Danny Ward leading the line? Or does Murphy remain on the bench, meaning Reid retains his place?

You really feel Ward deserves the opportunit­y to start against the Clarets having performed admirably when lining up from the outset against the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Man City.

But Kenneth Zohore and Gary Madine will no doubt be pushing their cases too.

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 ??  ?? Will Sol Bamba be brought straight back into the Bluebirds line-up after being dropped for the Man City defeat?
Will Sol Bamba be brought straight back into the Bluebirds line-up after being dropped for the Man City defeat?
 ??  ?? Greg Cunningham
Greg Cunningham
 ??  ?? What Bluebirds boss Neil Warnock decides to do with Josh Murphy could be pivotal to his line-up against Burnley
What Bluebirds boss Neil Warnock decides to do with Josh Murphy could be pivotal to his line-up against Burnley

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