NELSON TAKES HIS CHANCE IN STYLE
JOE Ralls quite rightly grabbed the headlines on Saturday, but there is one man whose reputation will have skyrocketed among Bluebirds fans. The lacklustre defensive displays in recent weeks saw many call for a change at the back, with individual errors having cost Cardiff City dearly.
Sean Morrison was ruled out of the Birmingham City clash after a scan showed he had fractured bones in his hand in the defeat at Swansea City last weekend.
Whether Neil Warnock would have taken a punt on Curtis Nelson were that not the case, however, is anyone’s guess.
But he was pressganged into handing the 26-year-old Championship rookie his full league debut and, boy, did he deliver.
We had seen only a glimpse of him in Championship football this season and he, among others that day, looked nervous in that woeful team display at Reading.
And in the first 20 minutes against the Blues, Cardiff’s defence, Nelson included, looked shellshocked. They couldn’t live with Lucas Jutkiewicz’s physicality or the guile of Dan Crowley
and Fran Villalba.
But as the team grew into the game, so did Nelson. He started to win headers against Jutkiewicz, he began intercepting passes and all of a sudden his chest puffed out a little more proudly. There was a visible change in his confidence.
The former Oxford United man looked assured with the ball at his feet. He was never rushed and began to look comfortable at this level.
His goal only served to elevate his confidence and his commanding voice at the back became more audible even inside a raucous atmosphere at Cardiff City Stadium.
Warnock told Nelson early in the week he would be starting against Birmingham, having been impressed with him in the under-23s’ win over Crystal Palace last Monday.
It is understood the academy players have waxed lyrical about Nelson’s leadership qualities this season and many believe him to be a cut above that level.
A member of the club’s staff said: “He’s not short of confidence, that’s for sure.”
And, perhaps the first 20 minutes apart, that certainly proved the case.
On 85 minutes Cardiff City Stadium rose to its feet and roared as Sol Bamba made his long-awaited return to the side, but that applause could easily have been for the departing Nelson, who was so impressive for much of the game.
It does, however, throw up something of a selection dilemma for the Bluebirds boss.
It is as yet unknown whether Morrison will be fit enough for the visit of Bristol City next weekend, but if that is the case, Warnock will have four incredibly capable centre-backs to choose from.
Bamba, the talisman, Morrison, the captain, Aden Flint, the £6m
summer signing, and Nelson, the tyro who has just turned in a stellar display.
Warnock, however, did give a little insight into the pecking order after the Birmingham City game.
“I’m absolutely delighted with him,” Warnock said of Nelson.
“I told him he was playing early on in the week and I loved his attitude and enthusiasm.
“He was always going to score, he always comes up in the right places in the box.
“I’m pleased with Sol, but he knew that Curtis was in front of him in that respect. But I just wanted to get him on the bench because he gives us all a lift in the dressing room.
“He moans at everyone, so it’s great to have him around.”
But for a manager who seemingly had no option other than to stick with Morrison and Flint, all of a sudden he has some very important decisions to make at the heart of defence this week.