A SLOW START
IT was the gentlest of friendlies played in an uber-fair spirit (prompting Warnock to claim he “didn’t enjoy” it afterwards) but the purpose of this game was to allow Cardiff’s players to find their feet in a (fairly) competitive environment.
In that sense this was a fully worthwhile exercise, even if the Bluebirds play was laboured at times. It was clear that match sharpness will take some time to return.
There were glimpses of the fastpaced football Warnock is eager to see, with Joe Bennett a live-wire at left back for the first 45 minutes and sparkles from the likes of Matty Kennedy and Craig Noone out wide, but Cardiff weren’t clinical enough.
Of course, that doesn’t matter too much in a pre-season friendly — which was being played in aid of charity, let’s not forget — but the Bluebirds must find their ruthless edge in the coming weeks.
One suspects Warnock will use the pre-season tour to Cornwall as a chance to rebuild fitness and extend playing time for the first-team regulars, with the Championship season now only three weeks away. PILKINGTON’S name has been included in discussions about players who may leave Cardiff City Stadium this summer, but would the Bluebirds really allow someone of his talents to depart?
The former Norwich man would command a fair fee and Warnock may feel he has adequate options in Pilkington’s positions.
And sure, we haven’t seen the very best of the Irish international in a blue shirt for a season or two but, he is capable of the sublime and the spectacular.
Cardiff fans will never forget his humdinger of a winning goal at Bristol City last season, and the sixth minute goal in this game was of genuine quality.
Pilkington turned and volleyed in one movement, producing a strike too powerful and accurate for the Taffs Well goalkeeper.
He then hobbled off — as a precaution — as Bluebirds fans went home pondering what the future holds for ‘Pilks’. AS well as new signings Neil Etheridge, Danny Ward, Loic Damour and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, there was a chance for Bluebirds fans to see some younger, less familiar names strut their stuff in a first team shirt.
Cameron Coxe was particularly impressive in 60 minutes at rightback, suggesting he may add to Warnock’s selection dilemmas in that position.
Callum Paterson won’t return from a ligament injury until Octo- ber, yet with Jazz Richards and Lee Peltier both available at right-back too, Coxe will have to work hard for inclusion.
But along with James Waite, he took his chance. Lloyd Humphries, Mark Harris and Rhys Abbruzzese also offered brief glimpses of their potential.
Harris is certainly one to watch over the coming months.
It’s clear Warnock sees the 18-year-old Welshman as a No.10, so whether he gets many first team minutes ahead of new signing Lee Tomlin remains to be seen.
Waite was impressive after replacing Pilkington early on. IF you believe Warnoock, Sol Bamba, Sean Morrison and Bruno Manga could form the Championship’s most formidable defence in the next 12 months, with all possessing the power and poise to nullify all comers. So it was slightly strange to see them on display here, in the modest surroundings of the Rhiwr dda Stadium, taking on Welsh League opponents.
Both Manga and Bamba are players with such quality that they simply never looked troubled by Taffs Well and a clean sheet always looked likely. Bamba partnered Morrison in the first half, while Manga and Matt Connolly formed a rock-solid duo after the break.
All four players, in fact, looked unfazed and untroubled despite the Cardiff forwards’ frustration against the Wellmen.
It was a timely reminder that Cardiff possess a seriously good defence that ranks alongside any in the division. That will surely become a fulcrum on which a promotion bid is built. The challenge for Warnock is finding the right combination.