Bluebirds can’t spoil the Toon Army’s big night
THE end of the season – and possibly the end of an era. And neither given the home send off that anyone would have wanted.
There has been a feeling for some time that things are on the up at Cardiff City, of one of optimism about next season and of perhaps even promotion.
One defeat to a side who comfortably won promotion back to the Premier League at the first attempt will not change that, though Newcastle’s victory did remind of the work still to be done on top of the work already done by Neil Warnock.
Still, in an ideal world, this would have been a televised performance that underlined how Cardiff have come on and that Warnock could wave fans off into the summer on the back of the kind of big game, big win he so loves. Goals after the break from Chrstian Atsu and Isaac Hayden in a powerful second-half from Rafa Benitez’s men denied him that.
Likewise, in an ideal world, this would have been a romantic farewell to Peter Whittingham marked by a typical free-kick stunner or playmaking performance. It never came.
Of course, it might not be farewell. Contract talks will resume, the manager says, but it is hard to shake the feeling that a man who has delivered for a decade for the Bluebirds won’t be around for Warnock’s bid to challenge next year.
Indeed, there might well have been a shake of the head from the No.7 as he made way for Anthony Pilkington just after the hour mark without making much of a mark of his own. It certainly felt like a goodbye, even if Whittingham has rarely given away obvious signs of emotion – good or bad – since joining in 2007.
There was a head bowed when his number came up, his side a goal down at that stage, a pat on the back of the head from Aron Gunnarsson and possibly even a shake of his own. The prolonged applause from player and from fans was perhaps a case of paying mutual tribute now just in case this is it.
Of course, if Cardiff are to improve next season it has to be more about being ruthless than romantic, of which you are sure Warnock will be.
And while judging them against a Newcastle team free of pressure and full of big-money, big-experience, big-quality performers isn’t fair, it was a reminder that Warnock needs fresh blood.
It took two quality goals from the Toon - Atsu’s 55th minute free-kick brilliantly nonchalant and Isaac Hayden’s strike vicious ten minutes later.
But the way the side faded told a story of a long season, but also of the lack of depth Warnock has right now.
Although the positive news of Kenneth Zohore’s new contract was announced before kick-off, the way he struggled – though frustratingly isolated – against the Newcastle centre-backs underlined that he is still raw and will need support.
Likewise, Cardiff’s lack of pace was again on display while substitute Craig Noone might want to hope his future won’t be judged on this performance given Warnock’s touchline reaction to the failure to attack his markers, let alone the two chances missed – Cardiff’s only ones of the game.
Newcastle did not have many more but crucially took them, becoming stronger as the game wore on with Mohamed Diame outstanding.
It would have frustrated Warnock given Cardiff had done so well to contain for so long, competing gamely until the break and refusing to budge an inch in an even firsthalf.
The Bluebirds’ plan was clear and perfectly understandable, with Greg Halford – one of six changes including the return of Whittingham – initially impressing as he sat between the lines, shielding the back four and sweeping up loose balls.
The idea was then to try and launch quick counters, making hay from any set-pieces or wide deliveries that came as a result.
Indeed, it may well have produced the kind of start Warnock was after. Sean Morrison was dominant in the air all night and, had referee Graham Scott not judged his lean on his Newcastle marker to be a little too much, he would have had a goal to show for it rather than the frustration of a whistle and a disallowed opener.
Yet when Kadeem Harris – another out of contract at the end of this campaign – made way with little more than 20 minutes gone through injury, Cardiff’s chance to pressurise dried up somewhat.
And, in truth, there was little that had really tested Rob Elliott or worried a Newcastle defence that, through Ciaran Clark, were dealing with Zohore all rather too comfortably.
What would have pleased Warnock, though, was the way they were offering up no chances at the other end in response.
With the midfield tight and the backline switched on, only once the promotion-winners worried when, with Junior Hoilett failing to do enough defensively, Deandre Yedlin overlapped and smashed towards Allan McGregor.
But then came the difference. While Noone passed up his chance, Newcastle took theirs. The pressure had been increasing, the Cardiff concentration going the other way and the spaces being found. Morrison’s shove on Atsu was soft, the execution of the resulting free-kick from the same man cushioned perfection.
The changes came and so did the game-killer. Hayden’s finish was fierce, but so was Warnock’s reaction as he raged against the lack of blue shirt anywhere near the Toon midfielder.
Cardiff tried to find a way back but – if not for McGregor – Newcastle might well have added a third. It wouldn’t have been deserved, just as this wasn’t a fitting final home game or farewell for what Warnock’s men have done since those autumn worries of relegation.
Whether it was an unfitting farewell to Whittingham too will become clear.
One thing is for sure, change is coming.