Still work to do... but no Warnock has created a
THE new season is just under a week away and boss Neil Warnock is close to finalising his starting XI for Saturday’s opening clash away to Burton Albion.
The 68-year-old, who has just completed his 38th pre-season campaign as a manager, has overseen an intriguing summer that is due to culminate in a curtain-raiser laced with levels of optimism not seen in the Welsh capital for years.
Make no mistake promotion is the aim, and Warnock has clearly seen enough from this pre-season campaign to suggest that it is a genuinely achievable goal.
It hasn’t been a completely flawless summer, but Warnock should be reasonably happy with what he has seen on and off the pitch.
WHAT’S GONE RIGHT?
PERHAPS the most notable improvement on 12 months ago is the very atmosphere around the club.
Warnock has seemingly made a point of strengthening the links between the team and the fans, with the opening fixture of the summer at Taff’s Well setting a noticeable tone for the tour of Devon and Cornwall, where the boss and his players appeared happy to mingle with travelling supporters.
But despite the selfies and the autographs Warnock still didn’t lose focus on ensuring his players got minutes under their belts.
Indeed, in terms of events on the pitch, the tour was a big success, with City recording comfortable wins over Tavistock (7-2) and Bodmin Town (3-1), before edging to a 1-0 victory over Plymouth.
That game was certainly the sternest test of the tour, but displaying the ability to knuckle down and grind out a result was pleasing.
But perhaps one of the most positive developments over the last few weeks has been the way Warnock’s seven summer signings have settled in with the rest of the team.
Lee Tomlin has already shown flashes of the sort of brilliance that can drive a promotion campaign, while Nathaniel Mendez-Laing and Loic Damour have turned in some very solid perfomances.
The win over Livingston on Friday will also have given Warnock plenty to ponder when it comes to striking options, with new signing Danny Ward netting two goals during a strong showing off the bench.
Kenneth Zohore will be the main man, however, having bagged four goals during the summer schedule, but Warnock will certainly feel more confident about having another option up front should he need it.
Zohore isn’t the only member of last season’s squad to have impressed, with the likes Sol Bamba and Aron Gunnarsson looking assured when called upon.
And although he hasn’t had a break, Junior Hoilett has still shown himself to be a potentially key part of Warnock’s plans this season, following up an impressive Gold Cup run with Canada by opening the scoring in the victory over Livingston.
The former Blackburn man only lasted 45 minutes before being substituted, but nevertheless managed to leave his mark by terrorising the Livingston defence.
If he can stay fit and produce some similar performances this season, he could well find himself rivalling Lee Tomlin as City’s most creative outlet.
ANY CONCERNS?
CARDIFF’S only defeat of pre-season – a 2-1 loss at Shrewsbury – was a timely reminder that there is still plenty of work to be done.
Having squandered a number of first-half chances at the Montgomery Waters Meadow. They should have really been out of sight by the break, but could only muster a solitary Mendez-Laing strike just before halftime.
They were made to pay for their profligacy shortly after the interval as Shrewsbury hit back with two goals in as many minutes to snatch victory, much to the annoyance of the Bluebirds boss.
Warnock was quick to warn his side against what he perceived to be defensive sloppiness, stating at the time “If we’re going to do anything next year we can’t concede as sloppily as that”.
Friday night was certainly the perfect response to that defeat, but it did perhaps highlight an issue that has seemingly lingered from last season.
Despite making a number of new signings to his ranks, Warnock’s squad still looks potentially thin on the ground in certain areas.
The absence of Jazz Richards and newcomer Callum Paterson meant Greg Halford and Bruno Manga filled in at right-back on Friday and, to their credit, appeared quite comfortable.
However, playing players out of