Bogle andTomlin can giveWarnock a selection headache
OMAR Bogle and Lee Tomlin both sparked a stunning second-half comeback for Cardiff City against Norwich City on Friday night.
Tomlin’s enterprise, combined with Bogle’s purposeful movement injected a vigour into what was a lethargic attack and a game heading for certain defeat.
City are by no means in need of an overhaul, comfortably sitting in second, six points ahead of Sheffield United. And, whilst Neil Warnock still maintains that a play-off place would be considered a great success, City fans will be harbouring ambitions of automatic promotion.
Arguably, Cardiff cannot do much more than they’re already doing: four consecutive wins and three clean sheets, and displays of grit and fight dovetailed with moments of attacking dazzle. Yet they have the potential to kick into overdrive if Warnock deploys the dynamic duo of Bogle and Tomlin more often in the second half of the season.
Though he has only started two games this season, the productivity of Cardiff’s attack when Bogle plays is startlingly different to when he does not.
With the ex-Wigan man in the side, Cardiff average 15 shots per game. Without him, that number is significantly reduced to 10. Statistics are often a misguiding tool for analysis, but it is clear that Bogle injects impetus and purpose to the front-line.
Bogle’s individual record is highly impressive, posting a conversion rate few can rival: he averages a goal every 71 minutes, scoring every three shots he takes.
Not particularly thought of as a clinical striker prior to his move to CF11, Bogle is showing signs of evolving into a ruthless poacher under Warnock. Such instinct provides greater bite to a Bluebirds attack that already swaggers with an enviable efficiency in the final third.
If you want an example of how statistics don’t always tell the full story, then look no further than Tomlin, who has not scored or assisted for the Bluebirds this year. However, on the occasions when he has been selected or introduced by Warnock, the ex-Bristol City man has looked a cut above the rest.
His sharp turn against the Canaries, which was the genesis of Bogle’s goal, can only be produced by those with Tomlin’s level of acute spatial awareness.
If one marries Tomlin’s obvious skill and his direct nature – he has produced, on average, more forward passes than every City midfield bar Aron Gunnarsson – with the savvy movement of Bogle, the two could form a deadly partnership that would be the envy of most other Championship sides.
Oddly, Tomlin’s lack of workrate off the ball may even contribute to the pair fostering a lethal relationship. Bogle would, one assumes, have to drop even deeper with Tomlin in the side, compensating for his defensive truancy.
He would not the be instigator of a collective press, but rather fit into a flat four, with the wingers either side of himself and Tomlin – the pair defending together and forming a linear line with the other attackers.
A 4-2-4 formation would appear, with the two deep lying central midfielders floating between the defence and attack.
While this may negate the effectiveness of Cardiff ’s pressing, which has been a staple in their defensive work, it would ensure greater chemistry on the counterattack.
It would mean Bogle and Tomlin would operate in closer proximity, with the two able to combine with speed and spur a City breakaway.
Bogle’s derby-day sins looked to have exiled him for longer than his suspension, however, Kenneth Zohore’s long-term injury opened up a channel to redemption, and smartly-taken finish against Norwich, which topped off a laudablyindustrious performance, has seen him stake a claim for a starting berth.
Tomlin, too, has been twiddling his thumbs. His inclusion could still trigger a greater pace and verve into City’s play, with his ability for the sublime showcased on several occasions.
Zohore’s return will present further headaches, but for now, Bogle and Tomlin should be unleashed at the mercy of opposition defences.