Do Leeds lead in race for Wilson?

AS Cardiff City fans watched the Harry Wilson show on Saturday, it was perhaps overlooked just how impressive the Bluebirds’ defence was against Birmingham City.

The hosts, admittedly understrength, barely laid a glove on the compact, organised Bluebirds outfit at St Andrew’s, with that shrewd uncompromising edge back in full flow.

That achievement is all the more impressive given the absence of captain Sean Morrison, whose presence in the heart of that back three appears to have correlated rather strongly with Cardiff’s fortunes this season.

But Cardiff were untroubled. They were shrewd in defence and looked far more comfortable and controlled with the ball at their feet, something which no doubt will have been aided by the presence of Marlon Pack.

Pack slotted into the back three as a straight replacement for Morrison and looked at home immediately.

The midfielder has, like most of this Cardiff squad this season, endured periods of great highs and lows throughout the campaign. But his detractors often criticise him for playing too deep when he is deemed out of form.

So, centre-back looked like a natural option for him. However, he has never featured there, even when Neil Harris had something of a centreback crisis he opted for Joe Bennett, when Pack, to many, looked the most logical option.

But Pack took to the position seamlessly up at St Andrew’s and did himself justice, repaying the faith placed in him by McCarthy.

It was no coincidence, either, one would think, that McCarthy opted to go down that route. The manager could quite easily have played Ciaron Brown at centre-back and shifted Joe Ralls out to left wing-back, as he has done successfully before, such as in the South Wales derby win.

But it almost appeared to be something of a trial for McCarthy, who has said on several occasions in recent weeks that he has one eye on building his squad for next season.

It would be no surprise if Pack was named at centre-back this weekend against Rotherham, too, for that same reason.

McCarthy clearly favours a system which utilises three centre-backs, which consequently means that position has to have an extra body in reserve.

Morrison, Aden Flint and Curtis Nelson, many would say, are the nailed-on first choice three, while Brown is pushing them close after starting his Cardiff career impressively, too.

Quite what will happen with Sol Bamba next year remains to be seen, however it is fair to assume that McCarthy will not want to be relying too heavily on the defender if his contract is extended this summer. He will also likely have coaching duties with the age-group sides which will take up some of his time.

So, there are four, potentially five, options there, but McCarthy will want another. One injury and another suspension to two of his established cohort and suddenly he will be short on numbers.

Centre backs are premium positions and those in contract will likely cost a pretty penny; all of Morrison, Flint and Nelson cost City millions and another high-calibre defender would set the Bluebirds back something similar, no doubt.

So, why not use a player already in situ to prop up the options?

On Saturday’s evidence, Pack can fill that role and McCarthy certainly appears to agree with that school of thought.

“I think he can play there,” McCarthy said when asked if Pack was a long-term option at centre-back.

“Because he is certainly big enough and powerful enough, he is very good aerially. Technically he can get it and play from there and he did (at Birmingham).

“As he said, it’s a lovely string to have to his bow, because he has played very well in midfield for us, but I do like him there today.

“The way he gets on the ball, he has got a good passing range from there.”

This potential positional tweak certainly does have its advantages.

When Cardiff were in their slump under McCarthy, it was glaringly obvious that the service up to Kieffer Moore was not up to standard.

Flint, as good a defender as he is, is certainly not the best passer in the Cardiff City ranks, while Brown’s distribution has to improve markedly if he is to force his way ahead of the established three.

But with Pack, who is arguably the best long passer of the ball at the club, at the back, McCarthy’s game plan can be executed far more accurately.

The first-time ping up to Moore and the balls down the channel for the second striker to chase down were far crisper when Pack had possession up at St Andrew’s.

It just seems to make sense, certainly as a back-up option. As McCarthy says, he has the physical attributes and reads the game as well as anyone.

His organisational and leadership qualities come to the fore with the rest of the game being played out in front of him, too.

Another string to his bow, yes, but also a real option for Cardiff moving forward next season and one which could afford McCarthy a little more wriggle room to spend funds elsewhere this summer.

LEEDS United have been backed to make a move for Harry Wilson this summer.

The Welshman, on loan at Cardiff from Liverpool, has contributed seven goals and 12 assists across a very steady campaign.

The highlight of his Bluebirds stay undoubtedly came last weekend, when he hit a stunning hat-trick against Birmingham City at St Andrew’s.

After the game, Wilson spoke about his future at parent club Liverpool, stressing that he wants to play at the highest level he can – whether that be at Anfield or further afield.

“Obviously it’s always been my aim to get into the Liverpool team and play for the club I’ve been at since I was eight,” he said.

“But you know the quality Liverpool have got, the famous front three. I feel I’m good enough to be in that squad. I’d like to think I could go in there and add something different.

“I’ve always been confident in my ability and, playing with the players in that team, I feel it would help me with my game. But that’s out of my hands.

“That’s up to the manager there to make those decisions.

“I’m now determined to have a good Euros tournament and, if I’m not wanted at Liverpool, I’m determined to get a move.

“I feel I deserve to play at the highest level I can.”

Now, former Leeds striker Noel Whelan feels that his old club should reignite their longstanding interest in Wilson –stating that he would be an upgrade on current Whites player and Wales team-mate Tyler Roberts in Marcelo Bielsa’s squad.

Wilson has one year to run on his Liverpool contract, with Reds boss Jurgen Klopp likely to cash in on the No.10 this summer.

And Whelan feels he has all the attributes of a Bielsa player.

He told Football Insider: “Wilson could be an option for us.

“He is better than Tyler Roberts.

“Roberts has had a good run of games now and Marcelo Bielsa has talked about consistency and for me he has not shown it. Roberts has been given a really good crack of the whip in the second half of the season and [I] do not think he has been consistent. He hasn’t nailed that position down.

“When you are talking about a number 10, you need to be the star player. You need the one who creates, the one who opens up the door.

“He cannot do that on a regular basis. Wilson is a busy player, he has an eye for a pass, pace and a wonderful left-foot. He can adapt to a number of roles as well.”