‘Everyone’s buzzing after win... but the manager’s brought us back to earth’
IT’S been a long time coming, but Cardiff City finally have that winning feeling back after just over three months of waiting.
Tuesday night’s 2-0 victory over Birmingham City halted a sorry run of 14 games without a win, and handed Sabri Lamouchi his first three points since taking charge in the capital.
Here are the key talking points from a hugely positive night at St Andrew’s.
Change in system pays off
The four at the back that had previously been a constant of Lamouchi’s short time at the helm clearly had its issues, so it was perhaps inevitable the Frenchman might look at a change at some point.
At St Andrew’s, he opted for a back three, which ultimately left Cardiff’s defence feeling far more balanced on the night.
Perry Ng flourished in what now feels his favoured position on the right side of a back three, while Mark McGuinness and Cedric Kipre both produced similarly solid performances.
All three were terrific, but the change in shape also helped others to flourish.
Mahlon Romeo and Callum O’Dowda were given more licence to get forward out wide, providing greater support to the two up top of Kion Etete and Sory Kaba, while also remaining resolute in defence against a strong and physical Birmingham front line.
As Ng himself pointed out, Lamouchi has also seemingly made a concerted effort to get Cardiff playing a more direct brand of football - one that focuses on getting the ball in advanced areas as quickly as possible.
It’s not always pretty. Indeed, the first half was a particularly tough watch, but it did seemingly give Cardiff a greater control of the game, and it certainly paid off on this occasion.
“We’ve cut playing short a bit and playing in the opposition half a lot more, putting teams under pressure,” Ng said.
“I think it worked today.”
Ng free-kick fresh off the training ground
Many will have been taken aback by the quality of Ng’s free-kick for Cardiff’s opener, but anyone in and around the training ground this week certainly won’t have been too surprised.
As the player himself revealed: “I took a few in training yesterday. My last one actually went top bins so the gaffer told me to go in. So today, I stepped up and was positive.
“It was a weird angle at first but what have I got to lose?
“Luckily it went in the top corner, so I’m made up.”
It was a goal that has already been heavily circulated on social media over the last 12 hours. Cardiff have been desperately deprived of these sorts of Hollywood moments recently.
But the 26-year-old still had to muscle his way past a couple of teammates, who perhaps felt they were more deserving.
“I had to shove a few off it who didn’t believe in me,” he added. “But I think I’ve proved them wrong now, though. So I’m on them from now on! I used to take a few at Crewe, but a few kept going over the stands so I got taken off them! But I think I’m back on them now.”
Don’t be surprised to see him standing over another free-kick soon.
Wickham’s solid debut
Cardiff received a boost in the hours leading up to kick-off after Connor Wickham’s arrival was finally given the green light.
The 29-year-old has been in fine form in League One this season, netting nine goals for Forest Green Rovers before the end of his short-term deal in January.
The former Sunderland striker spoke before the game about how he didn’t feel he had anything to prove at this level (see story right), and he certainly seemed sharp enough when he came off the bench.
Indeed, he almost scored with his first touch, and Lamouchi is clearly confident the forward can make a positive impact over the coming weeks.
“He was not ready [to start], but we saw immediately the experience with his body and he knows the how to make the difference to help the team,” the boss said.
“We need these kind of players. It was a great attitude from all of them.”
Celebrations say it all
Ending a winless run of 14 games was always going to spark jubilation, but the celebrations for both goals, as well as those at full time, felt telling. Ng raced away to the touchline after netting his superb opener, revealing afterwards he was looking for a particular member of the backroom team.
“Bushy the kitman said if I score I had to run over to him, so I sprinted over, but couldn’t find him,” he said. “He was in the stands stuck so I had to wait for him for a bit!”
It hinted at the level of togetherness that, despite everything, is still burning in the belly of this squad. As
did the mob that rallied round Callum Robinson after the second.
It was Bluebirds legend and Lamouchi’s assistant Sol Bamba who caught the eye the most, however, heading to the away end at the fulltime whistle to thank fans for their support.
Channeling his inner Neil Warnock, the former centre-back gave the travelling crowd a few wound-up fist pumps as players and staff walked back towards the tunnel, much to the delight of the away following.
Sol Bamba “just gets it”, wrote one on social media, while Bamba himself said he “learned from the best”, referencing Warnock’s own trademark celebration.
No time to dwell - this has to be only the beginning
Apologies for ending on what might be considered a bit of a downer, but anyone getting carried away by this win would be well advised to look at the table.
It’s still pretty sobering. Yes, Cardiff ’s win has opened up a threepoint gap over Wigan Athletic in 22nd, but the Latics still have the luxury of two games in hand.
As do Huddersfield Town and Blackpool, both of whom prop up the table on 28 points. Both of whom have also hired former Cardiff bosses in their bids to avoid the drop.
After seeing Blackpool hire Mick McCarthy, some will perhaps feel a little uneasy at Huddersfield’s appointment of Neil Warnock, a man whose expertise in this sort of a crisis is unrivalled.
Cardiff play the Terriers on April 29 in the penultimate game of the season. It would certainly be wise to ensure the survival mission is complete by then. Dwelling on this victory would be a mistake, and that message has clearly already been drummed into the players.
“Everyone’s buzzing,” Ng added after the game. “But the manager’s brought us back down to earth saying we need to focus on the game Friday now, so we’ll enjoy it now.
“But we’ve got to get ready for Friday.”
Commenting on Lamouchi’s methods on the training ground, he added: “Every day he’s getting us pumped up and inspires us. He’s very energetic, which is good and on the training pitch he’s very tactical.”
Lamouchi said post-match: “It’s incredible. I’m so happy for the fans and especially for the players.
“We changed a lot of things, players, system, but I think they deserve the win. What a win. What a game. What a performance from them. The players came from the bench and made a difference as well.
“But I liked the fighting spirit. I liked the mentality today. And what a goal from Ng!
“I said to them that we needed a goal. We needed a victory, to give us a lift and give us energy.
“I’m happy for them and I’m happy for that. Because they didn’t deserve to be in this situation. They lost confidence and what we are doing in training, with the quality, I have a good squad.
“Like I said before, we just need to play with more confidence, it’s not easy. But I know it’s not easy, when the last victory was in mid-November.
“They deserve to enjoy it with the fans and to be happy in the dressing room. But we need to think about Reading and Friday night at home with our fans. I’m really happy with that.
“They respected the plan. It was an absolutely fantastic performance from all of them.”
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