Bold Cardiff are reaping rewards
THERE’S no doubt about the result of the season so far: Cardiff City’s brilliant 3-2 victory over Manchester City last Sunday.
How did they do it? With a lot of hard work, good organisation and a brave approach to the game.
Malky Mackay’s side are very comfortable in possession and that is a good starting point. When Crystal Palace welcomed one of the big boys a fortnight ago, they looked worried in possession, giving the ball back to Tottenham too easily. Having the ball cannot be an ordeal; it has to be embraced.
Cardiff certainly embraced the ball and they retained it well. Then, when they wanted to, the likes of Craig Bellamy and Fraizer Campbell made aggressive runs off the ball, stretching the City back line at every opportunity. They try to move the ball forward quickly. There were occasions when Aron Gunnarsson won the ball in midfield and immediately beat a couple of men to start an attack. There is a basic shape to the team but Cardiff are happy to abandon it at times in pursuit of creating chances. If players see one of their team-mates is isolated, they get across to help him, even if it means leaving their ‘position’.
There were times, for example, when the talented Peter Whittingham, a left-sided player, turned up on the right wing.
When Cardiff flood areas like that, it can confuse the opposition. Manchester City were outnumbered and hesitant, giving Cardiff time on the ball. The adventure was rewarded. And if someone like Whittingham is out of position and loses the ball, he doesn’t just retreat back into shape, he closes the ball down immediately. There’s an adaptability in the team. Key to a lot of the good work is Gary Medel, Mackay’s £9.5m signing from Sevilla. He’s nicknamed the Pitbull and you can see why as he snaps at the opposition’s heels. He protected the back four when necessary but also joined Gunnarsson going forward. Midfielder Kim Bo-kyung impresses me too and he closed down Yaya Toure as soon as he had the ball.
When Cardiff didn’t have the ball against City, they were equally impressive. Whittingham and Bellamy were happy to cover in behind their own fullbacks and I noticed Bellamy at right back a few times. The players are all aware of their responsibilities and shape. There is a real grit and determination to work together. At one point in the first half, when the score was 0-0, all 11 Cardiff players were in their own box in general play, such was the willingness to work hard.
It seemed like the perfect performance and a far cry from the defeat by West Ham on the opening day. But Cardiff always perform well at home. Last season they lost just twice at the Cardiff City Stadium.
The crowd are as resilient and enthusiastic as the players. The team and the fans are at one.
So how can visitors Everton combat this unity of purpose today? They must flood central areas to move Medel away from his position in front of the back four and force Whittingham and Bellamy off the flanks. City made it too easy for Cardiff, with Jesus Navas sticking to his flank, making it simple to track and mark.
Everton must throw more men into the mix. And if they can win the ball quickly in central areas, they can ask questions of the Cardiff centre halves. The home side will just be hoping they can match their perfect performance.