Come out fighting, City
WARNOCK HOPING HIS BLUEBIRDS CAN PACK A PUNCH ON BOXING DAY AFTER BOLTON SETBACK
IT might seem illogical, but Fulham could prove the ideal opponents for Cardiff City on Boxing Day, the hectic Christmas schedule might prove the perfect tonic after a bad day at Bolton.
Because by Neil Warnock’s own admission, Cardiff won’t face as many teams as physical as Bolton Wanderers this season.
The Trotters’ combative style actually unsettled the Cardiff’ midfield, so the more free-flowing Fulham - you would assume - will offer up more openings for the Bluebirds’ battery of forwardthinkers.
They were stymied at the Macron: Omar Bogle stifled by the physical David Wheater and Mark Beevers, Junior Hoilett largely contained by Mark Little, the defence a little wobbly and off colour in the final 15 minutes.
And while Cardiff haven’t chalked up a win against Fulham in their previous six attempts, more recent history suggests the Boxing Day game could be more successful.
With Slavisa Jokanovic, a contender for the vacant Swansea City job, lest we forget, ensuring his team plays attractive football at every opportunity, it will be another match in which Cardiff can counter, as the prefer.
They couldn’t really do that against Bolton.
But the Bluebirds could have Kenneth Zohore back after he started his first game since October 13. The Dane making a quiet cameo at the Macron Stadium, and Warnock hopes he can make a big impact.
“It’s lovely to see Ken back fit,” he said.
“It was nice to see him come on and hopefully we’ve got one or two coming back as well.
“We could play Ken against Fulham.
“He’s been away that long and we do need him, especially with Danny Ward out as well. We’ve done ever so well so far but you’ve got to get your strikers fit who can get you goals. I think Ken can.”
On the contrasting approaches of the two teams in white who sandwich Cardiff’s Christmas, Warnock was hopeful that the shift in style could be to his team’s benefit.
As well as Zohore, Cardiff could have Craig Bryson and Kadeem Harris in the matchday squad. And not before time.
Their midfield has looked a little weary of late.
Loic Damour is clearly in need of a rest and was one of those blatantly rattled by Bolton, but the schedule and injury list has dictated that he starts every game alongside the metronomic Joe Ralls in midfield.
“We won’t come across that again,” said Warnock of Bolton’s combative style, typified by the aggressive and wizened Karl Henry and Darren Pratley in midfield.
“I was quite pleased with how we coped with it. The tackling left a lot to be desired but if the referee lets you get away with it, use it.”
Whether Lee Tomlin comes into contention against Fulham is another matter entirely. It seemed a small storm was brewing in the 28-year-old after he was hooked just 16 minutes into his substitute appearance.
You suspect Fulham’s open style and the comfort of a home crowd could mean Boxing Day suits the enigmatic No.10, but so often this season Warnock has favoured the more functional footballer, like his decision to start Greg Halford at the Macron.
“I thought the game (at Bolton) was too physical for a Tomlin in there, are you with me? And I think I was right,” added Warnock.
“Four games in a week, there was nothing to lose and I thought Greg (Halford) did alright. I was quite pleased with Greg.”
No doubt Warnock will have to call upon fringe players like Halford, Anthony Pilkington and Liam Feeney plenty and often between now and New Year’s Day. It’s a squad game, the veteran boss is always keen to point out. It’s a long season too.
“You can’t get too carried away looking at results,” he added. “Because the next game comes around in two days, or three days. I lose count!
“We’re going to have four games without taking a breath so we’ll probably know more on January 2, resting at home have a nice mince pie.”
Wolves 1-0 win over Ipswich means Nuno Espirito Santo’s side now have a seven-point lead over the Bluebirds.
Derby County and Bristol City are both breathing down Cardiff’s neck, but this season is only at its halfway point and there’s an important month of transfers to come.
Whatever, Warnock isn’t getting carried away.
“I think they’re are a good side, and they’ll probably improve in the transfer window,” he said in relation to Wolves.
“But we’ve just got to look after ourselves, lick our wounds and get on with the next one.”