Fans vent their views on Bluebirds’ selection... and those long throws

Football writer NEIL Warnock could not hide his disappointment as Cardiff City’s winless start to the 2018/19 season continued with a 2-1 defeat at home to Burnley.

The Yorkshireman bemoaned his side’s defensive errors in the loss to the Clarets and conceded that the Bluebirds were “lacking a little bit of quality”.

Defeat to Sean Dyche’s troops means Cardiff remain in the relegation zone with just two points from their opening seven league fixtures.

Cardiff travel to London on Saturday to face Tottenham at Wembley in what will be their final chance to pick up some much needed points before the international break.

And ahead of the clash with Mauricio Pochettino’s side, we asked the Cardiff faithful what they think needs to change for the Bluebirds to start getting positive results.

Fans had suggestions on everything from team selection to tactics.

So here’s a closer look at what supporters think Cardiff need to change to put an end to their miserable start to the season.

Becky Richards questioned the Bluebirds’ use of the long throw tactic, adding that Joe Bennett should be first choice left-back. SHE commented: “Our defending has to be better.

“Two scrappy goals conceded which is not like us. Why Sean Morrison is taking throws I don’t know... Callum Paterson should be taking them and put Morrison in the box.

“Greg Cunningham is no Bennett, he just defends he doesn’t add anything going forward.

“Harry Arter and Victor Camarasa are quality but are being let down by the tactics and the players around them. We need an experienced defender and striker who know this league in January.”

Ryan David Roberts echoed Becky’s views on the left-back situation and also commented on Cardiff’s use of the long throw-in, stating that Morrison should be on the receiving end of the deliveries rather than taking them himself. HE said: “Bennett was missed today, Cunningham just doesn’t look up for the job.

“Harry Arter, Josh Murphy and Camarasa looked awesome. Also them long throws, what a waste. Should play them short and then cross, Morrison is more useful in the box.”

Gareth Dix urged the Bluebirds to have more confidence on the ball and not be afraid of taking the game to their opponents. “JUST don’t be afraid to play football,” he said. When we did, we scored yesterday, so why resort to all those tedious long throws that at best can only lead to a scrappy 50/50?”

Rob Lay and Steven Christopher both want to see Cardiff keep the ball on the deck more, with Rob referencing the slick move that saw Josh Murphy score the equaliser in the defeat to Burnley as a moment where the Bluebirds showed they do have the quality to harm sides. “GREAT seeing the boys play the ball on the ground for Murphy’s goal, other than that watching the ball up in the air is a recipe for disaster, no control up there,” said Rob. And Steven simply commented: “Stop the long ball strategy.”

As far as team selection is concerned, Twitter user Matthewblue1103 believes Warnock needs to persist with the same starting XI for a run of fixtures, adding that he’s also unimpressed with the overuse of the long throw tactic. “STOP the stupid predictable long throw,” he said. “It’s not working, let the defenders concentrate on defending, and keep the same starting 11, stop changing the team.”

Andrew Smith meanwhile was Cardiff fans want to see skipper Sean Morrison in the penalty box posing a threat and not taking long throw-ins another who urged Warnock to re-introduce Bennett at left-back having gone with summer signing Cunningham in the last two games, adding that the Bluebirds’ frontmen simply aren’t good enough. “I SAID it from day one, strikers are not good enough,” said Andrew.

“And need a new right back or start Jazz Richards. Joe Bennett should be starting too as gives us a bit more flare going forward with the runs he makes.”

The Bluebirds will be without injured duo Nathaniel MendezLaing and Lee Peltier for the clash with Spurs while Aron Gunnarsson is continuing to recover after suffering a setback ahead of the 5-0 defeat to champions Man City.