Central issue... Bamba and Co make their case
GIVEN the dull nature of Cardiff City’s goalless draw with Barnsley at Oakwell, fans can be forgiven for looking ahead to the summer and beyond as they look to back Neil Warnock’s aims of launching a promotion challenge next season.
But – despite the scoreline – the game against Paul Heckingbottom’s side provided plenty of major talking points and numerous firsts.
Regular skipper Sean Morrison was dropped from the starting XI, with Sol Bamba partnering Bruno Manga at the heart of the defence for the first time.
And it also meant the Ivorian centre-back donned the captain’s armband for the first time since joining the Bluebirds back in October.
Manga had impressed with several last-ditch tackles in the 3-1 defeat to Wolves at Molineux just three days before the game at Oakwell, while Bamba has arguably been the club’s player of the season.
So, it was just typical that when Warnock decided it was time to experiment and see who should have the responsibility of guarding the goalkeeper – a position seemingly up for grabs next season – that the Yorkshireman was forced into a major reshuffle of his defence at Barnsley.
Bamba was forced off the pitch through injury after 64 minutes, meaning Morrison was thrust straight back into the limelight having expected to warm the bench for the night in south Yorkshire.
And that followed the unexpected change between the sticks as seemingly-forgotten man Brian Murphy replaced the injured Allan McGregor who – according to Warnock – has no future at the club beyond his loan from Hull as the Bluebirds can’t afford to keep the Scot.
The versatile Matt Connolly slotted in at right-back, while Joe Bennett continued in the left full-back position in the absence of Lee Peltier.
It all meant that Cardiff ended the match with no fewer than seven players on the pitch who can play in defence, including Greg Halford who operated in front of the backline at Oakwell.
So, while it was probably more than Warnock had hoped to see ahead of kick-off, the Cardiff manager certainly has plenty to ponder following what proved to be a somewhat drab draw that edged the Bluebirds ever closer to the end of the season.
Bamba – whose fitness remains in doubt ahead of the clash with Brentford at Cardiff City Stadium tomorrow – proved he was captaincy material as he has done even when not wearing the armband this season.
Connolly showed his versatility could be very useful in a side that has struggled when decimated with injuries, while Morrison slotted seamlessly into the back four when the call came.
And Manga was also on hand to help the Bluebirds keep a clean sheet for the first time since the 5-0 drubbing of Rotherham on February 18.
It leaves Warnock with a big question to answer, one he may already have the answer to, or perhaps – as the experiment at Barnsley showed – one he feels is still to be decided.
Players now have six opportunities between now and the end of the campaign to prove they’re worth being included in his plans for next season. it sure to be an interesting time. Bamba’s inclusion in the starting XI is a must, given his experience and his performances since joining the Bluebirds earlier in the campaign.
And Manga’s efforts following his recent return to the side after a lengthy injury lay-off have been promising, so much so that he has been touted by Cardiff City legend Nathan Blake no less to start alongside the Ivorian next season.
Morrison may well feel unfortunate given that he’s played the most minutes of any Cardiff player so far this season, but the game at Oakwell proved he will certainly get his chance to shine if he is deemed surplus to requirements in the starting XI.