Media View: Expert insight on Cardiff City

Dominic Solanke’s 18^th goal of the season saw the Cherries triumph 1-0 against QPR on Monday, Scott Parker’s team having beaten the Londoners in September.

Four days after winning at Vitality Stadium, the Cherries headed to South Wales where Phil Billing bagged the only goal to see off the Bluebirds at Cardiff City Stadium.

That was a second reverse in an unwanted club record run of eight successive league defeats for Cardiff, which saw them drop into the lower reaches of the table.

Manager Mick McCarthy parted company with the club in October and was replaced on a caretaker basis by Steve Morison who stopped the rot in dramatic fashion.

In his first game at the helm, Cardiff were 3-0 down against Stoke City before scoring three times in five minutes to salvage a 3-3 draw at the bet365 Stadium.

Appointed permanently in November, Morison has overseen 2-1 wins against Huddersfield (h), Preston (a) and Luton (a) as well as presiding over a 2-2 draw at Birmingham. The Bluebirds have lost three games during his brief tenure, at home to QPR (1-0), Hull (1-0) and Sheffield United (3-2).

Ahead of the clash, afcb.co.uk caught up with Glen Williams who covers the fortunes of the Bluebirds for Wales Online.

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CARDIFF CITY PROFILE

Ground: Cardiff City Stadium

Nickname: Bluebirds

Head coach: Steve Morison (appointed November 2021)

Club captain: Sean Morrison

Current league position: 20th

Leading goalscorer 2021/22: Kieffer Moore (five in Championship)

Last game: Birmingham City 2-2 Cardiff City (Championship)

afcb.co.uk: Cardiff won three and drew two of their first six league games before losing eight on the trot – what went wrong in your opinion?

GW: I think it was a combination of teams working them out and a lack of attacking potency. Cardiff slashed their squad in the summer and, as a result, were unable to switch things up too much or bring in quality when other players’ form dipped.

Cardiff’s game plan was fairly simplistic, too, to say the least. It was very direct and had very little guile or ingenuity. Once teams worked out how to stop the ball to the big man up front, Cardiff were found wanting.

afcb.co.uk: Have you noticed any significant changes under Steve Morison?

GW: Yes, encouragingly. Every fan has, too, which is why there is a morsel of optimism despite the looming cloud of the current league position.

There has been a dramatic shift in style of play to one which is far more pleasing on the eye, slicker and boasts more variety.

The defence is still poor and if the Bluebirds are to propel themselves away from the drop zone that simply has to be sorted. A team with this much experience should not have the second-worst defensive record in the division.

But, on the whole, the changes have been positive.

afcb.co.uk: What’s the mood among the fan base?

GW: There is certainly a sense of trepidation. If any season hits the halfway mark and your team is in the crux of a relegation battle, it is worrying for supporters.

They are more confident now than they were at the tail end of that eight-game losing streak, of course, plus the shift in how the team is actually playing, certainly in attack, is heartening for many.

Morison has done a very good job in his short time in charge, but with Bournemouth and West Brom, two top teams in this division, the next two fixtures following two postponed matches, this little period is cause for concern.

afcb.co.uk: Who is Cardiff’s one to watch?

GW: Rubin Colwill. He has been Cardiff's breakthrough player in 2021 and is a really exciting prospect. He is still a little erratic at times but can do special things with the ball at his feet. Probably Cardiff's only real X-factor player.

He is still only 19 and has much to learn, but he is unique, certainly in Cardiff’s squad, in how he plays the game. He can open up defences and has an eye for goal, too. 

afcb.co.uk: Who is Cardiff’s unsung hero?

GW: Joe Ralls. It is notable just how much better Cardiff are when he is fit and firing in the middle of the park. He drives the tempo and has a real go-forward about him. The fans appreciate him more with every passing season and he has proved his worth once again in recent months. Tends to be at the heart of most things positive for City.

afcb.co.uk: Are any key players either suspended or injured against the Cherries?

GW: Not that I know of.

afcb.co.uk: What’s your score prediction?

GW: AFC Bournemouth 3-1 Cardiff.

You can follow Glen on Twitter – @GlenWilliams12

Officials: James Linington (referee), Robert Hyde (assistant), Nigel Lugg (assistant), Charles Breakspear (fourth official).