Gareth has taken a look at the players and managers performances across the season. A little something for the Cardiff City fans in a week dominated by other south Wales clubs. There’s bound to be lots of opinions generated.
I’ve taken a look at each member of the squad and their contribution to a frustrating season for Cardiff City.
Alex Smithies 6.5/10 – A solid season for Smithies, a mysterious illness at Bristol City meant he was forced to warm the bench for some of the season. He managed to retake the no1 jersey but made mistakes at the back end of the season. Next season Phillips will be ready to take over if given the chance.
Dillion Phillips 6/10 – Some very good performances when Smithies was absent with illness. I think his distribution needs to be worked on to compete for the no1 jersey on a permanent basis, but he is more than capable of keeping a starting spot if given the chance.
Osei Tutu 5/10 – The Arsenal loanee just didn’t get enough game time in the capital due to injury. He has the ability and would have complimented the 5-3-2 system going forward but it’s unlikely a return is on the cards ahead of next season.
Sean Morrison 8/10 – Mixed bag for the skipper this season and we’ve probably seen 2 different Sean Morrison’s at times. This season it didn’t really click under Neil Harris but as soon as Mick McCarthy arrived the skipper was back to his best. Had he not suffered injury at the business end of the season, Cardiff could maybe have finished closer to the Playoffs.
Aden Flint 6/10 – It’s been the good, the bad, and the ugly at times for Flint this season. Another who suffered lack of game time and had some poor performances at the start of the season. He was eventually loaned to Sheffield Wednesday by Neil Harris, but injury saw Flint return to Cardiff. He did gain hero status by grabbing the winner in the South Wales Derby. It’s clear you get the best out of Flint when he’s playing as part of 3 at the back.
Curtis Nelson 6/10 – Nelson has had plenty of game time. With the quick turnaround of the back to back seasons (due to Covid) Nelson’s performance maybe suffered from fatigue in the first half of this season. The switch to a 3 at the back and his partnership with Joe Bennett on the left hand side of defence really helped him and Cardiff on their 11 match unbeaten run in January and February. Nelson did however struggled to find the same form when losing Bennett and Morrison to injury at the end of the season.
Joe Bennett 6/10 – Bennett found his best form this season when moving to wing back. His partnership in a 5 with Curtis Nelson made Cardiff really hard to break down. Injury came at the wrong time for him and Cardiff. Most fans I’d suggest want him to stay and Cardiff will struggle to replace his experience and quality at wing back. But Mehmet Dalman’s recent comments don’t suggest a deal is imminent.
Perry NG 6/10 – Ng arrived in January and within his first week Neil Harris had been sacked. He’s slotted straight into a system that is not forgiving for a wing back and is certainly comfortable at Championship level. mistakes have and will be made, but experience will come and make him a better player.
Joel Bagan/Tom Sang – hard to give ratings for both players who have come through the youth system. Solid when called upon, and more first team game time is a certainty for these two next season.
Ciaron Brown 5/10 – The rating is maybe harsh, and perhaps we haven’t seen enough from him. He has done okay when covering for Nelson but it will be interesting to see what happens with him. My personal opinion is Cardiff need a ball playing centre half and Brown may be the one to be sent out on loan again to make way for new signing.
Leandro Bacuna 6/10 – Neil Harris’ utility man. Bar goalkeeper and striker I don’t think he could have played in anymore positions under Harris. At times it didn’t work at right back and I think most fans would agree he’s better in midfield. He needs to have a permanent position next season.
Joe Ralls 5.5/10 – The midfield as a unit has required a lot of changes due to schedule demand and a run of form hasn’t really been found by Ralls. His sending off in the South Wales derby was a low point for him. But again he has chipped in with the odd goal in an average season from Joe.
Marlon Pack 5.5/10 – Some good and some bad performances from Pack this season. When Pack plays next season he can’t sit on top of a back 3 limiting the midfield. McCarthy may even use Pack in defence next season if a ball playing centre half cannot be found.
Will Vaulks- 6.5/10 – Vaulks never really found any form under Neil Harris although under McCarthy he has certainly been trusted. Goals and form have followed but he certainly needs to work on ball retention next season.
Lee Tomlin – very limited game time so couldn’t really give a rating. Ahead of next season fitness questions will come into play again. I would love to see Lee fit and firing at the start of the next season but I don’t think you can build a team around him going forward.
Harry Wilson 7.5/10 – Harry Wilson in my opinion is too good for the Championship. But Neil Harris didn’t ever build the team around him for some strange reason and Wilson was moved around the forward line too many times. Assists were there all season and if he’d been given a set role from the start I’m sure we would have seen more goals. His hattrick at Birmingham in the last away game was sublime and I hope he carries that into the Euro’s. The faint rumours that a loan next season is possible fills Cardiff fans with hope but Harry deserves to find a permanent home and play at the highest level possible and I don’t see him returning (but we can hope).
Josh Murphy 5.5/10 – Cardiff fans just want the penny to drop for Josh Murphy and it’s been another in and out season under both Harris and McCarthy. I don’t see how he fits in the 5-3-2 system on a permanent basis. Big decision for both player and club as to whether to stick or twist.
Sheyi Ojo 5.5/10 – He is due to return to Liverpool but when it clicked it looked good and there were moments of quality from him. Personally I think there is a player that Cardiff could benefit from but can they get the best out of him on a permanent basis and is it too much of a gamble?
Kieffer Moore 9/10 – Cardiff’s player of the season by a long way. Fatigue probably cost him another 4 or 5 goals in a season where Cardiff in my opinion under achieved. Cardiff will probably have to fight off Premier League sides to keep him next season. It may get even harder to hold onto him if the big man has a great Euro’s for Wales (which I really hope he does).
Robert Glatzel/Junior Hoilett 4/10 – The Big German just doesn’t seem to have the minerals for Championship football and that resulted in a loan move to Mainz in the Bundesliga. I’d suggest it’s best for both parties that a move away is cemented for next season. Junior Hoilett has been a great servant to the club and created many happy memories in the Blue of Cardiff. But it just looked like the fire in the belly had fizzled out from the start for the Canadian International.
Finally there is much optimism around the youngsters next season. I’m really looking forward to see what Rubin Colwill and co can offer the first team. it’s been a really long time since Cardiff fans got really excited about a youth player so I hope the club and management don’t put too much pressure on these promising young Bluebirds.
Managers
Neil Harris 3/10 – Personal opinion he should have been asked to clear his desk after the Bristol City loss in the first half of the season. Relied previously on a bit of magic here and there from Tomlin and co and the luck run out. Divided the dressing room by letting Callum Paterson leave and forcing Flint to leave on loan. In the end it all got a bit messy on and off the pitch.
Mick McCarthy 6.5/10 – Certainly had new manager bounce, but the cycle looks so similar to Neil Warnock’s tenure only time will tell. Nearly managed to grab a playoff spot and maybe should have, especially after Cardiff had pulled themselves right back in the race for the playoffs by winning at Swansea. But that win was followed by disappointing defeats to Nottingham Forest and Sheffield Wednesday that really killed the season off quickly,
McCarthy was probably unlucky to have injuries to key players at the wrong time. But the table never lies and there are big decisions to be made over the summer.
New arrival
James Collins 2.0
Cardiff this week announced the signing of James Collins (“No it’s not the Ginger Monster coming out of retirement”). The Irishman comes in on a free transfer from Luton Town and I think he ticks all the boxes for Cardiff City ahead of next season. Competition and support for Kieffer Moore too (if they can hold on to him). The style of play will likely suit Collins. He scores goals at Championship level and Cardiff haven’t had to pay a fee at a time where finances are tight.
Welcome James Collins 2.0 to the Capital!
Sol Bamba
“Last Christmas I gave you my heart, but the very next day you gave it away ,This year to save me from tears, I’ll give it to Sol Bamba”
When you think of Cardiff City legends you think of Peter Whittingham, Phil Dwyer and others. But I’m sure Sol Bamba will certainly be put in that bracket in years to come (if he’s not already in there).
The Man Mountain Ivorian has announced the amazing news that he has been given the all clear from Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
Along with the footballing community and everyone who sent Sol well wishes, from myself and everyone at Coleman had a Dream would like to say a massive “Well Done Sol”
I’m sure all Cardiff fans really hope Sol gets given another year. Even if it’s as a player coach but only time will tell.