New contributor, Gareth Pearce, looks at the raft of changes that 2021 has brought to Cardiff City.
Mick McCarthy hasn’t wasted any time changing the set up in the last 2 games, with The Bluebirds setting up in a very organised 3-5-2(5-3-2). It’s clear that McCarthy’s aim is to keep clean sheets whilst trying to get the best out of Harry Wilson and Kieffer Moore. Only time will tell if McCarthy will stick with this setup. But it’s certainly something different for the Bluebirds faithful to watch.
Cardiff City’s poor run of form continued in the first two weeks of January. After a desperate 1-0 defeat at home to QPR, Cardiff’s hierarchy felt that a new man was needed. It was time to improve the club’s league position and move Cardiff City away from a potential relegation fight.
Mick’s in to steady the Ship
Mick McCarthy, fresh from a management spell in Cyprus, has been given the reigns in a bid to save Cardiff’s season. Now McCarthy may not be most Cardiff fans number one choice, but it makes sense, giving the board time to evaluate what direction the club should take.
Under McCarthy, Cardiff immediately stopped the rot and showed fight; coming from behind to pick up two draws, 2-2 at Barnsley and 1-1 at home to Millwall.
Now, Bluebirds Fans have further reason for optimism after back to back wins in the space of 4 days. A comprehensive 2-0 win in the Severnside Derby at Bristol City, and a gutsy 2-1 win at Rotherham.
Cardiff’s remaining February fixtures will offer more hope to fans. If Cardiff can continue the form from Ashton Gate who knows where the Bluebirds will be, ahead of the final quarter of the campaign.
Cardiff City’s Transfer Window, & Joniesta Signs!
Cardiff have desperately needed options at right back for some time. It was clear that with injuries, they had to bring someone in this January. Perry Ng has signed from Crewe. He has already slotted in nicely offering much needed energy and balance to the defence.
In the middle of the transfer window Cardiff beat off rival Championship sides for the signature of Max Watters from Crawley. He had previously netted 13 in 15 matches for The Reds this season.
Unfortunately due to injury his playing time has been reduced. But with league games coming thick and fast it won’t be long before we see Watters in action again for the Bluebirds.
Cardiff have allowed Greg Cunningham to return to Preston on loan. With game time not guaranteed, the Irishman clearly wants to try and get his career back on track. Sadly he suffered a number of injuries and setbacks in the Capital.
Defensively Cardiff had been caught short at Centre Half through December. So, Ciaron Brown has been recalled from his loan deal, after impressing with Scottish Premier League side Livingston.
Deadline Day is normally a quiet day for Cardiff City, however it came with Mick in charge. Cardiff fans have been left slightly baffled as to why Robert Glatzel has been allowed to return to Germany, on loan with Mainz. and no replacement lined up. It would seem that trust may be put in the youth team if injuries arrive.
Finally Wales Fans Favourite “Joniesta” has been signed by Mick McCarthy in a bid to add energy and creativity in Cardiff’s midfield. Williams will be looking to impress and make the final squad for the Euro’s in the summer. Of course, that will only benefit the Bluebirds.
Wales Watch at Cardiff City
There’s also plenty of other positives for Wales fans, Kieffer Moore continues to be Cardiff’s talisman netting 11 goals for the Bluebirds. With the right supply he could easily go on and get 20+ goals this season.
Equally, Harry Wilson is a class act in the Championship and continues to impress with his assists. Wilson, now being played in his preferred number 10 position for Cardiff, will be aiming to add more goals and hit form just in time for the Summer.
Mick McCarthy has continued to select Will Vaulks. Game time will be key for him ahead of the Euro’s, however competition will arrive when Joniesta is available for selection.
A close eye will be kept on Mark Harris who has featured and scored for the Bluebirds this season. Also, youth players Isaak Davies, George Ratcliffe and Rubin Colwill have recently been selected in Cardiff first team squads. With the right progression let’s hope we see them in Wales shirts sometime in the near future.
Sol Bamba
Finally, from everyone here at Coleman had a Dream and all the Cardiff City fans we would like to share are support and wish Sol Bamba and his family all the very best in his fight with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma.
IMAGES: Mick McCarthy : Jon Candy from Cardiff, Wales, CC BY-SA 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons / CCS: Ceri Davies profile at Flickr website, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
