Cardiff’s January: The Ideal Window to stay on track.
- evanrivers256
- Nov 3, 2023
- 5 min read
Cardiff are currently in a great position, with positive results, performances and fanbase morale. The confidence in the squad and manager are the highest it's been a long, long time. This side has quality, and there are plenty of results this season that show our resilience, attacking threat and consistency as a side. However, depth is never a given in this league, and injuries are unfortunately a natural occurrence to most sides. The understanding of this is absolutely vital to keep a side on track. If the same side plays every week, then there is stability which the players can learn, improve from every single match. With these injuries, there's no such thing as familiarity with a full 11, and adjustifying these losses become common, yet difficult to deal with.
These managers in the division usually have a set tactical approach for each and every game. When injuries happen, changes occur. And when these changes do occur they have to be perfect fits to the sides current tactical style, unless there is not, like I mentioned, any familiarity with the side. Some areas of a side vary in importance in terms of an injury happening, and some sides are just blessed with great depth in a position, which each of those players understanding their role in that side perfectly. Cardiff have struggled for injuries this season, but in fairness these have been in positions we have quality depth in.
For example, Aaron Ramsey who was our best performer until his injury has been out since September. Statistically Cardiff have won more without Ramsey playing than with, but there were obvious murmurs about the players who were replacing him, due to obvious tactical adjustments. We do have depth in this position with 2 players shining recently there, in Rubin Colwill and Callum Robinson, but if a player doesn't understand that role or contribute to it correctly, then you cannot expect miracles. Ryan Wintle is not an on paper attacking midfielder, yet got trusted in that position. His trust in that position was due to his defensive contributions, something Ramsey does not have. Tactical change number 1.
This is why my research is going to be very intricate in finding players who can replace starters with ease, and suiting the team's style perfectly.
I've pointed out a few players who I'd like to join, and added personal reasons as well as important data that actually give better reasoning to my examples. These are:
Striker - Kieffer Moore.
There were rumours that he was going to join, but the deal unfortunately fell through due to some complications, I believe. January makes perfect sense for him to return, as he has time to adjust to Cardiff and get (some) gametime to prepare him for the second half of this Championship season. He's proven he can score goals in this division with us, but what are the figures and facts to determine his importance joining?
• Cardiff's direct style could improve going to Moore, who's better in the air then anyone at the club. (Averages around 55% win-rate of aerial duels in the Premier League)
• In terms of shot zones this season, Cardiff:
4th highest in 6 Yard Box (10%)
4th highest in 18 Yard Box (60%)
Kieffer is known for goals in this area, with his positioning and finishing being strengths.
• Cardiff's usual build-up doesn't focus on the striker, which could benefit Moore. He has great hold up play but if his main focus is poaching around the box then it's a fitness, awareness, positioning boost for Kieffer.
A pretty straightforward option to give, but I think Kieffer would score for fun back in this division, if utilised correctly.
Next up is a position that I don't feel we have 2 options in, where both players have the same capabilities and tactical understanding.
Left Winger - Tariqe Fosu
Recently of Rotherham United, Tariqe Fosu has shown his quality in The Championship for many years. He's never had much consistent game-time at this level, but there is a great player there when he's used correctly. Tariqe is considered versatile which can be beneficial to a side, but versatility is a bonus and not something to use whenever you want to, and not need to. His best position is Left Winger, but he's played in numerous positions from Centre Midfield, to either side of a Wing-Back. Here's some facts and stats to help back this signing.
• Completed 2.6 Dribbles Per Game at Rotherham last season, when he has a license to play freely he's full of confidence and ability, something our wingers need to have.
• "Most comfortable on the left side of a three, he isn't a flying winger, but one who can call upon quick feet and an eye for goal to hurt the opposition. More likely to cut in from wide and shoot rather than get a ball in from the byline".
• Financially beneficial for Cardiff right now.
• Wins lots of duels, tackles, interceptions -Clearly has the work-rate that Erol Bulut is so fond of in a Cardiff City player.
Wages/Attitude possibly an issue and the reason to why he's still a free agent, but no fan knows a full story and surely a new challenge like Cardiff would motivate him.
Lastly, here's the other position where depth is absolutely vital for us at that point of the season. It's also vital this addition has the correct impact on the team's cohesion and tactical style.
Centre Midfielder - Jordan James
At International level James is a phenomenon. He's been partnered with Ethan Ampadu for a few games now and doesn't look out of place at all. Club football is a different story. His minutes are extremely limited yet he's playing with the utmost confidence for Wales. The Blues have had a change in manager too with Rooney arriving, who has given James a full start against Southampton in all fairness. This is fairly unrealistic as James is a talented prospect and anyone should be able to see that, especially the manager of his club. Things change and despite this being fairly unreasonable, I'll give Cardiff fans some hope with some stats and facts that would make this deal right.
• Progressive player but still has plenty of defensive contributions - perfect for Bulut in that Joe Ralls role.
• Welsh and familiar with a good chunk of the side, team cohesion improves even more.
• Coming here wouldn't give James much pressure as Cardiff fans are already aware of his ability on the International stage.
• It would just be nice, right?
I do think full-back is a priority too, and I'll give a brief rundown as to why Right-back is a bigger priority than Left-back.
In build-up, Cardiff's left-back drops deep and centrally to operate as a 3 Back, and the right-back plays wider, further forward and has the freedom to invert. Cardiff have 1 right-back capable of this in Perry NG, as Mahlon Romeo doesn't have the awareness nor game understanding to invert, in my opinion. Perry's game understanding is great, and that's why he's been one of our best players this season. Cardiff's left-back drops centrally to create a 3 at the back, and we have 2 options for this role: Jamilu Collins and Jonathan Panzo. I wouldn't be against seeing Callum O'Dowda in this role either, as I feel he has the necessary on the ball capabilities to deal with this, and his pace and duel dominance will help him in this area. Therefore, if you're not basing this off just the sole position itself, right-back is a bigger priority in terms of tactical approach.
My choice would be Nayel Mehssatou of Kortrijk, the 21 year-old who has defensive and passing abilities that Erol Bulut would admire.
Thank you for listening, I hope this was fair and gave you all a better understanding of Cardiff's supposed January Window.
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