PROMOTION ON THE LINE: WHY BBM MUST TRUST HIS PAST TO DELIVER CARDIFF
- ccfcinsider
- 3 hours ago
- 4 min read
Just seven games remain of what has been a successful League One campaign for Cardiff City so far. With the games running out, The Bluebirds now find themselves in their worst form to date under Brian Barry-Murphy, and have opened a possible door to an unaffordable future in League One.
BBM has proven working methods throughout the season, and their are a few I feel he should lean back on to get Cardiff over the line to secure promotion.
The Bluebirds have been praised for their consistency throughout the season, having spent twenty-four game weeks at the top of the League One table.
City however now find themselves tenth in the League One form table, and have just two wins in seven. Whilst not catastrophic, it will still need addressing before the conclusion of the League One campaign.
Reinstate Joel Colwill into the Starting Eleven:
Cardiff City average 2.09 points per game when Joel Colwill starts, emphasising just how key the 21 year-old is to this current City side. Despite arguably being in the form of his career, Colwill has found himself on the bench in Cardiff's last four games, with many fans agreeing it's difficult to justify the Welsh international's absence. The midfielder simply offers the intensity that no other Bluebirds player can match, and it's evident when Colwill isn't in the side. Joel Colwill's ability to drive and carry the ball has been sorely missed in recent weeks, as well as his clinical touch in and around the box. Colwill offers Cardiff an excellent option out of possession, further making the decision to exclude him from the start in recent weeks difficult to justify.
Return for Chambers?
If we're discussing statistically effective players, then Calum Chambers certainly has to enter the conversation. Chambers is City's most effective player, with 2.25 points per game this season. Some will be quick to jump at that statistic and feel the need to mention Chambers has played against a lot of sides lower down in the division, but I don't feel that should diminish the impact he has had in games this season. Now definitely feels like a time Chambers can get back into the Cardiff side. It could be worth noting Chambers has played just two of the last seven. The 31 year-old was in the form of his City career just after the start of the New Year, and should be considered a reliable option for City to depend on. The Cardiff club-captain has an immense pedigree, and could help calm any potential nerves in this young Bluebirds outfit.
Vocal point in Attack imperative:
The impending return of Yousef Salech will go a long way in this, but City are crying out for something different up front, and a proper number nine. Fans have called for Callum Robinson from the start, but I don't feel he necessarily offers that vocal point so to speak. I would probably brand him similar to Omari Kellyman when he plays as the man leading the line, Robbo likes to drop deep and get involved. Cardiff don't need that from a striker at the moment. The Bluebirds need a striker able to challenge a defence, hold a ball up, win it ugly and most importantly score, *enter Yousef Salech. I sympathise with Brian Barry-Murphy as their is no natural option to replace Salech, therefore a change of system was forced, and as good as the false nine system has served Cardiff, it's now predictable, repetitive and lost it's winning touch. Whilst I don't necessarily think Salech's return will fix all of Cardiff's attacking issue, I do think it will have a substantial positive impact.
Rotation is key:
Although uncommon, Brian Barry-Murphy has been prone to changes, and a few of them most games. However, I feel the continuity of a good chunk of the starting eleven game after game is coinciding with Cardiff's stutter in form. City had a sense of unpredictability for a large part of the season, but the team is starting to become predictable, which limits The Bluebirds when trying to adapt to opposition. Sides know how to stop these players who are trying the same stuff every week. Take Ryan Wintle for example, a mainstay in the side, has struggled against low blocks this season, as he's a more defence-minded midfielder, however continues to start no matter the opponent. That's one example out of a few. I feel Brian Barry-Murphy needs to return to consistently mixing things up, one to keep things fresh and two to add a sense of unpredictability back to his team.
Role the dice from the bench:
Barry-Murphy's substitution's have become predictable over recent weeks. The same triple attacking change to try and salvage something, David Turnbull replacing one of the midfielders, usually Alex Robertson, to try and offer something different. Cardiff's substitutes are struggling to impact games, but is that because they're repetitive? I feel the return of Isaak Davies and Yousef Salech will help add a bit of divergence to the Bluebirds' bench, and expand the options. I feel Brian Barry-Murphy can just be that touch braver at times.
Sticking to the BBM/Cardiff way:
Whilst this may unintentionally come across as an overly critical of the City boss, it is paramount that Cardiff and Barry-Murphy stick to their way for the run-in. Cardiff have played some top stuff this season, and that's down to the 47 year-old and his idea of the way the game should play. The Bluebirds should not now abandon that due to a negative turn in form, if anything it's even more important now that City continue playing with the same style Barry-Murphy desires. Whether that draws boos from the home supporters or not, some will have to suck up that this is now the Cardiff City way of playing, and I'm hopeful BBM will not yield to these concerns, and stick to his principles.
Summary:
Eleven points clear with seven games left, the end is in sight for Cardiff and Brian Barry-Murphy, and I feel these subtle but effective changes could help The Bluebirds end strong and set a statement if they are to return to the Championship next season!
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