WHY THE CARDIFF CITY MANAGER ROLE IS APPEALING?
- ccfcinsider
- Oct 7, 2024
- 6 min read
Now reading the title, you may think this is a view with blue-tinted glasses, however I still believe the vacant manager role at Cardiff City can still be viewed as a fairly exciting proposition.
I'll be putting forward why I believe this, and why I think labels such as 'desperate' shouldn't be associated with this role.
Talent in the Final Third:
Granted Cardiff have scored four goals in nine games, however that doesn't nullify the quality we have in the final third. City have plenty of individual quality that doesn't look a million miles away from clicking.
Callum Robinson has carried on his impressive pre season form, with two goals in four starts this season. Robbo sits third for Shots to Goal ratio (0.40). A lot of people are certain Cardiff need an experienced Championship forward to lead the line, I would argue we already have one in Callum Robinson.
Anwar El Ghazi is growing into the Cardiff City shirt, as he continues to improve week on week. The winger registered his first assist of the season against Hull, in a game he looked particularly lively. The 29 year-old is a unique profile of winger, however clearly offers a lot of quality. One thing El Ghazi offers is fearlessness, by that I mean not being afraid to have a shot from distance, El Ghazi is averaging 3.79 shots per game, granted none have gone in yet, someone of El Ghazi's quality has the ability to find the net if you keep getting him in the right positions.
Willock has shown signs so far, and has shown glimpses of what he can play like. I think it's a matter of putting some confidence in the 26 year-old and you'll quickly reap the rewards. Despite limited minutes, Willock tops a few of Cardiff City's creative stats, the forward has completed the second most take-ons (7), most live-passes that have led to shot attempts (13), furthest Carrying Distance (1065) and second most Carries into the Final Third (12).
The winger is something different to the wingers City have typically recruited. A front-footed winger with a bit of flair who wants to beat his man. Willock's final product still needs to improve, however the 26 year-old is consistently getting in the right areas.
Cardiff have now got an Ollie Tanner who looks capable of performing from the start. Two great performances from the 22 year-old has been something of an eye-opener, showing he can be effective from the start in games.
An excellent finish capped off what had been a positive week for Tanner who know looks in a good place to kick on.
Tanner looks to have formed a good partnership with Perry Ng down the right, but also with Rubin Colwill and Alex Robertson in the midfield.
Behind the front three, City still have bags of talent and quality. Rubin Colwill is in his first spell of consistent starts for a long time, and hasn't disappointed, despite having just one assist to show for it thus far.
Colwill is creating 1.57 Chances per game, as well as completing the most Take-Ons (10). Colwill has also added to his game defensively, sitting top for most Recoveries (27), also sitting in fourth for the most tackles in the Midfield 3rd (6), and fifth more most tackles in the Defensive third (5).
The one elephant in the room in terms of Colwill is end product. It's been clear since Colwill's debut all the way back in February 2021, that he so incredibly gifted, yet Colwill has never quite hit those big numbers that his performances deserve at times. In order to really kick on in his career, it's an area that needs addressing, but something that hopefully comes with more consistent minutes.
Two that are also easy to forget in the ten role are, Aaron Ramsey and David Turnbull. Two players who are also talented, and offer that something a little bit different. Both have really failed to get going this season, but a capable manager should be able to unlock the pair of them.
Midfield showing promise?
Cardiff City for the first time in a long time have found a capable midfielder, someone who excels on the ball and has a brilliant passing range, that obviously being Alex Robertson.
Robertson averages the third most Passes into the Final Third per game (4.10), the midfielder is also averaging 2.88 Accurate Long Balls per game and 33 Successful Passes per game.
The 21 year-old is one that is improving week on week, and is one with an incredibly high ceiling if utilised correctly.
Partners for Alex Robertson has been the talking point from City supporters. Both Joe Ralls and Manolis Siopis have enjoyed mixed starts to the season, but also in contention is Andy Rinomhota, who appears to resurrected his City career in recent weeks.
For me if I'm a new manager I'd be fairly inquisitive. All three offer something a little bit different. Joe Ralls is in their for his on the ball ability, as well as a dangerous set piece delivering. Manolis Siopis is there for energy, having a great ability of playing behind the midfield sweeping, Sio can also get by at this level on the ball. Andy Rinomhota is there arguably purely for energy, Rino is there purely to disrupt, which can be extremely useful based on opposition.
Cardiff now have options in the middle of the park, and I feel there's still a lot more to come from it.
Defence coming together?
Cardiff seem to have found the perfect replacement for Mark McGuinness. Daland offers the same as Macca if not more. The Norwegian is capable of playing from the back as well as carrying the ball forward.
Daland sits first for % of Dribblers Tackled (100%), second for most Tackles in the Defensive third per game (1.33) and the defender also sits second for Shots Blocked per game (2.01).
Despite playing altogether two games, Daland has shown incredibly good and promising signs.
Dimitrios Goutas and Perry Ng have began to come into their own in the last two games, with both showing signs of returning to their impressive form from last campaign.
Goutas has come on leaps and bounds since returning to the right side of defence. Dimi sits top for Interceptions per game (2.02), as well as top for most Clearances per game (5.78).
Ng has also improved in recent weeks, as well as returning to his goal scoring ways. The 28 year-old has won the most Tackles (18), Ng also sits top for Dribblers Tackled (9) and Balls Blocked (10).
Joel Bagan is another who appears to be resurrecting his City career. The 23 year-old has been solid defensively and has shown off his impressive passing range.
Bagan sits second for Interceptions per game (1.02), third for Tackles won per game (1.82) and fourth for Clearances per game (3.64).
There's never been any doubt about Bagan's ability on the ball, however question marks came over his defensive abilities, however Bagan appears to have addressed that and is improving every week.
Chambers is one that is quietly improving. The 29 year-old is on the back of his best performance in a Cardiff shirt against Bristol City.
The former Arsenal and England defender has been fine on the ball, however struggled defensively, however is showing moderate improvements each week.
As well as Calum Chambers, Jesper Daland and Dimitrios Goutas, City have Will Fish and Ryotaro Tsunoda returning from injury in due course, showing the quality in depth is only getting better.
Academy full of Talent:
This season alone we've seen Michael Reindorf, Adeteye Gbadehan, Isaac Jefferies, Cody Twose and Ronan Kpakio make senior debuts.
Cardiff have somewhat of a Golden Generation coming through, with a flurry of young local talent showing their quality for the 21's week in week out, as well as when they're selected for the first team.
The Bluebirds' young side play an exciting brand of football, attacking with pace and defending as a unit. City also have bags of quality in midfield, with the likes of Trey George and Dakarai Mafico yet to get first team minutes, but are both fully capable.
I could go on for ages on the quality of City's academy, but that's another article alone, as theirs bags and bags of talent and ability. Cardiff need a manager prepared to release them onto the Championship in the next few seasons.
Summary:
To summarise, theirs so much to be encouraged by at the moment. As I opened with, you may see this as a view with blue-tinted glasses, and ypu're entitled to think that, but I truly believe theirs a lot to be positive about.
Cardiff recruited really well over the summer, lowering the age profile of the squad, but maintaining the squad if not improving it. They've built a team capable of playing with the ball, and hurting teams.
A new manager really doesn't have to make ground-breaking changes, the foundations are there, they just need to add the final touches.
Yorumlar