With the new fixtures out and the Premier League season looms into view, Scott Salter takes a moment to reflect on the performances of the City stars throughout the 2017/18 season. This is View From The Ninian’s end-of-year report.
Goalkeepers
Neil Etheridge
The London-born Philippines international joined as an understudy to Lee Camp but got a chance early due to Camp’s injury. He never looked back and thoroughly impressed in goal. His kicking improved and was quick off his line throughout the season. A great year for Etheridge.A-
Brian Murphy
Irishman Murphy was the club’s third choice coming into the season and proved to be a useful squad player. Limited to just four appearances, Murphy was still as happy as anyone with promotion. B-
Lee Camp
Failed to make a single appearance with Etheridge in top form. Left on loan to join Sunderland in January. A year to forget, although not much of it is his own fault. D
Defenders
Lee Peltier
You know exactly what you’re going to get from Lee Peltier. Solid, if unspectacular. The Scouser was an instrumental member of the back four, playing in more than 30 games. B
Joe Bennett
How important does keeping Bennett look now? He almost joined Fulham last summer but stayed despite an offer of more money. Proved to be a key member of the side and made the left-back position his own. A-
Sean Morrison
The club Player of the Year developed immensely last season. He cut out the costly mistakes and contributed with seven goals up the other end. None will be more important than the two against Hull. Outstanding season. A+
Bruno Ecuele Manga
It says everything about the quality of our centre-backs that Bruno Manga is technically third choice. That said, the Gabon international played more than 40 games this year, both at centre-back and at right-back. Has the quality to step up. B+
Jazz Richards
It’s been a disappointing season for Jazz, who has missed a lot of football due to injury. Featured in just 11 games over the course of the season and will be like a new signing in pre-season. D+
Sol Bamba
What a man. A real leader alongside Morrison and has the ability to win the ball back when he has no right to. You could argue that he deserved the club Player of the Year award, but there couldn’t have been much in it. A+
Matthew Connolly
Connolly was a bit of a forgotten man throughout the season, playing in only five games. Reliable when called upon, but at this stage in his career, he needs to be playing games. D+
Armand Traoré
Brought in from Nottingham Forest on loan in January, Traore made little impact with Joe Bennett in top form. That said, his goal against Bolton in February proved crucial. C-
Midfielders
Joe Ralls
One of the club’s longest-serving players and was been instrumental to the side last season. Does the simple things well and brings a bit of culture to an otherwise industrious centre of the park. Six goals in 40 appearances were important.B+
Anthony Pilkington
He’ll be disappointed to have played such little football this year – just 13 appearances – but his contribution in the dramatic late draw against Sheffield United in April was massive. C
Greg Halford
A total of 15 appearances is more than you’d expect from such a bit part player, but he’s one that Warnock trusts. He did a job seeing out games when needed, but little more. C
Aron Gunnarsson
The Icelandic captain missed a big chunk of the season through injury and was sorely missed at times. He scored a crucial winner against Forest during the run-in. C+
Callum Paterson
Despite missing the start of the season, new signing Callum Paterson made a huge impact. Moved forward to the number 10 role by Warnock – who claimed Paterson couldn’t defend well enough to play at right-back – the Scotsman chipped in with some huge goals. A
Nathaniel Mendez-Laing
The first few months of the season saw the former Rochdale man set the league alight, but his form faded as the season grew on. Still, few could’ve predicted he’d have the impact he did when he was signed on a free transfer. B+
Loïc Damour
The Frenchman was a bit of an unknown when he signed in the summer, but made some impressive appearances in the centre of midfield. His involvement was reduced by the return of Gunnarsson and the loan signing of Marko Grujić, but Damour largely did well when called upon. C+
Craig Bryson
Derby fans were sad to see him go and we soon discovered why. Bryson brought important energy to the Cardiff midfield and impressed with his tenacity. B-
Marko Grujić
Brought in from Liverpool on loan in a time of injury crisis in the centre of the pitch, the Serbian grew into his role. Went eight unbeaten before falling out of the starting XI as the pressure grew at the end of the season. A popular player in the stands, though. B
Junior Hoilett
The Canadian truly showed his quality at the Cardiff City Stadium this season. Along with Mendez-Laing, the wide support for striker Kenneth Zohore was imperative for the side’s attacking prowess. A total of 50 games and 11 goals – he can consider himself unlucky not to win the player of the season award. A
Jamie Ward
Hit by injury after joining on loan in January, but proved a popular substitute upon his return for Warnock. C
Lee Tomlin
The marque summer signing disappointed in his first season in South Wales, being shipped out to Nottingham Forest in a swap for Ward in January. A frustrating player who has enough quality to succeed, but his poor work-rate won’t have endeared him to Warnock. D
Forwards
Kenneth Zohore
The Dane didn’t quite have the same impact in terms of scoring goals as he did towards the end of last season, but still notched nine for the season. His overall contribution was fantastic, though, and having bullied John Terry, will relish a shot at the big boys. A-
Gary Madine
Madine was a big money signing in January, with a fee of £5 million rumoured, but failed to register a single goal. His penalty miss against Wolves could’ve proved costly, but did contribute some important link-up play in 13 games. C-
Frédéric Gounongbe
Just three appearances from the bench for Gounongbe, who many will have forgotten was even at the club. E
Danny Ward
With 19 games under his belt and four goals, Danny Ward had proved an important squad player before his season-ending injury. His equaliser against Fulham was a huge moment. C