After three losses to three of the Premier League’s traditional top six, it’s going to be refreshing to welcome *checks hand* the team who finished seventh in the Premier League last season. Right. Burnley’s start to this season was inauspicious due to their European excursions but a thumping victory last weekend should have restored confidence. For Cardiff fans, the season restarts here on Super Sunday…
Cardiff City vs. Burnley
Premier League
Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff
30th September 2018, 4pm (BST)
Referee: Martin Atkinson
How Cardiff City might line-up
(Editor’s note: four of the VFTN writers produced their ideal line-ups in a separate piece. The line-up above is what the writer of this piece thinks Warnock will do)
And three things to look out for…
The resurgence of Jazz Richards. Yours truly has been calling for the return of Jazz for a few weeks – and especially in light of his performance against Chelsea. Peltier started against Manchester City but is now facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines. Unless Warnock brings Bamba back, which I don’t think he will for this game, Richtwiards has to start at right back. Though we haven’t seen much of him for Cardiff, he’s a very good right back and the case can be made that he’s our best out and out right back. If Warnock prefers Manga ahead of him, there may well be questions to ask about Jazz’ long-term future at the club.
Murphy’s return. Murphy has been training for the past few weeks but it seems Warnock has been unwilling to risk him. The photos from training this week show Josh back in the thick of it and he must start against Burnley. He was our best winger before his injury and does the things a winger should do; takes the ball in his stride, gets to the by-line, and gets balls into the box. I can see him replacing Reid and Hoilett retaining his place in the starting line-up. Hoilett does need to start showing form similar to last season, though. He’s struggled so far back in the Prem and he needs a confidence boost.
https://twitter.com/cardiffcityfc/status/1045658971216982016?s=12
Danny Ward retaining his place. Ward is still our best option as a striker. He does the leg work, works hard, and has actually scored in the PL. But Zohore’s re-emergence against Man City suggests he could be due a longer return soon. Zohore has caught the brunt of the criticism this season – unfairly, I must add – but I hope he comes back and shows us what he can do. Ward has shown what he can do and deserves to be leading the line. But Zohore needs to show he’s breathing down the neck of Ward and he’s got something to prove. I just pray the fans are ready to welcome him back…
Burnley players to watch out for
Aaron Lennon got a goal and an assist in their thumping win over Bournemouth last week and we’ve got to be wary of him this weekend. He’s got an abundance of pace and while may blow hot and cold, when he’s hot, he’s one of the best wingers in the league. We need to cut of the supply to him and make sure we aren’t letting him get balls or himself into the area.
Any one of their strikers. Sam Vokes, Matej Vydra, Chris Wood, Ashley Barnes, are all capable of around 10 goals a season. And last week it was Vydra and Barnes who did the damage. But Vokes is more than capable of putting teams to the sword and Chris Wood impressed in his debut season last term. So whatever combo Dyche puts out this week, our defence will need to be ready to deal with some bruisers as well as some good finishers.
https://twitter.com/cardiffcityfc/status/1045392072696639489?s=12
Best case result?
Warnock will need to stick a rocket up his team. Our performance agains Man City was abject. The loss didn’t worry me but the manor in which we lost did and it’s easy to say ‘but Man City are very good’. Warnock needs a reaction here and a quick one. If Warnock sets his team out correctly, and they start as quick as they can, we can stifle Burnley and win. 2-0.
Worst case result?
A lot of fans are looking to this game as when we get our season back on track. But Burnley beat Bournemouth last week and beat them well. We can’t rely on any team to roll over for us this season and Burnley will be looking to react after a 2-1 loss to Burton in the Carabao this week. Any complacency in the first half from Cardiff and Burnley will take advantage. 3-1 Burnley.