Since the start of the season, Cardiff have used 18 players, with 6 being ever present. This tweet below shows how we compare with the rest of the division;
I've taken an early look at squad usage in the Premier League and EFL: https://t.co/snpZKGOUF1
Starting with the top flight, Chelsea (7) and Cardiff (6) have the most ever-present players, while Man Utd have already fielded 22 different players and started 21 of them… pic.twitter.com/u95MvkTBV5
— Ben Mayhew (@experimental361) September 18, 2018
So while it seems Warnock has been happy to experiment up front and has been forced into changes on the wings, he seems happy to keep things consistent in other departments – namely at the back. But what of those six ever presents? Can they stay that way for 38 games?
Neil Etheridge
Of course, his two penalty saves in his first two games took the headlines, but he’s backed that up with a series of solid performances in the games that followed. He’s a great shot stopper and very good at coming off his line when attackers break the back line. I can’t see Smithies dislodging him until the New Year, when we will have to say goodbye to Etheridge as he takes part in the Asia Cup. Smithies is highly-rated, but I wonder if that disruption in consistency will cause some trouble.
Will he stay present forever? No, but only because of an enforced absence.
http://gty.im/1026248716
Joe Bennett
Chelsea was the first game where Joe showed some hesitancy, but when someone like Hazard is bearing down on you, it’s going to cause you to question your life choices. He’s taken to the Premier League like a duck to water – dependable at the back, and brave going forward. His overlapping against Arsenal was a joy to behold and that should be what he builds upon going forward. He’s clearly our first choice at left-back and his standards can’t slip as he’ll be incredibly aware that Cunningham will be waiting in the wings to take his place. But if Joe continues in the same vein for the rest of this season, other clubs may start considering him as a viable option for a cheeky bid…
Will he stay present forever? Yes. Clearly first choice and only injury will remove him from the picture.
Sol Bamba
The stats show that Sol has been imperious. Second for clearances in the division and third for interceptions. Warnock trusts him so much that he even deployed him in midfield on the opening day. There’s no question that Bamba is brilliant when the ball is coming towards him, but there’s been a few moments of indecision and a few silly decisions that have cost Cardiff. His flat-footed defending allowed Lacazette space to score the winner at home to Arsenal and only he can explain what he was thinking when attending to Willian at Stamford Bridge. Warnock has set down a marker when it comes to repeat mistakes, which would suggest Bamba isn’t exactly secure in his position over the coming games…
Will he stay present forever? It’s 50/50. Warnock’s rhetoric suggest a change is imminent…
Sean Morrison
You can’t criticise our captain for shying away. He’s been pretty solid defensively as the season has progressed as well as contributing a couple of assists. But there’s been a couple of moments of madness, at both ends, that suggest he’s still not quite at his best. The penalty against Newcastle and his decision to stand off Aubameyang against Arsenal were both inexplicable. He also missed a crucial chance at Huddersfield which, more than likely, would have given us a vital three points. At this stage, he’s probably on a warning like Bamba, but I think Morrison is the more secure of the pairing.
Will he stay present forever? It’s 60/40. Like Bamba, he could be heading for the chop, but gets more favourable odds because he’s El Capitan.
http://gty.im/1033645454
Bruno Ecuele Manga
I always had a quiet confidence that Manga would slot easily into Premier League football and one would suggest he’s been our most consummate performer so far this year – even at a position he probably isn’t most comfortable in. He did a number on Aubameyang for large swathes of the Arsenal game and has even shown a new willingness to get forward to swing crosses in. His place is secure in a sense that he’s better than his competition, but should Warnock want to shuffle his pack, I can see him moving to partner Morrison with Jazz Richards backfilling his place.
Will he stay present forever? He really should, yes.