Cardiff win! This is not a drill!
Two great goals, a clean sheet and a battling performance away from home has finally broken a rotten run of form and breathed new life into their season. The whole having not won since bonfire night thing, which was partly due to the World Cup break, was starting to strangle Cardiff and it felt like they were about to tap out, but now they’ve got the foot off their throat and at least have a fighting chance of survival.
Just like in High School Musical, it’s the start of something new. Maybe its third time lucky though because this time, it feels a little different.
Steve Morison’s edgy idealism gained traction and even fanaticism amongst some, but his retool was cut very short. Mark Hudson at times felt like he was trying to convince himself that he was up to the job, let alone sceptical supporters. Backed by Dean Whitehead and his 100 yard stare, it felt like we too were staring into the abyss and the abyss was staring right back at us.
Sabri Lamouchi is different. Firstly, he looks and feels like a manager. He has a natural authority and clarity of thought that he likely developed as an elite footballer. If you represent your country alongside all-time greats like Zinedine Zidane and Thierry Henry, you will need self-belief and presence, otherwise you’ll be quickly identified as a weak link and cast aside.
Despite losing his first three games, Lamouchi took it all in his stride and didn’t panic. It was still very early days after all and he was finding his feet. As he said post-Birmingham, he’s had a couple of weeks with the squad now and knows what he has, or doesn’t have at his disposal. He threw everything at the wall, different personnel and three different systems in three games, but he has finally found something that sticks.
Ironically, Cardiff’s elusive win came by going back to the future.
The return of Mahlon Romeo has allowed Cardiff to line up with wing backs and Perry Ng to once more play as a third centre back. The recall of Mark McGuinness has been a huge boost because Cardiff are now immediately far better at defending their own box. Andy Rinomhota was also brought in to solidify central midfield and Cardiff are always more competitive when he plays.
The fundamental difference now is that Cardiff finally have a pool of strikers worthy of perming two to play up top together. Where Morison was reliant on Max Watters, Lamouchi has the relative luxury of Callum Robinson, Sory Kaba, Kion Etete and Connor Wickham. All four played their part against Birmingham, but it was no surprise that Robinson was the difference maker. He is very much Cardiff’s talisman, already notching up both impressive goals and even better assists.
While 3-5-2 feels like the best way to get all Cardiff’s good players on the pitch, it is not good news for Sheyi Ojo, Jaden Philogene or any of the wide attackers. Barring a mid-game adjustment, there is suddenly no place for them in the side, although Philogene was crowbarred into the side in the second half against Birmingham and I still haven’t quite gleamed how. It was also a bit disappointing that all Cardiff’s academy graduates were omitted from the squad, but with pragmatism the order of the day, that was probably and sadly inevitable.
The presence of Sol Bamba also feels significant. He’s a man for all occasions. After another defeat, he’s exactly who you would want in the changing room to reassure and lift everyone and after a win, you want to celebrate with him and share his enthusiasm. His partnership with Lamouchi feels like a fortuitous blend and exactly what Cardiff need in their current predicament.
With the gut punch of Neil Warnock rocking up at Huddersfield, three points on the board was a must because there’s no doubt that he will work his magic there. The remainder of the season will surely be a real slog and it will take a run of good form to chip away at the gap between Cardiff and those above them. They need to look up because looking down is far too terrifying to bear.
You could tell at the end of the game that a huge weight had been lifted from the player’s shoulders and it was lovely to see them smiling again. It had been far too long and its nice to be able to look forward to the Reading game on Friday. Having turned several corners already this season, always ending up back where they started, hopefully there will be no more U-turns going forward, just a straight path to progress and stability.