Cardiff City’s midfield used to be neglected. Largely bypassed, their main function was to watch balls sail over their heads and charge. Not anymore though. In every respect.
Firstly, they’re seeing more of the ball than ever before. Against Blackburn at the weekend, Cardiff completed 462 passes, which was the third-highest total in the division. Their pass accuracy was 80% and they recorded 66% possession. Within the context of the paltry numbers that Cardiff used to rack up in these areas, a revolution is evidently taking place.
Cardiff are learning to love the ball again under Steve Morison and it’s long overdue. It won’t be a quick, easy process though, but it’s certainly a necessary one. Despite these improvements, Cardiff still lost and that is the area where they need to see significant improvement, very quickly.
It’s remarkable that Cardiff have lost nine of their last 10 home games. They have enjoyed no advantage from playing at home this season and there are probably various reasons for that, but finding a resolution will be key to whether or not they are able to edge away from the bottom three.
They certainly now have a wealth of options to choose from in midfield, that’s for sure. Joe Ralls, Will Vaulks, Leandro Bacuna, Marlon Pack, Sam Bowen and Rubin Colwill have recently been joined by Tom Sang, who has returned from injury and a spell at right wing back and Ryan Wintle, who has been recalled from a successful spell on loan at Blackpool.
With Cardiff also circling Manchester City prospect Tommy Doyle, they could soon have eight options for their three midfield berths.
READ MORE: All the latest Cardiff City news, views, features and interviews
All clubs are stockpiling players to offset the threat of a Covid outbreak, but when does enough become too much? There is a danger that too many options can encourage too much tinkering, as you search for the right blend and no one wants to see a return to the days of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, where it felt like he was picking his team by drawing names from a hat.
Where do you start? A large proportion of Cardiff fans would gladly write off Bacuna, but he remains one of the biggest earners at the club with 18 months left on his deal, so that is easier said than done.
Ralls is probably the one player that would feature in most people’s selection, but as it stands, he is soon heading out of contract along with Pack and Vaulks. Should the club have half an eye on the future and be looking beyond this trio, or entertain trying to recoup some money on them during the transfer window? It is certainly a frustrating, unsettling situation.
Colwill is enjoying a breakthrough season and has probably been the most impressive out of all the academy graduates. Not so long ago, the great fear was that he was doing so well that someone might swoop in for him before his potential is realised at Cardiff.
His progress has stalled in recent weeks and he is finding game-time hard to come by. That is a problem that will only increase as the available options swell.
This is where Cardiff could be caught between two stools. They’re trying to evolve their style of play at a time when they’re also trying to dig themselves out of a hole. Ideally, the one would resolve the other, but not necessarily. If Cardiff are going to lose Ralls, Pack and Vaulks, then it makes sense to progress some of the others, but they need the experience and immediate benefits that these seasoned Championship performers can provide.
If Colwill is to develop, he needs games, but at this stage in his development, consistency may prove elusive. Cardiff also rarely play with a number 10, which appears to be his strongest position. The same applies to Bowen, who is making his way back from a lengthy lay-off. He looks a composed, classy operator who will require nurturing. Maybe loan spells away may provide a beneficial short-term solution.
Sang did very well last season playing in an unfamiliar position and despite it suiting his skillset, there was always the nagging suspicion that he would eventually return to a more central role. Morison recently confirmed that is where he sees his long-term future, so he joins the mix and will have to fight for his place like everyone else.
Sang returned against Preston and emerged from the bench to break forward and set up the winner. Of all of the available options, he is the most likely to break the lines and make runs in to the box, which is something that Cardiff have not done for a very long time. Finding a way to knit together the midfield and attack may prove the key to unlocking this Cardiff side’s potential.
I was pleased to see Wintle start at the weekend because there would be no point recalling him if you’re going to leave him on the bench. He was poorly handled by Mick McCarthy, who shipped him straight out, and he looks a tidy operator.
If Doyle also arrives, he can be expected to aid Cardiff’s pursuit of ball retention and provide an injection of quality, but his arrival is a double-edged sword because it also blocks the pathway for the likes of Colwill and Bowen.
Logic suggests that Cardiff’s midfield could soon consist of Ralls, Wintle and Doyle. I’m sure most people would be on board with that and it would certainly aid both Cardiff’s continued development and their quest to climb the table. It leaves a lot of casualties though, whatever the combination you opt for, and may prove a difficult situation to manage.
The ongoing uncertainty involving expiring contracts remains an issue and eight options for three spots is probably too much. They could probably do with shedding a couple, but who? Options are all well and good, but the right blend is the goal and sometimes, in the pursuit of that elusive right mix, less is more.
For the latest Cardiff City news and analysis delivered straight to your inbox, you can sign up for our newsletter here.
