Cardiff City 20/21 – I’m not getting it at the moment.

[the other bob wilson]

City continue to play football that is so 2020.

http://mauveandyellowarmy.net/

[A Quiet Monkfish]

There's football talk of 'moulding' players, teams, into how you want them to play. Our players are baked hard, rigid, and due to their limitations can really only play one way. Harris knows this - as did Warnock - though Warnock did have overall a more varied mix of players and his options were greater. In many ways Harris is more Warnock than Warnock. Balls into the box at the earliest opportunity, playing the percentages that football statisticians have identified as far back as the 1930's, but Warnock did have other attacking options amongst his promotion/PL squads. Yes, City have Tomlin and now Wilson, but Tomlin is a part-time player who you couldn't build a midfield around, and Harris ? Well I'm probably alone in wondering why we went for him instead of a couple of good midfielders. Coupled with the problem our two wingers are virtual spectators for most games they play - Hoilett trundles around for a few moments and Murphy doesn't even do that - I think they both wish they were elsewhere.
It's a mess. The Herculian effort last season seems to have been the swansong for many of our players. At the moment, it's going to be very difficult to pick up wins, let alone reach the play offs [!].

[PontBlue]

We have Tomlin, Wilson, Murphy, Hoilett and Harris who can pay in the 10 role maybe Ojo as well so that position should never be filled by Ralls, Vaulks or Bacuna again regardless of the opposition

[tforturton]

These days, while watching City online, I have text 'conversations' with a number of other City followers (I'm sure most of you do something similar). Yesterday, one of them said (of Keiffer Moore) "He looks like he's wondering why on earth he came to this club".
And it's not just him. Murphy, Hoillet, Vaulks - they all look lost, unsure of what they're doing, and wondering just how quickly they can get away.

[the other bob wilson]

There's football talk of 'moulding' players, teams, into how you want them to play. Our players are baked hard, rigid, and due to their limitations can really only play one way. Harris knows this - as did Warnock - though Warnock did have overall a more varied mix of players and his options were greater. In many ways Harris is more Warnock than Warnock. Balls into the box at the earliest opportunity, playing the percentages that football statisticians have identified as far back as the 1930's, but Warnock did have other attacking options amongst his promotion/PL squads. Yes, City have Tomlin and now Wilson, but Tomlin is a part-time player who you couldn't build a midfield around, and Harris ? Well I'm probably alone in wondering why we went for him instead of a couple of good midfielders. Coupled with the problem our two wingers are virtual spectators for most games they play - Hoilett trundles around for a few moments and Murphy doesn't even do that - I think they both wish they were elsewhere.
It's a mess. The Herculian effort last season seems to have been the swansong for many of our players. At the moment, it's going to be very difficult to pick up wins, let alone reach the play offs [!].

I was supportive of Neil Harris last season and believed that his desire to alter the way we played was genuine. it should be remembered that while it was true we sometimes had to resort to "Warnockball" when our limitations were exposed, our late season run to finish fifth was largely based on a way of playing that was some way from how we played under the previous manager.

Therefore, my assumption was that the transfer window would be used to bring in players that could take us a bit further down the path that we had started on last season, but what we got was the usual big centre forward (albeit one I'd say who offered more than most others we've had down the years), other attackers who fitted into the cutting in wingers we have specialised in lately (again, Wilson is an upgrade on what we had, but essentially he's more of the same) , a big centreback, a goalkeeper and a full back who I think would be a step in the right direction if he could only stay fit.

To me, any change of style to a more patient, passing approach has to rely greatly on how we do in central midfield and, as I mentioned in my piece, the four Warnock left for Harris, are not ideally suited for such an approach. Therefore, to see us still reliant on a central midfield of full of scufflers (I accept that term is a bit unfair) leaves me, firstly, puzzled as to why our manager cannot see this and, second, somewhat dubious about how much he is really trying to change things.

Your final paragraph touches on a the third possibility which might apply when you mention a "Herculian effort" - one thing Harris has done this season is bring the average age of the team down a bit, but it is still, largely, an old side for this division and it may well be that without the usual break between seasons there wasn't enough time for some in the squad to recharge their batteries so to speak.

[the other bob wilson]

We have Tomlin, Wilson, Murphy, Hoilett and Harris who can pay in the 10 role maybe Ojo as well so that position should never be filled by Ralls, Vaulks or Bacuna again regardless of the opposition

Agreed.

[the other bob wilson]

These days, while watching City online, I have text 'conversations' with a number of other City followers (I'm sure most of you do something similar). Yesterday, one of them said (of Keiffer Moore) "He looks like he's wondering why on earth he came to this club".
And it's not just him. Murphy, Hoillet, Vaulks - they all look lost, unsure of what they're doing, and wondering just how quickly they can get away.

City are hardly playing as if there is a stable and united dressing room are they. I suppose you've got to accept the possibility that the times we're living through could impact on anyone's work, including professional footballers, Vaulks is looking like the player he was a year ago when he had, effectively, been bombed out of the team by Warnock, Murphy has looked like he doesn't want to be here since he was left out of the squad for that game at Fulham, Hoilett seems more tired and jaded than he did when he was spending his summers playing for Canada and Tomlin's doesn't seem right mentally and physically.

[LeningradCowboy]

I was supportive of Neil Harris last season and believed that his desire to alter the way we played was genuine. it should be remembered that while it was true we sometimes had to resort to "Warnockball" when our limitations were exposed, our late season run to finish fifth was largely based on a way of playing that was some way from how we played under the previous manager.

Therefore, my assumption was that the transfer window would be used to bring in players that could take us a bit further down the path that we had started on last season, but what we got was the usual big centre forward (albeit one I'd say who offered more than most others we've had down the years), other attackers who fitted into the cutting in wingers we have specialised in lately (again, Wilson is an upgrade on what we had, but essentially he's more of the same) , a big centreback, a goalkeeper and a full back who I think would be a step in the right direction if he could only stay fit.

To me, any change of style to a more patient, passing approach has to rely greatly on how we do in central midfield and, as I mentioned in my piece, the four Warnock left for Harris, are not ideally suited for such an approach. Therefore, to see us still reliant on a central midfield of full of scufflers (I accept that term is a bit unfair) leaves me, firstly, puzzled as to why our manager cannot see this and, second, somewhat dubious about how much he is really trying to change things.

Your final paragraph touches on a the third possibility which might apply when you mention a "Herculian effort" - one thing Harris has done this season is bring the average age of the team down a bit, but it is still, largely, an old side for this division and it may well be that without the usual break between seasons there wasn't enough time for some in the squad to recharge their batteries so to speak.

I agree that the central midfield is the fundamental problem with the team. However, our transfer policy this summer was pretty clearly "one out, one in", so we probably needed to find someone to take Pack or Vaulks (who are both under contract with us until 2022) off our hands if we wanted to sign another midfielder.

[the other bob wilson]

I agree that the central midfield is the fundamental problem with the team. However, our transfer policy this summer was pretty clearly "one out, one in", so we probably needed to find someone to take Pack or Vaulks (who are both under contract with us until 2022) off our hands if we wanted to sign another midfielder.

That's probably true, but the thought occurs to me that we probably could have got a good fee for Ralls if we had let it be known that we were willing to sell - he's the one I'd have as first choice in central midfield if I was picking the team, but if him going could lead to us bringing in a couple more who could give us a more rounded group in that area, then I think it would be worth selling him.

[LeningradCowboy]

That's probably true, but the thought occurs to me that we probably could have got a good fee for Ralls if we had let it be known that we were willing to sell - he's the one I'd have as first choice in central midfield if I was picking the team, but if him going could lead to us bringing in a couple more who could give us a more rounded group in that area, then I think it would be worth selling him.

Ralls is a fine player in the Championship, but I think it would have been most unlikely in the current market that we could have sold him for enough to buy 2 decent replacements, especially when you take wages into account.

[the other bob wilson]

Ralls is a fine player in the Championship, but I think it would have been most unlikely in the current market that we could have sold him for enough to buy 2 decent replacements, especially when you take wages into account.

I was thinking of at least one of them being a loan, but you may be right.

[Hilts]

If we start selling the likes of Ralls and Morrison then we are heading towards relegation.

[PontBlue]

I think a midfield consisting of Ralls and Pack as the two holding players could work in a midfield looking to pass the ball more.

[NYCBlue]

These days, while watching City online, I have text 'conversations' with a number of other City followers (I'm sure most of you do something similar). Yesterday, one of them said (of Keiffer Moore) "He looks like he's wondering why on earth he came to this club".
And it's not just him. Murphy, Hoillet, Vaulks - they all look lost, unsure of what they're doing, and wondering just how quickly they can get away.

Keifer Moore is being asked to do way too much work. We should be creating more chances for him to get on the end of. He's 6' 5". How hard can it be?

[DubaiDai]

We have Tomlin, Wilson, Murphy, Hoilett and Harris who can pay in the 10 role maybe Ojo as well so that position should never be filled by Ralls, Vaulks or Bacuna again regardless of the opposition

And Glatzel ?
I think he should be given the opportunity to play behind Moore.
What and how are we building ?
Tomlin is never likely to play more than a dozen games in a season and seems now more likely to be a 30 minute cameo.
Wilson will be off at the end of the season just like Tutu and Ojo.
Murphy does not seem to want to be here and surely Hoilett will not/should not figure next season.
Falls seem way past his best so our midfield options are dreadful

[delmbox]

Yesterday, one of them said (of Keiffer Moore) "He looks like he's wondering why on earth he came to this club".
And it's not just him. Murphy, Hoillet, Vaulks - they all look lost, unsure of what they're doing, and wondering just how quickly they can get away.

Sorry but this is just complete nonsense, "they look like they're wondering just how quickly they can get away" - they look like a bunch of out of form players in a team that's having a bad run. Projecting specific feelings on them based on absolutely nothing is ridiculous

[Tuerto]

The biggest problem is how Harris reacts to the way we are playing. Does anyone think that things are going to get sharper, more fluid, a bit more adventurous , are players going to be allowed to get forward beyond Moore, players only taking one touch before passing the ball and looking comfortable in possession? I don't think so, even if Harris binned this squad and brought in a whole new one. it's obvious that he likes to keep things tight for as long as possible and attacking moves only carried out in the most conservative of ways, no risk taking, no leaving spaces or gaps. Harris ls limited, he obviously wants to work his way to victory, his kind of work. I think that it'll improve under him, but the worry is that it'll be short term. His safe 90s style football isn't working and i don't believe that he possesses the ability to change.

[Tuerto]

Keifer Moore is being asked to do way too much work. We should be creating more chances for him to get on the end of. He's 6' 5". How hard can it be?

Moore is at his best when runners get beyond him, he'll pin a defender and hold the ball up and lay it off, that's his game. What chance does he have if our midfield aren't allowed to commit, and when they do they lack the control, pace, vision and composure needed in the attacking third. Vaulks is just a busy body of a player, Bacuna is a better player without the ball ( i know!) and ralls is just ralls, hard working, lacks pace and an eye for a pass, but honest and doesn't hide. It's not enough. Harris has pinned his hopes on wide players. I don't like that, it means that the risks are taken out wide, the safest part of a football pitch.

[PontBlue]

And Glatzel ?
I think he should be given the opportunity to play behind Moore.
What and how are we building ?
Tomlin is never likely to play more than a dozen games in a season and seems now more likely to be a 30 minute cameo.
Wilson will be off at the end of the season just like Tutu and Ojo.
Murphy does not seem to want to be here and surely Hoilett will not/should not figure next season.
Falls seem way past his best so our midfield options are dreadful

No in the 10 position for me. Up top or sub for Moore.

[Steve the Tea]

We have Tomlin, Wilson, Murphy, Hoilett and Harris who can pay in the 10 role maybe Ojo as well so that position should never be filled by Ralls, Vaulks or Bacuna again regardless of the opposition

Well said, sir. Whyte could also fill in at #10 yet Harris continually picks Ralls, who is singularly wrong for that position. Moreover this Ralls at #10 thing takes our best central midfielder away from that position. In Ralls' six starts this season only one has been in his correct central midfield role.

StT.
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[Taffy Blue in Berkshire]

These days, while watching City online, I have text 'conversations' with a number of other City followers (I'm sure most of you do something similar). Yesterday, one of them said (of Keiffer Moore) "He looks like he's wondering why on earth he came to this club".
And it's not just him. Murphy, Hoillet, Vaulks - they all look lost, unsure of what they're doing, and wondering just how quickly they can get away.

Yep, the whole lot looks shambolic. Back to basics for starters.

[the other bob wilson]

The biggest problem is how Harris reacts to the way we are playing. Does anyone think that things are going to get sharper, more fluid, a bit more adventurous , are players going to be allowed to get forward beyond Moore, players only taking one touch before passing the ball and looking comfortable in possession? I don't think so, even if Harris binned this squad and brought in a whole new one. it's obvious that he likes to keep things tight for as long as possible and attacking moves only carried out in the most conservative of ways, no risk taking, no leaving spaces or gaps. Harris ls limited, he obviously wants to work his way to victory, his kind of work. I think that it'll improve under him, but the worry is that it'll be short term. His safe 90s style football isn't working and i don't believe that he possesses the ability to change.

It goes back beyond Neil Harris though, I mentioned that 5-4 loss at Charlton and maybe I'm wrong to place so much emphasis on it, but sometime around then, we became a more cautious, counter attacking team - we were also more direct, but in my view that became more of an issue from Russell Slade onwards.

I agree with much of what you say, but, although I tend to share the commonly expressed views about the football knowledge in the Boardroom at the club, it does seem to me that there are people with an influence when it comes to things like selecting new managers who favour the Slade, Warnock, Harris way of thinking and there is a belief within the club that this is what the club's support wants as well.

[Eric the Half a Bee]

It goes back beyond Neil Harris though, I mentioned that 5-4 loss at Charlton and maybe I'm wrong to place so much emphasis on it, but sometime around then, we became a more cautious, counter attacking team - we were also more direct, but in my view that became more of an issue from Russell Slade onwards.

You're absolutely right with this. That result changed the entire approach that season and I feel people's mindsets towards Mackay.

In his first season, I thought we played some fantastic football, on the front foot, combatitve in midfield. While it didn't have some of the natural talent up front, it was a very good side to watch that addressed many of the issues that Jones had failed to sort out.

That summer, the club changed its plan from promotion in 3 seasons to promotion in 2, so it expected promotion. After the Charlton game we became a more defensive side. It worked, but it was hardly fun to watch at times. One of the criticism of Mackay in the Premier League was that we didn't have more of a go and attack a bit more. We could be turgid to watch.

In terms of stats, I think the following shows that the Charlton game was a watershed moment:

Up to the Charlton game (15 games)

Scored - 31. Conceded - 22. Scoring average - 2.07. Conceding average - 1.47. Overall goal average - 3.5

After the Charlton game (31 games)

Scored - 42. Conceded - 23. Scoring average - 1.35. Conceding average - 0.74. Overall goal average - 2.1

We conceded nearly half as many goals per game after the Charlton defeat, but that defensive solidity came at a cost of scoring fewer as well.