We are Premier League again! This post is composed after the second match of the Premier League season, and at least we have gained our first point!
RESULTS:
BOURNEMOUTH 2 CARDIFF 0
CARDIFF 0 NEWCASTLE 0
New Signings.
In the week leading up to the start of the season, Neil Warnock and the club managed to make 2 important additions to the squad ready for the Premier League season. It was quite obvious to most City fans and commentators that we needed some more quality in midfield to support Joe Ralls. It was also hoped that we might be able to add a striker with Premier League experience to challenge and support Kenneth Zohore. Unfortunately, it wasn't possible to get a striker. However, we were able to get the 2 midfield players that we needed.
Victor Camarasa (in Real Betis colours)
The first of theses came from a team who we played in pre-season. Victor Camarasa from Real Betis in Spain on a season long loan. This in some ways is a 'typical' Neil Warnock signing - a player that basically that no one had ever heard of! However, he did start 26 games in La Liga for Betis last season and has played for one or two other Spanish teams over the last 3 seasons.
Harry Arter.
The second player was a little more familiar - Harry Arter from fellow Premier League team Bournemouth. The Republic of Ireland international was a regular for Bournemouth in their rise to the Premier League but had not played a first team game since last January. Reports suggest that he had fallen out with Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe. He also joins on a season long loan.
Due to the late signing of these two players, neither was available for the first match of the season at Bournemouth.
BOURNEMOUTH 2 CARDIFF 0
Unfortunately I saw little of this match as I was still on a family holiday and have had to rely third hand for information. Reports suggest that we were a bit nervous early on, allowing Bournemouth to take charge and get a deserved lead at half time. We had a chance to equalise from a corner but couldn't get the ball over the line. Bournemouth scored their second late on when Cardiff were trying hard for an equaliser. The score could have been worse but for a Neil Etheridge penalty save.
CARDIFF 0 NEWCASTLE 0
The first home game of the Premier League season against Newcastle United, and over 30,000 in the Cardiff City Stadium! There were a few changes from the team which started against Bournemouth a week earlier - most notably in midfield where new boys Harry Arter and Victor Camarasa started alongside Joe Ralls. This allowed Sol Bamba to return to his better position of central defence with Bruno Ecuele Manga moving out to right back to replace Lee Peltier. Kenneth Zohore returned from a minor injury to start at striker.
As I suggested at the beginning of this blog, this was an encouraging performance by the team. Its a bit difficult to judge in some ways, as we can't be sure yet how good (or bad) Newcastle are going to be. But the midfield 3 in particular were very good, and Josh Murphy also made a good first home competitive appearance out wide (in fact, he was awarded Man of the Match by the Skysports team). However, we lacked the cutting edge to score a goal, a fact which almost cost us all 3 points at the end of the game.
In the 6th minute of stoppage time, a cross from the Newcastle left struck the arm of Sean Morrison and gifted Newcastle a penalty and the chance to win the game. Thankfully, Kenedy took a very weak penalty, which Neil Etheridge was able to save easily and thus gain the team their first Premier League point. Two penalty saves in two matches is making Etheridge something of a hero, both for Bluebirds fans and fans in his native Phillipines, as he has become the first Philippines player to make it to the Premier League.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
My first impression of seeing the team first hand is that we are not quite as bad as a lot of the pundits seem to make out. Some people are criticising the ability of Kenneth Zohore up front, but I thought he had a decent game on Saturday despite being badly off target with his only clear cut chance. He fought well for the ball and was difficult to get off it when in possession, an ability which will stand him in good stead as the season progresses.
The midfield 3 were very good, with Harry Arter's hard work and effort particularly impressive. He definitely look like a "Warnock" type player who may yet achieve cult status at the Cardiff City Stadium (even if he was lucky not to get a red card for one nasty tackle!). The team kept a clean sheet, which was also encouraging. Also, we had 51% of the possession during the game - I can't remember the last time we had more possession than our opponents!
In general, my feelings are that if we play up to the standards shown on Saturday then we have a good chance of maintaining our Premier League status this season. We have to hope for a good result away from home at Huddersfield this week, as our next 3 games are against Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea! But this is what the Premier League is all about and why it is so fantastic that we are a part of it.
The first home game of the Premier League season against Newcastle United, and over 30,000 in the Cardiff City Stadium! There were a few changes from the team which started against Bournemouth a week earlier - most notably in midfield where new boys Harry Arter and Victor Camarasa started alongside Joe Ralls. This allowed Sol Bamba to return to his better position of central defence with Bruno Ecuele Manga moving out to right back to replace Lee Peltier. Kenneth Zohore returned from a minor injury to start at striker.
As I suggested at the beginning of this blog, this was an encouraging performance by the team. Its a bit difficult to judge in some ways, as we can't be sure yet how good (or bad) Newcastle are going to be. But the midfield 3 in particular were very good, and Josh Murphy also made a good first home competitive appearance out wide (in fact, he was awarded Man of the Match by the Skysports team). However, we lacked the cutting edge to score a goal, a fact which almost cost us all 3 points at the end of the game.
Neil Etheridge saves from Newcastle's Brazilian forward Kenedy
In the 6th minute of stoppage time, a cross from the Newcastle left struck the arm of Sean Morrison and gifted Newcastle a penalty and the chance to win the game. Thankfully, Kenedy took a very weak penalty, which Neil Etheridge was able to save easily and thus gain the team their first Premier League point. Two penalty saves in two matches is making Etheridge something of a hero, both for Bluebirds fans and fans in his native Phillipines, as he has become the first Philippines player to make it to the Premier League.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
My first impression of seeing the team first hand is that we are not quite as bad as a lot of the pundits seem to make out. Some people are criticising the ability of Kenneth Zohore up front, but I thought he had a decent game on Saturday despite being badly off target with his only clear cut chance. He fought well for the ball and was difficult to get off it when in possession, an ability which will stand him in good stead as the season progresses.
The midfield 3 were very good, with Harry Arter's hard work and effort particularly impressive. He definitely look like a "Warnock" type player who may yet achieve cult status at the Cardiff City Stadium (even if he was lucky not to get a red card for one nasty tackle!). The team kept a clean sheet, which was also encouraging. Also, we had 51% of the possession during the game - I can't remember the last time we had more possession than our opponents!
In general, my feelings are that if we play up to the standards shown on Saturday then we have a good chance of maintaining our Premier League status this season. We have to hope for a good result away from home at Huddersfield this week, as our next 3 games are against Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea! But this is what the Premier League is all about and why it is so fantastic that we are a part of it.
6pm. 20th August 2018.
