Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Tom Coleman

Cardiff City notes as change in system pays off, Ng's celebration explained and the blunt message drummed into every player

It's been a long time coming, but Cardiff City finally have that winning feeling back after just over three months of waiting.

Tuesday night's 2-0 victory over Birmingham City halted a sorry run of 14 games without a win, and handed Sabri Lamouchi his first three points since taking charge in the capital.

Here are the key talking points from a hugely positive night at St Andrew's.

READ MORE: Connor Wickham says he'll give everything for the Cardiff City shirt in bullish first interview

Change in system pays off

The four at the back that had previously been a constant of Lamouchi's short time at the helm clearly had its issues, so it was perhaps inevitable the Frenchman might look at a change at some point.

At St Andrew's, he opted for a back three, which ultimately left Cardiff's defence feeling far more balanced on the night. Perry Ng flourished in what now feels his favoured position on the right side of a back three, while Mark McGuinness and Cedric Kipre both produced similarly solid performances.

All three were terrific, but the change in shape also helped others to flourish.

Mahlon Romeo and Callum O'Dowda were given more licence to get forward out wide, providing greater support to the two up top of Kion Etete and Sory Kaba, while also remaining resolute in defence against a strong and physical Birmingham front line.

As Ng himself pointed out, Lamouchi has also seemingly made a concerted effort to get Cardiff playing a more direct brand of football - one that focuses on getting the ball in advanced areas as quickly as possible.

It's not always pretty. Indeed, the first half was a particularly tough watch, but it did seemingly give Cardiff a greater control of the game, and it certainly paid off on this occasion.

"We've cut playing short a bit and playing in the opposition half a lot more, putting teams under pressure," Ng said.

"I think it worked today."

Ng free-kick fresh off the training ground

Many will have been taken aback by the quality of Ng's free-kick for Cardiff's opener, but anyone in and around the training ground this week certainly won't have been too surprised.

As the player himself revealed: "I took a few in training yesterday. My last one actually went top bins so the gaffer told me to go in. So today, I stepped up and was positive.

"It was a weird angle at first but what have I got to lose? Luckily it went in the top corner, so I'm made up."

It was a goal that has already been heavily circulated on social media over the last 12 hours. Cardiff have been desperately deprived of these sorts of Hollywood moments recently.

But the 26-year-old still had to muscle his way past a couple of team-mates, who perhaps felt they were more deserving.

"I had to shove a few off it who didn't believe in me," he added. "But I think I've proved them wrong now, though. So I'm on them from now on! I used to take a few at Crewe, but a few kept going over the stands so I got taken off them! But I think I'm back on them now."

Don't be surprised to see him standing over another free-kick soon.

Wickham's solid debut

Cardiff received a boost in the hours leading up to kick-off after Connor Wickham's arrival was finally given the green light.

The 29-year-old has been in fine form in League One this season, netting nine goals for Forest Green Rovers before the end of his short-term deal in January.

The former Sunderland striker spoke before the game about how he didn't feel he had anything to prove at this level (you can read his comments in full here), and he certainly seemed sharp enough when he came off the bench.

Indeed, he almost scored with his first touch, and Lamouchi is clearly confident the forward can make a positive impact over the coming weeks.

"He was not ready [to start], but we saw immediately the experience with his body and he knows the how to make the difference to help the team," the boss said.

"We need these kind of players. It was a great attitude from all of them."

Celebrations say it all

Ending a winless run of 14 games was always going to spark jubilation, but the celebrations for both goals, as well as those at full time, felt telling. Ng raced away to the touchline after netting his superb opener, revealing afterwards he was looking for a particular member of the backroom team.

"Bushy the kitman said if I score I had to run over to him, so I sprinted over, but couldn't find him," he said. "He was in the stands stuck so I had to wait for him for a bit!"

It hinted at the level of togetherness that, despite everything, is still burning in the belly of this squad. As did the mob that rallied round Callum Robinson after the second.

Lamouchi, after overseeing a tricky start, clearly believes his players are all starting to pull in the same direction now - and that's a potentially vital ingredient in a successful battle against relegation. "They respect the plan," he added. "It was an absolutely fantastic performance from all of them.

"Someone asked me, you got the job two weeks ago, do you know all the players? I know everybody now.

"In two weeks it's enough to know all of them. All of them know me very well and what I'm asking from them. So, I'm really happy for them."

No time to dwell - this has to be only the beginning

Apologies for ending on what might be considered a bit of a downer, but anyone getting carried away by this win would be well advised to look at the table.

It's still pretty sobering. Yes, Cardiff's win has opened up a three-point gap over Wigan Athletic in 22nd, but the Latics still have the luxury of two games in hand.

As do Huddersfield Town and Blackpool, both of whom prop up the table on 28 points. Both of whom have also hired former Cardiff bosses in their bids to avoid the drop.

Ironically, a few may well be silently cheering on Swansea City when they host the Tangerines on Wednesday night. A Swans win would certainly ease some of the lingering concerns. But Cardiff can't count on any favours from anyone at this stage.

After seeing Blackpool hire Mick McCarthy, some will perhaps feel a little uneasy at Huddersfield's appointment of Neil Warnock, a man whose expertise in this sort of a crisis is unrivalled.

Cardiff play the Terriers on April 29 in the penultimate game of the season. It would certainly be wise to ensure the survival mission is complete by then. Dwelling on this victory would be a mistake, and that message has clearly already been drummed into the players.

"Everyone's buzzing," Ng added after the game. "But the manager's brought us back down to earth saying we need to focus on the game Friday now, so we'll enjoy it now.

"But we've got to get ready for Friday."

Commenting on Lamouchi's methods on the training ground, he added: "Every day he's getting us pumped up and inspires us. He's very energetic, which is good and on the training pitch he's very tactical."

Lamouchi himself simply added: "I hope Friday night I'll be in the same mood."

READ MORE:

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.