Cardiff City supporters have become so conditioned to watching three centre-backs that social media was abuzz an hour before kick-off as fans were left unconvinced about the prospect of moving Joel Bagan into left centre-half against Reading.
Some, though, thought the starting XI pointed to a more sizeable change, one which might see a four-at-the-back implemented – not since the days of Neil Harris have we seen that at Cardiff City. But they were right.
Steve Morison ripped up the playbook and opted for a 4-2-3-1 which dropped a centre-back and found room to accommodate both Tommy Doyle and Rubin Colwill, a quite potent creative force in tandem. It was a system designed to facilitate a different style of play, too, one that encouraged Cardiff's more attacking players to see more action and for the Bluebirds to hold more possession of the ball.
