View From The Town End: Cardiff City (Part One)

With it being a big match against high-flying Cardiff City on Monday (and also because we have two extra days of content to fill, thanks for that Sky), we’re treating you to not one, but two Town Ends this week. In this issue, we’re focussing on the Bluebirds’ team - who the threats are, where Reading could hurt Cardiff and more.

We spoke to Jordan Jones, editor of @InsideWales and founder of @YClwbPelDroed. You can find him on Twitter @JordsAlexJones.

Who’s Cardiff City’s main danger man at the moment?

It has to be Junior Hoilett who has been consistent throughout this season. I believe he’s been our most involved player, both goals and assists-wise. Nathaniel Mendez-Laing is a close second.

Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

Any young talent for us to look out for?

Callum Paterson - a summer signing from Hearts in the summer, Paterson has overcome his injuries and has since looked a class above. He’s played at RB and at RM, where he scored his first goal against Barnsley two weeks ago.

What are the team’s main strengths?

Cardiff are really effective even without the ball. In fact, Cardiff are one of the sides with the least amount of possession with the ball, with only 30-35% possession to our name in the last three games.

Neil Warnock sets up to frustrate sides and can quell any pacey widemen to around the sixtieth minute mark, where Cardiff then go and counter attack the sides with Nathaniel Mendez-Laing and Junior Hoilett

How about weaknesses that Reading can exploit?

Cardiff are slow starters even at home. The away side usually go in front, where it makes the job harder to come back for us. The Bluebirds also have a tendency to lose to sides who aren’t performing - in our last match on television, Cardiff lost to Birmingham City where they looked totally inept and void of ideas.

What do you make of Reading at the moment?

I’m a bit surprised they’re down there this season after reaching the play-offs. After reading rumours of Jaap Stam being linked with a Premier League side, I thought they would kick on.

Of course Cardiff City fans and I know all too much about Chris Gunter, who has been a reliable player for Wales over the years.

How do you see Cardiff lining up?

4-5-1:

Neil Etheridge;

Bruno Ecuele Manga, Sol Bamba, Sean Morrison, Joe Bennett;

Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, Joe Ralls, Craig Bryson, Loic Damour, Junior Hoilett;

Danny Ward

How do you see the match going?

Cardiff haven’t needed to do much in their last few games for victory, just keeping it simple. With an extended break and a good team bonding session after the win over Norwich City, I can see us edging out Reading in what is an important period in the fixture calendar.

Reading 0-2 Cardiff City.