This season witnessed so much unfold on the pitch as it did off it. From the unexpected rise of forgotten figures Lee Tomlin & Alex Smithies to how it became the longest campaign in the history of the sport. I’ve decided to reflect on what turned out to be an unforgettable season.
Following relegation from the Premier League last year, the Bluebirds looked to bounce back and make an immediate return. Notable figures Kenneth Zohore, Aron Gunnarsson and Bruno Manga all departed Neil Warnock’s side. While the door swung the other direction for the likes of Will Vaulks, Curtis Nelson and Robert Glatzel amongst others to announce their arrival in south Wales.
The anticipation and expectation was high from the Bluebirds faithful. They were however taken by surprise in an anti-climactic opening day visit to DW Stadium. Wigan Athletic secured a 3-2 victory despite City possessing a one-goal lead before the break.
Fortunes changed the following weekend when a last-gasp winner from debutant Isaac Vassell nicked the all three points against Luton Town. Vassell celebrated the 2-1 win with an ayatollah; much to delight of the home crowd. This would unfortunately be the striker’s only goal for the club to date following several injuries.
A mixed bag of results followed which meant a slow start in the table. Failure to find consistency frustrated fans with some already calling for Warnock to step down.
Towards the end of October, the Bluebirds lined up for a long-waited south Wales derby – the first in five years. On the same day the Welsh Rugby team were knocked out of the World Cup, the grass (although white in different areas) wouldn’t be greener for City fans. A single first half goal by Swansea centre-half Ben Wilmot was enough to separate the sides.
Warnock’s men dusted themselves off and responded with a 4-2 home victory over Birmingham City. Joe Ralls earned the plaudits following the first hat-trick of his professional career. A first for the Bluebirds since Peter Whittingham against Wolves in 2013. Whitts even congratulated Ralls himself as later revealed by the latter in a post-match interview.
Despite this win the Bluebirds were still shy of producing a promising run of form in the middle of the table. The chance to further boost morale after defeat to Swansea City arrived in the form of the Servernside derby. However, a late goal from the visitors poached the win for the Robins at the CCS.
This ultimately proved to be the final game for Warnock. Following a memorable three years in charge the Yorkshireman decided to step down from his role. Warnock restored confidence and belief amongst his players when he first joined. He also united a divided and conflicted fan base since the days of the clubs reversal of their rebrand a few years before.
So who was to take the hot seat. Names flew around like toys out of a baby’s pram! Mike Flynn, Chris Hughton and Sam Allardyce amongst others were all rumoured to be in contention. However it was the former Millwall boss, Neil Harris who took the reigns. A decision, which at first, stirred much divide in opinion. Many were underwhelmed while others saw it as a sensible and promising choice.
His first game in charge would’ve been a local derby had it been his former club he was managing. A trip to Charlton Athletic was Harris’ chance to prove his worth. It couldn’t have been a worse start when the home side raced to a two-goal lead at the interval. Despite the negative score-line, it seemed to flatter the hosts who were lucky to maintain a clean-sheet before the restart. The Bluebirds were a force to be reckoned with in the second half and substitutions made all the difference with Nathaniel Mendez-Laing and Lee Tomlin both scoring to see a point shared.
Tomlin, often neglected under Warnock, showed his class and would earn himself a starting place in Harris’ XI.
Three wins on the bounce followed for a rejuvenated Bluebirds side who were full of confidence. A slight inconsistent spell of form saw them go off-colour before a memorable day at Elland Road. Leeds United who were in the mix for automatic promotion, went 3-0 up against the Bluebirds. Harris’ never die attitude was clear when City clawed back to equalise late on. I’m confident most Cardiff fans have watched the final goal on repeat too! Not just because of its impact on the game but the sheer skill of Tomlin to volley (with his back-heel!) a long ball over two defenders into the path of Glatzel to fire home from close range. Assist of the season for sure.
The New Year started horrifically on the field when the Bluebirds lost 6-1 at Loftus Road. It would however prove to be a mere bump on the road in Cardiff’s route to the play-offs. Will Vaulks tallied his first goal for City in this disastrous encounter. The Welsh international would go on to prove his worth to Harris and become a mainstay in the City midfield.
City were knocked out of the Fourth Round of the FA Cup in January but the reversal of the South Wales derby was the main agenda for the Bluebirds fans.
The highly anticipated match, which recorded our largest attendance of the season (28,529) ended goalless. It was overall an even affair but with the Bluebirds surprisingly edging the possession stats!
Towards the end of January, the Bluebirds seriously announced their intent to reach the playoffs with a 2-1 triumph over then league leaders West Bromwich Albion. The winner arriving late on through a sensational free-kick effort from Tomlin; the playmaker was loving life in his role. The no.10 was our most prolific scorer in 19/20. He impressively accumulated 19 direct goal involvements across all competitions (9G, 10A).
Before the month ended, City finalised three loan deals; Dion Sanderson, Albert Adomah and Brad Smith all arrived at the Welsh capital. The first two playing a key role in helping their temporary club to reach the playoffs.
Away wins at Huddersfield Town and Luton Town followed with ‘keeper Alex Smithies excelling between the sticks after replacing an out-of-form Neil Etheridge.
Another mixed bag of results followed before City defeated relegation threatened Barnsley 2-0 on the road. Vaulks broke the deadlock and celebrated with his trademark somersaults. A minute later the lead was doubled through Callum Paterson, who went viral with his jokingly attempt of matching the prior celebration! Not quite the same spectacle but humorous nonetheless!
That clash would prove to be our last for three months due to the disruptions of covid-19.
During this time, with immeasurable sadness, City learned of the tragic passing of one of its heroes. Peter Whittingham, who made over 450 appearances for the Bluebirds, was a big loss to the football community. The club has promised to hold a tribute in which the fans can be a part of in the near future.
The break without football proved to be beneficial to Harris’ squad who were now lurking outside the playoffs. Tomlin and Mendez-Laing both returned from injuries ahead of fixtures they would’ve missed if not for the unanticipated turn of global events.
The games after the restart wouldn’t be the same though. The twelfth man would no longer be able to show its support in front of their beloved team. Instead we had to rely on Sky Sports and Cardiff City TV; who’ve got the Nathaniel Cars advert on repeat in my head to this day!
Our first clash was in late June and it was a huge one. Table-toppers Leeds United, still haunted by the reverse fixture, looked to make amends in south Wales. However Cardiff’s indisputable record against the Whites speaks for itself as City dismantled them once more to claim a deserved 2-0 victory. Glatzel notched the second in emphatic style after Junior Hoilett broke the deadlock. The Canadian unleashed a pin-point left-footed strike (his weaker foot) into the top left corner from the edge of the area. It’s a goal Whitts would’ve been proud of. It emulated his incredible goal-scoring ability as if to say “Here’s to you Whitts!”
Both Glatzel and Hoilett would continue their fine form after the restart as City picked up another significant win the following weekend. Prior to the vital clash against Preston North End, the Bluebirds were seventh and needing a win against the Lilywhites to leapfrog them into the playoffs. A dominant display saw Ralls, Mendez-Laing and Glatzel score to take home a 3-1 win.
A goalless stalemate with Charlton followed. This encounter was also a farewell to Albert Adomah who had seen off his loan to return to Nottingham Forest. Initially he was meant to finish the season with the Bluebirds but Forest, it seemed, did not want to aid a rivals bid for promotion. The break in football across the world saw his loan expire earlier in the season than City would’ve preferred. Harris was fuming the FA took no authority in overseeing these contract agreements. But I have a feeling it came back to haunt Forest!
Back-to-back defeats did follow against play-off rivals before City claimed three wins on the bounce to secure their place in the playoffs. Harris’ troops finished fifth, their highest position all season coming in the final game.
This run included a 2-1 home win over Derby County. Wayne Rooney was at fault for the decisive goal. He was intercepted by Tomlin, who surged forward before drilling home off the post. For certain City fans it felt like sweet revenge after the former Manchester United striker should’ve seen red last time he played at the CCS.
Local rivals Swansea City occupied the final play-off spot. This followed Forests’ humiliating defeat to Stoke City in which the Jacks needed a five goal swing in their favour! Adomah wasn’t used in any of Forest’s games since returning.
For their play-off semi-final first leg against Scott Parker’s Fulham, the Bluebirds were in good spirits after defeating Hull City 3-0. City started brightly and probably should’ve been ahead before the break. However it proved to be a game of two halves with Fulham scoring twice after the break. The second came from a direct free-kick which was harshly awarded for a challenge City had a similar claim for in the first half which was dismissed.
Expectations were mixed going into the second leg. I myself refused to give up hope and prayed for an early goal in our favour. The prayers paid off when Curtis Nelson headed home from a corner with eight minutes played. Although less than 30 seconds later Fulham equalised. Typical! It remained 1-1 at the half-time. City knew it was ‘now or never’ in the second half and Tomlin, with his first touch, fired City back ahead. We only needed one more goal to be level on aggregate. Chances were flying on both sides of the pitch with plenty of post-match praise going to the ‘keepers and their astonishing saves. Cardiff’s battling efforts were unfortunately not enough as Fulham merely progressed to the final; in which they’d later win against Brentford.
Failure to reach Wembley didn’t dishearten the majority of Bluebird supporters. City gave it their all for the final push and to reach the playoffs in the first place. Harris rebuilt the character of a deflated and 14th placed City team to achieve a remarkable fifth placed finish. It offers hope and comfort heading into next season, similarly to when Warnock first took charge – we all know how his second season ended!
It will be an interesting to see how events pan out before the new season; which is roughly a month away! Harris will need to hold onto his core group of players and add further strength and quality in numbers. If so, I’m sure City have a great chance of knocking on the Premier League’s doors once again.
WrightWord 