Deserved the win in the end, it wasn't straightforward as Cardiff had their own share of the play and we never felt in complete control of affairs, you can see that about half of our team is pretty good and the rest need chucking. But obviously we're stuck with it as it is at the moment and just have to make the best of it. I expect us to be cack at defending set pieces but Cardiff were just as bad, not what you'd think you'd get from a Warnock team. They also rivalled Wigan for wanging the ball straight out of play constantly. It's a game we'd have lost a month or so ago but the increased attacking threat should be enough to get us by against opponents like this.
Lonergan: Shite. 400 games or so in his career and he still can't do the basics. Dreadful work on their goal, nearly gifted them another with a shocking punch that went nowhere. Didn't kick like so much of a flid but I can't ever feel comfortable with him in the team, he doesn't even try to claim crosses from five yards out. Got nowhere near the shot which hit the post.
Coady: Probably as well as I've seen him play at RB. Harris tried skinning him a few times early on but Coady matched him with relative ease. Never going to offer much going forward but it's not quite as important now we have an actual front four.
Batth: Best I've seen him play since Brentford at home. Dealt with Zohore well, in the right place for his goals and less aimless hoofing or headers straight up in the air.
Hause: Number one centre half here now and rightly so. Looking better in possession by the week.
Doherty: Did ok until Noone came on...at which point he had kittens. Looked terrified for the next 10 minutes every time Noone ran at him. I'm amazed Colin didn't start him given his previous performances against us. Obviously not anything like good enough but not much of an issue yesterday.
Edwards: Should have done better with a chance in the first half that he had two goes at and only produced a pea roller through to McGregor. Closed down and pressed pretty well, there will always be 20 minute spells with him where you forget he's on the pitch, he is at least in his right position now though.
Evans: Slowish start but grew into the game, while he isn't necessarily the answer to our issues in midfield I would say he's a better option now than Price. Good ball back out to Marshall for the cross for the second. Fortunate to escape injury after a filthy challenge by Ralls (fucking ref lost the plot for about 10 minutes after that, bald nugget).
Marshall: Good footballer. Links well with the other forward players and he gives us a proper outlet, set piece delivery is very good.
Cavaleiro: Didn't have a standout game but his mere presence just gives the opposition something else to think about. It isn't a coincidence that we scored loads of goals in Dec/Jan with him in the team, then it all dropped off dramatically while he was out, now we've started scoring again.
Costa: Simply magic. Cardiff were terrified of him. Constant threat, electric pace on the break, and that goal...wow. I'm still 50:50 on whether he'll be here next season, for now I'll just enjoy watching him.
Weimann: Didn't have a huge amount to work with - don't think he had a single proper chance - but he ran the channels well, makes sure we retain a mobile option up there and he drops in for a pass pretty well too, doesn't just hang around waiting for the ball to come to him. Clear #1 choice there now.
Saiss: Probably the best sub Lambert has made in his time here. Cardiff were just starting to take hold of matters until we brought him on...he just shut all that down. Actually was pushed fairly high up the park late on which has to be the way forward, we don't need him holding hands with the centre halves.
Bodvarsson: Usual Bod stuff. Bags of effort, bit more of a physical option...doesn't really look like scoring though.
Saville: No real time, made a couple of tackles.
We're probably safe as it is now - effectively nine points clear - but would be nice to carry this winning run on as long as we can. The next two are definitely ones we can target for maximum points.