Danny’s The Boy For Bluebirds At Craven Cottage

Dai-sport took a fans eye view of Cardiff City’s Championship match at Craven Cottage. Terry Phillips was among 3,300-plus fans in the away end for the 1-1 draw against a powerful London club. Here is his view.

Fulham 1, Cardiff City 1

The belief in Neil Warnock among Bluebirds fans is massive.

There is huge backing for Cardiff City’s manager and supporters turned out in force at Craven Cottage.

There were 3,350 spectators in the away end – a couple of hundred more were in the ‘neutral zone’.

Cardiff’s support was magnificent, no question about it.

This was one of the moments in my life where I felt part of something huge. Over the last 47 years I have watched football from the comfort of media centres and press boxes.

The buzz from being among thousands of like-minded Bluebirds fans is unbelievable. A new experience.

Warnock has never won at Fulham in his managerial career – and this was his 10th visit (7 defeats, 3 draws).

This was a massive result. Fulham wanted Cardiff’s scalp and they went after it with a passion, but Warnock’s wonders fought hard, fell a goal behind and battled back to earn an away draw.

The travelling fans were ecstatic. I chatted to many of the guys and gals as we strolled through Bishop’s Park to Craven Cottage and then back.

This result, surely, was proof that City have the character and desire to succeed.

Bluebirds fans are won’t hesitate in putting their point of view and there was a huge debate in the King’s Arms about whether Vincent Tan can ever be forgiven for going red.

My view. Of course he can. The guy made a mistake, wasn’t given the correct advice and has put it right. The Bluebirds are playing in blue and that’s how it should be.

The big talking points on the terraces and in the pubs were:

Has Kenneth Zohore lost his hunger and desire already? Is he trying as hard as he was a month ago?

Danny Ward went on from the subs bench and scored. Warnock has said Ward is red hot in training – and he showed that at Fulham.

How good is Craig Bryson? Wow! The guy is immense – and suddenly Loic Damoir is under pressure.

Goalkeeper Neil Etheridge was another hot topic. There are moments of massive uncertainty and he worries some Cardiff fans.

Brian Murphy is the current number two. It looks likely that Lee Camp, when he is match fit, will take the starting role.

When Callum Paterson is fit will he get into the starting line-up? There is no question in my mind that Lee Peltier is one of the best, if not the best, right-backs in the country.

Paterson faces a tough battle and that is fantastic for Cardiff City.

Liam Feeney, too, looked bright and sharp. His first couple of crosses were awful after good approach or, but he delivered the ball from which Ward headed the equaliser.

That was a sublime moment and Cardiff fans celebrated in style.

Ryan Sessegnon scored to put Fulham ahead after 75 minutes, while Ward headed in Fenney’s superb cross with eight minutes left and the Bluebirds faithful celebrated in style.

“We showed good character to come back with only seven minutes to go,” said Warnock.

“It’s a different game to any other in the Championship. Nobody else plays like Fulham and I thought our big lads at the back adapted really well. Fulham will have a good run at some stage.

“If any questions needed answering, I thought today answered them. We were playing against a different type of team and we went behind as well, which could have killed a lesser team.”

Cardiff City: Etheridge, Peltier, Morrison, Bamba, Bennett, Gunnarsson, Ralls, Mendez-Laing, Damour (Bryson 63), Hoilett (Feeney 79), Zohore (Ward 73). Subs not used: Manga, Richards, Tomlin, Murphy.

Referee: Tony Harrington

Attendance: 20,984

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