Sol Bamba often likes to call Neil Warnock a father figure but it would have been tough love rather than a paternal pat on the back for the defender had he not delivered the winner against Brighton.
The Bluebirds were heading towards a draw in Saturday’s early kick-off until Bamba scored in the 90th minute to transform a meagre point into three priceless ones.
It spared him the wrath of his manager, whose anger had been stoked by the casual ease with which Lewis Dunk had given Brighton the lead. It was a header from a free-kick with Bamba doing nothing more than escorting England’s latest centre-back down the runway.
“In the old days, I’d have taken the cane out!” said Warnock. “But you’re not allowed to do that now.
“We worked on it every day this week – defending from free-kicks – and then how long did it take? Six minutes.
“But I’m so pleased for him. He’s been an absolute breath of fresh air. He’s come here on a free transfer from day one, he and Junior Hoilett have been super for me. I’m delighted for him, it’s no more than he deserves. He’s so wholehearted.”
Cardiff were truly awful for that opening period – nervous in possession, hesitant and obliging when Brighton had the ball and Bamba was central to the dysfunction.
The Ivory Coast international either mis-hit his passes, misjudged the runners around him, or mistakenly lunged forward when he should have backed off.
Trailing by one goal, the situation could have gone beyond retrieving if Glenn Murray had scored from the kind of opportunity that has been well within his capability of late.
Instead, Murray was denied by Neil Etheridge and Cardiff went down the other end to equalise through Callum Paterson after impressive work by cardiff’s best performer Kadeem Harris.
Minutes later, Dale Stephens was shown a red card for a reckless lunge at Greg Cunningham, although it would be almost an hour until Bamba fired in the winner.
Cardiff often looked blunt and short on ideas, but they were never less than willing and if perseverance brings its own reward then Bamba deserved his winner.
Having twice previously filed to beat teams reduced to 10 men – Huddersfield and Newcastle – the vital extra two points here must represent progress.
The victory was Cardiff’s second in four games after they failed to win any of their first eight – a sequence that Warnock believes reflects their growing awareness of the standards required.
“We’ve improved so much from last year. We can only move as quickly as we can, that’s why January is important to move again. The players are giving everything so I’ve got no complaints today.
“The fans here are the crucial element. You’ve heard it again today, the number of people who have commented about the fans. They’re the main difference as to whether we stay up or not. We have no chance according to the bookies.
“But when the lads give me everything and if we can bring two or three quality players into the squad in January, then we’ll have as good a chance as any. We are limited, but you can’t turn down coming into the Premier League.
“It’s not our fault – we probably did it before our time last year. When I look at the lads like that, I’m so proud of them and their desire for the shirt.”
Warnock also had special praise for Harris, the striker he admitted he did not see playing much of a role at the start of the campaign.
Warnock added: “Harris has been our best player in training for the last six weeks.
“I didn’t think I’d every play him if I’m honest at the start of the season but I’ve changed my mind. He’s been an absolute breath of fresh air.”
Bamba came up with his 90th-minute winner and celebrated by taking his shirt off – a reaction that is meant to guarantee an automatic yellow card – just as it did for Leicester’s Demarai Gray in the same stadium last week..
But Bamba was not booked by former FIFA-listed referee Martin Atkinson, who must now wait to see if he is sanctioned for not punishing the offence. It is understood the incident has been recorded as a mistake.
“I don’t think Martin would have done that on purpose,” Warnock said of Atkinson’s failure to caution Bamba, who admitted to telling the official he had kept his shirt on.
“That’s what linesmen are there for really. I did mention to the referee when he warned us about being booked for taking shirts off.
“I said I hope he books three of our players because we don’t score that many!”
Brighton manager Chris Hughton had few gripes over Stephens’ sending off – some you win, some you lose – but was angry that Bamba’s goal was not ruled out for offside.
“I understand they’ve got decisions to make, but what you want them to do is make the big decisions correctly.
“I understand the sending off, some would give it, some wouldn’t, but on the winning goal he is offside and for me that is not a difficult decision to make.
“We have a linesman in a very good position when the ball comes back in, so for me, I am more angry with the second decision than the first one.”