Premier League 2018/19: A preview of the three newly promoted sides

#2 Cardiff City

Neil Warnock might be the key to success for Cardiff City in the Premier League

Cardiff City got promoted to the Premier League in dramatic fashion. An unbeaten run from January 2108 up till April (barring a defeat in the FA Cup to Manchester City) saw Cardiff City quietly make their way towards England's top league once again.

They only lost twice in the championship in 2018 - to Wolverhampton and Aston Villa. Under Neil Warnock, the club has been consistent and played a fluid system.

Seen as a tactical genius by many, Neil Warnock might be the key to success for Cardiff City in the Premier League, a league where they have consistently failed to shine in.

Summer Signings

Despite being in talks for big names like Troy Deeney and Alfred N'Diaye, Cardiff City has been relatively quiet in the transfer market till now.

However, their two signings - Josh Murphy and Bobby Reid might play a huge role in extending their stay in the Premier League. Josh Murphy is 23-year-old winger from Norwich City, where he played under Neil Warnock.

He was a MK Dons' player of the season in 2015/16 and was reputed as one of the hottest prospects in the championship last season.

With Junior Hoilett and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing as the only real options for out and out wingers, Cardiff needed to fix the problem of squad depth. Josh Murphy is a player who solves this problem and might even compete to be a regular starter for the bluebirds.

On the other hand, 25-year-old Reid is coming off the best season of his career. Lee Johnson's decision to convert Reid to a striker from an attacking midfielder was seen a risky move.

But it paid its dividends as Reid went on to score 21 goals in all competitions in the 2017/18 season.

He will compete with Kenneth Zohore for a place in the starting line-up which could see both strikers' hunger for goals rise. A high scoring striker is something all clubs desire and in Bobby Reid, Cardiff City might have gotten just that.

Tactics

Warnock has led eight teams to promotion in his entire managing career spanning from the 80's to today. He isn't the kind of manager that plays with one particular formation and one particular tactic. He is versatile and adapts according to the opposition.

His preferred formation is a 4-3-3 or a 4-2-3-1. However, the formation fluctuates through the course of the game as the team focuses on closing down spaces and winning the ball back quickly.

This is seen when Sol Bamba pushes up aggressively to win the ball. Bennett fills in the position from left back and the defensive line contracts to form a three at the back. The wide midfielders - Junior Hoilett and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing fall back and act as wingbacks in the 5-4-1 formation that is formed.

This aggressive style from the physically dominating Sol Bamba earned him a spot in the PFA ' Championship team of the year'.

Warnock's men play a tight game of man marking. Each player is assigned with a man who he follows throughout the game.

For the same, one might find the right back on the left side of the pitch or a left back in holding midfield. This tight man marking allows Cardiff City to win the ball back easily especially against teams that play short passes and believe in quick build-up play.

Prediction

Despite the heroics of Cardiff City to reach the Premier League once again, I wouldn't be surprised to see them fall right back into the Championship this year. With the bluebirds' limited squad depth, the quality and intensity of the Premier League might prove to be too tough for Cardiff City.