Cardiff in 2018/19: End of Season Awards
Cardiff City have put up a valiant fight this season but were ultimately unable to find it within themselves to avoid relegation.
Many pundits and fans across the country expected Neil Warnock’s men to go down with much more of a whimper, feeling that the Bluebirds’ squad was nowhere near good enough to compete in the top flight.
However, the Bluebirds took it to the penultimate game of the campaign, last weekend’s 3-2 home defeat to Crystal Palace, before having their fate sealed.
Despite the way the season panned out Warnock is still a fans favourite in south Wales, with many cheering his name after the final whistle on Sunday.
It remains to be seen whether he will still be in charge next season, given the fact that he has just one year on his contract remaining and has now hit the age of 70.
What is certain is that owner Vincent Tan will be expecting his club to be fighting for an automatic return to the Premier League next season.
Despite the negative feelings, we have decided to look back through the season and pick out some award winners…
Cardiff 2018/19 End of Season Awards
Player of the Season
Goalkeeper Neil Etheridge gets our vote, despite Cardiff going down. The Filipino has been mountainous between the sticks at times and Bluebirds fans must dread to think where they would be without him.
Young Player of the Season
Josh Murphy joined the club from Norwich City last summer, signing a four-year deal. His stats of three goals and one assist in the PL aren’t overly impressive, but his contribution has been much more significant than that.
Surprise Package
Bruno Manga has featured in every single one of the club’s PL matches this season, either at full-back or centre-back. He has played a role in nine cleansheets during that time.
Most Disappointing
Kenneth Zohore has failed to establish himself as a first-choice striker this season, despite being Cardiff’s leading scorer last term. It remains to be seen whether he will still be at the club next season.
Most Improved Player
Full-back turned centre-forward Callum Paterson lead the line diligently before his season was ended in March through injury. The Scot finished with four Premier League goals.
Best Summer Signing
Harry Arter joined on a season-long loan deal from Bournemouth and provided some much needed top-flight experience. The 29-year-old was an ever-present as injuries stacked up earlier in the season.
Best Game
The Bluebirds scored four times in a game once this season, and that came in an entertaining clash with Fulham in October. Josh Murphy, Bobby Reid, Callum Paterson and Kadeem Harris all found the back of the net.
Worst Game
Gerard Deulofeu scored a hat-trick as Watford ran out 5-1 victors at the Cardiff City Stadium in February. Sol Bamba scored the Bluebirds’ goal on a desperately disappointing night.
Goal of the Season
This wasn’t a hard one. Just before the turn of the year, loanee Victor Camarasa produced a scorcher from outside the penalty area in second-half stoppage time to give the Bluebirds a vital 1-0 victory at Leicester City.
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