Cardiff v Wolves: The inside track on Neil Warnock's side

Get the inside track on Neil Warnock's side, as Wolves look to bounce back from a disheartening defeat to Huddersfield last weekend.

We spoke with Dominic Booth, Cardiff City writer for Wales Online, and Michael Morris, writer for CardiffCity-mad.co.uk, to get a better look at the Bluebirds.

See what they had to say here...

Cardiff were obviously the fellow automatic promotion side to join Wolves in the top flight this season, how would you say their start to life in the Premier League has gone so far?

DB: They're probably on par with what we expected.

Everyone outside South Wales expected Cardiff City to go down without a fight, but those who have been watching Neil Warnock's side a little more closely for the past couple of years knew they'd be competitive — even if a lack of quality has stymied their progress.

They've recorded a couple of excellent wins at home against mid-to-low ranking sides but have been outclassed whenever they've faced one of the big boys.

MM: It's been difficult. We've only been comprehensively beaten once, a 5-0 home defeat to Man City, but we have found it difficult to score goals in many games.

We have given teams a game, only going down by the odd goal in five to Arsenal and conceded late goals to Liverpool and Chelsea to give them flattering score lines.

We've lacked ruthlessness and finishing in failing to beat fellow strugglers Huddersfield, Newcastle and Burnley.

Neil Warnock didn't spend a whole lot of money over the summer, are there fears that this frugality could result in Cardiff dropping back down to the Championship come the end of the season?

DB: Some supporters are frustrated with the lack of spending, though most accept this as a reality of Cardiff's position.

They don't have the budget to be throwing money around the way Fulham and Wolves have since promotion.

They're reliant on Warnock's canny operating in the transfer market and in truth the Bluebirds will need to invest wisely in January if they're to avoid relegation.

MM: Not sure if he was frugal, maybe just not cute enough to get Premier League quality players in.

We play a player upfront who was signed as a defender, we should be playing a Premier League quality striker but we didn't buy one.

That lack of investment could be the difference but we do have January to rectify that.

What sort of transfer business did Cardiff do this year?

DB: They spent 'big' (for Cardiff) on Championship stars Josh Murphy and Bobby Reid, who have added pace and flair to their attack, even if fans would probably like to see a bit more from both players.

Otherwise, they spent small amounts on left-back Greg Cunningham, back-up goalkeeper Alex Smithies and then clinched Harry Arter and Victor Camarasa on loan, on deadline day.

MM: Around £30m spent. So not pocket money but the Premier League is on a different level when it comes to spending and we bought decent players but at Championship level.

How would you rate that aforementioned transfer business?

DB: Murphy has certainly been a shining light this season. He has the pace to frighten defenders and suits Cardiff's quick and direct style of play.

Arter and Camarasa have been very shrewd loan signings in midfield too, both looking up to the standard required in possession in the Premier League.

Fans are still waiting for that eureka moment with Reid, who is a genuine No.10 but rarely gets played there because a 4-3-3 with three hard-working midfielders seems to be the Bluebirds' best system.

Cunningham has had a run at left-back but he's not as mobile or forward-thinking as Joe Bennett, who could return to the role this weekend.

MM: In hindsight we underspent and didn't bring in the extra one or two players that could have turned those fine margins in our favour.

Nuno and Warnock memorably clashed last season, do you imagine that heated relationship will come to the boil once again in this fixture? Or is it all water under the bridge now from a Cardiff perspective?

DB: Warnock tried his best to play down the rivalry between the two, revealing the pair had met at the LMA end of season dinner where they had a more amicable exchange - and a handshake!

He may secretly regret his angry reaction on that fateful Friday night. He's likely to bury the hatchet this weekend - that is unless some new controversy rears its head during the game of course.

MM: I think Neil Warnock will show a warm welcome to Nuno. Sky will focus on it no doubt but I think it will be all smiles, certainly before the game.

We saw the Bluebirds miss out to Everton over the weekend, can we expect many changes in personnel or strategy against Wolves? What would be your predicted XI?

DB: I'd expect a more attacking lineup from Cardiff. They went to Everton to be compact and defensive, hence Warnock's decision to pick four central midfielders, with Camarasa out wide. Joe Ralls should drop out and Josh Murphy will return. Reid could also get a game.

Predicted XI: Etheridge; Manga, Morrison, Bamba, Bennett; Gunnarsson, Arter, Camarasa; Murphy, Reid, Paterson.

MM: We don't have the options to make too many changes. I think Josh Murphy will start as we look to be a bit more attacking.

Predicted XI: Etheridge, Manga, Morrison, Bamba, Cunningham, Arter, Camarasa, Gunnarsson, Harris, Murphy, Paterson.

Are there any injuries Neil Warnock's side have to worry about?

DB: Forwards Kenneth Zohore and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing have both been struggling with injury of late and may not recover in time to play a part.

MM: Nothing new, the player we hoped to be our main striker Kenneth Zohore, has barely played all season. Nathaniel Mendez-Laing has been a miss for us. He is closing in on fitness so might make the bench.

What have you made of Wolves from afar this season? Do you think they're capable of managing a top ten finish judging from what you've seen?

DB: I've only watched two Wolves games in full this season and I got two completely contrasting displays.

The first was their 1-1 draw at Old Trafford earlier in the season in which they were very impressive and the second was last weekend's game at Huddersfield, which obviously wasn't.

They've certainly got the players (and manager) to finish comfortably in mid-table but whether they can push for the top eight or 10 could be a stretch too far.

They're certainly here to stay though and relegation shouldn't be an issue.

MM: They started great. Took to the division no problem at all.

Four defeats and no win in the last five will have been disappointing and I expect them to finish mid table. Top 10 might be too ambitious this season. But should be safe enough.

Your match prediction?

DB: Cardiff will be bang up for this one and Wolves are vulnerable after their latest defeat.

I'm backing the Bluebirds to avenge that April showdown with a 2-1 win at a packed out Cardiff City Stadium.

MM: 1-1

You can follow Dominic on Twitter here, whilst you can keep track of Michael's work here.