catch cold

English as a Second Language English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
1

Hi,
Relying on a dictionary’s definition, (“if you do something cold, you do it without preparing for it” = spontaneously), I would expect “almost caught Cardiff napping” instead.

“West Brom flew out of the blocks at the start of this relegation battle and almost caught Cardiff cold.”

2

I agree “napping” would probably sound better, but as your definition says, “caught them cold” would mean “caught them unprepared”.