" RUSSELL SLADE/ WHATS HE GOT TO DO "

" RUSSELL SLADE/WHATS HE GOT TO DO "

By Terry Phillips

Sunday 2nd August 2015


GAFFER'S GOT TO DO
Earn time and then faith that he can handle the job and push Cardiff forward. And all that comes from results with a lot of supporter good will eroded well before a slight pick-up in performances at the tail-end of last season.



MONTH THAT MATTERS
The starts are always key for teams but none more so than for Cardiff – and Slade – who face some pretty testing fixtures right from the off. A good performance and result will be needed at home to Fulham before trips to QPR and Blackburn and wrapping an awkward August up with games against Wolves and Forest. It will be early but indications of progress should be easily identifiable well before autumn.

FIXTURE TO LOOK FORWARD TO
There’s two in the space of two weeks with the October visit of Bristol City marking the first Severnside derby in a few years – always tasty affairs – before the game at Elland Road that Cardiff fans might actually get to see this time after last year’s noble protest against travel restritions.

FAN FAVOURITE
His defending is often questionable and his temperament can be suspect but the swashbuckling Brazilian stylings of Fabio has firmly cemented the left-back’s place with the crowd. It proves nothing can get supporters going like a player who has a bit of excitement about him with the ball.



POINT TO PROVE
Quite a few of them after last year’s struggles and Ameobi will have to show why Cardiff made such a play for him to snatch him from under the noses of Wolves but perhaps it’s Peter Whittingham who has to do more to show that class can be permanent after the poor form of some of last season.

WHAT YOU MIGHT HEAR AT HOME
“I always thought the view from that new stand was rubbish anyway.”

...AND WHAT YOU WON'T
“You know what, I miss the red...”

BEST BETS
Promoted: 8/1 (25/1 to be champions)

Top Six: 3/1

Relegated: 7/1

His resignation would be most acceptable