' Is it about time Malky changed tactics and included ? '

Craig Noone in the starting line up ?

Is Craig Noone Premiership Quality?

Is Craig Noone what we are missing?


' Craig Noone would help Cardiff City lose their Premier League predictability '

Friday 15th Nov 2013.

Scott Johnson is the author of The Blues are Up. Here he makes the case for the inclusion of Craig Noone


At present, Cardiff City fans can be split according to those that think their approach is sensible and those that think they are being too negative. What both sides can surely agree on is that Cardiff are a bit too predictable at present.

You know exactly what you’re going to get; defensive solidity, endeavour and hopefully a few set-pieces in dangerous areas. Sometimes it may be enough, sometimes they will come up short, but application and discipline will only get you so far. Flair and individual brilliance must also be cultivated in order to find some cutting edge and propel a team ahead of their peers.

Despite spending substantial amounts in the summer, this is the area where Cardiff are seemingly lacking at present. But a glance further down the pecking order may provide a solution, of sorts.

Craig Noone has yet to play even a single minute of Premier League football this season. Having failed to recruit Tom Ince or a suitable right wing alternative in the summer, that is certainly surprising.

Having finally got his man in August 2012, Noone had a remarkable debut against Wolves, tearing through the recently relegated Premier League outfit and whetting the appetite of Cardiff fans. He may not have maintained those high standards on a consistent basis, but he contributed seven goals and eight assists in 25 starts, a very respectable return.

With Peter Odemwingie not suited to a wide role and Don Cowie offering plenty of graft but little invention, Noone would appear the best fit for a side struggling to create chances. Accusations of inconsistency are not without merit, but he is no more flighty than Kim Bo-Kyung, who has already been hauled off at half time on three occasions this season.

He should certainly be a consideration off the bench late in games and may have made the difference in tight contests against Everton, Hull, Tottenham and Norwich. In his two League Cup starts against Accrington and West Ham he has impressed, scoring against the latter. He can do no more to show that he is worthy of inclusion.

Malky’s loyalty to his regular starters is understandable as they have performed admirably thus far. In saying that, the transition from midfield to attack is largely absent at present and they have struggled to replicate their season-best performance at Fulham. Preoccupied with stemming wave after wave of attacks, they would certainly benefit from the attacking outlet and pace on the break that Noone would provide.

Noone may prove to be out of his depth in the Premier League, but with the transfer window approaching, it makes sense for Malky to test the players at his disposal in order to establish what positions require reinforcing. He would certainly make Cardiff more unpredictable and that alone should justify his use at present.

I recommend you write that on a piece of paper and give it to Malkey at half time.

Totally agree

I wouldnt start Noone especially against the likes of Man-u and Arsenal but I think he should be an option off the bench. It amazes me he hasnt got off the bench when in so many games we had struggled with width and creativity.
Although in the championship im pretty sure Noone had a good assist per game ratio.

We won't know if he's good enough for the Prem until he's played a game or two. For me, he should have come on against Villa instead of Maynard.

We won't know if he's good enough for the Prem until he's played a game or two. For me, he should have come on against Villa instead of Maynard.

The newcastle game was ideal for him as well.

I would rather us go down and have a go than being bored shitless at games

I would rather us go down and have a go than being bored shitless at games

we could play like this all year and still go down..............if watching this means staying up for certain and building .ok, but it doesnt

I would rather us go down and have a go than being bored shitless at games

I can't see Malky changing for a while, or even at all for this season. I think he will maintain this for the Man Utd and Arsenal games, and all of the away games. The only time it will change is if we put 10 points between us and the bottom 3.

I would rather us go down and have a go than being bored shitless at games

Hear fuckinh hear

I would rather us go down and have a go than being bored shitless at games

I can't see Malky changing for a while, or even at all for this season. I think he will maintain this for the Man Utd and Arsenal games, and all of the away games. The only time it will change is if we put 10 points between us and the bottom 3.

If things keep going the way they are,Mackay wont be here at the end of the season

Noone on the bench and use him for 20 mins if we are chasing the game. No-one in the side can beat a man at the moment. If Whitts is playing in the centre and Bellamy on one side then I'd also play Kim on the other wing, he's not lighting, but he's quick, works hard and has got tricky feet, he CAN beat a man and would benefit from the extra space he'd get out wide.

I have been a few times to see our D S ,and both Craig & Harris were playing , and Harris was a hell of a lot more dangerous on the ball then Noon . He put the fear of god into defenses every time he got the ball. I would have give him a chance of the bench.