Blake 'Tells Solskjaer this is what u do to stay in Premier
Mon Jan 20, 2014 3:12 pm
Nathan Blake: Cardiff City need to change their mindset to stay in the Premier League
20th Jan 2014
Cardiff City legend Nathan Blake knows a thing or two about Premier League survival battles and he says the Bluebirds class of 2014 are in need of a change of attitude.
Nathan Blake says Ole Gunnar Solskjaer needs to change the mindset of his Cardiff City stars
" If he can do that then the Bluebirds will survive in the Premier League."
Cardiff City manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is right, the Bluebirds can stay up this season, but they are going to need to change their mindset to do it.
Their performance at Manchester City at the weekend confirmed what I’ve been thinking for a while, City are capable of getting themselves up for the big games, but just can’t do it in the vital matches against the teams around them in the division.
It was, of course, something that happened under Malky Mackay and, to be fair, Solskjaer has barely had time to deal with it, but it’s a psychological issue as far as I’m concerned and he needs to get to the cause of it if Cardiff are to survive.
It seems that when City approach games against the likes of the Manchester clubs and Arsenal and the like they are so keen to avoid embarrassment, so eager not to be on the wrong side of a hammering, that they raise their game, even if they do then lose out narrowly.
But then against the likes of West Brom, Sunderland or Norwich they just don’t seem capable of keeping up those standards. They let things drop. The prime example of that was the clash with West Ham last time at home.
If the Bluebirds had played like they did losing at Manchester City against West Ham they would have beaten the Hammers. I have no doubt about that.
Of course, it’s easier said than done. City go to Manchester City with no pressure on them, no-one is expecting them to win, and that makes a big difference. There is a freedom about what they do, and that shows.
Solskjaer’s first big task now is to make sure they bring a similar level of performance to the games when things are expected of them, in the games where there is a real pressure on them to win.
If he can do that then the Bluebirds will survive in the Premier League.
Manchester City over the weekend was, as we say, all about performance, and it was a reasonable one from the Bluebirds.
They may have dropped to the foot of the table, but things are incredibly tight down there right now and there is a route out.
The most eye-catching performance for Cardiff at the Etihad Stadium obviously came for Craig Noone. He played brilliantly and has been very good since he came into the side. Many will be saying that former manager Mackay should have started playing him sooner, but hindsight is a wonderful thing.
Perhaps bringing him in later means that now Noone is fresh and feels he has something to prove. I was as impressed as anyone with his showing against Manchester City; his goal was excellent, but let’s remember there are 11 Cardiff players out there. For me, the likes of David Marshall and Fraizer Campbell have been playing well too, and they’ve been doing it for longer this season. Noone has been amazing so far and has risen to the challenge of the Premier League, but it’s going to take a team effort now if the Bluebirds are to stay in the top-flight.
Next up for Solskjaer and his men is the FA Cup fourth round a trip to Bolton on Saturday.
Many outside the game might look at the cup and think of it as a distraction. As someone who has played the game, I can assure you it is not. Saturday’s match is an opportunity, not a distraction.
It does not matter what competition you are playing in or who you are playing against, winning becomes a habit. You just have to look at Manchester City to see that in action right now.
The Bluebirds need a win and playing a Championship side like Bolton gives them an excellent chance to do just that. I see they got beaten 7-1 at Reading over the weekend, which is hardly the best preparation for the arrival of a Premier League side.
A win lifts everyone and that is just what City need right now. It instils confidence in you and you go into training then with a spring in your step. When you are out and about as a player, people come up and congratulate you and give you a pat on the back. It gives everyone at the club a lift.
The Bluebirds need to get a bit of momentum going and a win in the cup might just be the thing that kick-starts things for Solskjaer and his side. A win at Bolton and suddenly everyone is looking forward to the next game again.
And that is just as well as the next Premier League outing for the Bluebirds is a trip back to Manchester to play United this time. I said Cardiff could survive, I know, but I never said it was going to be easy.
20th Jan 2014
Cardiff City legend Nathan Blake knows a thing or two about Premier League survival battles and he says the Bluebirds class of 2014 are in need of a change of attitude.
Nathan Blake says Ole Gunnar Solskjaer needs to change the mindset of his Cardiff City stars
" If he can do that then the Bluebirds will survive in the Premier League."
Cardiff City manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is right, the Bluebirds can stay up this season, but they are going to need to change their mindset to do it.
Their performance at Manchester City at the weekend confirmed what I’ve been thinking for a while, City are capable of getting themselves up for the big games, but just can’t do it in the vital matches against the teams around them in the division.
It was, of course, something that happened under Malky Mackay and, to be fair, Solskjaer has barely had time to deal with it, but it’s a psychological issue as far as I’m concerned and he needs to get to the cause of it if Cardiff are to survive.
It seems that when City approach games against the likes of the Manchester clubs and Arsenal and the like they are so keen to avoid embarrassment, so eager not to be on the wrong side of a hammering, that they raise their game, even if they do then lose out narrowly.
But then against the likes of West Brom, Sunderland or Norwich they just don’t seem capable of keeping up those standards. They let things drop. The prime example of that was the clash with West Ham last time at home.
If the Bluebirds had played like they did losing at Manchester City against West Ham they would have beaten the Hammers. I have no doubt about that.
Of course, it’s easier said than done. City go to Manchester City with no pressure on them, no-one is expecting them to win, and that makes a big difference. There is a freedom about what they do, and that shows.
Solskjaer’s first big task now is to make sure they bring a similar level of performance to the games when things are expected of them, in the games where there is a real pressure on them to win.
If he can do that then the Bluebirds will survive in the Premier League.
Manchester City over the weekend was, as we say, all about performance, and it was a reasonable one from the Bluebirds.
They may have dropped to the foot of the table, but things are incredibly tight down there right now and there is a route out.
The most eye-catching performance for Cardiff at the Etihad Stadium obviously came for Craig Noone. He played brilliantly and has been very good since he came into the side. Many will be saying that former manager Mackay should have started playing him sooner, but hindsight is a wonderful thing.
Perhaps bringing him in later means that now Noone is fresh and feels he has something to prove. I was as impressed as anyone with his showing against Manchester City; his goal was excellent, but let’s remember there are 11 Cardiff players out there. For me, the likes of David Marshall and Fraizer Campbell have been playing well too, and they’ve been doing it for longer this season. Noone has been amazing so far and has risen to the challenge of the Premier League, but it’s going to take a team effort now if the Bluebirds are to stay in the top-flight.
Next up for Solskjaer and his men is the FA Cup fourth round a trip to Bolton on Saturday.
Many outside the game might look at the cup and think of it as a distraction. As someone who has played the game, I can assure you it is not. Saturday’s match is an opportunity, not a distraction.
It does not matter what competition you are playing in or who you are playing against, winning becomes a habit. You just have to look at Manchester City to see that in action right now.
The Bluebirds need a win and playing a Championship side like Bolton gives them an excellent chance to do just that. I see they got beaten 7-1 at Reading over the weekend, which is hardly the best preparation for the arrival of a Premier League side.
A win lifts everyone and that is just what City need right now. It instils confidence in you and you go into training then with a spring in your step. When you are out and about as a player, people come up and congratulate you and give you a pat on the back. It gives everyone at the club a lift.
The Bluebirds need to get a bit of momentum going and a win in the cup might just be the thing that kick-starts things for Solskjaer and his side. A win at Bolton and suddenly everyone is looking forward to the next game again.
And that is just as well as the next Premier League outing for the Bluebirds is a trip back to Manchester to play United this time. I said Cardiff could survive, I know, but I never said it was going to be easy.
Re: Blake 'Tells Solskjaer this is what u do to stay in Prem
Mon Jan 20, 2014 3:22 pm
I dont think Ole should take any advice of Blake in how to manage a Premier Club.
Re: Blake 'Tells Solskjaer this is what u do to stay in Prem
Mon Jan 20, 2014 3:24 pm
Blake chats utter nonsense. Cant believe anybody takes him seriously
Re: Blake 'Tells Solskjaer this is what u do to stay in Prem
Mon Jan 20, 2014 3:27 pm
My advice to Solkjear is not to take advice from Blakey.
Re: Blake 'Tells Solskjaer this is what u do to stay in Prem
Mon Jan 20, 2014 3:28 pm
CraigCCFC wrote:Blake chats utter nonsense. Cant believe anybody takes him seriously
Craig he is worse than me
Re: Blake 'Tells Solskjaer this is what u do to stay in Prem
Mon Jan 20, 2014 3:28 pm
buckleys brewery wrote:My advice to Solkjear is not to take advice from Blakey.
I second that
Re: Blake 'Tells Solskjaer this is what u do to stay in Prem
Mon Jan 20, 2014 3:34 pm
Blake was never any good as a player getting out of a relegation battle. how many times was he relegated? 
Re: Blake 'Tells Solskjaer this is what u do to stay in Prem
Mon Jan 20, 2014 3:38 pm
Forever Blue wrote:buckleys brewery wrote:My advice to Solkjear is not to take advice from Blakey.
I second that
When he left us Annis, I'm sure he was relegated with Sheffield Utd in his first season and then later on with Bolton and Wolves. There again I could be wrong.
Re: Blake 'Tells Solskjaer this is what u do to stay in Prem
Mon Jan 20, 2014 3:40 pm
buckleys brewery wrote:Forever Blue wrote:buckleys brewery wrote:My advice to Solkjear is not to take advice from Blakey.
I second that
When he left us Annis, I'm sure he was relegated with Sheffield Utd in his first season and then later on with Bolton and Wolves. There again I could be wrong.
I think you might be right.
Re: Blake 'Tells Solskjaer this is what u do to stay in Prem
Mon Jan 20, 2014 3:41 pm
ihatealiens wrote:Blake was never any good as a player getting out of a relegation battle. how many times was he relegated?
Blake, was a high quality Championship player, but with the wrong attitude in my opinion.
Re: Blake 'Tells Solskjaer this is what u do to stay in Prem
Mon Jan 20, 2014 4:31 pm
Doesn't Nathan Blake hold the record for being relegated from the Premier League the most?
5 times I believe. Should've changed his mindset.
5 times I believe. Should've changed his mindset.
Re: Blake 'Tells Solskjaer this is what u do to stay in Prem
Mon Jan 20, 2014 4:42 pm
Reminds me of Hartson as pundit. Fecking hopeless.
Re: Blake 'Tells Solskjaer this is what u do to stay in Prem
Mon Jan 20, 2014 5:31 pm
Sheffield United, Bolton twice, Blackburn and Wolves.
Re: Blake 'Tells Solskjaer this is what u do to stay in Prem
Mon Jan 20, 2014 7:48 pm
Well he is writing for the Echo