' Bruno Manga to sort out defence problems '

Cardiff City's £3m defender Bruno Manga will come in to shore up defence - admits Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Monday Sep 15, 2014

By Terry Phillips
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=147285

As he bids to steady his ship for the visit of Middlesbrough, Bluebirds boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has admitted his £3m man will take his place in the defence.


Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has confirmed Bruno Manga, Cardiff City’s new central defender, is in line for his Championship debut in tomorrow’s home match against Middlesbrough.

Gabon international Manga, a £3m signing from French club Lorient, was on international duty last week and did not arrive in Cardiff until late on Friday.

“Bruno had a light training session on Saturday and should be available,” said Solskjaer, who was shocked at the way his Bluebirds conceded four second-half goals in the defeat against Norwich.

Manga could step in for Matt Connolly or Sean Morrison, while left-back Fabio faces a late fitness test after going off at half-time against Norwich.




“Fabio has a muscle problem, but we are hopeful he will be okay for the match against Middlesbrough,” said Solskjaer.

“There won’t be any massive changes, maybe one or two.

“I will see how players have come through the match against Norwich. There were a few near the end who didn’t have a spring in their step as they did first half.

“Middlesbrough pose a different test and we have to come up with the answers. We did not do that against Norwich.”

Solskjaer was delighted with central midfield pairing Joe Ralls and Peter Whittingham during the first half, while he talked about Federico Macheda and Aron Gunnarsson.

“Kiko (Macheda) was excellent and posed Norwich lots of different problems. Towards the end it showed that he is not 100% match fit, but he has a lot to offer,” he said.

“Aron can adapt to all sorts of situations. He did well as a sitting midfield player for Iceland against Turkey, while he did really well for us in a role much further forward. He is one of the leaders in our team.”

Solskjaer and his team will watch the Norwich match video again to analyse where things went wrong and he said: “We need a response.

“We must have performances and points from our next few matches.

“The Championship is about consistency.

“We have not seen the real Cardiff City yet in terms of consistency.

“I enjoyed watching the team before half time and that’s what we aspire to. I certainly didn’t enjoy the second half.

“The players are hurting and we will bounce back as a group and as a team.”

Ole said at the end it showed macheda wasn't match fit yet he kept him on and took Jones off?

Ole said at the end it showed macheda wasn't match fit yet he kept him on and took Jones off?

“Kiko (Macheda) was excellent and posed Norwich lots of different problems. Towards the end it showed that he is not 100% match fit, but he has a lot to offer,” he said.


I honestly dont believe Ole knows what he is doing?

Bruno is an excellent player and a real warrior and will make a big difference but he's not going to sort out the problems in front of him. I hope Morrison is dropped for him as he has been extremely disappointing so far but then again most of the team have with only Matts and Jones really impressing.

People keep going on about how we have a great squad - I just don't see it to be honest. We have signed some decent players but no one with pace, no one who can change a game leaving us looking static and cumbersome. The balance of the squad is all wrong and the squad is way too big and so much competition is not healthy when players have decent games and are then dropped, played out of position or have to play alongside someone new in the next game.

I'd love Noone to start games now he's back and also see Kadeem Harris start on the bench as someone who can come on and tear full backs apart - but then I suspect that is not the OGS way of doing things, sadly.

Ole said at the end it showed macheda wasn't match fit yet he kept him on and took Jones off?

“Kiko (Macheda) was excellent and posed Norwich lots of different problems. Towards the end it showed that he is not 100% match fit, but he has a lot to offer,” he said.


I honestly dont believe Ole knows what he is doing?

Particularly alarming is his reading that whitts and gunnarsson seem to be in his plans again for tues night.. Both should be dropped.. Whitts especially, we are carrying him through games.


A quote off another thread..


Ole really has to address the problems we have in the middle of the park. At present, he seems to want to try and get the best of both worlds by fielding two strikers, but with one of them used more as an auxiliary wide midfield player. Our manager needs to have the courage of his convictions and either opt for a proper 4-4-2 (which wouldn’t be my choice) or go for 4-5-1/4-3-3 with players who are able to make a better fist of the defensive responsibilities of the wide midfield role.

Ole said at the end it showed macheda wasn't match fit yet he kept him on and took Jones off?

Bizarre

Jones was our best defender. I mentioned it to a Stoke fan yesterday who almost fell off his chair laughing and said we must really be shite if that is the case!

Ole said at the end it showed macheda wasn't match fit yet he kept him on and took Jones off?

“Kiko (Macheda) was excellent and posed Norwich lots of different problems. Towards the end it showed that he is not 100% match fit, but he has a lot to offer,” he said.


I honestly dont believe Ole knows what he is doing?

I think I am coming to the same conclusion.

We have about 10 players too many that need to be shipped out ASAP and another 2 quality players brought in on loan.

What are we doing at training? These players not match fit???? Why not?

What are we doing at training? These players not match fit???? Why not?

My exact thought.

How come Macheda is not match fit? Has he been injured or something.

Ole said at the end it showed macheda wasn't match fit yet he kept him on and took Jones off?

“Kiko (Macheda) was excellent and posed Norwich lots of different problems. Towards the end it showed that he is not 100% match fit, but he has a lot to offer,” he said.


I honestly dont believe Ole knows what he is doing?

It's all very concerning, OGS is now making contradictory statements! I can't believe a manager is now pointing out fitness issues with these players who gave not been injured. What struck me Saturday, was that Kenwyne who was lambasted last year for being lazy etc, was the one player who was trying to gee up the players after conceding goals! All the others were dropping their heads. All these things are pointing towards a team and manager in turmoil.

Bruno is an excellent player and a real warrior and will make a big difference but he's not going to sort out the problems in front of him. I hope Morrison is dropped for him as he has been extremely disappointing so far but then again most of the team have with only Matts and Jones really impressing.

People keep going on about how we have a great squad - I just don't see it to be honest. We have signed some decent players but no one with pace, no one who can change a game leaving us looking static and cumbersome. The balance of the squad is all wrong and the squad is way too big and so much competition is not healthy when players have decent games and are then dropped, played out of position or have to play alongside someone new in the next game.

I'd love Noone to start games now he's back and also see Kadeem Harris start on the bench as someone who can come on and tear full backs apart - but then I suspect that is not the OGS way of doing things, sadly.

A very good analysis, especially your point about pace. We have none and teams are aware of that and can press us high up the field.

Doesn't matter how good Manga is, he'll be fucked if he's got people like John and Ralls making mistakes in key areas of the pitch.

Whoever said that we should drop Whitts and Gunnarsson, above, is crazy though. Gunnarsson had his best game for us since Man City home, and Whitts was offering some superb interplays in midfield until Ralls completely lost his head and weakened our central midfield. Whitts needs a strong central midfielder alongside him, cleaning up, so that Whitts can dictate play and roam. The moment Ralls started making daft mistakes, Whitts was having to watch midfield on his own and he's just not that kind of player.

Ole said at the end it showed macheda wasn't match fit yet he kept him on and took Jones off?

“Kiko (Macheda) was excellent and posed Norwich lots of different problems. Towards the end it showed that he is not 100% match fit, but he has a lot to offer,” he said.


I honestly dont believe Ole knows what he is doing?

Particularly alarming is his reading that whitts and gunnarsson seem to be in his plans again for tues night.. Both should be dropped.. Whitts especially, we are carrying him through games.


A quote off another thread..


Ole really has to address the problems we have in the middle of the park. At present, he seems to want to try and get the best of both worlds by fielding two strikers, but with one of them used more as an auxiliary wide midfield player. Our manager needs to have the courage of his convictions and either opt for a proper 4-4-2 (which wouldn’t be my choice) or go for 4-5-1/4-3-3 with players who are able to make a better fist of the defensive responsibilities of the wide midfield role.

Spot on! The guy's barmy! If he cant see our biggest problem in midfield is that we're carrying Whittingham the writing is on the wall. Whittingham should have been taken off for Adeyemi Saturday, Daehli should have come on for Macheda and he should have kept Kenwynne on the park.

Ole said at the end it showed macheda wasn't match fit yet he kept him on and took Jones off?

“Kiko (Macheda) was excellent and posed Norwich lots of different problems. Towards the end it showed that he is not 100% match fit, but he has a lot to offer,” he said.


I honestly dont believe Ole knows what he is doing?

Particularly alarming is his reading that whitts and gunnarsson seem to be in his plans again for tues night.. Both should be dropped.. Whitts especially, we are carrying him through games.


A quote off another thread..


Ole really has to address the problems we have in the middle of the park. At present, he seems to want to try and get the best of both worlds by fielding two strikers, but with one of them used more as an auxiliary wide midfield player. Our manager needs to have the courage of his convictions and either opt for a proper 4-4-2 (which wouldn’t be my choice) or go for 4-5-1/4-3-3 with players who are able to make a better fist of the defensive responsibilities of the wide midfield role.

Spot on! The guy's barmy! If he cant see our biggest problem in midfield is that we're carrying Whittingham the writing is on the wall. Whittingham should have been taken off for Adeyemi Saturday, Daehli should have come on for Macheda and he should have kept Kenwynne on the park.

I would av made the same changes there.

The guy is clueless. Macheda was nothing more than decent before he ran out of steam. And his hissy fit at playing left midfield, then general lack of bother when we were up against it was alarming! For me Guerra deserves a chance to start alongside Jones tomorrow!

Ole's obsession with Gunnar in a no.10 role also needs addressing. This is absolutely mental. Is there any city fan who would say that Gunnar should be our first choice no.10??????

I'm sorry, Ole has had long enough. Whatever happens tomorrow he has to go.

The guy is clueless. Macheda was nothing more than decent before he ran out of steam. And his hissy fit at playing left midfield, then general lack of bother when we were up against it was alarming! For me Guerra deserves a chance to start alongside Jones tomorrow!

Ole's obsession with Gunnar in a no.10 role also needs addressing. This is absolutely mental. Is there any city fan who would say that Gunnar should be our first choice no.10??????

I'm sorry, Ole has had long enough. Whatever happens tomorrow he has to go.

I am not one to say a manager has to go after 6 games.
But Oles obsession with Gunnar as no 10 is one of the most shocking choices he makes. When he first played him in that position last season i thought he was forced too as a last measure due to injuries. Its now clear that he really does view him as no 10. And apparently he is a ahead in the pecking order over Whitts and Daehli. This is totally bonkers, it makes me effin nervous.

How can any manager expect a new CB to sort out our defensive problems overnight?

Has Bruno formed a partnership with Connolly or Morrison along the lines of Tony Adams and Martin Keown whilst we were all tucking in to our Sunday roast? from what I saw on Saturday our defensive problems were the Bermuda Triangle formed by Declan John, Macheda and Ralls, where the ball seemed to disappear to the opposition every time the ball went anywhere near those 3 in the second half.

If we fall behind tomorrow then I fear for Ole - it could get nasty and the crowd could start to turn on him.

Ole said at the end it showed macheda wasn't match fit yet he kept him on and took Jones off?

“Kiko (Macheda) was excellent and posed Norwich lots of different problems. Towards the end it showed that he is not 100% match fit, but he has a lot to offer,” he said.


I honestly dont believe Ole knows what he is doing?

It's all very concerning, OGS is now making contradictory statements! I can't believe a manager is now pointing out fitness issues with these players who gave not been injured. What struck me Saturday, was that Kenwyne who was lambasted last year for being lazy etc, was the one player who was trying to gee up the players after conceding goals! All the others were dropping their heads. All these things are pointing towards a team and manager in turmoil.

Watch what you say on here, as if you spk your mind/opinion or the truth, your accused of having an Agenda

Ole said at the end it showed macheda wasn't match fit yet he kept him on and took Jones off?

“Kiko (Macheda) was excellent and posed Norwich lots of different problems. Towards the end it showed that he is not 100% match fit, but he has a lot to offer,” he said.


I honestly dont believe Ole knows what he is doing?

It's all very concerning, OGS is now making contradictory statements! I can't believe a manager is now pointing out fitness issues with these players who gave not been injured. What struck me Saturday, was that Kenwyne who was lambasted last year for being lazy etc, was the one player who was trying to gee up the players after conceding goals! All the others were dropping their heads. All these things are pointing towards a team and manager in turmoil.

Watch what you say on here, as if you spk your mind/opinion or the truth, your accused of having an Agenda

annis sarcasm is the lowest form of humour!

The guy is clueless. Macheda was nothing more than decent before he ran out of steam. And his hissy fit at playing left midfield, then general lack of bother when we were up against it was alarming! For me Guerra deserves a chance to start alongside Jones tomorrow!

Ole's obsession with Gunnar in a no.10 role also needs addressing. This is absolutely mental. Is there any city fan who would say that Gunnar should be our first choice no.10??????

I'm sorry, Ole has had long enough. Whatever happens tomorrow he has to go.

I am not one to say a manager has to go after 6 games.
But Oles obsession with Gunnar as no 10 is one of the most shocking choices he makes. When he first played him in that position last season i thought he was forced too as a last measure due to injuries. Its now clear that he really does view him as no 10. And apparently he is a ahead in the pecking order over Whitts and Daehli. This is totally bonkers, it makes me effin nervous.

Malky played Gunner in that role up at Villa last season, he was non existent.
I think we have better options but would say he did ok in the role when coming on against Huddersfield and in first half on Sat, he's not for me but Ole is obviously a big fan, I mean Gunner on right hand side for last 25 mins or so on Sat, what's that all about?

It's not fair to expect Manga to sort the defence out, that's Ole's job. The defence should be organised by the manager on the training pitch.

Tbh it has been stated by most of our fanbase that defense was great the first few matches. Now all of a sudden defense seems to be a huge problem, well it isn't!!! Get your head out of your arses, PLEASE!

You can have the best defence in the world, you still need the midfield to step up to the plate.

Until I read this thread I was coming around to thinking that OGS was showing some worrying lines of thinking.

Now I think he's relatively sensible compared to some of the posters above

How cam anyone say Whitts didn't have a good game. He was constantly putting us on the front foot, won a number of tackles, and was a threat from corners and free kicks. Whitts has had many bad games but Saturday simply wasn't one of them.

Those who have questionned Gunnarson as a long-term No 10 would be right but to criticise his performance on Saturday is bizarre. He had, arguably, his best game for us in the last season or so and kept going right until the end, unlike a number of others. I was surprised at his selection and wouldn't argue that he should stay in the team but I do wonder how people could criticise him on Saturday.

As usual with City fans, certain players will get flak whether deserved or not.

Ole will be a good manager one day....

But he isn't there yet, would you have a talented young player playing week in week out , yes the lad shows talent and premiership qualities but doesn't have the consistency etc etc

Ole is in my mind like that. Uwe Rossler did well at Brentford, then went up a league with Wigan.

Ole went from Molde to a premiership club. Too big a step.

He doesn't have the tactical know how, he doesn't have the confidence to make bold decisions. Instead he makes questionable decisions.

I would love to see Pulis here, but give Ole 5 more games I say , even though I believe Ole will take us down.

66/1 relegation odds for us.

OGS is the man to deliver 2 drops and still have fans bum him