My 2nd Player Review ( Blackpool Game)

Marshall – Made some very good saves definitely the point blank save near the end. Showing better levels of communication and leadership to push the team up the pitch. One big negative still is his poor distribution.

Brayford – Struggled defensively in the first half however this could be due to the lack of support Pilkington offers defensively. His willingness to overlap is great to see however the defense needs to be more comfortable with the ball at their feet to give our team more possession.

Manga – Since he has signed I am very happy with his performances. Once again last night he shows his capabilities with the ball at his feet ( Great Composure). However last night Manga struggled winning the ball in the aerial battles.

Morrison – Previous games he has competed well in the aerial battles and has given striker no time on the ball (Big target men strikers) However once again as shown last night he struggles with any pace coming at him. His agility and positioning is very poor. The goal, all he had to do was stand up but we all know how that finished. My other big problem is his tendency to play the long hoof ball to Jones he struggles with the ball at his feet, we are throwing away control and possession of the game.

Fabio – Once again one of the big bright sparks of the team. Great willingness going forward and back. Very strong dribbling ability. Great to see some commitment. Strong in the tackle. One of the only players with good fitness. I could go on and on hopefully he keeps progressing.

Ralls – I felt sorry for him he put a shift in but played out of position which is a common trend for Cardiff City players this season. His lack of pace really weakened our attacking threat and made our attacks lack width.

Whittingham – I know I am going to get shot for this but (Previous Reputation player) Only getting picked because of what he has done in the past and that he has a lot of appearances for the team. However I see him as a Rugby player at the minute every pass has to be backwards or sidewards very slow no penetration. Lacks defensive capabilities and after 70 odd minutes he can’t keep up with play. Set Plays very erratic. Yes he got a couple of assists this season but doing one good pass doesn’t make up for the other 88 minutes.

Gunnarsson – Is battling a lot more in centre midfield than previous games however his lack of passing ability really makes us struggle with possession. No creativity just the basic easy simple pass to pass the blame on. The game last night just went by around him.

Pilkington – Similar to Whttingham he has his rare moments of class you can see some of the talent he previously showed before serious injuries at Norwich. However he struggles to put a proper shift in due to his lack of fitness which leads to him out of position and Brayford being left 2 on 1.

Ravel – Another bright spark last night. His composure and technical ability on the ball is exactly what we need and his pace offers us something we lack dramatically. However he is struggling to link up with the players we are using at the minute due to the lack of movement from other attacking players. Couldn’t believe when he got taken off crazy decision. Hopefully a few more of our players can play with his creative freedom.

Jones – A lot of people say he cannot be dropped because he has scored a few goals but his actual goal scoring record this season is okay however its not good enough to stop him being dropped. Definitely when he is our only striker which means he getting the most chances however due to his lack of movement and the style of football we are having to play due to his technical deficiencies the team suffers as a whole. I am really to see him putting a shift in compared to last season however he can only do this for 55-60minutes then he is a passenger. Would like him to be used as an impact sub and Guerra to be used who is more composed and confident with ball at his feet to link up with Ravel.

Subs
Le Fondre and Macheda – Lack of confidence and game time
Noone – Bright spark when he came on got some very good balls into the box and his direct running caused Blackpool some trouble. Need to improve his fitness but that will come with game time after his lack of pre season.

Overall – Very poor performance. Lack of desire shown through 90% of the team. We should have taken the game to Blackpool instead of having to wait to concede before we attack. We aloud them to build possession and confidence. Less hoof ball – More Movement – Pace – Confidence on Ball in possession.

Well done! An extremely well thought and accurate analysis in my opinion. Would love you to communicate this to Russell Slade

Agree with all that.
No pace. No movement. No clue.

Very well written and my thoughts exactly.... I think Manga is a quality addition and I thought he did well in the air early on..but Miller is a big strong lad and had an excellent game...would love to see Turner alongside Manga when he is fit...perhaps MANGA CAN TEACH HIM HOW TO PASS...instead of Hoofball.

I am so annoyed at Young and his big mouth...putting Guerra down... I think Guerra and Macheda up front will be our forward line , with Jones as you say an impact player. Spot on concerning Whitts and Pilkington... again why was Ravel brought off..unless it was tiredness due to lack of game time.

Slade needs to find a leader to bring in on loan to direct midfield...its obvious we haven t got one to either drive them on or pull them together...the midfield looks rudderless

As for SCOTT young's COMMENT "THEY ARE LACKING IN CONFIDENCE" the last three games unbeaten should have given them confidence.. what about him couldn t he motivate them or does he just slag them off in public after picking the wrong formation.

I AM NOT SURE things will work well with him involved with the coaching..I know he is a Cardiff ledgend but that doesn t make him a good coach
I WOULD RATHER SEE SLADE bring in his own man and a fitness coach...mind you I would rather have seen Pulis IN


I THINK MID TABLE MEDIOCRITY BECKONS...when you think of the the last 4-5 seasons fighting at the top and now all that stability blown away by a Malaysian football novice .... who listens to people who haven t a clue.....sad

Very well written and my thoughts exactly.... I think Manga is a quality addition and I thought he did well in the air early on..but Miller is a big strong lad and had an excellent game...would love to see Turner alongside Manga when he is fit...perhaps MANGA CAN TEACH HIM HOW TO PASS...instead of Hoofball.

I am so annoyed at Young and his big mouth...putting Guerra down... I think Guerra and Macheda up front will be our forward line , with Jones as you say an impact player. Spot on concerning Whitts and Pilkington... again why was Ravel brought off..unless it was tiredness due to lack of game time.

Slade needs to find a leader to bring in on loan to direct midfield...its obvious we haven t got one to either drive them on or pull them together...the midfield looks rudderless

As for SCOTT young's COMMENT "THEY ARE LACKING IN CONFIDENCE" the last three games unbeaten should have given them confidence.. what about him couldn t he motivate them or does he just slag them off in public after picking the wrong formation.

I AM NOT SURE things will work well with him involved with the coaching..I know he is a Cardiff ledgend but that doesn t make him a good coach
I WOULD RATHER SEE SLADE bring in his own man and a fitness coach...mind you I would rather have seen Pulis IN


I THINK MID TABLE MEDIOCRITY BECKONS...when you think of the the last 4-5 seasons fighting at the top and now all that stability blown away by a Malaysian football novice .... who listens to people who haven t a clue.....sad

Play Connolly with Manga, he played very well before his injury and Manga doesnt need to teach him how to pass

Thanks for the feedback boys Hopefully Slade will see some of what we can all see and make some improvements not just to the line up but the set up and player mentality