No confidence,no shape & simply not fit. Russell Slade
Sun Oct 05, 2014 9:12 am
Cardiff City boss Russell Slade will have learned from the stands
No confidence, no shape & simply not fit. The stark problems facing new boss Russell Slade.
Sunday Oct 05, 2014
By Terry Phillips
Cardiff City’s new manager Russell Slade – an appointment which will be confirmed early next week – has watched the Bluebirds three times in his current role as club consultant. He was at the 2-1 home win against Sheffield Wednesday, watching from the fourth floor, and was also at Brighton’s Amex Stadium and Bloomfield Road, Blackpool. So, what has he learned from those performances?
Cardiff are simply not fit enough
City players were at a peak under Malky Mackay, rated among the fittest teams in Premier League football. Those levels have dropped, although Scott Young and Danny Gabbidon worked the players hard during their two weeks in charge and started the process of stepping things up again.
Players have to train hard, which they do, but also need regular football to be at their best. Former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer worked with a big squad and his rotation system meant too many were not playing regularly. They lost that extra sharpness which comes from regular football.
Young and Gabbidon gathered a trusted group around them over the last two weeks, using 15 players in starting line-ups over four matches and underlining again that this City squad is too big.
Slade must make some big decisions on who will be in his main group. Juan Cala, Javi Guerra, Guido Burgstaller, Kim Bo-kyung and more did not start in league matches under Young and Gabbidon. Each of those face a test of character over the next few weeks. Can they prove themselves to the new manager?
The Blackpool v Cardiff City debrief: Everything you need to know about where it went wrong for the Bluebirds
Russell Slade told Cardiff City can still be promoted despite poor Blackpool loss
Gabbidon and Young are worth keeping
City’s caretaker managers don’t know yet whether they will be involved in City’s new coaching team, but Russell Slade has surely been impressed with the pair.
They were handed a near-impossible task of preparing players for four Championship fixtures without knowing wether they would still be in that role for the next fixture. That created unease and uncertainty for the players, but Young and Gabbidon, Bluebirds through and through, got on with the job and in less than a fortnight there was some progress.
The below-par display at Blackpool was a blow, but there is a need for stability at the club.
Former City striker Kevin Nugent was Slade’s assistant at Orient and is favourite to take over at the London club, which surely rules him out of a switch to South Wales.
That opens the way for Young to be Slade’s assistant manager with Gabbidon player-coach.
If Slade is a success in his new job they can build a relationship to take the club forward and if he isn’t, they will be there to ensure there is stability in the long-term. When Mackay left his backroom staff went with him – and the same happened when Solskjaer moved on.
There is strong support within the club for Young and Gabbidon. Hopefully, Slade will be able to work closely with both of them.
The midfield mix is not right
Solskjaer struggled to find the right blend through midfield and that problem also troubled Young and Gabbidon.
Anthony Pilkington, Aron Gunnarsson, Joe Ralls and Peter Whittingham faced Blackpool, but failed to gain control, even though City dominated possession for long spells.
City have an abundance of talent and Slade must find the right mix through midfield and in attack.
The back five are fairly settled, although when Ben Turner and Matt Connolly return the battle for two central defensive places will be hard-fought, but Slade has to find the right combinations through the midfield.
The quality is there, but that area remains a work in progress.
Confidence levels are low...really low
One of Slade’s first tasks will be to lift his players and get them playing with a smile on their faces again. They have worked hard over the last couple of weeks, but it’s clear they lack confidence. Peter Whittingham, at his best, is one of the most dangerous midfielders in the Championship, has the ability to dominate matches. His set-piece delivery is first class – and his shooting power was underlined with that goal at Derby.
Yet, when it comes to picking the right pass, making big decisions at the right time Whitts too often went the safe route rather than take a risk in the attacking third against Blackpool. John Brayford made good runs down the right, but wasn’t picked out with a pas
Ravel Morrison was constantly roaming, looking for the time and space to dart in behind the Blackpool defence at Bloomfield Road. Too often those runs were in vain.
Decision-making must be improved throughout the team with Gunnarsson, Ralls, Adeyemi, Pilkington, Noone and more need to step things up. I pick out Whittingham because he has an ability to open up defences and has the range of passing. Confidence is the key.
Ravel can lead the revival
Ravel Morrison’s silky running style and movement pick him out as a player who can cause damage in the Championship. Ravel has the ability to be a Premier League star – and he can certainly fire up City’s season.
The key is bringing the best out of a player who is on loan from West Ham until January.
Morrison is, along with goalkeeper David Marshall, Bruno Manga and Fabio, a player with top level quality.
Slade, pictured, has an abundance of talent in his squad and his task is to create a team to climb the table and mount a major challenge. He is an experienced manager, but this will surely be the most talented squad he has ever worked with.
If we see the 21-year-old Morrison at his best that will put a smile on the face of every City fan.
No confidence, no shape & simply not fit. The stark problems facing new boss Russell Slade.
Sunday Oct 05, 2014
By Terry Phillips
Cardiff City’s new manager Russell Slade – an appointment which will be confirmed early next week – has watched the Bluebirds three times in his current role as club consultant. He was at the 2-1 home win against Sheffield Wednesday, watching from the fourth floor, and was also at Brighton’s Amex Stadium and Bloomfield Road, Blackpool. So, what has he learned from those performances?
Cardiff are simply not fit enough
City players were at a peak under Malky Mackay, rated among the fittest teams in Premier League football. Those levels have dropped, although Scott Young and Danny Gabbidon worked the players hard during their two weeks in charge and started the process of stepping things up again.
Players have to train hard, which they do, but also need regular football to be at their best. Former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer worked with a big squad and his rotation system meant too many were not playing regularly. They lost that extra sharpness which comes from regular football.
Young and Gabbidon gathered a trusted group around them over the last two weeks, using 15 players in starting line-ups over four matches and underlining again that this City squad is too big.
Slade must make some big decisions on who will be in his main group. Juan Cala, Javi Guerra, Guido Burgstaller, Kim Bo-kyung and more did not start in league matches under Young and Gabbidon. Each of those face a test of character over the next few weeks. Can they prove themselves to the new manager?
The Blackpool v Cardiff City debrief: Everything you need to know about where it went wrong for the Bluebirds
Russell Slade told Cardiff City can still be promoted despite poor Blackpool loss
Gabbidon and Young are worth keeping
City’s caretaker managers don’t know yet whether they will be involved in City’s new coaching team, but Russell Slade has surely been impressed with the pair.
They were handed a near-impossible task of preparing players for four Championship fixtures without knowing wether they would still be in that role for the next fixture. That created unease and uncertainty for the players, but Young and Gabbidon, Bluebirds through and through, got on with the job and in less than a fortnight there was some progress.
The below-par display at Blackpool was a blow, but there is a need for stability at the club.
Former City striker Kevin Nugent was Slade’s assistant at Orient and is favourite to take over at the London club, which surely rules him out of a switch to South Wales.
That opens the way for Young to be Slade’s assistant manager with Gabbidon player-coach.
If Slade is a success in his new job they can build a relationship to take the club forward and if he isn’t, they will be there to ensure there is stability in the long-term. When Mackay left his backroom staff went with him – and the same happened when Solskjaer moved on.
There is strong support within the club for Young and Gabbidon. Hopefully, Slade will be able to work closely with both of them.
The midfield mix is not right
Solskjaer struggled to find the right blend through midfield and that problem also troubled Young and Gabbidon.
Anthony Pilkington, Aron Gunnarsson, Joe Ralls and Peter Whittingham faced Blackpool, but failed to gain control, even though City dominated possession for long spells.
City have an abundance of talent and Slade must find the right mix through midfield and in attack.
The back five are fairly settled, although when Ben Turner and Matt Connolly return the battle for two central defensive places will be hard-fought, but Slade has to find the right combinations through the midfield.
The quality is there, but that area remains a work in progress.
Confidence levels are low...really low
One of Slade’s first tasks will be to lift his players and get them playing with a smile on their faces again. They have worked hard over the last couple of weeks, but it’s clear they lack confidence. Peter Whittingham, at his best, is one of the most dangerous midfielders in the Championship, has the ability to dominate matches. His set-piece delivery is first class – and his shooting power was underlined with that goal at Derby.
Yet, when it comes to picking the right pass, making big decisions at the right time Whitts too often went the safe route rather than take a risk in the attacking third against Blackpool. John Brayford made good runs down the right, but wasn’t picked out with a pas
Ravel Morrison was constantly roaming, looking for the time and space to dart in behind the Blackpool defence at Bloomfield Road. Too often those runs were in vain.
Decision-making must be improved throughout the team with Gunnarsson, Ralls, Adeyemi, Pilkington, Noone and more need to step things up. I pick out Whittingham because he has an ability to open up defences and has the range of passing. Confidence is the key.
Ravel can lead the revival
Ravel Morrison’s silky running style and movement pick him out as a player who can cause damage in the Championship. Ravel has the ability to be a Premier League star – and he can certainly fire up City’s season.
The key is bringing the best out of a player who is on loan from West Ham until January.
Morrison is, along with goalkeeper David Marshall, Bruno Manga and Fabio, a player with top level quality.
Slade, pictured, has an abundance of talent in his squad and his task is to create a team to climb the table and mount a major challenge. He is an experienced manager, but this will surely be the most talented squad he has ever worked with.
If we see the 21-year-old Morrison at his best that will put a smile on the face of every City fan.
Re: No confidence,no shape & simply not fit. Russell Slade
Sun Oct 05, 2014 10:18 am
We need an overhaul, New approach and set up!
We simply have to make changes!
------------------Marshall--------------
Brayford-----Connolly----manga---fabio
------------digcakoi---adeyemi------------
--------noone--------------morrison-------
-------------------Guerra-------------------
------------------le fondre------------------
Can alternate around guerra with burgstalller or pilkington or Daehli and Morrison to move in behind the front man...
Adeyemi hasn't been great but we know he's capable of it just needs help and when he plays with whitts or Gunnar he's left on his own to try and do 3 jobs and just gets lost! With the extra protection from in front of the back it should stiffen us up and give us more possession in the middle!
Le fondre needs to playing striker and will def get goals! Guerra scored 15 in la liga last yr and needs to be motivated and given a lift or vote of confidence that he will play and settle in the startin role..
We simply have to make changes!
------------------Marshall--------------
Brayford-----Connolly----manga---fabio
------------digcakoi---adeyemi------------
--------noone--------------morrison-------
-------------------Guerra-------------------
------------------le fondre------------------
Can alternate around guerra with burgstalller or pilkington or Daehli and Morrison to move in behind the front man...
Adeyemi hasn't been great but we know he's capable of it just needs help and when he plays with whitts or Gunnar he's left on his own to try and do 3 jobs and just gets lost! With the extra protection from in front of the back it should stiffen us up and give us more possession in the middle!
Le fondre needs to playing striker and will def get goals! Guerra scored 15 in la liga last yr and needs to be motivated and given a lift or vote of confidence that he will play and settle in the startin role..
Re: No confidence,no shape & simply not fit. Russell Slade
Sun Oct 05, 2014 10:20 am
I like the positivity, stability is defiantly something we need. However I'm a firm believer if something's not working, change it around! For me Whitts and Gunnarsson have had far too many poor games. Time for a change maybe ?
Re: No confidence,no shape & simply not fit. Russell Slade
Sun Oct 05, 2014 10:32 am
Cardiffcitymad wrote:I like the positivity, stability is defiantly something we need. However I'm a firm believer if something's not working, change it around! For me Whitts and Gunnarsson have had far too many poor games. Time for a change maybe ?
They have to be dropped it's clear to see that the problem lies in the middle... We are gettin over run and. Closed down and both are not comfortable under pressure...
Re: No confidence,no shape & simply not fit. Russell Slade
Sun Oct 05, 2014 10:46 am
Squad rotation can preserve players and avoid injuries. It can also allow all the squad to have game time.
BUT
It dilutes the experience for the best players and can demotivate them too.
My vote is to pick the best starting XI and use subs tactically or as injury replacements. This will keep the whole squad hungry and if a player puts in less than 100%, he is dropped till he can prove himself worthy.
Maybe the massive squad needs some pruning in January too.
Just saying
BUT
It dilutes the experience for the best players and can demotivate them too.
My vote is to pick the best starting XI and use subs tactically or as injury replacements. This will keep the whole squad hungry and if a player puts in less than 100%, he is dropped till he can prove himself worthy.
Maybe the massive squad needs some pruning in January too.
Just saying
Re: No confidence,no shape & simply not fit. Russell Slade
Sun Oct 05, 2014 10:52 am
Woodville Willie wrote:Squad rotation can preserve players and avoid injuries. It can also allow all the squad to have game time.
BUT
It dilutes the experience for the best players and can demotivate them too.
My vote is to pick the best starting XI and use subs tactically or as injury replacements. This will keep the whole squad hungry and if a player puts in less than 100%, he is dropped till he can prove himself worthy.
Maybe the massive squad needs some pruning in January too.
Just saying
Makes a lot of sense
Re: No confidence,no shape & simply not fit. Russell Slade
Sun Oct 05, 2014 10:59 am
Cheers BB! I was waiting to get shot down to be honest. lol.
Hope the new boss sees it the same. Fingers crossed.
Hope the new boss sees it the same. Fingers crossed.
Re: No confidence,no shape & simply not fit. Russell Slade
Sun Oct 05, 2014 10:59 am
Woodville Willie wrote:Squad rotation can preserve players and avoid injuries. It can also allow all the squad to have game time.
BUT
It dilutes the experience for the best players and can demotivate them too.
My vote is to pick the best starting XI and use subs tactically or as injury replacements. This will keep the whole squad hungry and if a player puts in less than 100%, he is dropped till he can prove himself worthy.
Maybe the massive squad needs some pruning in January too.
Just saying
Spot on!
Re: No confidence,no shape & simply not fit. Russell Slade
Sun Oct 05, 2014 12:00 pm
Just shows how poor and inexperienced Ole was.
Fitness levels are basic.
Players also at fault for letting their own levels slip.
We can only improve !!
Fitness levels are basic.
Players also at fault for letting their own levels slip.
We can only improve !!
Re: No confidence,no shape & simply not fit. Russell Slade
Mon Oct 06, 2014 9:48 am
Woodville Willie wrote:Squad rotation can preserve players and avoid injuries. It can also allow all the squad to have game time.
BUT
It dilutes the experience for the best players and can demotivate them too.
My vote is to pick the best starting XI and use subs tactically or as injury replacements. This will keep the whole squad hungry and if a player puts in less than 100%, he is dropped till he can prove himself worthy.
Maybe the massive squad needs some pruning in January too.
Just saying
When used properly you just rest a tired player, or one with injuries, not wholesale changes especially to an already low in confidence fragile defence !!!
Any Manager with commend sense should be able to change our fortunes in a positive way, that is simple, the hard bit will be getting us back where we should be top four, which may be hard, but it is still possible for the playoffs !!!