' Forgive me for being so positive '

I bet you all thought it was me saying that
When weve played at least 6 games under Slade, then I can start to form a proper opinion


Forgive me for being so positive (I know we were hardly Real Madrid at the weekend) but honestly, I have not felt so optimistic after just one victory in a long, long time.

Cardiff City fans looking to the future under Russell Slade after positive start to new era

Tuesday Oct 21, 2014

By Sian Matheson

Our columnist says there was more optimism in the air at the Cardiff City Stadium than there has been for months


City’s new gaffer may have needed a nudge from the bench to help him do the Ayatollah for the fans, but he certainly didn’t need any help in getting his Bluebirds off to a winning start to chop down high-flying Forest.

Forgive me for being so positive (I know we were hardly Real Madrid at the weekend) but honestly, I have not felt so optimistic after just one victory in a long, long time.

After so much doom and gloom, for the first time this season Saturday’s performance saw the Bluebirds look solid and composed with a shape and purpose.

The XI on the pitch finally looked like a team, showing pride in the Bluebirds shirt which has been severely lacking this season.

After so much tinkering with who knows what structure under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s tenure, it was completely refreshing to see the team getting back to basics with a good old-fashioned 4-4-2 formation.

I know it’s not sexy or modern but, at the end of the day, I thought the Bluebirds kept their shape and composure well.



Every man played his part and knew their job which showed big time on the field, paying dividends with a great victory against a side which had been previously unbeaten this campaign.

All credit to Slade, the last couple of weeks’ hard work has obviously paid off and, whilst I realise one good victory is not an opportunity to start digging out the promotion banners just yet, there was certainly a buzz about the place again.

Indeed, I had forgotten how it was to feel excited about football again. Ok, we’re not playing the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City but on Saturday there was certainly a welcome air of positivity about the Cardiff City Stadium once more.

On the pitch, it was great to see Peter Whittingham cap his 350th appearance for the Bluebirds with a brilliant goal.

I think it was a ridiculous call recently by some to drop the mercurial midfielder. He was pure class against Forest, and, as I’ve always said, Whitts is far better when he is playing further forward in midfield. His goal was well-deserved and he tracked back, won balls in the air and even got in a few sliding tackles to get his shorts muddy.

For me, Whitts faced stiff competition for man of the match with the colossus at the back, Bruno Manga.

Considering the big fella had racked up the air miles on recent international duty with Gabon, he put in a solid shift in defence.

And it looks like he is building a promising partnership alongside Sean Morrison.

Indeed, at the other end, Morrison was unlucky not to score himself, his goal-bound header bouncing off the Forest keeper to hit the post.

Another partnership which looks to have the potential to be fruitful is up front. Although I have been a fan of Kenwyne Jones so far this season, Adam le Fondre and Federico Macheda looked as though they are starting to form a real understanding between them, one that can only get stronger and more clinical as they get more game time together.

Macheda and Le Fondre embrace

Alfie was everywhere, chasing every ball while Macheda seemed to come from nowhere to dance past the Forest defence and score.

It was encouraging to see City taking the game to Forest and it was a rare, but welcome, sight to see the opposition change their tactics to accommodate our game plan, with dangerous ex-Bluebird Chris Burke switching wings after he was snuffed out.

It’s also great to see Craig Noone back, he did a great job to clear a certain Forest effort off the line. The tricky winger never gives up and is always capable of creating an opening for himself or for a team-mate such as his pass to Whittingham for the goal which enabled City to go 2-0 up.

All in all, apart from a nervy few minutes at the end, Saturday’s performance pointed to the Bluebirds finally having a confidence and swagger about them.

And it was refreshing to see the manager so passionate on the touchline, whether he was shouting instructions to his side or celebrating the goals with assistant Scott Young.

Hopefully the winning momentum can be maintained by the Bluebirds against Ipswich tonight.

Cant disagree.

Ipswich our bogey team but 3 points tonight and we,ll see a few extra thousand for Leeds match.

I usually try to be a realist - but of course it's hard not to be a bit excited when you see longer and longer runs in a game where the players are playing to their potential.

Of course the nagging issue of the tale of two halves still needs to be sorted before we really get rolling.

Certainly looking forward to the game!

I've been excited and optimistic about Slade since I heard we were going for him. A reputation as an excellent man manager and that's exactly what we've needed. He's given structure and (most importantly) it looks like he's given the players a kick up the arse.

Hell, I wouldn't even care if we just stayed mid table or even sunk down a little bit... Hard work is all I require to be happy with our boys on the pitch. As long as they turn up and try their best, that's all I ask. That's what they did against forest and we put a halt to their unbeaten run... magic.

"It was a great game, Jon. But what's that done to the graph?" I hear you cry. Well we're 4 for 4 for 4 now and just jumped up three places in the table, so the graph is looking pretty good at the moment... and if we keep pushing, we're not out of it just yet.

Craig Noone seemed to be the example for everyone. He kept going right until the end (despite cramp problems).

I think we may get a more thorough examination of our recovery tonight. Whatever happens during this game will give more of an indication of whether there has been real improvements.

FB - What has Guerra done wrong?

He's well ahead of Le Fondre and Maynard and probably Jones/Macheda in skioll, ability to hold the ball and pass and yet he's no where to be seen.

Yep, just under 90 minutes he's played for us and I can deduce that, and so have many on here, its baffling?

FB - What has Guerra done wrong?

He's well ahead of Le Fondre and Maynard and probably Jones/Macheda in skioll, ability to hold the ball and pass and yet he's no where to be seen.

Yep, just under 90 minutes he's played for us and I can deduce that, and so have many on here, its baffling?

His movement, passing and awareness seem well ahead of everyone else available upfront, from what I have seen of him.

Under Mick McCarthy, Ipswich are fantastic at home but there's still questions over their away form. I can see us winning this one tonight. You've then got to be honest, our form since OGS left would be encouraging.

FB - What has Guerra done wrong?

He's well ahead of Le Fondre and Maynard and probably Jones/Macheda in skioll, ability to hold the ball and pass and yet he's no where to be seen.

Yep, just under 90 minutes he's played for us and I can deduce that, and so have many on here, its baffling?

His movement, passing and awareness seem well ahead of everyone else available upfront, from what I have seen of him.

this is true but if the rumours are true and his attitude isn't good then Slade is never going to play him in a time when he needs to stamp his authority and has other options. Guerra needs to drop it, work hard in training, talk to the gaffer and take his chance.