' Cardiff City should play to their Strengths '

Cardiff City should play to their attacking strengths... and why Adam Le Fondre's luck in front of goal has to turn
Tues Nov 11, 2014


BY SIAN MATHESON



Birmingham City were reduced to 10 men but Cardiff City couldn't find a breakthrough

Whilst I was disappointed Cardiff only picked up a point at relegation-threatened Birmingham , a clean sheet is always a welcome sight.

In a Championship full of unpredictability, and given the Bluebirds’ recent abysmal showings on the road, every point counts and a 0-0 draw is a rarity indeed.

Was that achievement a coincidence with the return of Ben Turner in the defence due to Bruno Manga’s injury?

Or maybe the decision to start Matthew Connolly at right-back instead of Fabio?

I’m not a huge fan of Turner. Yes, he is good in the air but nothing fruitful ever comes of his possession, be it from a header or on the floor.

But, credit where it’s due, that’s the first clean sheet for the Bluebirds in three months – since the 1-0 victory over Wigan on August 19.

After me praising the defence last week, only for it to capitulate at Bolton last Tuesday night, at least with Turner back from injury and Connolly getting game time they certainly provide more options, whilst competition for places in the squad is never a bad thing.


It seems the game at St Andrew’s could have gone either way, it’s just a shame Cardiff could not take advantage of playing with an extra man in the closing stages.

I’m probably being hyper-critical here seeing as we picked up a point, but instead of Danny Gabbidon coming on as a late sub after Brum’s red card, I wish boss Russell Slade had brought on Tom Adeyemi or even Kim Bo-kyung.

As much as Gabbidon will always be a Bluebirds legend, is there any point bringing on a defender?

Although, after Nicky Maynard had already come on, there were no other ‘attacking’ options but what’s the point in Kimbo being on the bench if he is not going to be used? Or where was Mats Daehli or Javi Guerra? I would like to see them featuring as substitutes at the very least.

Surely we should have gone on and played to our attacking strengths against 10 men?

Although, I suppose, knowing the bad luck Adam Le Fondre is suffering up front at the moment, it probably wouldn’t have made any difference whoever came off the bench.

I really feel for Le Fondre. His work-rate is non-stop and yet he can’t get on the scoresheet.

Indeed, he only has one goal to his name in 15 appearances. And that strike against Ipswich took a huge deflection.

He has had plenty of chances, many of which I’m positive if he was still in a Reading shirt he would have tucked away.

Maybe it’s a confidence issue? Maybe once one goes in it will open the floodgates?

I really hope so because, as I’ve mentioned before, his work-rate alone deserves more goals.

Whilst I’m sure the players practice shooting in training, maybe Alfie would benefit from a couple of extra sessions, just to perk up his confidence?

As for Federico Macheda, I’m a fan although he does frustrate me when he goes for goal himself, instead of passing to a team-mate who is in a far better position.

Federico Macheda shoots but Birmingham City keeper Darren Randolph saves
He is undoubtedly talented, but he can be a little selfish at times.

Also up front, it is good to see Nicky Maynard getting some more game time.

A proven Championship player, he has certainly looked hungry when he has been on the pitch, although time will tell if he is still the player he was before that horror knee ligament injury in 2012.

Looking at the stats for the Birmingham game, Cardiff conceded 14 fouls compared to Brum’s 7 – whilst I’m not advocating playing dirty, it certainly seems like the Bluebirds are getting more physical on the pitch.

Under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, there was no bite to the performances whereas the Championship requires teams to stand their ground and almost bully the opposition at times.

Indeed, even Peter Whittingham has been getting his shorts dirty so far this season.

So, with the arrival of the international break and after a month in charge, it seems Slade still has plenty to ponder and work on before the Bluebirds welcome Reading to the Cardiff City Stadium a week Friday.

Stopped reading when they are banging on about being down to 10 men. The red card was around the 90th minute

she's a right dull cow is this Sian M.

Wales Online adhering to strict female quotas at the workplace ?

What a boring read

Nicky Maynard look hungry??? If she's talking about hungry for burgers then she might be right but he has done nothing this season to justify being near the squad. I actually feel very sorry for him as the injury as had a huge effect on his game but I'm still baffled to see him on the team sheet every week

Stopped reading when they are banging on about being down to 10 men. The red card was around the 90th minute

Does this woman actually go to the games?

Has anyone ever seen her at any of the matches?

The line "It seems the game at St Andrew's could have gone either way.." would tend to suggest that she wasn't there!