"Improve your defending or you're out"

Cardiff City boss Russell Slade has warned his under-performing stars they must improve or face the axe.

Sat 17th Jan 2015

Slade refused to mince his words about the first-half defensive collapse that saw the Bluebirds 3-0 down at the break, despite seeing his side mount something of a comeback in the second half.

Goals from Alex Revell and Kadeem Harris meant the Bluebirds avoided complete humiliation, but the 3-2 defeat at Carrow Road now makes a tilt at the play-offs seem unlikely with Cardiff currently 10 points adrfit.

And the Cardiff manager was once more left bemoaning his side’s lack of consistency and his players’ inability to perform over the full 90 minutes.

“I’m disappointed with the defensive side of things particularly the third Norwich goal. That took the biscuit to be honest,” fumed Slade.

“The second-half was in total contrast to that of course. But we’ve been here before when we’ve played the top teams.

"There’s two things, we have to improve defensively or change personnel.

“Bournemouth and Brentford come to mind where we’ve been 3-1 and 3-0 down and we’ve come back into it. We came back into this one, we needed a reaction as a group and we got an excellent reaction in the second-half. We took some risks and we were probably unlucky not to get something out of it in the end.

“We missed a penalty which could have got us back in the game as well. In the first-half we could have scored three goals, we had one cleared off the line, we missed a penalty and Revell has leaned back and fired one over from close range. So going forward we were OK. Defensively it was poor. Probably our poorest 45 minutes defensively.

“It’s about me and the players trying to resolve things particularly away from home because we are making it really difficult for ourselves. We would need to have scored four goals to beat Norwich and six at Bournemouth."

The Bluebirds are now ten points off the play-off places in the division, but Slade insists his team can still force its way into the top six.

“Of course it is possible,” added Slade.

“If you are sensible and a neutral you have seen here a side near the top six and a side who have pushed them all the way second period. It’s the inconsistency that is our concern.

"We know we can match the top sides for periods, we’ve shown that and shown a little control in that too, it’s now about doing that for a decent period of time in the 90 minutes. That’s not what we’ve done again.”

He's absolutely deluded. Inconsistency is the problem? We've been consistently shit because Slade is clueless. The problem is that he's well out of his depth.

From what I saw this is a fair assessment. Apart from the fact Norwich also could have scored a couple more in the 2nd half. It was a very open game

We've got a unsettled back four and you can blame Ole for that for getting rid of Hudson and bring in Morrison who we didn't need and Bruno who was always going to go away for weeks in a important part of the season.

There's just one thing to say but "clueless" Russell Slade doesn't know what he's doing Ralls has to play instead of Whitts who for me is finished plus Gunnarsson is not not the answer in the middle, we can not keep ball and Slade needs to be sacked otherwise we could be in a relegation battle if nothing is sorted!

I find it strange he never mention midfield in his analysis of defending. Balance in the middle is key to his formation, and yet he never give it a thought. Their stats are shocking lately even Whitts passing is down to Gunnarsson levels. Whitts had 100% tackle rate today. One attempt one sucsessfull. Gunnarson got a couple more. Their immobility and lack of commitment.
I'm shocked he never manage to identify that.

It appears from what I saw on Sky Sports, that Malone was at fault for two of Norwich's goals. He is one of Slade's recent signings for God sake! Why doesn't he do the decent thing and resign, and take Scott Young with him.

It appears from what I saw on Sky Sports, that Malone was at fault for two of Norwich's goals. He is one of Slade's recent signings for God sake! Why doesn't he do the decent thing and resign, and take Scott Young with him.

Didn't Malone pick up an injury?

Improve your management or you are out!

I find it strange he never mention midfield in his analysis of defending....... lately even Whitts passing is down to Gunnarsson levels. Whitts had 100% tackle rate today. One attempt one sucsessfull........

ONE TACKLE BRILLIANT and therefore he deservesa place in the starting line up!!
By the way, ifthere is a leader in this team then prob Gunnerson is that man. Failing that a central defender. To have Marshall as leader is utter stupidity and as obvious as the nose on your face. If RS was any sort of manager he would have spotted that after a couple of games! Anyway I had better go and have a lie downbefore I burst a Blood vessel.RIP Jimmy Schoular!

It appears from what I saw on Sky Sports, that Malone was at fault for two of Norwich's goals. He is one of Slade's recent signings for God sake! Why doesn't he do the decent thing and resign, and take Scott Young with him.

Redmond ripped Malone apart, however Redmond is probably the best outfield player in the division and regularly skins his opponents. Also Whitts not too much help. Malone was good last week

Improve your management or you are out!

I find it strange he never mention midfield in his analysis of defending....... lately even Whitts passing is down to Gunnarsson levels. Whitts had 100% tackle rate today. One attempt one sucsessfull........

ONE TACKLE BRILLIANT and therefore he deservesa place in the starting line up!!
By the way, ifthere is a leader in this team then prob Gunnerson is that man. Failing that a central defender. To have Marshall as leader is utter stupidity and as obvious as the nose on your face. If RS was any sort of manager he would have spotted that after a couple of games! Anyway I had better go and have a lie downbefore I burst a Blood vessel.RIP Jimmy Schoular!

Turner was captain today and last week

It appears from what I saw on Sky Sports, that Malone was at fault for two of Norwich's goals. He is one of Slade's recent signings for God sake! Why doesn't he do the decent thing and resign, and take Scott Young with him.

Didn't Malone pick up an injury?

He went off in the second half.

It appears from what I saw on Sky Sports, that Malone was at fault for two of Norwich's goals. He is one of Slade's recent signings for God sake! Why doesn't he do the decent thing and resign, and take Scott Young with him.

Didn't Malone pick up an injury?

He went off in the second half.

And Redmons contained to torture us

As long as we pick up enough points to stay up I am happy to get pasted occasionally if it moves Slade closer to the exit door.

Ok he inherited a squad of unmotivated and unfit players but he has essentially 'picked' his favorite players and continues to play them despite them being unable to perform consistently. His prejudices towards certain players, probably based on Youngs opinion, is disgraceful. He has frozen out and sold some decent players who at least deserved a crack.

Additionally to retain the backroom coaches and Young as assistant manager, is an absolute joke.

We needed (and need) a strong manager who can diligently, without prejudice and comprehensively sort out the playing staff and coaches and stamp their authority and style of play on the club.

We haven't seen a Cardiff side play decent football consistently for some years so I'd be happy to spend a few years in the Championship developing an attractive style of play with a fit, motivated, young and committed team. Then let's have another crack at going up with a much more attractive playing style and stable team environment.

Never going to happen with Slade. I'd trust him to pick up a take-away Chinese order but that's about it.

As long as we pick up enough points to stay up I am happy to get pasted occasionally if it moves Slade closer to the exit door.

Ok he inherited a squad of unmotivated and unfit players but he has essentially 'picked' his favorite players and continues to play them despite them being unable to perform consistently. His prejudices towards certain players, probably based on Youngs opinion, is disgraceful. He has frozen out and sold some decent players who at least deserved a crack.

Additionally to retain the backroom coaches and Young as assistant manager, is an absolute joke.

We needed (and need) a strong manager who can diligently, without prejudice and comprehensively sort out the playing staff and coaches and stamp their authority and style of play on the club.

We haven't seen a Cardiff side play decent football consistently for some years so I'd be happy to spend a few years in the Championship developing an attractive style of play with a fit, motivated, young and committed team. Then let's have another crack at going up with a much more attractive playing style and stable team environment.

Never going to happen with Slade. I'd trust him to pick up a take-away Chinese order but that's about it.

Who would you pick then ?

I find it strange he never mention midfield in his analysis of defending. Balance in the middle is key to his formation, and yet he never give it a thought. Their stats are shocking lately even Whitts passing is down to Gunnarsson levels. Whitts had 100% tackle rate today. One attempt one sucsessfull. Gunnarson got a couple more. Their immobility and lack of commitment.
I'm shocked he never manage to identify that.

I agree - all season our midfield has been crap.

Crap going forward - not looking for the ball, not retaining the ball and not defending well. Slow to react and slow close down.

We should defend from midfield - we don't.

I find it strange he never mention midfield in his analysis of defending. Balance in the middle is key to his formation, and yet he never give it a thought. Their stats are shocking lately even Whitts passing is down to Gunnarsson levels. Whitts had 100% tackle rate today. One attempt one sucsessfull. Gunnarson got a couple more. Their immobility and lack of commitment.
I'm shocked he never manage to identify that.

Sadly I have to agree with you about Whitts and Gunnarsson. I hate criticising players, especially those who have given a great deal for Cardiff City but in the modern game midfielders have to pass and move for 90 minutes. Both players have some very good individual qualities but we need more. The possession stats don't lie every game. If we have the ball more I think we would concede less goals and score more. I know you can win games with 40% possession or less but it's much more difficult.

Improve your tactics
Improve your preparation
Improve the squad

Who would you pick then ?

[/quote]

Manager or players?

Tan has to remove Slade and Young now. I wouldnt give Slade any more money to spend on players that a new manager will have to inherit in probably a months time when the transfer window is closed. He's obviously under orders to cut the wage bill, squad numbers, and balance the books, but I feel the ambition is no longer there. Hes buying lower league players, in positions where we have ample cover. It is obviuos to everyoe that we get outplayed in the middle of the park, and yet we have players there that dont have the legs any more. Why cant he see that ?

I find it strange he never mention midfield in his analysis of defending. Balance in the middle is key to his formation, and yet he never give it a thought. Their stats are shocking lately even Whitts passing is down to Gunnarsson levels. Whitts had 100% tackle rate today. One attempt one sucsessfull. Gunnarson got a couple more. Their immobility and lack of commitment.
I'm shocked he never manage to identify that.

Sadly I have to agree with you about Whitts and Gunnarsson. I hate criticising players, especially those who have given a great deal for Cardiff City but in the modern game midfielders have to pass and move for 90 minutes. Both players have some very good individual qualities but we need more. The possession stats don't lie every game. If we have the ball more I think we would concede less goals and score more. I know you can win games with 40% possession or less but it's much more difficult.

Our guess the best performance was Huddersfield which we only had 50% possession then !!!!!

Too many players out of form. Whitts looks he is hitting the wall again (he often does now) Gunner's been poor, Adeyemi is hit or miss, Noone doesn't deserve his place, ALF needs to go, it just ain't happening, Jones will be off in 5 months and is looking disinterested. Macheda is gash (said it all along), Fabio looks like he is off because our defending has improved so much since he has been sidelined. Morrison is average at best. Marshall & Brayford will be gone soon.

4/5 wins should be enough to keep us in the division, so sell all the assets that Tan wants, don't let Slade buy anyone else and give him the rest of the season to prove he has it, if not sack him and start again the day the season ends......

Improve your tactics
Improve your preparation
Improve the squad

Yep.....

Defending is so poor. He leaves out fabio who has more man of matches than the other 3 defenders put together and he hasn't featured for weeks! Also the donkey turner, ...., he's shocking.......

i would prefer as a team . if you dont perform . you are out, not just defence

Slade, Improve your Managing Or a your Out!

It should read improve your defending or I'm out....... (Slade)...,

Russell, these things are done on the training ground, and even if we are not great or up to the standard, at least every player should know how we play.

When I watch the city, it looks like we have not played together and nobody knows what the other is doing.

My patience is running short with Russell and scott i'm afraid.

It's not solely down to the players, it's more to do with the tactics. What team successfully plays 4-4-2 these days aside from Man City? Man City can only get away with it because they have 2 powerful, energetic workhorses in the middle in Yaya Toure and Fernandinho. Man Utd got away with 4-4-2 under Fergie because Rooney dropped deep into midfield. We got away with it under Malky because Don Cowie was one of the wide men tucking in to help when needed. But a team like us is nowhere near good enough to play a 4-4-2 system with 2 out and out wingers with Peter Whittingham as one of the centre midfielders. I know we have changed the system slightly lately, but our midfield constantly gets overrun, fails to control the game and keep possession and this constantly puts our defence under pressure. Every time one of their centre midfielders breaks through to run at Sean Morrison, everyone knows we are in trouble.

As long as we pick up enough points to stay up I am happy to get pasted occasionally if it moves Slade closer to the exit door.

Ok he inherited a squad of unmotivated and unfit players but he has essentially 'picked' his favorite players and continues to play them despite them being unable to perform consistently. His prejudices towards certain players, probably based on Youngs opinion, is disgraceful. He has frozen out and sold some decent players who at least deserved a crack.

Additionally to retain the backroom coaches and Young as assistant manager, is an absolute joke.

We needed (and need) a strong manager who can diligently, without prejudice and comprehensively sort out the playing staff and coaches and stamp their authority and style of play on the club.

We haven't seen a Cardiff side play decent football consistently for some years so I'd be happy to spend a few years in the Championship developing an attractive style of play with a fit, motivated, young and committed team. Then let's have another crack at going up with a much more attractive playing style and stable team environment.

Never going to happen with Slade. I'd trust him to pick up a take-away Chinese order but that's about it.

Agree that this is the way forward so it's such a shame we got rid of Ole who was the very man to make these changes.

Maybe Russell should improve his management skills, or he out ..