Russell Slade: "The Rain cant last forever"
Sat Feb 07, 2015 11:11 pm
Cardiff City take a step in the right direction but they're not out of the woods just yet
Sat 7th February 2015
BY CHRIS WATHAN
Russell Slade recent verdict on Cardiff City’s wretched run was that the rain can’t last forever.
At Hillsborough there was at least a break in the clouds for the Bluebirds as they picked up a much needed point.
And they might just have weathered the worst of the storm as, if little else, there was enough fight in the travelling team to see off a prolonged Sheffield Wednesday surge as a bad situation wasn’t made any worse.
So, yes, the rain might have eased off – but no-one should start packing away their umbrellas just yet.
Had it been against another team, you fear Cardiff would not have gained anything on their travels.
Because while there were elements of hope to cling to, that this away point may just be enough to get over an awful period of performances and at least stop worrying that a double drop may be on the cards, there were still enough negatives to keep the nightmares going.
Like the fact Cardiff ended the game holding out via hope and hoof rather than any organised rearguard action, the shape and system seemingly abandoned well before Will Keane’s 75th minute penalty had encouraged the hosts.
Or that, ultimately, some of the players in his side just aren’t good enough. Scott Malone’s overlap and cross for Kenwyne Jones’ seventh minute opener was a joy to behold, but once again the man from Millwall offered a defensive showing that had you peering through your fingers.
The left-back wasn’t alone with some of Slade’s men playing beneath themselves, some struggling in another change in system – and some not up to scratch.
Had it been against another team, you fear Cardiff would not have gained anything on their travels. If Slade has been criticised for playing direct – and there was evidence of it here again – they are nothing on Wednesday who had a far greater kicking game than anything offered up by Warren Gatland’s men at the Millennium on Friday night.
Granted, the Owls’ awful playing surface may have something to do with that which hardly made it conducive to the best football from either side.
A game of quality this was not, talent rarely displayed.
When that’s the case, the least you can do is work harder – and Cardiff did that. Slade was quick to praise attitude and desire after the game and if he can cling to that, nurture it, then he will give himself a chance of turning things around.
There were squabbles with Wednesday players – not necessarily something to be condoned but not such a bad thing either if it is to show that it at least matters to some of them wearing the Cardiff shirt.
There was also a greater energy to proceedings, Conor McAleny doing enough to impress on his debut after a deadline day loan move from Everton.
Raw but willing, his pace and direct running did give a link between the diamond midfield and the front two and gave Cardiff a decent counter ploy in the opening period, one which they bettered.
Indeed, such a new attribute was welcome early on. After Chris Maguire had flashed a shot that Simon Moore had to save after four minutes, it was McAleny’s break from his own half that stirred Cardiff into life and into the lead.
Malone – as he has rarely done so far since signing himself this window – galloped down the left on the overlap and his cross was nonchalantly headed across goal by Jones. All pretty simple really but as effective and as creative as Cardiff have been in a fair bit of time.
With Sean Morrison lapping up Wednesday’s long balls and Bruno Manga not bothered by such a tactic, there was signs of encouragement from another new boy in Eoin Doyle.
He should really have done better with a 15th minute shot that dragged dreadfully wide given finishing is the same regardless of level, but his enthusiasm to make the runs suggests the League One leading goalscorer will get further chances to show what he’s got.
Yet, there was always a nagging sense that Cardiff could not be comfortable with their lead, especially with the way Maguire breezed past Malone and flashed a shot wide seven minutes before the break.
Wednesday were finding an increasing amount of space between the diamond that again didn’t work – Stuart O’Keefe and Peter Whittingham willing but lost in their roles – and the nerves following four defeats in a row came to the fore when Stevie May eased himself through seconds after the restart and hit the post.
Keane and Sam Hutchinson should have scored as the balls flew into the box, the former blocked by Manga and the latter scooping over the bar, before the penalty came with 15 minutes to go.
Slade complained of a foul on Manga but, on first glance, the centre-back should not have rushed out and left the space behind him regardless. Connolly, not long off the bench for hip-injury victim Lee Peltier, was cold enough to hot-headedly shove sub Bus to the ground. Keane buried the spot-kick.
Cardiff could have easily collapsed, only inviting more and more pressure onto them as they launched balls away. Jones, by now dropped into midfield, had little clue how to help stem the tide.
That they did may not make the table look much prettier – and it could again turn ugly should Brighton come and win at Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday night – but it the fact they held on may do enough to spark a bit more scrap from the side.
The pace of McAleny and hunger of Doyle may just add a little spark. A shift back to the system that looked far more balanced even in defeat last week may just aid enough to settle things down. Or the weaknesses that are obvious may be just too much to weather.
Whatever it is, the Bluebirds may still need their brollies for a while yet.
Sat 7th February 2015
BY CHRIS WATHAN
Russell Slade recent verdict on Cardiff City’s wretched run was that the rain can’t last forever.
At Hillsborough there was at least a break in the clouds for the Bluebirds as they picked up a much needed point.
And they might just have weathered the worst of the storm as, if little else, there was enough fight in the travelling team to see off a prolonged Sheffield Wednesday surge as a bad situation wasn’t made any worse.
So, yes, the rain might have eased off – but no-one should start packing away their umbrellas just yet.
Had it been against another team, you fear Cardiff would not have gained anything on their travels.
Because while there were elements of hope to cling to, that this away point may just be enough to get over an awful period of performances and at least stop worrying that a double drop may be on the cards, there were still enough negatives to keep the nightmares going.
Like the fact Cardiff ended the game holding out via hope and hoof rather than any organised rearguard action, the shape and system seemingly abandoned well before Will Keane’s 75th minute penalty had encouraged the hosts.
Or that, ultimately, some of the players in his side just aren’t good enough. Scott Malone’s overlap and cross for Kenwyne Jones’ seventh minute opener was a joy to behold, but once again the man from Millwall offered a defensive showing that had you peering through your fingers.
The left-back wasn’t alone with some of Slade’s men playing beneath themselves, some struggling in another change in system – and some not up to scratch.
Had it been against another team, you fear Cardiff would not have gained anything on their travels. If Slade has been criticised for playing direct – and there was evidence of it here again – they are nothing on Wednesday who had a far greater kicking game than anything offered up by Warren Gatland’s men at the Millennium on Friday night.
Granted, the Owls’ awful playing surface may have something to do with that which hardly made it conducive to the best football from either side.
A game of quality this was not, talent rarely displayed.
When that’s the case, the least you can do is work harder – and Cardiff did that. Slade was quick to praise attitude and desire after the game and if he can cling to that, nurture it, then he will give himself a chance of turning things around.
There were squabbles with Wednesday players – not necessarily something to be condoned but not such a bad thing either if it is to show that it at least matters to some of them wearing the Cardiff shirt.
There was also a greater energy to proceedings, Conor McAleny doing enough to impress on his debut after a deadline day loan move from Everton.
Raw but willing, his pace and direct running did give a link between the diamond midfield and the front two and gave Cardiff a decent counter ploy in the opening period, one which they bettered.
Indeed, such a new attribute was welcome early on. After Chris Maguire had flashed a shot that Simon Moore had to save after four minutes, it was McAleny’s break from his own half that stirred Cardiff into life and into the lead.
Malone – as he has rarely done so far since signing himself this window – galloped down the left on the overlap and his cross was nonchalantly headed across goal by Jones. All pretty simple really but as effective and as creative as Cardiff have been in a fair bit of time.
With Sean Morrison lapping up Wednesday’s long balls and Bruno Manga not bothered by such a tactic, there was signs of encouragement from another new boy in Eoin Doyle.
He should really have done better with a 15th minute shot that dragged dreadfully wide given finishing is the same regardless of level, but his enthusiasm to make the runs suggests the League One leading goalscorer will get further chances to show what he’s got.
Yet, there was always a nagging sense that Cardiff could not be comfortable with their lead, especially with the way Maguire breezed past Malone and flashed a shot wide seven minutes before the break.
Wednesday were finding an increasing amount of space between the diamond that again didn’t work – Stuart O’Keefe and Peter Whittingham willing but lost in their roles – and the nerves following four defeats in a row came to the fore when Stevie May eased himself through seconds after the restart and hit the post.
Keane and Sam Hutchinson should have scored as the balls flew into the box, the former blocked by Manga and the latter scooping over the bar, before the penalty came with 15 minutes to go.
Slade complained of a foul on Manga but, on first glance, the centre-back should not have rushed out and left the space behind him regardless. Connolly, not long off the bench for hip-injury victim Lee Peltier, was cold enough to hot-headedly shove sub Bus to the ground. Keane buried the spot-kick.
Cardiff could have easily collapsed, only inviting more and more pressure onto them as they launched balls away. Jones, by now dropped into midfield, had little clue how to help stem the tide.
That they did may not make the table look much prettier – and it could again turn ugly should Brighton come and win at Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday night – but it the fact they held on may do enough to spark a bit more scrap from the side.
The pace of McAleny and hunger of Doyle may just add a little spark. A shift back to the system that looked far more balanced even in defeat last week may just aid enough to settle things down. Or the weaknesses that are obvious may be just too much to weather.
Whatever it is, the Bluebirds may still need their brollies for a while yet.
Re: Russell Slade: "The Rain cant last forever"
Sun Feb 08, 2015 1:04 am
Funny he is like fans on here? If was another team blah blah blah! Ffs you play the team that is on pitch what you get is what you get, as every game is different the point is irrelevant as we wasn't playing another team it was sheff wed! Tues will be a different game 
Re: Russell Slade: "The Rain cant last forever"
Sun Feb 08, 2015 8:42 am
The rain can't last forever, neither will his job. Cheerio Russell. 
Re: Russell Slade: "The Rain cant last forever"
Sun Feb 08, 2015 10:39 am
nick_strin wrote:The rain can't last forever, neither will his job. Cheerio Russell.
I've got a feeling since Slade has come here we have a never ending St Swithin's day!