Paul Trollope is coming in undermines Slade’s job as manager

Backing Cardiff City boss Russell Slade impossible when there is no sign of progress.

Tuesday 17 February 2015

By Sian Matheson


It seems the writing’s on the wall for Slade anyway with the appointment of Paul Trollope as head coach?

I find it difficult to believe Slade only now wants to bring in help from elsewhere when he did not appoint any of his own backroom staff to begin with.

In my book the ex-Norwich, Bristol Rovers and Birmingham coach coming in undermines Slade’s job as manager.

Our columnist says seeing Eoin Doyle dropped to the bench was hugely frustrating and thinks Paul Trollope's arrival makes little sense


Even Slade himself barely musters any emotion from his technical area now.

Personally, I couldn’t agree more with the results of the recent WalesOnline/South Wales Echo State of the Bluebirds survey.

I wholeheartedly share the 81% view that Russell Slade is out of his depth,

For me, Brighton was the straw that finally broke my patience with Slade.

I have tried to keep an open mind and have given him more than the benefit of the doubt but it’s just not working under his managership.

I desperately want to find positives and look past the lack of formation, ideas, dire possession statistics, the inability to string two passes together at times and even the dropping of top scorer Kenwyne Jones.

I would even brush aside the woeful five points from the last six games if I could see a bigger picture emerging.



But seeing Slade’s new signing Eoin Doyle on the bench against Brighton after his bright start against Sheffield Wednesday, said it all for me.

Just days before, Doyle was the one bright light, who looked like he had the potential to be the much-needed strike partner to compliment Jones up front.

Yet, instead of giving that partnership another chance just days later, Slade puts League One top scorer Doyle on the bench.

That frustration was my epiphany that nothing will change under Slade.



In the Bluebirds survey, an overwhelming 94% of fans voted that they were not happy with the style of football being played, opting to tick the ‘it’s downright boring’ option.

For me, it’s not even entertaining enough to be called boring, it’s just plain old poor.

But surely it seems the writing’s on the wall for Slade anyway with the appointment of Paul Trollope as head coach?

I find it difficult to believe Slade only now wants to bring in help from elsewhere when he did not appoint any of his own backroom staff to begin with.

In my book the ex-Norwich, Bristol Rovers and Birmingham coach coming in undermines Slade’s job as manager.

In fact, in light of all the recent cost-cutting with players being shipped out during the transfer window, it begs the question, why on earth are City paying for yet another coach to help Slade out now when they could have just appointed a decent manager in the first place?

What’s the point in paying for yet another coach to come on board alongside Slade, Scott Young and Danny Gabbidon who is presumably still on the payroll?

I don’t advocate sacking managers without a fair shot but it’s impossible to keep backing someone week-in, week-out when there is absolutely no sign of progress.

When Slade was appointed I had the nagging feeling in my gut about his lack of experience at Championship level.

But it was vital he was given a fair crack of the whip.

Although, looking back, it was that same nagging feeling I had when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was appointed.

Yes hindsight is all well and good but, as with the majority of fans, I was more than willing to back the gaffer and give him time.

At least he had English lower league experience, which was more than Solskjaer had,

I made no secret that my choice to succeed Solskjaer was Tony Pulis.

The way Newport’s finest has organised and galvanised West Bromwich Albion is yet another measure of a missed opportunity for the Bluebirds.


Lessons should have been learned from the appointment of the inexperienced Solskjaer but clearly they were not.

Slade inherited a huge squad which was, literally, unfit for action amid the backdrop of a divided fanbase.

Credit where it was due, the former PE teacher sorted out the fitness aspect and got off to a winning start but the rollercoaster job of managing Cardiff City was never going to be an easy job for even the most experienced manager.

And once the boys were back in blue, the worrying on-pitch matters could not be glossed over.

I have desperately sought signs of encouragement but, in all reality, there has been little to take heart from.

Even Slade himself barely musters any emotion from his technical area now.

And his players, apart from a few, don’t look interested on the pitch either.

Indeed most are a shadow of their former selves, wandering about seemingly without a game plan, looking totally devoid of ideas and confidence.

Nothing sums that up more than Adam le Fondre who couldn’t hit a barn door at Cardiff for all his running and chasing speculative balls.

Peter Byrne/PA WireAdam Le Fondre has hit the goal trail at Bolton
Yet, a loan move to Bolton and he has already bagged two goals in two games.

Coincidence? I think not.

The Bluebirds simply have no drive, no spirit and no organisation or direction.

And I don’t think I’m being melodramatic here, but, at this point in time, there’s not even a guarantee of playing at this level next season as the Bluebirds have gradually slipped to 17th and who knows where the next points will come from.

I don’t hold out much hope of any points tonight against a Blackburn team high on confidence after smashing four past Premier League Stoke in the FA Cup.

Slade has repeatedly called for patience during City’s ‘transitional’ period.

But surely ‘transitional’ means progress is being made but I for one, do not see any signs of progress on the pitch. And it seems I am not alone according to the results of the WalesOnline survey.

On this occasion, I tend to agree with just about everything written in this article.
I think she's spot on to be fair.

Being Russell Slade alone undermines him being the Manager ..

Can't disagree with any if that

At least Trollop has some pedigree at this level.

If Slade was going to be appointed, like OGS, it was imperative there was a football coach with some nous and quality alongside him from the off.

Decent shout for Trollop as next City manager

At least Trollop has some pedigree at this level.

If Slade was going to be appointed, like OGS, it was imperative there was a football coach with some nous and quality alongside him from the off.

Decent shout for Trollop as next City manager

I agree.

So come on the ITKer's who appointed the Malaysian household name Paul Trollop ?

Could it have been Russell Slade ?

Would i have Trollope as Manager, the answer is NO.

I think he will be manager soon bit like when they brought in Lennie Lawrence to help Alan cork Lennie ende up as manger