' Cardiff City player Ratings by Chris Wathan '

By Chris Wathan

Cardiff City player ratings v Blackburn Rovers: Who was Bluebirds' best as Slade's men suffer late agony?

Who from the home line-up put their hand up as Cardiff made a much better fist of things than their stalemate with Brighton a week ago?

It was much improved but, ultimately, just as disappointing.

Cardiff City looked like they had earned themselves a much-needed victory at the Cardiff City Stadium when Sean Morrison crashed home an 84th minute header.

But old boy Rudy Gestede popped up with 20 seconds of normal time remaining to level matters.

So who from the home line-up put their hand up as Cardiff made a much better fist of things than their stalemate with Brighton a week ago?

Chris Wathan was at the Cardiff City Stadium to cast his eye over the best and worst performances and delivers his verdict below.

DAVID MARSHALL(CAPT): Wasn't always convincing under Blackburn's high-balls but took them nonetheless. Distribution slow and lacking. 6

LEE PELTIER: Some strong tackles but looked uncertain and tendency to mindlessly hit nothing balls into the channels did him no favours. 5

BRUNO MANGA: Locked in a battle of nerve and pace with King, winning the first-half tussle but falling away awfully after the break with big question marks over role in leveller. 5

STAR MAN

SEAN MORRISON: Gave as good as he got against Gestede and won several key headers and covered defensive partner superbly. Much better than in recent weeks and got his rewards with later winner. 8

SCOTT MALONE: Still unconvincing on the back foot but did far better going forward when he looked for the pass rather than the aimless ball. 7

MATTHEW KENNEDY: A nimble and nifty threat from the outset that helped set a far better Bluebirds tempo. Real promise of pace who helped raise energies and expectations. 8

ARON GUNNARSSON: More like his old self even after taking a concerning blow to the head that twice needed treatment, shaking it off to clear King's first-half shot from the line. Much better presence in the middle. 7

PETER WHITTINGHAM: Nothing outstanding from the under-fire midfielder but at least looked more energised in centre of park and had runners to try and pick out. A far better justification of his selection than offered for some time. 7

CRAIG NOONE: Made to look distinctly average through contrast with Kennedy, his final ball failing on the one occasion he made space. 6

KENWYNE JONES: The fact Jones was notably closing down defenders to keep pressure on says everything about the improvements in performance. Missed one very decent headed chance through. 7

EOIN DOYLE: One big chance was well cleared by Kilgallon but movement was a big plus, his liveliness offering a real tone of tenacity and his withdrawal with 18 minutes to go was warmly applauded. 7

Peltier and Manga 5???

I thought Manga gave King a torrid time and Peltier was key in enhancing Kennedys performance, shows what I know

Peltier and Manga 5???

I thought Manga gave King a torrid time and Peltier was key in enhancing Kennedys performance, shows what I know

More than that idiot Wathan or any of the other morons at Media Wales IMHO. But then, what do I know?

Peltier and Manga 5???

I thought Manga gave King a torrid time and Peltier was key in enhancing Kennedys performance, shows what I know

I thought Peltier played well too. He was always committed in the tackle. Not too sure where the 5 came from!

He's talking shit, Peltier & Manga 5 ?! Maybe Slade was right when he accused him of being a biased Jack.

Peltier and Manga were both excellent.

Manga is a class act! Oozes quality :ayatollah I'd give Noone a 4

Peltier and Manga 5 .. Shocking , Peltier 7 and Manga was my man of the match

I got to be honest I really enjoyed last night, looking at the game in isolation I think that shows how bad we have previously been.
Tonight though we seemed to use the ball a lot better, pressing a lot more. You could say Blackburns passing was poor but I think that was also down to us pressing them and forcing them into mistakes.
It was far from the perfect performance but for once it looked like we had a sense of direction other than just lumping it to Jones. For once we looked like we may create something in open play, players tried to make something happen, didn’t always work and its far from ultimate football but rather see them try and fail than just lump it. I have no doubt this was down to the influence of Trollope and hopefully he can keep the team improving now, personally id instantly make him manager and remove Slade completely from the club.

For me
Marshall 6 - Far to slow using the ball, as captain and keeper he should be pushing the team on, looking to set off attacks, not slowing the game down.
Peltier 6 -Not sure what to think on him, very solid, most likely be a solid 6 every week, does his job defensively but offers a minimal amount going forward. Personally I like to see a fullback who can offer something going forward.
Manga 6 – Lots of people have said how well he played and he did well at times but did feel he made more mistakes than usual, still a class act
Morrison 7 – Got the goal and was solid throughout
Malone 7 – have been massively unimpressed with him but for the first time last night he looked like he could play, still plenty to improve.

Noone 6 - Not sure what to say about Noone – it’s not happening for him right now, poor passing, poor crossing, would be easy for him to go hiding like most wingers would but he didn’t, worked his socks off, kept going, helped out defensively, nipped in and won a few interceptions. I felt he caused Blackburn problems just sadly no end product, hopefully that will come with confidence.
Whitts 8 – Felt he ran the show, moved the ball well, even won a few headers
Gunnar7 – Really got stuck in, pressed, tackles and did well.
Kennedy 8 – Lacks natural pace but makes up with it by working hard and great to see some good balls into the box.

Jones 6 – Won plenty in the air, a few poor passes but generally solid game, should maybe have scored.
Doyle 6 – Caused problems and worked hard but a terrible first touch, needs to improve that, nearly scored though

Def an improvement yesterday players played with much more passion good to see

Can't see how Noone was a 6 - poor crosses through out the match and should have cleared before they scored. More like a 4 for me.

We are lucky we live in a world when piss poor journalists ratings mean nothing......

Marshall - 6
Peltier - 7
Manga - 7
Morrison - 8 MOTM
Malone - 7
Kennedy - 8
Gunnarson - 7
Whitts - 7
Noone - 5
Jones - 7
Doyle - 7