Why I've started with 'Incredible' Alex Revell in every game

The Bluebirds manager covered a range of topics in his post-match briefing, including Bruno Manga's possible return against Wolves, Alex Revell's role up front and the chances of movement in the transfer market

08:58, 19 AUGUST 2015
BY SIMON GASKELL Wales Online

Cardiff City manager Russell Slade

Russell Slade watched his Cardiff City side lead for 83 minutes at Ewood Park before Grant Hanley's volley levelled matters and created a grandstand finish.

The Bluebirds manager covered a range of topics in his post-match briefing, including Bruno Manga's possible return against Wolves, Alex Revell's role up front and the chances of movement in the transfer market.

Here are all the headlines from the Bluebirds manager's post-match press conference

ARE LATE EQUALISERS BECOMING A THEME?
Yeah, both ways. That's how the game is now isn't it? It's 95 minutes, it's not 85. You've got to manage the game right to the death. That's the important thing. Sometimes you have got to defend and win ugly a little bit and it was a little bit ugly - balls being pummeled into your box, first ball, second ball. You've got to deal with those in the Championship sometimes. It was direct but clearly, it was effective in the end from Blackburn.

IS ALEX REVELL STRUGGLING?
I think his work ethic is incredible. He works incredibly hard for the team, he's a good team member. He stretches the opposition out. Kenwyne has obviously been recovering from a calf strain and getting back fit.

So Revs has started every single league game that we've had so far and as I say he creates that space for Mason to link up and get into holes and it's interesting that everybody actually likes to play with him. At the end of the day whatever we are doing with our front players, we want the right combination that's going to get us into that top six.

Read more: Cardiff City Ratings: Marshall makes saves City and Mason gets goal but Morrison wins man-of-the-match

COULD YOU PICK JOE RALLS IN THE MIDDLE IN THE FUTURE?
To be honest he got on the ball more than anybody in that QPR game in terms of his passing. He enjoys that narrowed up role where he can come into the middle of the park and has the flexibility as well to link up. I think the partnership between him and Malone has been a revelation, it has been excellent.

HOW GOOD WAS DAVID MARSHALL?
He's a good goalkeeper. He's not an international goalkeeper for no reason at all. He's played in the Premier League as you know. He's an excellent goalkeeper and a very good professional and his experience at this level I think is massive.

HIS HEAD HASN'T BEEN TURNED?
He's such a good pro. He's club captain as well. To be honest, he couldn't wait to get going tonight. He was looking forward to the game.

MATT CONNOLLY SAVED YOU. HOW PLEASED ARE YOU WITH YOUR CENTRE BACKS?
As you know, we've had injuries to two of our centre backs. Ben Turner is out for eight weeks and Bruno Manga's just started training. So those two have been together there; our only two senior centre halves we've got available. They have linked up well with a good partnership and by and large we've been very impressed with the pair of them.

COULD BRUNO MANGA FACE WOLVES?
It may be too early. We'll have to check on Friday and see how he's doing. He's only had two sessions and of course he's been out for something in the region of three weeks now.

ARE FILIP KISS AND JAVI GUERRA FINALLY LEAVING?
There's a possibility of Kiss moving out to a football club abroad for a year long loan (in Norway).With Guerra, there's nothing at this moment in time to report.

ANY SIGN OF NEW FACES?
We are always spinning plates aren't we as managers so we'll just have to wait and see.

YOU PLAYED SOME PASSING FOOTBALL IN THE FIRST HALF. DO YOU FEEL YOU HAVE PLAYERS WHO CAN PLAY?
Our pass ratio on Saturday against QPR, we limited them to just 63 passes in the second period. I think our pass count was closer to 500 overall. We are passing the ball well. Obviously it was a different test tonight because Blackburn came to press us high up the pitch and at times when we beat that press we looked a good, competent side. But fair play to Blackburn, they kept coming at us, pressing and they got their reward in the end.

DID YOU DEFEND BETTER FROM SET PIECES THAN AT QPR?
By and large I think we did (defend better) because, as I say, Blackburn posed us a big threat. By and large we did. They had a disallowed one, albeit he was a yard offside. I just thought we were deep from a couple of free-kicks. There's still things to work on from our set plays. We've been very good since I've been there and over that time we've prided oursleves on dealing with those situations and we've generally done very well.

"IS ALEX REVELL STRUGGLING?
I think his work ethic is incredible. He works incredibly hard for the team, he's a good team member. He stretches the opposition out. Kenwyne has obviously been recovering from a calf strain and getting back fit.

So Revs has started every single league game that we've had so far and as I say he creates that space for Mason to link up and get into holes and it's interesting that everybody actually likes to play with him. At the end of the day whatever we are doing with our front players, we want the right combination that's going to get us into that top six".

and this is why people are calling Slade clueless.
Yes Russell, his work ethic is incredible, if he was a chicken with his head cut off, for the size of him he can't even win a header
I have no doubt he works hard for the team but he brings nothing, absolutely not good enough at this level just like his manager
Mr Slade, if you want the right combination to get us into the top 6 then Revell shouldn't be in that combination, wake up dude

the commentators last night noted that he finds the space due to his work rate, but doesnt instinctively see whats around him so doesnt make the right passes forward most of the time.

"IS ALEX REVELL STRUGGLING?
I think his work ethic is incredible. He works incredibly hard for the team, he's a good team member. He stretches the opposition out. Kenwyne has obviously been recovering from a calf strain and getting back fit.

So Revs has started every single league game that we've had so far and as I say he creates that space for Mason to link up and get into holes and it's interesting that everybody actually likes to play with him. At the end of the day whatever we are doing with our front players, we want the right combination that's going to get us into that top six".

and this is why people are calling Slade clueless.
Yes Russell, his work ethic is incredible, if he was a chicken with his head cut off, for the size of him he can't even win a header
I have no doubt he works hard for the team but he brings nothing, absolutely not good enough at this level just like his manager
Mr Slade, if you want the right combination to get us into the top 6 then Revell shouldn't be in that combination, wake up dude

I agree with you Steve, strikers as basic as him are not good enough to represent CCFC. Slade has to realise quickly that the quality of player he brings to the club has to be of a better standard. Overall, he is about 50/50 with his signings. Jones brought in great players on a tight budget, over to you Slade

"IS ALEX REVELL STRUGGLING?
I think his work ethic is incredible. He works incredibly hard for the team, he's a good team member. He stretches the opposition out. Kenwyne has obviously been recovering from a calf strain and getting back fit.

So Revs has started every single league game that we've had so far and as I say he creates that space for Mason to link up and get into holes and it's interesting that everybody actually likes to play with him. At the end of the day whatever we are doing with our front players, we want the right combination that's going to get us into that top six".

and this is why people are calling Slade clueless.
Yes Russell, his work ethic is incredible, if he was a chicken with his head cut off, for the size of him he can't even win a header
I have no doubt he works hard for the team but he brings nothing, absolutely not good enough at this level just like his manager
Mr Slade, if you want the right combination to get us into the top 6 then Revell shouldn't be in that combination, wake up dude

"he can't even win a header" Are you being serious? He won the second most headers in the whole championship last season, only behind Rudy. He averaged over 8 headers a game if I remember correctly. Not to shabby eyy? He can't do many things, but he can most certainly win a header. This is such an idiotic comment, have you ever even watched him?

A good centre forward will after laying the ball off, find himself a position or space to threaten the goals as it were. Never see Revell getting on the end of anything. If Blackburns no.5 can get on the end of crosses then surely Revell could, even once in a while.

"IS ALEX REVELL STRUGGLING?
I think his work ethic is incredible. He works incredibly hard for the team, he's a good team member. He stretches the opposition out. Kenwyne has obviously been recovering from a calf strain and getting back fit.

So Revs has started every single league game that we've had so far and as I say he creates that space for Mason to link up and get into holes and it's interesting that everybody actually likes to play with him. At the end of the day whatever we are doing with our front players, we want the right combination that's going to get us into that top six".

and this is why people are calling Slade clueless.
Yes Russell, his work ethic is incredible, if he was a chicken with his head cut off, for the size of him he can't even win a header
I have no doubt he works hard for the team but he brings nothing, absolutely not good enough at this level just like his manager
Mr Slade, if you want the right combination to get us into the top 6 then Revell shouldn't be in that combination, wake up dude

I agree with you Steve, strikers as basic as him are not good enough to represent CCFC. Slade has to realise quickly that the quality of player he brings to the club has to be of a better standard. Overall, he is about 50/50 with his signings. Jones brought in great players on a tight budget, over to you Slade

Spot on Thomas

A good centre forward will after laying the ball off, find himself a position or space to threaten the goals as it were. Never see Revell getting on the end of anything. If Blackburns no.5 can get on the end of crosses then surely Revell could, even once in a while.

I would take a bombed out ex PL development player over Revell any day. Club should be looking to find the next Bothroyd, players with flair, great first touch and can finish. Players that want to get back to the PL by scoring lots of goals.

Revell's career will only go one-way after his stint with us

"IS ALEX REVELL STRUGGLING?
I think his work ethic is incredible. He works incredibly hard for the team, he's a good team member. He stretches the opposition out. Kenwyne has obviously been recovering from a calf strain and getting back fit.

So Revs has started every single league game that we've had so far and as I say he creates that space for Mason to link up and get into holes and it's interesting that everybody actually likes to play with him. At the end of the day whatever we are doing with our front players, we want the right combination that's going to get us into that top six".

and this is why people are calling Slade clueless.
Yes Russell, his work ethic is incredible, if he was a chicken with his head cut off, for the size of him he can't even win a header
I have no doubt he works hard for the team but he brings nothing, absolutely not good enough at this level just like his manager
Mr Slade, if you want the right combination to get us into the top 6 then Revell shouldn't be in that combination, wake up dude

"he can't even win a header" Are you being serious? He won the second most headers in the whole championship last season, only behind Rudy. He averaged over 8 headers a game if I remember correctly. Not to shabby eyy? He can't do many things, but he can most certainly win a header. This is such an idiotic comment, have you ever even watched him?

I'm being very serious. I watched him last night fella quite closely and against QPR and Fulham, that's all I need to see with my own eyes, he is a carthorse and just not good enough for the championship. By the way show me the stats from headers from last season please because I honestly don't believe that or is it just your opinion? Oh, and was you there last night, my guess is NO if you think he wins the majority of headers, he didn't win one that went in the direction that should have gone.

He works really hard but not as a starter he make a good sub . Kenwyn should start better in the air scores more goals and can help defend corners as we r not doing well with that either until Bruno is back.

"IS ALEX REVELL STRUGGLING?
I think his work ethic is incredible. He works incredibly hard for the team, he's a good team member. He stretches the opposition out. Kenwyne has obviously been recovering from a calf strain and getting back fit.

So Revs has started every single league game that we've had so far and as I say he creates that space for Mason to link up and get into holes and it's interesting that everybody actually likes to play with him. At the end of the day whatever we are doing with our front players, we want the right combination that's going to get us into that top six".

and this is why people are calling Slade clueless.
Yes Russell, his work ethic is incredible, if he was a chicken with his head cut off, for the size of him he can't even win a header
I have no doubt he works hard for the team but he brings nothing, absolutely not good enough at this level just like his manager
Mr Slade, if you want the right combination to get us into the top 6 then Revell shouldn't be in that combination, wake up dude

"he can't even win a header" Are you being serious? He won the second most headers in the whole championship last season, only behind Rudy. He averaged over 8 headers a game if I remember correctly. Not to shabby eyy? He can't do many things, but he can most certainly win a header. This is such an idiotic comment, have you ever even watched him?

He must have done most of that whilst he was still at Rotherham then.

We still have guerra on our books but play Ravell.... just wow.

The anti-Slade and Revell spin on the title of this thread is laughable. Slade says Revell's workrate is incredible, and it is. We're clearly playing big man/small man combo up front and with Jones not being 100% match fit it makes sense to start Revell.

I remember this time last year everyone was crying out for players who gave 100% and not a bunch of overpaid premaddonas, well we've got that in Revell...yet we're still complaining. Supporting Cardiff is becoming a very frustrating experience, not because of the club, the team or the manager, but because of our 'fans' who can't stop moaning. It's a football forum, opinions welcome etc. but jesus christ it's getting boring.

That statement sure is incredible Russell

That statement sure is incredible Russell

he doesnt call him incredible

That statement sure is incredible Russell

he doesnt call him incredible

Not himself no, you're correct Paul! I don't think even Russy would go as far as that

disappointing with the misleading title really. Slade doesnt need a hand to make himself look a fool

Slade shoots himself in the foot. Probably 99.9% of fans would disagree with Ravell's selection and Slade's observation.

He is not a Championship player and should not be starting a game for us. Simple. We have Jones and last seasons League1's top scorer and he even can't get on the pitch. Clueless.

You can add Noone's non selection with that as well.

disappointing with the misleading title really. Slade doesnt need a hand to make himself look a fool

Spot on! Nice one Paul

I have to agree Revell hasn't stepped up to the plate and needs to be dropped and replaced with either Jones or Doyle.

Some of those answers were just pathetic.

Unless Revell is a goal threat then don't pick him. He can run - well big wow. He should be a marathon runner then not a footballer.

Slade is clueless, he is holding the football club back.

City need a proper football manager in. Look at what Rowett has done for Birmingham, Robinson at MKD, Warburton at Brentford (before he was axed bizarrely), Mcarthey at Ipswich, Neill at Ipswich etc etc.

Who have we got? An ex PE teacher who uses dinosaur football tactics.

"IS ALEX REVELL STRUGGLING?
I think his work ethic is incredible. He works incredibly hard for the team, he's a good team member. He stretches the opposition out. Kenwyne has obviously been recovering from a calf strain and getting back fit.

So Revs has started every single league game that we've had so far and as I say he creates that space for Mason to link up and get into holes and it's interesting that everybody actually likes to play with him. At the end of the day whatever we are doing with our front players, we want the right combination that's going to get us into that top six".

and this is why people are calling Slade clueless.
Yes Russell, his work ethic is incredible, if he was a chicken with his head cut off, for the size of him he can't even win a header
I have no doubt he works hard for the team but he brings nothing, absolutely not good enough at this level just like his manager
Mr Slade, if you want the right combination to get us into the top 6 then Revell shouldn't be in that combination, wake up dude

Slade is standing up for his player, it's clear our attacking options right now are Jones (recovering fitness), Ameobi (second fiddle to Mason atm), Mason, Revell and Macheda (also not fit). It's either Jones, Revell or Macheda for the main striker role and he is the only option right now.

When Jones/Macheda are fit then we will see what Slade's first choice is and I suspect it's the Trindad international.

We still have guerra on our books but play Ravell.... just wow.

exactly

The anti-Slade and Revell spin on the title of this thread is laughable. Slade says Revell's workrate is incredible, and it is. We're clearly playing big man/small man combo up front and with Jones not being 100% match fit it makes sense to start Revell.

I remember this time last year everyone was crying out for players who gave 100% and not a bunch of overpaid premaddonas, well we've got that in Revell...yet we're still complaining. Supporting Cardiff is becoming a very frustrating experience, not because of the club, the team or the manager, but because of our 'fans' who can't stop moaning. It's a football forum, opinions welcome etc. but jesus christ it's getting boring.

I could go on and give 100% workrate does that mean Slade will start me, wake up ffs, you make no sense. It makes absolutely no sense to start Ravell up front. We have plenty of other options, it doesn't have to be big man/small man combo You can give 100% but still not be good enough, that applies to Revell I'm afraid so being 100% committed means jack shit if you're not good enough and guess what, Revell is NOT good enough, end of.
So now you're saying it's the fans fault that Slade picks the wrong team and when players play shit you're dreaming fella

That statement sure is incredible Russell

spot on Phil

I have to agree Revell hasn't stepped up to the plate and needs to be dropped and replaced with either Jones or Doyle.

Hallelujah

"IS ALEX REVELL STRUGGLING?
I think his work ethic is incredible. He works incredibly hard for the team, he's a good team member. He stretches the opposition out. Kenwyne has obviously been recovering from a calf strain and getting back fit.

So Revs has started every single league game that we've had so far and as I say he creates that space for Mason to link up and get into holes and it's interesting that everybody actually likes to play with him. At the end of the day whatever we are doing with our front players, we want the right combination that's going to get us into that top six".

and this is why people are calling Slade clueless.
Yes Russell, his work ethic is incredible, if he was a chicken with his head cut off, for the size of him he can't even win a header
I have no doubt he works hard for the team but he brings nothing, absolutely not good enough at this level just like his manager
Mr Slade, if you want the right combination to get us into the top 6 then Revell shouldn't be in that combination, wake up dude

"he can't even win a header" Are you being serious? He won the second most headers in the whole championship last season, only behind Rudy. He averaged over 8 headers a game if I remember correctly. Not to shabby eyy? He can't do many things, but he can most certainly win a header. This is such an idiotic comment, have you ever even watched him?

It is true that Revell was 2nd to Gestede last season for headers won in an attacking situation but behind that statistic is the fact that Gestede won 60% of his aerial challenges whilst Revell won no more than 50%. Kenwynne Jones also on average wins 60% of the aerial challenges he is involved with and if you look at Sean Morrison he won just 8 fewer attacking aerial challenges than Revell but he won 65% of the challenges he was involved with.

With such a low % of headers won it is easy to understand why someone could think, or say, he can't win a header because the only Cardiff outfield player with a lower % of headers won was Fabio. Even the much maligned Whitts won 56% of his attacking aerial challenges.

Most any meaningful statistic about Revell shows he falls well short of Championship standard and I cannot think that any of our last 4 managers would EVER consider using him at this level. Slade has managed through League 1&2 where a player like Revell can look good with the hoofball mentality of our current manager. That's why, in my opinion, we are going nowhere this season.

"IS ALEX REVELL STRUGGLING?
I think his work ethic is incredible. He works incredibly hard for the team, he's a good team member. He stretches the opposition out. Kenwyne has obviously been recovering from a calf strain and getting back fit.

So Revs has started every single league game that we've had so far and as I say he creates that space for Mason to link up and get into holes and it's interesting that everybody actually likes to play with him. At the end of the day whatever we are doing with our front players, we want the right combination that's going to get us into that top six".

and this is why people are calling Slade clueless.
Yes Russell, his work ethic is incredible, if he was a chicken with his head cut off, for the size of him he can't even win a header
I have no doubt he works hard for the team but he brings nothing, absolutely not good enough at this level just like his manager
Mr Slade, if you want the right combination to get us into the top 6 then Revell shouldn't be in that combination, wake up dude

Slade is standing up for his player, it's clear our attacking options right now are Jones (recovering fitness), Ameobi (second fiddle to Mason atm), Mason, Revell and Macheda (also not fit). It's either Jones, Revell or Macheda for the main striker role and he is the only option right now.

When Jones/Macheda are fit then we will see what Slade's first choice is and I suspect it's the Trindad international.

first of all, Jones has played in the Copa America all summer so what are you talking about he's recovering fitness
our other attacking options are Doyle who is 100% fit and can't get a look in, fair enough Macheda is coming back from injury, I'll give you that one, Guerra is overlooked Ameobi is taller than Revell so he could do a job up front with Mason, or he could even go with 1 up front and have a more attacking 5 in midfield but Slade only knows dinosaur 4-4-2 unfortunately, so what does Slade do for his attacking option, he puts Revell in so he can run around like a headless chicken and bring nothing to the team, Revell is living off the back of 2 wonder goals, 1 for Rotherham in the playoff final and 1 for us against Brentford last season. So in conclusion, Revell is NOT our only attacking option

"IS ALEX REVELL STRUGGLING?
I think his work ethic is incredible. He works incredibly hard for the team, he's a good team member. He stretches the opposition out. Kenwyne has obviously been recovering from a calf strain and getting back fit.

So Revs has started every single league game that we've had so far and as I say he creates that space for Mason to link up and get into holes and it's interesting that everybody actually likes to play with him. At the end of the day whatever we are doing with our front players, we want the right combination that's going to get us into that top six".

and this is why people are calling Slade clueless.
Yes Russell, his work ethic is incredible, if he was a chicken with his head cut off, for the size of him he can't even win a header
I have no doubt he works hard for the team but he brings nothing, absolutely not good enough at this level just like his manager
Mr Slade, if you want the right combination to get us into the top 6 then Revell shouldn't be in that combination, wake up dude

"he can't even win a header" Are you being serious? He won the second most headers in the whole championship last season, only behind Rudy. He averaged over 8 headers a game if I remember correctly. Not to shabby eyy? He can't do many things, but he can most certainly win a header. This is such an idiotic comment, have you ever even watched him?

It is true that Revell was 2nd to Gestede last season for headers won in an attacking situation but behind that statistic is the fact that Gestede won 60% of his aerial challenges whilst Revell won no more than 50%. Kenwynne Jones also on average wins 60% of the aerial challenges he is involved with and if you look at Sean Morrison he won just 8 fewer attacking aerial challenges than Revell but he won 65% of the challenges he was involved with.

With such a low % of headers won it is easy to understand why someone could think, or say, he can't win a header because the only Cardiff outfield player with a lower % of headers won was Fabio. Even the much maligned Whitts won 56% of his attacking aerial challenges.

Most any meaningful statistic about Revell shows he falls well short of Championship standard and I cannot think that any of our last 4 managers would EVER consider using him at this level. Slade has managed through League 1&2 where a player like Revell can look good with the hoofball mentality of our current manager. That's why, in my opinion, we are going nowhere this season.

100% spot on again sir