' Is Russell Slade Beginning to '
Tue Sep 08, 2015 6:56 am
Is Slade Beginning to Win Over Critics?
08/09/2015
by Jamie Kemble
Slade finished last season being labelled as “Boring”, “Clueless” and “Deluded” among many other choice words by the Cardiff faithful but has he begun to turn that around? Has he done the unthinkable and manage to change some Bluebirds minds regarding his position at the club?
Being manager of any football club can be a real challenge but being manager of Cardiff City can be even more difficult. There’s not much of a honeymoon-period here in South Wales and the unforgiving supporters will have you for breakfast if you do the wrong things as manager and Russell Slade has found that out over the last 9/10 months.
Cardiff fans saw their team get dominated game after game at the tail-end of last season with possession statistics in their 30’s and shots on goal well within the single figures. There was a long-ball strategy which constantly saw the ball being given away and no real plan B, so when Cardiff went one down, you always felt it would go on to be two or three without any confidence of the team pulling the game back.
Admittedly, despite the lack of confidence, Cardiff ended the season relatively well and managed to reduce the amount of losses dramatically. Slade himself will have pleasure in telling you that Cardiff finished the year in the top six of the form table although overall, they slumped to an eleventh place finish which was far from pleasing to the eye.
Unfortunately, the lack of entertainment meant that fans stayed away on a Saturday and they begun to do other things because they felt that was more enjoyable than watching the City. Whether that’s the fans fault or Russell Slade’s is down to a matter of opinion, but one thing the majority will agree on is that its never good to have supporters walking away from the club.
Season ticket sales for the new season dropped and subsequently, attendances did the same but for the fans who did stick around, they could be rewarded because already, they have seen a new and improved Cardiff side who look like they could achieve something much better than a mid-table slump.
First of all, the Bluebirds have returned significantly fitter and that is proven by players chasing down and wanting the ball beyond the 70th minute, something we didn’t see last term. Often last season, we saw the teams performance and intensity drop after 60/70 minutes, teams started to carve open the defence, create opportunities and score goals late on while Cardiff struggled to get beyond the half-way line let alone get a shot on goal.
Secondly, The Bluebirds have returned with a much more exciting, entertaining and attacking brand of football which comes as a welcome return to many after a long and lack-lustre campaign of last. Creative players like Joe Ralls and Joe Mason have been introduced efficiently to give the team an attacking spark with movement at an abundance, making the games fast paced and easy on the eye.
One of the biggest improvements, or at least in my opinion, is that when Cardiff go behind, you don’t feel like the game is lost, you don’t feel as if it will be two or three. Even when they do go behind, the players seem to have a determination which gives the fans confidence they can salvage a draw or turn the game around and the infectious confidence is very important to have because essentially, that’s what keeps fans glued, fans need to be able to trust that the team can come back otherwise, how can they give the team their backing?
Even when Cardiff were two down at QPR you always felt there was something to be grabbed and if that had happened last season, I think I can safely say that we would have been in danger of losing 4-0 but remarkably the new resilience showed and we brought it back to 2-2 and I think that’s a credit to the work the coaching staff have put in over the summer.
With all the minor positives aside, on top of all else, it will be results that Russell Slade is judged on. He has improved many things like improved team spirit, defensive solidarity, resilience, confidence, entertainment value and character but the one thing he needed to improve above all else is the results.
When the fixtures were released, many fans looked at the opening month and said something along the lines of “What a tough opening month, Russell Slade won’t see September” but here we are in September with Cardiff in fifth place (for whatever its worth at this stage) unbeaten and with a home and an away win to their name. To a certain extent, Slade is thriving on the opening month when many thought he would be (at best) surviving.
Positives aside, it is only September and we are only one month into the season, things could change and the opening month could be a false reflection of a seasons performance but only time will tell what the future has to offer.
In football, we are quick enough to point out when a manager is struggling and we did so last season on many occasions but it’s certainly important to stop and give managers credit when things are going well and in this case, things are going surprisingly well for Russell Slade and his men.
Many fans will always be against Slade for one reason or another and stubbornness will always be a popular trait amongst football fans but there are many supporters that I know who were completely against the former Leyton Orient boss at the end of last season but fast forward a few months and they are fully behind his efforts.
More and more supporters are starting to get behind Slade and the team and its great to see, it certainly makes for a happier club to be around when everyone is pulling in the same direction. On top of that, its a welcome turn-around from what has been a dysfunctional club over the last few seasons.
Of course, it’s not perfect by any means and there are still aspects to work on, on and off the pitch but the level of improvement in the short space of time has given supporters optimism that was hard to come by six months ago.
Who knows what the season will hold for the team and the club but one thing is for sure, its so far so good for Russell Slade and there’s no sign of him and his team being booed off this season. Being fifth in the table means little at this stage but as the saying goes “Start as you mean to go on” and you would certainly rather be up there than down the bottom because it only installs confidence throughout.
08/09/2015
by Jamie Kemble
Slade finished last season being labelled as “Boring”, “Clueless” and “Deluded” among many other choice words by the Cardiff faithful but has he begun to turn that around? Has he done the unthinkable and manage to change some Bluebirds minds regarding his position at the club?
Being manager of any football club can be a real challenge but being manager of Cardiff City can be even more difficult. There’s not much of a honeymoon-period here in South Wales and the unforgiving supporters will have you for breakfast if you do the wrong things as manager and Russell Slade has found that out over the last 9/10 months.
Cardiff fans saw their team get dominated game after game at the tail-end of last season with possession statistics in their 30’s and shots on goal well within the single figures. There was a long-ball strategy which constantly saw the ball being given away and no real plan B, so when Cardiff went one down, you always felt it would go on to be two or three without any confidence of the team pulling the game back.
Admittedly, despite the lack of confidence, Cardiff ended the season relatively well and managed to reduce the amount of losses dramatically. Slade himself will have pleasure in telling you that Cardiff finished the year in the top six of the form table although overall, they slumped to an eleventh place finish which was far from pleasing to the eye.
Unfortunately, the lack of entertainment meant that fans stayed away on a Saturday and they begun to do other things because they felt that was more enjoyable than watching the City. Whether that’s the fans fault or Russell Slade’s is down to a matter of opinion, but one thing the majority will agree on is that its never good to have supporters walking away from the club.
Season ticket sales for the new season dropped and subsequently, attendances did the same but for the fans who did stick around, they could be rewarded because already, they have seen a new and improved Cardiff side who look like they could achieve something much better than a mid-table slump.
First of all, the Bluebirds have returned significantly fitter and that is proven by players chasing down and wanting the ball beyond the 70th minute, something we didn’t see last term. Often last season, we saw the teams performance and intensity drop after 60/70 minutes, teams started to carve open the defence, create opportunities and score goals late on while Cardiff struggled to get beyond the half-way line let alone get a shot on goal.
Secondly, The Bluebirds have returned with a much more exciting, entertaining and attacking brand of football which comes as a welcome return to many after a long and lack-lustre campaign of last. Creative players like Joe Ralls and Joe Mason have been introduced efficiently to give the team an attacking spark with movement at an abundance, making the games fast paced and easy on the eye.
One of the biggest improvements, or at least in my opinion, is that when Cardiff go behind, you don’t feel like the game is lost, you don’t feel as if it will be two or three. Even when they do go behind, the players seem to have a determination which gives the fans confidence they can salvage a draw or turn the game around and the infectious confidence is very important to have because essentially, that’s what keeps fans glued, fans need to be able to trust that the team can come back otherwise, how can they give the team their backing?
Even when Cardiff were two down at QPR you always felt there was something to be grabbed and if that had happened last season, I think I can safely say that we would have been in danger of losing 4-0 but remarkably the new resilience showed and we brought it back to 2-2 and I think that’s a credit to the work the coaching staff have put in over the summer.
With all the minor positives aside, on top of all else, it will be results that Russell Slade is judged on. He has improved many things like improved team spirit, defensive solidarity, resilience, confidence, entertainment value and character but the one thing he needed to improve above all else is the results.
When the fixtures were released, many fans looked at the opening month and said something along the lines of “What a tough opening month, Russell Slade won’t see September” but here we are in September with Cardiff in fifth place (for whatever its worth at this stage) unbeaten and with a home and an away win to their name. To a certain extent, Slade is thriving on the opening month when many thought he would be (at best) surviving.
Positives aside, it is only September and we are only one month into the season, things could change and the opening month could be a false reflection of a seasons performance but only time will tell what the future has to offer.
In football, we are quick enough to point out when a manager is struggling and we did so last season on many occasions but it’s certainly important to stop and give managers credit when things are going well and in this case, things are going surprisingly well for Russell Slade and his men.
Many fans will always be against Slade for one reason or another and stubbornness will always be a popular trait amongst football fans but there are many supporters that I know who were completely against the former Leyton Orient boss at the end of last season but fast forward a few months and they are fully behind his efforts.
More and more supporters are starting to get behind Slade and the team and its great to see, it certainly makes for a happier club to be around when everyone is pulling in the same direction. On top of that, its a welcome turn-around from what has been a dysfunctional club over the last few seasons.
Of course, it’s not perfect by any means and there are still aspects to work on, on and off the pitch but the level of improvement in the short space of time has given supporters optimism that was hard to come by six months ago.
Who knows what the season will hold for the team and the club but one thing is for sure, its so far so good for Russell Slade and there’s no sign of him and his team being booed off this season. Being fifth in the table means little at this stage but as the saying goes “Start as you mean to go on” and you would certainly rather be up there than down the bottom because it only installs confidence throughout.
Re: ' Is Russell Slade Beginning to '
Tue Sep 08, 2015 8:35 am
he's over stating it a bit if you ask me.
we lost 4 games out of about 16/17 from Feb onwards, so going a goal behind and going on to lose by 2 or 3 wasnt really happening at all.
we lost 4 games out of about 16/17 from Feb onwards, so going a goal behind and going on to lose by 2 or 3 wasnt really happening at all.
Re: ' Is Russell Slade Beginning to '
Tue Sep 08, 2015 10:59 am
The jury is still out for me,he needs to improve his use of substitutions, and his performance in the transfer market was decidedly underwhelming, guess time will tell
Re: ' Is Russell Slade Beginning to '
Tue Sep 08, 2015 11:40 am
Support the city through thick and thin - isn't that what a loyal supporter is? I'd still be there if we played so poor that we went down to division 2. I didn't say I'd be happy about it but your at games with the life long fans who have witnessed just about anything and these fans will be the ones who fully appreciate the good times! Of course I wud rather see them in the PL but there are many teams that never even make it up there. I back Russell slade and believe In him but no idea whether he will have enough to take us up. The most important thing from last season is that we didn't get relegated but we didn't and we just finished in the top half. If we can improve on that by a few spaces up the table then who knows. We have (most) of our identity back now and I hope that the future is bright! 
Re: ' Is Russell Slade Beginning to '
Tue Sep 08, 2015 3:24 pm
angelis1949 wrote:The jury is still out for me
That's the most positive comment I think i've ever seen you make about any manager ever.
Re: ' Is Russell Slade Beginning to '
Tue Sep 08, 2015 4:12 pm
Once a blue always a blue44 wrote:Support the city through thick and thin - isn't that what a loyal supporter is? I'd still be there if we played so poor that we went down to division 2. I didn't say I'd be happy about it but your at games with the life long fans who have witnessed just about anything and these fans will be the ones who fully appreciate the good times! Of course I wud rather see them in the PL but there are many teams that never even make it up there. I back Russell slade and believe In him but no idea whether he will have enough to take us up. The most important thing from last season is that we didn't get relegated but we didn't and we just finished in the top half. If we can improve on that by a few spaces up the table then who knows. We have (most) of our identity back now and I hope that the future is bright!
Re: ' Is Russell Slade Beginning to '
Tue Sep 08, 2015 6:11 pm
A very good OP and In my opinion he did a solid job last year in the circumstances but wasn't the man to take us forward, he is without doubt albeit early stages proving that he isn't " clueless" and might actually know what he is doing. Some fans will ever be happy or are to stubborn to change their opinion.
Am not going to make a full judgement now but it's clear not just from results that things are much better at CCFC on and off the pitch, long may it continue.
Am not going to make a full judgement now but it's clear not just from results that things are much better at CCFC on and off the pitch, long may it continue.
Re: ' Is Russell Slade Beginning to '
Tue Sep 08, 2015 6:34 pm
Slade is one defeat away from being slated on here!
Seriously though if we are in our current position come Christmas time then slade will be top of the pops on here.
Seriously though if we are in our current position come Christmas time then slade will be top of the pops on here.
Re: ' Is Russell Slade Beginning to '
Tue Sep 08, 2015 7:08 pm
Gareth (Wilts) wrote:Slade is one defeat away from being slated on here!
Seriously though if we are in our current position come Christmas time then slade will be top of the pops on here.
Just like Coleman was for drawing a match and leaving us top of the group and in the verge of qualification. Mad!!
I agree if we are there or thereabouts come Xmas people will take notice
Re: ' Is Russell Slade Beginning to '
Tue Sep 08, 2015 10:25 pm
Is it Slade or Trollepe to be thanked for our fine start to the season ?
Re: ' Is Russell Slade Beginning to '
Wed Sep 09, 2015 12:06 pm
Nuclearblue wrote:Is it Slade or Trollepe to be thanked for our fine start to the season ?
Slade,without doubt.
Re: ' Is Russell Slade Beginning to '
Wed Sep 09, 2015 7:35 pm
Trollope without a dought
Re: ' Is Russell Slade Beginning to '
Wed Sep 09, 2015 7:38 pm
Sneggyblubird wrote:Nuclearblue wrote:Is it Slade or Trollepe to be thanked for our fine start to the season ?
Slade,without doubt.
Re: ' Is Russell Slade Beginning to '
Wed Sep 09, 2015 7:39 pm
drivingblue wrote:Trollope without a dought
Trollope will be hungry without his doughnut indeed.
Re: ' Is Russell Slade Beginning to '
Wed Sep 09, 2015 7:42 pm
Lose next match, and a good start of the season is worth nothing. That´s football. Hero one day, a zero the next.
I would say Slade´s reputation is still somehow fragile. He needs to win a few more before everyone is convinced.
I would say Slade´s reputation is still somehow fragile. He needs to win a few more before everyone is convinced.
Re: ' Is Russell Slade Beginning to '
Wed Sep 09, 2015 7:43 pm
Rydogsccfc wrote:drivingblue wrote:Trollope without a dought
Trollope will be hungry without his doughnut indeed.
Slade is a doughnut
Re: ' Is Russell Slade Beginning to '
Wed Sep 09, 2015 7:48 pm
drivingblue wrote:Rydogsccfc wrote:drivingblue wrote:Trollope without a dought
Trollope will be hungry without his doughnut indeed.
Slade is a doughnut
If Slade keeps up the good work and you wont accept you are wrong then you will be doughnut sunshine.
Re: ' Is Russell Slade Beginning to '
Wed Sep 09, 2015 8:41 pm
Rydogsccfc wrote:drivingblue wrote:Rydogsccfc wrote:drivingblue wrote:Trollope without a dought
Trollope will be hungry without his doughnut indeed.
Slade is a doughnut
If Slade keeps up the good work and you wont accept you are wrong then you will be doughnut sunshine.
Bet you will be the doughnut before me sonny
Re: ' Is Russell Slade Beginning to '
Wed Sep 09, 2015 8:43 pm
drivingblue wrote:Rydogsccfc wrote:drivingblue wrote:Rydogsccfc wrote:drivingblue wrote:Trollope without a dought
Trollope will be hungry without his doughnut indeed.
Slade is a doughnut
If Slade keeps up the good work and you wont accept you are wrong then you will be doughnut sunshine.
Bet you will be the doughnut before me sonny
Never.
Re: ' Is Russell Slade Beginning to '
Wed Sep 09, 2015 9:04 pm
Rydogsccfc wrote:drivingblue wrote:Rydogsccfc wrote:drivingblue wrote:Rydogsccfc wrote:drivingblue wrote:Trollope without a dought
Trollope will be hungry without his doughnut indeed.
Slade is a doughnut
If Slade keeps up the good work and you wont accept you are wrong then you will be doughnut sunshine.
Bet you will be the doughnut before me sonny
Never.
OH yes you will !!
( your turn) 
Re: ' Is Russell Slade Beginning to '
Wed Sep 09, 2015 9:04 pm
Rydogsccfc wrote:drivingblue wrote:Rydogsccfc wrote:drivingblue wrote:Rydogsccfc wrote:drivingblue wrote:Trollope without a dought
Trollope will be hungry without his doughnut indeed.
Slade is a doughnut
If Slade keeps up the good work and you wont accept you are wrong then you will be doughnut sunshine.
Bet you will be the doughnut before me sonny
Never.
OH yes you will !!
( your turn)
Re: ' Is Russell Slade Beginning to '
Wed Sep 09, 2015 9:15 pm
drivingblue wrote:Rydogsccfc wrote:drivingblue wrote:Rydogsccfc wrote:drivingblue wrote:Rydogsccfc wrote:drivingblue wrote:Trollope without a dought
Trollope will be hungry without his doughnut indeed.
Slade is a doughnut
If Slade keeps up the good work and you wont accept you are wrong then you will be doughnut sunshine.
Bet you will be the doughnut before me sonny
Never.
OH yes you will !!
No cuz it will just lead to links and I cant be f*cking bothered.
Re: ' Is Russell Slade Beginning to '
Wed Sep 09, 2015 9:31 pm
OK I will agree with you on this 