Success will see crowds return - Russell Slade

Russell Slade believes dwindling crowds will improve if Cardiff can sustain their strong start to the season.

18/09/15

Although the Bluebirds are sixth in the Championship, their last two crowds of 13,763 and 13,715 are their lowest in the league since moving to Cardiff City Stadium in 2009.

The manager, however, is confident supporters will return if his team mount a promotion challenge.

"Fans want to see a winning team," Slade said.

"We've made a decent start, we need to build on that start and keep progressing.

"Of course you want more and more numbers to come and watch your team and I'm sure in time, if we continue to progress, they will be there."

Cardiff attracted an average crowd of 21,123 last season, while the figure was 27,429

Cardiff City Stadium was expanded to a capacity of 33,280 in 2014 but, as attendances dropped towards the end of last season, the Bluebirds decided to close the expanded section for this campaign, reducing the capacity to 27,978.

Although Cardiff returned to their traditional blue kit in January, some fans have boycotted the club following the controversial red rebrand in 2012.

"There are certain factors I can't control. My thought has been on picking the side," said Slade.

"I think we're playing a decent brand of football. I'm sure they'll come back if we can maintain it."

Fringe players' frustrations
Cardiff visit the Championship's bottom club Rotherham on Saturday, with the Bluebirds aiming to recover from a first defeat of the season against Hull on Tuesday.

Slade selected the same team for a fourth successive game against the Tigers and admits players currently out of the first team are frustrated.

One in particular is midfielder Aron Gunnarsson, who made 45 league appearances last season but has not started a Championship match in this campaign.

Gunnarsson is the captain of Iceland and, with his country having qualified for Euro 2016, Slade is mindful of the 26-year-old's desire to force his way back into the team in time for next summer's tournament.

"The relationship I have with all the players is that my room is open, and I think that's a good thing because they know they can knock on my door," said the former Leyton Orient manager.

"Gunnar's been in and we've had a chat, but many others have been in and we've had a chat. I think that's healthy.

"In any successful team, it's down to that group rather than the XI. It's important they're part of it and, of course, they will play their part."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34288606

Not for a long time will there be big crowds again, it will need more than a few wins

He is right that is what ultimately will bring them back.

the football is poor under slade
we have no pace up front no chance of a counter attack
no player for the younger fans to admire
ticket prices to high for walk up crowd

Not for a long time will there be big crowds again, it will need more than a few wins

I agree, I'm all for giving slade a chance but deep down I know he's the wrong man for the job, this is why the fans stay away..

the football is poor under slade
we have no pace up front no chance of a counter attack
no player for the younger fans to admire
ticket prices to high for walk up crowd

Your knowledge is terrible, do you actually go ? 4 Cheapest walk up in the division, try Ralls Fabio, poor football? Last season dreadful, this season?! Like I said you can't be going. No pace up front - yes that's a reason not to go!!

the football is poor under slade
we have no pace up front no chance of a counter attack
no player for the younger fans to admire
ticket prices to high for walk up crowd

the bottom line is we have no X-Factor needed to wow the fans back

the football is poor under slade
we have no pace up front no chance of a counter attack
no player for the younger fans to admire
ticket prices to high for walk up crowd

the bottom line is we have no X-Factor needed to wow the fans back

So that's a good reason not go is it?

the football is poor under slade
we have no pace up front no chance of a counter attack
no player for the younger fans to admire
ticket prices to high for walk up crowd

the bottom line is we have no X-Factor needed to wow the fans back

So that's a good reason not go is it?

Ok here we go

Not having the x-factor is not the reason not to go but having the X-Factor would be a reason to go

Not for a long time will there be big crowds again, it will need more than a few wins

I agree, I'm all for giving slade a chance but deep down I know he's the wrong man for the job, this is why the fans stay away..

Many are saying the same.

I will support him as hes our manager But I dont believe in him.

Not for a long time will there be big crowds again, it will need more than a few wins

I agree, I'm all for giving slade a chance but deep down I know he's the wrong man for the job, this is why the fans stay away..

Many are saying the same.

I will support him as hes our manager But I dont believe in him.

The question I ask is

is he able to do what is required to get the fans believe in him

the football is poor under slade
we have no pace up front no chance of a counter attack
no player for the younger fans to admire
ticket prices to high for walk up crowd

the bottom line is we have no X-Factor needed to wow the fans back

So that's a good reason not go is it?

Ok here we go

Not having the x-factor is not the reason not to go but having the X-Factor would be a reason to go

There's more to it than X factor when the team is winning that's what brings people back.

Not for a long time will there be big crowds again, it will need more than a few wins

Agreed! Supporters of Cardiff City have been put through the mill these last few years! Only the real hard core remain now and to be quite frank the club is lucky to have 13,000+ right now! Your right a few wins is not going to bring back that many supporters? The damage has been done and IMO the club needs to bend over backwoods to win back the trust back!

the football is poor under slade
we have no pace up front no chance of a counter attack
no player for the younger fans to admire
ticket prices to high for walk up crowd

the bottom line is we have no X-Factor needed to wow the fans back

So that's a good reason not go is it?

Ok here we go

Not having the x-factor is not the reason not to go but having the X-Factor would be a reason to go

There's more to it than X factor when the team is winning that's what brings people back.

Not looking at the evidence three Wins on the bounce , 2nd in the league and playing attractive opposition in newly relegated Hull and we only get 13K .

the football is poor under slade
we have no pace up front no chance of a counter attack
no player for the younger fans to admire
ticket prices to high for walk up crowd

the bottom line is we have no X-Factor needed to wow the fans back

So that's a good reason not go is it?

Ok here we go

Not having the x-factor is not the reason not to go but having the X-Factor would be a reason to go

There's more to it than X factor when the team is winning that's what brings people back.

Not looking at the evidence three Wins on the bounce , 2nd in the league and playing attractive opposition in newly relegated Hull and we only get 13K .

Give it a couple a months.

Don't underestimate the continued effect of the rebrand fiasco and other negative publicity regarding the way the club is run. The general public aren't going to walk up and buy a ticket until there is real positivity surrounding the whole organisation.

Whether you like it or not, the club has a relatively small "through-thick-and-thin" following. If you want to call the rest plastics, so be it, but the reality is that to get them back on board, sustained progress and success on the field is needed.

Maybe a good cup run will help, especially if the draw throws up a derby game (and victory follows).

If I'm being totally honest, I don't see the current brand of football bringing the crowds back, if the Huddersfield game is anything to go by. The whole match day experience is summed up as underwhelming and that's even after the team have won! No atmosphere in the ground, empty seats everywhere a team of tryers but no individuals who get you off your seat. I really couldn't persuade anyone to go to games with any conviction these days. I hope I'm wrong and Slade is right, that it's all about winning, however it's my belief that there are a number of cumulative issues keeping fans away.

If I'm being totally honest, I don't see the current brand of football bringing the crowds back, if the Huddersfield game is anything to go by. The whole match day experience is summed up as underwhelming and that's even after the team have won! No atmosphere in the ground, empty seats everywhere a team of tryers but no individuals who get you off your seat. I really couldn't persuade anyone to go to games with any conviction these days. I hope I'm wrong and Slade is right, that it's all about winning, however it's my belief that there are a number of cumulative issues keeping fans away.

I tend to agree with this. Even though we're playing much better than last season there's not too much excitement at the moment to attract the crowds. It's pretty slow stuff.
I can't see too many people buying season tickets from now on so if we want decent crowds of 18-20k then that would mean the walk up crowd to go from 2-3k to 8-10k.

It's not often I agree with Slade, but he's right what he says, success is more important than style, but it has to be consistent success, not stop and start