" RUSSELL SLADE IS HE? "

The Last Word: Is Russell Slade finally winning the battle for the hearts and minds of Cardiff City fans?

7 MAR 2016


BY STEVE TUCKER


Slade has struggled to convince that he is the right man for the job but many are starting to believe the tide has turned for Cardiff City



Following his side’s deserved and timely win in the Severnside Derby, Cardiff City boss Russell Slade was asked if he thought he was finally changing people’s minds, whether, he felt, he was at last winning supporters over?

To be honest, that question has been the constant elephant in the room virtually every time Slade has faced the press since he first took the Cardiff job back in October 2014.

The inference is always the same, ‘What the hell are you doing here? You are a former PE teacher, you’ve only managed at the likes of Scarborough, Grimsby and Yeovil before. How dare you ship up at a club with the stature and tradition of Cardiff City?’

Those who are not at the games, and there are plenty of those this term, have apparently voted with their feet, with Slade’s presence at the club regularly trotted out as one of the main reasons crowds are dwindling, particularly in the Welsh capital itself.

If there have been Slade fans out there, they have been a minority and a virtually silent one at that. But is that about to change? I mean, is the man who has apparently presided over a savage cost-cutting process whilst keeping the club in touch with the Championship play-off places, finally winning the battle of hearts and minds?



Slade himself, when asked after the vital victory over Bristol City, certainly displayed less triumphalism than many might in the same situation.

“I’ve always said that everyone is entitled to their opinion,” said Slade.

“Slowly, but surely it is for me to change opinion and to work hard at what I’m trying to do. It’s been a difficult task at the football club over the 18 months I’ve been here, but I think we are starting to turn a corner and make some real progress.

“The support at Bristol City I can only describe as special, really special. They were excellent, right behind us from the first minute and they never stopped. Away from home, to be honest, they have been very, very good, but in this local derby the supporters really showed what they are all about.”


And what Cardiff supporters seemed to be about at Ashton Gate, was finally giving their side’s manager some kind of credit, yep, dishing out a little bit of homage.

After the final whistle of a win earned by goal from on-loan Lex Immers and a first for the born-again Stuart O’Keefe, Slade was over in front of the travelling hoards at Ashton Gate, taking the acclaim as the terraces rang with, ‘He’s got no hair, but we don’t care! Russell, Russell Slade!’ It is, of course, one of football’s most back-handed compliments for the follicly challenged.

What those fans were reacting too ostensibly, of course, was a victory earned in a somewhat uncharacteristically ruthless fashion by Cardiff over a club their fans have never, shall we say, held in the highest esteem.



On top of that was the fact that Slade’s men had finally earned back-to-back wins again and snared three points that suddenly pulled the play-off dream back into some kind of realistic focus. They are now level on points with sixth-place Sheffield Wednesday.

It suddenly seemed, so what if the football has not been free-flowing and dynamic for the most part? Slade himself described the Bristol City win, perhaps a little harshly, as ‘ugly.’ This is the Championship after all. And, if nothing else, Slade’s team has at least proved durable this term, notoriously difficult to actually beat. It is now one defeat in nine for the Bluebirds, a run containing five wins and three draws.

Right now, with another old nemesis in their sights as Leeds visit on Tuesday night, and with the Bluebirds on a roll, well, defiantly maybe on a roll, perhaps it is becoming harder to stand outside of it all, arms folded in petulance trying to roll back the increasing waves of optimism like some footballing equivalent of King Canute.


Slade will be hoping to convince the board to give him a new contract
Is is time to climb aboard Cardiff’s and, in particular, their manager’s promotion band-wagon? Well, that is for you own conscious of course, but, after this weekend, what is becoming apparent, is that more and more supporters are becoming willing to give the much-maligned Slade at least the benefit of the doubt.

Well Slade has won me over this season even if we don't make top 6

My issue with slade was never about the man personally. From a business perspective I can see he has had a tough job to do and has come through well. My issue was always with the style of play. He was shoe horning 451 433 players in to a rigid 442.

Thankfully with the departures of Kenwynne and Mason (both in my opinion absolutely sound business decisions and I never believed thet would ACTUALLY weaken the side) he has HAD to think outside the box. Now was have players that are comfortable running at defenders and create problems. I know pilks isnt an out and out striker but he is effective and doing the business. Barca played with no striker for a while!
We just seem to be playing a formation to our strengths now and the players are responding.

Nope

Big yes from me, said it for a few weeks. Admit I was wrong and too harsh to criticise him earlier this season and parts of last season.

Sadly, Slade could get us promoted and some fans still won't admit they were wrong on him.

Well Slade has won me over this season even if we don't make top 6

You're not the only one apparently. A few City fans I've spoken to have changed their opinions of the man.

On a separate issue, have you still got that Malaysian flag and is it for sale? You know the one you unveiled at the Ricoh,before the loud hailer came out on the streets of canton.

Last thing how come Deji Oshilaja isn't a regular in your 1st team...You must have a few decent central defenders to keep him out of the team unless he has gone backwards or maybe the step up to the championship was too much.

Big yes from me, said it for a few weeks. Admit I was wrong and too harsh to criticise him earlier this season and parts of last season.

Sadly, Slade could get us promoted and some fans still won't admit they were wrong on him.

Fickle fans, nearly as fickle as fans who voted with their feet lol

Steve Tucker still can't quite bring himself to be positive, can he? He seems still hoping the fans will turn on the manager to make a better story.

Anyone remember Peter Jackson (now at the Daily Mail)? One of the few Echo reporters who gave the impression that he understood what the fans were seeing and feeling.

The first back to back wins in how long, and suddenly the clown turns messiah!

Backed Slade from day one.. been one or two occasions where in the heat of a moment from one or two games this season where I really did consider wanting Slade out but 35 games with 8 losses is brilliant even with the amount of draws as every point counts and we are looking to win games more and more instead of drawing games.

Steve Tucker still can't quite bring himself to be positive, can he? He seems still hoping the fans will turn on the manager to make a better story.

Anyone remember Peter Jackson (now at the Daily Mail)? One of the few Echo reporters who gave the impression that he understood what the fans were seeing and feeling.

I remember Peter Jackson - his period at the Echo coincided with our greatest European adventures. Dad took the Echo every night and the Fiotball Echo on Saturday, so I read a lot of his stuff.

Had the pleasure of seeing and hearing him first hand last winter at a Trust evening with the club historian Richard Shepgerd and the one and only Gary Bell, all talking about the Scoular years. Fabulous!