" FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED "
Sat Mar 12, 2016 7:25 pm
" Five things we learned from Cardiff City's win over Ipswich Town as Bluebirds maintain play-off aspirations "
By Steve Tucker
12/03/16
" FORGET THE QUALITY, FEEL THE POINTS "
We are entering that stage of the season where any supporters would willingly take the most rubbish performance from their side if, at the end of it, they emerged with the three points. Not to say Russell Slade’s Bluebirds were poor here. On the contrary really, they kept solid and disciplined throughout the clash with Ipswich and pushed on when they could even if a certain lack of fluency on the front-foot was evident. No, the point is, Slade’s men played a lot better against Leeds last time out than they did against Mick McCarthy’s men and left frustrated and empty handed that night. Here they got a few breaks, they took their chance and they didn’t have an opposition goalkeeper having the game of his life either. The point seems to be, forget the flair, competency is the key and that age old virtue of football and putting the ball in the net when you do get a chance.
" MOORE’S OK, BUT HE’S NO MARSHALL "
It is unfortunate for Simon Moore that when his name appears on the Cardiff City team-sheet a sense of panic sets in. This is no reflection on Moore himself, instead it is the fact that David marshall’s name is missing. The Scottish international was unwell for this so in came Moore who had started the season and had a spell in the side too when Marshall was suspended once more. Against Ipswich, the reviews of Moore have to be mixed, there was a fine, confidence-boosting early stop from Freddie Sears, but he looked dodgy on the high-ball, indecisive and flapping on a few crosses. Moore is a good enough goalkeeper, the big problem he has had at Cardiff is simply that he is not Marshall.
" IF PILKINGTON IS A STRIKER, I’M BRAD PITT "
On days like this it seems the only thing Anthony Pilkington has in common with a natural striker is that he scores a few goals. Five in his last six home games now. But he did not really look like adding to that tally against Ipswich. Pilkington is as honest as the day is long, of course. A hard-worker, a great servant with a streak of Premier League class running through him. But he just lacks that instinct in and around the box, the selfishness even the true frontman has about him. Pilkington as striker may have been a shirt-term fix for Slade, but it is surely not a long-term project.
" WONDERFUL WHITTINGHAM "
Like a fine wine, Peter Whittingham gets better with age. OK, maybe this is not totally true, the mercurial midfielder has lost certain aspects of his play, but when the Bluebirds play to his strengths, as they did here, Whittingham is a joy to behold. Forget the pin-point corner for Bruno Manga’s goal, Whittingham delivered a masterclass in delivery at one point, firing in about three crosses in 30 seconds all of which asked fundamental questions of the Ipswich defence. Slouching about out on the left Whittingham gain confirmed he is a Cardiff legend and one if the best players still operating in the Championship.
" ATMOSPHERE BETTER BUT STILL ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT "
Let’s be honest, there have been occasions this season when the excitement levels at the Cardiff City Stadium would have been out-done by a rather quiet cemetery. Record low crowds have dogged Russell Slade’s side this campaign, but things look like they are improving at least. The Leeds match saw some real passion despite defeat and this victory was greeted with a long-absent roar from the stands which seem to have been cleverly swelled with an excellent school’s voucher system. The hope must now be that, if Cardiff can keep their play-off push going, supporters will return in their numbers. Those who are attending now mind seem to have suddenly found their voices and it can only be good for the side.
By Steve Tucker
12/03/16
" FORGET THE QUALITY, FEEL THE POINTS "
We are entering that stage of the season where any supporters would willingly take the most rubbish performance from their side if, at the end of it, they emerged with the three points. Not to say Russell Slade’s Bluebirds were poor here. On the contrary really, they kept solid and disciplined throughout the clash with Ipswich and pushed on when they could even if a certain lack of fluency on the front-foot was evident. No, the point is, Slade’s men played a lot better against Leeds last time out than they did against Mick McCarthy’s men and left frustrated and empty handed that night. Here they got a few breaks, they took their chance and they didn’t have an opposition goalkeeper having the game of his life either. The point seems to be, forget the flair, competency is the key and that age old virtue of football and putting the ball in the net when you do get a chance.
" MOORE’S OK, BUT HE’S NO MARSHALL "
It is unfortunate for Simon Moore that when his name appears on the Cardiff City team-sheet a sense of panic sets in. This is no reflection on Moore himself, instead it is the fact that David marshall’s name is missing. The Scottish international was unwell for this so in came Moore who had started the season and had a spell in the side too when Marshall was suspended once more. Against Ipswich, the reviews of Moore have to be mixed, there was a fine, confidence-boosting early stop from Freddie Sears, but he looked dodgy on the high-ball, indecisive and flapping on a few crosses. Moore is a good enough goalkeeper, the big problem he has had at Cardiff is simply that he is not Marshall.
" IF PILKINGTON IS A STRIKER, I’M BRAD PITT "
On days like this it seems the only thing Anthony Pilkington has in common with a natural striker is that he scores a few goals. Five in his last six home games now. But he did not really look like adding to that tally against Ipswich. Pilkington is as honest as the day is long, of course. A hard-worker, a great servant with a streak of Premier League class running through him. But he just lacks that instinct in and around the box, the selfishness even the true frontman has about him. Pilkington as striker may have been a shirt-term fix for Slade, but it is surely not a long-term project.
" WONDERFUL WHITTINGHAM "
Like a fine wine, Peter Whittingham gets better with age. OK, maybe this is not totally true, the mercurial midfielder has lost certain aspects of his play, but when the Bluebirds play to his strengths, as they did here, Whittingham is a joy to behold. Forget the pin-point corner for Bruno Manga’s goal, Whittingham delivered a masterclass in delivery at one point, firing in about three crosses in 30 seconds all of which asked fundamental questions of the Ipswich defence. Slouching about out on the left Whittingham gain confirmed he is a Cardiff legend and one if the best players still operating in the Championship.
" ATMOSPHERE BETTER BUT STILL ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT "
Let’s be honest, there have been occasions this season when the excitement levels at the Cardiff City Stadium would have been out-done by a rather quiet cemetery. Record low crowds have dogged Russell Slade’s side this campaign, but things look like they are improving at least. The Leeds match saw some real passion despite defeat and this victory was greeted with a long-absent roar from the stands which seem to have been cleverly swelled with an excellent school’s voucher system. The hope must now be that, if Cardiff can keep their play-off push going, supporters will return in their numbers. Those who are attending now mind seem to have suddenly found their voices and it can only be good for the side.
Re: " FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED "
Sat Mar 12, 2016 8:01 pm
That's only 4. Number 5, Steve Tucker talks crap 
Re: " FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED "
Sat Mar 12, 2016 8:09 pm
Wow this is the first time i have agreed with Tucker
Re: " FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED "
Sat Mar 12, 2016 8:18 pm
Was hoping Saadi would come on for pilkington today. Any particular reason he wasn't on the bench?
Re: " FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED "
Sat Mar 12, 2016 8:59 pm
Blazing Saddles wrote:That's only 4. Number 5, Steve Tucker talks crap
My mistake
Re: " FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED "
Sat Mar 12, 2016 9:09 pm
6 Slade would look better in Stone Island 
Re: " FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED "
Sat Mar 12, 2016 9:21 pm
We learned that tucker is a knob a long time ago
Re: " FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED "
Sun Mar 13, 2016 6:20 pm
paulh_85 wrote:We learned that tucker is a knob a long time ago
I'm not a Tucker fan, but Paulh some how you spoil or derail every topic, how about starting your own for change and then see the responses
