' CRAIG NOONE SHINES AS DECLAN JOHN IMPRESSES '

Craig Noone shines in unfamiliar role as Declan John continues to impress


All Declan John wanted was a chance

Last nights CCFC match
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Thursday 21st July 2016

BY PHIL SMITH

The Bluebirds saw the pre-season preparation severely disrupted but did manage to see 45 minutes of action against Ahlen in Germany.



It was a frustrating night for Cardiff City, but they did play 45 hard-fought minutes against RW Ahlen before the thunder hit their training base.


Here’s your quick guide to where they lined up and how they did before the match was abandoned at half time.

David Marshall: GK
Had precious little to do but was a vocal presence throughout, encouraging his young centre-backs.

Fabio: RWB
Set the tone with a crunching tackle early on and was always willing to press opponents and attack. Typically dynamic.

Declan John: LWB
Another encouraging display as Paul Trollope demanded he get up the pitch and attack. He put in some great crosses and looks full of confidence.


David Tutonda: CB
A really promising display from a youngster not slightly fazed by first-team action.

Matthew Connolly - CB
The leader in defence and in often in attack, too, carrying the ball out from the back with real purpose and playing his part in a number of nice moves.

Semi Ajayi- CB
Was encouraged to be vocal by Marshall and Connolly and always took responsibility from set-pieces. Looks a mature and intelligent player whose time could come soon.


Joe Ralls: CM
In action for the first time this pre-season and made a number of eye-catching cross-field passes. Very much finished where he left off from last year.

Peter Whittingham: CM
Played as the Pirlo-esque quarter-back and was always looking for a run from the wing-backs. Will be key if this system is to flourish.

Lex Immers: CAM
Typically high-energy display and almost slid Gounongbe in on a couple of occasions with smart passes. Never afraid to go in for a robust challenge, either.


Craig Noone: CAM
A really promising performance in an unfamiliar role, with a trademark turn taking out two defenders and almost opening the game up for Cardiff.


Frederic Gounongbe: CF
Close to Declan John crosses on a couple of occasions but looks like he needs more action to get up to the intensity of Championship football

Definitely a real threat from set-pieces, which will encourage Whittingham.

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Declan John is a key part of Trollope's plans

It was refreshing to see such an enterprising performance from Declan John, as his manager pushed him time and time again to make runs towards the back post.

He made a series of excellent crosses from the byline and with just a bit more luck he could have had one or two more assists.

Immers and Gounongbe will enjoy attacking his deliveries and it bodes well for the season ahead.

It comes after the 21-year-old impressed on his first outing against Shrewsbury last week and his return will excite the Bluebirds faithful.

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There's room for Craig Noone in the 5-3-2


One of the players who looked like he may be sidelined in the new system was Craig Noone, with orthodox wingers not really a natural fit.

But playing as one of the two number tens, he flourished and played as the first defender, pressing Ahlen's back four with real intensity.

He also enjoyed two of the team's best attacking moments, winning a free-kick after taking two players out of the game with a beautiful turn.

Just before half-time he fired over after one of the best moves of the game.

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Always thought Nooney would adapt.

Always thought Nooney would adapt.

On their day Noone and John can do a good job for us and having the right manager helps

Where does Jazz Richards fit in then if John, especially, and Fabio are doing well?

Peltier must be concerned - one of Slades' pet players may be on the periphery?

Like to see a strong, experienced, dominant central midfielder - Dikajcoi surely needs to be moved on (and free up wages) as does Adeyami.

One more striker as well if Le Fondre & Macheda are not going to feature.

It's a squad game.

Noone won't be impressing by the time the season starts. Out of his depth at this level. What does he actually do ? his stats are awful

Can't read too much into a training session against a small local league outfit. I expect most of this forum's members would look good against these sort of teams. The true test will be when we play competitive matches against proper sides.

Always thought Nooney would adapt.

Adapt? Hes played well in 45 mins against an unknown team in gale force winds! He's had about two decent games in the last two years

Noone won't be impressing by the time the season starts. Out of his depth at this level. What does he actually do ? his stats are awful

Until now, I agree Noone has flattered to deceive and appears one-dimensional in his direction. However, I have seen glimpses of a good player in there and his goals (they tend to come in hot streaks) have often been pure class

The early signs are that he will need to produce that form far more often to satisfy Paul Trollope (and the fans) and keep his place in the side

Similar for Declan John; a talented player who IMHO gave far too much ball away upfield (causing panic defence) when he was a regular in the team under Malky. Hopefully, Paul Trollope will be quietly building his methodology and confidence during pre-season and we will get to see his talent shine this year

I'm impressed with what I've seen of Paul Trollope and his methods to date and I'm beginning to think that we might just have put together one of the brightest coaching teams we've had for some while

Noone won't be impressing by the time the season starts. Out of his depth at this level. What does he actually do ? his stats are awful

He cuts inside and plays early crosses that hit the center back or run for a goal kick. Extremely effective.

Always thought Nooney would adapt.

On their day Noone and John can do a good job for us and having the right manager helps

On this you are spot on.Whatever people made of Slade, Trollope has already proven he was not part of the problem.Many people on here have stated in the past that our squad has been underperforming so if Trollope can now get the best out of them maybe we'll have the kind of season we all know this particular group can achieve.

Noone won't be impressing by the time the season starts. Out of his depth at this level. What does he actually do ? his stats are awful

He cuts inside and plays early crosses that hit the center back or run for a goal kick. Extremely effective.

Here are the stats, they are not good enough is my belief.

Craig Noone All time stats for Cardiff City
General stats
Matches played 134 Goals 17
Total started 101 Games selected 154
Sub 53 Minutes played 6961
Came on 33 Assists 11
Discipline
Yellow Card 19 Red Card 1
Goals with
Right Foot 2 Left Foot 12
Header 2 Other -
Open Play 11 Cross 3
Free Kick - Direct Free Kick 2
Throw In - Penalty 1
Corner - Other

I'm so happy that John is being given a chance.

:thumbright: I'm so happy that John is being given a chance.

I think you've mentioned that once or twice, Ryan, so you must mean it!

I hope Noone can have a better season here, a real character and on his day can be a class above some of our players.

I hope Noone can have a better season here, a real character and on his day can be a class above some of our players.

One trick pony, that's how I would sum up Craig Noone. Another under achiever that we should ship out.