' BEN AMOS '
Fri Oct 21, 2016 6:48 pm
' BEN AMOS '
Media Wales
Friday October 21st
It’s never a good sign when a team has used four goalkeepers before Halloween.
Remarkably, Cardiff have had five senior stoppers on their books this season.
The disarray in that position in many ways encapsulates a horror start to the season that started with optimism but quickly disintegrated.
At one point, the loss of club legend David Marshall looked like it would completely derail the Bluebirds campaign.
Sheffield United had put a decent offer on the table for Simon Moore and so the second choice was moved on. That raised few eyebrows, until Hull City suddenly got their act together and signed the man who had seen it all and come out the other side as one of the Bluebirds best ever in between the sticks.
As Cardiff sank to a horror 3-0 defeat away at Preston, it was difficult to see where the leadership and communication in defence was coming from.
Things are calmer now, and Ben Amos establishing himself very much as the new Number One has helped.
An impressive performance as Sheffield Wednesday clicked into gear in the second half on Wednesday underlined his assured presence since making his debut against Leeds United.
So what has it been like, following in the footsteps of a club legend during a turbulent period on and off the pitch?
Amos said: “I’ve had no problem with that at all, I know what I’m capable of, what I can do. I know what a good keeper Marshy was and still is but I’ve just got to concentrate on myself and what I can bring to the team.
“What’s done is done, I’m coming in to do a job for the team and anything else is just outside noise really. It’s just about what’s going to happen on a Saturday and what I’m going to have to do, I’ll just do the absolute best I can, prepare the best I can in training at home.
“I really like Paul [Trollope] and think he’s a good man with a lot of good qualities so I was sorry to see him go. We’ve gone back to basics now and it’s working really well for us, everyone knows what they’re doing and you can see how confidence comes with results. Hopefully we can just keep building momentum, remain hard to beat and kick on from there.
“Going back to absolute basics and doing them well, everyone knowing what each other is doing. You must be able to see the difference in the style of play, I think it’s maybe just taken a bit of pressure off the players because they know what they’re doing.“
Like Sol Bamba? The free agent has come and made a remarkable impact at Cardiff, and Amos sees that as a vindication of Neil Warnock’s approach so far.
He said: “I’ve played against Sol before and you can see what a presence he is, I think it’s helped Sol, like I say just doing the basics, he can concentrate on just keeping the ball out of the back of the net.”
If the situation at Cardiff looked troublesome when Amos arrived, it was nothing compared to Bolton Wanderer’s troubles last campaign.
With financial meltdown, a turnover of managers and desperate results, it was a rude awakening for the stopper at just his second permanent club.
Despite having one of the highest tallies when it comes to saves in the league, the goals conceded column was high and Bolton fans didn’t seem too disheartened when Cardiff moved to sign Amos.
Such is the lot of a goalkeeper in a struggling team, whose errors and struggles are magnified like no other position.
Such experiences should work to Cardiff’s advantage: “I can’t underestimate how important that experience [at Bolton] was for me, it was horrible. It’s horrible being down at the bottom of the league, it’s not nice in terms of the whole atmosphere of the club, it’s tough. I grew tenfold as a person, found out a lot about myself and that’s only helped me coming in with us near the bottom of the league. I know what to do and what not to do.
“As much as I want to impact the game, I can’t go and make a good tackle on the half-way line, work hard, stamp my impression that way. If an outfield player’s not having a great game, he can do the basics right and put a shift in. As a goalkeeper there’s only one or two moments in the game where you can really make an impact. There’s more significance to those moments and you’re either the hero or the villain. As you know one week you’re the best thing since sliced bread and the next you’re not. I’m used to that now.”
Having spent so long on the fringes at Manchester United, Amos is relieved to have first team football under his belt.
It’s an opportunity he is determined to give up, even if his long-term future in South Wales is not something he is willing to consider just yet.
He said: “At a club like Manchester United, it’s so difficult when they’re in Europe, they need three keepers and it’s difficult to get out on loan and get games. For me it just meant that I had to work as hard as I could possibly could in training, doing that extra bit just to keep the edge. That’s just part of my personality, anyway.
“I’m taking each game as it comes, that’s my approach, I’ve seen what a good club this is and the potential, as a player everything is here for you to kick on. The last couple of seasons we’ve been pushing and just missed out on the play-offs, we were unfortunate last year to just miss out. That’s where this club should be at.”
Amos’ form will be key if they are to manage it.
Media Wales
Friday October 21st
It’s never a good sign when a team has used four goalkeepers before Halloween.
Remarkably, Cardiff have had five senior stoppers on their books this season.
The disarray in that position in many ways encapsulates a horror start to the season that started with optimism but quickly disintegrated.
At one point, the loss of club legend David Marshall looked like it would completely derail the Bluebirds campaign.
Sheffield United had put a decent offer on the table for Simon Moore and so the second choice was moved on. That raised few eyebrows, until Hull City suddenly got their act together and signed the man who had seen it all and come out the other side as one of the Bluebirds best ever in between the sticks.
As Cardiff sank to a horror 3-0 defeat away at Preston, it was difficult to see where the leadership and communication in defence was coming from.
Things are calmer now, and Ben Amos establishing himself very much as the new Number One has helped.
An impressive performance as Sheffield Wednesday clicked into gear in the second half on Wednesday underlined his assured presence since making his debut against Leeds United.
So what has it been like, following in the footsteps of a club legend during a turbulent period on and off the pitch?
Amos said: “I’ve had no problem with that at all, I know what I’m capable of, what I can do. I know what a good keeper Marshy was and still is but I’ve just got to concentrate on myself and what I can bring to the team.
“What’s done is done, I’m coming in to do a job for the team and anything else is just outside noise really. It’s just about what’s going to happen on a Saturday and what I’m going to have to do, I’ll just do the absolute best I can, prepare the best I can in training at home.
“I really like Paul [Trollope] and think he’s a good man with a lot of good qualities so I was sorry to see him go. We’ve gone back to basics now and it’s working really well for us, everyone knows what they’re doing and you can see how confidence comes with results. Hopefully we can just keep building momentum, remain hard to beat and kick on from there.
“Going back to absolute basics and doing them well, everyone knowing what each other is doing. You must be able to see the difference in the style of play, I think it’s maybe just taken a bit of pressure off the players because they know what they’re doing.“
Like Sol Bamba? The free agent has come and made a remarkable impact at Cardiff, and Amos sees that as a vindication of Neil Warnock’s approach so far.
He said: “I’ve played against Sol before and you can see what a presence he is, I think it’s helped Sol, like I say just doing the basics, he can concentrate on just keeping the ball out of the back of the net.”
If the situation at Cardiff looked troublesome when Amos arrived, it was nothing compared to Bolton Wanderer’s troubles last campaign.
With financial meltdown, a turnover of managers and desperate results, it was a rude awakening for the stopper at just his second permanent club.
Despite having one of the highest tallies when it comes to saves in the league, the goals conceded column was high and Bolton fans didn’t seem too disheartened when Cardiff moved to sign Amos.
Such is the lot of a goalkeeper in a struggling team, whose errors and struggles are magnified like no other position.
Such experiences should work to Cardiff’s advantage: “I can’t underestimate how important that experience [at Bolton] was for me, it was horrible. It’s horrible being down at the bottom of the league, it’s not nice in terms of the whole atmosphere of the club, it’s tough. I grew tenfold as a person, found out a lot about myself and that’s only helped me coming in with us near the bottom of the league. I know what to do and what not to do.
“As much as I want to impact the game, I can’t go and make a good tackle on the half-way line, work hard, stamp my impression that way. If an outfield player’s not having a great game, he can do the basics right and put a shift in. As a goalkeeper there’s only one or two moments in the game where you can really make an impact. There’s more significance to those moments and you’re either the hero or the villain. As you know one week you’re the best thing since sliced bread and the next you’re not. I’m used to that now.”
Having spent so long on the fringes at Manchester United, Amos is relieved to have first team football under his belt.
It’s an opportunity he is determined to give up, even if his long-term future in South Wales is not something he is willing to consider just yet.
He said: “At a club like Manchester United, it’s so difficult when they’re in Europe, they need three keepers and it’s difficult to get out on loan and get games. For me it just meant that I had to work as hard as I could possibly could in training, doing that extra bit just to keep the edge. That’s just part of my personality, anyway.
“I’m taking each game as it comes, that’s my approach, I’ve seen what a good club this is and the potential, as a player everything is here for you to kick on. The last couple of seasons we’ve been pushing and just missed out on the play-offs, we were unfortunate last year to just miss out. That’s where this club should be at.”
Amos’ form will be key if they are to manage it.
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Re: ' BEN AMOS '
Fri Oct 21, 2016 7:55 pm
I think he's a very good young keeper and Marshy aside he's been better than what we've had or have got at the moment. It'd be great if we can get him permanently.
Re: ' BEN AMOS '
Fri Oct 21, 2016 8:20 pm
Although we lost at Burton, I was closer to the keeper than usual and notice how much shouting and organising he was doing, as well as encouraging those around him. It can only breed confidence in the defence. Hopefully the current crop can stay settled as they are good enough for this division.
Re: ' BEN AMOS '
Fri Oct 21, 2016 9:21 pm
A good solid Championship level keeper. Of course, he'll make the odd mistake, but so did Marshall (more frequently in recent years)
Re: ' BEN AMOS '
Sat Oct 22, 2016 9:05 am
No one may agree but I believe Amos has been playing better than Marshall did for us last 1 or 2 seasons 
Re: ' BEN AMOS '
Sun Oct 23, 2016 6:55 am
Amos is a good shot stopper,and in my opinion handles crosses a lot better than Marshall.
Also he's not afraid to leave his line or area, something Marshall never did.
He's big and strong and can kick pretty good with both feet not bad things to have as a keeper.
Man U have a good history of picking keepers with potential, some make it some don't.
But our last keeper with Man U links ( Heaton ) as done pretty well , I think Amos will turn out better.
Also he's not afraid to leave his line or area, something Marshall never did.
He's big and strong and can kick pretty good with both feet not bad things to have as a keeper.
Man U have a good history of picking keepers with potential, some make it some don't.
But our last keeper with Man U links ( Heaton ) as done pretty well , I think Amos will turn out better.
Re: ' BEN AMOS '
Sun Oct 23, 2016 3:05 pm
Match of the Day last night confirmed that Heaton is a much better keeper than Marshall. I always thought we left the wrong one go?