Player ratings V Norwich today

Peter Whittingham and Joe Ralls go missing in the Cardiff City midfield against Norwich City — the player ratings

Chief football writer Chris Wathan rates every player from the Bluebirds' defeat to Norwich City


BYCHRIS WATHAN


4 FEB 2017

Peter Whittingham struggled against Norwich

Cardiff City succumbed at the hands of a former player, Cameron Jerome, whose only goal proved the difference at Cardiff City Stadium.

The ex Bluebirds striker nodded home from Wes Hoolahan's free kick to secure the points for Alex Neil's Norwich, on a day that saw Cardiff's defence stand fairly firm, but the attack once again prove fairly toothless.


This is how each player rated from the 1-0 defeat for Neil Warnock's side.

ALLAN McGREGOR

Two important stops that suggested his early rustiness following a long injury lay-off has been worked out of him. 7

MATT CONNOLLY

Back in the side with Lee Peltier out with an ankle problem and took chance in right-back spot. Composed, some strong challenges and intelligent use of the ball. 7

SEAN MORRISON (CAPT)

Some key interventions but didn't overly impress as he seemed caught out by Norwich movement while will take share of responsibility for set-piece goal. 6

SOL BAMBA

Wasn't as commanding performance as he has delivered this season, but was quietly effective throughout. Good anticipation mixed with his strength stopped Norwich picking off the Bluebirds as they searched for leveller. 7


STAR MAN - JAZZ RICHARDS

Another impressive outing for the Wales international who switched to the left. Comfortable use of the ball, limited the threat of the wideman and proved dependable throughout. 8


ARON GUNNARSSON

The best of the midfield even if wasn't quite at same level he has been this season. Some lapses but still covered more ground and always made it awkward for Norwich. 6


PETER WHITTINGHAM

Played in the more advanced role he did against Preston but didn't have the chance to make the same kind of difference as he looked a little isolated. Close to connecting with a Hoilett ball for what would have been a rare headed goal. 6


Peter Whittingham of Cardiff City gets away from Wes Hoolahan of Norwich City
JOE RALLS

Struggled to make any real impact on the game as seemed to fall away from recent trend of improving form. Didn't get to grips with Norwich midfield and forward play was limited as the game seemed to happen around him. 5

KADEEM HARRIS

Offered very little early on but seemed to wake up in the latter stages and finally asked some questions of the Norwich defenders, though still blazed chance from Noone's run over the bar. 6

JUNIOR HOILETT

Some good deliveries from the wideman but played a little too high up the field to threaten with any counters and disappointed with his running. 6


Junior Hoilett of Cardiff City challenges Jacob Murphy of Norwich City for the ball
KENNETH ZOHORE

Didn't stop running and really tried to use physical attributes to make most of limited opportunities but never truly threatened. 6

SUBS

Craig Noone (for Hoillett 70): Offered a little spark. 6

Peter Whittingham (for Healey 72): Positive play from the rookie who tried to force things. 7

Declan John (for Connolly 86): Not much of chance to make impact.

Not Used: Murphy (gk), Gounongbe, Halford, M Harris.

SCORERS

Norwich: Jerome 40

YELLOW CARDS

Cardiff: Connolly 74, Healey 76

Norwich: Jerome 49, Tettey 69, Howson 77

Referee: Chris Kavanagh (Lancs)

Attendance: 15, 901

Norwich : Ruddy; Pinto, Klose, Martin (Capt), Dijks; Howson, Tettey; Jacob Murphy (Oliveira 80), Hoolahan (Bennett 88), Wildschut (Josh Murphy 71); Jerome.

Subs Not Used: McGovern(gk), Whittaker, Pritchard, Godfrey.

ALLAN McGREGOR - 7

MATT CONNOLLY- 7
Good defender, not as good as he thinks he is at distrubuting

SEAN MORRISON (CAPT)- 6
Another poor game

SOL BAMBA - 7
Carrying Morrison can't be easy

JAZZ RICHARDS - 8
Solid.


ARON GUNNARSSON -5
Very poor

PETER WHITTINGHAM -6
Too far advanced, a few decent passes

JOE RALLS - 7
Best of the midfield IMO

KADEEM HARRIS-5
Never any end product

JUNIOR HOILETT -6
Needs to get the ball more often

KENNETH ZOHORE - 6
Isn't a convetional target man, needs to be passed not booted anywhere

SUBS

Craig Noone (for Hoillett 70): 6 a few good runs
Peter Whittingham (for Healey 72): 7 needs to play more often
Declan John (for Connolly 86): looked OK


Never looked like scoring, My MoM - Richards (least worst)

Don't know where you got a 7 for Connolly I thought he was very poor today

Don't know where you got a 7 for Connolly I thought he was very poor today

They scored from one set play, which admittedly i haven't seen replayed, but my first instinct was it was Morrisons fault. The defense is fine its the lack of any balance upfield thats the issue

I think as a defender he defends one on ones well

Thought Connolly was MOTM today. But overall team play was well below standard

Thought Connolly was MOTM today. But overall team play was well below standard

Steve, the whole back line were good today, including the keeper (one outstanding save when one on one with Jerome) and I would imagine lots of change not high on the list of Neil Warnock priorities in his summer clear out!

Apologies Morrison....Gunnarson was marking Jerome !!!!!

How did Richards get 8 ? Why was Hoilett taken off as I thought he was doing ok.

McGregor 7, Connolly 5, Morrison 6, Bamba 7, Richards 7, Gunnar 6, Whitts 5, Ralls 7, Hoilett 7, Harris 5, Ken 6.

No real stand out player today.

The 3 with 5 I thought were poor, the 2 on 6 slightly below what is want from them, all on 7 did OK..

MOM ? Difficult.. felt we controlled the midfield 2nd half particularly and Ralls was everywhere and involved in everything, so maybe him, although Hoilett had some good moments and McGregor was solid and Bamba very effective.
Probably Bamba, but maybe Ralls

Apologies Morrison....Gunnarson was marking Jerome !!!!!

That raises its own question, what the hell was he doing marking jerome! shocking


for me i though hoilett and richards were the best players on the pitch.

Gunnarsson had a rare bad game, ralls isnt good enough and morrison had a shocker

I think Morrison and Bamba were marking the Norwich centre halves,perhaps Connolly would have been a better choice to mark Jerome.