' CARDIFF CITY PLAYER RATINGS V LIVINGSTON '

The Cardiff City player ratings as one Bluebird steals the show against Livingston while Danny Ward gives Neil Warnock food for thought
By Ian Mitchelmore

We rate the Bluebirds from their final pre-season outing against Livingston at Cardiff City Stadium


Cardiff City signed off their pre-season campaign with an emphatic win over Scottish Championship outfit Livingston in the Welsh capital.


Here are the player ratings from the match...


Neil Etheridge 6

Untroubled in the opening half but showed a few nervy signs under pressure. Replaced at the break.


Joe Bennett 7

Largely untroubled defensively and got up the left flank well when required. Linked well with both Hoilett and - briefly - Kadeem Harris. Can expect to have the left-back position to himself this season if he can continue such form.


Sean Morrison 7

Solid if unspectacular. Dealt with the Livingston forwards rather comfortably but can expect much sterner tests throughout the season.


Sol Bamba 8

The Ivorian was his typical composed self at centre-back and gave enough protection to ensure Etheridge and Murphy had little to worry about.


Greg Halford 6

Playing in the unusual position of right-back, Halford didn't show the adventure usually seen by the likes of Lee Peltier or Jazz Richards in attack although he had little trouble from the Scots defensively. Replaced at the break.


Joe Ralls 7

The Bluebirds looked defensively solid, and that was largely down to Ralls' partnership with Gunnarsson in central midfield. Ralls has competition for his place with Halford and Loic Damour, but on tonight's showing, the academy product should get the nod.


Star Man - Aron Gunnarsson 9

Showed exactly why he won the club's player of the season award by a landslide last season with a dominant display in the centre of the park. Repeatedly broke down Livingston attacks and was able to help the Bluebirds push forward when he wasn't on defensive duties.


Nathaniel Mendez-Laing 7

A very lively performance from the winger in the opening half in particular. Has impressed in pre-season since arriving from Rochdale. Final ball lacking on occasions, but very encouraging signs once again from the new recruit.


Junior Hoilett 8

Thrown straight back into the mix having only had his first training session with his club team-mates on Thursday after returning from international duty, but the Canadian's pace caused Livingston all sorts of problems. Quick thinking helped him tap home the opener and his own individual skill almost saw him add a second late on in the first half. Withdrawn at the break.


Lee Tomlin 7

There really is a feel that Cardiff are on to something special as far as Tomlin is concerned. His brain seemed to keep him a step ahead of the others on the park, although he was unable to find the killer ball when needed. Another good shift from the No.10 who appears to be close to full fitness.


Kenneth Zohore 7

Put in a delightful ball to set-up Hoilett for Cardiff's opener and had a few decent chances - most notably when the Canadian found him in space in the box early on - to add to his tally of four pre-season goals. Taken off at the interval.


Subs

Kadeem Harris (on for Junior Hoilett)

Enjoyed a very slick phase of possession with Joe Bennett but was forced off just 14 minutes after coming on. N/A


Danny Ward (on for Kenneth Zohore)

Two goals within 16 minutes of coming on clearly filled Ward with confidence. Gave Warnock food for thought. 8


Bruno Manga (on for Greg Halford)

Filled in at right-back admirably and popped up with the Bluebirds' fourth, heading home from Kennedy's cross. 7


Brian Murphy (on for Neil Etheridge)

Wasn't tested by the Scottish side but punched clear on a few occasions when under pressure. 7


Matthew Kennedy (on for Kadeem Harris)

Got the assist for Manga's goal and showed why he was loved so much at Plymouth with an energetic 30-minute showing. 7


Anthony Pilkington (on for Lee Tomlin)

Little time to impress. N/A


Jazz Richards (on for Nathaniel Mendez-Laing)

Little time to impress. N/A


Cardiff City: Etheridge (Murphy 45), Halford (Manga 45), Bamba, Morrison, Bennett, Ralls, Gunnarsson, Mendez-Laing (Richards 74), Hoilett (K Harris 45) (Kennedy 62), Tomlin (Pilkington 71), Zohore (Ward 45).

Subs not used: Damour.

Goals: Hoilett 12, Ward 57, 61, Manga 75

Whoever wrote this sounds like he wasn't even at the game for a start Manga volleyed the ball in from the corner it wasn't a header. Plus some of the player ratings are off IMO.

Etheridge-6 didn't have a lot to do

Halford- 7 looked solid and had some nice passes in attack

Bamba-7 Solid but didn't have much to do organises the defensive well

Morrison-7 as above not much to do but solid should have scored a header he put wide

Bennet 8 a very good performance

Ralls and Gunner both 7- had some good passes not sure why they rated Gunner a 9 he was good but not spectacular

Mendez- Laing -6 tries to take people on to much and fails

Holliet- 9 By far the sharpest player on the pitch the fact he has already been in competitive football with Canada shone through compared to the others

Tomlin- 7 solid but failed to find the killer ball

Zahore-8- set up Hoiletts goal nicely and looked he usually pacy self

Manga- 9 looked very accomplished at right back the finish for his goal was spectacular also made some good crosses

Ward- 8 showed good positioning for his goals should have had more though if it wasn't for sloppy finishing

Murphy had nothing to do and the others were not on long enough to rate them

I thought the same. Etheridge didn't do anything wrong. In my books.
Played a sweeper keeper alright last night.

Tomlin for me was the best player. Steps ahead of everyone else. Played deadly balls which others didn't take advantage of. He could of potentially had 3 assists last night if they put the ball in the net

As I wrote last night. all to pot, writer could not have been at the game. Murphy was not playing last night it was a young goalkeeper, think he was called wilson, Manga volleyed the goal, not headed it. Same old Harris, why on earth does he not get up the wing, and i see his final ball has not improved, Ward was excellent won nearly every header, if Zahore was still on he would have had a field day. Finally, Kennedy on for Harris,thats how you should put balls in, was another who had an excellent game. What can I say about Bamba, who seems to have lost a lot of weight, and Manga at right back, and saw a different Holleit last night, hope he can keep it up.only thing this writer got right was Gunnerson mom. First half was shabby, but I really enjoyed the second half.

Did anyone happen to catch the attendance

Totally disagree with your rating of Gunner being the star man,personally I thought Tomlin was my starman of the night

Totally disagree with your rating of Gunner being the star man,personally I thought Tomlin was my starman of the night

Tomlin will be when he gets rid of "ring rust" he was good but a lot of stuff he tried did not come off, but I think that when the season starts, he will have quite a few man of the match awards

Tomlin for me aswell. Got a standing ovation when he got subbed

For me Bennett was the star man closely followed by Tomlin who showed some really classy touches. I thought Etheridge's kicking was suspect and would be worried about him being closed down quickly against a decent attack; perhaps it was just nerves but he made me nervous watching him.

Manga was superb when he came on and Ward did really well, almost getting a hat trick with a lovely curling shot that went just wide. There were no real negatives though Mendez Laing needs to get the blinkers off sometimes and pass the ball instead of trying to take on everyone twice [Warnock actually shouted to him you don't need to beat him again during one piece of show boating] and I also agree that Kadeem still needs to work on his crossing as we looked far more dangerous in that respect when Kennedy replaced him. Lots of positives then, but Livingston were pretty poor and it could easily have been 8 or 9 if we hadn't been a it wasteful in the first half especially - have to say that on the whole I enjoyed watching us move the ball around so well. 7.5/10 overall for me and very encouraging.

I thought it was between Bennett and Tomlin. Defo not gunnar although he had good game. I was impressed with Ward and think he maybe a good competitor for Zohore and with tomlin artistic power's we looking good although I would of liked us to have a game aginst better opponents like low prem or average foreign

I don't mind what people think about who played well, everyone has different opinions and good for them. So I'm not going to continue to point the things I disagree with in the original post because most of you have said it. One thing I find strange from everyone is when everyone mentioned Manga, they don't mention the fact he assisted one of Danny Wards goal from a low cross. He was superb at right back, like genuinely surprisingly super . So Manga had a goal and an assist. FYI for people who didn't go to the game.

As I wrote last night. all to pot, writer could not have been at the game. Murphy was not playing last night it was a young goalkeeper, think he was called wilson, Manga volleyed the goal, not headed it. Same old Harris, why on earth does he not get up the wing, and i see his final ball has not improved, Ward was excellent won nearly every header, if Zahore was still on he would have had a field day. Finally, Kennedy on for Harris,thats how you should put balls in, was another who had an excellent game. What can I say about Bamba, who seems to have lost a lot of weight, and Manga at right back, and saw a different Holleit last night, hope he can keep it up.only thing this writer got right was Gunnerson mom. First half was shabby, but I really enjoyed the second half.

Sorry mate but It was 100% Murphy in goal second half, I was sat on the side we were defending for the second half and it was definitely murphy

He was on the subs and came on for the second half

Subs

Brian Murphy
Bruno Manga
Jazz Richards
Loic Damour
Matthew Kennedy
Kadeem Harris
Anthony Pilkington
Danny Ward

But agree with your point about the writer, it was clear as day that Manga side footed it in not headed, he must have just not been watching.

Totally disagree with your rating of Gunner being the star man,personally I thought Tomlin was my starman of the night

Wasn't my rating of Gunnar (I always give credit to the writer at the top of the OP) and I wasn't at the game either. Being perfectly honest, I don't do 'friendlies' as I prefer to watch games that have something on them, be it 3 points or progression in a cup. I would also imagine that although many would view it as a dress rehearsal and opportunity to see the new team in action, it doesn't really count for too much and the real stuff starts at Burton Albion on Saturday (a game I will be at)

Did anyone happen to catch the attendance

Didn't hear it announced. It was the grandstand and a few in the Canton end.

Totally disagree with your rating of Gunner being the star man,personally I thought Tomlin was my starman of the night

Wasn't my rating of Gunnar (I always give credit to the writer at the top of the OP) and I wasn't at the game either. Being perfectly honest, I don't do 'friendlies' as I prefer to watch games that have something on them, be it 3 points or progression in a cup. I would also imagine that although many would view it as a dress rehearsal and opportunity to see the new team in action, it doesn't really count for too much and the real stuff starts at Burton Albion on Saturday (a game I will be at)

I quite like pre-season friendlies; nice, stress-free way to start going to games again. I went to Plymouth and Shrewsbury. Last night was the best performance of the three. Difficult to measure Livingston's standard. Thought that Plymouth and Shrewsbury were better sides. Livingston passed it about nicely enough, but no real threat. Probably League 1/Conference standard. Shocking weather, rain of Biblical proportions, but enjoyed the game. Great to see Neil Alexander again, though he did play in SuperKev's testimonial. Got a great reception in both games