' The Underrated Cardiff City Player '

The ‘underrated’ Joe Ralls has bucked the trend to become a cornerstone in Cardiff City’s promotion bid

By Jamie Kemble

Monday 18th December 2017

The ‘underrated’ Joe Ralls has bucked the trend at Cardiff City after graduating from the academy to become a cornerstone to this season’s promotion bid.

Joe Ralls hasn’t had it easy since joining the Cardiff City academy from Farnborough as a 16-year-old back in 2010.

The midfielder has seen six managers at the helm during his seven-year spell and that has impacted on his attempts to reach the first team.

His first breakthrough arrived under Malky Mackay when he was called in to play against Oxford United in the League Cup back in 2011 and his first goal was one to remember, a stunning volley against Hull City in a league defeat.

Ralls made a small handful of appearances during the promotion season in 2012/13 and missed out on the Premier League experience, spending the year on loan at Yeovil Town.

However, he would finally make another breakthrough under Ole Gunnar Solksjaer in the Championship after impressing in the early season cup games.

Though, he remained in and out until the Norwegian was sacked and replaced by Russell Slade, one of Ralls’ biggest fans, as it would turn out.

He was used as a utility man at times, but he was seeing regular football under Russell Slade and whether he was in or out of position, he was getting to grips with the ruthlessness of the Championship with a struggling Cardiff side.

The next season, he featured in 43 of 46 Championship games as Russell Slade’s men fell just short of the play-offs and Ralls played a big part of a promising season in midfield.

However, next to the classy Peter Whittingham he came under criticism. He certainly tailed off during that season, but it was to be expected from a young midfielder who was still getting to grips with the league, still learning.

He remained a regular under Paul Trollope and then Neil Warnock the following season, before emerging as a key player this season.

Perhaps benefiting, in a sense, from the departure of Peter Whittingham, Ralls has been able to make the creative midfield role his own. He’s a different player from his former midfield partner, but it’s probably taken until this year for many to realise that.

Ralls does the dirty work, but with the likes of Gunnarsson next to him, he’s also given licence to get things going, to set moves in motion and to step into the opposition half on the front foot.

The 24-year-old has become a cornerstone for Cardiff City’s promotion push this season and he now looks more like the finished product many were waiting for.

His manager, Neil Warnock, who describes him as a ‘Rolls Royce’, says he’s the first name on his team sheet. After Saturday’s win over Hull City, Warnock said: “I’m running out of adjectives to describe him.”

Ralls and his Bluebirds team-mates are flying after moving back within four points of Wolves and four points clear of third-placed Bristol City on Saturday. The win over Hull City means Cardiff will definitely be second at Christmas.

Though, Ralls is keeping his feet on the ground despite Cardiff’s form and all the praise being sent his way and his goal remains the Premier League, something he missed out on as a youngster at the club.

“It’s nice to hear those things and the gaffer shows a lot of faith in me,” said the Bluebirds’ midfielder.

“I try to go out there and repay that because as a man, I’ve probably not experienced anything better. He’s great having a laugh around the lads in the week and he’s obviously a great manager.

“Every player wants to test themselves at the top division and I’m no different but we’ve got a long way to go, we’re not even at the halfway point, but I’m enjoying my football and it’s great to be in a side that’s doing well and we’ll see how it goes.”

Ralls has bucked the trend in many ways. After a golden generation for the Cardiff City academy that wielded the likes of Aaron Ramsey, Joe Ledley and Chris Gunter, years passed without a graduate of note.

Of course, Ralls was pinched from across the bridge as a youngster, but he’s become the first real breakthrough from the academy system for years and much of that is owed to his dedication to improving, despite being in and out for a number of years.

Many players request moves and look elsewhere under such circumstances, but Ralls, who has had his fair share of criticism from fans, has kept his head down and he claims that is the key to his success in becoming a regular.

“I’ve been here since I was 16 and you’re going to have spells as a young footballer and you have to trust that you’ll break in to get experience but you have to get better as well.

“Every year I’ve always tried to come back each season as a better player and this season and last season it’s been good to get a run in the team.”

Ralls isn’t always the type to catch the eye but it’s this campaign, one to which he is so pivotal, that fans are realising just how much he has improved during the last few years.

He may be English, but he’s very much seen as one of their own amongst the Cardiff City faithful and that, perhaps, is the biggest reward for the hard work and patience shown by Ralls over the last seven years.

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Some if the criticism he's had in the past has been so unwarranted. He's been with us for 7 years now and is still young; he deserves far more respect from us.

Sol was clearly the man of the match on Saturday but Joe was everywhere. He seems to also win so much in the air against bigger players. I thought he was brilliant on Saturday especially as he had to cover more ground covering for Tomlin's lack of fitness. He could end up being player of the season.

I've criticised Joe Ralls all season & last but I now see what others have been telling me.

The last two games he has been brilliant.

Sorry Joe...

Glad to say I've always rated him. Can only improve as well. Saw him on his debut and I could see then that he had great potential. Da iawn Rallsy!

Glad to say I've always rated him. Can only improve as well. Saw him on his debut and I could see then that he had great potential. Da iawn Rallsy!

I did feel for him when he was asked to be a winger by previous managers.

Coming into his own now and growing more and more as a centre midfield player.

We pretty much have an entire midfield made up of the same players it's great! We probably have the most underrated midfield in British football but, they contribute massively to both our defensive record, and with assists and the odd goal etc. Ralls Bryson, Gunnarsson, Damour all there to seek out, break up and shift forward!

It is once again testament to our great manager that this is kept well under the radar. I wasn't a fan of Ralls, or Bryson etc but they all do their job brilliantly, no fuss, no magic they just do what they do.

So a huge credit to Ralls, but, he is not alone in there and they all deserve credit for what they do.

He's grown in age and his maturity on the ball is showing, he is showing that he is a versatile top end Championship midfielder, if we don't get promoted this season then a few Prem clubs will come sniffing that's for sure.

Well done Joey boy and keep it up

there are reasons he doesnt make headlines every week - he is a jack of all trades but a master of none. a solid passer, solid tackler, he covers distance and he rarely gets injured, but doesnt excel at anything.

he is very important to the team because he is very tactically aware and covers for team mates. he also suffers from coming from the youth system - people always took ledley for granted for the same reason.

My opinion Joe Ralls is a decent/consistent Championship Player

My opinion Joe Ralls is a decent/consistent Championship Player

Spot on a player all Championship teams need. He has improved immensely this season (particularly his dead ball delivery) but he will never be a tear them up type player.

Eric Cantona once used the phrase 'water carrier' to describe Didier Deschamps and that perfectly sums up Joe Ralls. That said he is a very good water carrier

there are reasons he doesnt make headlines every week - he is a jack of all trades but a master of none. a solid passer, solid tackler, he covers distance and he rarely gets injured, but doesnt excel at anything.

he is very important to the team because he is very tactically aware and covers for team mates. he also suffers from coming from the youth system - people always took ledley for granted for the same reason.

Spot on.

The change of manager and emphasis has also greatly aided him. With Whitts passing being the only game in town since he has been here good technique was essential which he has more than Gunnar but not good enough to really be that effective. Warnocks faster more direct through the burners up front has made technique less important than athleticism which joe has in abundance.

there are reasons he doesnt make headlines every week - he is a jack of all trades but a master of none. a solid passer, solid tackler, he covers distance and he rarely gets injured, but doesnt excel at anything.

he is very important to the team because he is very tactically aware and covers for team mates. he also suffers from coming from the youth system - people always took ledley for granted for the same reason.

not sure about the youth thing..he made his 1st team debut just a couple of weeks after joining us and his league debut 2 within 2 months.

there are reasons he doesnt make headlines every week - he is a jack of all trades but a master of none. a solid passer, solid tackler, he covers distance and he rarely gets injured, but doesnt excel at anything.

he is very important to the team because he is very tactically aware and covers for team mates. he also suffers from coming from the youth system - people always took ledley for granted for the same reason.

Spot on.

The change of manager and emphasis has also greatly aided him. With Whitts passing being the only game in town since he has been here good technique was essential which he has more than Gunnar but not good enough to really be that effective. Warnocks faster more direct through the burners up front has made technique less important than athleticism which joe has in abundance.

agree - colin places a high importance on battling and working hard, which ralls is prepared to do. fans naturally don't notice players covering for each other when, for instance, bamba starts dribbling down the wing, but it's very important and makes the team concede less goals.

there are reasons he doesnt make headlines every week - he is a jack of all trades but a master of none. a solid passer, solid tackler, he covers distance and he rarely gets injured, but doesnt excel at anything.

he is very important to the team because he is very tactically aware and covers for team mates. he also suffers from coming from the youth system - people always took ledley for granted for the same reason.

Spot on.

The change of manager and emphasis has also greatly aided him. With Whitts passing being the only game in town since he has been here good technique was essential which he has more than Gunnar but not good enough to really be that effective. Warnocks faster more direct through the burners up front has made technique less important than athleticism which joe has in abundance.

agree - colin places a high importance on battling and working hard, which ralls is prepared to do. fans naturally don't notice players covering for each other when, for instance, bamba starts dribbling down the wing, but it's very important and makes the team concede less goals.

Whos colin?lol

there are reasons he doesnt make headlines every week - he is a jack of all trades but a master of none. a solid passer, solid tackler, he covers distance and he rarely gets injured, but doesnt excel at anything.

he is very important to the team because he is very tactically aware and covers for team mates. he also suffers from coming from the youth system - people always took ledley for granted for the same reason.

Spot on.

The change of manager and emphasis has also greatly aided him. With Whitts passing being the only game in town since he has been here good technique was essential which he has more than Gunnar but not good enough to really be that effective. Warnocks faster more direct through the burners up front has made technique less important than athleticism which joe has in abundance.

agree - colin places a high importance on battling and working hard, which ralls is prepared to do. fans naturally don't notice players covering for each other when, for instance, bamba starts dribbling down the wing, but it's very important and makes the team concede less goals.

Whos colin?lol

Warnock

He will get into any prem team with ease