“ Joe Ralls the Key man for Cardiff “

Ralls key to Cardiff getting off the mark


By Adrian Clarke

Friday 28th Sep 2018





Cardiff City v Burnley

After consecutive defeats to three top-six clubs in September, Sunday’s home meeting with Burnley represents an opportunity for Cardiff City to claim a first win of the season.

The nature of this contest suggests this should be the type of encounter that suits them.

It is a match between two teams who built in similar ways: fast-paced and physical, with reduced emphasis on possession.

Key man

For Cardiff to prevail, Joe Ralls will need to produce an influential performance.

Industrious and full of determination, he is the driving force of Cardiff’s midfield.






Ralls' defensive game

2018/19 Total Cardiff rank PL rank
Balls won in middle third 22 1 12
Ball recoveries 44 1 12
Interceptions 13 1 6
Shining light

Ralls has covered 66 kilometres this season, topping the Cardiff player distance charts in five of their six Premier League matches.

He has also made an impact with and without the ball.

Winning possession on a frequent basis, and then using the ball productively, the 24-year-old has been one of Neil Warnock’s shining lights in the early stages of 2018/19.

If his all-action game fires on Sunday, Ralls can help Cardiff assert their authority against a Burnley side who conceded 30 shots on goal in their last away fixture at Wolverhampton Wanderers.



Ralls' passing game

2018/19 Total Cardiff rank
Passes 213 1
Forward passes 109 1
Key passes 7 1=
More to come

In the Championship, Ralls was not solely regarded as a hardworking ball-winner. He was a composed, goalscoring midfielder with a fabulous left foot.

Due to a difficult set of opening fixtures and a change in demands placed upon him, we have yet to see the latter aspect of his play come to the fore this season.

His passing accuracy is a modest 62.2 per cent and no Cardiff player has squandered possession inside the middle third more often than Ralls this term.

He has also had just two shots on goal.








Attacking potential

However, in matches where Cardiff get on the front foot, don’t be surprised to see Ralls burst into the penalty area to make an impression.

He scored seven goals last season, with four coming from the penalty spot, and can be a neat and tidy distributor.

As he and Cardiff adjust to Premier League life, the more creative side of Ralls’ game will begin to resurface.

For now, though, he has an important job to do against Burnley.

If Ralls can dominate his direct counterpart, Ashley Westwood, in what promises to be a competitive duel, it could pave the way for Cardiff’s first victory of the season.

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Someone was posting on here the other day saying he should be dropped for Paterson

Since he’s been starting with camarasa and arter his game has come on, but set pieces must be taken off him. Each delivery is floated and most are easily defended, and teams are countering quickly on the back of it.

Since he’s been starting with camarasa and arter his game has come on, but set pieces must be taken off him. Each delivery is floated and most are easily defended, and teams are countering quickly on the back of it.

I agree with this. However, (not sure if it's a new thing) before man city he was practicing corners so they've obviously highlighted this problem. He has got a lovely left foot, he just needs to find it a bit more often. I thought deliveries at man city were slightly improved.

Someone was posting on here the other day saying he should be dropped for Paterson

well, in my opinion paterson should be playing, if you're denigrating paterson. maybe not instead of ralls, but remember how many times he bailed us out last season, and is a constant nuisance with flick ons and getting into the box, both things we have been dearly lacking this season. we simply haven't been a serious threat in most games, and we're certs for relegation unless that changes.

ralls is a willing worker who gets about the park, but the reality is that his first touch and passing are not premier league standard. he needs to step up his game if he wants to stay at this level. i believe he has it in him, but there's the reality.

Someone was posting on here the other day saying he should be dropped for Paterson

That might have been me.
I did clearly state the reason why I thought Joe should be on the bench.
Admittedly it does at first thought seem harsh as Joe has done little wrong.
But my thought process was...
We need an attacking midfielder who’s quick, is good in the air, supports the front 2 and is ultimately a fecking nuisance to a defender. Ralls is not it. Paterson fits this role perfectly. We already have 2 players that are better than Ralls on the ball in Arter and Camarasa.
Yes I understand we were playing the champions last week, but Ralls to me looked lost. Time after time he was marking thin air and not picking up anyone. They just passed round him.
I’m not even saying Paterson is the b and end all, but he (in my opinion) deserves his chance.
I would also drop Morrison and Hoilett. Both are performing well below their usual high standards. To me our captain looks nervous ever game and Jnr scared to take the defender on.
Are we saying that Ralls, Morrison, Hoilett etc are undroppable???
Before you moan...

........................Etheridge.............................
.............Manga.....Bamba.....Cunningham...........
Richards......Camarasa........Arter.............Bennett
..............Paterson.........Murphy.......................
.....................Bobby/Ward.............................

Smithies
Morrison
Ralls
Damour
Hoilett
Bobby/Ward
Zohore

My issue is in my opinion, Ralls, Arter and Camarasa although slightly different and varying talent are all but similar. I thought in the summer one of our first signings would be an upgrade on Gunner / Grujic. I think we are really lacking that strong holding player. At the moment I think Ralls is doing a job.

My issue is in my opinion, Ralls, Arter and Camarasa although slightly different and varying talent are all but similar. I thought in the summer one of our first signings would be an upgrade on Gunner / Grujic. I think we are really lacking that strong holding player. At the moment I think Ralls is doing a job.

agree - the biggest risk for us was that we'd be an easy team to play against, which IMO we currently are. despite all the media garbage about us being overlyaggressive, we've not got the players to do that.