The Cardiff City player ratings against Swansea City as one man stands out in uninspiring displayBy Glen WilliamsHere are the Cardiff City player ratings as the Bluebirds fall to a 1-0 defeat at the Liberty StadiumNEIL ETHERIDGE 4A really odd performance from the goalkeeper. His shot stopping is never in question but how can Cardiff be expected to build a solid platform when the goalkeeper's kicking is so erratic?
A lapse in concentration almost allowed Andre Ayew through in the first half, too, when he completely missed a pass back. He sent a goal kick straight into the crowd too and tried to save a shot outside the box with a diving header after being caught out of position.
LEE PELTIER 6Has arguably been Cardiff City's most consistent defender this season and this afternoon was no different. He did very little wrong in defence as ever and is a player you would always like beside you in games like that. Looked really up for the challenge against a dynamic Swansea attack.
SEAN MORRISON 6Did very little wrong but got turned once or twice on the edge of the box. Made a couple of brilliant last-ditch challenges to deny Ayew and others, but Swansea always looked threatening when driving into the box against the relatively immobile City centre-back pairing. Made some crucial blocks late on in the second half, too.
ADEN FLINT 4First goal ultimately stemmed from a silly free-kick he conceded on half-way. On occasion he looked strong, especially in the air, but when Swansea built up a head of steam he couldn't cope with the pace and his mobility at times left a lot to be desired. Some poor decision-making resulted in free-kicks, too.
JOE BENNETT 6The pick of City's defenders today, both in defence and attack. Read everything well and was an outlet for the visitors in attack. Made a few crucial last-ditch tackles and really stood up to the test.
GAVIN WHYTE 5Had the best opportunity of the match for the Bluebirds when he was found by Ralls at the back post, but fired his volley straight at the goalkeeper. He worked hard, as ever, but was unable to produce that moment of magic.
MARLON PACK 6A calming presence amid the storm of this hectic battle. Cool and organised and got Cardiff playing when they had the momentum. Another relatively assured display in the grand scheme of things.
JOE RALLS 6Very tidy in midfield and worked well in a midfield two alongside Pack. Always difficult against a midfield three. His left foot was crucial in some of City's counter-attacks, but just couldn't find that killer pass. Stuck to his defensive duties well.
NATHANIEL MENDEZ-LAING 7 (star man)Had Kyle Naughton in knots all afternoon. He finally looked to be back on song at the Liberty Stadium and was comfortably Cardiff's most dangerous player. What Neil Warnock would give to have this Mendez-Laing for the rest of the season. Strong, pacy and capable of producing a lovely ball into the box. Add a goal or two to that and Cardiff's wing conundrum will be solved.
DANNY WARD 5Deserving of his starting spot in this game, certainly, and was key in how Cardiff's wide men linked up the play. Wasn't afforded the clear-cut chances he has been in recent weeks though, which is when he is at his most dangerous, of course.
ROBERT GLATZEL 4Held the play up when called upon but was far too anonymous for huge portions of this game. He harried and tried to close down as often as he could with City employing a high press, but there were few occasions whereby he looked a serious threat to the Swansea defenders. Fed off scraps, though.
SUBSOMAR BOGLE (ON FOR GLATZEL 63) 5Will perhaps feel aggrieved that he didn't get a penalty after he was bundled over in the box. Provided a different threat to Glatzel as he was far more mobile and saw a lot more of the ball.
JOSH MURPHY (ON FOR WHYTE 78) 5Did very little to impact the game when he came on.
CALLUM PATERSON (ON FOR MENDEZ-LAING 78) 5Was shoved out to the right-hand side and also made very little contribution
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