Mick McCarthy's first undroppable star has shown his worth t
Mon Mar 08, 2021 9:35 am
Mick McCarthy's first undroppable star has shown his worth to Cardiff City
Mick McCarthy has now presided over 11 games as Cardiff City manager and there is one player who has emerged as a favourite under the veteran boss
By Glen Williams
Monday 8th March 2021
Cardiff City stretched their unbeaten run to 11 games with a goalless draw up at Huddersfield Town on Friday night.
It was a drab old affair at The John Smith's Stadium, with Yaya Sanogo's penalty miss perhaps the only real flashpoint of the evening.
It was a game to forget but a result which kept the wheels in motion as the Bluebirds look to sustain their battle for that final play-off spot.
And, with 11 games still to play this season, there is one player, you feel, who has rendered himself undroppable under the new manager.
Perry Ng has quickly grown to become a hit with City fans after joining from Crewe Alexandra back in January.
He embodies that tenacity and full-bloodedness Cardiff City supporters love and has also showcased a bit of quality on the ball and a penchant for trying his luck from range.
It is rather remarkable just how well Ng has taken to the Championship, especially because he was playing League Two football just a year ago.
Right back has been a huge problem position for the last year or so at Cardiff, with Leandro Bacuna often being deployed there when Dion Sanderson lost a bit of form or after Jordi Osei-Tutu sustained his hamstring injury.
It is such a relief, then, that someone as talented as Ng has stepped in so capably.
This is no slight, of course, on Tom Sang, who deputised well and looked very solid in Ng's absence on Friday night, making his Championship debut in doing so. It is actually quite heartening to know there is a useful option there in the ranks should injury woes strike City once again.
But while Kieffer Moore will doubtless be lauded as the signing of the season, and there is a more than decent claim for that, in fairness, Perry Ng will certainly run him close in the eyes of many City fans.
Cardiff missed his attacking flair and the confidence with which he has been playing up at Huddersfield.
The wing-backs have been so pivotal to the system deployed by Mick McCarthy and with two rookies, Sang and Joel Bagan, in situ on Friday night, the attacking threat was just stymied a little.
Thankfully, it appears as though Ng will return this week for the huge home clash with Watford, which will represent a big boost for McCarthy, who no doubt will be delighted with the eight days of rest afforded to his players in between fixtures.
Another timely boost for City is the return of Osei-Tutu, too, who on Sunday confirmed on Instagram that he is indeed back in the Welsh capital.
Whether he gets a run-out for the under-23s against Watford on Tuesday will be a key indicator of his fitness levels at present.
Injuries have threatened to derail Cardiff's season a number of times already, however as we hit the business end of the campaign it is encouraging to see such stiff competition now at wing back.
Osei-Tutu was terrific at the start of the campaign before this troublesome hamstring injury befell him; his absence was a mighty blow to the Bluebirds before Ng's arrival.
And while Bagan has gained his fair share of admirers, and rightly so, too, it will do him some good to have some potential competition in the form of the returning Arsenal loanee, provided he is considered as an option to play on that left flank, following Joe Bennett's nasty ACL injury.
But one thing is for certain, Ng has exceeded all expectations and has made that right-back slot his own. There seems no situation whereby he will be ousted anytime soon, that's for sure.
It is not often a player in that position is brought up from the lower leagues and makes such an immediate impact, but that is exactly what the 24-year-old has done since arriving two months ago.
Cardiff's defence has looked so solid since his arrival, although some credit should go to McCarthy and the other defenders who have been brilliant in recent months.
Ng takes up so many intelligent positions. He is so often in the right place at the right time, flicking headers away from opposing strikers or mopping up at the back post from dangerous crosses, while he looks particularly adept in one-on-one situations, too.
undefined
But going forward he has really come into his own. The attacking remit the wing backs now undertake is sizeable and Ng has flourished at the top end of the pitch.
His crossing for Kieffer Moore in particular has been pinpoint and he has two assists to his name in his 11 appearances.
There are a whole manner of reasons why Cardiff's form has suddenly enjoyed such an upsurge, but Ng has been a sizeable piece of the puzzle.
And many Cardiff fans will no doubt agree that if City are to wrestle their way into the play-off spots come the end of the season, Ng will have a very big part to play.
Mick McCarthy has now presided over 11 games as Cardiff City manager and there is one player who has emerged as a favourite under the veteran boss
By Glen Williams
Monday 8th March 2021
Cardiff City stretched their unbeaten run to 11 games with a goalless draw up at Huddersfield Town on Friday night.
It was a drab old affair at The John Smith's Stadium, with Yaya Sanogo's penalty miss perhaps the only real flashpoint of the evening.
It was a game to forget but a result which kept the wheels in motion as the Bluebirds look to sustain their battle for that final play-off spot.
And, with 11 games still to play this season, there is one player, you feel, who has rendered himself undroppable under the new manager.
Perry Ng has quickly grown to become a hit with City fans after joining from Crewe Alexandra back in January.
He embodies that tenacity and full-bloodedness Cardiff City supporters love and has also showcased a bit of quality on the ball and a penchant for trying his luck from range.
It is rather remarkable just how well Ng has taken to the Championship, especially because he was playing League Two football just a year ago.
Right back has been a huge problem position for the last year or so at Cardiff, with Leandro Bacuna often being deployed there when Dion Sanderson lost a bit of form or after Jordi Osei-Tutu sustained his hamstring injury.
It is such a relief, then, that someone as talented as Ng has stepped in so capably.
This is no slight, of course, on Tom Sang, who deputised well and looked very solid in Ng's absence on Friday night, making his Championship debut in doing so. It is actually quite heartening to know there is a useful option there in the ranks should injury woes strike City once again.
But while Kieffer Moore will doubtless be lauded as the signing of the season, and there is a more than decent claim for that, in fairness, Perry Ng will certainly run him close in the eyes of many City fans.
Cardiff missed his attacking flair and the confidence with which he has been playing up at Huddersfield.
The wing-backs have been so pivotal to the system deployed by Mick McCarthy and with two rookies, Sang and Joel Bagan, in situ on Friday night, the attacking threat was just stymied a little.
Thankfully, it appears as though Ng will return this week for the huge home clash with Watford, which will represent a big boost for McCarthy, who no doubt will be delighted with the eight days of rest afforded to his players in between fixtures.
Another timely boost for City is the return of Osei-Tutu, too, who on Sunday confirmed on Instagram that he is indeed back in the Welsh capital.
Whether he gets a run-out for the under-23s against Watford on Tuesday will be a key indicator of his fitness levels at present.
Injuries have threatened to derail Cardiff's season a number of times already, however as we hit the business end of the campaign it is encouraging to see such stiff competition now at wing back.
Osei-Tutu was terrific at the start of the campaign before this troublesome hamstring injury befell him; his absence was a mighty blow to the Bluebirds before Ng's arrival.
And while Bagan has gained his fair share of admirers, and rightly so, too, it will do him some good to have some potential competition in the form of the returning Arsenal loanee, provided he is considered as an option to play on that left flank, following Joe Bennett's nasty ACL injury.
But one thing is for certain, Ng has exceeded all expectations and has made that right-back slot his own. There seems no situation whereby he will be ousted anytime soon, that's for sure.
It is not often a player in that position is brought up from the lower leagues and makes such an immediate impact, but that is exactly what the 24-year-old has done since arriving two months ago.
Cardiff's defence has looked so solid since his arrival, although some credit should go to McCarthy and the other defenders who have been brilliant in recent months.
Ng takes up so many intelligent positions. He is so often in the right place at the right time, flicking headers away from opposing strikers or mopping up at the back post from dangerous crosses, while he looks particularly adept in one-on-one situations, too.
undefined
But going forward he has really come into his own. The attacking remit the wing backs now undertake is sizeable and Ng has flourished at the top end of the pitch.
His crossing for Kieffer Moore in particular has been pinpoint and he has two assists to his name in his 11 appearances.
There are a whole manner of reasons why Cardiff's form has suddenly enjoyed such an upsurge, but Ng has been a sizeable piece of the puzzle.
And many Cardiff fans will no doubt agree that if City are to wrestle their way into the play-off spots come the end of the season, Ng will have a very big part to play.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Re: Mick McCarthy's first undroppable star has shown his wor
Mon Mar 08, 2021 10:27 am
For once it seems we have competition for places, we have players who want to be in the team and who will fight for a place just to be in the match day squad. Bacuuna, NG, Sang, Brown and others all doing their bit.
All getting valuable experience in pressure games, and they know MM will pick them if they do a job - rather than not be so bothered - as the previous manager seemed to pick his favourites.
Im loving it all, it's going to get very interesting - just hope we can sneak in 6th, going to be very tight though
All getting valuable experience in pressure games, and they know MM will pick them if they do a job - rather than not be so bothered - as the previous manager seemed to pick his favourites.
Im loving it all, it's going to get very interesting - just hope we can sneak in 6th, going to be very tight though
Re: Mick McCarthy's first undroppable star has shown his wor
Tue Mar 09, 2021 6:59 pm
NG and Bennett were both a big loss 
Re: Mick McCarthy's first undroppable star has shown his wor
Tue Mar 09, 2021 11:26 pm
Bluebina wrote:NG and Bennett were both a big loss
I agree. Both players have been key to our new formation. We need Ng back pretty quick. Hopefully Osei-tutu can play left wingback. If he can we're back in business, as he is lightening quick. If not I'd give Hoilett a run out at left wingback. We know he can attack well down the left, and he's probably the best defender of all our wingers.
