BLUEBIRD RATINGS (v Mansfield Town)

Nathan Trott 7
Had very little to do but handled Mansfield’s few efforts calmly when called upon. Made a good save low down to deny Deji Oshilaja.

Perry Ng 7
Really composed with the ball at his feet and added to City's attack. Solid and reliable defensively before being withdrawn just after the hour.

Will Fish 8
Took his goal incredibly well and was a menace in both boxes. He stood firm against Mansfield’s fairly limited threat.

Dylan Lawlor 8
Composed on the ball and picked out a superb pass in the build-up to Cardiff’s second. Carried the ball with such confidence and good to see the physical side of his game growing, too.

Joel Bagan 9
Provided the excellent near-post corner for Fish’s opener and defended fantastically well. Another superb performance which will surprise precisely no one.

Ryan Wintle 9 (star man)
Dictated large spells of the first half with sharp passing and clever diagonals. Put a number of chances on a plate for Salech which weren't converted. Found another level, in an attacking sense, in the absence of Rubin Colwill.

David Turnbull 7
Forced a fine save with a long-range strike and linked play neatly throughout.

Cian Ashford 8
Kept probing and was rewarded late on with a well-taken follow-up finish. Battled really well and showed a real physicality. Top outing.

Callum Robinson 7
Replaced Rubin Colwill in the No.10 role and it was clear it's not his natural position but did well enough. Just couldn’t quite find the spark before being replaced.

Isaak Davies 7
Energetic display without quite producing a decisive moment in the final third. Ran his legs off.

Yousef Salech 8
Could have had a hatful of goals - including a near-open-goal miss - but eventually got his reward with a close-range header. Some top striker play but just struggled to put his chances away.

Subs

Joel Colwill (Davies 61) 7
Added energy and went close with a header late on.

Chris Willock (Robinson 61) 7
Offered fresh legs out wide and helped maintain pressure.

Ronan Kpakio (Ng 61) 7
Made an instant impact with the run and cross that set up Salech’s goal.

Alex Robertson (Turnbull 80) 7
Threaded the excellent pass that created Cardiff’s late third.

Omari Kellyman (Salech 90) – N/A
Introduced too late to make an impact.

Cian Ashford makes me most happy today. Put a shift in, got a goal, was involved in a season where's he's been a bit of a passenger in most games. Hopefully keep it going!

Surpised by:

Callum Robinson 7
Replaced Rubin Colwill in the No.10 role and it was clear it's not his natural position but did well enough. Just couldn’t quite find the spark before being replaced.

fan favourite but 7.......

To me, the wide forwards were a little narrower for most of the game, and both Davies and Ashford benefited.

I am convinced Ashford is better in the confined space of the central areas rather than the openness of the flanks. I'd rather have him in "Rubin's position".