' TIME FOR OLE TO PICK AN ELEVEN AND STICK WITH IT '

I work it out that Ole has made 21 changes to the starting 11 in the six games following his Premier League bow as manager.

In yesterday's column I wrote about my concern that Ole doesn't yet know his strongest and best 11 and in particular his defence changes too often.

A couple if changes have been enforced through suspension to Bellamy and injuries to a couple of players. Also there were signings made in January that obviously have come into the fold.

I have looked specifically at the team that has played in the league and not the cup but it is worth noting that Ole's first game was the cup win at Newcastle before we played West Ham.

Is it a case of squad rotation by Ole ?

Is Ole trying to find his best team and rotation is not a tactic he is employing ?

CARDIFF CITY 0 – 2 WEST HAM UNITED

Cardiff City: Marshall; Theophile-Catherine, Hudson (C) (Cornelius 78), Caulker, John; Whittingham, Medel (Eikrem 65), Kim, Noone; Campbell, Odemwingie (Bellamy 45). Subs not used: Lewis; Turner, McNaughton.


MANCHESTER CITY 4-2 CARDIFF CITY

Cardiff City: Marshall; McNaughton (John 62), Caulker (C), Turner, Theophile-Catherine; Whittingham (Bellamy 62), Medel, Gunnarsson (Eikrem 77), Mutch, Noone; Campbell. Subs not used: Lewis; Hudson, Odemwingie, Kim.


MANCHESTER UNITED 2-0 CARDIFF CITY

Cardiff City: Marshall, Caulker, Hudson (c) (Turner 67), John, McNaughton, Medel, Whittingham, Noone (Daehli 78) Mutch (Kim 51), Bellamy, Campbell. Subs not used: Lewis, Eikrem, Gunnarsson, Berget


CARDIFF CITY 2-1 NORWICH CITY

Team - Cardiff City: Marshall, Fabio (Théophile-Catherine, 75), John, Medel, Caulker, Turner, Noone, Whittingham (Zaha, 38), Jones, Bellamy, Mutch (Gunnarsson, 67) Subs not used: Campbell, Wolff Eikrem, Daehli.


SWANSEA CITY 3-0 CARDIFF CITY

Cardiff City: Marshall; John, Caulker (C), Turner, Fabio (McNaughton 69); Whittingham, Medel, Kim, Zaha (Mutch 77); Bellamy, Jones (Campbell 56). Subs not used: Lewis; Noone, Dæhli, Cala.


CARDIFF CITY 0-0 ASTON VILLA

Cardiff City: Marshall, Caulker (capt), Turner, Medel, Jones, Campbell, Noone, Mutch (Eikrem 32), Théophile-Catherine, Zaha (Dæhli 61), John. Subs not used: Lewis, Cowie, Cala, Berget, Fábio.


CARDIFF CITY 0-4 HULL CITY

Cardiff City: Marshall, Taylor (John 74), Caulker (capt), Jones, Campbell (Berget 79), Eikrem, Noone, Cowie, Cala, Fábio, Zaha (Dæhli 46). Subs not used: Lewis, Turner, Whittingham, Gunnarsson.


I believe Ole should focus between now and the end of the season and play his strongest 11 when available.

My team, if everyone is available, would be Marshall, McNaughton, Caulker, Turner, Taylor, Medel, Mutch, Daehli, Noone, Bellamy, Campbell.

4-1-3-1-1

I opted for Turner over Cala for two reasons, the first is familiarity between Marshall, Caulker and Turner and having only seen Cala play yesterday, in which he did ok but was slow in closing down Jelavic for the second goal. McNaughton, though I have been critical in the past offers the best defensive full back we have at the club, my criticism has been of his ability to pick a pass when going forward and defending must be our first priority to sort out. Taylor gets the nod over John simply for an older head and experience though I expect Declan will make the left back position his own in time.

Gary Medel sitting in front of the back four just behind Mutch, Bellamy on the left and Noone on the right flank with either player tucking in as play dictates. Daehli ahead of Mutch as a link up between the midfield and Campbell up top. Bellamy and Daehli being interchangeable.

Campbell named as the striker for his energy, work rate and he is our top goal scorer.


Subs : Lewis, Cala, Fabio, Zaha, Whittingham, Gunnarrson and Jones.

Lewis and Cala are obvious choices on the bench. Fabio would get the nod over John as he can cover both full backs, Zaha could impact a game on either wing.

It seems Whittingham ahead of Eikrem is debatable due to Whittinghams form but I believe if there is an injury to Mutch then Whitts is a better and more experienced version of Eikrem.

Gunnarrson is the cover for Medel or extra protection should we need to batten down the hatches and tighten up the midfield.

Kenwyne Jones would have to settle for a place on the bench and with any chance he gets he would have to prove his worth to force himself into the starting line up.

Jones' height and physical presence could be a massive factor in the final third of a game when legs are tiring and we may look to be pushing for a goal.

That's where I am at with our squad at present and I still don't know if it would be good enough to pick up the necessary points required but the positive for ourselves is that there weren't a terrible set of results go against us yesterday, apart from ours I hear you say, so there is a glimmer of hope.

What do you think about the amount of changes being made, an average of 3 per league game, and who would you play ?

I think this is our best team when everybody is fit

image.jpg

I think this is our best team when everybody is fit

image.jpg

Not too dissimilar to mine then Thomas.

The only two players we are different on is John and Cala and where Bellamy and Daehli would play.

The point has been made on other earlier posts. It was vital we had a settled defensive unit whatever the style of play.

Hard when our two best CM's were out yesterday.. That's one reason why we lost, Cowie and Eikrem look better with the strength of Medel or the attacking prowess of Mutch

I think it's time some of the prominent members of this forum give the guy a fair crack of the whip. I didn't want to see Malky sacked but he has gone now and it's not Ole's fault that Tan keeps making idiotic statements.

I agree that he has tried to change too much too soon but that doesn't mean the guy is not gonna get my backing. I certainly won't be chanting "sacked in the morning" any time soon.

The decent posters are leaving this forum in their droves because they are fed up of the agendas that are being peddled, I think when a feasible alternative is set up this forum will take a big hit.

I think it's time some of the prominent members of this forum give the guy a fair crack of the whip. I didn't want to see Malky sacked but he has gone now and it's not Ole's fault that Tan keeps making idiotic statements.

I agree that he has tried to change too much too soon but that doesn't mean the guy is not gonna get my backing. I certainly won't be chanting "sacked in the morning" any time soon.

The decent posters are leaving this forum in their droves because they are fed up of the agendas that are being peddled, I think when a feasible alternative is set up this forum will take a big hit.

Where does Carl mention Malky in this topic? Carl is talking just about Ole's selections is he not?

I made a thread about the same sort of thing yesterday Carl you can't continuously change the back 4 and expect to keep clean sheets etc in the prem you need a back 4 you stick with who know each other well and know how everyone plays I know they train together but they need to know each other in games as well one of the reason we haven't won or kept many clean sheets this season

I think it's time some of the prominent members of this forum give the guy a fair crack of the whip. I didn't want to see Malky sacked but he has gone now and it's not Ole's fault that Tan keeps making idiotic statements.

I agree that he has tried to change too much too soon but that doesn't mean the guy is not gonna get my backing. I certainly won't be chanting "sacked in the morning" any time soon.

The decent posters are leaving this forum in their droves because they are fed up of the agendas that are being peddled, I think when a feasible alternative is set up this forum will take a big hit.

Where have I said he doesn't get my backing. I have written my support for Ole on this forum and in the Echo so your reply is not valid to this thread.

The whole of the opening post is about the amount of changes Ole has made to the team in the league and you even say in your reply you agree he has tried to change too much too soon.

So it's ok for you to say it but I can't as I am a prominent member of the forum and if I do apparently I am not giving him a fair crack of the whip? How does that work ?

Time to get these Jack twats off the forum. Never mind the hits for the forum.

I think it's time some of the prominent members of this forum give the guy a fair crack of the whip. I didn't want to see Malky sacked but he has gone now and it's not Ole's fault that Tan keeps making idiotic statements.

I agree that he has tried to change too much too soon but that doesn't mean the guy is not gonna get my backing. I certainly won't be chanting "sacked in the morning" any time soon.

The decent posters are leaving this forum in their droves because they are fed up of the agendas that are being peddled, I think when a feasible alternative is set up this forum will take a big hit.

Well make a good topic on Ole and it will be made a sticky today

Time to get these Jack twats off the forum. Never mind the hits for the forum.

There's no jacks on this thread.

Read it again I said forum. It's a disgrace having them come on here

Read it again I said forum. It's a disgrace having them come on here

This is a predominantly Cardiff City forum that welcomes all football fans.

I live near them, work with some of them and I hate seeing them do anything well but I still don't see a reason to exclude Jacks off this forum.

I think this is our best team when everybody is fit

image.jpg

Not too dissimilar to mine then Thomas.

The only two players we are different on is John and Cala and where Bellamy and Daehli would play.

Carl

Do you think cala could play right back ? For me the full back positions have been the weakness in the side all season but having said that they are never ever going to get the protection or help with noone or Zaha in front of them.

agree with thomas on that team - zaha and jones as impact subs

I don't think he knows his best 11 and he is experimenting, and we haven't got time for that, tend to agree with your starting line up however Taylor ??? simply not good enough so would have to go for Catherine or John. Another point lets all of us fans stick together and back this team what ever the score may be, or if we are playing badly etc and stay to the end, without our support the players heads will drop.

I think Noone does well with his tracking back, Zaha on the other hand is very lazy defensively.

I think this is our best team when everybody is fit

image.jpg

Not too dissimilar to mine then Thomas.

The only two players we are different on is John and Cala and where Bellamy and Daehli would play.

Carl

Do you think cala could play right back ? For me the full back positions have been the weakness in the side all season but having said that they are never ever going to get the protection or help with noone or Zaha in front of them.

Could give us the steel at right back for Zaha to have more freedom, not a bad idea but we have mcnaughton, fabio, ktc and brayford out on loan as rb's, cant see it happening.

I think this is our best team when everybody is fit

image.jpg

Not too dissimilar to mine then Thomas.

The only two players we are different on is John and Cala and where Bellamy and Daehli would play.

Carl

Do you think cala could play right back ? For me the full back positions have been the weakness in the side all season but having said that they are never ever going to get the protection or help with noone or Zaha in front of them.

Hadn't thought of that to be honest Steve and fair play it's a damn good shout, Cala looks a player who likes to get forward and is comfortable on the ball.

Been saying it for a while on this Forum. OGS has had time to settle on his best 11. Although we have picked up a suspension and a couple of injuries he has to stick with a nucleus. We are not playing as a team and seem to be going backwards.

I think it's time some of the prominent members of this forum give the guy a fair crack of the whip. I didn't want to see Malky sacked but he has gone now and it's not Ole's fault that Tan keeps making idiotic statements.

I agree that he has tried to change too much too soon but that doesn't mean the guy is not gonna get my backing. I certainly won't be chanting "sacked in the morning" any time soon.

The decent posters are leaving this forum in their droves because they are fed up of the agendas that are being peddled, I think when a feasible alternative is set up this forum will take a big hit.

Where does Carl mention Malky in this topic? Carl is talking just about Ole's selections is he not?

Annis my post is not specifically directed at Carl. He is certainly one of the more positive mods on here and tries to get behind the team.

You seem the type of guy that if you like someone they can do no wrong and if you don't they can do no right.

Malky could do no wrong and Dave Jones and Ole can't do no right.

Ole has made some mistakes in his short tenure at this club but his biggest mistake was joining this circus of a club in the first place.

I just wish you and a lot of the other most fervent tan haters would realise that support for Ole doesn't necessarily go hand in hand with support for Tan.

Malky has gone, soon he'll probably be in another dug out and saying the same things about their wonderful fans as he said about us. He played the game as much as Tan did in the end, the only difference is that Malky understood what pushed our buttons but Tan hasn't got a clue.

Sorry carl have to disagree with you on this one, Cala is total class mate reads the game great footballer and defender and tbh only been with the club since Jan and already possess more passion than the rest of the team put together

Sorry carl have to disagree with you on this one, Cala is total class mate reads the game great footballer and defender and tbh only been with the club since Jan and already possess more passion than the rest of the team put together

Nal, that's what this is about opinions mate.

I thought Cala looked ok yesterday and he could turn out to be the best centre half at the club but I can't put him in my team on the strength of being ok after the one performance I seen him play.

Turner was immense last game and he and Caulker surely have a better understanding than any other combination we could play at the moment and I believe experience and understanding is the key to tightening up at the back.

I don't think he knows his best 11 and he is experimenting, and we haven't got time for that, tend to agree with your starting line up however Taylor ??? simply not good enough so would have to go for Catherine or John. Another point lets all of us fans stick together and back this team what ever the score may be, or if we are playing badly etc and stay to the end, without our support the players heads will drop.

Taylor is in for experience and whilst I believe Declan John will become the No.1 left back at the club eventually I felt his time I the team was too long and his inexperience was shown up.

I think it's time some of the prominent members of this forum give the guy a fair crack of the whip. I didn't want to see Malky sacked but he has gone now and it's not Ole's fault that Tan keeps making idiotic statements.

I agree that he has tried to change too much too soon but that doesn't mean the guy is not gonna get my backing. I certainly won't be chanting "sacked in the morning" any time soon.

The decent posters are leaving this forum in their droves because they are fed up of the agendas that are being peddled, I think when a feasible alternative is set up this forum will take a big hit.

Where does Carl mention Malky in this topic? Carl is talking just about Ole's selections is he not?

Annis my post is not specifically directed at Carl. He is certainly one of the more positive mods on here and tries to get behind the team.

You seem the type of guy that if you like someone they can do no wrong and if you don't they can do no right.

Malky could do no wrong and Dave Jones and Ole can't do no right.

Ole has made some mistakes in his short tenure at this club but his biggest mistake was joining this circus of a club in the first place.

I just wish you and a lot of the other most fervent tan haters would realise that support for Ole doesn't necessarily go hand in hand with support for Tan.

Malky has gone, soon he'll probably be in another dug out and saying the same things about their wonderful fans as he said about us. He played the game as much as Tan did in the end, the only difference is that Malky understood what pushed our buttons but Tan hasn't got a clue.

Your right Carl is much more a positive poster on here than me and does sit on the fence more.
Your also right Malky in my eyes achieved so much good for our club in such a short time, I will be forever grateful and he will in my eyes go down as a great manager for Cardiff City(see uve changed the topic again ).
As to Tan, he will never do right in my eyes until he gives us our identity back.

As to Dave Jones, Ive been over it a 1,000 times I said he would never get us up or win anything and he never did. I personally never had a falling out with him, but he was an arrogant person who would never admit when in the wrong.

As to Ole, really like him, but I think he is out of his depth here and he is not ready for the Premier League as a manager, I hope he proves me wrong.

I think Cala isn't quick enough to play full back. Most wingers in the Prem are really pacey. I thought he had a decent game yesterday overall, maybe he should play in front of Turner and Caulker whilst Medel and Mutch are out. He is defensive, his distribution is good and he is pretty calm

I think this is our best team when everybody is fit

image.jpg

Not too dissimilar to mine then Thomas.

The only two players we are different on is John and Cala and where Bellamy and Daehli would play.

Carl

Do you think cala could play right back ? For me the full back positions have been the weakness in the side all season but having said that they are never ever going to get the protection or help with noone or Zaha in front of them.

Could give us the steel at right back for Zaha to have more freedom, not a bad idea but we have mcnaughton, fabio, ktc and brayford out on loan as rb's, cant see it happening.

whoever did the graphic, thats my eleven as well

Sorry carl have to disagree with you on this one, Cala is total class mate reads the game great footballer and defender and tbh only been with the club since Jan and already possess more passion than the rest of the team put together

Nal, that's what this is about opinions mate.

I thought Cala looked ok yesterday and he could turn out to be the best centre half at the club but I can't put him in my team on the strength of being ok after the one performance I seen him play.

Turner was immense last game and he and Caulker surely have a better understanding than any other combination we could play at the moment and I believe experience and understanding is the key to tightening up at the back.

Carl you could be right mate but tbh Cala just looks so comfortable I know 4 got put against us yesterday but 2 where down to misplaced passes and the 3rd because Fabio did not close down quick enough just my opinion mate

I think it's time some of the prominent members of this forum give the guy a fair crack of the whip. I didn't want to see Malky sacked but he has gone now and it's not Ole's fault that Tan keeps making idiotic statements.

I agree that he has tried to change too much too soon but that doesn't mean the guy is not gonna get my backing. I certainly won't be chanting "sacked in the morning" any time soon.

The decent posters are leaving this forum in their droves because they are fed up of the agendas that are being peddled, I think when a feasible alternative is set up this forum will take a big hit.

Where does Carl mention Malky in this topic? Carl is talking just about Ole's selections is he not?

Annis my post is not specifically directed at Carl. He is certainly one of the more positive mods on here and tries to get behind the team.

You seem the type of guy that if you like someone they can do no wrong and if you don't they can do no right.

Malky could do no wrong and Dave Jones and Ole can't do no right.

Ole has made some mistakes in his short tenure at this club but his biggest mistake was joining this circus of a club in the first place.

I just wish you and a lot of the other most fervent tan haters would realise that support for Ole doesn't necessarily go hand in hand with support for Tan.

Malky has gone, soon he'll probably be in another dug out and saying the same things about their wonderful fans as he said about us. He played the game as much as Tan did in the end, the only difference is that Malky understood what pushed our buttons but Tan hasn't got a clue.

Your right Carl is much more a positive poster on here than me and does sit on the fence more.
Your also right Malky in my eyes achieved so much good for our club in such a short time, I will be forever grateful and he will in my eyes go down as a great manager for Cardiff City(see uve changed the topic again ).
As to Tan, he will never do right in my eyes until he gives us our identity back.

As to Dave Jones, Ive been over it a 1,000 times I said he would never get us up or win anything and he never did. I personally never had a falling out with him, but he was an arrogant person who would never admit when in the wrong.

As to Ole, really like him, but I think he is out of his depth here and he is not ready for the Premier League as a manager, I hope he proves me wrong.

I'm not changing the subject, I think Ole will come good and he's still learning the trade. I do agree that he's made a few mistakes but then so did Malky. What I don't understand is why he is getting no slack by those who are most vocal in their opposition to Tan.

If you were honest you would admit that the fact that Malky spent 40 million and added absolutely no flair or goal threat to a team that was already bereft in that department was absolutely criminal.

As for Ole’s signings it's difficult to judge at the moment. Kenwynne Jones isn't offering much but he was a straight swap for Odemwingie so there's no harm done there. Fabio and Zaha have been disappointing but they definitely need time to get match fit.
As for the Norwegians, I really don't understand the negativity surrounding them. Daehli looks an absolute steel for 600k, Eikrem looked decent yesterday in a very weak midfield and controlled the game first half. Berget cost peanuts and could be a valuable addition if we go down. People will say they are not what was needed for a relegation scrap but Ole had to bring in some ball players cos Malky didn't!

Ole's mistake hasn't so much been the signings in my opinion but that he's tried to go from mega defensive to mega attacking overnight and that was always gonna be impossible.

You have no doubt witnessed plenty of relegations at this club and I imagine you were at grounds like Gigg lane when we limped to relegation yet the players were clapped off at the end of the game!

My question is, what has happened to our fan base that has made us go from fans who would get behind our team to fans who just want to criticise and slate their own club and players?!