' THE CLUB, FANS, PLAYERS AND SLADE '
Sat Apr 02, 2016 5:23 pm
" THE CLUB, FANS, PLAYERS AND SLADE "
What a great feeling, coming away from a game that you have won against a play off rival, in glorious sunshine and a new record attendance at the stadium for a club league match.
28,680 was the official attendance announced but even if some of those who had tickets didn't turn up, I still believe there was over 26,500 in there today and I have said it before and will say it again, well done Cardiff City for doing something to engage with their fanbase.
I have no problem whatsoever if they did something similar, or very cheap tickets, for the next game, why not get as many in there as possible while we are pushing for the play offs.
With everything set up for the players to go out and show what they are capable of, they certainly didn't let us down.
Each player gave everything to the cause and from the first to the final whistle, they battled and did their individual tasks well.
Not one player had an off day but stand out performers for myself were Lex Immers and Stuart O'Keefe, with Immers my choice for man of the match.
City dominated the game in the first half without really threatening the Derby goal on too many occasions but they certainly spoiled Derby's gameplay and thoroughly deserved to go in at half time one goal to the good.
Whittingham crossed a pinpoint corner which Bruno Manga met superbly to bullet a header towards the back of the net that left Scott Carson and his defence rooted.
The second half was more of a spectacle with Derby looking to offer more than they did in the first half but only one spell of bad defending allowed, actually gifted, Derby an equaliser that they never looked like getting.
Marshall was slow to react to a ball lifted in with little pace and Chris Martin showed more willingness to get to the ball and duly did, nodding the ball of a helpless Marshall and even though Manga desperately tried to defend the header on the near post it was to no avail.
City's fans and players responded immediately, the crowd got to their feet and supported the team from the restart and the players took their level to the next gear and had Derby on the back foot straight away, Craig Noone really should have put us back in front straight away but Carson made a low save to his right when the winger was through one on one, Whittingham drilled the rebound back across the goal and Lex Immers missed a tap in by inches.
The City record crowd stuck with it and urged the team on and we got our just rewards when from another Whittingham corner, O'Keefe turned on the six yard box to score from a Sean Morrison knock down.
It was a tense final few minutes of the allocated ninety but City continued to defend well and we're still looking to extend their lead on the counter attack.
On the evidence of today, I believe City have a fantastic opportunity to make the play offs and I think it will be Derby that will be replaced.
We go to Burnley on Tuesday confident that we can compete with the best this division has to offer and if we come away with something won't surprise me one bit.
Well done to the club, the fans, the team and Russell Slade, I am buzzing this evening and excited what the next seven games bring.
What a great feeling, coming away from a game that you have won against a play off rival, in glorious sunshine and a new record attendance at the stadium for a club league match.
28,680 was the official attendance announced but even if some of those who had tickets didn't turn up, I still believe there was over 26,500 in there today and I have said it before and will say it again, well done Cardiff City for doing something to engage with their fanbase.
I have no problem whatsoever if they did something similar, or very cheap tickets, for the next game, why not get as many in there as possible while we are pushing for the play offs.
With everything set up for the players to go out and show what they are capable of, they certainly didn't let us down.
Each player gave everything to the cause and from the first to the final whistle, they battled and did their individual tasks well.
Not one player had an off day but stand out performers for myself were Lex Immers and Stuart O'Keefe, with Immers my choice for man of the match.
City dominated the game in the first half without really threatening the Derby goal on too many occasions but they certainly spoiled Derby's gameplay and thoroughly deserved to go in at half time one goal to the good.
Whittingham crossed a pinpoint corner which Bruno Manga met superbly to bullet a header towards the back of the net that left Scott Carson and his defence rooted.
The second half was more of a spectacle with Derby looking to offer more than they did in the first half but only one spell of bad defending allowed, actually gifted, Derby an equaliser that they never looked like getting.
Marshall was slow to react to a ball lifted in with little pace and Chris Martin showed more willingness to get to the ball and duly did, nodding the ball of a helpless Marshall and even though Manga desperately tried to defend the header on the near post it was to no avail.
City's fans and players responded immediately, the crowd got to their feet and supported the team from the restart and the players took their level to the next gear and had Derby on the back foot straight away, Craig Noone really should have put us back in front straight away but Carson made a low save to his right when the winger was through one on one, Whittingham drilled the rebound back across the goal and Lex Immers missed a tap in by inches.
The City record crowd stuck with it and urged the team on and we got our just rewards when from another Whittingham corner, O'Keefe turned on the six yard box to score from a Sean Morrison knock down.
It was a tense final few minutes of the allocated ninety but City continued to defend well and we're still looking to extend their lead on the counter attack.
On the evidence of today, I believe City have a fantastic opportunity to make the play offs and I think it will be Derby that will be replaced.
We go to Burnley on Tuesday confident that we can compete with the best this division has to offer and if we come away with something won't surprise me one bit.
Well done to the club, the fans, the team and Russell Slade, I am buzzing this evening and excited what the next seven games bring.
Re: ' THE CLUB, FANS, PLAYERS AND SLADE '
Sat Apr 02, 2016 5:49 pm
There seems to be a real togetherness within this squad of players,dare I say it a bit like our promotion season squad 
Re: ' THE CLUB, FANS, PLAYERS AND SLADE '
Sat Apr 02, 2016 5:54 pm
Well done to Slade and the boys the club rally has turned a corner very pleasing. 
Re: ' THE CLUB, FANS, PLAYERS AND SLADE '
Sat Apr 02, 2016 7:32 pm
Good post, it's nice to have positive news. I think the win was really important today not just to keep us close to the playoffs, but to get any new fans who came today interested and want to come back. Well done to the club they are listening, well done to the season ticket holders who passed free tickets on, and well done to the players for getting the win. 
Re: ' THE CLUB, FANS, PLAYERS AND SLADE '
Sat Apr 02, 2016 7:38 pm
Massive credit to Russ for what he's done given the immense pressure he was under
City look like real play off candidates, disciplined, smart on the ball, Lexi controls and dictates, looks such a gem, Okeefe is a real worker keeping it nice n simple, Manga hands down best defender in this league, wins everything in the air, solid and composed, the whole squad should be proud of what they're achieving right now!!
I for one am a happy City fan
City look like real play off candidates, disciplined, smart on the ball, Lexi controls and dictates, looks such a gem, Okeefe is a real worker keeping it nice n simple, Manga hands down best defender in this league, wins everything in the air, solid and composed, the whole squad should be proud of what they're achieving right now!!
I for one am a happy City fan
Re: ' THE CLUB, FANS, PLAYERS AND SLADE '
Sun Apr 03, 2016 6:25 pm
Great to see positivity at this stage of the season