OLE: THE IMPORTANCE OF HOME POINTS FOR ALL

The Bluebirds turned out 3 – 1 winners thanks to two Kenwyne Jones goals and a long-range Peter Whittingham strike, all to the delight of their boss, who said, “Winning the first home game is important for both the players and the fans obviously. We started a bit slow, but we’ve got strikers galore and they’ll all chip in with goals.

“If we keep defending like Hudson and Connolly do then we’ll be fine. The more they play together as a partnership, the better they will be as well. There’s loads of games to come though, so at times we will have to rest those legs.

“Kenwyne’s been working hard this summer too. He’s not yet fit enough to play ninety minutes, but he does cause the opposition plenty of problems. We’ve got players around him who make that happen – he’s got to look after Le Fondre, Burgstaller and Dæhli, and they’ll create space for him.

“Jones came to us in January having played no football, so it was difficult. Now he’s worked this summer, and has had a pre-season so it’s a different start to the season for him. He can still get fitter and we’re working on him, but it’s an important year for him.”

After notching four points in their first two Championship games, Ole is keen to keep the positive momentum going forward, as he admits that he and his team are under pressure to succeed in this campaign.

“I’m looking forward to this season, but of course there’s pressure on me to perform, as there is on everyone in this business,” he said. “In the football business you’ve got perform every single season, month, week and day. But we’re here to improve – not just to pick up results. We have to improve so we can develop the team. There aren’t many managers who don’t have pressure on them to perform and get results.”

There’s no time to relax in the Championship, as all eyes now turn to Tuesday night’s clash with Wigan Athletic. One man who could be set to feature is former Huddersfield winger Anthony Pilkington.

Ole added the following on his new signing, saying, “He’s a wide man. He can come in on his left or right and go outside on his left or right. He’s got two great feet, he’s got pace, he works both ways and he chips in with goals.

“We’ve missed a wide man as we don’t really have an out and out winger when Nooney’s injured. He’ll play with chalk on his boots, taking people on. When you’ve got strikers like we have they want plenty of crosses and something to work with, and that’s what he’ll bring.”