RUSS: WE MUST FIND CONSISTENCY
Manager praises second half character but demands better from Bluebirds
Cardiff City manager Russell Slade gave a frank assessment of his side’s performance, as the Bluebirds fell to a 3-2 defeat at Norwich City despite a valiant second half comeback attempt.
Alex Neil’s first match at Carrow Road saw the Canaries’ home support rocking, their side leading 3-0 at the break, despite numerous opportunities for the Bluebirds.
And though naturally disappointed, the reaction of those in blue during the second period impressed the City Manager - who though acknowledging the character, demanded more consistency.
“Bournemouth and Brentford come to mind where we’ve been 3-1 and 3-0 down and we’ve come back into it,” Russell reflected. “We came back into this one and got an excellent reaction in the second-half. We took some risks and we were probably unlucky not to get something out of it in the end.
“In the first-half we could have scored three goals; we had one cleared off the line, missed the penalty and Revell has leaned back and fired one over from close range.
"So going forward we were OK, though it was our defensive play that let us down. We had an extra man in midfield so were asking for a solid platform on which to build.
"Yes we were better after the break, but maybe that means I need to speak to them before the game in the manner I had to at the break more often. There were strong words shared at half time, that's for sure. We can't make it so hard for ourselves.
“It’s about the Staff and the players trying to resolve things now, particularly away from home. We are making it really difficult for ourselves at times and it has to improve on that front. It’s the inconsistency that concerns us.
"We'll regroup and travel to Middlesbrough on Tuesday, looking for the right reaction - I want Cardiff City supporters to witness a better, more competitive performance.
"We know we can match the top sides for periods, we’ve shown that and shown a little control in that too. It’s now about doing that for 90 minutes.
Watch more reaction from Russell, courtesy of the Official Cardiff City YouTube Channel, below:
"We've got some good young players, and others not currently in the starting eleven. If we don't defend better and operate in the way that we're asking, then I will look at giving those players their opportunity in the starting eleven."
"I was pleased with Kadeem [Harris] in the second half and Declan [John] also came on and did well. Revs did well in attack too and I was happy to see him score on his first start. He'll be one of the hardest working strikers in the division, in my opinion.
That's the very least I will demand.
