Ollie Tanner

Tanner post-Hamburger SV | We executed our plan well

Interviews
After opening the scoring with a header against Hamburg on Sunday afternoon, Ollie Tanner chatted to Cardiff City TV.

"Funnily enough, I've been working on that in pre-season and speaking to a few people about it, so it's nice to see something come off that you've been practicing." Ollie explained.

"I didn't score as many as I wanted to last season. So, I've been working on a few things, where to be in the box and how to do that, and the gaffer's helped me with that. So my target is to get my goals and assists numbers up, for sure.

"It was a hot day and it was tough, especially in that first 45. But I thought we executed our plan well. We wanted to press from the front, and I think we stopped them on the ball high. Defensively we looked really sound. So, at both ends, I thought it was a really positive display.

"At half time, the gaffer said that it's going well, and to just be more clinical when we're in front of goal, and I think we were. Obviously the header, Isaak's goal was clinical, and Robbo had a nice finish as well. So, I think if we can take our chances earlier on in the game, we'll score a few more."

Ollie Tanner

The winger was City's most lively outlet in the first half, beating his marker on the right flank on several occasions and linking up well with Perry Ng at right back.

He continued: "I've always said it, that's my game - when I can get the ball to feet and run at players 1v1. That's when I enjoy it. I felt like I had a lot of the ball, used it well, linked up with the boys and it was nice to get a 3-0 win.

"Perry's amazing - we all know that! Defensively, he's so sound. You can leave him 1v1 and you know he's going to be okay, but he's also getting around you when you've got the ball, so going both ways it's a delight to play with him."

The Bluebirds will now face Mamelodi Sundowns and Hertha Berlin to conclude our Austria tour, with Ollie excited at the prospect of more match minutes.

"I'm loving it here. It's a lovely place, and I think all the boys are enjoying it. They'll be good games. It's good to test yourself against opposition that you don't usually play, especially teams from foreign countries. 

"You need the fitness in pre-season. So to have this many games, you can do that and get the squad going. It's always a positive."

Watch more from Ollie and Erol Bulut on Cardiff City TV.