Cardiff City Player ratings: Class of 11/12

It's a long time since I've blogged about City - mainly because there are people far better at it than me - Ben Dudley's My Only Cardiff for a start, but there are many others. Also, Twitter has rather overtaken blogging for me as a much more reactive and truly interactive way of conversing with Cardiff fans. You can find me on Twitter as @statto1927

However, one of the things I've done for the last few years is compile and end of season player rating, so here's the one for the 2011-2012 season, the regular schedule of which drew to a close after yesterday's 1-1 draw with Leeds barring the final away game against Palace next week.

These ratings are purely my hopefully objective (inevitably a bit subjective) views on the main squad players after watching them at every home game, and at Wembley. Although I didn't get to any away games this year (another new season resolution down the drain), I did listen in to a fair few via the talking wireless. If you don't agree with these rating, that's fine. I'm sure you'll have your own views, and I'm just dandy about that - football is after all a great divider of opinions.

So, in squad number order:

1 - David Marshall (Keeper): 8/10
I'll admit I wanted Heaton to be our starting keeper at the outset, but Marshy has (generally) impressed. His distribution has improved and he's made some genuinely world class saves. He is still to reticent to come off his line for a 6ft 4in lump and he faffs at crosses he should gobble up with ease. But he's had a good season.

2 - Kevin McNaughton (Defender) 5/10
Nauts has been a shoe in for the last few years for a player of the year placing, but to be honest he's been pretty ordinary this term, and frankly dreadful on occasions. He's still quick, but when he runs with the ball you've no idea where he's going and his distribution has been dire. Also culpable for far too many goals conceded. I love Kev, but he's been way off  his best.

3 - Andrew Taylor (Defender): 7/10
New boy this term, and I think he's been good without being spectacular. That's maybe a sign of a good player, in that you don't notice him. Does tend to back off a bit too much for me when opposition players attack the box. Can put a devasting ball in (Nauts are you listening)?

4 - Filip Kiss (Midfielder): 6/10
Another new boy, he's revered for his ability to slide tackle anything that moves, and some things that don't. On occasions has added steel the middle of the park, but invariably gets booked as well. I like him, the fans like him, and I'd like to have seen him get more game time.

5 - Mark Hudson (c) (Defender): 9/10
Capt Huds has been in good form all season. Generally assured at the back and when City have gone through their poorer spells this season has never hidden, and at times has looked like City's best playmaker. And of course that wonder goal v Derby. Outstanding.

6 - Anthony Gerrard (Defender) 5/10
An enigma. So good for Hull on loan last year, but clearly 3rd choice at best at City behind Hudson and Turner. Always gives his best, but often not good enough. And off the field prone to opening mouth before engaging brain.

7 - Peter Whittingham (Midfielder) 8/10
Not as good this season as last. Started brilliantly (as did most), but has faded and been more ineffectual in the last couple of months. Still moments of brilliance and the capacity to be massively influential, but his dead ball delivery especially been off colour in the second half of the season.

8 - Don Cowie (Midfielder) 6/10
I was tempted to give "The Don" a 7, but in reality a 6 is probably fair. Never stops running, and just occasionally makes the real difference, but often I'm not sure he does. Oh, go on then, 6.5/7

9 - Kenny Miller (Striker) 6/10
Controversial I know. For some "King Kenny" has been awesome. Sorry, not for me. True, he's scored some great goals - the opening day winner at West Ham for one, but he's not a 20 goal a year man. Not in this side. He's got a touch like a donkey, can't take pens, and too often gave up on causes you'd expect a first rate striker to be busting a gut to get to. Sorry Miller fans, but Kenny just hasn't done it for me. Maybe playing off a big man (Bothroyd), he may have been the business, but I guess we'll never know.

10 - Robert Earnshaw (Striker) 5/10
A score of 5 mostly because of lack of game time. For so long when the side was crying out for a change Earnie just warmed the bench. I'm not saying he's better than Miller, but he hasn't really been given the chance to show it either way. Still a City legend though.

11 - Craig Conway (Midfielder) 7/10
I think Conway is probably one of the most under-rated players in City's squad. Again under used mid season, he looked sharp when pulled back into the squad until scythed down by the Watford's Hogg. I hope he comes back stronger and fitter. I think he'll be key next season.

15 - Rudy Gestede (Striker) 7/10
Oh Rudy, if only you had better hamstrings. The young Frenchman is still finding his feet at this level, and had looked steady if unspectacular until Wembley when he played the best game of his season. Good in the air (though can be better), and not afraid to shoot (others take note), but seems to do his hamstring every other appearance.

17 - Aron Gunnarsonn (Midfielder) 8/10
Gunnar has been brilliant. He brings some control to the middle, and is keen to get forward and has scored goals. His long throw can be a decent weapon too. Work rate is first class. Has looked very tired in the latter stages of this season though. And the first City player to wear odd coloured boots. I like this lad, and he should do well again next year.

20 - Jo Mason (Striker) 9/10
Is he a striker or an attacking midfielder? Either way, Malky unearthed a jewel here when he grabbed him from Plymouth. The young lad is a cracking find and has been influential in many, many games including the Cup Final where he put us 1-0 up over Liverpool. Good running, coolness in the finish.  A fantastic prospect. A bit more strength, and more experience, and he may well be our 20 goal a season man.

22 - Tom Heaton (Keeper) 9/10
Second choice apart from the Carling Cup run, he's kept his counsel and delivered in spades when called on. Superb in the league cup, making crucial penalty saves. A top class keeper, and it's a shame we can only play one at a time. We need to keep him, but he'll want regular football.

23 - Darcy Blake (Defender)
Ok, so he can be a midfielder too. He's been largely overlooked with some saying he should have been getting the game time that Nauts has. On Naut's form I'd probably agree. Has the capacity to be a fantastic utility player, but generally when he's played he's delivered.

25 - Ben Turner (Defender) 8/10
Man mountain Turner has made a big difference to us defensively. He's formed a great partnership with Hudson, and his no-nonsense defending gives relative peace of mind. Prone to giving occasional silly free kicks away when wrestling opponents which he needs to think about. His launched "diagonal ball" is now a famous City trademark.

37 - Stephen McPhail (Midfielder) 8/10
Macca used to get stick from many when he first came to City for his square and backward passes. We now know that this is in fact controlled midfield play, and we're a far better team when he's in the middle of the park. Sadly, illness has restricted his ability to play for long periods, or to complete more than about 60 minutes. We miss him when he's not there. I wish him all the best in his battle with his health, and I hope we see more of him. A consummate professional.

52 - Joe Ralls (Midfielder) 6/10
We haven't seen too much of Joe, but when we have he's looked impressive. Plenty of optimism here if this is the sort of player Cardiff are producing through the ranks.

And last but not least

Malky Mackay (Manager)
"Malky who?" some cried when the Scotsman was appointed. For many, Malky was second choice after (name any one of about 4 here), but he's come in, won the hearts of (most) fans with his general approach, willingness to switch tactics and formation and famous "thumbs up" after every ayatollah and at the end of the match.

I like him, I really do. But I do have a tiny nagging doubt that he too can be unwilling to change (note lack of rotation when we were doing so poorly), but that's probably nit picking.

Let's face it, when he was appointed, and we'd lost (twelve I think) players from last years squad, 99% of people would have settled for that cliched "transitional season", and a mid table finish. But by the autumn we were flying high, expectations had changed and play-offs, nay automatic promotion was being uttered (rather optimistically in my view). But here we are. The regular season's one game away from being over. We're sixth. We've been to Wembley to the Carling Cup final where we held Liverpool (indeed led for much of normal time). We were two kicks away from bringing the cup back to Cardiff. That's not a bad transitional season is it?

Others
Jon Parkin, "The Beast" is clearly not in Malky's long term plans and bar  a couple of early season performances has been out on loan. Don't expect to see him in the squad next term. Lee  Naylor who took a lot of stick last season (and he was awful) has played only a couple of times, and to be fair has looked a much better player than he did last year. And that's about it, bar a couple of others who we haven't seen or haven't had more than a match or two (Kienan, Jarvis).

And that probably also shows another point. What a thin squad we have. I was surprised that in January when we were pushing for Wembley, and rising close to the top of the division, that we didn't get more players in. Malky said we wouldn't buy for the sake of it, couldn't get who we wanted and I think we have paid the price for that, with players giving their all, but with little/nothing left in the tank.

Compare and contrast to Southampton and Reading who bought and of who one is already up, and the other likely to go up.

To be fair, Malky inherited a bit of a no-win situation. He brought several players in, but clearly has had to work with some that he feels he doesn't want long term. He's a canny bloke. With perhaps a little money to spend in the summer, I'm looking forward to what he might offer in the long term. Of course without counting chickens, it's possible that we might, just might be in the Premiership next season, although my heart says no, and I don't think we're as ready this year as we were last year. Of course if we do, then we'll need to spend.

Until then, though......

King Whitts: City 2-0 Crystal Palace

This was a tough match for City (are there any easy matches in this division?), but on the back of a 3-0 away win at Derby in the week, even a Palace side that hadn't conceded in their last six matches shouldn't have put any fear into the Bluebirds.

Malky Mackay is moulding this squad into a genuinely tough to beat side, with a team ethic that has been starkly lacking in Dave Jones' sides of the past few seasons.

As was fitting for Bonfire Night, this started off as a slow burner, but burst into life and left City's faithful dazzled by the sparklers provided by a fantastic 2-0 win.

In truth, the first period was a fairly turgid affair for City bar one Miller glanced header and a thunderous shot from Whittingham that cannoned off the bar. Heaton, in for the ill Marshall, was the busier of the two keepers, as City struggled to win second ball, hold onto possession or pass with any accuracy.

However, in the second period City started to pick up the pace, and with great effect. Miller was put through one on one with Speroni, who had been inspired against us at CCS last year, and it looked like he was in the same form as he denied Miller's effort. That though was the spark that lit the blue touchpaper, and thereafter, City were virtually unstoppable.

On 69 minutes Taylor put the ball to the ever industrious McNaughton who layed the ball off to Miller who finished clinically with a shot across Speroni, the first goal Palace had conceded in over 550 minutes of play. But just 11 minutes later they'd conceded again. Nauts was up-ended outside the box to the right, and in prime Whittingham territory, City's King-Pin hit a beautiful shot right into the top corner with Speroni flailing and failing to get to the ball.

Despite a too late rally by Palace, City kept a second consecutive clean sheet. It looks like the back four are finally beginning to gel - some mistakes still, but with the assured Heaton marshalling the defence, there were few worries in the second period.

All the players were great today, but Whittingham was magnificent, pulling the strings and creating the guile City needed to break down a good defence.

Make no mistake. City are far from the finished article, but this tops off a very decent return of results as we go into an international break. City will be full of confidence, Mackay will be very pleased with his charges, and dare we say it - has City's November hoodoo finally been put to rest?

City lie a comfortable 4th, although Birmingham way down in 12th, but only six points behind have an incredible four games in hand. At this stage of the season would I have taken that? I'd have bitten your hand off.

Up the City!

Great win: Derby 0-3 City

Usually I'd be all over this - a three nil win for City away. And fantastic though it was, I just haven't got the enthusiasm to write about this see post below for the reason why).

So read about it here.

Ups and downs

It's been a funny old few weeks. Well not so funny really, not funny at all.

Work has been rough. Very, very busy, things going wrong that shouldn't have and just generally draining. Beginning to look like things are turning a corner though.

Me & Mrs H both bought new cars in the last months as well (well new second user cars - who the hell can afford a new, new car these days?). Then, two weeks after she picked hers up, a lovely black Fiesta Titanium, some woman side swiped her pulling out into her as she was driving along the main road. Fortunately no-one injured (both my wife & daughter were in the car). The car was repairable, and she picked it up from the accident repair centre last Friday.

Then today, just three weeks after picking my new (one year old) Mondeo up, driving to work along the M4, I could see traffic ahead slowing but then the car in front of me just stopped, because the car in front of them just stopped, and though we weren't going fast, and I thought there was plenty of gap between me and the car in front, there wasn't. Smack. Three airbags deployed, front of my car a mess (their car hardly a scratch by the look of it). Again, and the main thing, no-one injured, though I was pretty shaken (have you ever been in a car with three airbags going off? They make a hell of a bang). No idea yet if the car is repairable.

So I'm pretty hacked off at the moment. We must have offended the God's somewhere along the way these last few weeks.

Sublime (and a bit awful): City 5-3 Barnsley

After Tuesday's disappointing loss at London Rd, having been ahead with 3 minutes to play, City were looking to bounce back against Barnsley at the CCS today.

With Miller back from injury, Malky chose to play the diminutive striker at the head of a 4-5-1 formation with the returning McPhail in the centre. Still at central defence were Hudson & Turner, needing to build on a fledgling partnership that had conceded six goals in the previous two games. Despite the somewhat conservative formation for a home match, City looked bright early doors, and took only 10 minutes to go ahead after Miller calmly slotted past Steele after a superb pass from Don Cowie. Soon after Miller had a glancing header superbly saved by Steele, and from the resulting corner with City looking in control, Miller was forced off after a clash with team mate Turner in the box. Much to the surprise of many, it was Mason not Earnshaw that replaced him. He immediately had an impact when running at the Barnsley defence he was hacked down just outside the area. Whittingham lined up the kick, and his powerful shot was parried only for Mason to react quickest. 2-0 City.

Almost immediately however the Tykes equalised, when former City loanee Dany Drinkwater's free kick was wickedly deflected past the helpless Marshall. But the Tykes jubilation lasted only a couple of minutes as City pressed again, with Mason influential, and the ball came to Gunnarsson who teed up a volley and rifled it past Steele who had no chance. 3-1 City at half time.

Barnsley made three subs at the start of the second half, but it made little difference, as City were in complete control, playing some sublime football.On the hour Mason played the pass of the game to put Cowie through, and after he rounded Steele and poked home it was 4-1. Gunnarsson then made it 5-1 on 71 minutes flicking home Taylor's cross. Barnsley looked long dead and buried, and had nothing to offer, and City fans were expecting every run forward to result in a goal. But a needless corner given away by Taylor's flicked header on 82minutes was nodded home almost in slow motion with City's defence static, and four minutes later, City were again all at sea as they failed to clear and Vaz Te fired home. So 5-3 from 5-1 up, and City were suddenly on the back foot and looked a bit rocky. But they held out, and the game finished with that scoreline.

For 90% of the game City were outstanding. The 4-5-1 formation worked superbly (until McPhail went off when it started to go a bit pear shaped), and although it could be argued that Barnsley were poor, it was because City controlled the game. Mason particularly was outstanding, and there were terrific performances from Cowie, Whittingham, McPhail and Gunnarsson.

It's probably not fair to pick holes when we've won, especially when we won so convincingly, but there are negatives, and Malky will surely want to sort these out. McNaughton is a fantastic defender - possibly one of the best right backs in the division, but his distribution is pants. In the first 30 minutes, every time he got the ball his final pass gave possession away. And at the back, although it could be argued that Hudosn & Turner are building a working relationship, they've presided over 9 goals being conceded in the last three matches, and that is just not good enough.

Still, three points and +2 goal difference from the match IS positive. Cut out the crap goals being given away, and City are a force to be reckoned with.

An old boy and a Jack: City 2-2 Ipswich

After waiting a couple of weeks for City to play because of the international break, I was denied watching this match because a stupid woman drove into my wife's car an hour before k.o. and I had to assist with sorting the resulting problems. Thankfully, and the main thing, both my wife and daughter who were just driving along the main road at the time were both ok. The car, which my wife has only had two weeks, a shiny black Fiesta Titanium is now a less shiny black and bent Titanium.

As for the match, I was kept up to date by radio and my son who managed to get to the stadium whilst I made my way back to the scene of the accident.

With Miller still sidelined Gestede and Earnshaw started up front, and it was the tall Frenchman who headed City aheadon 19 mins. But Ipswich were always threatening with former City legend Chopra, and ex-Jack Jason Scotland up front, and it was little surprise when the latter shot low to level on 30 minutes. It seems City were relieved to get in at half time without conceding. But, almost inevitably, on 51 minutes City old boy Michael Chopra nodded home to put the Tractor boys ahead. It seemed City were struggling, but fortune shone on them when referee Whitestone (who according to most people I've heard, including the commentators had a shocker) pointed tot he spot on 72 minutes for a handball offence. Peter Whittingham calmly slotted to make it 2-2. Shortly after Kevin McNaughton was brought down in the box, but the ref it appeared had given his quota of pens for the day.

So 2-2. I'd probably have taken that before a ball was kicked.

It's Miller time!: City 2-1 Southampton

A third match in a week, a squad laid bare by injuries and the top of the table side visiting. Hardly a recipe for optimism. Indeed, my son predicted a drubbing, whilst I was for once strangely buoyed with optimism. A 2-1 win I told him before the match, and when we bumped into a Twitter chum (@bennifactor) who was also thinking we'd be lucky to get away with even a draw, he asked me why I was so optimistic.

Well, for one, Southampton have to lose sometime I said. Secondly, though fielding a weakened side, the work ethic Malky has instilled means this bunch of City players never say die. Thirdly, I was clutching at straws.

And so it seemed as for the first 5 minutes of the match as the Saints players passed the ball with ease as City players ran around like headless chickens trying, In the main unsuccessfully to get a touch.

But City settled, and Southampton, despite creating chances, were profligate. In truth there wasn't much to the first half, which seemed much like the Leicester match a few days earlier. Peter Whittingham also had three chances from free kicks around the box, but frankly never got close.

I was impressed by the Gunnarsson/Kiss midfield, the defence was solid (for the most part), but Mason wasn't getting much joy, and Miller looked like he's done most of the season. Hard working, but with an awful first touch and no killer instinct (apart from that goal against West Ham on the first day).

But n 56 minutes the game changed. Marshall collected a ball and immediately punted long for Miller to chase. For once his kick was accurate, and Miller running down the full back just beat the advancing Kelvin Davis to nod the ball past him and into the empty net. 1-0 City.

That was surely the prompt for the visitors to up their game. They had been guilty of spectacular time-wasting to that point, especially Davis in the Southampton goal. Quite how referee Gibbs hadn't booked him for this as early as the first half I'll never know - you could have made a cup of tea as he prepared to make his goal kicks - but I guess the reason was the same one I moan about every week. The ref and his assistants were agin poor in my opinion, and weak.

Still Southampton didn't get chance to press, and 7 minutes later a beautiful Gunnarsson pass set Miller free to slide the ball in for number 2, and City were in heaven.

Going 2 down did spark the visitors into life, and with Chaplow coming on, they suddenly looked more creative. Southampton suddenly had all the possession, and wave after wave of attacks on the City goal looked threatening. Chaplow shaved the post with a shot, Lambert missed a couple of headers, and Marshall kept Lallana out with a cracking save with his legs.

When the 4th official indicated 5 minutes injury time, things looked relatively sen up, but suddenly De Ridder was put through, and controlling the ball wonderfully with his hands, unseen by Mr Gibbs and Co, slotted past Marshall, leaving a couple of nervy minutes for City to see out. They did though, and make no bones about this, this was a wonderful win for City. The only downsides were both McNaughton, who battled hard all night (and was battered all night) and Kiss both limping off.

A brilliant performance by City, and the fans and Malky should rightly be proud of this performance.

Is anyone fit?: City 0-0 Leicester

After the excitement of the Carling Cup match between these two sides in midweek, or rather the penalty shoot-out which City won 7-6, the match being a pretty dull affair for the most part, two very different looking sides took to the pitch this afternoon.

Malky started with the same 4-5-1 formation that did so well against Blackpool last week, whilst Sven kept only Matt Mills from the Foxes starting XI in midweek.

The first 20 minutes was a pretty turgid affair, our midfield nullifying theirs, and I can't remember us actually getting into their box in that time. But then Conway took a tumble and looked like he'd done his ankle, and limped off to be replaced by Earnie. Straight away we looked more potent, but our change in formation with Miller pushed wide right also opened it up for Leicester. There weres some efforts from both sides before Earnie cleared one of the line (so that's why he stays back at corners), but on 41 minutes, the sub was subbed as Earnie got injured. On came fans favourite Rudy Gestede. Though raw, he works hard and looks to have bags of potential. 0-0 at half time.

When the teams came out for the second period, City had made another enforced change with Darcy Blake coming on for skipper Hudson. I admit I was worrying now. Three players injured, and no subs left by the start of the second half.

City though looked the better side in the second period, and challenged for long periods without ever really forcing Schmiechel into a save. Kevin McNaughton looks more attacking this season, and though his final ball is often poor, he is clearly creating, and on one occasion squared a ball that Gestede really should have put away. Whitts had a couple of free kicks but didn't force a save. With Leicester finishing the stronger in the last 10 minutes, only some last ditch tackling kept a clean sheet, but which time Gestede was hobbling on one leg, and at the final whistle McNaughton was off the field with blood pouring from his face.

So a hard earned point, with not a lot of quality about the game. Malky's immediate concern will be finding 11 fit players for Wednesday's showdown with League leaders Southampton. In the last week we've lost Taylor, and McPhail and now there must be doubts about Conway, Earnshaw, Hudson and Gestede. With Parkin at loan at Doncaster, the cupboard is beginning to look pretty bare for the City manager especially with Miller continuing to look out of touch.

Up the City.