Cardiff City played host to Derby County on Saturday 31st January 2015, losing the game 2-0 with a slightly different philosophy within Slade’s usual “Hoof ball” system.
With the absence of David Marshall (club captain) and Ben Turner (vice), some wondered who would take on the arm-band for the clash with second place Derby County. The team-sheets were announced an hour prior to kick-off, as was the skipper for the Bluebirds in Icelandic skipper, Aaron Gunnarson.
A source from inside the football club (apparently a guest fan) over heard a brief conversation between Gunnarsson and Whittingham.
Allegedly, the conversation was spurred before kick-off as Gunnarsson took upon his own team-talk when in a huddle with the other ten players in the Cardiff side. The team-talk was apparently purely on an alternative approach to City’s open play by supporting and keeping the ball on the floor, preferred to Slade’s usually criticised “hoofball”.
Aaron Gunnarsson, 25, is no stranger when it comes to controversy. The forty-nine time capped intentional found fingers pointed in his direction when City’s team-sheet was leaked 24 hours prior to kick-off to opposing side Crystal Palace last season.
True or false, there defiantly was a noticeable change about the manner in how City approached the game. Most of the play was distributed from the back four, looking for new signing O’Keefe and both wide players in Harris and Noone.
Despite any attempts in an alternative philosophy, again, the striker(s) seemed to struggle to connect with the midfield in the final third of the pitch. The first attempt at goal took all of thirty-two minutes from Alex Revell, but was straight at Lee Grant in the Derby goal.
It was the same old story for Russell’s men, as an early Simon Moore penalty save from a controversial foul by skipper Aaron Gunnarsson couldn’t prevent Derby from victory. An own-goal from left-back Scott Malone and a Russell Martin header capped off yet another miserable day for the Bluebirds and now find themselves 13th, seven points off the relegation zone.
The final whistle brought a chorus of boos from the City faithful, as they let Russell and his men know, enough is enough.
By Sam Hardwell
@HardwellSam
Sam Hardwell - Football Correspondent 