RUSSELL DEMANDS CREATIVE SPARK

Club News

Manager calls for players to show more attacking intent against Blackburn

Bluebirds Boss Russell Slade has called for greater intent and creativity ahead of Cardiff City’s clash with Blackburn Rovers on Tuesday evening (kick off, 7.45pm).

 

City head in to the midweek clash with the former Premier League Champions, eight places – but just six points – behind Gary Bowyer’s men.

 

And Russell reflected on a weekend of training away from match time as having been a vital part of preparation heading into City’s 31st Sky Bet Championship clash of 2014/15.

 

“We’ve worked Saturday, Sunday and Monday in preparation for the game, which is good, as it’s given us a little bit of time to do a bit more work,” said the Boss.

 

“We want to create more opportunities in this one. I felt it was a bit of a game of chess against Brighton, where nobody gave too much away in the first half and we tried to play with a bit more intent in the second. That’s what we’ll aim to try and do from the start against Blackburn. The lads are confident and ready.”

 

Russell also gave further insight into the Bluebirds’ current injury situation, highlighting positives and negatives from the treatment room at this time.

 

“We’ve picked up a knock or two in training over the last two or three days, but overall we’re okay,” he continued.

 

“David Marshall came through his first game, which was very pleasing, while Federico Macheda is making progress. We’ve had a slight problem with Fábio, so we’re going to have to wait until the wire on that one, but other than that there is nothing too serious apart from the obvious long-term injuries.

 

“There’s probably another two weeks before Anthony Pilkington is around again, but we’re looking forward to having him back. Joe Mason is starting to make some progress too, and we’re expecting him back around the middle of March.

 




You can watch Russell's pre-Blackburn press conference via the Club's Official YouTube Channel below:

“Kagisho Dikgacoi is running now, but he needs a mini-pre-season, so if we can get him some games somewhere, or even in the Under-21s, that might be ideal. From his point of view, next season is the target.”