Couldn't find a "your player ratings" thread today so this seems as good a place to put one as any.
Rushworth - 7
While I really would want to give him a higher score he didn't have to do anything, he had the best ticket in the whole stadium and was as much a spectator as the rest of the crowd.
Tymon - 8
Showed a number of really good one touch link up plays with Placheta on the left, didn't see the killer deliveries from him that we are used to seeing but part of a hugely impressive team defensive effort that restricted Cardiff to zero shots on target the whole match (BBC site says two on target but I can't for the life of me think of them)
Wood - 8
Dominant in the air defensively and showed better distribution of the ball than in recent weeks. Celebrated his England U21 call up with a clean sheet and looked like a much better player with Darling playing alongside him.
Darling - 9
Kept Meite in his back pocket the entirety of the first half and got into his head so bad that he was pulled off at half time before he got himself sent off. Won everything in the air in both boxes and might feel disappointed he hit the crossbar with a header, inspirational performance and worthy recipient of the sky player of the match award
Naughton - 8
Continued to roll back the years with a solid performance, his link up play with Ronald on the right is improving with every game. Unfortunately he seemed to pull his hamstring in the second half, replaced by Key but more than did his part with a delightful cross for Cullen to score the opener.
Grimes - 8
Seems to be enjoying a new lease of life with Allen playing alongside him. Far more forward thinking and always looking for a more offensive distribution of the ball but was never afraid to put his foot in. Led from the front and made sure that the defenders were always getting an out ball.
Allen - 9
Ran the midfield with his experience and the determination to make sure that Cardiff wouldn't get any change out of him was obvious right from the first minute. Clever distribution shows what we had been missing and why I feel he deserves a new one year deal with an option of a second year in the summer.
Paterson - 7
Not one of his most influential games from an attacking perspective but as usual under Williams he ran himself into the ground pressing and defending from the front. Put in a few delightful crosses and more than played his part.
Placheta - 7
Plenty of energy but I can see why Norwich let him go. Quick feet and a tricky dribbler but when it comes to the time to put in a delivery or get his shot away he has absolutely no composure and gets them completely wrong the vast majority of the time. The potential of his delivery though kept the Cardiff full backs honest the whole game.
Ronald - 9
Could feel unfortunate not to win player of the match himself he feels like a player of the season candidate even though he only arrived at the end of January. Trickery, pace, delivery, goal threat, physical... he feels like he has it all and showed all of those sides of his game. I expressed concern that he looked tired against Bristol but yesterday he was back to his best and Cardiff couldn't handle him.
Cullen - 8
Scored a goal and missed a penalty but he was a thorn in Cardiff's side from the 1st minute right up until he was substituted. On another day could have had a hat trick but that would be an unfair criticism of him, you could see how much this meant to him with his celebration. Superb showing and if he can get that level of consistency week in week out we might not have to look elsewhere for a first choice striker in the summer.
Key - 7
Feeling his way back from injury he wasn't back to his marauding best but gave Cardiff no joy at all on his defensive flank. Will need time to get back into full flow but I am excited to see what he can do when fully match sharp and has had time to develop an understanding with Ronald.
Fulton - 6
Replaced Allen and while not completely anonymous as with his recent performances I do think he could have showed a lot more to help provide options for defenders . Feels harsh to judge him like that but when you are replacing someone with the impact that Allen had you want the sub to also have an impact.
Cooper - 8
Pressed hard when he replaced Paterson and his tackle and the free kick that he won in the 95th minute was celebrated like a goal by the players. Followed that up with the ball down the line for Lowe to wrap up the game in the 96th minute, still not back to the player that broke into the team under Martin but this was better from him.
Lowe - 8
Pressed hard and made a nuisance of himself the whole time he was on the field. Showed his pace to get free of the Cardiff defender in the 96th minute and showed composure in front of goal to round the keeper and avoid the defender who had gone to the line to wrap up the victory. Nice to see him get a reward for his hard work and return from a fairly long time out with injury.
Luke Williams - 10
Hit all the right notes leading up the game with what this meant to the fans and the city and the club and got his team selection and tactics spot on. The substitutions all had a desired impact, a clean sheet and an almost full ninety minute performance has set down a marker for what the team CAN do. Next challenge is to maintain those levels.
Crowd - 11
One of the finest atmospheres in a long time, sadly I couldn't make the game because of issues with sciatica but the crowd was intimidating and roaring even through the sky TV commentary. Absolutely played their part in shocking the Cardiff players and inspiring our own team, da iawn!
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