McPhail & Oakes: Rightly Dropped

Cardifff City brought in teenager Aaron Ramsey for Stephen McPhail, who was disappointing on Saturday. It was not an expected change for Jones who has shown remarkable faith in McPhail previously.


However, it proved a good decision as Ramsey pulled the midfield strings brilliantly and was constantly involved for Caridff. He continued to impress even when switched to an unfamiliar left midfield position when Ledley was forced off.


The passing, drive and execution was good from Ramsey and he certainly looked the part both in attack and defence. Some silky skill brought joy going forward and one memorable piece of trickery saw Jay Tabb booked for bringing down the youngster having been comprehensively beaten.


It was good to be able to bring McPhail on and see how he could affect the game, at the very least his position is no longer assured and that can only be a good thing for City.




Another change for Cardiff was the inclusion of Peter Enckelman who by all accounts had a fine game. He made one outstanding save and looked safe behind a number of regulation stops. Even more welcome however was the way the Finn dominated his penalty area, collecting numerous crosses and commanding in the air – something lacking in Oakes’ game.


Enckelman is on loan from Blackburn Rovers and although Oakes has not made serious blunders, Enckelman looks a safer and more imposing bet. The change was vindicated as Cardiff kept their first clean sheet in six games.


Well done to both recalled players, they both performed well and deserve to keep their places.