Cardiff City recorded an impressive 2-0 home win over in-form Leicester City with a number of players stepping up to the plate and putting in a gutsy performance for the Bluebirds. Kevin McNaughton was his usual effervescent self while the Hudson/Keinen partnership continues to impress. Seyi Olofinjana was a strong midfield presence, Ramsey dictated play and the lively Chopra showed no signs of a hairline fracture to his ankle.
However, another less predictable player emerged as a serious candidate for the man-of-the-match award in the shape of the reborn Paul Quinn. The former Motherwell defender has returned to the line-up in 2011 and brought a determination and steel to our previously hapless back-line. Yesterday`s performance was easily his best of the season and rivalled only by one other in his entire Bluebirds career.
The former Motherwell right-back is not blessed with lightening pace, so the likes of Lloyd Dyer would expect to enjoy himself down the Leicester left. However, Quinn stuck to his task doggedly making a number of blocks, tackles and timely interceptions to halt the Foxes` progress. Not only that, but he linked well with Emmanuel-Thomas, Whittingham and latterly Chris Burke on the City right – he was strong in defence, assured in possession and regularly got forward to support our attacks.
In short, a complete full-back performance from the previously forgotten man.
Yesterday`s opponents were Leicester City, and comparisons must be made to Quinn`s other such performance in a Cardiff City shirt. That was 30th March 2010 when, again, Leicester City were the visitors to CCS. On that day, we were without Hudson, Gerrard and McNaughton while emergency centre-half Darcy Blake went off injured in the first half. To compound our woes, Gabor Gyepes was sent off for a cynical, reckless but somewhat amusing sacrificial lamb routine in which he received a deserved red card.
Mark Kennedy also suffered injury, which left a back four of: Whittingham, Capaldi, Quinn, Matthews with Burke ending the game barely able to walk.However the Bluebirds, ably marshalled by the ‘magnificent` Paul Quinn held on for a famous 2-1 victory.
Quinn must take his share of the credit for a much improved defensive unit in recent weeks. He and Keinen have stabilised a worrisome defence with McNaughton`s switch to left-back in place of Lee Naylor also a crucial contributory factor. Few expected Quinn to make a contribution this season, especially with youngsters Adam Matthew and Darcy Blake available but the Scotsman has impressed of late and completely deserves his current run in this promotion chasing team.
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