FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED FROM THE BLUEBIRDS’ SOUTH COAST TRIP

WING-BACKS FIND LIFE TOUGHER AGAINST QUALITY OPPOSITION THE back five looked much more orthodox today as Jazz Richards and Fabio were pushed back towards their own goal.

It was an excellent test for the pair, with Jordan Ibe and Ryan Fraser buzzing around. Ibe in particularly was very direct and took every opportunity to run straight at goal.

Cardiff haven’t really had that quality of opposition yet, while Benik Afobe often exploited the space behind Fabio as Trollope urged the Brazilian to press high.

Ultimately they stood up to the test fairly well and they will not face a player as good as Ibe all season.

JOE RALLS GIVEN A CHANCE... AND TAKES IT RALLS (above) was preferred to Aron Gunnarsson and Stuart O’Keefe in the heart of midfield and no one saw more of the ball than the 22-year-old.

He rarely gave the ball away and was the Bluebirds’ bravest player in possession, willing to try and beat his man and take a shot on when there were no runners in behind.

He faded a little in the second half but after this showing he will feel unlucky if he is not a starter against Birmingham.

Of course, such is the depth in this area of the squad that that could well yet happen.

CARDIFF WILL BE PATIENT ON THE BALL THIS SEASON TROLLOPE’S men had to spend a lot of time out of possession as Bournemouth moved it around.

That was to be expected against such high quality opposition and what was so encouraging that when they did finally get it back, they rarely went long and gave it straight back. Instead, there was a bit of bravery on the ball, particularly from the defenders.

Some of the build-up was really patient, with the Bluebirds’ looking for the right opportunity before the long balls went over the top or out wide to the wing-backs.

That is a good sign and bodes well for when they take on sides of lesser quality. It also lets the wing-backs get involved even in games where they have to do a lot of defensive work.

GOUNONGBE WILL BE BETTER FOR COOK TUSSLE THE Championship is a notoriously physical division and Gounongbe