BLUEBIRDS NEW BOY JAZZ IN AYATOLLAH FANS ROW

CARDIFF City kicked off their Championship campaign with a 0-0 draw against Birmingham City as a promising display was undermined by an inability to find the net.

The Bluebirds looked nervy in the opening minutes and were grateful when a strong Peter Whittingham block helped clear a David Cotterill free-kick.

But they quickly hit their stride and took control of the game through a series of set-pieces. Whittingham’s left boot was working it’s magic and Lex Immers drew a fine save with a firm header. Bruno Manga could have done better moments later when a cross landed at his feet in the box.

Then, a thunderous 30 yard volley from the veteran Whittingham looked to be flying into the top corner until Kuszczak intervened again. The best chance yet fell to Anthony Pilkington, who raced through from a Frederic Gounongbe flick on but could only fire straight at the keeper.

Making his competitive debut, Gounongbe had a horror moment when he turned Declan John’s cross over the bar from just a couple of yards out.

Still, it was a promising first half in which Cardiff controlled the ball and stretched their well drilled opponents.

They were strong again in the early stages of the second half but Birmingham quickly put them on the back foot as Cotterill and Fabbrini went close.

Lex Immers rattled an effort off the bar as both teams pushed for the crucial goal but there was to be no breakthrough.

Here’s what we learned... CARDIFF CONFIDENT ON THE BALL It wasn’t always champagne football and at times the rotation of the ball was quite slow.

What was so promising, however, was that when an attacking option wasn’t available there were very few aimless long balls down the field.

The third centre-back means the team always have another outlet on the ball and they can then bide their time.

Pilkington’s first half chance came from a prolonged period of possession, with David Marshall waiting until the defence had been pulled up the field before he went direct with a long pass.

This was a very different approach to what we have seen in the last season or two. THE SET-PIECE THREAT REMAINS The Whittingham to Manga setpiece routine brought Russell Slade a great amount of joy and Paul Trollope has clearly been savvy enough not to tinker with that drill.

Cardiff looked a threat from every free-kick and corner and the delivery was absolutely immaculate. The new Head Coach will want his team to be more creative from open play than they have been in the past but there is nothing wrong with maximising opportunities from dead-ball situations.

As we often saw under Slade, it can settle tight games that are so regular in this division. BAPTISM OF FIRE FOR JOHN, BUT THE YOUNGSTER STANDS TALL John would probably not have started the season but events with Fabio seem to have moved quickly and the youngster was given a big chance.

He enjoyed a great battle with David Cotterill and will have given great encouragement to the staff and the fans.

He was a real threat going forward and should have had an assist when Gounongbe turned his cross over the bar.

John can go to ground too easily however and that is a danger for any defender. Overall, however, a positive return to the first-team environment. WHITTINGHAM GIVES A REASSURING PERFORMANCE Whittingham had impressed in pre-season but there were concerns as to whether Championship teams would give him so much time and space on the ball as he had enjoyed against lesser opposition.

He stood up to the physical and at times frenetic challenge however with a good performance that was key to Cardiff seeing and enjoying more of the ball.

He was well protected by Joe Ralls and Lex Immers, both of whom put in big shifts.

The set-piece delivery was excellent and the volley that nearly opened the scoring would have settled the goal of the season contest on day one.

An evergreen performer at this level. COMPOSURE EVERYWHERE BUT IN THE FINAL THIRD Matt Connolly spoke in pre-season of how Cardiff’s football on the training ground has in the past not quite translated into match day excellence.

Well here their one touch passing was good and in defence and attack, they looked settled, confident and composed. That is until the final third. In fairness, Lex Immers had two superb efforts that could easily have gone in and Kuszczak had to pull off a wonder save to stop Whittingham.

Still, good chances were spurned in the first half, particularly Gounongbe’s horror moment as he scooped the ball over the bar from a yard out, and that will be a frustration for all.

It was the final piece of the puzzle missing.