WHAT WE LEARNED FROM THE BLUEBIRDS’ STALEMATE WITH DERBY

FLAT FIRST HALF IT seems to be a very common thread in Cardiff City games this season. The first half is a cagey affair with the two teams sussing each other out and it opens up in the second half.

In fact, Cardiff have only scored seven goals in the opening 45 minutes of matches this season, compared with 10 after the break.

That was definitely the case in this game as two teams, who both prefer counterattacking, sized up their opponent before going for the jugular when the game resumed after the interval.

On the hour mark, Craig Forsyth’s mis-hit cross cannoned off the post, before Bruno Manga’s block from Johnny Russell’s effort sent the Bluebirds flying forward. Nathaniel Mendez-Laing haried the length of the pitch but his shot was deflected for a corner by Curtis Davies. It was a sequence that ignited the game - just as the Derby fans were letting off pyrotechnics of their own in the away corner.

Although Cardiff looked to be the only team trying to win the game at times – and will be frustrated to have dropped two points - if you’d have offered Neil Warnock seven points from a testing week, he’d have snapped your hand off.

The Bluebirds could have easily been stung late on as Derby enjoyed a late surge, but made most of the second half running, going close through Junior Hoilett (twice) and Mendez-Laing. ETHERIDGE COMES GOOD FAIRLY or unfairly, there have been question marks surrounding Neil Etheridge at times this season in the absence of the injured Lee Camp.

But a couple of hairy moments against Queens Park Rangers and Preston North End aside, however, he’s done an excellent job and some of the criticism has been unwarranted.

The former Walsall goalkeeper showed why Warnock still has faith in him with an outstanding save to deny Derby substitute David Nugent late on, as the Rams looked to pull off the perfect smash-and-grab away performance. Minutes later, Etheridge was also on hand to parry another Nugent effort – this time from distance – around the post and maintain a clean sheet.

All credit to the gloveman for earning the Bluebirds a useful point which keeps them ahead of Wolves in first place by a single point, while upholding their unbeaten home record this term. CARDIFF’S MIDFIELD COMBINATION NOT A PROBLEM YOU might think Aron Gunnarsson’s absence from the Cardiff side for two games running would cause the Bluebirds more problems than it has. After all, the Ice Man has become the beating heart of this team, especially under Warnock.

Fortunately, the emergence of Sol Bamba as a holding midfielder has put pay to any concerns over Gunnarsson’s injury, not to mention Loic Damour’s considerable impact since coming to the club.

The midfield were also deprived another hard worker for this one, Craig Bryson, but Joe Ralls’ return ensured the Scot wasn’t missed either. Ralls started with some sharp touches and nice interplay with Junior Hoilett down the left.

It just goes to show Cardiff now have several midfield combinations for Warnock to choose from.

Ralls, Gunnarsson and Damour started the season as the men in possession, then Lee Tomlin, then Bryson came into contention – and now they have Bamba as a viable option too. All the more power to Warnock’s selection hand. LEDLEY DECENT IF NOT DEADLY THERE were actually two former Bluebirds in the Derby lineup, with ex-Cardiff loanee Tom Lawrence in Gary Rowett’s side. But all eyes were on hometown boy Joe Ledley after with Wales international playing in his second Rams game. He sealed a free transfer to the Rams a fortnight ago and scored on his debut in midweek.

As expected, he was given a fair ovation by the Cardiff City fans – and even did a quick Ayatollah – but couldn’t grab a fairly untidy game by the scruff of the neck.

Nor did Gary Rowett’s side ever look like controlling proceedings in the centre.

Another player with ties to both clubs was the ineligible Bryson, who has made a great impact since arriving in the Welsh capital, but was replaced by the effective Ralls in Warnock’s only team change.

Given how Bryson’s loan departure from Derby has been berated by many Rams supporters, Ledley will want to prove a point to the east midlands faithful.

The Welshman is doing a decent job so far.