Here are your Cardiff City headlines for Monday, December 19.
Appleton: Madine was 'controlled' and 'dominated' Cardiff
Blackpool's Gary Madine came in for some heavy scrutiny after the game when Mark Hudson accused him of a premeditated "stamp" on Perry Ng in the second half.
Hudson thought he should have been given his marching orders, but the referee only brandished a yellow - meaning the ex-Bluebirds striker would not be subjected to a retrospective ban.
After the incident, Blackpool boss Michael Appleton said he believes Madine was fired up but "controlled" during the clash against the team for whom he played 28 times and did not score.
"Clearly it was a game he was looking forward to," Appleton said. "I didn’t have to speak to him personally or try and motivate him today, I think that was obvious. I think Gaz is at his best when he plays on the edge personally.
“Coming up against him as a manager in previous teams, I’ve always seen the best Gary Madine when he’s on the edge and he plays close to boiling point at times and that’s what I want him to be because I think he’s got it in him to control himself as he’s done today.
"I thought he was great especially in that second half when we were hitting diags into him and controlled passes into him, he was dominating the two centre-halves.”
Pundits say Madine 'lucky' not to see red
Pundits pored over the incident after the match and it's safe to say the all appeared to agree with Hudson's assessment.
Speaking on ITV's EFL highlights show, former Wolves and West Ham winger Matt Jarvis said: “For me, yes he was very lucky. It’s not your usual centre-forward’s challenge where you come flying across, he’s actually lifted his leg and actually looked to stamp down on him.
“Unfortunately, it’s not like we’ve not seen it before but it’s not ideal. For me it’s a red.”
Fellow pundit Sam Parkin, once of Ipswich Town and Swindon Town, added: “I don’t think there’s much contact but for the intent itself, the action of the stamp down probably so.
“(Madine scoring) was always going to happen though, wasn’t it? Every Cardiff fan in that stadium would know that would be the outcome considering his disappointing spell at Cardiff.
“It was written in the stars he would come up with the equaliser and it’s a big goal for Blackpool considering the players they’ve got out and the difficult run they’ve been on only picking up two points from the last six games, so it’s a bigger point and a more important for them.”
Whitehead: Youngsters are 'learning on job' in 'brutal' league
First-team coach Dean Whitehead believes Cardiff's poor form is down to the inexperience of their squad.
Despite Steve Morison insisting he brought a lot of EFL experience into the building in the summer, Whitehead believes there are still a number of young and inexperienced players the club are relying on.
Speaking in the programme ahead of the match on Saturday, he said: "Results have been a little bit up and down, but that happens when you're developing young players.
"The boys are learning on the job, trying to improve every game in one of the most brutal leagues in the world. We'll have some inconsistencies, and it's down to us as coaches to to get the lads doing the right things on a more regular basis.
"What they give every day, and in every session, is engaged and focused. They always ask questions and as coaches we need to have the right answers."
Cardiff City Women beat Barry to extend league lead
Cardiff City Women extended their lead at the top of the Adran Premier thanks to a 1-0 win over Barry Town United yesterday.
The Bluebirds were made to work for the victory in trying conditions at Cardiff International Sports Campus, however it was Megan Saunders who netted in the 89th minute to earn Iain Darbyshire's side their 10th win in 12 games this season.
It means City finish 2022 in top spot, current eight points ahead of nearest rivals Swansea City, who have a game in hand.
Cardiff City: Chamberlain, Price, Power, S Walsh ©, Bowen, Green, Norman (Billingham 60’), Watkins (Saunders 77’), Broadhurst, Poole, Oakley (Hughes 90+6').
Subs not used: Owen, Major.
Barry Town United: Brennan ©, Jenkins, Trivett (Davies 90+5’), Houghton, Olden, Pearce, Phillips (Hamed-Jones 77’), Mulenga, Fahey-Pennell (Robinson 87’), Jones, R Thomas.
Subs not used: Coles, L Thomas.
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