'Marked' Hudson Improvement For Cardiff City

It is absolutely clear that Cardiff City`s main strength is our potent attacking line-up, packed with players of pace, trickery, guile and creativity. For that reason, we force opponents to rethink their game plan and spend too much time on the back foot. Our brief therefore, is to outscore opponents and kill off games.

However, it must be noted that our defence is also performing well, and we retain one of the better records in the division, despite a starting XI heavy on attackers. Much of this owes to our domination of possession, and the protective influence of the imposing Seyi Olofinjana in front of the back four.

There can be no question though, that the defence also are doing well. Poor defending will always be punished at this level, and while it is clearly a weakness - there are many positives. Tom Heaton has been impressive, and looks a much better prospect than in his previous spell. Lee Naylor also, has improved after a dodgy patch and looks a great deal more solid.

The biggest improvement for me, is the emergence of Mark Hudson as a strong, committed defender who has been a rock at the heart of our defence so far this season. Gone is the lumbering, error-prone lump with a turning circle of a tanker. This season`s Hudson has been inspired. He looks fitter, and has been far more difficult for opponents to turn.

Aerially, he has always been comfortable. On the ground has been where Hudson had struggled yet he has not shown those weaknesses on many occasions this season. Conversely, both Darcy Blake and Gabor Gyepes look short of confidence and prone to lapses in concentration.

For the first time since his £1m arrival from Charlton Athletic, Mark Hudson is clearly ther number one centre-back for the Bluebirds. Keep up the good form Mark.

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