Daniel Farke post Cardiff
Our most mature performance of the whole season. Some electrifying performances this season, but away from home. Cardiff is a difficult place to go. Ninth position. To be in control from the first to the last second, third clean sheet in a row. Good start to the new year. Kept them totally quiet in their possession and dominated the ball in a fantastic manner.
Three fantastic goals and probably should have scored more.
Most pleasing aspect?
Had to stay wth foot on the gas. Cardiff by far the best side in this league on set-pieces. Scored the most goals in this way. Have to keep their game far away from our end press high to do this. Make sure you are today and accurate in your possession, Many good performances and the most pleasing situation is a compliment to my lads.
Outgoings and some injuries make this hardly Not unbelievable completion for places at the moment. Trained all week with 16 players. Some players out of position. Ampadu outstanding out of position at CB. I have criticised the players after setbacks recently, but we then found ti difficult to ride out results. Missed chances today in the first.
Shuld have had a penalty and then missed a penalty.
Gruev
His only problem was playing at CB today: Ampadu, one of our stand-out players, never had any problems and that has meant Ilia has had to wait. Gruev outstanding today and in the cup too.
Top player with top mentality. Highest distance of all players on the pitch. Smart in his decision-making. Recovers ball really well. Good for the balance of the game. Needed Ethan elsewhere today and it was Ilia's time to shine.
Any transfer news?
No because the last 24 hours I was concentrating on the game. It's important all energy is on the game. Not been on the mobile. Have to focus on the game with all my decisions. Perhaps catch up on the way home. Nothing in the next 24 hours I do not think.
Work with what I have got at the moment
Rutter - desperate for him to score more like today?
Yes because it is one topic in his game he can improve on. Good for the confidence and the whole team. We know we do not rely just on goals from one player. Share the goals. More difficult for the opponent to prepare against us. Piroe, Bamford, Summerville, James, Georgi can all score.
Defensive players have chipped in.
Bamford an automatic start?
Not automatic because we have other good options like Rutter and Piroe. Mateo has been good off the bench too, but Patrick is finding his rhythm. Training well and playing well in games. Could not relax after last week's goal. Showed he is on it in training. Used hisnchances but you have to impress in every training session. In these positions, we have good completion at least.
Bamford and Rutter partnership
Like it and tried it in the summer, but injury robbed us of the chance to use it more. If we have players like Patrick who can hold it and hold it in behind too, it's a treat and you have to use him. Patrick in shape and available. Georgi improved in tight areas on the ball.
Earlier this season there were too many sloppy losses of the ball.