IS OLLIE TANNER GOING DOWN AN ALL-TOO-FAMILIAR PATH AT CARDIFF CITY?
It has been well documented that many of Cardiff City's early-season failures stem from their severe lack of quality in the final third. Bluebirds winger Ollie Tanner has faced severe backlash from supporters, raising the question of whether the winger is going down an all-too-familiar route that we've seen plenty of other players go down over the years.
What is meant by 'all-too-familiar route':
Over the years, fans have taken a liking to certain players, and some sections have a particular dislike for others.
There are examples of this in the last few years. Josh Murphy, for example. A certain section of the fanbase refused to ever acknowledge any good in Murphy's performance, and the Bluebirds' record transfer was largely used as a scapegoat in the Welsh Capital. The career Murphy has gone on to have at this level proved that section of the fanbase's ill-judgement.
Yakou Méïté. Whilst Méïté wasn't always to everyone's liking, he was often used as the scapegoat, which even led to him shushing our own fans after scoring against Coventry City. The negativity towards him turned what appeared to be one of the bubbliest, most energetic and loving players we had into a player who would rather be a million places before Cardiff.
There are also current players who can almost do no good in plenty of people's eyes. Chris Willock and David Turnbull are prime examples. The latter has enjoyed a good start to the season, but is still met with negativity.
I feel Ollie Tanner is firmly in the he cannot please anyone category.
How is Tanner going down this route:
Tanner was met with jeers when he was on the ball against QPR, as well as a small section of the away end chanting 'Tanner out'. In City's clash against Portsmouth just three days later, Tanner was substituted in the second half, which was met with cheers from the away end.
I am fully behind fans who pay their hard-earned money to go and watch Cardiff to have their opinions, and they're more than welcome to express them, but when a player is on low confidence, as Tanner evidently is, it feels like pressure is being added.
The winger is also the subject of heavy social media abuse.
The following is a screenshot following that defeat against Portsmouth:
The Instagram comments following Cardiff City's most recent clash against Bolton Wanderers followed a similar pattern:
It appears Tanner is in a place where it is hard for him to come back from, and it appears he is likely to fall into the trap of those previously mentioned. When Tanner performs poorly, you will not hear the end of it, but when he plays well, there will be radio silence.
Ollie Tanner's season so far:
Am I saying Ollie Tanner has been good this season? No, I think most are aware Tanner has struggled with the step up alongside his teammates in the final third. The winger has missed some key chances in big moments for City, and that isn't being ignored.
Tanner's sole assist was a simple pass setting Perry Ng up for an excellent strike away at QPR. The 24-year-old sits second for most chances created in the Cardiff squad with fourteen, behind Joel Bagan with fifteen.
Tanner's attacking struggles are highlighted through stats also, with a successful dribble rate of just 45.5%; compare that to Chris Willock on the other side with a successful dribble rate of 72.7%. The winger also sits second for most big chances missed in the Cardiff squad, with three.
Out of possession, Tanner has faced plenty of criticism. Some of which could be deemed harsh: Tanner sits third for most tackles per game with 1.90. However, in terms of possession won in the final third, Tanner sits seventh with 0.30, which even ranks behind centre-back Krystian Bielik (0.40). Tanner ranks fairly low in most other defensive stats.
Is there a way back?
It's a difficult one. I feel like what Cardiff fans want is fairly simple: if Tanner consistently performs at a good level, in theory, he should gradually win more and more fans over. However, the belittlement of Tanner's fifteen goal involvements in Cardiff's promotion season could suggest otherwise.
Most of the players that end up on this 'path' never typically make it back. This is probably the most intense criticism I've seen for a player in some time, with this criticism being as heavy in the stands as it is on social media.
Ollie Tanner's goal against Swansea City put him in Cardiff City folklore, giving us an unforgettable moment, but there's a sense amongst fans that Tanner has failed to build on that goal three years ago. The 24-year-old has had some fairly serious injuries since joining Cardiff, and it feels like every time the winger gets close to performing consistently, he suffers another injury. But fans' perception that Tanner has failed to build on that derby day goal has been lingering in the background for some time.
Conclusion - How can Ollie Tanner get on the 'right path'?
Whilst it appears obvious, if Tanner could consistently produce game-affecting performances, whilst being far more effective out of possession, then fans should begin to warm back to Tanner.
It feels like Tanner needs a game or two out of the side to relieve some pressure, and perhaps act as a reset, but that doesn't appear in the plans imminently.
Tanner has had some joy this season, with positive performances against Derby County, Sheffield United, and Stoke City, but failure to build on those performances is what has caused the most frustration.
I'm not a firm believer in shouting criticism from the rooftops, but that is others' prerogative, and I'm not going to sit here and correct them; how they support the team and our players is on them. However, I feel perhaps there should be an awareness that this criticism feels unproductive.
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