Last season was tough, but Perry Ng came of age. Now a senior player at the club, he thrived and swept the board at the end of season awards. I managed to grab a chat with him ahead of the new season to talk about inverted full backs, deputy goalkeepers and everything in between.
Belated I know, but congratulations on winning Players Player of the Season AND Supporters Player of the Season. How does it feel to be universally loved?!
Haha, thank you! Since I moved here, I’ve felt the love from everyone and the people here are really nice. They’re similar to Scousers in a way. It feels good and hopefully it can continue.
You were signed as a right back, but have recently been utilised in central defence. How have you found that switch and how do the two roles differ in terms of what is expected of you?
I like switching positions, to be honest. Sometimes its nice to have a change. I enjoyed playing centre half last year, especially next to Cedric Kipre. In that position, you have to be a lot more switched on for the whole game because you might not be involved, but you have to organise everyone because you can see the whole pitch. As one of three centre backs, I could attack more and get forward a bit more. It gives you licence to help the right back attack, whereas in a two you have to stay in position and read the game better. There were times last year in a two where I did struggle against big players, but I like that challenge. Right back is different in terms of being more physically challenging, getting up and down the pitch. You get a lot more 1v1 situations, but I like both roles to be fair.
I know different managers have different ideas in terms of a players best position. Does Erol Bulut view you as a right back exclusively, or as an option as a centre back too?
If we get a few injuries, I could still fit in at centre back, but I think he sees me as a right back at the minute.
It looks like Erol wants his full backs to cut inside, which for a player with your experience of playing in the middle, would appear to play to your strengths. How have you found that tactical tweak and working with Erol and his team in general?
They’ve been fantastic since they came in. It’s a lot more structured and organised, which is what we’ve needed. They’ve obviously recruited very well too. He wants me to come inside when we have the ball, which felt strange at first, but now we’ve played a couple of games, I’m really enjoying it. I get on the ball a lot more and I feel like I can be more involved in games from that position.
Of the new players that have arrived, Aaron Ramsey is a Cardiff legend and has lifted the spirits of supporters. How has he fit in and has he made an impression?
He’s been fantastic. His first few days in Portugal, he was top class in training and when he came on against Porto, you could see within five minutes why he’s played at such a high level. He’s been a breath of fresh air, on and off the pitch. I’m excited to be playing with him. With the players we now have, we can really hurt teams going forward playing like that. Defensively, if we play against teams with good wingers, I probably wouldn’t tuck inside as much to avoid getting countered. With us inside, we’re in a better position to win the ball back with extra men in the middle, but whoever is behind me have to be ready to cover me. We have the players to do that and make it work.
I have a bone to pick with you, on behalf of all Cardiff supporters. It turns out you’re very good at free kicks, but kept it well hidden for the first couple of years!
Haha! I took a few in my early days and they went over the stand, so I wasn’t confident stepping up, but I’ve always taken them in training and been pretty good at them. The day before the Birmingham game, Sabri told me to take one in training and it went in the top corner. He said ‘right, that’s it. You’re taking them tomorrow’ and I ended up scoring! I think I’m on them now.
How are your penalties and corners because Cardiff’s stats in those regards were pretty damning last season!
I tried a few corners last year and they were terrible, so I think I’m off corners! I don’t mind taking penalties and if I was called to take one, I would be happy to, but the forwards will always try and take them.
You were required to briefly play in goals during a game last season. Is that something you’ve always wanted to try and how did you find it? Was it exciting in the end, or daunting?
I’ve always wanted to try it/ When Rocky got sent off, I was excited to go in, but as soon as I put the gloves on, I was scared for my life! I faced a free kick and was hoping it wouldn’t go in, but luckily it all went well. The manager was saying for one of the big lads to go in, but they were saying no, so I put the gloves on and luckily it worked out.
It was a difficult, drawn-out season last year, but a success for you personally. How do you reflect on it? You were up there in terms of minutes played, so you must have been shattered, physically and mentally, by the end.
It was a horrible season. It wasn’t nice and probably the most stressful season I’ve had in football so far. I was physically exhausted and mentally, it was good to get away for a few weeks over the summer to recharge. Hopefully its better this year and we can give the fans something to cheer about.
You appear to be one of many players currently heading out of contract next year. Have any talks taken place yet in terms of extending your deal and are you hoping to stay?
I would be happy to stay. I like the city, I like living here and my family are happy, so I definitely want to stay, but no talks have taken place yet. That will probably happen after the window closes because they’re very busy at the moment trying to get players in. We’ll have to see what happens.