I DON'T often write about players who play for the opposition, but given our history with this individual, it's perhaps right to jump to his defence in light of some extremely harsh criticism levelled at him by his supporters.
That individual is Wilfried Zaha. And those supporters are Cardiff City's fans. The defeat in question was against Crystal Palace, and his performance was perhaps the only highlight in what was a difficult game for all of the Cardiff side.
It's not arrogant to suggest that playing against Palace is a difficult prospect. The same was said for Stoke when Tony Pulis managed them - it'll continue to be a difficult prospect for all the while that Pulis manages Palace.
The most attacking of sides will often struggle against Pulis' staunchly defensive line-up.
The Eagles took Manchester City to their longest spell without scoring; they stopped free-scoring Chelsea from getting a single goal. Palace aren't an easy side to score against and they'll defend with all their might.
It makes little sense then that Cardiff fans would point their frustrations at Zaha, a player who was for most of the match their only genuine threat.
He made Joel Ward work incredibly hard throughout the first half and looked like the only player capable of unlocking the Palace back-line.
His pace, skill and attacking approach made him the ideal outlet for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer'S side - and yet, after a number of crosses were cut out, the supply to Zaha dried up, which played into Palace's hands perfectly.
Zaha wasn't to blame for Cardiff's defensive lapses, nor was he to blame for their tactics or their inability to break Palace down as a team – he did his bit, his team-mates didn't.
The former Palace winger will have been distracted by the fact that he was playing against the side that helped him shape his career.
He will have also been distracted by our supporters chanting about him wanting to come home.
Cardiff won't have appreciated him not doing the Ayatollah gesture - but then, it's a bit pointless anyway, isn't it?
If Cardiff fans can't see that he was their biggest threat, then more fool them.
We saw it, and we want him back.
Ignore Cardiff's criticism, Wilf. You're better than that, and them.
