Cardiff Post Match

[Ozwin]

Howard was great today, if we didn't have him challenging for the headers we'd have no outlet whatsoever.

[1964FOX]

Not a dig at the Fosse Boys at all - but it was nice that I couldn't hear them at all today.

Not because I don't want to, not at all, but because it was a reflection of how much noise the Kop (who were between they and I) were actually making, to be fair.

Second half especially was an excellent atmosphere in the ground.

No offence taken, quite happy that the kop were singing as well as us and with us, that's what it's all about dont care who creates the atmosphere as long as it's there

Spoin Kop and we're getting it back

[Guest Bilo]

First half we weren't good enough. Cardiff goal was a fluke.

Second half was such an improvement. Dare i say, Oakley had a great game. Made some nice tackles might i add.

We shut them down.

Abe looked up for it and i think he needs a bit of time to settle into this league.

I love Andy King with all my heart

I hope we can build upon this win and gain some momentum.

First time i got to see the Fosse Boys in action, you guys were terrific tonight. I saw a bunch of meatheads joining you during the first half.

Thanks mate, but would like to say those lads weren't meatheads. They joined in with us and had us singing some real old school songs. They were a nice bunch to be fair.

Just to let you know. I'm pissed by the way.

[MC Prussian]

Just like against Coventry four days ago, we dominated the opposing side from start to finish, but failed to combine a smart passing display with good enough scoring chances.

But I always said this would be a turning point this season and knew the self-assured Cardiff fans were in for a shock result.

In the first half, we were all over them Bluebirds and they never looked like threatening. Cue one lost ball in midfield, Neilson not on his right-back position, ball comes to Naylor, who takes a chance and smashes in a Sunday shot from 35 yards out - or was it a cross? Somehow reminded me of that Holland goal against Urugay in this year's WC semi-final.

What a blow that was. Coventry Away, Mark II? Another goal that came against the run of play. And what a heavy burden to take into half-time.

But what a comeback that was, and how ironic that a Welshman almost single-handedly contained a Welsh side. Two great goals.

Dominance from start to finish, Cardiff could do absolutely nothing about our slick passing game and hardly ever saw the ball themselves, thus limiting their appearances in our box.

Overall, the team spirit was top-notch, in particular in the second half. Just because they managed to come back from one-nil down.

I loved Oakley's efforts today, and I'm usually one of his biggest critics. Very team-oriented and put in a few crunchy tackles.

Hoof ball tactics to Howard paid off today, he set up both co-strikers on the sides with a couple of his headers going forward.

A few negatives (yes, it's got to be):

1) Wellens once more frustrated the heck out of me, and a lot of other supporters. He was the only weak link in an otherwise very compact, well-organised and rampant Leicester side.

Too many misled passes and hardly a threat going forward.

2) Sousa's two late substitutions. Abe and Gallagher should've come on earlier, and possibly a third replacement (for Wellens).

3) Dyer fantastic going forward (look at that trickery pace!!!), yet weak at converting chances - even that clear-cut one when Marshall gave the ball away so easily. Certainly a certain amount of pressure involved, but that was a 110-percenter, nothing but the goalkeeper in front of him. Well, that and the post. He needs to be less greedy and we have ourselves a winner here.

4) Again, I mourn our strikers failing to convert their chances. It took two goals from a midfielder to turn the game around. Waghorn should've done better with that great pass from Dyer in the first, but then again, I blame it on a lack of fitness.

5) And when do we finally start scoring from a set-piece???

On a sidenote, for the fantastic support tonight. Lots of great chants, the fans were always up for the battle against the visiting supporters and even the South Stand assisted in making some good noise. Also, kudos to more than 20'000 people showing up on a Tuesday night.

Looking forward to Saturday now. QPR are up for the taking.

[Finnegan]

He holds the ball up extremely well and I can only remember one pass towards the end of the match which went to a yellow shirt, who else is going to do that for us?

Nobody, that's the point. Sousa's system doesn't require a big lump up front and we shouldn't be encouraging long, hopeful balls if we're good enough to keep it on the deck and still penetrate.

We have good footballers in Fryatt and Gallagher who are both capable of receiving the ball, trapping it and finding feet. That's enough. We don't need some huge muscle man up front. It's no coincidence that both of our goals today came from fluid passing moves that used our midfield and our width and not thumped up long balls to Howard's head or chest.

As hard as it might be for a lot of City fans to get out of our heads - we don't NEED a traditional number nine if we're going to play Paulo's football properly.

[BrummieFOX]

Saying he "won everything" is irrelevant if there's no actual product. How frequently were Howard's "flick ons" trailing off away from Dyer or whoever was running on? I counted maybe twice he actually found a City player.

And the ball frequently wasn't sticking, that's the point. He lacks the energy and the pace these days to cover the ground he's being asked to when the ball's put up there.

I think there was product though. In the 1st half we seemed to get to a certain point and it often came to nothing or went out wide and crossed in to no one in the box, came back to our centre backs and we built again, fine, but it takes a hell of a lot of patience.

In the 2nd half, it seemed to me (may well be wrong) that when the ball came into Howard, he either flicked it on (I agree, this was sometimes too easy for Cardiff to win) or held it up and allowed Waggy, King and Dyer to get beyond him and Oakley and Wellens to being the ball forward. We had more options and created more chances.

As I said, I'm not a huge Howard fan and by no means would I play him every game. I too would prefer Fryatt or Gallagher who are more creative and more likely to get goals, however tonight I thought he was very important for our performance and certainly not a passenger.

[BrummieFOX]

I think there was product though. In the 1st half we seemed to get to a certain point and it often came to nothing or went out wide and crossed in to no one in the box, came back to our centre backs and we built again, fine, but it takes a hell of a lot of patience.

In the 2nd half, it seemed to me (may well be wrong) that when the ball came into Howard, he either flicked it on (I agree, this was sometimes too easy for Cardiff to win) or held it up and allowed Waggy, King and Dyer to get beyond him and Oakley and Wellens to being the ball forward. We had more options and created more chances.

As I said, I'm not a huge Howard fan and by no means would I play him every game. I too would prefer Fryatt or Gallagher who are more creative and more likely to get goals, however tonight I thought he was very important for our performance and certainly not a passenger.

Also, apologies for only quoting your negative points.

[Ilkeston_Fox]

The kop were excellent tonight. I was with the Fosse Boys as usual. I think the atmosphere was great tonight - especially in the second half. There were some new chants aired tonight. Some made up by us, some sang to us by some old kopites. The gents who moved during the first half to come over to us were top class, joining in with our songs and teaching us new (old) songs.

Glad we got some pay back against Cardiff. Hopefully we can build on this performance. At points during the game, the passing was lovely to watch.

[Heart-Shaped Fox]

Great game, couldnt believe we went one down, but we played so well and in the end it should have been 4/5.

Hope we go on bit of a run now!

[Ashley]

As hard as it might be for a lot of City fans to get out of our heads - we don't NEED a traditional number nine if we're going to play Paulo's football properly.

I've been saying this for ages, a lot of people on this forum (the older ones anyway.. No offence) have grown up watching Leicester be a route one team, now Sousa has come in and he his passing style I think it will take a lot of time for some Leicester fans to adapt to this style, give it time and we will be great under this style of football.

We will also smash one team soon for 5 or 6.

[Legend_in_blue]

The football in the first half was pretty, but not particularly effective.

Add the missing ingredient...

PACE

...and in the second half we were all over them.

Pace is what it's all about and if we can find consistency with the pace, movement and passing no-one in this league will fancy playing us.

Superb second half performance and a deserved win.

And one more thing - am I the only one who still rates Robbie Neilson?

Ha! Top quality he was tonight.

[martyn]

Tremendous to watch some of the stuff we played tonight, especially for a 25 minute spell 2nd half where we were completely rampant.

Lloyd was sensational (missed sitter aside) and I echo those who say Oakley and Neilson are looking like different players. I disagree with the poster criticising Wellens as well, 1st half he was poor but 2nd half he absolutely ran the show and had a critical hand in both goals.

Very encouraging indeed.

[Donut]

Fantastic result, great comeback, and no sense of panic from the players at half time and after, or amongst the fans which was great.

I think the difference can be summed up in the two halves

First half YES we were on top in terms of possession but only because Cardiff were quite happy to let us have the ball in areas of the pitch that werent going to cause problems. We were keeping the ball for large spells but not doing anything productive with the possession, either by delivering the ball from out wide, or getting their defenders turned and running back towards their own goal. We were easy to defend against and looked pretty impotent.

Second half the difference was Sousa taking a brave step to forego his footballing principles and play a more direct ruthless style of play. In the playoff away leg Howard was almost unplayable and the tactic of getting the ball into him quickly and getting support around him clearly worked wonders. Everything in the second half was more direct. The ball was played from back to front more quickly, Dyer and Waghorn were constant threats with their pace cutting inside, and Cardiff couldnt handle us.

Ultimately whilst it may not be for the purists and the technicians, doing the basics and the ugly stuff is whats required to build a successful championship team IMO. I think theres also a clear difference between being 'direct' as our second half shows and being a long ball team which Coventry clearly were on saturday and which was appauling football.

By this i mean being able to at times overload the box and play percentage stuff, win a significant proportion of the second ball, keep the pitch wide, be a threat from dead ball situations.

I think we will become more of a threat from dead ball situations as the season progresses, as well now we have waggy who takes good corners.

Andy King, if not the best, is certainly in the top 3 central midfielders in the championship. His late runs into the box are reminiscent of Frank Lampard.

[Joe.]

Oh god I love Andy King. Give him that role and he will score, it's as simple as that.

Wellens after a woeful first half was superb in the second as he assisted both goals. We saw the best and worst of him tonight, and the best is an absolute joy to watch. Dyer was a constant thorn in their side despite a horrific miss, and Waghorn and Oakley also impressed with workmanlike performances.

Fully deserved, just at the right time and a huge confidence boost all around. Excellent stuff.

[ramboacdc]

get qpr here now! i wanna wipe that smug look off warnocks fooking face!

[dogadug]

Great result.

I can't really criticise any of the players after a performance like that.

Best players for me were King, Dyer and Neilson. As many people have already said, King is reminiscent of Lampard, making so many excellent runs into the area, and also tracking back well. Dyer was excellent going forwards, their defenders must've been bricking it every time he started to run at them, and he also worked hard tracking back, he didn't stop running for the whole 90 minutes. And Neilson was great in defence making some excellent tackles, constantly making great runs down the right, and getting the ball in the area.

Overall, it was a very encouraging performance, which was seen by an excellent crowd of 20,000+ , with a great atmosphere that was created by the kop and L1, and the Fosse Boys didn't stop standing and singing all game, and I could hear them from J3(on the few occasions when there wasn't as much noise in the stadium).

[lcfcsnow]

Nobody, that's the point. Sousa's system doesn't require a big lump up front and we shouldn't be encouraging long, hopeful balls if we're good enough to keep it on the deck and still penetrate.

We have good footballers in Fryatt and Gallagher who are both capable of receiving the ball, trapping it and finding feet. That's enough. We don't need some huge muscle man up front. It's no coincidence that both of our goals today came from fluid passing moves that used our midfield and our width and not thumped up long balls to Howard's head or chest.

As hard as it might be for a lot of City fans to get out of our heads - we don't NEED a traditional number nine if we're going to play Paulo's football properly.

Totally agree but even when he's not in the side, City fans around me are pining for his introduction. We have played such dire football for the past 5-6 years, managers came and went but none showed an interest in changing our ways and stuck a big man up there, usually lacking in quality (De Vries, Dublin, Scowcroft), painful to watch for fans who like to see a good game of football, but the majority of fans at Leicester will want to see a Leicester win no matter what, and are happy whatever is put in front of them, and thats all they''ve had. I'm hoping they give it time, cut the boo'ing out when were trying to pass through a team instead of lumping it forward to a big lumbering oaf.

As I've said though, Paulo won't get far if he intends on sticking with Howard, bad news if he gets a new contract. Fryatt isn't the answer though, I'd like to see Waghorn given a central role with another pace man out wide (not N'Guessan).

[thybluefox]

Simply awesome tonight, a few comments after reading this thread.

People criticising our strikers for not scoring...to be fair, we only had one striker today and that was Howard, who is not going to be scoring many this season, lets be honest. Personally think Waghorn could have done the same job as him today, and have been more of a threat to goal.

King and Dyer were awesome. I'm starting to notice there's a few players who are flourishing under Sousa, namely Dyer, Neilson and King. Robbie wouldn't have got near my first choice 11 last season, but so far he's hardly put a foot wrong.

Wellens was the only one I can really complain about tonight, too slow and too clumsy for the type of football we're now playing. As long as he settles in, and Oakley keeps tackling like he was tonight, I'd like to see Abe replace Wellens eventually.

Bring on the CuePeeArr!

[Guest MarshallForEngland]

Our passing at times was sublime. The buildup play that created the second goal was top draw. They couldn't handle Dyer, and when Waggy started staying on the right wing they couldn't handle him either. Neilson put in a really good performance; he has upped his game significantly and actually looked like a solid, reliable right back. Big Steve had a tremendous second half. Some of his holdup play was spot on. Needless to say King stole the show with his goals but I thought he was immense all over the field. Constantly putting them under pressure and never too slow in tracking back. It is still slightly worrying that we converted such a small percentage of the chances we had but I think (or at least hope) this will improve as the season goes on.

[OriginalRobboFOX]

Andy King, Lloyd Dyer were obviously fantastic tonight. However, Neilson looked 10 times the shaky, stuttery, reckless full back of last year. Sousa's got him playing well.

Thought the Hobbs and Morrison partnership was class but I won't get too carried away given that they were missing Bellamy, Chopra and Bothroyd. Also special mention to Steve Howard, thought he was solid too.

Either way QPR will bring a different challenge on Saturday and I guess that test will really show us where we are...

[Thracian]

Top of the League team taken to pieces and City playing the sort of thrilling, exciting, passionate and cultured football I've been longing to see since the 60s.

It was just uplifting and the perfect way to silence the Sousa knockers because this was better than Coventry in its tempo and chances created and most of all in its end product.

Suddenly too, the fans have character footballers they can associate with. I was mocked four seasons ago when I likened Andy King's late-arrtiving style to to that of Martin Peters but he sure looked a natural in that role tonight and what a brace of goals.

King was inspirational - so involv ed in so many aspects of the play - but his uncannily accurate marksmanship was a godsend on the night in changing technical merit to achievement.

Suddenly too we had four genuine attackers - plus helpers - arriving with a bit of urgency into the danger areas and looking as if they relished it.

Having Dyer and Waghorn driving through from the flanks - and testing defenders even more by swopping flanks made us look so robust.

But a word too for Howard who, after a somewhat ponderous start, suddenly found runners in closer contact and started controlling and feeding the ball with telling effect.

How good it was to see the ball flowing from left to right until Cardiff were too mesmorized to cope. Neilson has had his critics, me included, but he certainly relished joining the attack, making his contribution to our opening goal and providing yet another man for the Cardiff rearguard to be concerned about.

As well as his goals Kingy still found time for other duties but how he benefitted from not having to labour from one penalty area to the other all the time. Suddenly he showed the little bursts of pace, clever dummies and astute passes which characterised his time in the Academy side.

For me his had to have been close to a 10 performance tonight and Lloyd Dyer, despite the opportunity he squandered in his excitement, looked a man in love with the game again - all enthusiasm and efforvescence and a man confident he could take on and destroy any defence or defender.

It was the last chance to watch a game with my youngest before he leaves for his new life on the cruise liners but what a send off. Considering the opposition probably the best we've played in a league game for ages yet the signs have been there as we've all mentioned for someone to get a right hammering.

And apart from the closeness of the score this was a hammering.

Just as pleasing as the result was the closing down, the speed of recovery and the etermination in the tackle we showed. I didn't see us second best in any phase tonight and Kingy's kissing of the badge with such obvious sincerity was the icing on one delicious cake as far as entertainment was concerned.

To the team and to Sousa - well done and thanks for a night to remember.

[MrSpaM]

Just got back from the game, must say i was really impressed by the way we handled that game, were by far the better team throughout. Dyer was immense, their defense were cacking their pants every time he got the ball. Andy Kings two goals were very well taken too, hats off to the lad. Our team deserved their massive applause at full time. The stats say it all really, 23 shots, 10 of which on target. As soon as our strikers start finding the back of the net, were going to look like a team heading for promotion.

Tonight, I am well happy

[thybluefox]

Top of the League team taken to pieces and City playing the sort of thrilling, exciting, passionate and cultured football I've been longing to see since the 60s.

It was just uplifting and the perfect way to silence the Sousa knockers because this was better than Coventry in its tempo and chances created and most of all in its end product.

Suddenly too, the fans have character footballers they can associate with. I was mocked four seasons ago when I likened Andy King's late-arrtiving style to to that of Martin Peters but he sure looked a natural in that role tonight and what a brace of goals.

King was inspirational - so involv ed in so many aspects of the play - but his uncannily accurate marksmanship was a godsend on the night in changing technical merit to achievement.

Suddenly too we had four genuine attackers - plus helpers - arriving with a bit of urgency into the danger areas and looking as if they relished it.

Having Dyer and Waghorn driving through from the flanks - and testing defenders even more by swopping flanks made us look so robust.

But a word too for Howard who, after a somewhat ponderous start, suddenly found runners in closer contact and started controlling and feeding the ball with telling effect.

How good it was to see the ball flowing from left to right until Cardiff were too mesmorized to cope. Neilson has had his critics, me included, but he certainly relished joining the attack, making his contribution to our opening goal and providing yet another man for the Cardiff rearguard to be concerned about.

As well as his goals Kingy still found time for other duties but how he benefitted from not having to labour from one penalty area to the other all the time. Suddenly he showed the little bursts of pace, clever dummies and astute passes which characterised his time in the Academy side.

For me his had to have been close to a 10 performance tonight and Lloyd Dyer, despite the opportunity he squandered in his excitement, looked a man in love with the game again - all enthusiasm and efforvescence and a man confident he could take on and destroy any defence or defender.

It was the last chance to watch a game with my youngest before he leaves for his new life on the cruise liners but what a send off. Considering the opposition probably the best we've played in a league game for ages yet the signs have been there as we've all mentioned for someone to get a right hammering.

And apart from the closeness of the score this was a hammering.

Just as pleasing as the result was the closing down, the speed of recovery and the etermination in the tackle we showed. I didn't see us second best in any phase tonight and Kingy's kissing of the badge with such obvious sincerity was the icing on one delicious cake as far as entertainment was concerned.

To the team and to Sousa - well done and thanks for a night to remember.

:city: :wub:

Please tell me there's pictures of Andy kissing the badge! I might have to get them laminated...

[Koke]

Top of the League team taken to pieces and City playing the sort of thrilling, exciting, passionate and cultured football I've been longing to see since the 60s.

It was just uplifting and the perfect way to silence the Sousa knockers because this was better than Coventry in its tempo and chances created and most of all in its end product.

Suddenly too, the fans have character footballers they can associate with. I was mocked four seasons ago when I likened Andy King's late-arrtiving style to to that of Martin Peters but he sure looked a natural in that role tonight and what a brace of goals.

King was inspirational - so involv ed in so many aspects of the play - but his uncannily accurate marksmanship was a godsend on the night in changing technical merit to achievement.

Suddenly too we had four genuine attackers - plus helpers - arriving with a bit of urgency into the danger areas and looking as if they relished it.

Having Dyer and Waghorn driving through from the flanks - and testing defenders even more by swopping flanks made us look so robust.

But a word too for Howard who, after a somewhat ponderous start, suddenly found runners in closer contact and started controlling and feeding the ball with telling effect.

How good it was to see the ball flowing from left to right until Cardiff were too mesmorized to cope. Neilson has had his critics, me included, but he certainly relished joining the attack, making his contribution to our opening goal and providing yet another man for the Cardiff rearguard to be concerned about.

As well as his goals Kingy still found time for other duties but how he benefitted from not having to labour from one penalty area to the other all the time. Suddenly he showed the little bursts of pace, clever dummies and astute passes which characterised his time in the Academy side.

For me his had to have been close to a 10 performance tonight and Lloyd Dyer, despite the opportunity he squandered in his excitement, looked a man in love with the game again - all enthusiasm and efforvescence and a man confident he could take on and destroy any defence or defender.

It was the last chance to watch a game with my youngest before he leaves for his new life on the cruise liners but what a send off. Considering the opposition probably the best we've played in a league game for ages yet the signs have been there as we've all mentioned for someone to get a right hammering.

And apart from the closeness of the score this was a hammering.

Just as pleasing as the result was the closing down, the speed of recovery and the etermination in the tackle we showed. I didn't see us second best in any phase tonight and Kingy's kissing of the badge with such obvious sincerity was the icing on one delicious cake as far as entertainment was concerned.

To the team and to Sousa - well done and thanks for a night to remember.

Great summary, sir. i agree with every word.

A word on our rejuvenated right back. I'll have some of the drugs Robbie Neilson is on. The man seems a complete different player under Sousa. I'm so pleased for him. Long may it continue, Robbie.

[The Doctor]

aah. lovely that was. They didn't really create anything, relying on long range shots and a miscued cross. Had some very good chances to win by more - waghorn at the end of the first half, dyer's one on one (though that should have been a corner). But that will do for starters. On a side note the atmosphere was cracking - keep it up. bring on QPR.

interesting though that in the immediate two games after selling campbell we produce two dominant , brilliant displays.