Cardiff Post Match 0-0

[somebum]

We come away with a point but I would say that a point at possibly the worst opponents we may face this season is a mini disaster. MacKay has managed to transform Cardiff from a team of also rans into a side lacking character, fight and purpose. I have not seen a side perform so abysmally for a number of seasons now. Whilst City may have taken a point it is worrying that they could not capitalize on how poor Cardiff were today. We seem to be over reliant on the old traditional whack it into the box and hope someone gets on the end of it style of play.

I don't think anybody had a bad game today but Sven's silence in the technical box at a time when he should have been encouraging the players to fight for all three points with venom cost the team today. If Cardiff continue to play so poorly (what has happened to them?) I can see them fighting to get away from the bottom 10. Their players have no skill whatsoever and when mixed into a side with little work ethic, that is the cocktail of disaster.

If we can't brush this rabble aside, we will never challenge the top 3. Or are we still waiting 'to gel'?

[Thracian]

I said a draw was the best we could expect because we don't have goals in enough positions and rest my case. The best thing about today was another clean sheet but we are having to do so much to protect the defence it is costing us in attack.

Some will be happy to get a point from Cardiff but we've played two games there in five days and effectively returned with one point from a possible six although three of those "points" represented us getting knocked out of the cup.

We've not advanced our cause at all, shown no innovation whasoever, allowed a dead ordinary side to get a point and not changed an already ineffective approach one bit.

We have arguyably the best striker in the division and did nothing by way of stretching the play and providing space to ensure chances for him.

The bloke will die here out of frustration.

We simply have too many players in our team who don't make enough happen or slow the game dowm. Abe, Wellens and Fernandes for a start with Konshelsky not much better.

I've seen enough to be honest. Sven's not going to sort our coaching out yet our set pieces were pathetic once more, our passing and moving laboured and our inability to change defence into attack quickly, inexcusable.

Yes, we had the best chances. Mills so unlucky with his fist half header that was cleared off the line. King missing with his first half volley and a much more difficult reactionary toepoke in the second half and Vasssell so desperately unlucky when heading down towards an open goal only to see the ball bounced up onto the crossbar.

But so much of our approach play was turgid and totally lacking in pace or imagination.

And what the hell we were doing for the first half-hour of the second half. We were second best out of two and would have been third if that had been an option. I said we weren't fit enough or determined enough to press for 90 minutes and that's when we played a 30 minute "excuse me". Front two thirds we just weren't there and might as well have been in Swansea for all the impact we made.

Thankfully Cardiff had been decimated with injuries and didn't really have the energy themselves to make their possession pay and I was pleasantly surprised that we came back in the last 10/15 minutes to finish the stronger and actually threaten a goal.

But we didn't ever play with enough goal threat at any one time because we're inherently cautious.

Cardiff were and are an ordinary team and we made them look solid. Their only answer to any break of ours was a foul. But with the officials clearly having selective eyesight they were always going to get away with it - the blatant blocking off of Beckford in the first half being one glaring example. Defenders block because they don't have the pace or energy to turn and catch up. So why didn't we stretch the play and counter attack at pace with Vassell and Dyer out wide and Schlupp where he belongs - right alongside Beckford.

Because we elect to insure our defence, that's why, with the like of Fernandes, who continues to make nothing happen in an attacking sense and Abe who is just as bad. That leaves the pedestrian Wellens as our main source of constructive input together with our full-backs and they clearly had enough to do just coping today.

We basically had no pace out wide on either flank - and therefore no penetration. The game ended up as the equivalent of slugging match with two teams bouncing off one another. Awful to watch and not not nearl;y good enough to win us automatic promotion.

Man of the Match? Mills by a distance. One important block, decisive generally in defence and as dangerous in attack as anyone.

[Tuna]

VASSELL IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH.

GOALSCORING RECORD APPALLING.

MISSED A REAL SITTER TODAY.

[martyn]

Cardiff were there for the taking. As many people have said here, we never utilise an opportunity to break quickly, it's slow slow build up which eventually goes nowhere and culminates in a pass to the centre half/Schmeichel for a hoof to be easily mopped up. Against a side like Cardiff, whose midfielders don't give you space to breathe, we miss a player with some genuine craft, directness, or pace to change it up a bit.

Mills had his best game by far and Peltier was very good. On the other hand Wellens showed his worse side today (ponderous in possession, losing the ball in dangerous areas, pathetic defensive efforts) and Beckford (heavy touch, lack of movement and poor attitude) wasn't much better.

Would drop 2 of Wellens, Fernandes or Abe for Danns and Johnson at 'Boro. I'd keep King in simply for his goal threat.

[Guest Col city fan]

This forum never ceases to amaze me.... Only 2/3 weeks ago Jermaine Beckford was being hailed by nearly all as our goal scoring saviour... Super player, just what we needed etc was mooted for days, if not weeks. I stated that I was unsure about him because I have some mates who are Leeds fans who never really liked him ie. Although he scored goals he was never really a 'fans favourite', primarily because there's games he falls on his arse just too much...

But no! You screamed... He's gonna be the one to make the difference...

Now, after one poor showing there are many on here suggesting he is a willy puller or worse still... A cvnt!!!

Hehe the views on here change with the fookin wind

For me, Beckford is a poncey player who will be sensational one week then dross the next.. However, he needs something to play off... Something to run onto or to get his head on...

Today he didn't have much... And to be 'satisfied' with the first 80 mins of that game is bewildering really.

Solid, a point away from home and all that... Yes

But I expect better than that first 80 mins... A very boring game lacking any real entertainment until they were too crocked to carry on playing.

Cmon Sven let's inject some pace and skill into this side and give us all something worth watching...

[SMX11]

VASSELL IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH.

GOALSCORING RECORD APPALLING.

MISSED A REAL SITTER TODAY.

Well he won't be playing if Nugent is fit.

[Thracian]

Wellens and King weren't up to scratch today. King was the invisible man again and Wellen.... Wellens...

King actually worked himself two of our best chances and made a reasonable stab at taking them. There was some question of him being due a penalty as he was challeged for the toepoke he put over.

[Guest Col city fan]

I said a draw was the best we could expect because we don't have goals in enough positions and rest my case. The best thing about today was another clean sheet but we are having to do so much to protect the defence it is costing us in attack.

Some will be happy to get a point from Cardiff but we've

played two games there in five days and effectively returned with one point from a possible six although three of those "points" represented us getting knocked out of the cup.

We've not advanced our cause at all, shown no innovation whasoever, allowed a dead ordinary side to get a point and not changed an already ineffective approach one bit.

We have arguyably the best striker in the division and did nothing by way of stretching the play and providing space to ensure chances for him.

The bloke will die here out of frustration.

We simply have too many players in our team who don't make enough happen or slow the game dowm. Abe, Wellens and Fernandes for a start with Konshelsky not

much better.

I've seen enough to be honest. Sven's not going to sort our coaching out yet our set pieces were pathetic once more, our passing and moving laboured and our inability to change defence into attack quickly, inexcusable.

Yes, we had the best chances. Mills so unlucky with his fist half header that was cleared off the line. King missing with

his first half volley and a much more difficult reactionary toepoke in the second half and Vasssell so desperately unlucky when heading down towards an open goal only to see the ball bounced up onto the crossbar.

But so much of our approach play was turgid and totally lacking in pace or imagination.

And what the hell we were doing for the first half-hour of the second half. We were second best out of two and would have been third if that had been an option. I said we weren't fit enough or determined enough to press for 90 minutes and that's when we played a 30 minute "excuse me". Front two thirds we just weren't there and might as well have been in Swansea for all the impact we made.

Thankfully Cardiff had been decimated with injuries and didn't really have the energy themselves to make their possession pay and I was pleasantly surprised that we came back in the last 10/15 minutes to finish the stronger and actually threaten a goal.

But we didn't ever play with enough goal threat at any one time because we're inherently cautious.

Cardiff were and are an ordinary team and we made them

look solid. Their only answer to any break of ours was a foul. But with the officials clearly having selective eyesight they were always going to get away with it - the blatant blocking off of Beckford in the first half being one glaring example. Defenders block because they don't have the pace or energy to turn and catch up. So why didn't we stretch the play and counter attack at pace with Vassell

and Dyer out wide and Schlupp where he belongs - right alongside Beckford.

Because we elect to insure our defence, that's why, with the like of Fernandes, who continues to make nothing happen in an attacking sense and Abe who is just as bad. That leaves the pedestrian Wellens as our main source of

constructive input together with our full-backs and they clearly had enough to do just coping today.

We basically had no pace out wide on either flank - and therefore no penetration. The game ended up as the equivalent of slugging match with two teams bouncing off one another. Awful to watch and not not nearl;y good

enough to win us automatic promotion.

Man of the Match? Mills by a distance. One important block, decisive generally in defence and as dangerous in attack as anyone.

Spot on Thrac... Could have written this miself... Although in fewer words and with some swear words contained within

[Petchy]

VASSELL IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH.

GOALSCORING RECORD APPALLING.

MISSED A REAL SITTER TODAY.

Anyway, did more than Beckford today so quit whining.

[PegguyArphexad]

Controlled the first half but was perhaps a little pedestrian.

Second half was a poor midfield display. But it was a good defensive performance and looked comfortable.

It was a good away performance. Clearly room for improvement but Cardiff are a good side and it is a point nearer to where we want to be...

[Thracian]

Did you not see how often Beckford was being whacked off the ball? Or how Gerrard had his hands all over MIlls at setpieces? Or the blatant handball by Schlupp when he blocked Whittingham's free-kick?

The ref was far too weak today. But that's par for the course whenever we visit Cardiff..

All the time - and how both officials missed his being blatantly obstructed off the ball I don't know. Kiss was not the only one to hardly make a fair challenge throughout. But the referee didn't want to notice.

[Bert]

For those that said the ref was good, how many of you went? He was awful.

[SuperScout]

HAS to beat Middlesbrough AND Derby or else he's gone.

[ajthefox]

I said a draw was the best we could expect because we don't have goals in enough positions and rest my case. The best thing about today was another clean sheet but we are having to do so much to protect the defence it is costing us in attack.

Some will be happy to get a point from Cardiff but we've played two games there in five days and effectively returned with one point from a possible six although three of those "points" represented us getting knocked out of the cup.

We've not advanced our cause at all, shown no innovation whasoever, allowed a dead ordinary side to get a point and not changed an already ineffective approach one bit.

We have arguyably the best striker in the division and did nothing by way of stretching the play and providing space to ensure chances for him.

The bloke will die here out of frustration.

We simply have too many players in our team who don't make enough happen or slow the game dowm. Abe, Wellens and Fernandes for a start with Konshelsky not much better.

I've seen enough to be honest. Sven's not going to sort our coaching out yet our set pieces were pathetic once more, our passing and moving laboured and our inability to change defence into attack quickly, inexcusable.

Yes, we had the best chances. Mills so unlucky with his fist half header that was cleared off the line. King missing with his first half volley and a much more difficult reactionary toepoke in the second half and Vasssell so desperately unlucky when heading down towards an open goal only to see the ball bounced up onto the crossbar.

But so much of our approach play was turgid and totally lacking in pace or imagination.

And what the hell we were doing for the first half-hour of the second half. We were second best out of two and would have been third if that had been an option. I said we weren't fit enough or determined enough to press for 90 minutes and that's when we played a 30 minute "excuse me". Front two thirds we just weren't there and might as well have been in Swansea for all the impact we made.

Thankfully Cardiff had been decimated with injuries and didn't really have the energy themselves to make their possession pay and I was pleasantly surprised that we came back in the last 10/15 minutes to finish the stronger and actually threaten a goal.

But we didn't ever play with enough goal threat at any one time because we're inherently cautious.

Cardiff were and are an ordinary team and we made them look solid. Their only answer to any break of ours was a foul. But with the officials clearly having selective eyesight they were always going to get away with it - the blatant blocking off of Beckford in the first half being one glaring example. Defenders block because they don't have the pace or energy to turn and catch up. So why didn't we stretch the play and counter attack at pace with Vassell and Dyer out wide and Schlupp where he belongs - right alongside Beckford.

Because we elect to insure our defence, that's why, with the like of Fernandes, who continues to make nothing happen in an attacking sense and Abe who is just as bad. That leaves the pedestrian Wellens as our main source of constructive input together with our full-backs and they clearly had enough to do just coping today.

We basically had no pace out wide on either flank - and therefore no penetration. The game ended up as the equivalent of slugging match with two teams bouncing off one another. Awful to watch and not not nearl;y good enough to win us automatic promotion.

Man of the Match? Mills by a distance. One important block, decisive generally in defence and as dangerous in attack as anyone.

I agree with your summary in general and assessment of the players but fook me you don't half make it sound like we're absolute shite.

We weren't that bad, we just weren't that good either.

[Christoph]

Positives - Clean sheet away from home.

Negatives - Shit fans.

Newsflash...we are not man united

[Thracian]

Spot on Thrac... Could have written this miself... Although in fewer words and with some swear words contained within

I don't like to swear in front of young 'uns!

[OzFox]

Cardiff were there for the taking. As many people have said here, we never utilise an opportunity to break quickly, it's slow slow build up which eventually goes nowhere and culminates in a pass to the centre half/Schmeichel for a hoof to be easily mopped up. Against a side like Cardiff, whose midfielders don't give you space to breathe, we miss a player with some genuine craft, directness, or pace to change it up a bit.

Mills had his best game by far and Peltier was very good. On the other hand Wellens showed his worse side today (ponderous in possession, losing the ball in dangerous areas, pathetic defensive efforts) and Beckford (heavy touch, lack of movement and poor attitude) wasn't much better.

Would drop 2 of Wellens, Fernandes or Abe for Danns and Johnson at 'Boro. I'd keep King in simply for his goal threat.

Agree with this

Can't believe how bad our free kicks and corners are. Neither Mills or Bamba are dominant enough in the air to do anything with these floated crosses, even on the rare occassion they float into the right place

[smudger63]

I said a draw was the best we could expect because we don't have goals in enough positions and rest my case. The best thing about today was another clean sheet but we are having to do so much to protect the defence it is costing us in attack.

Some will be happy to get a point from Cardiff but we've played two games there in five days and effectively returned with one point from a possible six although three of those "points" represented us getting knocked out of the cup.

We've not advanced our cause at all, shown no innovation whasoever, allowed a dead ordinary side to get a point and not changed an already ineffective approach one bit.

We have arguyably the best striker in the division and did nothing by way of stretching the play and providing space to ensure chances for him.

The bloke will die here out of frustration.

We simply have too many players in our team who don't make enough happen or slow the game dowm. Abe, Wellens and Fernandes for a start with Konshelsky not much better.

I've seen enough to be honest. Sven's not going to sort our coaching out yet our set pieces were pathetic once more, our passing and moving laboured and our inability to change defence into attack quickly, inexcusable.

Yes, we had the best chances. Mills so unlucky with his fist half header that was cleared off the line. King missing with his first half volley and a much more difficult reactionary toepoke in the second half and Vasssell so desperately unlucky when heading down towards an open goal only to see the ball bounced up onto the crossbar.

But so much of our approach play was turgid and totally lacking in pace or imagination.

And what the hell we were doing for the first half-hour of the second half. We were second best out of two and would have been third if that had been an option. I said we weren't fit enough or determined enough to press for 90 minutes and that's when we played a 30 minute "excuse me". Front two thirds we just weren't there and might as well have been in Swansea for all the impact we made.

Thankfully Cardiff had been decimated with injuries and didn't really have the energy themselves to make their possession pay and I was pleasantly surprised that we came back in the last 10/15 minutes to finish the stronger and actually threaten a goal.

But we didn't ever play with enough goal threat at any one time because we're inherently cautious.

Cardiff were and are an ordinary team and we made them look solid. Their only answer to any break of ours was a foul. But with the officials clearly having selective eyesight they were always going to get away with it - the blatant blocking off of Beckford in the first half being one glaring example. Defenders block because they don't have the pace or energy to turn and catch up. So why didn't we stretch the play and counter attack at pace with Vassell and Dyer out wide and Schlupp where he belongs - right alongside Beckford.

Because we elect to insure our defence, that's why, with the like of Fernandes, who continues to make nothing happen in an attacking sense and Abe who is just as bad. That leaves the pedestrian Wellens as our main source of constructive input together with our full-backs and they clearly had enough to do just coping today.

We basically had no pace out wide on either flank - and therefore no penetration. The game ended up as the equivalent of slugging match with two teams bouncing off one another. Awful to watch and not not nearl;y good enough to win us automatic promotion.

Man of the Match? Mills by a distance. One important block, decisive generally in defence and as dangerous in attack as anyone.

Absolutely spot on.

[woznotwos]

Can't believe how negative people are. Nil nil away at Cardiff is a decent result!

THIS....its a long season and these results will all count , we arent losing these and we would have at the start of the season. We are heading in the right direction! Im optimistic!!!!!!!

[gazfox9]

Can't help but feel thats 2 points lost, not one gained. Cardiff were there for the taking today.

At least Matt Mills is starting to show his true form. Outstanding today, MOTM by some way for me.

[Tielemans63]

At least Matt Mills is starting to show his true form. Outstanding today, MOTM by some way for me.

Was going to post the same thing. Thought the back four looked pretty solid. The issue for me is still a lack of width. We started with 4CM's and it showed as we couldn't get round the sides of the Cardiff defence when it became apparent we weren't going to get at them through the middle. When Nuge I'd back I'd stick Vass on the wing and bring in A N other to play on the other wing.

[liamsm]

Positives:

- Mills was very good

Negatives:

- Performance was absolutely shit

I totally agree

[liamsm]

Because he was far better than Beckford. He had a great first half IMO, but like the rest of the team didn't do a lot in the second.

Beckford played like a subbuteo player that hadn't seen a finger so it wasn't hard for Vassel to play better than him, though IMO Vassel wasn't very good either

[leicesterseddon]

We were shit, they were shit. One of the poorest games of football I've seen in a long time.

Our lack of width cost us today. Playing 4 central midfield players is not going to cut the mustard away from home.

We should be playing one of the wingers we signed in the summer. Oh no wait...

[liamsm]

1st half we played well, and then 2nd half one of those famous Sven team talks, WTF does he say to them at half-time because every game i've seen this season we've came out in the 2nd half a different team, a worse team.

Why did it take us till the 94th minute to make our best chance?

I said the other day, and people may laugh but I felt we needed to win today, if we won today we'd have almost been back on track after a disappointing start to the season both result and performance wise, we go to Middlesborough on Wednesday which will be a tough game and one I fear we will sturggle to draw.

And when can we stop using this 'they're still gelling' excuse?

Time to stand up and be counted lads.

I haven't heard anybody using the gel word as an excuse this afternonn, as for " and then 2nd half one of those famous Sven team talks, WTF does he say to them at half-time because every game i've seen this season we've came out in the 2nd half a different team, a worse team." So in the last couple of weeks we haven't scored goals in the first 5 min of the 2nd half!!