Originally Posted by
Bluebird23
Stoke have lost four of their last five, and have three wins in the last 16 games.
As poor as they are, and they were dire, they could have won it in injury time.
This was a must win game to have a chance of making the Playoffs, so I expected the team to come out fired up from the start and going for it, against a team out of form and lacking in confidence.
Instead, we came out lacking any passion, heart or desire, and played as if it was a pre-season friendly.
They played like a bunch of individuals, and the amount of times the ball was kicked aimlessly down field, or in to touch was shocking.
Around 10 minutes in a Stoke player overran the ball, and he went in to touch. The ball was by the byline and Sang with no one around him, could have took a touch and ran forward or played it in field. But, instead, he just needlessly kicked it in to touch. This was a portent of the dross, to follow.
This team was full of players who couldn’t pass a ball, and couldn’t cross a ball. We even put a promising free kick and a corner, straight out of play.
My biggest issue tonight and why McCarthy has now lost me, is his substitutions. The lack of, and poor choices.
The first half was abysmal, so I expected at least two subs at half time, to give us some energy and to try and change the game.
Instead, in a must win game, and with a lifeless performance from most of the team, he allowed it to drift on with no urgency, and didn’t make a substitution until the 74th minute. Why?
Even then, when we were desperately in need of a goal to win it, he could have made a double substitution and brought on any one of a number of goal scoring options like Hoilett, Murphy or Wilson. Instead, he brings off an attacker and brings on that goal scoring super sub, Johnny Williams!
He then didn’t make another substitution, until giving Wilson six minutes at the end. Pointless!
With players as abysmal as these playing continually, what does Hoilett have to do to get a game? He is a quality performer who can pitch in with a goal, or create something. He should have had a minimum, 30 minutes tonight.
Moore never gets a meaningful cross played in to him in the box, nor a meaningful pass threaded through. All he had tonight was a couple of balls kicked forward from 40 yards out. Granted, he should have scored at least one. But, he’s totally isolated and there’s no one playing around him. Why not try two up top, someone to play off him?
This was complete and utter garbage from the team and McCarthy tonight, as it has been in four of the last five games.
The football (or lack of) makes your eyes bleed, and the majority of them are stealing a living.
If the board want a man to create a hard working team to ensure mid table mediocrity, he’s a good appointment.
If they were hoping for a manager to mould a team in to playing good football and making us serious promotion contenders, Mick McCarthy is not that man.
He is not improving these players, which is what a decent coach does.
This team is moulded in his own personality. Dour, limited and lacking in any imagination, or flair.
When he was appointed, an Ipswich and Ireland supporting friend each messaged me to say he’s terrible, and the supporters couldn’t wait to see the back of him. I can see why.
He was a decent short term appointment, and that’s what he should have stayed. He should never have prematurely been given a two year contract. It should have been reviewed at the end of the season, as initially announced.
Personally, I like Mick McCarthy as an individual, and as a pundit.
But, as Cardiff City manager, no thanks.
And to think we might have two seasons of this anti-football rubbish, from this managerial dinosaur!
