Originally Posted by
AfricanBluebird
Another good write up Paul.
A few points...
..while possession is a vanity statistic if you don't do much with the ball, it is a simple mathematically equation that if you keep the ball the opposition can't create chances. To me that is a simple footballing truth... the alternative is conceding possession, playing negatively and throwing everything behind the ball to block... while there are times that is certainly needed, city seem to have a PhD in it of recent years an in my opinion is completely unsustainable if you want to not just compete at the top of the championship, but also retain a Premier League team. Recent history proves this yet city seem to take 'joy' in being battered rather than taking games to opponents and retaining possession. However, being more pragmatic, MM hasn't got the personnel for that so it will be interesting if he buys smartly in the summer or whether we are in for more of the same.. I am sick of city throwing the kitchen sink at defending rather than taking games to opponents.
.. your point about game management / free kicks... completely agree. I am baffled that after going 1 up in the 87th minute that the team couldn't close out the game. In the previous 86 minutes we had given away free kicks and picked up yellows and yet closing out the game we are so soft and allowed reading to come at us... perhaps it is the worry we will pick up a red after already receiving bookings, but the point is we should be more professional in closing games out.. why Moore crossed on 93 minutes when he could have gone to the corner was beyond belief. And why we weren't closing down and fouling in their half to keep play up field is baffling. We were doing in before we went in front but when we needed to do it, we didn't!
.. subs.. again, why oh why didn't we make three subs after we went ahead. It kills time and brings on some fresh legs. I think though its indicative of my first point - battling and industrious Cardiff hanging on again, and again. Sadly, it doesn't work, so sticking to the same principles when it hasn't worked for the last month is bizarre. During our decent run we would see Colwill and Harris coming on... that seems to have taken a back seat.
Another frustrating night. Not only because conceding a late goal is always a kick in the teeth, but the general approach to games is so negative. For MM to say we were 'excellent' up until we conceded may be just a bit of manager hyperbolic speak, but if he truly believes that then we are in for a pretty miserable few years.