What has happened to our early season style of play?

[The Lone Gunman]

Dreadful first half? Oooh, how negative.

[Rjk]

Considering we got rid of so many players and are in an unfamiliar league, I'd say the season couldn't really have gone any better so far (being top). That doesn't mean to say we don't have weaknesses, we have certainly rode our luck at times so far. I agree we need a couple of quality players in January, maybe that will be what sets us apart, our ability to spend in January well above our rivals

Yes that is true, and there's also a decent chance that some of the younger players will be getting stronger throughout the season

[Jimmy_Tango]

oh following city is always stressful
there was a guy sat near me at Bradford who was screaming so much I thought was going to have a pull and keel over
thankfully he didn't. I've really enjoyed this season so far after the last few, though at time we are frustrating to watch.

[Coyote]

A large chunk of the fanbase were predicting mid table or worse in the summer, we weren't any bookmakers favourites either so I don't know where you're getting the idea we were expected to walk the league from

We were second favourites according to the bookies most of the pre-season and slipped down beneath Huddersfield to be third.

[PaulWent76]

Morning TLG
Do you disagree that from City's POV it was a dreadful 1st half.
Btw did you know Reading had only lost once in the league since August. That was against Barnsley. We are the 3rd team to score 2 or more against them since August. I point this out because I know you like facts and because their league position perhaps gave an impression to some of being an easy 3 points.

[North Cardiff Blue]

Well said both of you. I think this just proves how short fans memories are. The dross of the last few years are quickly forgotten and we're now yearning for the early part of the season when were great not merely lucky.
Just watched the extended highlights. Hadn't realised the excellent build up for the first, from our penalty area just like one of the Orient goals. BBM signature?
Also hats off to the players for bouncing back from the dreadful 1st half to claw a win back. Of course if you like we were just lucky.

Lucky that we've got a good keeper mostly, but we have, and he's part of the team and part of the reason we are top of the league.

We were at a disadvantage for this game, as less preparation time for a lot of our squad, as they were absent with Wales call-ups, I think we will start better next game.

[The Lone Gunman]

Morning TLG. Do you disagree that from City's POV it was a dreadful 1st half. Btw did you know Reading had only lost once in the league since August.

Good morning.

It was a poor first half display for sure and if we're being honest the performance in the second half wasn't too much better. However, you have to be careful what you say on here at present or you'll be pounced on for being negative by the usual morons, even if you're merely pointing out what was blatantly obvious to anyone who attended the game.

Yes, I was aware of Reading's record. That, combined with City's home record, was the reason I was predicting a draw to my friends before the game. I thought we were due a home draw and Reading probably weren't as bad as their league position suggested. However, we can now see that they are 22nd in the table for a reason - like many other sides in this division, they don't convert the chances they create, even when some of those chances are genuine sitters.

We're fortunate to have players with enough ability in the final third to punish our opponents at this level when the opportunities arise. The likes of Kellyman, Kpakio, Salech, Robinson, Colwill and even Davies and Willock are just too much for most League One defences to handle for ninety minutes. Regardless of the quality of the team's overall performances, we've almost always got goals in us.

Meanwhile, we also have a goalkeeper who is absolutely outstanding by this division's standards. Some of the saves he's making are genuinely incredible. Our midfield is consistently feeble and our defending is often ropey, but we're regularly getting away with it because of what we have in attack and what we have between the sticks, and that's not a recent development either. It's been the case since the season began and I think it may well prove to be enough for promotion.

It's all good fun and so much more entertaining than the last few seasons. It's just a pity that the international breaks are interfering with the flow of the season to such a degree. If you discount the Vertu Trophy nonsense, we haven't got a home game until 29th November now, which is ridiculous.

[City123]

We were second favourites according to the bookies most of the pre-season and slipped down beneath Huddersfield to be third.

Hadly walking the league is it?

[Joe Gillis]

Top of the league and another negative thread. This place is getting beyond, both in terms of trying to get on here and then the negativity when you do get on here.

God help we actually lose a couple of games or drop down to 5th or 6th.

He's absolutely right

[J R Hartley]

He's absolutely right

In your opinion. Some of the stuff weve played has been excellent in the games v Reading and Orient too. Scored some nice goals.

Yes, we are giving up too many chances, especially the last 2 games, but did anyone think we were going to completely dominate 46 games? Not be put under pressure in any games? Orient and Reading both had much better players than some of the teams we faced at the beginning of the season. From what ive seen thus far, Ballard and Connolly for Orient and Lewis Wing for Reading, are some of the best players in the division.

We played some excellent stuff at Luton at beginning of the season, especially 1st half, but Trott was MOTM in that game too. We were also outplayed in some games earlier this season too ie Port Vale and Stockport.

[PaulWent76]

Thanks the detailed reply TLG.
The thing I don't understand and probably the difference between people on here who would be classed as (overly) positive and (overly) negative is encompassed in your 3rd and 4th paragraphs. When you say we're fortunate to have these players, attacking and goalkeeper. They are our players and that's why we are, at the moment, top of the league. That's why I feel positive. Looking at our shortcomings is worthwhile for our manager but in terms of the game just gone they didn't cause a defeat. Happy days.
Also we haven't broken the bank getting to this point and have plenty of neutral observers giving our players and manager praise. I'll deal with the disappointments when they come along.

[Jimmy_Tango]

out of interest, who do people think is the best League one side we have played so far this season?

[Jeff Mansfield]

we've done well, but at times we have more holes than a Swiss cheese, ,so would like to see Osho at 6 and Robertson back in for the Cup games, give them a try, not much to lose and something to learn. Great to be top of league!

[The Lone Gunman]

The thing I don't understand and probably the difference between people on here who would be classed as (overly) positive and (overly) negative is encompassed in your 3rd and 4th paragraphs. When you say we're fortunate to have these players, attacking and goalkeeper. They are our players and that's why we are, at the moment, top of the league.

I don't regard anything I've said as overly positive or negative and I'm not sure why people get so hung about labelling things like that. I'm merely saying what I'm seeing. As a unit, our attack is too strong for this division. Our goalkeeper is way too good for this division. Our midfield is mediocre at best, even by this division's standards, and our defence is frequently all over the shop despite the individual plaudits some of the players have been getting.

This is certainly not a strong division this season. In my opinion, City have a golden opportunity to bounce straight back to the Championship and I think promotion is highly likely unless something disastrous happens to us in terms of injuries. The team would need some serious reinforcements if it was going to progress or even consolidate in the Championship next season, as most sides at that level would take a lot more of the chances we've been offering up since August. Will Fish was interviewed by Glen Williams recently and was asked what he thinks the biggest difference is between the Championship and League One. He apparently said it's the finishing and he's correct. Trott has made some incredible saves, but there have been plenty of occasions where he should have been given no chance.

There will be ups and downs and a run of defeats is inevitable at some stage, but based on everything I've seen so far I'll be surprised if City suddenly drop away. We've ridden our luck, there's no doubt about that, but much of that luck has involved poor finishing by our opponents and I don't see that changing between now and the end of the season.

[Tuerto]

I don't regard anything I've said as overly positive or negative and I'm not sure why people get so hung about labelling things like that. I'm merely saying what I'm seeing. As a unit, our attack is too strong for this division. Our goalkeeper is way too good for this division. Our midfield is mediocre at best, even by this division's standards, and our defence is frequently all over the shop despite the individual plaudits some of the players have been getting.

This is certainly not a strong division this season. In my opinion, City have a golden opportunity to bounce straight back to the Championship and I think promotion is highly likely unless something disastrous happens to us in terms of injuries. The team would need some serious reinforcements if it was going to progress or even consolidate in the Championship next season, as most sides at that level would take a lot more of the chances we've been offering up since August. Will Fish was interviewed by Glen Williams recently and was asked what he thinks the biggest difference is between the Championship and League One. He apparently said it's the finishing and he's correct. Trott has made some incredible saves, but there have been plenty of occasions where he should have been given no chance.

There will be ups and downs and a run of defeats is inevitable at some stage, but based on everything I've seen so far I'll be surprised if City suddenly drop away. We've ridden our luck, there's no doubt about that, but much of that luck has involved poor finishing by our opponents and I don't see that changing between now and the end of the season.

[NYCBlue]

other teams have worked us out, they can play a very high line and force us to play all the football in our half, and we don't have the pace to get in behind and hurt them.
we need a change in tactics or this will detail our season before long.

They worked us out but they're still losing. And we're still top of the league.

[Tuerto]

They worked us out but they're still losing. And we're still top of the league.

Because we have more up top and Murphy knows that other teams won't have the quality to put us away. Dangerous but effective.

[Rjk]

They worked us out but they're still losing. And we're still top of the league.

Yes, we're top of the league, and the games have been pretty entertaining, but there is a worrying trend in recent home games that shouldn't be ignored even though we find ourselves top

Our last 4 home games we've lost 2 and won 2 (not including Newport in the trophy).

Lost 3-1 to Bradford (being 3-0 down at home)
Lost 1-0 to Burton
Won a crazy game against Orient 4-3 and
Won against Reading 2-1

Bradford aside this should have been a fairly easy run of games going by the league table, but we lost 2 and could very easliy have lost the other two on another night.
Granted we had enough chances against Burton to have got something from that game, but Reading can feel particularly aggrieved to have not got anything from the game, and Orient were in control for long periods of their match too - it was no surprise when they took the lead.

In all the games, and probably progressively more with each game the opposition has been able to peg us back into our own half for long periods, meaning we are playing our passing game in an area of the pitch that can't hurt the opposition, and with twice the number of players cramped into half of the pitch, making it far easier to press us and force errors (like we need any help - I'm looking at you Osho) and each time it has taken falling behind to change anything.

If you look at the average player positions from the last few games, the opposition are more advanced than us - which is really unusual for a top of the league team that likes to play a passing game with lots of possession against teams (Bradford aside) that probably won't be threatening the playoffs even this season.

I tihnk we've got away with it a bit in the last couple of games, and while we have the quality to snatch a result in this level it's going to be hit and miss if we let teams get on top of us like they have.

I think we need to mix it up a bit - get the ball forward quickly on occasion from the start of games, so the opposition can't push their defence as high. that should give our midfield more space to be able to pass through teams and play the game in their half ideally, not our own.

[kendoddsdadsdogsdead]

Yes, we're top of the league, and the games have been pretty entertaining, but there is a worrying trend in recent home games that shouldn't be ignored even though we find ourselves top

Our last 4 home games we've lost 2 and won 2 (not including Newport in the trophy).

Lost 3-1 to Bradford (being 3-0 down at home)
Lost 1-0 to Burton
Won a crazy game against Orient 4-3 and
Won against Reading 2-1

Bradford aside this should have been a fairly easy run of games going by the league table, but we lost 2 and could very easliy have lost the other two on another night.
Granted we had enough chances against Burton to have got something from that game, but Reading can feel particularly aggrieved to have not got anything from the game, and Orient were in control for long periods of their match too - it was no surprise when they took the lead.

In all the games, and probably progressively more with each game the opposition has been able to peg us back into our own half for long periods, meaning we are playing our passing game in an area of the pitch that can't hurt the opposition, and with twice the number of players cramped into half of the pitch, making it far easier to press us and force errors (like we need any help - I'm looking at you Osho) and each time it has taken falling behind to change anything.

If you look at the average player positions from the last few games, the opposition are more advanced than us - which is really unusual for a top of the league team that likes to play a passing game with lots of possession against teams (Bradford aside) that probably won't be threatening the playoffs even this season.

I tihnk we've got away with it a bit in the last couple of games, and while we have the quality to snatch a result in this level it's going to be hit and miss if we let teams get on top of us like they have.

I think we need to mix it up a bit - get the ball forward quickly on occasion from the start of games, so the opposition can't push their defence as high. that should give our midfield more space to be able to pass through teams and play the game in their half ideally, not our own.

Good post

[The Lone Gunman]

Here are some really bizarre stats for you:

Three opponents have managed to get off 20 or more shots against Cardiff City this season:

22 - Luton
26 - Orient
26 - Reading

Two opponents have managed to get 10 or more shots on target against City this season:

11 - Orient
10 - Reading

Incredibly, City won all of those games by the odd goal.

Last season, during a relegation campaign, only two sides managed to get in 20 or more shots of any description against City (Leeds in had 29 in their 7-0 victory and Norwich had 22 in their 4-2 win). Meanwhile, Leeds were the only side to get 10 or more shots on target against City (they had 11 on target in that 7-0 win). No other team managed to do either.

[Boanagers]

Perhaps we are going through a rough patch and still winning games?, I agree 100% with TLG regards the international breaks, I feel they are really disruptive, in the Championship,a number of sides would face the same issue so there was an evening out but we are one of the few Div one sides that are facing this situation.The midfield has been highlighted again, I would like BM to come out and say exactly what the situation is with him, he’s a proven quality act in this league and if he ain’t going to play,tell us up front.

[A Quiet Monkfish]

They worked us out but they're still losing. And we're still top of the league.

Let's see in another half a dozen games. We've played mostly teams in the lower 3rd of the current table, and just 2 in the top half. To put it simply, we just lack pace anywhere in the team, apart perhaps from Kpakio. There's pace all around the top 6 in this league, except us.

[Hilts]

Let's see in another half a dozen games. We've played mostly teams in the lower 3rd of the current table, and just 2 in the top half. To put it simply, we just lack pace anywhere in the team, apart perhaps from Kpakio. There's pace all around the top 6 in this league, except us.

Davies has pace.

[North Cardiff Blue]

In your opinion. Some of the stuff weve played has been excellent in the games v Reading and Orient too. Scored some nice goals.

Yes, we are giving up too many chances, especially the last 2 games, but did anyone think we were going to completely dominate 46 games? Not be put under pressure in any games? Orient and Reading both had much better players than some of the teams we faced at the beginning of the season. From what ive seen thus far, Ballard and Connolly for Orient and Lewis Wing for Reading, are some of the best players in the division.

We played some excellent stuff at Luton at beginning of the season, especially 1st half, but Trott was MOTM in that game too. We were also outplayed in some games earlier this season too ie Port Vale and Stockport.

We were lucky with the opening fixtures; loads of easy games early on gave us confidence. We are finding it a bit tougher now; teams have sussed out how to stop us, especially with an aggressive high press if Osho is in the team. It's a great start, and the players are all learning. We will be better with Lawlor and Fish back together.

[A Quiet Monkfish]

Davies has pace.

He gives the illusion of pace because he's just 5ft 7inches. I've never seen him beat a player for pace. And let's say he is quick, that's two in the whole squad. We're the only team in the EFL who don't think pace is important.