TEAM NEWS Cardiff City XI: Alnwick; Romeo, Benjamin, Simpson, Collins; Rinomhota, Adams; Tanner, Colwill, Evans; Etete. Subs: Luthra, Bagan, Goutas, McGuinness, Wintle, Ralls, O'Dowda, Ugbo, Meite, Grant, Ng, Robinson, Ojo. Subs on this one too. No Rambo yet, too soon for his involvement apparently.
HALF-TIME! Braga 1-0 Cardiff City Penalty conceded by Romeo City team for the second half... Cardiff City XI: Alnwick; Ng, Goutas, McGuinness, O'Dowda; Wintle, Ralls; Grant, Robinson, Meite; Ugbo.
Evans and for a while Colwill and Adams looked good first half but the likes of Benjamin Simpson Romeo Rhinomota Etete were pretty poor. Good to see Collins back The second half team was as you’d expect more involved with Grant Goutas ODowda impressing. Ralls was his usual anonymous self. Ugbo failed to convince. Meite looked rusty. Good to see Robinson back. It was worryingly obvious (and predictable) where the team needs strengthening; central midfield.
Sounded like an encouraging showing in the second half judging by WoL's write up and updates. With better finishing we'd have been fine. Few players a bit rusty but promising signs, especially from Goutas, Grant and to a lesser extent Meite. Be interesting to see if Rambo plays Saturday and if that makes a marked difference.
Taken direct from the City website after the Braga game; The gaffer also commented on the performance of debutant Karlan Grant, with a look ahead to his team selection for our remaining pre-season fixtures. He said: "They managed it well together, Karlan and [Callum] O'Dowda. We were very dangerous from our left side. I hope they continue to play like that. "From our right side, we have to manage it a little bit better. Because Yakou has had fewer training sessions, he needs to get fit, but we have time to get him fit before the season will start. "Today, I was trying in the second half to be close to the starting eleven. This will show also in the game against Porto, and also the last game when we play against Wycombe. "Then I will be more clear who will start in the first eleven against Leeds United away, but until then, there is enough time to think a little bit about it." I have to say, if we can get JC anywhere near back to where he was in those first few games of last season then him, O'Dowda and Grant could be a real handful for anyone on that left hand side.... Can also see Ng and Meite linking well in time... Just need to find our shooting boots now... (Hmm, shades of last year already??)
Good crowd here at Cambrian Cydach thus evening. City a goal down but starting to play some nice football. Playing in the new maroon away kit. Looks great.
Half time City leading 2 - 1 Cian Ashford with the second. Tom Davies at left back and Cian Ashford up front are the stand out players for me.
Don't start giving him compliments Clingo. There will be no bloody stopping him. He didn't know who half our players were in the Barry game.
Hope we can win this. As I think I mentioned a while back, one of my nurses is a Portuguese Porto fan. Not sure how graceful in victory she would be given how she ribs me over my support for the Bluebirds
