Following our weekend, Coventry style, late late show i our win away at Preston on the weekend, a result that saw us briefly back in the top 6, we now face the team that played later that day and usurped us but picking up a meritorious result against Ipswich Town, West Bromwich Albion, who following their weekend win now sit proudly in 5th spot in the table after a somewhat indifferent start to the season. Following their rather rocky start, Baggies boss Carlos Corberan has definitely turned things around and is once again mounting a play-off challenge with his charges, however, if there's one glimmer of hope we can take from once again facing a team above us in the table it is that West Brom's away form overall is rather mediocre, picking up just 9 points from their 8 games so far (contrast that to their home form which gives 20 points from 9 games!). Last season saw the Bluebirds come from behind to not only dent their rivals play-off hopes but to also edge a step closer to safety themselves, following a goal from on-loan striker Sory Kaba after we'd gone behind in the 17th minute to a Daryl Dike goal (don't worry Daryl, we're all broad minded in South Wales and won't comment on your sexuality or short haircut and dungarees!). Bulut's Bulletin Erol could be down to the bare bones again for this one with suspensions (Collins), ineligibility (Grant) and potential injuries (McGuinness, as well as long term absentees Rambo & O'Dowda) all impacting team selection for tonight. All eyes will be on that left back spot following issues in previous games when JC has been unavailable. Will we see the versatile Ralls shifted back there, Panzo brought in as a left footed specialist defender (albeit primarily a CB) or will Bulut again risk shifting Ng to the opposite flank and bring Alpha Romeo screeching into RB again? Up top, the absence of Etete sparked some questions on the weekend and we could see Alnwick return between the sticks following another less than convincing performance from the on-loan Runarsson. What Are The Odds On That? Given his sterling efforts on the weekend, old Ken gets to keep the reins on the betting odds again tonight, though he also seems to be getting into the mood given who our opposition are.... Sharing The Love Sadly not enough time today to dig up the additional info but a few names here to chat about in slower time maybe?? Of course, current ties between the teams exist in the form of Callum Robinson, Karlan Grant (as mentioned), Romaine Sawyers and big Cedric Kipre - a player we'll be exceptionally grateful to for a long time to come given his goals and all round performances last season for us. Hopefully the crown give him a decent welcome back. Kevin Bartlett - the pacy striker formed a lethal partnership with Jimmy Gilligan. Wayne Fereday - a classy midfielder who's time with us was cut short by injury. Junichi Inamoto - The all action on-loan midfielder who brought his own fan club with him to games! Rickie Lambert - Too old, too injury prone and too lacking in what we needed at that time. So, can the Bluebirds bounce-back continue against the masters of bouncing? Can we throttle the Throstles supply lines and bag a brace against the Baggies?? Will we once again be a hawthorn in our opponents side as they push for the play-offs??? All I know is, after our showing on the weekend, we can't take anything for Grant'ed but Erol has us bouncing up the table quite nicely and we're all sure as hell going to keep enjoying the ride while it lasts. Blooooooooooooooobirds!!!!! <0>\0/<0>\0/<0>\0/<0>
Romeo back in and the keeper are a worry. Lets hope they put in a performance. I think this is going to be a tough night.
Saw a good chunk of the first half. Started ok but were on the back foot for the final 10 minutes or so... Romeo having a decent game so far though thankfully. Think I'd take the draw as things stand but as the weekend shows, who knows what could happen!!?
A lot of huffing and puffing but they were definitely equal to everything we threw at them (which to be fair wasn't a huge amount). Was encouraged by some of our pressing off the ball but too many stray/sloppy touches when in possession and never really looked like hurting them in the end. Kipre was rock solid on his return to the CCS. The bounce of the ball also didn't seem to run for us today either... One of those bad days at the office again. We knew we'd get a few... Just a shame they're starting to knock our home form now
Completely outplayed and deserved nothing. So many players had off games. WBA player for player were a different quality.
A very unspectacular performance all round. Only Bowler and Meite tested there defence with some strong first half runs. Their goal looked something of a fluke from where I was sat with a lot of movement in the air. Nevertheless Runnarson should have done better. Apart from the crap corner to the ball hitting our post incident and Runnarson trying very hard to give them a goal with all his ball diddling they didn't really look like scoring. Alnwick has to return on Saturday as Runnarson gives the defence no confidence. As for Jack's lovechild, some facts not opinions. 1. 34 mins plus 5 minutes added time on the pitch. 2. Maximum of 10 touches none threatening their goal. 3. At least Metie had roughed them up first half with some strong runs and challenges. Ubgo has no physicality to his game at all. A total lightweight. My little bit of poetic licence, when Kipre saw Ubgo coming on he got out his deckchair and towel as he knew he wouldn't be doing much for the rest of the game. At least we will have Collins back on Saturday with Ng returning to his normal, effective rb position. Grant to come back in for Tanner who generally was below average and seemed loathe to take on his full back. The returns of Ramsey and O'Dowda can't come soon enough plus some inspired signings in January.
Dissappointed. After a decent first half we came back out and surrendered the pitch to a side that was individually superior to us man for man. Too many poor individual performances which led to a collective failure. Tanner was pathetic from the off and when Ralls and Meite came off we lost any bite we had. Their replacements Wintle and Ugbo were very poor and added nothing. At least Robbo showed some desire when he was on the pitch and Colwill just seemed to be trying too hard when he came on for him. Still don't know what to make of Etete. At the back Runarrson frightens me everytime the ball goes anywhere near him and I think Goutas and McGuinness feel the same way playing in front of him. Perry was obviously on the wrong side like he did in the disaster at Middlesbrough - when will Bulut wise up on that? Midfield is still the elephant in the room. Siopis and Ralls can hold and I like them both but there's fo fluidity or creativity going forward. It's been said before that Ramsey is a big miss and this needs to be addressed in January. Reliance on him coming back to make the difference and playing all 22 games in the New Year would be foolish.
The lack of a left sided winger and full back showed up last night. I’d like to think we’d have done better last night with Collins and Grant. Tanner seemed to be so intent on doing his defensive duties more than attacking. Still unsure about whether our unconvincing goalie should have saved the goal. Ralls? He lacks pace and is too ponderous. Ugbo was completely anonymous. Meite is an ineffective no 9. Bulut is arguing we should have had a penalty for handball. He’s clutching at straws. A draw would have been streaky. WBA defended very well and fully expect them to be in top 6 come end of May.
Our left side was hopeless. Their guys had field day. Definitely missed Collins and Grant - we posed no threat at all.
To be honest that was a cracking goal, whether he meant it or not. Even Perry NG wouldn’t have saved it.
