This is the first time I've felt nervous all season. Also worried about what happens at palace. I'd like to see them take points off hull, myself. Any thoughts?
Yep, it's the business end of the season and we need to keep getting points on the board. Not a must win game tonight but we do need to beat the teams to get promoted, a home win needed to keep the pressure on others and not ourselves.
oh dear, squeaky bum time now, looking very interesting easter period coming up, can see a three way dog fight for the top spot, with one dog missing out and unable to raise its paws for the play-offs-- this is the time to be counted...
its only an observation, but the race is not for the swift but the sure. Performances are the key, all teams suffer setbacks, its how they are dealt with that counts, for me Cardiff are going to be under tremendous pressure,and with past experience that could be a hinderance. A lot of presumption has been made, especially by your 'owner'-- i do think you will make the PL, but not in the way that has been assumed..
I just can't see us in any position other than top. 2nd is still between 3 teams, Watford, Hull & Palace. Palace look to have the easier run in but I still think they will implode. Hull have 3 hard home games, the much improved Forest, Watford & ourselves Watford are home to us and away to Hull & Leicester. I think we will win the League by 9 or more points.
It's good to see such positivity - but there has been such optimism in previous seasons and we've blown it although admitedly not from such lofty heights. But after a lifetime of disappointments as a CCFC fan I am not banking on a comfortable run in. In my estimation promotion is not the certainty many believe it to be.
I don't think you're far of the mark there DJ. Only taking 4 points out of the last 12 doesn't look good for us, but even if we drop points, the others have still got to win consistently to catch us. We should be home an dry long before that last day trip to Hull. Taking nothing for granted whoops - just got the feeling that we wont cock it up this time. Unfortunately, like Sussex - team selection is something I'm also concerned about. Last night was like a step backwards. Bellamy out was a blow I wasn't expecting, but (here I go again!) why the hell replace him with Helguson - their hardly in the same mould? Malky started 10 of the same 11 that finished a tough away game at Middlebrough for a home game against a very average Derby outfit, and decided to put Heidar on the park in Beller's absence - that doesn't make sense to me. The natural alternative from those available must have been Mason partnering Fraizer and playing just behind him through the middle. If starting young Mason was too radical for Malky, he could even have played Fraizer up on his own. Start with an extra attacking midfielder like Noone or Kimbo to bring some skill onto the park, rather than relying on a blunt instrument again. Malky is forever playing what he sees as the safe option rather than going for the throat, and it very nearly cost us again. The substitutions made a difference but they were too late in coming - we were getting nowhere well before Sammon got their goal. A half time shake up would have been better. Better still, start the game to win it, especially at home. I know Malky will always say that's his intention, but there's more than one way of doing it. Looks like he's stuck in a bit of a narrow perspective rut to me.
It's a strange feeling, mostly because we were terrible. Although we lost to 'boro, it was accepted the team played well and it was one of those days(and an away game), but this is completely different, we simply were outplayed for long parts of the game. I would have thought our squad could handle missing a player or two and still come through this ok, that's not the case and that's a little worrying. Thank heavens for the lead we have built up and lets hope the game in hand falls in our favour.
Hudson & Bellamy will be back next week and needed too. The team last night looked stale, are there people playing with knocks ? or just out of form. Whitts is putting too much pressure on Gunnar. Big Ben & Little Ben look lost playing together. Best players last night were the full backs. My 11 for next week (what I'd like not what I expect) --------------Marshall-------------- Connolly, Hudson, Nugent, Taylor. ------Smith, Gunnar, Kim--------- Noone---------------------Bellamy -------------Campbell--------------
In my estimation Hudson is our most important player. When he is not in the side the defence is normally a shambles. Who'd have thought the player we nicknamed "donkey" when he first arrived has turned out to be such an important component of the side. If he remains fit our chances of promotion will be enhanced. If he's unfit what about Cowie at full back or even Gunnarson with Connoly in the centre? There is probably universal agreement that the side chosen last night could have been better. I agree Sparkey that we should start games to win but the midfield picks by MM suggest a negative stance from the outset which is not working as we were outplayed for much of the game by a struggling Derby team . I understand why Noone is not picked for away gamed but he should always start at home. He made an immediate impact when he came on and should have started.
We looked incredibley fragile and lacking in confidence against a kick and rush approach from Clough's lot. We should have played them off the park with the skill we have available. Huds and Bellers out meant we lost two leaders on the night, and it showed. Whitts is no substitute when they are missing. If I could only have one of them back for the Leicester game, I would definitely go for Huds. We have the options up front to win any game, as long as they are are used.
As soon as I saw the team line-up it was like Huh !!! where's the pace coming from?, a very negative selection for a team at home. Personally I wouldn't put HH on the pitch unless we're a few goals to the good, Mason and Noone should have started
Are you talking about the repeated rubbish you've been churning out for years now? You're a gem DullDai but I wouldn't have the boards without you. But you really do drone on about the same old stuff, give us some of your football opinions instead(as a neutral)
You are right to be nervous - but I would rather be nervous 5 points ahead of the nearest opposition with a game in hand than nervous as the fans of Watford, hukll and Palace are with only a point or two between them. You did enough early enough to be safe even if you dont have a great run in - let's face it a point a game - Bristol City form takes you to 82 points and that alone is probably enough for at least 2nd place - add another 4 or 5 points and the title is yours. We are all playing for second place
