Agreed, for the first that lead to Diame scoring he was brave and took two defenders out of the game. Perhaps I have been too hard on him. He's set the benchmark now though - more of the same please Abel.
Still doesnt make Mike White right. He said there was a setback in August (or was it earlier?), which there wasnt. Would be interesting to know if there's been an actual setback now or were they just 'wrong' with the initial October assessment. Even if it is the latter I doubt we'd admit it.
It just shows that when strikers expect quick service and move into position then the midfield can deliver. Previously the midfield only passed to defence or the wings. It was a case of chicken and egg. Midfield not passing to strikers because of lack of movement and strikers not moving because the midfield wasn't looking to pass to them. I know that strikers could still move but after a year or two frustration is bound to set in!
Good stuf from Abel, he put his body on the line by being brave with the first goal build-up and a cracking finsish for the second. Also you don't get the quality of Diamé's ball much in the championship.. perfect weight
When did 3 5 2 become the answer to City's problems? Last year for many it was 4 4 2. Players playing better is probably more the answer.
Bruce seems to be a manager that can attract players to the club. He does seem to be a manager who can quite easily make bad decisions and only when he's getting a lot of criticism does he change tack and make good decisions. It really is a weird way to do things.
3-5-2 is better because we don't have any good full backs I would say that a renewed belief in playing through the middle is more the answer. That doesn't mean we have to play through the middle all the time but it does mean we should do away with our ponderous build up play.
I tell you what else I liked - Abel being at the heart of the celebrations. He seems really well involved in the squad / team now and in terrific spirits rather than moping about. Whisper it gently (and probably far too early) but have we found our striker.....?.
Every striker misses chances but the more chances they get the more their conversion rate increases because they gain confidence.
I always remember Gary Lineker saying he never once worried about missing chances because it meant he was making the right runs. He only worried when he wasnt getting the chances to miss.
The goals were both excellent build up. Hernandez ran almost the entire length of the pitch for that 2nd goal, although the defending for that one was laughable as was the goalie diving out of the way of Diame's shot. Promising stuff. Just need to cut out all the sitting back. As ever, it seems the first goal was vital. We need to be able to attack properly when we need a goal.
The really great thing on the second goal it was we were defending Cardiff s corner and it was a good pass from Hernandez near our own box that started the move off. Its misleading because the commentator on the goals only video that OLM posted says its Elmo. I was fairly certain it was Abel H and have just checked the highlights video and the commentator calls it correct there. Also given it was the 80th minute it is as you say very encouraging
