Good win but we need to take the next step to kill off opponents - not physically obviously. We were not comfortable at the back the last 10 to 15 minutes. A 3rd goal would have made all the difference.
I have to say that, while we are still a very long way off from being a complete footballing side, the difference (at times) from what we had at the start of the season to now is so stark (at times). Yes we still revert to "type" on occasions, but I'm comfortable with that. The football snobbery that goes on whereby you must ALWAYS play out from the back and have at least 10 - 20 passes to get even close to the opposition box isn't for me. To coin a n expression from Warnock, do fans want to see chances, shots, crosses etc. or lots of meaningless passes between the back 4 or 5 and midfield? Nope, I definitely subscribe to there being more than one way to win games and if it has to be a Barnsley type scrap rather than a Posh demolition (sorry Minxy) then so be it. To come back to my original musings though, the one thing that really brings home the change in our play is how often our wingbacks are now in/around the opposition penalty box. This in itself speaks volumes when you think back to the Mick McCarthy version of 5 at the back with wingbacks who barely got across halfway. I totally disagree with Michael O'Neill when he said there was no guile in our play. That first goal was an exceptionally well crafted move and some of our interplay at times now is very good. Even Flinty's booming cross field passes were finding their man more often than not... As I say, still a very long way to go before we can start considering ourselves to be Cardiffian Catalans but it is all shaping up to be so much better than in recent times. We'll definitely miss Drameh, Doyle and Hugill if/when they leave us but hopefully SM has a plan B in place already for such eventualities. C'mon the City!!!
Both good points Nin. When Cody goes into overdrive down the right he would give Usain Bolt a good run. He ended up left wing at one stage but still got back to defend their attack on our right. He has hell of an engine. What could he do if he gave up his pack of Senior Service a day? Bagan is such a different player to last season and the start of this one. He is a real goal threat and should have got one first half were it not for their keeper's finger nail. He has developed so much physically and must be watching Cody and thinking "I can do that too". Great to see another young lad developing so well. Young Isaak tore them a new one when he came on. If only he can be more consistent with his end product he will become some player.
Kudos to our manager and the coaching staff, especially for Bagan. The confidence levels have gone through the roof with him compared to where he was at the start of the season. Even having Doughty as competition hasn't phased him now. When you think back to the stick SM got for his handling of Isaak.... It certainly doesn't seem to have had any kind of negative effects longer term has it? SM 1-0 Press, pundits & wet millenial attitudes. Clearly a few home truths and honesty does still have it's place at times.
Forget what he says to the press, its what he says face to face that counts and how the youngsters adapt to it. It has certainly worked for Davies, Bagan and Harris with King, Denham and Connolly likely to push on on the next year. Then the next batch. Knit them together with the right seniors and the future looks very bright.
Well i am going to have a right old lump on us to get promoted next season. I think we will definitely be up there, since Morrison has taken over we have been in the top 6 on form for a while now.
I can imagine us pushing top 6, but it will take another shrewd window. The young guns will be a year more physically mature and more worldly wise on the pitch. The older heads that remain will get a full pre-season being indoctrinated in 'the new ways'. The old heads and youngsters will be better integrated. Morison will have a year's more experience and a team more suited to his philosophy. The minor risk is it all comes down a few new signings and one or two of the next crop of youngsters stepping up. Right back more than left back needed. One old head CB being retained and possibly another CB brought in. One of the young CMs stepping up and possibly a new signing. A couple strikers will be the make or break. Glass slightly above half full. Cautiously optomistic.
Looking back at Morison's comments, one was arround balancing the age profile. His view was that we had young players and old players, but very few middle aged players. A couple late 20 year olds were seen as key for him. CBs tend to mature later, so while we have good youngsters coming through, I think its a position where a bit more experience would help. I always like to see a bit of experience in the spine of the team. GK, CB, CM and striker. I have the same view in rugby. Experience at 2, 8, 9, 10 and 15. If not, experience wrapped around those positions.
I can see a mass panic from our supporters when we get rid of a shed load of players at the end of the season, i really hope Curtis Nelson is shown the door, expensive on wages for a very poor player, would even sell at a loss. This is when my investment will be laid. I can see a few tried and tested championship players arriving and a few surprises at the death. It all looks positive to me going forward.
