I was corporate for this game. Enjoyed the day, but frustrated with the game. We were surprisingly defensive at times, and we wasted great chances. Still. Can't complain. We're on an 8 game winning streak and we can't play good week in week out. If we can beat championship teams while not coming out of first gear than that's satisfying. Ratings - Darlow - 4 - He looked very weak in the air today, and was only spared by poor finishing from Cardiff. Yedlin - 5 - Decent defending, poor crossing. Didn't play at his best today. Lascelles - 6 - Decent Clark - 6 - Some good intercepting play. A few sloppy challenges though. Decent game but not great. Dummett - 6 - Ok Hayden - 5 - Not great today really. He looked a bit unware of moves at times. Decent closing down and defending. Shelvey - 6 - Not his best. Didn't provide the usual threat consistently. There were a few decent spells and some great holding play, touches, skills though. Atsu - 6 - Good goal, but the lads spacial awareness needs work and he snaps sometimes. His decision making isn't great. But still, good runs and provided a decent threat despite wasting a few chances. Perez - 5 - Not bad but didn't offer that much. Gouffran - 6 - Good goal and work rate but wasted a couple of chances. Nothing much to write home about. Mitro - 6 - Some great touches and hold up play at times. Played a good part in the first goal. Got pwned by Bamba for most of the game though, who I thought was great for Cardiff. Diame - N/A - Some decent closing down and holding up play late on. Anita - n/a - Good defending late on. Benitez - 6 - Should have made a sub earlier on and the lads looked a bit complacent. But can't blame Rafa for poor finishing. We should have been out of sight in the first half.
The single word which sums up the second half for me. We were the better team by a distance in the first half and should have gone in a few goals to the good. We came out in the second game looking as though we thought we already wrapped it up when we were only actually 2-0 up. Thought we lacked the drive, it's going to happen in seasons and hopefully the lads will realise they almost threw away points they had safely in their hands, doesn't matter how good we think we are there's lots of decent teams in this league who are hoping we play them with a complacent mindset and they will frustrate us and chip away points. Still though - 8 wins in a row, what the hell... (Leeds away is going to be very tough though!)
I thought in the second half we were very poor, we just wanted to play keep ball allowing Cardiff to come on to us Haven't a clue why we need to pass it along the back four 5 times before passing it back short to the keeper was really annoying especially when you have a total dick of a ref that was determined to **** things up Never mind the clear handball by their player in the lead up to the goal, what about the ****ing offside of their player that made a movement towards the ball and touched it while in a offside position we had a clear view of it Smoggie bastard ref absolutely shocking 3 seasons ago he was reffing the likes of Gateshead in the conference these refs are being promoted too quick with little experience in the higher leagues
Aye the refereeing was poor again today. My feeling in the second half was a of a severe lack of urgency. And I get nervous when we start playing without purpose. We once again got away with it though. Apart from Mitro's great pass for Atsu to put us 1-0 up, he wasn't that influential today. I felt Mitro sort of blew his chance. There was little fire today. We've got Ritchie and Gayle to come back though.
I think that's a little harsh mate! It's important not to forget that Cardiff were on the pitch trying to win also . We're not Real Madrid, but given our form and the fact we scored so early in more inclined to say it was Cardiff playing well that effected the game rather than us playing as badly as you've scored our players
I thought we were pretty poor. Complacent would be the word. We seemed to be believing the hype and took our foot off the pedal early doors. Yes we had players out but I don't think that was the sole issue - if it is then it leaves question marks over those who came in. Listening to Benitez post game I think its pretty clear he had every intention of letting the players know come training on Monday. Good awareness from him and another 3 points towards the ultimate goal.
That's it for me I agree as it is quite easy to get into the habit of expecting to win and graft slows down. It sounds daft I know but sometimes a defeat brings back reality and although we don't want to lose we have to keep both feet and testicles firmly on the ground.
We'll gladly take 3 points off you next game if you think its for the greater good We're nice like that
