Can't understand how anyone believes that was a good performance from Cardiff yesterday. The fact that Norwich didn't stick half a dozen on us was mostly about their own inadequacies rather than our own performance. Backs to the wall stuff for practically the whole game. Marshall saved at least a couple with stops few other Prem Keepers could manage. First half, Malky tried to play a defensive game with attacking players. Maybe he thought the combo of Fraz and Odem with the flair of Kimbo behind them would force Norwich back. Trouble was we had monster gaps in midfield and they were all over us between the half way line and our box. They came at us in droves and Fraz was chasing shadows with long balls pumped out of defence as a result. I feel a bit sorry for the guy because he looking abit like a fish out of water. We gave the ball away far too often for the game plan we we'd adopted, and we were very lucky they didn't take advantage of the fact - that was their problem and our good luck. Putting Gunnar and Cowie on for Kimbo and Odem at half time gave us far more shape for that sort of game. Despite the plaudits about our defensive abilities, the fact remains that we are a couple of quality players short that could make us into a viable Prem side. I can imagine the purists derive some sort of satisfaction from this negative stuff, but it is headlining this club as a poor member of this division who (wrongly) say we are only getting points through luck The fact is that Malky's plans in general are working. At least point off the lower half targeted clubs away from home at Hull, Norwich and the full three off Fulham is the way to stay up. We still have them to come at home, and Malky will set up to win those. Trouble is, the likes of Bruce, Hughton and Jol (if he's still there) will have different ideas.
The thing that worries me about you guys, is that you went to Norwich and played back to the walls. Yet they still managed to have 31 shots at goal, 18 from inside the box. I mean fair enough if its the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal, Man City, teams that can do that, but with all due respect, we are talking about Norwich. How can any team playing defensively allow the opposition 31 shots, not to mention that it took some fabulous saves from your keeper to keep you in it. Something similar happened to us last season in the game we lost 5-0 to Liverpool at their place, where they had 33 shots on goal, but we had a reason, we had the cup final the next game, and we played a weakened side. Our CB pairing was Monk and Bartley. Even Tiendalli, Lamah, Agustien and Schecter got starts. We were absolutely appalling. But we accepted that as to change so many for a tough game like that, was always going to spell disaster. But to play backs to the wall with your main squad, against Norwich, and allow 31 shots, I would be far from pleased. I am not meaning this as a wum, it may sound that way, but I would honestly be worried.
it was a game that completely passed us by, yet we still got a point. we made norwich look like man u, but what the jack above doesnt acknowledge is the fact we beat man city at home....... and i wouldnt put it past us to take points off arsenal and man u.... the league table doesnt tell the full story, doesnt tell you how you achieved the points, but we've 2 more games against weak opposition that malky will be looking to take advantage of.......
I know you beat Man City, just like we have too in the past, along with Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool.......doesn't make a difference if you get relegated though does it. And based on the game against Norwich, your defence still leaves a lot ot be desired. Which was my point. It may have been an off game, but 31 shots is still a hell of a lot whilst playing backs to the walls.
Good performance? No way. We are too negative to watch, but we are picking up crafty points and they all count towards our ultimate goal. We have only ever won at Carrow Road twice in twenty three league games. We are where we are because it's where we deserve to be due to our style of football. I honestly still believe, and it's an age old point, we need a big targetman if we are going to be bold enough to take on some of the established teams in the Premiership. I really hope Cornelius eventually turns out to be worth the money spent. A dynamic winger now would compliment such a player. Here's hoping.
The performance was disappointingly. Ridiculously we had the best chance of the match though and Mutch should have scored. As I said to Thai on the match thread, goals change games. First half we had the wrong players, second half we were set for a defensive performance and only a Norwich goal was going to change that attitude. We are not good enough to set out to take the game to any PL side away from home IMO. MM's selection was bizarre and he was lucky to get away with his mistakes first half. 2nd half he played a more orthodox away selection and whilst we produced very little we limited Norwich to less chances. Most of those shots you'd expect Marshal to save and about 7 of them happened in that last goal mouth scramble. We will need to be MUCH MUCH better if we want to avoid defeat next weekend.
The reason we set up defensively is simply because we don't have enough going forward to worry even the teams at the bottom with us. The win against Man City was because we caught them in a bit of disarray with Kompany missing. We haven't worried any opponent yet in 9 games. This isn't meant to be negative or an attack on our team. Just a bit of realism. Having said that I am happy with 9 points from the first 9 games, some of them against top opposition. This team is still taking shape and learning about the Premiership. We will be good enough to stay up.
i agree with that and so does my wife, my mistress and her lesbian lover.....................................
Looked like two championship sides, battling it out, not a lot of finesse, just a hard struggling game. We looked like a side caught on the hop with no idea how to deal with the onslaught, our right side was ripped to pieces. Luckily Norwich couldn't put the ball away, unless it was into an empty net. They were rubbish and we were worse. The only thing I can say about it is I don't think we will play that clueless again, not so sure if Norwich can up their game enough to start putting shots away.
We are inviting teams to attack us and shoot on sight , we should push up and attack the ball in numbers not just stand off . Cambells first touch is a nightmare and we need a target man to take pressure off , new left back asap and pass the bloody thing ,its not a hot piece of coal!!
