Another great afternoon watching Malky Mackays Cardiff. Made hard work of a game we should have had wrapped up long before Marshalls error. Despite going a goal down we continued to show patience and pass the ball around. Our fitness and patience and quality came through though and we got what we deserved the 3 points. Palace up next but the Blackpool and Southampton games are in my opinion bigger games.
It sounded that way Hilts. We should have been cruising by half time. The confidence within the team is huge and that will stand us in good stead on Tuesday. They won't panic or chase the game. A good opportunity to get to Wembley but not the end of the world if we don't. I'd love us to be there though. Southampton play Milwall on the Saturday before playing us on the Tuesday. It will be interesting to see the team they put out in the cup. After Palace we'll have a week before we play them. That extra rest could be vitally important. Still hoping for a signing or two before then. Conway seemed back to his early season standards, so it shows what a rest can do. Just need a couple more bodies to allow players to have that rest. I think Millar has now repaid what we spent on him. Anything else is profit. He's getting better as the season goes on. I also think the mid-field now understand him and are picking the passes. One of the commentators was saying Millar has more confidence in the midfield so is on his bike looking for space knowing the passes will come. Given all the changes from last year, I think I'm more excited as I was less expectant.
From memory, that was the first game that Conway has started and finished for a very long time and he played a blinder. His recent sessions on the bench has all the hallmarks of excellent Mackay man management. That was a very poor Pompey side and we should have punished them - it should have been all over at half time. As Hilts said, the way we won it in the end was testament to the new management - last season we would have lost it. Apart from Marshall's gaffe, it was a cool performance from them all. I thought Blake has grown into that position since Kev has been crocked and looks a real contender. I've no doubt that Kev will rightly get the spot back when fit, but Blakey is a very useful squad member. Tuesday will be no problem.
The BBC has Cardiff with 9 Attempts on target and 7 Attempts off target. I would have said there were more of both. It was nice to see Conway going outside his man and getting the cross in. Agree about Darcy, improvements every game but still a few sloppy passes.
Yesterday proved there are no easy games in this division.On paper we should have strolled it but when your backs against the wall like the Pompey you just come out fighting as a tight knit group.The atmosphere was great throughout,credit to the vocal Hampshire following and that bell ringer.Never thought I would admit it but Vince's Rag Time Band added to a cup fever type feel to the match. Although Darcy made several sloppy passes I think his work rate is improving and he deserved MOM for that one.Good to see Malky keeping faith with a starting eleven.Is that the first time this season?
As well as keeping faith with his starting eleven, it was also his finishing eleven. I can't remember the last time he hasn't made a substitution during a game. I expected him to push Earnie on with 10 minutes to go, maybe instead of Conway or Mason, but that wouldn't have been fair on those guys. Fair play, Malky kept faith in those on the park and it came off with a Conway cracker. I just wonder what we'd have heard on here if it hadn't though. There'd have been shouts that Earnie should have come on - hey ho, that's being a manager for you.
In fact, I've just checked that out (how sad is that ) - that was the first game since Malky's been with us that he hasn't made a substitution. At 2-2 with 20 minutes left, he must have been very confident that his starting eleven could finish the job without change.
