"We're Cardiff City we f@ck up at the end" or maybe not?

Big test of Malky management skills coming up during the last couple of months of the season I believe. How does he lift the squad to get back to winning ways? What changes does he need to make? Does he need to change his game plan? Training methods? Him and his team will be going through all those headings and look at options at the moment no doubt, but the final decisions will come down to him.

It appears to many of us at the moment that our last 2 home draws have been disappointing results but maybe they will turn out to be points gained in the coming weeks. Unlike the defeat against Brighton I think the Derby and Leicester results seem worst due to the way we approached and played the games. We appeared to set up not to lose the games rather go for the juggler like most home games this season with a quick start to win the game early with plenty of goals in many of our home matches.

On Tuesday night again like the previous Tuesday against Derby we appeared slow and lethargic in many areas of the pitch, ball watching, slow to react, 2nd to the knock downs, slow to close down, moved the ball slowly, very little movement from the team, and inaccurate passing. This is the total opposite to how we have played at home all season.

Ok its long season but Jan and Feb the games haven’t exactly been coming thick and fast with January almost turning into a mid season break after the hectic Christmas schedule! So what’s gone wrong in the last three weeks? We all have our opinions, and we all have the benefit of hind sight to think of them, and then we have all the answers to solve the problems, but in truth which way does Malky go now?

The defence appears a shambles at times for organisation, and errors with the amount of injuries we are sustaining not helping us either at the moment, but also the midfield has been shocking in front of them, slow to close down, to get back, to track their runner, to cut passes out, cut crosses out. Ben Nugent a young defender who hasn't let us down defensively since he came into the team took some un called for stick from supporters because of some of his distribution wasn't on the Money; I’ve heard Bellamy was fuming after the game over it, Nugent is still a kid and has defended really well for us, the kid isn't going to be a Puyol overnight and he may never be? he could end up being like Hangeland at Fullham an effective defender but not a distributor but all and all a good defender. Give the lad a break for God sake!!! Up front we have Frazier Campbell lets face it hasn’t even had scraps since he arrived but has managed 5 goals so we need to feed him.

Interesting team selection for Saturday then to bring about a result; does he drop whittingham? Gunnarsun? Conway? All of whom along with Kimbo have done well away from home when Tommy Smith was injured! At the moment none of the midfield look as if they can pass water, still working hard but out of form as a unit, do you bring in the energy of Cowie?, or do you give Much another chance? a player who is not everyones favourite after a couple of average performances, but at the start of the season showed what he is capable of! If we are going to play the long ball game then Rudy or helgassun must start alongside Campbell, where does Bellamy go? Our talisman; wide left or right or do we go bold 4 3 3? With Hudson out of the side a place needs to be found for Bellamy for his work rate and leadership alone.

Positives to come out of Tuesday in my opinion we knocked the ball around ok for the first 15 minutes but with a 4 5 1 formation never looked like we had much penetration. Kev came on 2nd half and had what was probably one of the best halves for 2 years, although he limped off at the end. Also Whittingham finally got a shot from open play in the 2nd half narrowly missing the post, and his corner kicks were starting to get back to earlier season form in the 2nd half pity Hudson and Turner weren't on.

Tough time for Malky I believe now making the right choice and lifting the team, we have the points on the board still 6 clear with a game in hand clear of third, we have the squad, and we have the experience, its all about the right choices, attitude and frame of mind the players go onto the pitch with, and the management team have the major contribution in preparing the team and individuals for battle.

We need to show Craig Bellamy and the rest of the players that we are fully behind them and get behind the team from now on in. I have been guilty during the last game or two of getting frustrated but we need to hold our nerve and perhaps we can make a difference to the way they play. Tomorrow let’s start to try and get behind a player if they make a mistake, just like the Liverpool fans by singing the players name in support of him instead moaning and groaning they are working hard to achieve promotion. Many of us had given up on Tuesday night but the team didn't kept going and scored a late goal which felt like a winner perhaps that will be the springboard back to form, and rid us of the tag “we’re Cardiff City we f@ck up at the end”

I believe Malky will get us there along with the senior players and management team

Bluebirds

Have Faith will Travel

Nice one Vince, agree with all of that...I think a win will see the confidence flood back, hopefully it will be Tomorrow but it needs to be soon. We have the players and after 36 games 72 points is huge...if we could get 12-15 from the next 30 we will have done it, I am sure of it.

What concerns me tbh is the goal difference, Watford and Hull both have better stats than us so 6 points ahead of Watford is good atm but if they win 2 and we lose 2 they overtake us, we would have the same points but they would have superior goal difference, we also have to visit both Hull and Watford, I don't fancy another Preston scenario.
A good win tomorrow will make us all feel a bit better.

i for one if we win saturday i will feel a lot better come on city we can do this lets all get behind the players they deserve our support

Vince,

I'm presuming Bellamy was furious with the fans for getting on Nugent's back rather than being furious with Nugent for his poor passing??

We have a superior goal difference than hull

Have Faith will Travel

You must be as old as me http://youtu.be/tgvxu8QY01s

You assume right Bellamy was very unhappy with the fans abuse at the youngster; totally uncalled for in my opinion Thought defensively he was very good against lets not forget it one of the best attacks in the division, he is no David Beckham on the ball and neither is any other defender at our club. If he plays tomorrow I will lead the singing of his name

This is why Malky gets the big buck, decisions. Tuesday no decision and hope for the best failed again. Are we the only team with video analysis and scouts we have been sussed, just pack the middle and pick up the 2nd ball. Tommy Smith is not having the impact of earlier in the year, he is a big earner so dropping him is a big statement. Cowie in the middle is a must for me or at least Kimbo.

Bellers is correct about Nuggent. He went from being class to a scared boy in the time it took Hudson to hobble off, but support him please although the moaning I believe was aimed at the 9 statues in front of him who didn't make it easy for him.

Big test of Malky management skills coming up during the last couple of months of the season I believe. How does he lift the squad to get back to winning ways? What changes does he need to make? Does he need to change his game plan? Training methods? Him and his team will be going through all those headings and look at options at the moment no doubt, but the final decisions will come down to him.

It appears to many of us at the moment that our last 2 home draws have been disappointing results but maybe they will turn out to be points gained in the coming weeks. Unlike the defeat against Brighton I think the Derby and Leicester results seem worst due to the way we approached and played the games. We appeared to set up not to lose the games rather go for the juggler like most home games this season with a quick start to win the game early with plenty of goals in many of our home matches.

On Tuesday night again like the previous Tuesday against Derby we appeared slow and lethargic in many areas of the pitch, ball watching, slow to react, 2nd to the knock downs, slow to close down, moved the ball slowly, very little movement from the team, and inaccurate passing. This is the total opposite to how we have played at home all season.

Ok its long season but Jan and Feb the games haven’t exactly been coming thick and fast with January almost turning into a mid season break after the hectic Christmas schedule! So what’s gone wrong in the last three weeks? We all have our opinions, and we all have the benefit of hind sight to think of them, and then we have all the answers to solve the problems, but in truth which way does Malky go now?

The defence appears a shambles at times for organisation, and errors with the amount of injuries we are sustaining not helping us either at the moment, but also the midfield has been shocking in front of them, slow to close down, to get back, to track their runner, to cut passes out, cut crosses out. Ben Nugent a young defender who hasn't let us down defensively since he came into the team took some un called for stick from supporters because of some of his distribution wasn't on the Money; I’ve heard Bellamy was fuming after the game over it, Nugent is still a kid and has defended really well for us, the kid isn't going to be a Puyol overnight and he may never be? he could end up being like Hangeland at Fullham an effective defender but not a distributor but all and all a good defender. Give the lad a break for God sake!!! Up front we have Frazier Campbell lets face it hasn’t even had scraps since he arrived but has managed 5 goals so we need to feed him.

Interesting team selection for Saturday then to bring about a result; does he drop whittingham? Gunnarsun? Conway? All of whom along with Kimbo have done well away from home when Tommy Smith was injured! At the moment none of the midfield look as if they can pass water, still working hard but out of form as a unit, do you bring in the energy of Cowie?, or do you give Much another chance? a player who is not everyones favourite after a couple of average performances, but at the start of the season showed what he is capable of! If we are going to play the long ball game then Rudy or helgassun must start alongside Campbell, where does Bellamy go? Our talisman; wide left or right or do we go bold 4 3 3? With Hudson out of the side a place needs to be found for Bellamy for his work rate and leadership alone.

Positives to come out of Tuesday in my opinion we knocked the ball around ok for the first 15 minutes but with a 4 5 1 formation never looked like we had much penetration. Kev came on 2nd half and had what was probably one of the best halves for 2 years, although he limped off at the end. Also Whittingham finally got a shot from open play in the 2nd half narrowly missing the post, and his corner kicks were starting to get back to earlier season form in the 2nd half pity Hudson and Turner weren't on.

Tough time for Malky I believe now making the right choice and lifting the team, we have the points on the board still 6 clear with a game in hand clear of third, we have the squad, and we have the experience, its all about the right choices, attitude and frame of mind the players go onto the pitch with, and the management team have the major contribution in preparing the team and individuals for battle.

We need to show Craig Bellamy and the rest of the players that we are fully behind them and get behind the team from now on in. I have been guilty during the last game or two of getting frustrated but we need to hold our nerve and perhaps we can make a difference to the way they play. Tomorrow let’s start to try and get behind a player if they make a mistake, just like the Liverpool fans by singing the players name in support of him instead moaning and groaning they are working hard to achieve promotion. Many of us had given up on Tuesday night but the team didn't kept going and scored a late goal which felt like a winner perhaps that will be the springboard back to form, and rid us of the tag “we’re Cardiff City we f@ck up at the end”

I believe Malky will get us there along with the senior players and management team

Bluebirds

Vince must be fair a very good post. Yes this last few games we have struggled to penetrate defences who have a point as soon as they walk on the pitch. The last two games both Derby and Leicester have seen through us and sat back and hit us on the break.

Away from home we have seen us far more confident and it will be the same tomorrow. Wednesday have to come at us as they need the points which will open up the game.

We are getting to the business end of the season and this team is not going to throw away the advantage they have built up over the season. Other clubs will drop points making our charge to the EPL somewhat easier. To be honest our home games of late have been poor, but the crowd has been fully supportive of the team. Have we been frustrated at some of the wayward passes and to be honest piss poor tackling well yes we have.

I have been watching the Bluebirds since I was 10 I am now 63 so I have seen many years of struggle but my point is if the team battles and shows full commitment the fans will be 100% behind them. That has always been a constant.

So tomorrow I will be at Wednesday and will be singing and shouting for the Bluebirds lets hope we get the 3 points that take us closer to our goal of the EPL.

Interesting points raised

Good post!