' Dour or perception? '

One thing that all sport does is to enable everyone to form their own opinion of the outcome, and none more so than football.

Many supporters from Cardiff and Watford who either attended or watched the game live on Sky Saturday thought the game was a dour affair. Dour can mean many things; Gloomy, dreary, dismal, dark, bleak, cheerless etc. It can also mean stubborn and determined which I believe sums up the two teams performances on Saturday, a stubborn steely determination not to get beat.

I believe there is a perception that a game of football is of poor quality if chances are limited but in reality on many occasions there has been a nullifying of both teams attacking prowess by quality defending from the opposition, which for me is as fascinating as a game full of chances. Saturday I believe was one of those occasions. I thought both sides enjoyed periods of dominance and quality play in the middle of the park but were thwarted by quality defending in the final third. Then on the odd occasions a clear cut chance was carved out a last ditch tackle, or a quality save by the keeper (Although didn’t think Watford keeper knew much about Kimbo effort) or just poor finishing meant the scoreline stayed 0.0. Just like in cricket with a quality spin bowler trying to get a top quality batsman out with trickery this encounter was a fascinating watch. Both teams probed, worked hard closing space down, substituted players to change tactics but in the end they cancelled each other out.

The point was certainly a better result for us than Watford but you can see from that performance why both teams are in the mix. Watford like Cardiff appear to be able to play the ugly game which I must say didn’t appear apparent in previous games to me when I’ve seen them play before. Based on what I seen on Saturday I believe Watford will take a spot ahead of Hull the players they brought off the bench were able to make an impact, and they have a better run in. I firmly believe they will win their next 2 away games against peterboro and Millwall which will may make the Burnley fixture the first opportunity to well you know rather not say yet!! Unless we can win our next three home games which will be a big ask, but we are capable of.

I find it very entertaining listening and reading supporters different opinions of certain players and Malky. Ss and so is rubbish; so and so is not good enough: so and so is far better; Malky to stubborn; malky never makes the right substitutions; Malkys Substations are always to late, etc. it’s almost as entertaining as the game itself sometimes, but whatever our thoughts we can’t argue with where we are in the league and the consistency shown this season.

Malky. the players and his management staff have found a way to grind out results no matter what the performance has been liked. Yes we have lost the odd game but always bounced back which indicates the squad is strong enough, and Malky on the whole as got his tactics right. My mate big Gwil is convinced if we get you know what I mean? it will be down to the players and not malky where as my view is opposite mainly down to malky. Through his knowledge of the modern game; his attention to detail; his own grit and determination to succeed; his man management skills to instil desire, grit, determination, and winning mentality into the players; all these I attribute as the main factor of this seasons success.

I can point to several periods during this season where the squad as performed in adversity to get results with November being a good month as an example. If you remember huge injury list down to bare bones with youngsters Nugent, and Ralls defending for their lives against Hull! We started the month with the only time of the season we have lost 2 on the trot Bolton and Charlton, but finished it with credible home wins against Hull, Middlesboro (Who were flying at the time), away win at Barnsley and a draw away to Derby. The squad in the face of that adversity managed to find a way to win whether it be a last ditch tackle, save or goal scored they got through that tricky period. The same can be said now; Hudson, Campbell, Maynard Connelly, Whittingham a drop in form how many teams in this division could lose so many key players and carry on getting results? Every player who has come into the side has given 100% worked hard and done everything they could for the cause. No acts of cowardice, no hiding in games, no prima donna tantrums off the pitch! There has been a steely determination from this squad to see the job through at all cost. Under Dave Jones I watched some of the best football I have ever seen Cardiff play. The first season we loaned Jason Koumas arguably one of the best players in my era to wear a Cardiff shirt? But to get out of this division takes a bit more than just quality football. In our last 10 years at this level I can only think of one team who managed to get promotion playing expansive football and that was Reading under Steve Coppell. In my opinion teams like Newcastle, Wigan, QPR, Sunderland, Sheff Utd, Wolves ground out results when needed, and at this stage of the season very few teams will allow you to play.

I thought the support on Saturday from Cardiff fans was fantastic (Although can we stop singing the touch by your fathers song now getting a bit cringe worthy I reckon ) and I hope we take good support to Burnley as well, I would hate us to be like Sheff utd a few years ago at Ninian park when only 800 turned up to see them reach the premiership as it was live on sky! I know its early start and money is tight lets show our support for the team and turn out in numbers to cheer the team onto success and hopefully you know what? or even you know doubly what!!!.

All in all a very good day last Saturday lets hope we can now finish the job in style during the next three home games?

Bluebirds

Great post Vince

I think Watford will drop points away to Peterborough and Millwall. There foreign loanees are feeling the pace. Although they had a great win at Hull I feel they will lose out to the Humberside due to the fact the Tigers can grind out a result a lot better and they have an easier run in.

I though Saturdays game was a great one to watch for an up and coming manager. With Watford playing a 3 man defence and Cardiff showing why our defence is the backbone of why we are top of the league, the tactics played by both teams would have been a great learning curve. Perhaps that is why Coleman was there.

For the fan though it was dour. To me the dourness was damped by the fact I felt a draw would do us good and practically finish off Watford as a main rival to us. For a Watford fan they must have thought just one clear chance and the game is theirs. That chance came with Marshall saving from Deeney and I just feel if we go up we will all look at that moment. For the neutral well expect an avalanche of insults from them like how the hell are we top playing like that.

I think Watford will drop points away to Peterborough and Millwall. There foreign loanees are feeling the pace. Although they had a great win at Hull I feel they will lose out to the Humberside due to the fact the Tigers can grind out a result a lot better and they have an easier run in.

I though Saturdays game was a great one to watch for an up and coming manager. With Watford playing a 3 man defence and Cardiff showing why our defence is the backbone of why we are top of the league, the tactics played by both teams would have been a great learning curve. Perhaps that is why Coleman was there.

For the fan though it was dour. To me the dourness was damped by the fact I felt a draw would do us good and practically finish off Watford as a main rival to us. For a Watford fan they must have thought just one clear chance and the game is theirs. That chance came with Marshall saving from Deeney and I just feel if we go up we will all look at that moment. For the neutral well expect an avalanche of insults from them like how the hell are we top playing like that.

Yes I've said the same about Newcastle, QPR, Stoke, Sunderland, Wolves, and West Brom in the past as Mick Mc Carthy said Saturday its all about results

Total lack of entertainment since Malky took over, hence the crap atmosphere. Hoof ball.

Total lack of entertainment since Malky took over, hence the crap atmosphere. Hoof ball.

well it is all personal opinions I guess - but just what came to my mind when I read this comment was Joe Mason's goal against Liverpool, and his goal against Blackburn last week, no horses in sight at either.

I think a lot less hoofball as you call it this season than last.

Total lack of entertainment since Malky took over, hence the crap atmosphere. Hoof ball.

The winner of today's most stupid message.

Real fans totally support the brilliant job Malky has done this season.

Total lack of entertainment since Malky took over, hence the crap atmosphere. Hoof ball.

The winner of today's most stupid message.

Real fans totally support the brilliant job Malky has done this season.

About time I won something.

One thing that all sport does is to enable everyone to form their own opinion of the outcome, and none more so than football.

Many supporters from Cardiff and Watford who either attended or watched the game live on Sky Saturday thought the game was a dour affair. Dour can mean many things; Gloomy, dreary, dismal, dark, bleak, cheerless etc. It can also mean stubborn and determined which I believe sums up the two teams performances on Saturday, a stubborn steely determination not to get beat.

I believe there is a perception that a game of football is of poor quality if chances are limited but in reality on many occasions there has been a nullifying of both teams attacking prowess by quality defending from the opposition, which for me is as fascinating as a game full of chances. Saturday I believe was one of those occasions. I thought both sides enjoyed periods of dominance and quality play in the middle of the park but were thwarted by quality defending in the final third. Then on the odd occasions a clear cut chance was carved out a last ditch tackle, or a quality save by the keeper (Although didn’t think Watford keeper knew much about Kimbo effort) or just poor finishing meant the scoreline stayed 0.0. Just like in cricket with a quality spin bowler trying to get a top quality batsman out with trickery this encounter was a fascinating watch. Both teams probed, worked hard closing space down, substituted players to change tactics but in the end they cancelled each other out.

The point was certainly a better result for us than Watford but you can see from that performance why both teams are in the mix. Watford like Cardiff appear to be able to play the ugly game which I must say didn’t appear apparent in previous games to me when I’ve seen them play before. Based on what I seen on Saturday I believe Watford will take a spot ahead of Hull the players they brought off the bench were able to make an impact, and they have a better run in. I firmly believe they will win their next 2 away games against peterboro and Millwall which will may make the Burnley fixture the first opportunity to well you know rather not say yet!! Unless we can win our next three home games which will be a big ask, but we are capable of.

I find it very entertaining listening and reading supporters different opinions of certain players and Malky. Ss and so is rubbish; so and so is not good enough: so and so is far better; Malky to stubborn; malky never makes the right substitutions; Malkys Substations are always to late, etc. it’s almost as entertaining as the game itself sometimes, but whatever our thoughts we can’t argue with where we are in the league and the consistency shown this season.

Malky. the players and his management staff have found a way to grind out results no matter what the performance has been liked. Yes we have lost the odd game but always bounced back which indicates the squad is strong enough, and Malky on the whole as got his tactics right. My mate big Gwil is convinced if we get you know what I mean? it will be down to the players and not malky where as my view is opposite mainly down to malky. Through his knowledge of the modern game; his attention to detail; his own grit and determination to succeed; his man management skills to instil desire, grit, determination, and winning mentality into the players; all these I attribute as the main factor of this seasons success.

I can point to several periods during this season where the squad as performed in adversity to get results with November being a good month as an example. If you remember huge injury list down to bare bones with youngsters Nugent, and Ralls defending for their lives against Hull! We started the month with the only time of the season we have lost 2 on the trot Bolton and Charlton, but finished it with credible home wins against Hull, Middlesboro (Who were flying at the time), away win at Barnsley and a draw away to Derby. The squad in the face of that adversity managed to find a way to win whether it be a last ditch tackle, save or goal scored they got through that tricky period. The same can be said now; Hudson, Campbell, Maynard Connelly, Whittingham a drop in form how many teams in this division could lose so many key players and carry on getting results? Every player who has come into the side has given 100% worked hard and done everything they could for the cause. No acts of cowardice, no hiding in games, no prima donna tantrums off the pitch! There has been a steely determination from this squad to see the job through at all cost. Under Dave Jones I watched some of the best football I have ever seen Cardiff play. The first season we loaned Jason Koumas arguably one of the best players in my era to wear a Cardiff shirt? But to get out of this division takes a bit more than just quality football. In our last 10 years at this level I can only think of one team who managed to get promotion playing expansive football and that was Reading under Steve Coppell. In my opinion teams like Newcastle, Wigan, QPR, Sunderland, Sheff Utd, Wolves ground out results when needed, and at this stage of the season very few teams will allow you to play.

I thought the support on Saturday from Cardiff fans was fantastic (Although can we stop singing the touch by your fathers song now getting a bit cringe worthy I reckon ) and I hope we take good support to Burnley as well, I would hate us to be like Sheff utd a few years ago at Ninian park when only 800 turned up to see them reach the premiership as it was live on sky! I know its early start and money is tight lets show our support for the team and turn out in numbers to cheer the team onto success and hopefully you know what? or even you know doubly what!!!.

All in all a very good day last Saturday lets hope we can now finish the job in style during the next three home games?

Bluebirds

Not being funny mate but you could have got the point over without waffling on for half a page.

That said I agree the football has been far from vintage because entertainment has been sacrificed as an ends to a means i.e. promotion. You are further correct that this is a proven way to get promotion from the minefield that is the Championship.

If we are a Premier League club by next week, it would be good to debate whether this type of football would work in that League?