Tue Oct 28, 2014 7:52 am
Sport Football Football News Cardiff City FC
Bluebird's Eye View: Cardiff City's defeat to Millwall was disappointing, but there's no need to panic just yet
Oct 28, 2014
Sian Matheson
The Bluebirds showed Millwall too much respect though there's still much to look forward to says Sian Matheson
The manner of the defeat to Millwall was disappointing but there’s no need to panic just yet.
In the first half I thought we were marginally the better side and was confident of notching up another three points.
But for a couple of great saves by ex-Bluebird David Forde in the Millwall goal from Craig Noone and then the rebound effort from Adam Le Fondre, the Bluebirds should have gone in ahead at the break.
But, the second half was frustrating to watch as City were sloppy and failed to chase down balls.
In fact, I thought Cardiff showed Millwall too much respect. Instead of taking our game to the Lions, I felt we sat back and invited them to attack us.
That was so disappointing to see after Cardiff’s previous two great displays which produced six points.
Maybe that was the pitfall of starting to have a consistent XI, the fact that Saturday’s clash was the third game in the space of a week and maybe it took a toll on the side which has only recently started to show any improvement on the fitness front this season.
The Lions were a physical side, often bullying at times, but the Bluebirds failed to show the same fight or presence.
The Championship is a tough league and maybe Russell Slade’s side need to get more physical and toughen up.
Although I bemoaned the referee’s decisions on Saturday, at the end of the day, the Bluebirds only have themselves to hold accountable.
Overall, the side as a whole just didn’t seem interested unfortunately.
Noone seemed quiet and looked like he didn’t want to get forward or take on his opponents, time after time he opted to pass rather than try one of his usual trademark mazy runs at the opposition’s defence.
And Noone wasn’t the only one. So many players appeared to just lump the ball upfield when we had possession, which may have proved effective if Kenwyne Jones was on the pitch but poor old Le Fondre and Federico Macheda had no chance really.
At the other end, I’m not sure what Macheda was doing at the corner which saw Danny Shittu score the winner.
Whilst Bruno Manga and Sean Morrison were strong at the back, I would have preferred big Bruno to opt to pick up Shittu and maybe that goal would not have happened.
Personally, I thought David Marshall was fouled anyway and that goal should have been disallowed, although I’m sure every Bluebird would be with me on that point!
Although, weirdly, none of City’s players appeared to object to the referee which I found bizarre when their keeper had landed abruptly on the floor.
Aside from the contentious goal, I also think a turning point was Aron Gunnarsson going off injured.
Gunnars has played well in the last two games, but, and no disrespect to sub Joe Ralls, I feel City missed the Icelandic captain in midfield which was run ragged by Millwall. Gunnars’ absence unfortunately forced Peter Whittingham to sit deeper, snuffing out any chance of any creative openings from the mercurial midfielder, who has been back to his best in the last two victories.
I thought Fabio put in a good showing again. The Brazilian seems to have really grown into the full-back role after such (and this is putting it lightly) a shaky start when he first arrived from Manchester United.
Indeed, he seems to have matured both on the pitch and off it, judging by his facial hair!
Le Fondre as usual ran his socks off and he really needs to get a couple of goals under his belt which will do his confidence no end of good.
That one shot he lifted both over Forde and the crossbar was his bread and butter last season and he would have nailed that if he was feeling confident.
It was good to see Ravel Morrison make an appearance from the bench.
Although, instead of concentrating on his individual performance, I would like to see him pass the ball to his team-mates if they are in a better position than him.
Obviously, every opposition will know Morrison is a threat and against Millwall he was too easily crowded out by defenders when he could have simply passed to a team-mate to avoid losing the ball.
Still, at least after a defeat, Slade now has plenty to ponder ahead of the visit of Leeds United to the Cardiff City Stadium this Saturday.
Hopefully by not having a midweek game it will enable the squad to recover ready to put in a decent performance with fresh legs this coming weekend against new manager Neil Redfearn’s side after Darko Milanic was sacked just 32 days into his time at Elland Road.