NEVER THOUGHT IT WOULD HAPPEN WITH THIS TEAM

Cardiff City 1-0 Middlesbrough

Att : 13,371

City had a changed line up tonight and I was worried when I saw the team selection, I weren't expecting much from the game.

The first five minutes of the game and it looked like my fears were going to be realised but City grew into the half.

I thought that central midfield would be our downfall but Dikgacoi and Gunnarsson were forming a good partnership.

Whittingham out wide had a really good first half, he pulled a wicked shot from the edge of the box, put in a brilliant cross from a free kick which we should have got a goal from, it was certainly the best fourty five I had seen from Whitts for some time.

But the two players who stood out in the first half was Revell and Fabio.

Fabio was energetic and taking the game to Boro down the left side.

Revell was winning every header, he was bringing Whitts and Mason into the game but his energy and working back when we lost the ball was second to none.

Disappointing that we went in at half time 0-0

No changes at half time.

City started the second half like they performed for the majority of the first, Gunnarsson had an excellent chance in the 48th minute but put his 15 yard effort high over the bar when he had time to compose himself.

Just 5 mins later and City nearly got themselves undone, Connolly was caught flat footed and Adomah found himself in behind the defender and one on one with Marshall but he shot straight at the keeper.

Finally after 55 mins City fans found their voice for the first time in the game.

Boro started getting more involved and offering a threat after 60 mins, Stewart Downing was seeing more of the ball.

City had a penalty shout from a Whittingham corner when Morrison was pulled down in the box but the ref gave a free kick against us.

The crowd were really getting involved now as the game was flowing and became much more open.

Up until the 65th minute I got to ask, where was Craig Noone ?

He weren't involved and could be argued that he was in hiding.

City survived another scare and again from their own doing, Gunnarsson gave away a simple ball that put us on the back foot and Marshall was forced into a low save and a scramble followed on the goal line that we were lucky to not concede.

City made their first change of the game after 75 mins, Ameobi replacing the tired Revell, who went off to a good applause.

The game died down for the next five minutes and City made their second sub, O'Keefe replacing Gunnarsson.

13,371 here tonight - lowest league attendance at Cardiff City Stadium.

Hang on a minute, there is five minutes to go and Noone has come alive, taking on a couple of Boro players and wins a free kick.

From the resulting free kick by Whitts, went long to the far post and Connolly got a head on it to direct back towards goal, a scramble in the six yard box saw Joe Mason stab the ball home, even though the announcer claimed it to be an own goal.

In the final minute Scott Malone replaced Joe Mason.

The game has been a good game to watch and City did enough to get the points and deserved the victory.

My man of the match is Fabio but got to give a mention to Alex Revell who I thought was excellent too.

Full time Cardiff 1-0 Middlesbrough

Thanks for the write up Carl really appreciate it.

Well done the City battling team spirit

Thanks for that write up

Thanks. You done us and yourself a massive favour tonight. That Slade bloke needs to go now the useless fat tw*t

Well done to Slade and the players a very spirited performance against a good Boro side and deserved the points and Slade take a bow you have turned it around like i knew you would under pressure.

Thanks for the write up Carl really appreciate it.

Well done the City battling team spirit

No probs

It was a good performance and enjoyable game

Thanks for that write up

Your welcome

If we had a pacey striker as a outlet then I think we could win the league ,we still havnt got enough pace

I must have been in a different stadium . A late home goal to paper over the cracks of two average to bad footballing teams.

Good report Carl, good to see you again

Have to agree about Noone, I was thinking he should have been taken off for Pilkington but glad he wasn't in hindsight.

Will be interesting to see the replay of the goal, as it can be difficult to make out who got the final touch from where we're sat. But it doesn't really matter, the goal was given and we got the three points

Big result tonight.

I must have been in a different stadium . A late home goal to paper over the cracks of two average to bad footballing teams.

We were poor, boro were half decent without penetration

Carl, that was the worst performance I have seen from gunner. Rusty, not match fit I will let him off but he was getting caught with the ball, giving it away and all over the shop. Crazy how we all view things differently.

Well done to Slade and the players a very spirited performance against a good Boro side and deserved the points and Slade take a bow you have turned it around like i knew you would under pressure.

Thanks for the write up Carl really appreciate it.

Well done the City battling team spirit

No probs

It was a good performance and enjoyable game

Yes, it was. I enjoyed the game. Kept our shape well, and beat a fancied side.

It was an own goal their keeper kicked the ball against George Friend the full back and it went in the net. Happy days!

It was an own goal their keeper kicked the ball against George Friend the full back and it went in the net. Happy days!

That's what can happen when we get the ball into their box, and put them under pressure Happy days, indeed!

I must have been in a different stadium . A late home goal to paper over the cracks of two average to bad footballing teams.

yes you were in a different stadium! can tell by your analysis of game, an average side who were 2nd in league! keep taking your happy pills!

I must have been in a different stadium . A late home goal to paper over the cracks of two average to bad footballing teams.

yes you were in a different stadium! can tell by your analysis of game, an average side who were 2nd in league! keep taking your happy pills!

Carl, that was the worst performance I have seen from gunner. Rusty, not match fit I will let him off but he was getting caught with the ball, giving it away and all over the shop. Crazy how we all view things differently.

Agree with you mate. Gunnar was awful. Ralls was badly missed. Still need a good winger and a fast striker who knows how to finish

Feck me it's negative on here , boro were 2nd in league , both teams were a match for each other, we would. D have smashed them if jones was fit or if we had a decent finisher, they all played great, fabio noone, gunnar, whitts all of them , well done lads

Thanks for that Carl. I trust your write ups more than the main media any day, and hearing about the win while I am here on holiday in Orlando made it even better ( I think I sent a note saying I would have to miss a couple of games cos of my holiday!). I also managed to watch the Jacks lose in a bar at Newark airport on our way here yesterday!