Mon Feb 15, 2016 8:20 am
The Last Word: Vincent Tan wanted spectacular Cardiff City goals, but it's the defending that keeps them in play-off hunt
MONDAY 15 FEB 2016
BY PHIL SMITH
Two blanks in a row are real cause for concern, but the form of Bruno Ecuele Manga and Matthew Connolly will give Tan's team great confidence
Marshall was protected brilliantly by his centre-backs
Vincent Tan arrived at Charlton to watch Cardiff City in the flesh for the first time this season having delivered a shoot, shoot and shoot again pep talk to the players.
His logic is that common sense tells you the more you go for goal, the more you'll score.
This bitterly frustrating 0-0 draw at the Valley was a reminder that football is never quite so simple as the Bluebirds' owner makes out.
Cardiff City against Charlton
18
Shots
3
On target
The margins were very fine, in fairness, and Tan's views were almost vindicated on a number of occasions as Russell Slade's men did have 18 efforts on goal.
That may still have been significantly less than the minimum of 30 per match Tan wants, but it was well ahead of their average of 12 in Championship fixtures this season.
There was a tremendous 25-yard drive from Joe Ralls that rocketed onto the foot of the post and a delicate Anthony Pilkington attempt that lobbed onto the bar.
On occasions, a matter of inches were the difference between one and three precious points.
When Cardiff finally did force the ball into the back of the Charlton net, the linesman made a harsh decision and ruled Pilkington offside.
Again, a matter of inches, but it is these inches that make a competitive and talented Bluebirds team still seem miles behind the very best Championship outfits.
Anthony Pilkington sees his 'goal' disallowed for offsideAnthony Pilkington sees his 'goal' disallowed for offside
Related: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly: How Cardiff City's players fared with Vincent Tan's shoot on sight instructions
It is the second week in a row that two points have slipped through their fingers due to carelessness in front of goal.
Russell Slade says he retains belief that the strikers in his squad are good enough to score the goals Cardiff need, but every game Pilkington starts up front while Kenneth Zohore and Federico Macheda are on the bench speaks volumes for his lack of confidence in those two scoring goals.
Tan says he has watched enough football to make his own judgements, and if that is true, then he will know that the very best teams build their strength from the back.
Cardiff's owner may not have seen the spectacular goals he craved yesterday, but he was treated to some brilliant, committed defending from Bruno Ecuele Manga and Matthew Connolly.
Connolly and Manga made it a frustrating day for Charlton striker Simon MakienokConnolly and Manga made it a frustrating day for Charlton striker Simon Makienok
Connolly had a stuttering start, tripping on the ball as it flashed across the box, but he was bailed out by Scott Malone, and didn't put a foot wrong after that.
Charlton's Iranian forward Reza did he best to deceive the centre-back, but he was left embarrassed by some no frills, clean tackling.
It is a sight too rarely seen in football these days, and it was a pleasure to watch Connolly go about his business. Credit must go to the club for withstanding Burnley's supposed advances last month.
His partner, meanwhile, enjoyed his best game of a stop-start season. Together they were formidable.
A clean sheet against the division's basement side may not be particularly remarkable, but Cardiff do boast riches at the back.
It may sound contradictory, but the excellence of the defenders, plus David Marshall, could be the key to Russell Slade unlocking the door to more goals at the other end.
Simon Makienok of Charlton (L) and Joe Ralls compete in the airSimon Makienok of Charlton (L) and Joe Ralls compete in the air
Related: Cardiff City boss Russell Slade: Anthony Pilkington strike should have stood - but we need to develop a ruthless streak
If they can maintain this level of form, the manager should back them to keep a clean sheet and demand that his midfielders make more runs beyond Pilkington and break into the box.
Tan may well be right that more shots are needed for more goals, but the key is getting Cardiff's cleanest hitters of the ball into better positions nearer the goal. Defensive solidity is needed for that first and foremost and Cardiff definitely have the personnel to make it happen.
Cardiff need to get the likes of Ralls and Whittingham in the box more
Charlton away served a reminder that Cardiff's striking woes mean we cannot expect the goals to suddenly rain down, without or without Tan's shoot on sight directive.
But if the owner returns to watch the Bluebirds, he can at least expect to enjoy some of the best defending the division has to offer.
It is for that reason that Cardiff remain just about in the play-off hunt.