' What a turnaround in fortunes '
Mon Jul 06, 2020 8:02 am
What a turnaround in fortunes
By Glen Williams
Monday 6th July 2020
Watching the game at Ashton Gate, I was struck by the complete turnaround which has taken place between the fixture at Cardiff City Stadium and the clash at Ashton Gate.
Back in November, the Robins came to the Welsh capital and downed Neil Warnock's team 1-0, resulting in the manager's departure.
On Saturday, Lee Johnson endured the same fate after a 1-0 home defeat.
Watching on, I couldn't help but feel that Bristol City fans were feeling the exact same as Bluebirds fans were back in November.
Because, on Saturday, the hosts were undoubtedly outplayed. They were there for the taking all afternoon and all Cardiff needed was someone to put the ball back in the net.
The Robins were clinging on, much like Cardiff were for many fixtures in the early part of the season, in hope of nicking a late goal.
When Nakhi Wells was found at the far post and he sent a scissor kick flying towards the far post, I had flashbacks of the many last-minute goals City scored against the run of play at the start of the campaign.
Fortunately for Cardiff, Alex Smithies made a wonderful stop to deny Wells and, well, the rest is history, unfortunately for Johnson.
But it amazed me that it seemed a matter of when, not if, City would score at Ashton Gate.
The only way Bristol City really looked like troubling the Cardiff defence was from set pieces, which was a hallmark of Cardiff's rare early-season success.
The biggest compliment I can pay Cardiff is that they looked aesthetically pleasing in possession and controlled the game very nicely. A complete turnaround from that reverse fixture, that's for sure.
By Glen Williams
Monday 6th July 2020
Watching the game at Ashton Gate, I was struck by the complete turnaround which has taken place between the fixture at Cardiff City Stadium and the clash at Ashton Gate.
Back in November, the Robins came to the Welsh capital and downed Neil Warnock's team 1-0, resulting in the manager's departure.
On Saturday, Lee Johnson endured the same fate after a 1-0 home defeat.
Watching on, I couldn't help but feel that Bristol City fans were feeling the exact same as Bluebirds fans were back in November.
Because, on Saturday, the hosts were undoubtedly outplayed. They were there for the taking all afternoon and all Cardiff needed was someone to put the ball back in the net.
The Robins were clinging on, much like Cardiff were for many fixtures in the early part of the season, in hope of nicking a late goal.
When Nakhi Wells was found at the far post and he sent a scissor kick flying towards the far post, I had flashbacks of the many last-minute goals City scored against the run of play at the start of the campaign.
Fortunately for Cardiff, Alex Smithies made a wonderful stop to deny Wells and, well, the rest is history, unfortunately for Johnson.
But it amazed me that it seemed a matter of when, not if, City would score at Ashton Gate.
The only way Bristol City really looked like troubling the Cardiff defence was from set pieces, which was a hallmark of Cardiff's rare early-season success.
The biggest compliment I can pay Cardiff is that they looked aesthetically pleasing in possession and controlled the game very nicely. A complete turnaround from that reverse fixture, that's for sure.
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Re: ' What a turnaround in fortunes '
Mon Jul 06, 2020 8:03 am
“ REMAINING CCFC FIXTURES “ Cardiff City fixtures
Sun 21 June - Cardiff City 2 Leeds United 0
Sat 27 June - Preston North End 1 Cardiff City 3
Tue 30 June - Cardiff City 0 Charlton Athletic 0
Sat 04 July - Bristol City 0 Cardiff City 1
Tue 07 July - Cardiff City vs. Blackburn Rovers 7:45pm
Friday July - Fulham vs. Cardiff City live on sky
8:15pmTue 14 July - Cardiff City vs. Derby County 6pm
Sat 18 July - Middlesbrough vs. Cardiff City 15:00
Wed 22 July - Cardiff City vs. Hull City
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Re: ' What a turnaround in fortunes '
Mon Jul 06, 2020 8:12 am
Leandro Bacuna has finally won over the Bluebirds fan base
By Glen Williams
Monday 6th July 2020
It has taken over a year for some, but it finally looks as though Leandro Bacuna has won over the majority of the Cardiff City fan base.
And it's not before time, either.
He has been excellent for the Bluebirds this season, but some were more staunch in their views of the midfielder and needed far more convincing than others.
The roots most likely lie in the player's signing a year and a half ago. Many an eyebrow was raised when Neil Warnock offered him a four-year contract on a fairly hefty wage.
But it is fair to say he has justified the outlay and put in arguably his best performance of the season at Ashton Gate on Saturday.
He has had very few injury troubles, played just a day after flying back from Curacao back in the October international break and even took to the pitch after his good friend and compatriot Jarzinho Pieter passed away unexpectedly during that week.
It's not been an easy season for him off the pitch by any stretch, but no one can fault his commitment to the shirt and his importance to the side is evidenced by just how often Neil Harris selects him.
Bacuna covered every blade of grass on the pitch at Ashton Gate and he has become vital in shoring up City's defence in recent weeks.
He will be a vital component in aiding Cardiff's rigidity as the play-off run-in heats up.
By Glen Williams
Monday 6th July 2020
It has taken over a year for some, but it finally looks as though Leandro Bacuna has won over the majority of the Cardiff City fan base.
And it's not before time, either.
He has been excellent for the Bluebirds this season, but some were more staunch in their views of the midfielder and needed far more convincing than others.
The roots most likely lie in the player's signing a year and a half ago. Many an eyebrow was raised when Neil Warnock offered him a four-year contract on a fairly hefty wage.
But it is fair to say he has justified the outlay and put in arguably his best performance of the season at Ashton Gate on Saturday.
He has had very few injury troubles, played just a day after flying back from Curacao back in the October international break and even took to the pitch after his good friend and compatriot Jarzinho Pieter passed away unexpectedly during that week.
It's not been an easy season for him off the pitch by any stretch, but no one can fault his commitment to the shirt and his importance to the side is evidenced by just how often Neil Harris selects him.
Bacuna covered every blade of grass on the pitch at Ashton Gate and he has become vital in shoring up City's defence in recent weeks.
He will be a vital component in aiding Cardiff's rigidity as the play-off run-in heats up.
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