The reason for the change from Cardiff City
Sun Sep 20, 2020 6:08 pm
The reason for the change in Cardiff City
By Glen Williams
Sunday 20th September 2020
To my eye, the Cardiff team which took the pitch against Nottingham Forest had a very different feel to the one which strode out at Cardiff City Stadium the week before.
Heading into the season's curtain-raiser, City had a very rushed pre-season. Three key players, Lee Tomlin, Joe Ralls and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, had not been training at full tilt, or at all in the latter's case, while the international break took six players away from Neil Harris' first-team squad.
The manager bemoaned City's lack of creativity against Sheffield Wednesday, but the attack just looked a little disjointed all together. In truth, it looked like a team that had not trained together very much.
Fast forward a week and everything was far more harmonious.
There were different styles of attack. Yes, Moore scored from two set pieces, but there were also driving runs into the box, Sheyi Ojo had a decent chance denied from that, and clever runs off the shoulder, which presented Ralls with a chance or two, as well.
That week on the training ground appeared to do Harris' men a world of good and no doubt another week will only serve to further their understanding of one another.
NEIL HARRIS:
"Junior [Hoilett] and Sheyi have had really good shots from 20 yards and I said to them both they could have had a couple more," Harris said after the match.
"Joe Ralls got into some really good positions and Sheyi in the first half had a shot saved at the near post.
"Some good areas in the final third, quality in that final third, balls into the box trying to service Kieffer.
"There are areas for us to improve but I am pleased with so many aspects of it."
Resolute and gritty
Having conceded five goals in their first two games of the season, some Bluebirds fans were concerned that the usually resolute Cardiff City defence had suddenly inherited a soft centre.
The goals they had conceded up until Saturday's fixture were sloppy and far too easy for the opposition.
But when Forest, who had two very good forwards in Lyle Taylor and Lewis Grabban, not to mention the constant threat of Sammy Ameobi on the wing, threw everything at Cardiff in the second half, the visitors held firm.
There were a couple of clear-cut chances for which Alex Smithies had to be alert, but they weathered the storm far better than they had done in recent matches.
The defenders stuck to their opposite numbers better, the midfielders dropped into better positions to consolidate, too, and as a result the pressure was soaked up more efficiently than in previous weeks.
Yes, there are still areas in which they still need to improve, City gave the ball away far too cheaply at times in that second period, but, with their backs to the wall, Cardiff's defence and strength of character was pleasing to see and they can take a lot of pride from it.
By Glen Williams
Sunday 20th September 2020
To my eye, the Cardiff team which took the pitch against Nottingham Forest had a very different feel to the one which strode out at Cardiff City Stadium the week before.
Heading into the season's curtain-raiser, City had a very rushed pre-season. Three key players, Lee Tomlin, Joe Ralls and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, had not been training at full tilt, or at all in the latter's case, while the international break took six players away from Neil Harris' first-team squad.
The manager bemoaned City's lack of creativity against Sheffield Wednesday, but the attack just looked a little disjointed all together. In truth, it looked like a team that had not trained together very much.
Fast forward a week and everything was far more harmonious.
There were different styles of attack. Yes, Moore scored from two set pieces, but there were also driving runs into the box, Sheyi Ojo had a decent chance denied from that, and clever runs off the shoulder, which presented Ralls with a chance or two, as well.
That week on the training ground appeared to do Harris' men a world of good and no doubt another week will only serve to further their understanding of one another.
NEIL HARRIS:
"Junior [Hoilett] and Sheyi have had really good shots from 20 yards and I said to them both they could have had a couple more," Harris said after the match.
"Joe Ralls got into some really good positions and Sheyi in the first half had a shot saved at the near post.
"Some good areas in the final third, quality in that final third, balls into the box trying to service Kieffer.
"There are areas for us to improve but I am pleased with so many aspects of it."
Resolute and gritty
Having conceded five goals in their first two games of the season, some Bluebirds fans were concerned that the usually resolute Cardiff City defence had suddenly inherited a soft centre.
The goals they had conceded up until Saturday's fixture were sloppy and far too easy for the opposition.
But when Forest, who had two very good forwards in Lyle Taylor and Lewis Grabban, not to mention the constant threat of Sammy Ameobi on the wing, threw everything at Cardiff in the second half, the visitors held firm.
There were a couple of clear-cut chances for which Alex Smithies had to be alert, but they weathered the storm far better than they had done in recent matches.
The defenders stuck to their opposite numbers better, the midfielders dropped into better positions to consolidate, too, and as a result the pressure was soaked up more efficiently than in previous weeks.
Yes, there are still areas in which they still need to improve, City gave the ball away far too cheaply at times in that second period, but, with their backs to the wall, Cardiff's defence and strength of character was pleasing to see and they can take a lot of pride from it.
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Re: The reason for the change from Cardiff City
Mon Sep 21, 2020 7:20 am
Massive improvement Annis 
Re: The reason for the change from Cardiff City
Mon Sep 21, 2020 9:23 pm
JulesK wrote:Massive improvement Annis
