MY VEIW: SUBSTITUTION TURNED CITY AROUND (v STOKE)
Tue Dec 08, 2020 10:14 pm
I came into tonight's game hoping the Bluebirds would carry on their winning streak but also in the knowledge that we don't have the greatest of records away to stoke City, so a draw would have sufficed
The first half was a bit drab and most of the attacking play (if we could cal it that) came for the Bluebirds but it was clear from the off that this might just have been one game too far for an unchanged side. In reality though, who would have argued against that? Certainly not me!
The only goal of the first half came against the run of play and in very unfortunate circumstances, as Stoke were allowed to get into the Bluebirds box and the resulting cross deflected off the unfortunate Sean Morrison and into the goal
Very unfortunate for Morrison but there is some solace in that had he let the ball go there were a line of Stoke players waiting to slot the ball into the net regardless
The remainder of the half continued as before and neither side really threatened the others goal
HALF-TIME: STOKE CITY 1 - 0 Cardiff City
The second half started in a bit of a flurry and James Chester was unlucky to hit the bar to double Stoke's lead and after a very dubious (he dived IMHO) penalty award was superbly saved from Vokes by Bluebird keeper Alex Smithies, who didn't have too much to do otherwise
For me, the whole game changed on the introduction of Bluebird Robert Glatzel, who replaced the exceptionally hard working but tired looking Harry Wilson and it was super sub Glatzel who took the fine opportunity to draw the Bluebirds level
Glatzel for me, is a changed man in recent games and has started to show what was originally seen in him. His all round play is excellent and he has started to hit the back of the opposition net
From that point, Stoke were forced into desperate defence and it looked like they were desperate not to lose the game rather than win it, as the bluebirds took the game by the scruff of the neck and took the game to the Potters
In some sort of poetic justice, the winning goal fell to Bluebird Captain Sean Morrison, who headed into the back of the Stoke net with aplomb to cancel out his unfortunate own goal opener
Have no doubt this was a great win for the Bluebirds and is notably the first Timothy have won from behind since 2019
Rob Phillips commentary was superb tonight (sorry, I don't know who was with him) and just before the goal he had commented that "If Cardiff score next, I can see them going on to win the game!" and he was so right!
In addition, his comment about the Swansea game (KO 12:30pm Saturday) was "You can watch that game elsewhere but you won't get a more Bluebird bias commentary than you will on here...!" 
This Bluebirds team is finally finding its feet and we move on to the Welsh derby at Saturday lunchtime
FINAL SCORE: STOKE CITY 1 - 2 CARDIFF CITY 
The first half was a bit drab and most of the attacking play (if we could cal it that) came for the Bluebirds but it was clear from the off that this might just have been one game too far for an unchanged side. In reality though, who would have argued against that? Certainly not me!
The only goal of the first half came against the run of play and in very unfortunate circumstances, as Stoke were allowed to get into the Bluebirds box and the resulting cross deflected off the unfortunate Sean Morrison and into the goal
Very unfortunate for Morrison but there is some solace in that had he let the ball go there were a line of Stoke players waiting to slot the ball into the net regardless
The remainder of the half continued as before and neither side really threatened the others goal
HALF-TIME: STOKE CITY 1 - 0 Cardiff City
The second half started in a bit of a flurry and James Chester was unlucky to hit the bar to double Stoke's lead and after a very dubious (he dived IMHO) penalty award was superbly saved from Vokes by Bluebird keeper Alex Smithies, who didn't have too much to do otherwise
For me, the whole game changed on the introduction of Bluebird Robert Glatzel, who replaced the exceptionally hard working but tired looking Harry Wilson and it was super sub Glatzel who took the fine opportunity to draw the Bluebirds level
Glatzel for me, is a changed man in recent games and has started to show what was originally seen in him. His all round play is excellent and he has started to hit the back of the opposition net
From that point, Stoke were forced into desperate defence and it looked like they were desperate not to lose the game rather than win it, as the bluebirds took the game by the scruff of the neck and took the game to the Potters
In some sort of poetic justice, the winning goal fell to Bluebird Captain Sean Morrison, who headed into the back of the Stoke net with aplomb to cancel out his unfortunate own goal opener
Have no doubt this was a great win for the Bluebirds and is notably the first Timothy have won from behind since 2019
Rob Phillips commentary was superb tonight (sorry, I don't know who was with him) and just before the goal he had commented that "If Cardiff score next, I can see them going on to win the game!" and he was so right!
In addition, his comment about the Swansea game (KO 12:30pm Saturday) was "You can watch that game elsewhere but you won't get a more Bluebird bias commentary than you will on here...!"
This Bluebirds team is finally finding its feet and we move on to the Welsh derby at Saturday lunchtime
FINAL SCORE: STOKE CITY 1 - 2 CARDIFF CITY
Re: MY VEIW: SUBSTITUTION TURNED CITY AROUND (v STOKE)
Tue Dec 08, 2020 10:49 pm
Agree about Glatzel he was much more effective than Harris but perhaps is one of those players who is at his best when coming on as a sub against tiring defences.
I think tiredness could become a problem most of our team have played nearly every game this season and some must be due a rest from this 3 games every 7 days schedule. Think Harris will need to use his squad judiciously. Morrison and Nelson must be due a rest soon,pity he doesn't seem to trust Benkovic enough to play him. Bamba again from the bench. Bennett wasn't great tonight and maybe Bagan or Cunningham could do with a game. Not many options in midfield other than Pack.
I think tiredness could become a problem most of our team have played nearly every game this season and some must be due a rest from this 3 games every 7 days schedule. Think Harris will need to use his squad judiciously. Morrison and Nelson must be due a rest soon,pity he doesn't seem to trust Benkovic enough to play him. Bamba again from the bench. Bennett wasn't great tonight and maybe Bagan or Cunningham could do with a game. Not many options in midfield other than Pack.
Re: MY VEIW: SUBSTITUTION TURNED CITY AROUND (v STOKE)
Tue Dec 08, 2020 11:27 pm
Crayfish wrote:Agree about Glatzel he was much more effective than Harris but perhaps is one of those players who is at his best when coming on as a sub against tiring defences.
I think tiredness could become a problem most of our team have played nearly every game this season and some must be due a rest from this 3 games every 7 days schedule. Think Harris will need to use his squad judiciously. Morrison and Nelson must be due a rest soon,pity he doesn't seem to trust Benkovic enough to play him. Bamba again from the bench. Bennett wasn't great tonight and maybe Bagan or Cunningham could do with a game. Not many options in midfield other than Pack.
Agree with that
The problem we have is with a high interest game coming up on Saturday, the manager is going to be damned if he does and damned if he doesn't, solely based on the result
Maybe with the five substitutions, the manager could play his (now) favoured line up in the knowledge he finally has enough on the bench to make a difference
Either way, the Bluebirds are looking solid right now and the contrast of styles will make Saturday's game an interesting one to watch
Re: MY VEIW: SUBSTITUTION TURNED CITY AROUND (v STOKE)
Wed Dec 09, 2020 12:42 pm
A good summation of the game Chris, even though some on here would spout that we were dire, lacklustre and awful.
Yes we were tired, but for me we looked the better side for the vast majority of the game. Did we set the streets alight, hell no.....but did we deserve to win, indeed we did.
If the next 29 games produce the same performance and the same result I don't think any true City fan will be whingeing.
Yes we were tired, but for me we looked the better side for the vast majority of the game. Did we set the streets alight, hell no.....but did we deserve to win, indeed we did.
If the next 29 games produce the same performance and the same result I don't think any true City fan will be whingeing.
Re: MY VEIW: SUBSTITUTION TURNED CITY AROUND (v STOKE)
Wed Dec 09, 2020 3:29 pm
We seemed tired and a little off , for the first 60 minutes . But the last 30 we were right on our game , and didn't look tired at all. So your guess is as good as mine , to the reason why ? Maybe it was fresh legs , and our bench is one of the best in the championship IMHO .