' A disjointed start '

' A disjointed start '

By Glen Williams


The Bluebirds had to make a number of changes for the visit of Stoke City and the impact of that was telling from very early on in the piece.

Cardiff's strength up until this point under Mick McCarthy has been the clarity with which they have been playing. Every player knew the game plan and their role within it and it was clicking seamlessly.

There were the first signs of hesitation in that first half against the Potters. With Ciaron Brown at centre back, Tom Sang at right wing-back and Perry Ng swapping over to the other side, his weaker side, City's players became a little muddled over their specific roles within the system.

Balls over the top and down the channel just weren't working, there was hesitancy over whether to pump it up to Kieffer Moore or try to pass it through a little bit more.


It was the first time, really, there appeared to be no coherence and it led to a fairly blunt first-half showing from City, which prompted a half-time rollicking from McCarthy.

They were far better in the second half, it must be said, but it is easy to see how just a few changes in key positions can disrupt the flow.

Further up the pitch, Sheyi Ojo didn't enjoy his best evening, while Leandro Bacuna looked threatening until the very last moment when his shot would blaze wide or his decision-making would let him down.

Kieffer Moore, too, had an off night in front of goal - more on that next - and it just looked nailed on that it wouldn't be their night.