MY VIEW FROM SOMEONE WHO WAS THERE MIDDLESBOROUGH v CARDIFF

This must have been the first game in a long time where I have walked to the away stadium without meeting another Cardiff fan. There was no queue at the turnstyle and when in the Concourse practically the handful of fans there were sat on the floor. It reminded me of the dark old days.

I made my way to the stand with about 30 minutes to go before KO. The Cardiff players were out on the pitch warming up in front of us. We were literally in line of one of the goals. We were about to see very little action in that goal space. The stadium was empty but it did start to fill up a bit but not much in the away end. I would say there was about 200 of us there in the end.

The tannoy system announced that there will be a one minute silence followed by the National Anthen. It must have announced this about 200 times and TBH I was getting bored of it. So for me it was a let's just get it out of the way and on to the football. I'm glad to say the whole thing was well respected by us Cardiff fans and I did not see anyone turn their backs on God Save The King.

Cardiff were defending the goal literally in front of us from the side. The game started and what dominated the game in the first minutes was the sound of this drum coming from our left from the home supporters sitting in front of the goal we were defending. It was loud and it was difficult to think.

Before we all adjusted to this drum sound we took the lead. Now you need to keep in mind here but all the good stuff on the night look a million miles away from us away fans. For this first goal, a perfect pass from Robinson to ODowde, it look like ODowde was going to be taken down. The replayed showed he had plenty of space. Anyway we worked it out that it was another one on one so we all held our breath. I was expecting the ball to go over the crossbar so what a relief it was when I saw it hit the net. Everyone else must have felt the same because you would have noticed a slight pause of silence after the ball went in. Then it was back to normal service when you score a goal with everyone celebrating and not caring what the next person thought.

Soon after the restart I noticed one thing. We were not playing it out from the back. Also I noticed Middlesborough struggle to win the ball in the air. This allowed us to win the game in the midfield. We were playing it out from the middle and that was why we dominated that first half. So much so that we even were playing in out from the front. Such a move found Harris on the edge of the box with all the space in the world and what a finish. From the moment he got his shot off we didn't see the ball until it hit the net. There was no pause for this one as we immediately celebrated.

From the restart there was one outstanding thing. There was no drum sound. Perhaps the drummer was putting off his own team than us, the score showed that. Middlesborough started to play some nice stuff but were frustrated by the timewasting of Ryan Allsop. I've got to say he was very good at that. We soaked up the pressure with no problem, started to play some lovely stuff in the middle of the park resulting in us playing it around the Middlesborough area. About 3 minutes before half time we got cocky and scored a 3rd. A fantastic ball passing sequence saw Ng work his way into the box and from what look like a side pass into the home goal. Perhaps the best goal we have scored in a long time.

HT came and we went into the break 3 up. Last time that has happened I think was away at Rotherham with Slade in charge. Talking to a few at the interval you could feel the disbelief. However, one guy said we have been playing well but have not been scoring. It was only a question of time he said. I could not quite agree with him but said nothing. We had just played a different game to what we have been doing all season. Food for thought.

We all settled down for the 2nd half where we should have been feeling comfortable. Most though were saying we need a fourth goal. They were nearly right.

Middlesborough came out guns blazing. Basically, they needed to throw the kitchen sink at us and they did that. We in the away end talk about thew fourth goal being a break away one. As the half continued it became clear that we can forget about that break away. Infact how about getting into their half would be a good thing. The game was happening in our half with Isiah Jones cutting us apart like a hot knife through butter. Even so Ryan Allsop was never really threatened. However, some play in their half would have been much appreciated.

20 minutes to go and we didn't see any action up our end. We were using Harris to hold up the ball but he was not producing anything. He was knackered and we really should have taken him off earlier than we did. We came out to shut up shop and that was the wrong decision. It was only a question of time before Middlesborough got that goal. It looked a soft goal from where we were standing. Although not surprised to let one in we did not expect them to get a second 2 minutes later.

Personally, I felt their 2nd goal was a very clean one. It was a perfect clip into our box right onto their strikers head that no one would have missed. So from being 3 up with 20 minutes to go we were now hanging onto our lead with 15 minutes left. The Middlesborough fans as you can imagine where now up for it. The drummer started up again and all of us in the away end were not feeling too good now.

One of their fans to our left as they celebrated that 2nd goal turned to us away fans with both his arms in the air and his fists clenched. it was a very clear message coming from him "Come on let's have you now". I was about to inform him in sign language we were still winning 3-2 but felt better to say nothing.

It was all Middlesborough but every cross that they tried we handled very well. However, we needed that break. As we went into the last 10 minutes we started to try and get in their half. Ojo came the closest when he saw a chance to break down our left hand side. He was taken out. From there we tried to slow the game down and did that very well. In fact we won our first corner of the half and that was received with a load cheer from us. However, Middlesborough were given one last chance to save the game.

From what look like a nothing build up a space appeared just inside the box and slightly to the right of the goal from where we stood. It was a chance but the Middlesborough slice his shot to the relief of us away fans. My Middlesborough mate was up on his feet looking at us but this time his hands were on his head is disappointment. I just held my arms out to my sides indication Wide. It felt that was it for them and it soon was after that.

After the game the players came over to us doing the Ayatollah. They love doing that after such a performance. They got a great return from us but you could feel the relief there. It was only when you got on your coach or back to your car did the heartbeats stop dropping. For me it was a win, a well welcomed 3 pts BUT we played 2 different games there and it feels to me we are still trying to find our way.

Great report Ian, sorry I couldn't join you. See you again soon

Excellent repirt, Ian...

Hats off to the fans that went up there, it's a long trip for a mid week game, but the fixture computer has never been good to us. It has to be our second longest away trip after Sunderland, and QPR had the long trip to Millwall, and Birmingham had a long trip to West Brom. Makes you wonder.

I enjoyed that mate, thanks for sharing, it did my head in watching they never showed the Cardiff fans although you guys could here you guys more than Borough, great support

I enjoy reading your write ups Ian, everyone on the socials were complimentary of our fantastic away support especially for such a long midweek trip, the 200 did us proud and were louder than Boro all night. I particularly enjoyed the Allsop chant when he was executing the fine art of GK 'gamesmanship'.