" Match Report Middlesboro v Cardiff 11 Dec 2011 "

A bit disappointed I was when I finally arrived for the game. I had to park in what looked like a scrapyard for cars next to the ground with the only pub nearby not allowing away fans. So I decided to have a look around the ground which stand next to the dockyard. While admiring the labourmans world scenary I noticed this massive constructive bridge that crossed the docks water. This bridge was painted blue and it reminded me of a program I watch a few years back where some American Indians brought a similar things for their reservation across the pond. Then I remembered where this program was recorded and reralised that was the actualy bridge. Now I recall that when this bridge was disassembled there were two groups of navvies that carried out the work. One group was from Serbia and the other from Croatia. At the time these countries were at war with each other so team work was a bit of a problem for the management. Somehow though the bridge was taken down and transported over to America by a hired Russian transport plane that one of the management team just happened to have. However the bridge did look a bit of an eye sore when it got to its destination as it was reconstructed over a valley of mointains. However it did serve a good purpose for the Indians as they were investing in a Supermarket and needed to attract other indian communities to their store. The problem they had here was that these other indian breeds would have to travel hundreds of miles around the mountains to go shopping at this new mall but the bridge would remove that problem as it would allow them to cross over the valleys.

I though it was quite an adventurious project as I watched the program and was quite impressed with the achievement. So you can imagine my shock when I realised that was that bridge. You just cant believe what you watch on TV these days.

So todays game. Around 600 Cardiff fans made the long trip up North. We were allocated behind one of the goals and I must say I was quite impressed with the stadium itsielf as I made my way to my seat. I could imagine it could make quite an impressive atmosphere when it is full but today it was highly unlikely I was going to witness that. A sea of red, the colour of the seats, dominated the scenary during the game. That is the ground was only a fraction full and is proof of what could happen to a club when it hits hard times. Quite frightening really.

The tension amongst the Cardiff fans was one of uncertainty due to the bad run of results lately. I cant really say there was ana air of confidence as the team was announced. Marshall remained in goal for the injured Heaton. Gyppes regained his place back from the injured Blake and partnered Hudson in central defence with Naylor and MacNaughton at the full back positions. In midfield there was Oli, Whittingham, Drinkwater and Burke with Keogh and Bellamy up front. There was a spirit of question marks as to why Chopra was on the bench again. This just added to the uncertain tension.

The game kicked off and Cardiff went straight into attack mode. Without Jay to refer to the direct route they passed the ball around ot each other played the first stages of the game in the Middlesborough half. This early possession saw the first chance go to Cardiff where Burke from just outside the Boro area saw a shot deflected for a corner. That turned out ot be the only chance Cardiff had for the next hour or so.

After this early scare the Boro started to get back into the game and created their first chance from the Cardiff nenemes Enmes. Remember him, the Jack loanee who turned Gyepes for the winner in the derby? Well he outfoxed Gyepes to created an opening from 25 yeads. His low but powerful shot brought a good save out of Marshall who got down low to palm the ball away. This was th estart of some pressure from th Boro

The next move saw a cross from the right end up between Hudson and Gyepes to a waiting Boro striker who although made contact with the cross with his foot fortunately slice the effort wide. A clean contact and no doubt the ball would have ended in the net.

Cardiff tried to get back into the game and held possession for most of the time but their passing display lacked the final touch unlike Boros play. The Northerners matched Cardiffs passing but created some chances. One chance being a basic toe poke wide of the goal and another a nicely worked move that split the Cardiff defence leaving a Boro striker with only Marshall to beat. However the chance was tight and the shot ended up hitting the side net.

Boro continued the pressure on the Cardiff who struggled to clear their lines. One effort, five minutes before half time, the ball from the 18 yard line was cleared to the half way only for it to be sent back and catching Gyepes wanting against the Enmes. Both players went down in the area and the lines man flag went up. The ref pointed to the penalty spot and after the Cardiff protests Marshall was sent the wrong way as Boro took the lead.

The ref brought the half to and end and the Cardiff fans then realised what a none event it had been for their team. During the half time talks alot of blame was being put on Bellamy which I found harsh. However it was thus talk plus what I had witnessed in the last six games that had made my mine up. This moment while in the concourse drinking a coffee I had given up on us getting promoted this season.

I returned to my seat in the hope I would see something to change my mind. It when you hope like this you see the owrse. It was the Boro who took the game on and from an attack from the right the cross found an unmarked Boro players whos volley caused a fine save from Marshall. This actually woke Cardiff up as they started to have more pssession but it was well into the second half before we saw any effort on goal.

Surprisingly the Boro allowed Cardiff this possession as they decided to defend deeply and try and catch the Cardiff on the break. Cardiff made little headway into the Boro area as the home side held firm. After about 20 minutes though Bellamy did manage to beat his marker only to see his effort hit the side netting from a tight angle.

It was then that DJ, seeing this tactic by the Boro, substituted Drinkwater for Chopra. The busy Chopra worked well with Bellamy and started to split the home defence up. However the final touch was missing as each effort was either being blocked or breaking down. Cardiff were eventally reduced to long range efforts and this actually brought them their best efforts. From 25 yards a Bellamy effort hit the crossbar and moments later an 18 yard chip by Chopra forced a palm over the bar save from the Boro keeper.

As the game went into the last 10 minutes the Boro defence broke down the Cardiff attack quite comfortable and counter attacked with speed. Fortunately for the Cardiff their final efforts were poor with one or tow shots going wide or high over the bar. Cardiff did responde with some more long range efforts that were striagh at the Boro keeper. There was nothing that worried the home support as they got more vocal to the end. The Cardiff travellers tried to match them but the exhaustion was beinging to show.

One incident worth mentioning was a 50/50 chance between the Boro keeper and Chopra resulitng in Chopra catching the home keeper with his studs .This caused a fracade bewtween both isdes and a couple of players were book. However it did show some passion from Chopra which was about the only positive from the game.

The referee brought the game to an end after five minutes of added time. The disappointment within the away section could be felt. The fans looked exhausted after giving it their best watching a frustrating performance. All that was left was to see Bellamy applaud the away fans as the rest of the team left the field without any acknowledgment. Why o why do we bother was written all over our faces.

Summing up. Another frustrating performance that you cant point the finger on the problem. No specific player was bad but the performance was. In fact it makes you think if this is our top gear we are in. Most teams in this league have gelled togther as the season has moved on. We havent and it just makes you wonder if we peaked at the start. We came out of the starting blocks fast but after a few laps we have either been caught up or taken over. I really do fear come the end of January we not only will lose our no 2 spot but will fall out of the top 6.

cheers ian. well done to the fans that made the long trip.

bellamy only player to clap the fans who have travelled in the region off i dont know 500/600 mile round trip, and spend close on 70 /100 quid that winds me right up

Thankyou Ian, Once again for an Excellent Report

The Finger has to be pointed at Only One Person DJ.

I Feel for the fans who Travelled, DJ and the players(Except Bells) Could not even Thank them once again for Their Loyal Support

Thanks for the report Ian.

Shocking that yet again the players didn't acknowledge the away support.

Its got to a stage whereas the only thing I look forward to with the match is your reports, thank you again Ian.

Mission of the day, bridges.

Thankyou Ian, Once again for an Excellent Report

The Finger has to be pointed at Only One Person DJ.

I Feel for the fans who Travelled, DJ and the players(Except Bells) Could not even Thank them once again for Their Loyal Support

It felt to me they were too embarrassed to face us. There was no booing from us supporters but only a few of us applauded their efforts. Most of us were too disappointed to do so tbh.

Perhaps I'm being a bit immotional when I say this but the comments I heard about Bellamy I felt were harsh. By him applauding us back I got the feeling at least he is feeling our pain but for the others they just dont sem to care with the biggest culprit being DJ.

Thanks for the report Ian.

Shocking that yet again the players didn't acknowledge the away support.

Cheers Chris, it was sad to see the players walking off the pitch. They defended the goal away from us fans and when the whistle blew for full time the play was in our half. That is the game ended with all our players at the other end of the pitch from us. Excluding Bellamy none of them crossed the half way line to ackonowledge us.

Its got to a stage whereas the only thing I look forward to with the match is your reports, thank you again Ian.

Mission of the day, bridges.

Certainly does feel a mission. Thanks for reading the report, I bet you find them hard to read as much as I am finding it hard to write at the moment.

Excellent Report and well written

cheers ian ... top read!

good report again

yesterday i to was getting the impression that come the end of january we would fall out of the top 6 - hard to remain positive after the last 5/6 weeks

Good write up as usual!

The Finger has to be pointed at Only One Person DJ.

Not the players who play the game then?

The Finger has to be pointed at Only One Person DJ.

Not the players who play the game then?

Not really. As I said no players had a bad game, none made any bad mistakes. Just the team performance was bad.

CHEERS Ian, Look forward to the Coventry Report, Hopefully with a WIN