"Match report Cardiff v Nottingham Forest 26 Nov 2011 "
Sun Nov 27, 2011 9:42 pm
Don't muck about with Dai Hunts hat, he don't like it. I saw Dai come into the Ninian Pub with his usual smile on his face. Next thing someone thought it would be clever to throw his hat across the pub. The guy came within centimetres of being knocked out. Fortunately nothing came off it but it did amuse me for a short while.
The winter weather that we are accustomed to finally made its appearance for this Forest home game. I sat in my seat with the twins next to me and looked up to the skies that were that dark black colour. You could see the drizzling rain being blown across the pitch and whatever your opinions of these new bowl stadiums you cannot help but feel a bit more comfortable in them when you see that.
Marshall took the stand between the posts with McNaughton, Gerrard, Turner and Taylor in front of him. In midfield there was Mcphail, Conway, Cowie, Whittingham and Gunnarson with Miller the lone striker up front. This meant a 4,5,1 combination again which is fine away but for home games one or two around me were questioning it. However they questioned very quietly because the way things are going at the moment it would take a silly person to object to anything. Four wins from the last six games with the other two being draws and a 3rd place how can you complain under the circumstances.
Cardiff started the game lively in front of 22,000 fans of which there must have been over 1000 Forest supporters tuck in the away end. A cross field pass from Turner was met by Gunnarson on the edge of the area. Gunnarson half volleyed the ball back into the area where it fell at the feet of Gerrard. Gerrard should have taken the shot first time but took one too many touches before shooting only to see his effort deflect over the bar.
Cardiff pressured the Forest penalty area for most of the first 10 minutes but besides Gerrards chance did not trouble the Forest keeper. In fact Forest came close to scoring in this period from a break away when one of their central defenders picks up the ball in his half and forced his way into the Cardiff area with only Marshall to beat. Like Gerrard he wanted a bit more time and this allowed a Cardiff foot to eventually deflect his shot wide for a corner.
Cardiff continued to apply the pressure but had to wait until the 25 minute when they finally found a way thorough the Forest defence that had decided to park their bus in their goal area. Gunnarson who was being quite active in midfield attacked down the centre and sent a pass that picked out Miller in space. With only the keeper to beat Miller struggled to make contact with the ball and only managed to get a tow in only to flick the ball wide.
Moments later a delightful cross from Cowie evaded the Forest defence leaving Conway a clear chance on goal. However the Scotsman could not control the ball enough and skied his volley over the bar.
On the 35th minute the Forest keeper was finally called upon. A short throw from Gunnarson found Cowie who sent one of his trademark crosses into the area. Conway was on hand to head the ball goal bound but straight into the grateful Forest keeper.
Just before the break Cardiff had a couple of chances to go into the interval with the lead. Gunnarson headed wide from a Taylor cross then a goalmouth scramble saw Cowie blast the ball over the bar.
The half was brought to an end and I felt quite pleased with the performance as I was expecting this game to be our undoing of the good run we were on. So far so good I felt.
The second half the visitors decided to give it a go and from the start came out blazing. However the Cardiff defence held firm in this period and Marshall did not have to make one save. The visitors best chance in this period saw a magnificent block from McPhail. The ball bounced nicely to a Forest forward in space in the area. Facing goal it looked like all he need to do was make good contact and Marshall would have a problem. Well the contact was good but Marshall only had to watch as he admired the way McPhail threw himself into the block. Without doubt the Cardiff defending these days is looking determined.
After 10 minutes of domination from the visitors the home side started to fight back into the game. The Forest team started to retrieve back into their bus in their area as Cardiff started to take control again. However the Cardiff strike force struggled to trouble the Forest goal and the game looked like it did not have a goal in it. You could feel the home crowd starting to look at MM for an answer.
Cardiff made their first substitution when Joe Mason came on for Conway after 58 minutes. This had am immediate effect with Mason breaking through the Forest central defence. However his partnership with Miller was not clicking and the Forest defence started to look comfortable with this.
Cardiff were then awarded a free kick outside the area but near the goal line on 70 minutes. Whittingham send a cross into the 6 yard area but the ball was cleared back to him. Whittingham controlled the ball again and looked up to see about 5 Forest defenders packed inside their 6 yard box. He sent the ball back into the same area and this time picked out Mason between 2 defenders. The young striker rose to head the ball and flicked it into the net for the opening goal. There was MMs answer.
From the restart Forest were forced to leave their bus and started to attack the Cardiff half. They made 3 substitutions in this time bringing on all attack minded players. Cardiff brought on Joe Ralls for McPhail to strengthen a midfield that started to look tired.
As forest pressed the Cardiff midfield held its own with Ralls looking good. However the rest of the midfield suddenly started to make some silly mistakes allowing the visitors to take the initiative. With the 3 fresh attacking legs in their side it was going to be a nervy finish for Cardiff.
The crosses started coming into the Cardiff area and Marshall was called upon for the first time when he tipped a close range header over the bar.
Moments later he was called upon again when Cardiff failed to clear their lines. The ball came across from the right to the far post and was met by a Forest head who sent the ball back into the 6 yard area. As the ball was about to be met by another forest head Marshall managed get to the ball first by punching it away. However the ball landed on another Forest head who could only direct the ball over the bar.
As the game went into the dying seconds Forest broke free down the right side and sent a cross deep into the Cardiff area. The ball fell to one of their strikers about 6 yards out with an open goal. McNaughton seeing the danger flung himself in to block the shot over the bar.
From the resulting corner Cardiff cleared their lines only to hear the referee bring the game to an end with a deserved win for the home side.
Summing up. Some will say it was a boring game but for me it was anything but that. As I said earlier I expected us to come undone especially as we played the previous Tuesday. The first half I felt we could lose the game as we had not taken our chances, I really felt we would tire. When we got the lead I felt we would lose it all somewhere near the end. It was going to take a terrific effort to hang on. Well we did with some nervous moments. I don’t consider that a boring game.
The winter weather that we are accustomed to finally made its appearance for this Forest home game. I sat in my seat with the twins next to me and looked up to the skies that were that dark black colour. You could see the drizzling rain being blown across the pitch and whatever your opinions of these new bowl stadiums you cannot help but feel a bit more comfortable in them when you see that.
Marshall took the stand between the posts with McNaughton, Gerrard, Turner and Taylor in front of him. In midfield there was Mcphail, Conway, Cowie, Whittingham and Gunnarson with Miller the lone striker up front. This meant a 4,5,1 combination again which is fine away but for home games one or two around me were questioning it. However they questioned very quietly because the way things are going at the moment it would take a silly person to object to anything. Four wins from the last six games with the other two being draws and a 3rd place how can you complain under the circumstances.
Cardiff started the game lively in front of 22,000 fans of which there must have been over 1000 Forest supporters tuck in the away end. A cross field pass from Turner was met by Gunnarson on the edge of the area. Gunnarson half volleyed the ball back into the area where it fell at the feet of Gerrard. Gerrard should have taken the shot first time but took one too many touches before shooting only to see his effort deflect over the bar.
Cardiff pressured the Forest penalty area for most of the first 10 minutes but besides Gerrards chance did not trouble the Forest keeper. In fact Forest came close to scoring in this period from a break away when one of their central defenders picks up the ball in his half and forced his way into the Cardiff area with only Marshall to beat. Like Gerrard he wanted a bit more time and this allowed a Cardiff foot to eventually deflect his shot wide for a corner.
Cardiff continued to apply the pressure but had to wait until the 25 minute when they finally found a way thorough the Forest defence that had decided to park their bus in their goal area. Gunnarson who was being quite active in midfield attacked down the centre and sent a pass that picked out Miller in space. With only the keeper to beat Miller struggled to make contact with the ball and only managed to get a tow in only to flick the ball wide.
Moments later a delightful cross from Cowie evaded the Forest defence leaving Conway a clear chance on goal. However the Scotsman could not control the ball enough and skied his volley over the bar.
On the 35th minute the Forest keeper was finally called upon. A short throw from Gunnarson found Cowie who sent one of his trademark crosses into the area. Conway was on hand to head the ball goal bound but straight into the grateful Forest keeper.
Just before the break Cardiff had a couple of chances to go into the interval with the lead. Gunnarson headed wide from a Taylor cross then a goalmouth scramble saw Cowie blast the ball over the bar.
The half was brought to an end and I felt quite pleased with the performance as I was expecting this game to be our undoing of the good run we were on. So far so good I felt.
The second half the visitors decided to give it a go and from the start came out blazing. However the Cardiff defence held firm in this period and Marshall did not have to make one save. The visitors best chance in this period saw a magnificent block from McPhail. The ball bounced nicely to a Forest forward in space in the area. Facing goal it looked like all he need to do was make good contact and Marshall would have a problem. Well the contact was good but Marshall only had to watch as he admired the way McPhail threw himself into the block. Without doubt the Cardiff defending these days is looking determined.
After 10 minutes of domination from the visitors the home side started to fight back into the game. The Forest team started to retrieve back into their bus in their area as Cardiff started to take control again. However the Cardiff strike force struggled to trouble the Forest goal and the game looked like it did not have a goal in it. You could feel the home crowd starting to look at MM for an answer.
Cardiff made their first substitution when Joe Mason came on for Conway after 58 minutes. This had am immediate effect with Mason breaking through the Forest central defence. However his partnership with Miller was not clicking and the Forest defence started to look comfortable with this.
Cardiff were then awarded a free kick outside the area but near the goal line on 70 minutes. Whittingham send a cross into the 6 yard area but the ball was cleared back to him. Whittingham controlled the ball again and looked up to see about 5 Forest defenders packed inside their 6 yard box. He sent the ball back into the same area and this time picked out Mason between 2 defenders. The young striker rose to head the ball and flicked it into the net for the opening goal. There was MMs answer.
From the restart Forest were forced to leave their bus and started to attack the Cardiff half. They made 3 substitutions in this time bringing on all attack minded players. Cardiff brought on Joe Ralls for McPhail to strengthen a midfield that started to look tired.
As forest pressed the Cardiff midfield held its own with Ralls looking good. However the rest of the midfield suddenly started to make some silly mistakes allowing the visitors to take the initiative. With the 3 fresh attacking legs in their side it was going to be a nervy finish for Cardiff.
The crosses started coming into the Cardiff area and Marshall was called upon for the first time when he tipped a close range header over the bar.
Moments later he was called upon again when Cardiff failed to clear their lines. The ball came across from the right to the far post and was met by a Forest head who sent the ball back into the 6 yard area. As the ball was about to be met by another forest head Marshall managed get to the ball first by punching it away. However the ball landed on another Forest head who could only direct the ball over the bar.
As the game went into the dying seconds Forest broke free down the right side and sent a cross deep into the Cardiff area. The ball fell to one of their strikers about 6 yards out with an open goal. McNaughton seeing the danger flung himself in to block the shot over the bar.
From the resulting corner Cardiff cleared their lines only to hear the referee bring the game to an end with a deserved win for the home side.
Summing up. Some will say it was a boring game but for me it was anything but that. As I said earlier I expected us to come undone especially as we played the previous Tuesday. The first half I felt we could lose the game as we had not taken our chances, I really felt we would tire. When we got the lead I felt we would lose it all somewhere near the end. It was going to take a terrific effort to hang on. Well we did with some nervous moments. I don’t consider that a boring game.
Re: "Match report Cardiff v Nottingham Forest 26 Nov 2011 "
Sun Nov 27, 2011 9:47 pm
Ian, I saw Dai as well 
Once again, great match report and you summoned it up well.
Once again, great match report and you summoned it up well.
Re: "Match report Cardiff v Nottingham Forest 26 Nov 2011 "
Mon Nov 28, 2011 8:30 am
Great read matey,
Can imagine now how Dai reacted to his hat bein whipped off his head
Maybe Tuesday we can find out what he keeps in that carrier bag of his?
Can imagine now how Dai reacted to his hat bein whipped off his head
Maybe Tuesday we can find out what he keeps in that carrier bag of his?
Re: "Match report Cardiff v Nottingham Forest 26 Nov 2011 "
Mon Nov 28, 2011 6:36 pm
Cheers Ian, great read as usual ....Dai popped into the Canton Cross, Topcatt engaged him In conversation...so I pissed off down the Forresters
....Dai popped into the Canton Cross, Topcatt engaged him In conversation...so I pissed off down the Forresters
Re: "Match report Cardiff v Nottingham Forest 26 Nov 2011 "
Mon Nov 28, 2011 6:45 pm
Marc wrote:Cheers Ian, great read as usual
Marc myself and Tony advised Dai why Darcy aint starting for us as Dai is a big fan , We told him about the alleged incidents in Blackwood and drinking habits .Should have seen his face mate
Great read as always Ian.
Re: "Match report Cardiff v Nottingham Forest 26 Nov 2011 "
Wed Nov 30, 2011 11:02 am
Cheers Ian, really looking forward to last nights match report.