Lessons to learn after rude awakening
Analysing Blues’ performance on Saturday showed that despite a disappointing first-half performance there were several promising signs that Eustace should be aware of.
The goal came from a weakness Blues have shown in each of their three previous games which is that they are vulnerable down the wings, especially the left side of defense which was exploited by a less than ruthless Bluebirds side who squandered a hatful of clear chances throughout the game.
Blues were simply too slow out of the traps and laboured all through the first half being lucky to go in at halftime only one down.
The back three had an off day the worst culprit being Max Colin who I praised after watching the Huddersfield game but his ball watching allowed Cardiff”s Villa loanee to wander in completely unmarked to tap in an easy chance.
Thanks to heroic goalkeeping by Blues keeper Ruddy the score was still manageable by halftime.
Scott Hogan must be given more help. He was a threat to Cardiff all through the game but the supply chain was woefully short of adequate, even so, he made two brilliant runs only to be brought down both times. Arguably the first tackler may have touched the ball first but he took the striker out with the follow through which under current FA rules is deemed a penalty.
The second was clear a penalty as you will get any season. The defender leaned on him and then pushed a knee into the back of Hogan’s calf when he was clean through. The incompetent ref not only refused to call the foul but added insult to injury by booking Scott even though he was less than ten yards away from the incidents, which makes me wonder how in hells name these people are allowed to referee a park’s game let alone an EFL championship match.
The problem for this referee was that had he given the penalty it would also have been a straight red card which would have brought the hostile Cardiff crowd down on him, so he bottled out.
There was a promising full debut by Alfie Chang and the game changed significantly in the second half when Williams, Hall, and Leko were introduced which sparked Blues into life. Williams was excellent and should be given a starting place next match as his strength, speed, and skill makes him another brilliant product from Blues’ academy.
I don’t know what is happening with Deeney as he looks slow and ponderous and on his last three showing does not deserve his place in the team. The young players have shown they have what it takes to influence the side and should be given their chance otherwise Blues may well begin to drop down the league very quickly relying on the old failed players.
Time for a clear-out.
Agree with all your comments,l said after the Huddersfield game and was ridiculed for my comments but l saw in the second half of the Huddersfield game how they targeted the gaps that Placheta left when he ventured upfield and l thought good teams would exploit that weakness and l was proved right.l do like the wing back system but you have to have the right personal,you cannot change a winger into a winger ie Bela and now Placheta as they are not their natural positions,l can see it a lot of people can set so why did not Bowyer or now Eustace see it ??? Also said that Bacuna needs to show some consistency,he was brilliant against Huddersfield but awful against Cardiff,now you know why both Huddersfield and Rangers let him go,good player but needs to show consultancy.l said in the post preview l would have started Leko instead of Deeney because he had more energy,but l think Deeney has too much influence in the dressing room which makes it awkward.Think a lot of tough decisions are needed with players like Colin,Deeney and Jukiewitz now.
I should have said turn a winger into a wing back.😏
Looks like Mejbri is possibly on his way from Manchester United,that would be the 5th loan player.