" Match Report Swansea v Cardiff 6th Feb 2011 "

The question must be asked is it worth all the hassle to go and watch a football match. For the visiting quest s to this forum I will elaborate. Some of the games Cardiff play away are made “bubble trip”. This is where the club do not allow the supporters to make their own way to the visiting ground but organise coaches for this. This usually means being told to be on a coach well too early for kick off time, even allowing for the travelling distances, then once on the coach waiting usually about an hour after it was meant to leave for it to finally depart. This is followed by a police escort that is deliberately slowed down adding to the discomfort of the journey. Before arriving at the ground there is a detour to a place where the coach has to pick up the tickets for the game. The final part of the journey is to the ground where the coach usually arrives well ahead of the kick off, sometimes like 2 hours beforehand. So the fans are left with a lot of time on their hands at a place that most likely will have insufficient facilities. Fortunately today the facilities at Swansea were good but this was overshadowed by the fact you had policemen in the toilets watching you have a piss. As I said is it worth the hassle? Well 1,800 Cardiff fans thought so and they were not to be disappointed.
Cardiff fielded a somewhat different team to what most thought for this long awaited derby game. Long awaited because the previous one was a total embarrassment and payback time could not come quick enough. Heaton kept his starting place in goal but just in front of him and to most people’s delight Kevin McNaughton started on the left back position with Quinn covering the right. In central defence was the ever improving Mark Hudson and he was partnered by the deputised Israeli international Keinan. For the midfield Oli shared the central positions with Ramsey with the captain Bellamy on the left and Whittingham on the right. Upfront saw Chopra making the starting line up for the first time in a few games where he partnered Bothroyd. A comfortable line up it felt and you could feel the confidence within the away support.

Cardiff attacked the goal that the away fans were behind and should have taken the lead after only 90 seconds. From what was some scrappy play around the Swansea area the ball fell to Bothroyd in space with only the keeper to beat. An uncharacteristic effort from him saw the ball being scooped wide of the goal.
It was all Cardiff for the first period with them winning a number of corners. However they failed to achieve much with these corners but kept the pressure on the Swansea goal with some slick moves. One such move brought out a fine save from the Swansea keeper. From 25 yards out Ramsey found himself in space and with time to send a powerful low shot towards the goal that forced a stretching save from the Jacks keeper. The ball was palmed away but fell to Chopra who looked like he was going to score. He actually hit the post after managing to lift the ball over the keeper but it did not matter in the end as the linesman flagged him offside.

Swansea tried to get into the game but the Cardiff midfield hounded them and totally spoiled the way the Jacks like to play. Oli was onto everything and was on his way to becoming my man of the match. This hounding play forced the Swansea defence to pass the ball back to their goalkeeper who had to hoof the ball up field, this was totally against what they were use to.

The Jacks then tried to use their wingers to make headway on the Cardiff goal. They managed to get one cross in which was headed well wide but overall the Cardiff full backs handle them really well. The Jacks then put their hopes in their midfield attackers such as the impressive Darren Pratley who made some good runs but was restricted to long shot which gone troubles Heaton.
As the first half progressed it was the Cardiff that moved the ball around as the Jacks struggled to do the same which was what they are well known for. One such move saw Ramsey dance his way through the Swansea defence only to be stopped by the last man. I was surprised that the home supporters did not sing “Are you Swansea in disguise”.

The first half ended disappointingly for the Cardiff because the score remained 0-0 when they really deserved to go into the break at least in the lead.
Cardiff made a substitution at the break with Darcy Blake coming on for Kevin McNaughton who had an excellent first half but unfortunately picked up a knock. This turned out to be quite an inspiring move as Blake worked well with Bellamy and Cardiff managed to keep the pressure on the Jacks goal. From a Bellamy corner Quinn got forward but glanced his header just wide. Moments later Blake working with Bellamy skipped through the Jacks defence and sent a powerful shot passed their keeper only to see his effort come back off the post.

As Cardiff pressured for a goal this left then open for a counter attack and the Jacks took advantage of this with Sinclair down the left wing. From his own half he attacked down the wing and smartly cut inside. However from just outside the Cardiff area he sent his shot flying well over the bar. He did have another run a few minutes lately but was denied by an excellent block from Hudson who is turning out to be an impressive defender this season. Cardiff replied to this Swansea threats with Chris Burke, on for Chopra, going wide with an effort after being set up by Ramsey.

The Jacks made a couple of substitutions as the game went into the last quarter and this made a difference to the way the match was going. They seemed have taken the initiative but truth be known failed to trouble Heaton. One such move saw Sinclair advance on the Cardiff goal but he was forced wide and his effort harmlessly went wide with Heaton hardly having to move.

As Swansea look like the team that could snatch the game, which would have been an injustice, the ineffective Bellamy then showed his class. With 5 minutes to go Bothroyd picked the ball up on the right just outside the Jacks area. He sent the ball across the pitch to Bellamy who picked up Ramsey just outside the area. Ramsey returned the ball to Bellamy and from 25 yards the Cardiff captain curled a shot around the Jacks keeper. The ball hit the post and this time went into the net for the winning goal. A moment of class had won the game for the capital.
Summing up: The Cardiff loyals had waited for what seemed a long 3 months for this. A total reversal from what they had witnessed at CCS. DJ the manager had got this right this time unlike at CCS. The players wanted this, unlike last time. The Cardiff fans were in heaven while some of the Jack fans embarrassed their club. Some were saying this was a decisive game. Me I say emotionally yes it was a decisive game but the real practical decisive game is about to come up and that’s when we go to Forest. Today’s win will help us see the Forest game through

Superb Report Ian and what a Day, A Match Report to keep for many a year.

Definatley agree that City won that match, Swansea just could'nt create any clear chances, unlike City. Although City put some wide, we definatley deserved the win.

Was nice to see DJ get some tactics right, Hudson was immense but overall the defence was pretty solid considering we normaly struggle against teams with a bit of pace, lots of good blocks and tackles.

Was also nice to see Oli make some tackles and pass the ball properly

great report real good read

Great report we did to Swansea exactly what they did to us at the CCS outplayed them and Heaton didn't have a save to make we also totally out sung them and that's the least hostile i have known the Liberty. Thought Hudson was outstanding and was immense but the whole back 4 played well and Oli and Ramsey got through a mountain of work.

Finally Bellamy owed us for his last minute miss at home and what a payback the man is sheer class and the best players even if they are not having a great game can produce that one moment of genius and what a goal. The celebrations were manic and i couuldn't wait for the last 8 minutes to pass so that we could really celebrate and after they beat us at the CCS i knew exactly how our six fingered friends were feeling

Now we have to kick on from here we have the players and we must treat every game as a cup final starting with Scunthorpe Saturday

Really enjoyed reading that another great match report.

The result was great but for me what has made me happier is the way we approached the game from start to finish we pressed them high up the pitch, no sitting back like we did at CCS we defended from the front in a way we haven't done since Leeds away IMO.

When we play like this we show we are the class of this division and although every player was great yesterday Jay & Chops laid the foundation for this victory, Oli & Rambo bossed their midfield trio out of the game and Hudson held the back 4 together superbly.

But are there 2 better front players playing as a partnership in the Championship - I don't think so

great read ian puts a bigger smile (if thats possible) on my ugly mug this morning,

message board trip photos to follow guys, hopefully by tonight

spot on top report fella

May I also add that we are a FAR FAR better side without NAYLOR who puts the whole defence under added presure

May I also add that we are a FAR FAR better side without NAYLOR who puts the whole defence under added presure

Yes Spot on Ammo, Lets hope DJ Realises it as well.

Always best to read it from someone who was there Ian, cracking write up, fair play

I can't wait for Forest away now.

Great report Ian, I barely have a voice left today

nice to read some good positive news,great to see excellent report.

Excellent Report as Usual, Thought the team were really hungry for that. Thanks Ian.

Bang on.

Top report, thanks Ian

Good read, a day to remember. Here's my one-sided take on it..

http://wearecardiff.com/2011/02/07/the- ... ales-derby

My whole face is aching from having a grin from ear to ear for a day and a half.
WOOOOOOHOOOOOO

Good read, a day to remember. Here's my one-sided take on it..

http://wearecardiff.com/2011/02/07/the- ... ales-derby

Enjoyed reading that blog Mate especially your comment on the Jerks at the end

Thanks for the comment guys. One of our better days wahtching the Cardiff this season. Now the buzz has died down a bit it time to move onto the next match. Anything less than 3 points against Scunny and last Sunday could mean very little.

Tbh I've never considered Swansea a great team in this league. When they played us at CCS we made them look good, we all know why. Looking back at Sunday I do feel there is alot more to come from us, it just working out how to find it. I think we might just discover that when we go to Forest, lets hope so.

Cheers Ian, Look forward to this Saturdays Match Report