Sticky:Match report Cardiff City v Swansea City 07 Nov 2010

Winter had arrived today as I stepped into my back garden this morning here in Derbyshire. God was it cold on the elbows and this meant for one thing, to find my long sleave tops that had been hibinating during the summer. I was efficient in my search for a top and very slick in the way I put it on. Little did I know I was the only Cardiff to be like that today.

It is not often to get to meet an international player but what a change it makes to actually see one drinking with your cyber friends. Even more so when you talk to one amongst the concourse of your football ground. Thats right a professional player mingling amongst us fans. I've heard the stories about Warren Feeney being a fans footballer and today I witnessed that. He is the sort of professional footballer we want and it was really great to talk to him today.

As I made my way to my seat I feared for the next 90 minutes. Now derbys are not my favourite games, I dont seem to get excited like most, but there is something about these games that Cardiff seem to make hard work off. All I wanted was to see us nine points clear of third place but something told me I was not going to get my wish. I was not feeling easy at all

The annoucement of our team made me feel even more uneasy. Danny Drinkwater was back in the side instead of Burke. Why I asked myself? Danny has not played for nine weeks and Burke has been playing well. I just hoped DJ knew what he was doing. Fortunately the rest of the team was what I expected with Keogh replacing Jay due to suspension. That did not comfort me but there was nothing anyone could do about that. Heaton had kept his place in goal with MacNaughton, Hudson, Gyppes and Naylor making up the defence. Oli had his parnter Danny back in midfield, risky thats all I could say. Whitts and Bellamy were put on the wings, just not comfortable with Whitts being on the wings these days, we get better service from him in the middle. That left Chopra and Keogh up front and lets be honest this has not worked that well before. I started to feel alot more uneasy as we approached KO.

The game kicked off with the Jacks attacking the Grange End and thats where the first attack happened. Dyer proved to us he had the better of Naylor and set up a chance for Enmes the loanee from Middlesborough. From 15 yards he should have put the ball in the back of the net but an excellent block by Hudson saved a goal. Another attack down the Dyer wing forced a save from Heaton who was on his way to becoming our man of the match.

After these attacks and for the next 20 minutes the game was played in the midfield. Any attack at goal came from long shots. Sadly they all came from the Jacks. This was due to them winning all the loose possession in midfield so being allowed to set up these attacks. However they were reduced to these long shots as our defence held firm. A special mention should go to Kevin MacNaughton who seemed to handle the new Jack called Sinclair that everyone has been raving on about all week.

Eventually our defence was broken, as can be expected after such pressure, as Sinclair finally got the better of MacNaughton. However his cross resulted in a header from Enmess going over the bar. This seemed to kick Cardiff into life as the next attack was their first as a Whittingham 18 yarder beat the Jack goalkeeper but just went wide.

The next real chance saw a penalty appeal from the Cardiff turn down. Some huffing and puffing down the Bellamy wing saw a scramble for the ball in the Jacks penalty area. What looked like a handball from Alan Tate the Jacks captain turned out to be nothing more than ball to chest, wishful thinking from the Cardiff faithful. After this incident the game returned to the midfield with the Jacks coming out on top up to half time.

The game kicked off for the second half and it was more of the same except this time it was not long shots from the Jacks but some nice play around the Cardiff penalty area resulting in some good saves from Heaton. The first attack however beat Heaton but the post saved the day or should I say for the moment saved the day. Enmes was picking up all the loose ball just outside the Cardiff penalty area and was turning our central defenders inside out. He was making room for himself to set up chances of which some just went passed the posts, some caused saves from Heaton and the final one ended up in the back of the net.

With 15 minutes to go the Jacks were dominating the game. They were winning everything in midfield and were having a field day basically. Enmes for the numpteeth time found himself with the ball just outside the Cardiff area with his back facing the goal and Gyppes marking him. He once again managed to turn Gyppes and get his shot in. This time the shot took a deflection and ended uo in the back of the net. A bit fortunate but nobody was disagreeing its what the Jacks deserve.

Cardiff brought on Burke for Danny who was out on his feet. Perhaps this was the reason we lost the midfield battle. Its bad enough asking four to play against five but when one of yours is not fit, very risky. Burke made headway down the Swansea left but most of is was desperation stuff with the Jacks handling it quite well. As the game came to an end Cardiff threw everything at the Jacks resulting in two close misses from Bellamy. An injury time header that looked easier to score by Craig went agonisingly wide.

The ref blew his whistle for full time and all your could hear where the celebrating away fans. The pain could be felt in the Ninian Stand as we had watched our team totally dominated by one of our main rivals. It just felt after a winning streak of five games it was all for nothing. As i said earlier I dont get as excited like most when it comes to the derby but I was sharing the disappointment after such a very disappointing performance.

Summin up. A day you want to forget and a day you want an answer to why it was like that. For me only one person can take the blame for this. Let me give you some clues who that person can be. Who put that team out and decided to play a four man midfield against five, a four man with one being not fit? I personally dont think any of the players had a stinker of a game. In fact the Jacks main threat, Sinclair, was nutralised. Our team let us down NOT any individual an d that is all down to tactics.

Excellent report young man. I am sitting here with a can of Bow.
Am I disappointed?
Honestly. NO
Today we didn't perform.
WE all know we can play better and this is probably, no definetly this is the best team we have EVER had.
I hope the Jacks go up with us. Strange yes, but Derby days are entertaining, if nothing else.
Anyway, good report butt, timme to chill out,

Thanky you

You read my report and ill read yours Reading that felt like watching all over again good report Chief.

As usual a great match report Ian

Excellent Match Report!

Altough No Player Should Be Singled Out For Criticism On The Match Yeterday, In My Opinion Olofinjana Looked Like He Didn't Want To Be There!

I Saw Another Post On The Forum Saying DJ Should Be To Blame For The Loss! The Team He Selected Should Have Been Capale Of Winning They Just Didn't Want It As Much As Swansea!

fab report....... just a shame about the score