Cardiff City vs Ipswich Town Preview & Matchday Thread

[arana peligrosa]

Only one shot on target for each team, doesn't sound too exciting but as we know the stats don't always accurately reflect what's going on in the game.

I can't believe it's so quiet on here, has everyone lost interest.

We're all drawing straws to determine who is on Rusher watch as soon as the game is over should the score stay as it is..

(Apologies to the individual concerned, it was a poor attempt at humor, no offense)

[Charnwood]

Other results going against us

You're spot on Lucy, both Derby & Sheffield Wed look in control and most likely to pick up 3 points apiece, however we appear to be on top at Cardiff and could still come away with something.

[lucy]

Other results going against us

You're spot on Lucy, both Derby & Sheffield Wed look in control and most likely to pick up 3 points apiece, however we appear to be on top at Cardiff and could still come away with something.

Yeah grab a point and I'll be happy.

[lucy]

5 minutes to go, let's grab a late goal and spoil Cardiffs day

[Charnwood]

5 minutes to go, let's grab a late goal and spoil Cardiffs day

Like Rotherham have for Derby 3-3 from 0-3 behind...

[lucy]

I feel for all those who have made the long trips to Bolton and Cardiff

[lucy]

FT: 1-0 very disappointing. We must win Tuesday

[Bluemike]

Can't be bothered with a long report right now, too disappointed. Another passionless display from us against a team no better than us but again we create hardly anything in front of goal, we failed to retain possession at any time in the game and our passing was woeful.

Why the he'll can't we defend corners anymore, it was so bloody easy for Cardiff to get the winning goal. They were really no better than us but deserved to win !! Oh well another 5+ hour journey home.

[lucy]

Can't be bothered with a long report right now, too disappointed. Another passionless display from us against a team no better than us but again we create hardly anything in front of goal, we failed to retain possession at any time in the game and our passing was woeful.

Why the he'll can't we defend corners anymore, it was so bloody easy for Cardiff to get the winning goal. They were really no better than us but deserved to win !! Oh well another 5+ hour journey home.

Safe journey home

[Charnwood]

Can't be bothered with a long report right now, too disappointed. Another passionless display from us against a team no better than us but again we create hardly anything in front of goal, we failed to retain possession at any time in the game and our passing was woeful.

Why the he'll can't we defend corners anymore, it was so bloody easy for Cardiff to get the winning goal. They were really no better than us but deserved to win !! Oh well another 5+ hour journey home.

The stats show we had 56% possession which endorses the fact that stats can be mis-leading.

[BLUEBLOOD]

Caption Comp :
Cardiff fans tell owner to go and Get TANGOED...but he thinks it,s a compliment.

Caption Comp : 2nd try
Cardiff owner sings why why why Delilah to fans.

[ipswichtownNo1]

Three changes

Hyam, Murphy and Skuse replace Foley, Douglas and Pitman

"Eeny meany miny mo....
Pick another team and have a go,
same formation different players...
Send them out and say my prayers.....
Hope were good enough to conquer,
If we lose, say this leagues bonkers"

MM team selection method??

[arana peligrosa]

Perhaps the only good thing to come out of today's setback was I got a spot-on prediction before start of play. Must have pretty good instincts but the fact remains we simply do not possess the players to realistically expect a promotion. In the end the result could have gone either way but what you had was two teams in similar position and basically Cardiff wanted it more.

It's not too late to abandon any hope of a top six finish once more but we are making it hard for ourselves with each passing week. As before, we have two games next up with Blackburn and Rotherham that are for sure winnable and six points from those could see us in a very good position once again but as is the age old problem, consistency is one of the team's biggest adversaries.

It's worth noting that for every club side McCarthy has managed (including at international level) his win ratio is higher than defeat and what he produced last season regards the play-off shot was commendable. Read a few post-game reaction on a rival page and while many are still insistent he is the right name to lead the team on, it would seem a greater number are anxious for a departure.

If we really are to entertain promotion aspirations then today was an opposition we should at least have taken something from, not only that, but previous games versus sides such as Huddersfield and Bolton. Believe asked earlier if we had reverted to high-ball tactics but since no response was forthcoming then assume there was little change in previous displays. Another post on the forum mentions we were largely poor and ineffective and toothless near goal so that at least paints a good enough picture. Maybe next time.

[derick_ipsw]

Disappointing today but more importantly we need 6pts from the next two home games. At least JR wont be with Blackburn and then we have our old friend Mr Warnock who seems to have Rotherham flying.

[Bluemike]

Plenty of time for reflection since I got home but little in my mind has changed. It was a poor game between Two very ordinary sides on the day. I just cannot get my head around how little we created in a game that meant so much, they were definitely no better than us and were there for the taking. At the back they looked so shaky and yet we failed to exploit it, even for the final third of the game when we had for a time FOUR strikers on the pitch we never looked like we were going to score, never.

Once again we fail to defend a routine corner and gift them a goal, I believe it was Murphy that was outjumped for the header which is even more disappointing. Apart from that chance from which they scored Bart was hardly troubled either but the damage was done. Defensively I suppose we were ok, nothing more than that with Knudsen for me probably the pick of the defenders without being spectacular but once again they all took to hoofing the bloody thing nearly every time they got the ball, which in turn makes it so much harder for the strikers no matter how many you have on the pitch, they are feeding off scraps all the time.

The Midfield was workmanlike at best but created little, Pringle run his nuts off and always wants the ball and never hides, he tries to get good delivery into the box at every opportunity, what good things we did do usually came through him. Skuse & Hyam did what they always do but to expect a defence splitting pass from either of them is like asking to win the lottery, it just doesn't happen. Kevin Bru bothers me more than anyone else, lightweight in the tackle he often shits out of them and this has been going on for some time now, yes he has the odd good touch and scored a blinder on Tuesday but it baffles me how he is such a fans favourite, I don't think I have ever seen him run a game for us like Pringle has done a couple of times already, he is also fast becoming our very own sick note, getting knock after knock he just seems to go down all too easily for my liking, really needs to deliver more if he is to be in the first team. Sears is another one, runs his socks off and does look the most likely to create something but unfortunately he is in danger of becoming a one trick pony, you always know what he is going to when he runs with the ball and defenders have sussed this out, he needs to mix it up a lot more.

I suppose the only good thing is I did pencil us in to lose this one when trying to predict the play off run in but even so it was bitterly disappointing to see such a lack lustre display, ok it has been a gruelling week with Two long journeys but bloody hell us fans manage it so no excuses. Thankfully we have a game in a couple of days and with Two at home this week we have a great opportunity for Six points which is again what I had pencilled in for us, the maximum haul would still have us on course and anything less will not do but the performances have to improve on the last couple if we are to achieve it. Despite my disappointment yesterday I still have to remind myself that away from home things have been very good this season with Eight wins which should really have been Ten but now it is getting to the nitty gritty I really do not want to see passionless performances like yesterdays. No doubt I will still be at Wolves, Sheff Wed, Middlesbrough & Derby where any points will require a very good effort by the boys, it's not too late.

[The Odious Mr Rossi]

Thanks for the report Mike. Seems to highlight once again that the real problem is down to lack of creation - you're right, you can have 6 strikers on the pitch but if they are not fed then they're not gonna score. I've said before and I'll say again, I wonder why MM seems to favour playing 2 holding midfield players, surely having just one would give us more chances of a bit of creation.

I had hoped that we would get something out of this, but it was not nearly as bad a result as throwing away 2 points on Tuesday night.

It was not quite the end of the world yesterday, though, although Sheffield Wed had a very good result at Forest. I said before and I'll say again that if we can win our remaining home games then provided we can pick up a couple of points away then that should see us through to the play-offs, even with our woeful goal difference. Fail to win a home game and I think it's season over. Plenty of time then to reflect on what's wrong, but at the moment I'm trying to stay positive.

[Bluemike]

Yes Gary, there was no creation yesterday at all, from either side I might add. We really could do with Fraser returning, or Bishop making a highly unlikely return or dare I say it even bloody Didsy who I am not big on at all getting his arse out on to the pitch for once because this is all the creativity we have at the club and for most of the season we have been without it and to be fair have coped quite well with what we've had at our disposal but the finish line is fast approaching and we need a big push over the remaining games. Pringle is about the only one at the moment who looks capable of creating anything but he cannot do it by himself.

[The Odious Mr Rossi]

Yes Gary, there was no creation yesterday at all, from either side I might add. We really could do with Fraser returning, or Bishop making a highly unlikely return or dare I say it even bloody Didsy who I am not big on at all getting his arse out on to the pitch for once because this is all the creativity we have at the club and for most of the season we have been without it and to be fair have coped quite well with what we've had at our disposal but the finish line is fast approaching and we need a big push over the remaining games. Pringle is about the only one at the moment who looks capable of creating anything but he cannot do it by himself.

Yeah I agree Mike. That is why I've always been an advocate of playing just ONE of Skuse/Hyam/Douglas in midfield, and then picking the most creative available for the other midfield places. That's one of the things I do not like about MM's tactics, because in my book playing 2 holding midfielders is the height of negativity. Maybe I watched too much of England's performances in the days of Robson and Wilkins - that was enough to put anybody off of negative midfield pairings for life

[Bluemike]

Yes Gary, there was no creation yesterday at all, from either side I might add. We really could do with Fraser returning, or Bishop making a highly unlikely return or dare I say it even bloody Didsy who I am not big on at all getting his arse out on to the pitch for once because this is all the creativity we have at the club and for most of the season we have been without it and to be fair have coped quite well with what we've had at our disposal but the finish line is fast approaching and we need a big push over the remaining games. Pringle is about the only one at the moment who looks capable of creating anything but he cannot do it by himself.

Yeah I agree Mike. That is why I've always been an advocate of playing just ONE of Skuse/Hyam/Douglas in midfield, and then picking the most creative available for the other midfield places. That's one of the things I do not like about MM's tactics, because in my book playing 2 holding midfielders is the height of negativity. Maybe I watched too much of England's performances in the days of Robson and Wilkins - that was enough to put anybody off of negative midfield pairings for life

Even Foley has looked like he may have a bit about him in that area so if he is fit next week he may come back in ? By the way are you about Tuesday ?

[The Odious Mr Rossi]

Yes Gary, there was no creation yesterday at all, from either side I might add. We really could do with Fraser returning, or Bishop making a highly unlikely return or dare I say it even bloody Didsy who I am not big on at all getting his arse out on to the pitch for once because this is all the creativity we have at the club and for most of the season we have been without it and to be fair have coped quite well with what we've had at our disposal but the finish line is fast approaching and we need a big push over the remaining games. Pringle is about the only one at the moment who looks capable of creating anything but he cannot do it by himself.

Yeah I agree Mike. That is why I've always been an advocate of playing just ONE of Skuse/Hyam/Douglas in midfield, and then picking the most creative available for the other midfield places. That's one of the things I do not like about MM's tactics, because in my book playing 2 holding midfielders is the height of negativity. Maybe I watched too much of England's performances in the days of Robson and Wilkins - that was enough to put anybody off of negative midfield pairings for life

Even Foley has looked like he may have a bit about him in that area so if he is fit next week he may come back in ? By the way are you about Tuesday ?

Afraid not - it's impossible for me to make midweek games but I'll see you all Saturday

[pathay]

Can't be bothered with a long report right now, too disappointed. Another passionless display from us against a team no better than us but again we create hardly anything in front of goal, we failed to retain possession at any time in the game and our passing was woeful.

Why the he'll can't we defend corners anymore, it was so bloody easy for Cardiff to get the winning goal. They were really no better than us but deserved to win !! Oh well another 5+ hour journey home.

The stats show we had 56% possession which endorses the fact that stats can be mis-leading.

I can understand the frustration of your fans who having most of possession and losing but I things this is how this game was going to go. It was very close both reams feeling the tension. Last Tuesday Cardiff hammered Leeds all through the game but came away with nothing. The players had a standing ovation after losing 2-0 so tells you something.

[hallamblue]

Mick should not have changed the team from the last game where Foley was instrumental in making us tick in the middle. Skuse: Hyam midfield pairing was never going to be creative as we know all too well from last season. But good old Mick returns - - dare I say it to his favourite players. result? hoof and no creativity. It really does p*ss me off.

[Bluemike]

Foley was injured and not available.

[hallamblue]

was he though? or was this just convenient to bring Skuse back in. I'd have Foley in our MF any day. He's the only one that appears to know how to keep the ball and do something with it.

[Bluemike]

No he was injured and not even on the bench. As I said at Bolton I saw him ushered away alone after the game, he did not board the coach, it transpired he had taken a knock to the ribs which caused him to miss out yesterday.

For me Skuse would be in every time he is fit too, he is not the issue as he does the defensive Midfield role the best, our issues seem to revolve around the other central defensive player, Douglas, Hyam, Bru, you name it but none of them are creating enough at the moment.

[hallamblue]

do you think Foley and Skuse would be a good pairing?

[Bluemike]

do you think Foley and Skuse would be a good pairing?

Potentially yes, Foley had a great game against Forest and is just what we need for the other CM player leaving Skuse to mop up in front of the back Four.

[hallamblue]

all to play for Tues then.

[Mach_Polish_Blue]

I was out last night and spent today outside therefore late post-match thoughts now.

Sometimes bad Ipswich results/performances pale into insignifance when you spend a good day out. That was the case yesterday. Social side bang fantastic, you see Town mates, you spend a time with them, speak to them and that made yesterdays worthwhile.

If yesterday had only been about football it would have been a terrible waste of time and money. Abysmal performance in which our lack of quality was frightening. Very poor from us but to be honest against Bolton we had been even worse. But I can't question players' commitment and desire. They certainly tried yesterday, unfortunately though they were lacking quality. They weren't good enough.

Not even once did I get off my seat yesterday ! We could have played until midnight and still wouldn't have created any good goalscoring opportunity let alone score. Only two half chances for us throughout whole 90 minutes. Both from Sears and apart from that our inability to create opportunities was glaring.

Hyam - Skuse....... this combination always does my brain in ! Two defensive minded midfielders who will never offer a service to our strikers.

I had said after the Fraser's injury in the QPR game : 'our season is over' and unfortunately this seems to be the case. We terribly miss him as this is the ONLY quality midfielder we have available if fit this season. His replacement in Pringle is the one who can deliver decent ball into the box but obviously not the same class.

Ipswich were known from using set-pieces successfully last season. That habit is well gone and there is a new one in conceding from set-pieces. But failure to sign decent defenders means that each one from our regular back four knows they'll be in the team next week. Even if they concede another 10 goals from corners or other set-pieces they will remain in the team. Add to this Micks 'faith' in them means they feel their places in the team aren't under any bit of threat.

Midfield......average midfield where lack of quality is depressing. Skuse was back in the team but even if we had played without him it wouldn't have made any difference. Him and Hyam won't carry the team forward, they won't despatch decent balls forward.
A few words about Bru. He's the ilk of player who doesn't need to do much to become Town fans' favourite. One goal in a few months or one decent performance in 6 or 7 games means that many people are charmed. Very lightweight and now I can't understand why he plays as he offers nothing.

Hoofball yesterday? Yes, a lot of that but we tried to pass it at times and then our lack of quality was extremely EXPRESSIVE. Total inability to create opportunities and feed the strikers. We were very predictable. No imaginations nor element of surprise.

As for strikers. Well I understand that they lack service from our poor midfield but still their goalscoring records of late are far from impressive.

Cardiff were certainly for taking. Their centre back and yesterdays goalscorer Manga was dodgy but we still didn't make anything out of it.

Really awful and boring display from us. Those who still think we are good enough to make top 6 must be delusional but on the other hand anyone who wouldn't mind Mick to go ought to be careful what he/she wishes for. This rubbish uninspiring team could be relegated under any different manager. WE ARE WHO WE ARE. It's Evans whose policy stops us going forward.

While on the way back I met Ian Milne at the Cardiff train station. I approached him, had a brief chat and asked politely if there is a chance for Evans investing in the team this summer and makes us better. He's said the same old story which we all know that this is between Mick and Evans regarding bolstering the team. We did swap a few words but he didn't say anything that I didn't know. He said that paying on fees doesn't always work and reminded Jewell and Keane times. I told him that we aren't asking for spending heavily, just adding a bit of quality make us better. On the finish of our chat I thanked him for that and said: 'please tell Marcus to invest in summer and get some quality in'.

There is no point in slating players for yesterdays perfomance. As I've said they tried, they attempted to create something but lack of quality was our weakest point. We will win some games before end of the season but this team has his limitations.

[Bluemike]

Great to see you yesterday Mach and you say it pretty much as I have said it, I am glad you agree about Bru as I thought it was just me !!