I got to see ITFC for the first time since my visit to PR for the Stoke game last Christmas and while it wasn't a 'joy to watch' it was better than I expected from the reports of recent games.
Cardiff were lucky tonight. They have a couple of bright sparks up front and the quality of Koumas but looked pretty poor overall. I think with 11 men we might well have beaten them.
We did control the game for long periods and with 2 up front might have done better. Even Forster on his own was causing problems for the Cardiff defense.
Clarke looked lively and did great for the free kick and it was a wonderful free kick by Juan. We were unlucky with their 2nd. Sito obviously thought he was taller than he is
. Koumas cut back intelligently and I don't blame DeVos. What I would say though is that with a couple of minutes to go a few of our midfielders could have tracked back and helped out the defense as the Cardiff attack was building. If Koumas had been under pressure he might not have done so well.Price did very well. Sure some of his saves were from shots right at him but he made saves and more saves.
Currie on for Clarke was the right thing to do. As Dubz said Clarke lost mobility after the challenge on him and unless my maths is wrong only Currie, Supple & Proudlock (not yet fully integrated or properly fit) were left on the bench at that point. Don't forget we were a man down we didn't need to be 2 down ! Currie wasn't directly at fault for the second was he.
I don't think Wilnis will win his appeal. Jerome shouldn't have gone down like a sack of bricks but unfortunately there was contact and Wilnis was the last man.
Horlicks did okay after Wilnis was sent off.
Summary - we looked okay tonight and with Parkin up front and 11 men I think would have taken all the points.
MOM - Hard. Price made good saves and gets my vote I think. Sito was very busy, probably at fault for their second but had a great game getting up and back. Juan had another good game and would be in my first choice team now every time, if he can do that free kick regularly then this is yet another weapon, not bad for a defensive midfielder. He looks good on the ball too. Forster had a good game and his running and ball winning, on his own up front, kept them too busy to take proper advantage of the extra man IMHO.
Don't think JR did anything wrong to be honest. Substitutions were all either effective or forced. Formation was okay and there were signs that the team is starting to move the ball around confidently.
PS. All this 'total football' at the back gave me regular heart attacks but I can see the logic. Its not much good just thumping the ball back to the opposition so they can get another go at you and I guess passing it out may catch some of the opposition players out of position and make chances for the break. Perhaps just a little too often though eh?
