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Unbeaten Run Ends as City Fall at Stoke 2-1
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Cardiff City's seven-game unbeaten streak came to an end today as the Bluebirds lost to Stoke 2-1 at a cold Britannia Stadium. Going into today's game, City had picked up 17 points from their last seven in league play but the Potters found a way to put an end to the run. An unfortunate Roger Johnson own goal put Stoke on top at the 39-minute mark and a Ricardo Fuller penalty put the hosts two in front 12 minutes into the second half. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink got one back for City six minutes later but it wasn't enough. With the loss, City drop two places to ninth.
According to the SportingLife.com report on the match, after Hasselbaink's goal, the Dutchman "had a chance to level the scores moments after" his goal "but his left-footed strike was saved by Simonsen." After that "the Stoke defence stood firm for the remainder of the game."
In his report on the match posted to his Bluesy's Blues blog, Nigel Harris described the contest as "a poor game and a disappointing performance but one in which we arguably deserved a point and, even not at our best, made Stoke look bland." He added that "although they are ordinary, Route One football with a physical approach," it was still true "that City took too long to get to terms with" them and their play "knocked the Bluebirds out of their recent tempo and fluency."
Mr. Harris offers a fine page, too, of links to other reports on the match, from the Guardian, ICWales, etc. Check them out here. He has a page of photos as well. They're here.
On the messageboard, Rhodri wrote:
Thought first half we didnt really get going, once we got the goal had a spell of 10-15 minutes where we had a few chances especially JFH should of put his one on one away.
Think stoke are one of the worst footballing sides we have played in a long while just long ball merchants although it must be working for all the huge buggers they have in their side.
CAPALDI dont even get me started on him he looked absolutly clueless and ill leave it at that or i will only rant on about him.
Lost Profits had a somewhat different view:
I thought JFH was the weak link today. OK he scored but he could have farted it over the line. Should have scored a few minutes later. Thompson would have offered a lot more against their basketball team. We gave two crap goals away at crap times and that basically was the difference. Stoke are never going to be a footballing side but their effective and thats what counts. We played all the football today, in fact I'd call it a football lesson, but had zero cutting edge. After they got the second we were the only team in it. If we had a Ricardo Fuller up front we'd be a different proposition. That said we shouldn't moan the run's been unbelievable and let's face it, not many sides are going to win at Stoke. I sat in with the Stokies today in the stand to the left of the away end. Atmosphere was shite even at 2-0. The only noise was coming from our end. Their version of Delilah is absolute crap, sounds like something Brian Eno or Robert Fripp might have produced.
The consensus view on the messageboard comes through in this post. The run has been amazing and was bound to end some time. And there's the small matter of the manager of the month curse striking once again. Still, losing such a big game has to hurt, especially at a time when City were so close to busting into the playoff positions.
Dave Jones Wins Manager of the Month Award
Friday, February 1, 2008
Dave Jones has won the dreaded Manager of the Month award for the month of January. To win this award a manager has to have a perfect or near-perfect month record-wise and Mr. Jones certainly had that. City picked up 10 points from four league matches during the month and nearly got all 12. Only a late rally by West Bromwich at the Hawthorns kept the Bluebirds from compiling a perfect 4-0-0 record for January. Though the award seems to recognize league matches only, if you add in two FA Cup wins, City were 5-1-0 for the month. Not bad at all. As reported in the BBC Sport story, "Manager Jones Wins Monthly Award," this month's "other contenders were Gary Johnson of Bristol City, Owen Coyle of Burnley and Norwich City's Glenn Roeder."
News of the award drew a bit of attention from Cardiff City Online messageboarders. The Lone Gunman wrote, "Congratulations to Dave Jones. After twelve months of mediocrity his team is finally producing the sort of football it is capable of. Let's hope the upturn in our fortunes continues and he gets another award next month." Dr. Nick Riviera observed, "Despite being a staunch advocate of the Jones Out way of thinking and my maintained opinion that he is the wrong man for this club, it would be appalling to say this award wasn't deserved. We've been excellent this last month, and long may it continue!" Wild4 opined, "I'm in the Jones out camp and still don't think he is the man for the job. But credit where credits due. Well done Jones." Nicola had possibly the best line, saying "He doesn't look happy . . . he knows it's a curse!"
Speaking of curses, I've called this award the "dreaded Manager of the Month award" here as the legend has it that managers who win the accolade typically lose their next game or series of games. On the messageboard yesterday, however, Dai Taff reported that Chris Kamara "gave a stat out on SSN that 72% of the managers that have won the award have either drawn or won their next game!" He added, "Interesting fact!!!! I wonder if we will still be in that other 28% mind you!" I'd like to see more about these stats. Frankly, they surprise me. I thought it was a lead-pipe cinch you'd lose at least a couple right after winning the award.
The curse that is this award got a run-out in another thread on the board. Dai Hard wrote, "When Cotteril got it a while back with Burnley he followed up with a 19 game run without a win." Dai Taff exclaimed, "I was hopeful for a win against stoke, glad I aint going now!!!" Phil1927 recalled the curse of a different award but with the same result. "I remember Jason Perry won a player of the month award in about 1990ish (give or take a year or 2). He was presented his bottle of bubbly before a home game against Shrewsbury and went on to score a laughable own goal in a 1-0 defeat."
The Good, the Bad, and the Middling
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Here's another way to look at the utterly inexplicable Cardiff City FC, a club that can open a season, as they did last year, like the greatest football club ever assembled, then stagger to the worst finish to league campaign in living memory. This would be the same club, by the way, that started out this season as though they'd be stuck in a season-long relegation battle, then turned on the afterburners and now stand but one point from the playoffs. How to explain? Try carving things into thirds, to wit:
2006/07 Season, sliced into thirds:
First 15 games - 10 wins, 3 draws, 2 defeats. 33 points or a dazzling 2.20 points per game.
Middle 16 games - 4 wins, 7 draws, 5 defeats. 19 points or a subpar 1.20 points per game.
Last 15 games - 3 wins, 3 draws, 9 defeats. 12 points, a horrific 0.80 points per game.
2007/08 Season, divvied into thirds:
First 15 games - 3 wins, 6 draws, 6 defeats. 15 points or a nearly-relegation-bound 1.0 points per game.
Next 14 games - 8 wins, 4 draws, 2 defeats. 28 points or 2.0 points per game, nearly the standard set in the first third of last season.
Now, as all Dave Jones seasons seem to wind up like all others, it would stand to reason that the last third of the current season will be of a middling sort. Something like 22 points from the next 17 for a grand total of 65 points. (Jones's first team ended up with 60 points, last year's got to 64). But is that what's on the cards? Or, are we about to break the mold and soar into the 70-points-plus range needed to contend for the playoffs? In other words, can City put two consecutive stellar thirds of a season together? And with one of the smallest squads on the planet?
The thing is that, even to get to about 75 points and playoff contention, City will need 32 points in the next 17, or just about a repeat of the top form of the first third of last season and the middle third of this. Can they pull that off? That's the rather stark question before us.
Then again maybe reaching the playoffs won't require a 75-point haul.
I should mention that I posted the above to the messageboard at Cardiff City Online and got a response or two of note. The Other Bob Wilson observed, "I don't think there has been too much 'middling' in Dave Jones' managerial career - he seems an all or nothing merchant to me!" He added, regarding playoff prospects, "I've not looked into the subject much (don't want to tempt fate!), but, I have read a few things that claim that the way things are shaping up means that the number of points needed to make the Play Offs this year will be amongst the lowest ever." Caliburn wrote:
Our hero certainly achieves noticeably variable runs of results whilst stating clearly over and over that," We will keep on doing the same things." It's amazing how doing the same thing seems to work in a seasonable way. A few months in the sun followed by a similar period in the heaviest of rain. You know where you are with Jonesy and it's not always where you'd like to be.
Phil1927 wrote, "Middletown is right, last season was very much split into thirds and the middle third was very up'n'down, I posted similar in summer. It will be genuinelly interesting to see how the last third of this season pans out." The Lone Gunman said, "Very interesting stats, John. Thanks for that." He asked, "What was the picture like in Jones' first season here?"
I haven't managed to answer the Gunman's question. I'll have to work on that. The thing is, though, that Jones's first season, 2005/06, wasn't really like last season or this one. Things started out pretty well, 6-4-4, or 22 points after 14 games. Then came a bit less exciting 6-4-6 stretch, another 22 points but this time from 16 games. The last third of the season was even less so, at 4-4-8, a mere 16 points from 16 games. So, a slight decline from one third of the season to the next but not so up and down as what we've seen since.
More QPR Match Reports
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
More reports are now available on Cardiff City's big 3-1 win over QPR at Ninian Park last night. Let's have a look at what's been said.
The South Wales Echo's Mark Bloom was on hand and has the match covered. His report, entitled "Bluebirds in Pole Position for Playoffs," states that "the Bluebirds were simply a different class, playing with such confidence that, yes, they looked every inch serious play-off contenders." He adds, "At times Dave Jones’ side tore the Londoners apart, and their goals, through Joe Ledley in the 13th and 40th minutes and Paul Parry shortly before the hour mark, just confirmed their dominance." A bit later on he sums up by saying, "It’s no exaggeration to say that City were breathtaking in much of what they did, with their ability to break at pace and cut through the QPR defence the real eye-catcher." You get the impression that Mr. Bloom was rather impressed.
The QPR site "Loft For Words" offers a well-detailed and entertaining report penned by one Tracy Stent. It's entitled "Cardiff Declare at Three Against Lifeless QPR." Mr. Stent sums up his overall impressions of his evening in South Wales as follows:
We were never at the races early on, and once we’d gone the goal down the writing was on the wall I’m afraid. Dave Jones, whose job was on the line only a couple of months ago, had his side doing the basics right, and with the likes of Parry and Ledley, I actually felt they were one of the better sides we have played this season (bar West Brom). It looks like Risdale and co were right to stick by their man, and with their new ground now underway in being built (opposite the current Ninian Park) could Wales actually have a premier league side representing them in the near future? It wouldn’t surprise me.
The Western Mail's report has the catchy title, "Cardiff Flair Stuns Nouveau Riche QPR." Here, City's performance is characterised as "one of their finest showings of the season." Even if City lack QPR's riches, "on this showing they have no shortage of guts, commitment and downright flair."
Terry Phillips has a story for the South Wales Echo entitled "Bluebirds Saluted as They Turn on the Style." Featured here are a number of Dave Jones comments. He's quoted as saying to his players, "You were fabulous." Jones says, too, "To put in the performance we did for well over an hour after playing on Sunday is outstanding. Some of our movement was up there with West Bromwich Albion and Sheffield United away – this performance is right up there."
City Clobber QPR 3-1, Climb to 7th
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Cardiff City whipped Queen's Park Rangers 3-1 tonight before 13,602 at Ninian Park. The win extends City's unbeaten streak to seven (five wins, two draws) and the club's home winning streak to five. The unbeaten run of seven is the club's longest streak since October/November 2004 when City put together a decidedly less impressive unbeaten string of seven (two wins and five draws). A pair of impressive first-half goals from Joe Ledley, his sixth and seventh of the league campaign, put City up 2-0 at the break and a Paul Parry strike in the second half extended City's lead before QPR managed a consolation goal with about 15 minutes to play. The match saw Aaron Ramsey make his first-ever league start for City, the 17-year-old replacing Steve McPhail in midfield.
City are now 8-4-2 in their last 14 games, good for 28 points. This contrasts quite strikingly with their 3-6-6 start to the season, a mark that gave them 15 points from their first 15 games. So, the last 14 have seen the club pick up exactly 2.0 points per game compared to precisely 1.0 points per game over the first 15. During
this stretch, City have the second-best record in the division. Only Crystal Palace have done better; their 9-3-1 mark puts them at 2.3 points per game.
The SportingLife.com report on the match has it that "Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink was the principal creative force, expertly laying on the young midfielder's second of the evening and feeding Paul Parry for Cardiff's third." The report heaps praise on "the 35-year-old Dutchman," noting that he "produced a tireless performance as lone striker for 90 minutes until he gave way to Steven Thompson in stoppage-time." In about the only downside to the win, we read that, "with a three-goal lead established Cardiff took their foot off the gas, and substitute Hogan Ephraim capitalised with a smart close-range finish after 76 minutes." At this point in the match, "Dave Jones' side were further inconvenienced when keeper Michael Oakes had to be withdrawn . . ., to be replaced by on-loan Peter Enckelman."
In a report on the match posted to his Bluesy's Blues blog, Nigel Harris claimed that
"City were rampant and, playing their best home football of the season," as they "pulverised a shell-shocked QPR into Ninian Park submission. To have done that just two days after playing at Hereford was astonishing, the players deserve all the praise. They were a class apart in every department - organisation, movement, pace, power, tenacity - this was brilliance." Summing up, Mr. Harris observed of City that "somehow they have to stay injury free but I haven't seen a better footballing side in the Championship than the way City are currently playing. Time to give credit to Dave Jones, his team and the players, they each deserve it."
Aaron Ramsey's debut was a major talking point on the messageboard following the game. It was all rave reviews too. Simply Blue wrote:
As good a full debut as I have ever seen, articularly given his age. I thought he had it all, confidence, vision, technical ability, not afraid to tackle.
He is one of those that always seem to have time on the ball, what impressed me most though, was his ability to weight a pass perfectly, threading them through the eye of a needle.
I think it was Brian Flynn, who said that he was the best at his age he had seen.
Thornhillblue wrote:
It was certainly the best performance I have ever seen from one so young as a midfielder - he played as if he was 10 years older and more!
He faded a little bit second half but that was more due to the whole team fading. Did you see that move he put in towards the end when he got the ball near the corner flag and he flicked it up to Capaldi or Joe? That showed his commitment!
GreyBlue observed:
There's a lot expected of this lad, and I was prepared for a good-enough performance. But I think his first pass of the game, with a ball he'd won in the tackle, was 30 metres forwards to (I think) Ledley on the attack, and took about five QPR players out of the game.
And didn't Ramsey chip the ball forward for our second goal?
I'm not a McPhail-knocker, but Ramsey's physicality, speed, passing, tackling, confidence and attacking instinct made him look a better player for me. Jones should give Aaron a game against Stoke, partly because he's got the shirt, and partly to test him against a better side.
One could go on. And on. You get the idea, though.
City Draw Wolves at Home in FA Cup 5th Round Draw
Monday, January 28, 2008
Cardiff City drew Wolverhampton Wanderers at home in today's draw for the fifth round of the FA Cup. As noted in a BBC Sport story on City's draw, "A win for Cardiff would put them in the quarter-final for the first time since 1927 when they went on to lift the trophy after beating Arsenal 1-0 in the final."
My thoughts prior to the draw had it that, since City last won a fifth-round FA Cup match 81 years ago, Bristol Rovers or Huddersfield Town at home would do nicely. Or even Barnsley or Preston at home if need be. So I'm a bit disappointed. But only a bit. This is a pretty good draw. City are playing well right now, Wolves are a bit below the Bluebirds in the table, and the match is at home. Can't complain.
The full draw for the fifth round looks like this:
Bristol Rovers v Southampton
Cardiff City v Wolves
Sheffield United v Middlesbrough
Liverpool v Barnsley
Manchester United v Arsenal
Preston v Portsmouth
Coventry City v West Brom
Chelsea v Huddersfield Town
Another BBC Sport story has a detailed account of the draw. Matches will be played the weekend of February 16 and 17.
City Beat Hereford 2-1, Advance to Fifth Round of FA Cup
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Cardiff City defeated Hereford United 2-1 at Edgar Street today to advance to the fifth round of the FA Cup for the first time in 14 years. Kevin McNaughton was City's star on the day, netting his first-ever goal for the club to put the Bluebirds in front at the stroke of half-time, then turning provider to set up a Steve Thompson midway through the second stanza. Hereford picked up what proved to be a consolation goal via Theo Robinson at the 77-minute mark.
With today's win, City proceed to the fifth round of the FA Cup for only the sixth time since the 1920s. The Bluebirds reached the round of 16 in the 1948/49, 1949/50, and 1957/58 competitions, then twice in the 1970s in 1971/72 and 1976/77. Most recently, they got as far as the fifth round in 1993/94. City last won a fifth-round game no less than 81 years ago, when the Bluebirds beat Bolton 2-0 on their way to lifting the cup at Wembley on April 23, 1927. The defeat prevents Hereford from reaching the fifth round for the first time in their history.
Today's win extends City's unbeaten run at Edgar Street to 10 (five wins, five draws). Hereford haven't beaten the Bluebirds on their home ground since registering a 4-1 win back on February 4, 1976. The two clubs were playing in the Third Division (IOM) at the time.
The SportingLife.com report notes that Hereford "were backed by a vociferous crowd," but City "dominated the early exchanges yet initially struggled to make the breakthrough their dominance deserved." Then, after "McNaughton's superb volley shortly before the half-time whistle handed Cardiff a slender advantage at the interval," the Bulls "came close to an equaliser three minutes after the half-time break when Oakes was forced to save a close-range header from Lee Collins." In the 69th minute, Steve Thompson "was able to double Cardiff's lead after Clint Easton brought down McNaughton in the penalty area." Following Robinson's goal, "Turner's side pushed hard for an equaliser in the remaining time, including seven minutes of added time, but it was Cardiff who came closest to scoring when Ledley screwed his shot wide."
Nigel Harris has posted a report to his Bluesy's Blues blog. There, he observes that "City were fully deserved winners but only they could end up making hard work at the end of what was an experience more comfortable than most of us imagined it would be." He adds, "It was a strange game where you couldn't really name a City man of the match, it was efficiency over individuality, a team effort with nobody poor and everyone playing well."
In a report posted to Cardiff City Online, Michael Morris has it that "today's 2-1 win over Hereford was a little more nervy than it needed to be. City were comfortable enough at 2-0 but after conceding a 77th minute goal Cardiff lapsed into desperate defending mode as we've seen too many times already this season." He adds that "Cardiff always looked the better side despite Hereford have a few first half attempts. They were never really troubling the City goal with most going high and wide."
Mr. Morris has posted a number of picture-perfect shots from photogenic Edgar Street. Check them out here, here, here, here, here, here, and here. Impressive, no?
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