So the template for winning at Cardiff means you just have to score first and then shut up shop because we can't score. I'd probably agree with that and if it comes off then great, but the suggestion that City are still stuck in the Warnock/McCarthy era even in the first half of this season is wrong. We are far better on the ball and I disagree that Mowbray played it that way - once again we lack the ability up front to creat clear cut chances and take them. Even Moore has shown an inate inability to convert clear chances, and with Collins and Harris charging all over the pitch leaving no one up front, we'll never win games.
No not shut up shop. The whole point is that the opposition go for and invariably get the opening goal and then need do little else as the threat on their goal is all but non existent. Some go further - WBA eg -but the rest who have won haven’t needed to as they know one goal will usually do the job. Why expend energy on attacking if you don’t need to? The exception was Huddersfield but that was largely due to poor finishing by them, and for once our spearhead striker doing his job. Now and this is where we agree, City are looking to pass it more and do but regrettably city do not possess the quality - far from it; Vaulks is perhaps the least effective player in a City shirt at this level this century- in that area to pressurise the opposition and create enough. This is where last season we got enough assists and goals from 20 yards through Wilson and the earlier one through Tomlin. Until we have one of those types in our ranks, whilst we may pass it as we did today, it’ll be unlikely to worry an away team who’ve done all they need by getting the opener.
Nin - midfield creation (lack of) has been an issue for years and has been discusssed and agreed upon by most posters on here. That hasn't changed - yet. What has changed is the new willingness to pass the ball to a team mate rather than lumping it forward at every opportunity - that is new and deserves to be recognised. It's by no means perfect, and even when we retain possession, the lack of "vision" factor rears its' head again. Without a McPhail/Whitts/Wilson/Tomlin presence to translate that possession into something positive, I agree we're passing for the sake of it at the moment - but I repeat, it's a start and a million miles away from the hoofball of the past 4 years. We also have to recognise that we literally played without a striker yesterday - we were useless in that department. Collins and Harris ran around all over the pitch and were hardly ever in the box. Was that by accident or design? We were toothless up front with no predatory skills where it matters because the "strikers" were absent. It needed efforts from midfielders to test their defence and keeper. I can't recall Harris nor Collins having a meaningful scoring attempt - it was left to Ralls, Vaulks, Ng and our CB's to have a go. There's a way to go yet, but every journey starts with a first step (sic) - I'd like to think we've taken it.
Been to the dentist today for more rebuilding work than Morison's got to do........ Just got back in and looked Dai - got my 10 quid back as well. Must say whatever the problems, I didn't have any - watched the entire game right through.
Just seen this. Reality. We are a poor side. Our better players are not flair or creative players. We are probably 1 of the worst 3 teams in the league but may get away with it due to point deductions. Glatzel was absolutely useless though and wed probably have lost more heavily with him in the line up.
I see absolutely useless Glatzel has just scored again for Hamburg. Something like 15 for the season in all competitions.
Despite what Hilts said, he was the right player in the wrong side with us. Maybe he learned a few things with us which are benefiting him now?
Yeah we didnt play to his mystery strengths. Answers on a postage stamp what they actually were. I still havent a clue.
Well, I guess as currently evidenced, his strength is scoring goals with a team that plays on the deck. I swear the way we were playing at the time he was here, Jamie Vardy would have struggled to find the back of the net for us.
No hes playing in a weaker standard of football like Rhys Healey , Eoin Doyle and Max Watters who all bang them in at a certain level. Glatzel was a terrible signing. Poor touch , his 2nd touch was normally recovering his 1st touch , useless in the air , poor strength , not a great shot on him and not much pace. Make all the excuses about style. He was garbage. Collins isnt good enough. Hes much better than Glatzel he can pass and control a ball for a start. Im sure hed bang them in against some lower league Bundesliga side as well. If anyone wants to highlight the mystery strengths he had im still waiting.
Not sure it was just Glatzel's "mystery strengths" that were causing the problem. More like the "obvious weaknesses" in our midfield and lumpball back 4.
Yes that was last season. He got on the end of a number of lumped in set pieces - what's happened to him this season then? An even better supply chain with Giles in the team but he's missed more chances than he's put away. That includes two appalling early open-goal misses recently against Brom that would have put us 2-0 up. Hang on a minute though, don't tell me, those misses and others were probably down to covid. Not saying Glatzel would have done better, but then again we'd never have heard the end of it on here if it had been him.
Afternoon Hilts. Hope you're keeping well. I'm not ignoring your latest comments but others have answered them better than I could.