At this point, I'm going to return to a popular theme of mine. Some people think that football fans go to the games to have a good time and enjoy themselves. But sometimes these games can be anything but a enjoyable! A perfect example of this was the recent defeat at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers. Despite playing well throughout the game, a fantastic freekick from Ruben Neves meant that as the game went into stoppage time, Wolves were holding on to a 1-0 lead. But then the real excitement started. Cardiff were awarded a penalty. Up steps Garry Medine - but the goalkeeper saved it! Despair amongst the Cardiff fans – so near and yet so far!
But wait! Aron Gunnarsson strides into the penalty area and is brought down! Another penalty! Another lifeline! Up steps Junior Hoilett. Surely this time? But no! Hoilett hits the bar, the referees whistle blows for full-time, and Cardiff have lost 1-0.
It wasn't so much the loss that caused so much consternation amongst the fans - it was the manner of the last that was so disheartening!
Four days later Cardiff make the trip to Villa Park to play another of our close promotion rivals, Aston Villa. It's an evenly matched game where Villa's goalkeeper makes two or three exceptional saves. But is finally decided by a Jack Grealish volley which nine times out of 10 would have ended up in the back of the stand. Another undeserved loss more despair for the fans.
Let's move on another four days. Cardiff make the long trip to Norwich, a trip of almost 300 miles. Traditionally, this is another of those venues where Cardiff rarely seem to come away with anything. But in the 87th minute Kenneth Zohore squeezes the ball in at the near post. Junior Hoilett scores with a 93rd minute volley and Cardiff win 2-0 - their first win at Carrow Road in 13 attempts.
And just to make the day complete, the late televised game on Sky television featured our closest rival for automatic promotion, Fulham, who were playing their local rivals Brentford. Fulham took the lead in the 70th minute, only for a 94th minute equaliser from Brentford! Two points dropped at home by Fulham, leaving Cardiff's promotion destiny in their own hands once again.
Kenneth Zohore squeezes in an 87th minute goal at Norwich.
Don't you just love the Championship?
RESULTS SINCE THE LAST POST:
CARDIFF 3 BURTON 1
SHEFFIELD UNITED 1 CARDIFF 1
CARDIFF 0 WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS 1
ASTON VILLA 1 CARDIFF 0
NORWICH 0 CARDIFF 2
Although Burton are struggling near the bottom of the table, Cardiff played exceptionally well in a comfortable 3-1 victory. Goals from Kenneth Zohore, Nathaniel Mendez-Laing and Callum Paterson. NML is really beginning to show his early season form again.
Following on from this game was a trip to Sheffield United - a team who hope to force their way into playoff contention. In truth, this was not a very good Cardiff performance. But a point was saved by one of the lesser members of the squad in Anthony Pilkington. It is a testimony to his hard work, and also the man management of Neil Warnock, that "Pilks" has come into the side on a few occasions and done so well. Warnock made it clear that he was not a part of the first team plans, but a long term injury to Danny Ward has meant that Pilks has been a regular on the bench, and on this occasion his enthusiasm and cool finished salvaged a point for Cardiff in a game where perhaps they didn't deserve anything.
The next 3 games are outlined earlier in this blog.
So, what now?
Well, with four games remaining (3 for Fulham) our destiny is once again back in our own hands. Quite simply, 3 wins from the last 4 games means that we would definitely be promoted automatically, no matter what happens with our rivals Fulham. Of course, if they could lose a couple of times it would make our job much easier! Congratulations to Wolves who are already promoted and will be crowned Champions. Of course, with the biggest budget and the best players, that was always likely. But we are still very much in this!
But I'm not sure I'll be having much "fun" over the next 3 weeks!
RESULTS SINCE THE LAST POST:
CARDIFF 3 BURTON 1
SHEFFIELD UNITED 1 CARDIFF 1
CARDIFF 0 WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS 1
ASTON VILLA 1 CARDIFF 0
NORWICH 0 CARDIFF 2
Although Burton are struggling near the bottom of the table, Cardiff played exceptionally well in a comfortable 3-1 victory. Goals from Kenneth Zohore, Nathaniel Mendez-Laing and Callum Paterson. NML is really beginning to show his early season form again.
Following on from this game was a trip to Sheffield United - a team who hope to force their way into playoff contention. In truth, this was not a very good Cardiff performance. But a point was saved by one of the lesser members of the squad in Anthony Pilkington. It is a testimony to his hard work, and also the man management of Neil Warnock, that "Pilks" has come into the side on a few occasions and done so well. Warnock made it clear that he was not a part of the first team plans, but a long term injury to Danny Ward has meant that Pilks has been a regular on the bench, and on this occasion his enthusiasm and cool finished salvaged a point for Cardiff in a game where perhaps they didn't deserve anything.
The next 3 games are outlined earlier in this blog.
Anthony Pilkington celebrates a late equaliser at Bramall Lane.
So, what now?
Well, with four games remaining (3 for Fulham) our destiny is once again back in our own hands. Quite simply, 3 wins from the last 4 games means that we would definitely be promoted automatically, no matter what happens with our rivals Fulham. Of course, if they could lose a couple of times it would make our job much easier! Congratulations to Wolves who are already promoted and will be crowned Champions. Of course, with the biggest budget and the best players, that was always likely. But we are still very much in this!
But I'm not sure I'll be having much "fun" over the next 3 weeks!
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