Manchester City it is then, as Cardiff City pass tricky Mansfield test.

5 Responses to Manchester City it is then, as Cardiff City pass tricky Mansfield test.

1. HarryKirtley'sGhost says:

   January 17, 2018 at 4:04 pm

   A good detailed report, as usual, Paul. Muchas gracias.
   Re their Marmite manager:
   I think Steve Evans is a man very much like Neil Warnock, in that he is hated by fans of rival teams, but deep down is a good bloke, albeit not without flaws.
   Interestingly he seems to have a fine relationship with Neil.

   Talking of a “Neil” brings me to our goalkeeper. I am a big fan of his long kicking, but only when it is directed away from the touchline. His unerring ability to find touch would make him a star player at the Arms Park.
2. BJA says:

   January 17, 2018 at 4:38 pm

   Good afternoon Paul – Thanks as ever for your views.
   Just found out that we have actually signed Grukic on loan to the end of the season, and by all reports, he has the qualities that we need in mid-field that we have missed since Gunnars has been absent. Quite who will miss out to accommodate him will be interesting if NW continues to want to play with five at the back, but it is a problem that I would rather have than not. And if Grabban arrives as well, then I am more optimistic of our prospects of a place in the top six, and even the top two.
   I would appreciate the views of your goodself and your fellow contributors on what appears to be the number of fouls that we have conceded, both last night and against Sunderland. Watching Saturday’s encounter, I had not realised that we had committed well over twenty. Last night I followed the match by live reports, and for long periods all that seemed to arrive on my screen was foul after foul by a City player including four yellow cards. To me, this is worrying as it will surely be not too long before “yellow” becomes “red”, and depleted sides seldom win.
   On this very point, I felt after seeing Saturday’s unfortunate dismissal of N’Dong, and how Hoillett might have been fortunate last night only to receive “yellow”, there does need to be some harsh words given by NW and others that rash challenges need to be avoided, otherwise there will be a few unnecessary uphill battles ahead, particularly away matches against Leeds, Villa, Derby and Sheff. Utd.
   Eagerly awaiting news of more arrivals, but has Pilkington done enough to persuade our management team that he should remain – possibly. He seemed very enthusiastic on Saturday, and by all accounts put in a good shift against Mansfield. Interesting and exciting times.
3. Barry Cole says:

   January 17, 2018 at 6:57 pm

   Paul I am using BJA as the in road as I still don’t seem to pick your blogs up on news now.
   The game could have panned out differently following the equaliser and I do find it galling that we let the goal in so quickly after ours.
   Overall I do see the makings of a return to the early season form and to be honest I thought we bossed the second half and could have scored more goals, at least we didn’t let anymore in. Pep must have realised after the third goal went in who his next opponents were.
   I a still of the opinion that we need to keep pilkington as he is far better than bogle and ward.
   He reads the game better and if we are to strengthen then the imminent arrival of grabbham with pilkington is a far better and stronger partnership than bogle and ward. Maybe they could be sent out on loan to a first division club looking at promotion.
   Damour was a revelation in the second half I don’t know what warnock said to him but it worked.
   Richards had another good game as did Bennett.
   So we now have some fight for positions and the incoming players can only enhance the team. We just need that additional goal scorer and I hope the midfielder from Liverpool can provide the service that is essential to create more chances for the forwards.
   Next game at hills borough isn’t a happy hunting ground for us and I totally agree with warnock this is the game of the season, one we have to win and a careful look at the teams around us points are going to be dropped. We also now have the fa cup so the Bolton match will be put back
   Onwards and upwards
4. russell roberts says:

   January 18, 2018 at 1:18 am

   Thanks Paul for the review , I bravely listened to the ramblings of Mickey Thomas on Radio Wales Interspersed with Rob Phillips commentary ,Its always difficult to tell what really happening with these radio commentaries and opinions of so called ex players who have something to offer the radios listeners ears ,in dear Mickey’s case I did not have clue what he was on about at any point, and he seemed to repeat himself a lot to force over a view .

   Anyway we won and beat a side who have something about them ,when they scored I feared the worse, a few sides may have been beaten last night .

   I agree with you about Pilk’s and unless we get a good money offer , we should keep him hes a decent sub who can play wide, up front ,and in the middle ,hes a typical Warnock type as well big and strong.

   Seems as you say Richards and Bennett performed well which is a huge positive as they are both skilled lads who are still developing .

   Zohore worries me, he’s still not at the level he was ,is it confidence or is his head turned with the thoughts of a big move ,only time will tell , if we buy Grabban I think he may go if a big offer comes in . Zohore does create good space and support though and we have scored 8 in two games with him leading the line .

   The Wednesday game will be a big test for us ,as we have beaten two sides ,one of which is at a very low point, the other we should be better than them anyway , therefore our real progress , or alleged return to form will be tested , a good draw will suit me fine
5. The other Bob Wilson says:

   January 18, 2018 at 1:03 pm

   As usual, thank you for your replies. To deal with some of the points raised on an individual basis, Dai we’ve talked before about Steve Evans who I have to concede is a pretty good manager, but, to add to all of his other faults, I feel the poor man suffers from delusions – how else can you explain his belief that Leeds’ 2-0 win down here two seasons ago was deserved when all that stood between his team and a trouncing was Sol Bamba and an inspired Silvestre in goal?
   BJA, as you say, the foul count for our last two games has gone against us in a big way, but I couldn’t really complain too much about many of the decisions on Saturday. As for the Mansfield game, I’ve not seen the whole game, so can’t really comment too much, but I’ve read an accusation on a messageboard from a poster who is certainly not prone to hyperbole who said that the ref on Tuesday was the worst type of “homer” and, certainly, that’s the sort of conclusion I would draw if I saw figures favouring the home team to that extent in a game that was not involving City. As for N’Dong’s red card, I wasn’t too surprised to see that he failed in his appeal against the sending off, because it is was a harsh but justified dismissal under the current interpretation, but, as I said in my piece, you have to question that interpretation when a tackle like that can see someone being banned for three games.
   Barry, I noticed you said you had been unable to find the blog on News Now after the Sunderland match, but my Mansfield piece is on there – albeit a long, long way down the page by now. I’ve got a good feeling about Grujic who, for me, ticks the boxes for a “Warnock type player”, but also because, as someone who is old enough to remember when the Yugoslavian team was often referred to as Europe’s Brazil, I have seen very few footballers from that part of the world with a poor technique, so I’m hoping he can also considerably improve the quality of the team’s passing.
   Russell, I’ve got more time for most of Radio Wales’ summarisers than many others appear to, but my heart sank when I heard Mickey Thomas would be accompanying Rob Phillips on Tuesday – the best ex pros currently working in the media are the ones who make you think “he’s right – I never thought of that” – suffice it to say, I have never ever thought that during a Mickey Thomas commentary. Yes, if Pilks is going to become involved more, then I think I’d rather us keep him than spend a lot of money on some of the names we’re hearing as potential new strikers.

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