City back in bottom three as uncertainty over manager’s post continues.

4 Responses to City back in bottom three as uncertainty over manager’s post continues.

1. Dai Woosnam says:

   November 10, 2024 at 3:43 pm

   Paul compadre,
   A day when my aphasia has temporarily lifted… so I will venture a few words.

   Re their third goal: I did not need any time to sleep on it. I speak as Alnwick’s biggest fan, but I saw in a nanosecond that Jak had got his angles hopelessly wrong.

   I am all in favour of ‘narrowing the angle’ but hey… standing virtually on one’s near post is asking for trouble.

   I fear for City this season, and fully expect relegation… even if they had a younger Neil Warnock to come to do a rescue act. And here is why: the quality of the squad is nothing like as good as seven/eight or so seasons back.

   The fact is the centre backs are markedly inferior to a Morrison/Manga/Bambo combo; the midfielders are journeymen in need of the flair of a Lee Tomlin and the grit/stamina of a Gunnarsson, and the energy of younger Ralls; and for all my faith in Tanner as a man for the future, we do not have wingers the equal of Hoilett and Mendez-Laing… not even if we play O’Dowda on the left wing… which I would do, seeing as I reckon Bagan should be our number 3.

   Yes I realise we have the mercurial Rubin Colwill who clearly shows some great touches… but he too often alas does not bring his ‘A game’ to proceedings to be able to save City from the drop single-handedly.
   TTFN,
   Dai.
2. Dai Woosnam says:

   November 10, 2024 at 4:44 pm

   My aphasia ‘momentarily lifted’? I think not.
   I have just read what I sent 25 minutes ago
   Maybe it was the word ‘combo’ that was coming up that did the damage… either way, the late Sol Bamba deserved better.
   Apols.
   DW
3. Huw Perry says:

   November 11, 2024 at 7:39 am

   Hi Paul,
   Thanks for the excellent summary again.
   Feels like 2 steps forward and 1 and a half back after the last 2 games!
   The lack of urgency and intensity showed with Blackburn definitely sharper all round and an impressive unit. They did create some lovely chances, but our defending seems to have gone backwards after our recent run of clean sheets. Too much ball-watching and definitely a lack of tracking back and movement – as you highlighted.
   Feel the same as you re Riza. Was favouring him and pleased with the more adventurous attacking play, but the last couple of games seem to have knocked us back and reduced his chances. You do wonder if the delay in announcing anything by the Board is playing on his mind and leading to the more downbeat press conferences, only natural if that is the case. With you though and would like him to stay but, if not, then Robins a great shout.
   Back to the match and lack of options from the bench was a big issue, once our false 9 tactic proved ineffective. Didn’t think we could change things unless Colwill or Robertson produced some magic and neither were quite as effective as in recent home games.
   Our pressure was building once we pulled one back, but our constant pumping of high balls from corners into the box was not at all effective. We seem to have lost the art of the dangerous set piece cross and Goutas/ Ng set piece header. A succession of high and hanging corners too easily gobbled up by the Rovers defence.
   Breakaway third goal was very reminiscent of a Bulut- like collapse but I do take comfort from the fact that we are trying to play football at home and the whole experience now is so much better – at home – than anything over the last eighteen months.
   However, despite that, we are still languishing in the drop zone and a critical period awaits after this next break.
   Never a dull moment with the City though is it??
4. ANTHONY MOR O'BRIEN says:

   November 11, 2024 at 8:58 am

   As always, Paul, your comments are fair and incitive, such as the lack of motion in yesterday’s game. I was granting my teeth that men out wide would be standing still while waiting for the ball to their feet. A pass should normally be to space, not to feet, but it rarely happens now.
   I was also bothered that Tanner has lost some of his enthusiasm to race forward – and, also, to race back to defend. Possibly, Meite should be give an opportunity to play as a winger with ability to fight for high balls and be physical towards defenders. He could do this, but he is not a centre forward.
   A short time ago I suggested that Cardiff might have a plan B for attacking by putting a large and strong centre forward into the team, as per Cole of West ham did some years ago in holding up the ball while facing his back to the goal and staying close to it in the middle against Cardiff City. He was able to make passes to the left or right for comrades going beyond him at speed towards the goal. I also mentioned that I think Sean Morrison could be the beacon or spindle like the centre of a wheel. He’s already linked to Cardiff as a trainer but I think he is only aged 33 and could provide vial height at both ends of the ground. If this is pie in the sky, Cardiff should get in a centreforward of the kind i’, suggesdting.