Blackpool v Cardiff City Official Matchday Thread 14.08.21

mull said:
And you d been behaving yourself really well during the close season too. Pleasant , polite and almost courteous ;)
Click to expand...
Yes, but I will always return personal insults in kind.
To be honest I'm expecting Pool to struggle and be in a relegation scrap as the squad is weaker than last season.
Several players are out of their depth including some of the new signings.
 
Gary Goals doing the dirty for 60 mins with Stewart and Dougall in the same team, then unleashing Bowler and Lavery we could have won that game 1 or 2 nil.
 
62years&counting said:
Yes, but I will always return personal insults in kind.
To be honest I'm expecting Pool to struggle and be in a relegation scrap as the squad is weaker than last season.
Several players are out of their depth including some of the new signings.
Click to expand...
The whole team was out of their depth last season according to you and we got promoted. Shows what you know.
 
clappers said:
Gary Goals doing the dirty for 60 mins with Stewart and Dougall in the same team, then unleashing Bowler and Lavery we could have won that game 1 or 2 nil.
Click to expand...
If GG is going to be any use it's in that kind of situation. If he's ever fit to take part in them!
 
Dougall is miles away from match fitness, he was off the pace all game. He should have been on the bench and got 30 minutes at the end. It put a lot of strain on Ward and he struggled in the first half but played much better in the second.
 
hertfordseasider said:
Dougall is miles away from match fitness, he was off the pace all game. He should have been on the bench and got 30 minutes at the end. It put a lot of strain on Ward and he struggled in the first half but played much better in the second.
Click to expand...
Without KD we'd have Ward and James in midfield, both about 5 foot 5. So, yeah, KD was knackered, but we didn't have great options. We probably need to bring in one big bugger to help out in midfield for games against the thug elements of the division.
 
voyeur said:
Boro played a second string with a load of kids and looked pretty half arsed. They beat Bristol City today.

We are struggling with the physicality of the teams we've played so far, it's a big step up and a learning curve and won't be all sorted straight away.
Click to expand...
There were some tall players in the Cardiff side, we never got a sniff in the air. All is not lost though, I liked the look of Lavery, but I think he will get a few early exits with his petulance (hope not though) we need a few tweaks & in some ways we’re not that far off. Stronger team won today.
 
They definitely deserved to win but from what I understand we had a good shout for a handball (penalty), and then Lavery got flattened just when he was about to cut in on goal, both just before they scored the second.

Does say something about the Championship though when they can afford to leave the Wales striker on the bench until 20 minutes to go!!
 
The referee cost us. Yes they missed chances but that’s on them. Both goals had fouls missed by the ref. They must have been delighted they only had to cope with Lavery for 15 mins
 
Bitterly disappointed after that performance.
A typical McCarthy team, land of the giants with a pinch of shithousery thrown in🤷‍♂️
Their number 7 was very good and something always looked like something could happen when he was on the ball.

I don't get this tippy tappy at the back keeping possession when the final ball is either a big hoof up front or a misplaced pass that puts us under pressure.
Maxwell was brilliant 1st half and it was a wonder how Cardiff weren't 2 up by half time.
Keough looks a yard too slow and Garbutt wasn't at his best.
Cant see where the call for a right back holds water as I thought Connolly played well.
Dougall was fucked after the 1st half but kept going, Ward was very quiet but if that shot had gone in 😳
Again CJ has gone into a shell and doesn't look like coming out soon. Lionel Keshi very quiet game also.
Jerry looks frustrated to hell, making runs and no through balls coming his way. Cat get some meat on your bones and stand up to the bullying.
When Bowler and Lavery came on there was somewhat of a transformation. Love Bowlers directness and Laverys effort and fieryness😁

So a defeat, it isn't the end of the world but Critch needs to learn quick lessons as the next test is Tuesday.
We go again and hopefully witness a victory #UTMP
 
I said before last saturday that I wouldn't be too elated if we won, too content if we drew, nor too down if we lost. The only down would have been a tonking.

Today could have been that tonking, but it wasn't. We will need afew more games to put any context on this result, but in truth it was Men v Toddlers.

Bring on The Cov- a win and we'd all have taken 4 from 3.
 
Thought the manager get it wrong today, starting with team selection. CJ and JJ will probably get a lot of stick (I wouldn't have started either), but if you're going to play them at least play to their strengths. Just before he went off JJ made about three runs beyond their back 4, but the ball went backwards or sideways.
Cardiff were better physically and technically, big lesson today and we need to learn fast.
 
voyeur said:
We were second best but the ref allowed them to go beyond intimidation, they should have been carded early and warned. He just let them carry on.
Click to expand...
Agree. A early yellow would have put a stop to it but they knew they could get away with it so carried on
 
I think MM gave NC a footballing lesson there..... the changes were made far too late! 2nd game in and I’m hopeful things will get much better, but we need to learn to be more physical. Roll on Tuesday!
 
Bad day at the office
Do not think Cardiff were more skillul but they were streetwise in how far to push fouls wothout getting penalised.
Hopefully lessons learned, I was most disappointed with our passing and crossing, if Garbs is our dead ball specialist, I think he needs to practice more.
I might put a bet on we beat Cardiff at their place, as they had easy 3 points to night, but remember a Ipswich at home last season being a wake up call
 
Steb said:
The ref was so bad. How him and the linesman missed that handball I don’t know. They must have seen the defender signalling to the fans how he handballed it soon has play moved on
Click to expand...
And the ref allowed to Cardiff players (number 4&5 in particular) to surround him all afternoon and question any decision they didn’t like. Time these official grew a pair.
 
Well that was utter tripe. First half we played without a midfield. All game Yates and John-Jules were bereft of service. What through balls there were were mostly poor. Garbutt and Husband were woeful. Anderson didn't get involved enough. The only players who came out of that with any credibility were Keogh and Ward...and Bowler when he came on.
Why we played high balls against their giants, God only knows. It was a day for quick forward thrusts with the ball on the ground. Lavery and Bowler should have been thrown in at the start of the second half. The tactics were crap and the farting about in defence was a joke.
 
voyeur said:
Without KD we'd have Ward and James in midfield, both about 5 foot 5. So, yeah, KD was knackered, but we didn't have great options. We probably need to bring in one big bugger to help out in midfield for games against the thug elements of the division.
Click to expand...
Williams anyone?
 
To many comments to read through so apologies if this repeats anything.

Outplayed by a good, horrible team.

We aren’t going to be anywhere near Cardiff come the end of the season and we need to concentrate more on taking points out the likes of Coventry, Huddersfield, Luton, Derby & North End who will likely be fighting against.
 
Disappointed today, not what I was expecting, ok, Cardiff were giants and pressed our defence constantly, pushing them into passing sideways and back and then having to make either hurried passes, or boot it long. The result of that was the giants got it every time.

Midfield was missing, only when Bowler and Lavery came on did we pass from midfield with any purpose.

Lesson learned I hope, and I look forward to Tuesday.
 
Well I think the question "why do clubs go for old has been managers" was answered today. It's because they get results, whether it's by bullying, gamesmanship (cheating - i'm thinking the Lavery foul), or having a massive height advantage, it's all good. And we were a bit naive today. In fact, i'm glad we've had this kind of game very early on because we need to be wiser.
We barely won a header all game, and that's worrying. Was anyone even slightly surprised when we conceded from a header? Marv I think needs to be in for his height alone.
Dougall looked like he was off the pace which is totally understandable considering he's had no preseason, so it doesn't worry me much, but the two worries for me were Hamilton and Anderson. CJ just never got into the game at all, and i'm not sure pace will be sufficient to make it in the championship, especially when the score is level. You need guile and trickery and he's not that kind of player. I'd really be using him as a late sub against tiring legs, and it's such a shame that Mitchell picked up an injury when he did. As for Anderson, I think he's a good player but i'm not sure he suits the position he's playing in this team. We need someone who can pick a pass, and I have my doubts that he can. Compare to Carey who was making defence splitting passes, and running with the ball beyond the defence on Weds night, albeit against an under strength team. I'm not saying Carey's a better player on the basis of one appearance, just that his attributes seemed better suited to playing the role Anderson is playing. Yes I know he scored! But it feels like he'd be better playing on the wing or as a proper strike partner for Yates. The creative midfielder is still a position that needs strengthening for me,

All that said, in the last half hour we were the only team trying to play any football, and did much better with Lavery and Bowler, who really needs to work on his shooting. In a way I didn't mind the manner of the second goal, we were caught short because we were pushing for an equaliser and that happens. I'd rather give it a go and lose 2-0, than lose 1-0 with a whimper.

So in summary:
- it was the right result
- I think we'll do better with Ekpiteta and Gretarsson as the centre half pairing
- We need Dougall to get match fit asap
- Any further signings we make need to give us more of a physical presence
- There's no need to panic.
 
Last edited:
1966_and_all_that said:
Well that was utter tripe. First half we played without a midfield. All game Yates and John-Jules were bereft of service. What through balls there were were mostly poor. Garbutt and Husband were woeful. Anderson didn't get involved enough. The only players who came out of that with any credibility were Keogh and Ward...and Bowler when he came on.
Why we played high balls against their giants, God only knows. It was a day for quick forward thrusts with the ball on the ground. Lavery and Bowler should have been thrown in at the start of the second half. The tactics were crap and the farting about in defence was a joke.
Click to expand...
Pretty much agree with all of that but you missed CJ being absolutely dire as well
 
Disappointing today but well beaten really - shame it took us for them to score until we actually played without fear.

No great performances BAR Maxwell and ward stepped up second half. CJ was woeful really, bowler made such a difference when he came on and must start on Tuesday.

We couldn’t deal with their physicality and height, could have scored from every ball they pumped into the box and we weren’t picking up second balls either. We will struggle all season against tall teams going off this.

Ref was a tart, some poor decisions but didn’t cost us the game really.
 
62years&counting said:
Yes, but I will always return personal insults in kind.
To be honest I'm expecting Pool to struggle and be in a relegation scrap as the squad is weaker than last season.
Several players are out of their depth including some of the new signings.
Click to expand...
Here we ago another season of 62 years talking utter shit about the team till we get promoted then back tracking like a sheep on a welshman
 
Steb said:
The ref was so bad. How him and the linesman missed that handball I don’t know. They must have seen the defender signalling to the fans how he handballed it soon has play moved on
Click to expand...
The referee was poor. He allowed them time and time again to bring our lads down when we were breaking away, not bad fouls but cynical.
He should have booked the first player to do this and lay down his marker, he did sod all.
 
BFC_53 said:
Well I think the question "why do clubs go for old has been managers" was answered today. It's because they get results, whether it's by bullying, gamesmanship (cheating - i'm thinking the Lavery foul), or having a massive height advantage, it's all good. And we were a bit naive today. In fact, i'm glad we've had this kind of game very early on because we need to be wiser.
We barely won a header all games, and that's worrying. Was anyone even slightly surprised when we conceded from a header? Marv I think needs to be in for his height alone.
Dougall looked like he was off the pace which is totally understandable considering he's had no preseason, so it doesn't worry me much, but the two worries for me were Hamilton and Anderson. CJ just never got into the game at all, and i'm not sure pace will be sufficient to make it in the championship, especially when the score is level. You need guile and trickery and he's not that kind of player. I'd really be using him as a late sub against tiring legs, and it's such a shame that Mitchell picked up an injury when he did. As for Anderson, I think he's a good player but i'm not sure he suits the position he's playing in this team. We need someone who can pick a pass, and I have my doubts that he can. Compare to Carey who was making defence splitting passes, and running with the ball beyond the defence on Weds night, albeit against an under strength team. I'm not saying Carey's a better player on the basis of one appearance, just that his attributes seemed better suited to playing the role Anderson is playing. Yes I know he scored! But it feels like he'd be better playing on the wing or as a proper strike partner for Yates. The creative midfielder is still a position that needs strengthening for me,

All that said, in the last half hour we were the only team trying to play any football, and did much better with Lavery and Bowler, who really needs to work on his shooting. In a way I didn't mind the manner of the second goal, we were caught short because we were pushing for an equaliser and that happens. I'd rather give it a go and lose 2-0, than lose 1-0 with a whimper.

So in summary:
- it was the right result
- I think we'll do better with Ekpiteta and Gretarsson as the centre half pairing
- We need Dougall to get match fit asap
- Any further signings we make need to give us more of a physical presence
- There's no need to panic.
Click to expand...
Good way of looking at it,we get this lesson today early on could be a blessing in disguise.
 
Connolly looks a really good defender but I'd like to see him as a centre half alongside Marv. We really do need a right back and soon.

If Husband doesn't play as a centre half then he has to battle it out with Garbutt. Once Dougall is match fit, ditto Stewart then you have your defensive midfielders. The thing is, Ward is a really good player and I could see him doing the Anderson role so they can fight that out. Carey is our most creative, attacking midfielder and I would love to see him get a chance.

As it stands up front I think you have to go with Lavery, Yates and Bowler. CJ looks like a different player so far and TJJ just isn't as good as Lavery. We still miss a physical presence up front and Simms would be a shoe in if we signed him so he could play up front with Yates or Lavery. I think Demi will improve us too when he returns from injury and will be looking for a place in the team, he would have been in it from the Bristol game had he stayed fit.

We have plenty of good players, but we need to sort the back 4 out as a priority and we need Stewart & Dougall back fully fit.

My team would be if we had the players:

GK: Maxwell

RB: TBC/Connolly
CB: Expiteta/Keogh/Casey
CB: Connolly/Gretarrson/Husband
LB: Husband/Garbutt/James

DM: Stewart/Ward/James
DM: Dougall/Ward/James
AM: Demi/Carey/Anderson
AM: Bowler/CJ/Anderson

ST:Yates/TJJ
ST: Lavery/Madine/Simms
 
I think Cardiff deserved to win they knew they were more physical than us and played to their strengths but having said that if the ref did his job and got reckon we would have got at least a draw
 
Goforgoal said:
He very well may be, but this type of game is tailor made for Madine. Big physical players and a battle of attrition.
Click to expand...
We definitely needed more physical presence, for sure. Especially in midfield.

Connolly stood up well, I can see him, Marv and Gretarsson sharing the CD responsibilities. Not all teams are as tall as Cardiff. Some smaller teams will beat Cardiff.

Stewart and Dougall both fit will make us stronger. I don't think Carey is ready for games like today.

As Ormergod says, it's best to learn this stuff now, with 17 days remaining to sign players. We need a Simms and at least one more midfield player.
 
Last edited:
"Ward is a really good player and I could see him doing the Anderson role."

I agree. I want him further forward to play in the strikers.
 
Sooty59 said:
There were some tall players in the Cardiff side, we never got a sniff in the air. All is not lost though, I liked the look of Lavery, but I think he will get a few early exits with his petulance (hope not though) we need a few tweaks & in some ways we’re not that far off. Stronger team won today.
Click to expand...
i kind of like his aggressiveness - its part of his game
 
Can't add much. Costero used the exact word I was going to. Cardiff aren't a good team, they're an efficient one. Very very efficient, and really well set up and drilled to deal with what we offered for much of the game.

Games like this always ask an interesting question, how much as a supporter are you prepared to concede in terms of entertainment versus results. Cardiff will 99.9% certain finish above us this year, and as others have said will be near the top.

Personally I couldn't face watching a team of oversized, well drilled linebackers every week, and I'm glad McCarthy isn't our manager. But if winning at any cost of entertainment is what one wants, then he's the man for the job, and good luck to all of them. While you're winning games, there's no (justifiable) comeback, once you're losing you'll be gone quick.

Not sour grapes, we should have lost today by more than we did. Just glad it's out the way and we can go again against other teams. Looking forward to Cov already.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top