We lined up against Cardiff with 11 games to go and 33 points to play for. MATHS!
After last week’s much-needed shake up, I was hoping Regis Le Bris would be bold and double down on that team selection.
One of the worst jobs managers have to do in the modern game is having to speak to the press. Yes, its a necessary nuisance but it's also a great judge of character. I'm still convinced to this day that Reid was chewing coca leaves while he addressed the press. Tony Mowbray was definitely the best in recent years - refined and to the point. Speaking as though he'd bumped into them at the local. Beale's spiel was the opposite - atrocious and empty. He spoke like a used car dealer would when assuring you said used cars he just sold you were on their way from Albania. Dodds' crack was decent but I don't think anyone should be trusted with public speaking whilst wearing a baseball cap. As I typed that I could hear how old fashioned it sounds. My Grandma once told me: never drink a can of pop whilst in public. 'Don't wear a baseball cap whilst addressing the public' has the same vibe. Anyway, Regis seemed a lot livelier during this week’s presser. I've made the composure vs complacence observation too many times over the last few months, but this week he appeared to have doused his Weetabix with a splash of red bull.
“It's not just about the legs - its about the brain” he said, in his typical 'expression française'. When it comes to emotions RLB doesn't show his cards very often. When he celebrates on the sideline he reminds me of one of those toy flowers that would dance when you shouted at them, before returning back to completely static position. Another toxic part of todays games is the amount of managers, successful or otherwise that play up to the camera. I won’t name names, mainly as there are far too many to learn how to spell. Reg doesn't do that. Les Bigoudens' big man has done well on the mic again and is certainly no performing monkey.
Last week Eli had proved he was whatever the Spanish equivalent of a bulldog is, and rightly kept his place in the team by bully defenders left right and centre. He’s given just as good as his six-foot counterpart Izzy has been, and caused umpteen problems to the opposition. It was always going to be hard to drop the likes of Rigg and Izzy. But it was also fantastic to know we could call on them to run their legs off for 30 mins when needed.
With the opportunity to make it three consecutive wins against the Bluebirds for the first time since 1922, and more importantly a chance to get some much needed back to back wins on the table, the pressure was palpable. Cardiff had even managed to score against boring Burnley midweek. However, they had also only won one of there last 19 away games going into this one. While we have to respect any team we play, we also have to remain confident in ourselves... and to quote our Ian again: *ahem* “kill sh*te like that”. Anway…
Proper kick off time, 3pm. Ha’way the lads.
Before the SoL had even got comfy we were off the mark via the man of the hour Mayenda. Woof. Dancing around the six-yard box seems to be a dreary staple in today’s game but iffy Cardiff took it to new heights when their keeper didn't even bother to stay in front of his own goal. Whilst dithering about, failing to clear for no reason, we pounced and Cardiff fell apart. Eli shows a big part of his game is preying on the mistakes of others.
By 20 minutes we were trouncing them in terms of stats and opportunities. Mundle was getting closer to his pre-injury form and once again proved he was one of the best in the country at hitting the post.
24 mins in and Paddy had to make way for Rigg as he felt a bit of a niggle. RLB confirmed afterwards this was a precautionary measure. We fell apart a little bit after this and things looked at little bit less aggressive going forward. End product lacking galore.
On the sniff of half time we fell apart, for a bit. For no reason we played far too narrow, too many players opted for empty zonal marking during open play and a wonky ball in after a switch of play was fumbled, somehow, into the back of our net after Patto fell flatto. Replays showed he was definitely impeded. I don't know if you heard but there were some controversies around handballs in our last match. All bollocks, obviously. It’s all over now but this week one of the Owls jumped with his hand aimed for the sky like he was about to take off ala super man. It's happened now so I wont complain. But it definitely happened.
Eli found his way round the keeper, via a slick pass from Mundle but hit the side netting. It's this kind of link-up play we've been lacking. Cirkin and Enzo had begun to form a decent partnership, but for me our men in the middle need to speed this kind of action up.
1-1 at the break. Despite trouncing them in possession we still weren't doing quite enough. Sound familiar? Moving on...
Romaine continued his 'now you see it now you don't' approach to skinning people and was even making it a struggle to remember what we saw in that fella who used to play on the wing. John Clack was it? Mayenda and Mundle linked up well again and set the ball to Rig who, with tons of time, decided to hit it at his first opportunity which was dealt with easily.
56 mins in Browne made way for Issy, who joined Eli in bothering the visitors’ defence. We have a habit of crumbling when we play too narrow and one example of this unorganised faffing about led to Cardiff hitting the post. They had no right to have a runner on goal.
Mundle was swapped for young Tommy. Romaine had had another solid shift. He's only a goal away from cementing his return. It was great to see Tommy back too. We'd now racked a fair amount of shots but with nothing quite doing the business.
Then a set piece with Trai Hume at the helm changed things in the 77th minute. A simple (but very clever) ball straight to Issy, who square it to Meps for a simple tap in. Chris has been deserving of at least a couple this season, so I'm pleased he’s off the mark. We had made it look so easy I did wonder why we hadn't done it 10 times already.
More tippy-tappy excellence from Wilson and Watson saw a break on goal again. Once it’s been refined it’s exactly that kind of link-up play that'll make the difference in the play-offs. The full time whistle went, and it was a welcome win on Wearside. That makes it two wins in a row with Preston up next midweek, before a tough game down at Cov.
While we want to get automatics, if we flog ourselves rotten it could unbalance ourselves ready for the play-offs. We don't want to lose momentum. With 30 points now left to be had, we could still end on 99 points for the season. More wonderful, if not slightly delusional maths. It'd be a miracle, but those who dare to dream...
Keep The Faith,
GPD.
