Observations from today

All considered, a very good point.</p>

We started dreadfully. Muller made an absolutely brilliant save to deny an unmarked McPhail - but McPhail shouldnt really have given him the chance to - he had all the time in the world. We then began to wake up, and Foster had a header from a corner blocked on the line. Anderson made a couple of sloppy errors, and Ferenczi limped off injured to be replaced by Mostto - who looked lost in the first half. Cardiff then got back on top towards the end of the first half and we limped in at 0-0 really.</p>

2nd half was a much better game of football. Both teams played decent stuff, despite the best efforts of Phil Dowd to ruin the game. Fowler missed a decent chance by a whisker, before the goal finally came. JFH, who had proved himself to be a complete tit throughout the game, planted a very good header in the corner - almost denied by a sensational effort from Muller to save it. McPhail was then booked for his gestures to the Barnsley fans. That seemed like game over - and probably would have been last season, but yet again we showed resilience. A great solo effort from Odejayi was denied by Oakes, broke to Foster, who delivered a great cross which was met brilliantly by the onrushing Howard to head home the equaliser. McPhail should have been sent off for a cynical foul on Devaney, and Mostto's volley was deflected over, before the last couple of minutes quietened down for a 1-1 draw.</p>

Great resilience and spirit again from the Reds, and all in all, considering Cardiff's away results, it's a good point.</p>

Comments</p>

Muller - Love this guy. Doesn't seem to have any weaknesses at all. Didn't have a great deal to do but did everything he could flawlessly, including a terrific one-handed save from McPhail first half.</p>

Foster - A man who got a lot of mixed comments when he signed as &quot;he wasn't good enough for Burnley&quot;. On that showing, he was excellent at full back - great cross for the goal, and thought he could have taken Motm.</p>

Nyatanga - Best game of the season for him, thought he was very solid.</p>

Souza - A couple of nervy moments but again, generally solid.</p>

Kozluk - Defensively good - a ridiculous booking from an awful referee, a few good challenges, and a few lapses of concentration.</p>

McCann - Thought he had an average to shaky game today, couldnt really get into it.</p>

Howard - Quiet. Put himself about okay but then popped up with a terrific equaliser.</p>

Anderson - Awful in the first 20 minutes, but terrific thereafter.</p>

JCR - Can never criticise his workrate and his defensive efforts - which surprises me. Going forward, he does run through a few dark alleys. Quiet in the 2nd half.</p>

Ferenczi - Wasnt really on long enough.</p>

Odejayi - A mixed bag. Some occasions where he was a little lazy perhaps. Once he gets the ball and starts running forward, as he did in the buildup to the equaliser, he's very hard to stop.</p>

Mostto - Looked completely lost in the first half. In the 2nd half, I thought he played more down the centre and he looked better - some sharp play. Needs to develop an understanding but I think theres promise there, and some of the criticism around us saying he was &quot;our worst signing ever&quot; was very harsh so early in his career.</p>

Devaney - Did well when he came on. Looks sharp to me.</p>

</p>

Thought McPhail was excellent for them at keeping the ball and dictating - Hasselbaink was a cheat, Fowler was knackered after 10 minutes. Their centre halves, Johnson and Loovens, looked solid though. Good point.</p>

PS: As for the officials, an absolute disgrace. Phil Dowd a premiership referee? I think not. We should have had a DEFINITE penalty for handball when Devaney's cross was handled.</p>

</p>

 

Re: Observations from today nt

McCann was man marking Sinclair all game </p>

 

Aye thats probably fair - and he did a decent job of it. Just couldn't get into it going forward and gave the ball away a bit too much.

 

normally a manic depressive about performances, I am definitely upbeat after today. I've got to say that I have watched a football team today, playing with composure and controlled possession. Some things worked up front, some didnt but overall, good stuff. Their goal was so against the run of play I was speechless but was (relatively) confident we would get something out of it

I thought we showed them too much respect to start with, hence the poor first 20 minutes, but after that the quality of football was nice to watch and got better as the match wore on. I think they will be more satisfied than us, with a point

agree about Mostto at first but he really put himself about in the second half. Tickled me to see him arguing with the referee late on when (alledgedly) he can speak a word of English

Cardiff players had the referee for a mug today and the second loudest applause was when the linesman in front of the ESL flagged them for offside

 

BTT

For Spartacus/whoever else.

 

RE: Observations from today - Muller

Only a slight criticism, in the first half he was too quick to throw the ball out to players who weren't ready for it, which simply resulted in pressure coming straight back on us - didn't do it 2nd half, so maybe Davey had a word. Apart from that absolutely brilliant, almost my m-o-t-m.

 

Howard - "quiet"

He was showing for everything today, finding space, wanting the ball, passing, tackling, getting the goal.

Brilliant performance.

 

To be fair I think I judge Howard too harshly because I expect too much of him. I expect to see him creating chances a lot which he didn't do - but you're right, he played like a true captain in the way he wanted the ball, constantly speaking to his players, and the goal was superb.

 

Souza was brilliant, simply brilliant. nt

 

RE: Howard - "quiet"

Even more so considering he's been ill most of the week. One of the best headers i've seen at Oakwell in a long time.

 

Think it was one of Bri's poorer performances

never less than 100% committed to the cause but didnt appear to be at his best yesdi.

Said as much to RR#2 who agreed but did forecast he would have 1 moment of genius to score. RR#2 is a soothsayer cos 2 mins later thats just what Bri did