Match Thread Cardiff City - Coventry City Match Thread - Wednesday 1st Jan (12 Viewers)

[Skyblue Bangkok]

Damning stats those. Lampard mentioned about a lack of aggression v Portsmouth (who battered Swansea 4-0 yesterday BTW). With EMC and Wright coming back soon(ish) we are crying out for a midfielder who is prepared to fight and can pick a pass through the lines (and actually get the ball to Saka / EMC more quickly).

Obviously our porous defence needs a rebuild, but what is pleasing is that Dovin's confidence appears to be increasing despite the absolute shower in front of him (Bidwell being the exception).

Watched Sunderland game last night youngest squad in the div , play with flair & pace , vision all the things we do not. Great goal by Windass for Shef Wed too.

 

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[Robinshio]

Lati / Sheaf/ Torp/

If we could replace these in January with Wright and EMC back, we could have a very good team

Hopefully Gyokores gets his move, and with a fee for the above (albeit much reduced) we should be able to buy 4 players at this level who would add a lot more to the team than the current bunch

A lot of it is attitude which is where Dr Claire comes in - this is the worst attitude we have had since Slade (and im not talking about xmas)

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

I keep saying it but this squad plus O’Hare and Palmer got us out third highest league finish since relegation and our best cup run since winning it.

The passing has to be instructions from the manager or lack of confidence. I just don’t get it.

Agreed, they haven’t become a bad team overnight. Defensively, we looked solid between Dec-Jan last year and that’s all gone to pot slowly in 2024 to where conceding 2 goals a game is a new normal.

Bassette on the left seems blindingly obvious. There must be a reason we haven’t tried it.

Why? BTA has actually played as a winger in his career.

Bassette runs hard and that’s about it which doesn’t make him a winger. He made a good cross v Spurs and it’s quite rare for him to beat a man with his dribbling.

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

A massive worry though , is our only bright light , of a pretty disastrous first half to our season , is a purchase from league 1 , who only got a chance of a full game , because our star striker is injured !
But when Haji is back , what do we do with this £4.5 mill player in EMC ?

Play Wright, Simms and EMC, you’re not going to leave out a fully fit Haji or EMC.

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

It was completely accidental. I think he apologised immediately.

Yellow for having his arm up, that's it.

Why’s he got his elbow so high?
He’s significantly shorter than Thomas
He moves his arm into his face
I think it’s quite an easy red card for me

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

I think it’s confidence and complacency
They’ve been told they’re great and unlucky so they believe it

 

[PUSB-We_are_going_up]

Its so blindingly obvious we need a Hamer type player. To me I’d sell Sheaf if we get an offer in for him and sign a 6 and an 8

 

[Balli001]

Why’s he got his elbow so high?
He’s significantly shorter than Thomas
He moves his arm into his face
I think it’s quite an easy red card for me

I agree. He didnt intend to make significant contact im sure, but ultimately he did elbow him in the head

 

[CCFCSteve]

The slow play has to be a mentality/confidence issue, scared to make a mistake, overthinking the basics which has lead to some of the performances we have seen over the last 9 months.

It’s definitely confidence and lack of movement in front. Sheaf needs to be dictating play by taking it off the CBs if needed but I never understand why the CBs (or DCM) don’t carry the ball into space, attract/commit an opposition player, then pass.

It shouldn’t be left to Thomas and Lati to have so much of the ball. If this is going to be the case get Kitching in as he’s more comfortable on ball

 

[shmmeee]

Agreed, they haven’t become a bad team overnight. Defensively, we looked solid between Dec-Jan last year and that’s all gone to pot slowly in 2024 to where conceding 2 goals a game is a new normal.



Why? BTA has actually played as a winger in his career.

Bassette runs hard and that’s about it which doesn’t make him a winger. He made a good cross v Spurs and it’s quite rare for him to beat a man with his dribbling.

BTA isn’t a winger. He’s barely a footballer. He’s also right footed with no skill.

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

Cardiff down to 10..throw Basette, next to Simms, go long. Lampard clueless

He did do that and all due respect to Bassette, struggled to make an impact but that wasn’t necessarily his fault.

The midfield really let us down, we just didn’t put the ball in the box enough and how many times did we play the ball in the final third to have nothing come from it? Sheaf was particularly guilty of trying a hero ball and it leading to a goal kick.

If Cardiff are winning all the duals, what difference would going long have made?

Forget Cardiff’s league position, it’s a place we rarely go to and win so the positive is that we at least didn’t lose despite gifting Cardiff a few chances to win it.

 

[The watchmaker]

The midfield really let us down, we just didn’t put the ball in the box enough and how many times did we play the ball in the final third to have nothing come from it? Sheaf was particularly guilty of trying a hero ball and it leading to a goal kick.

Not really excusing Sheaf as he was... not great but he'd pass the ball to people in decent crossing positions and they would pass it straight back to him so... what is he going to do? Also (might be wrong here) but wasn't it him that put in the cross for our only real chance of the second half?

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

BTA isn’t a winger. He’s barely a footballer. He’s also right footed with no skill.

Disagree. BTA has a better dribbling package than Bassette who relies on his pace and strength (which is slightly undeveloped atm because he’s young) to get past players.

Look at the difference Simms made upfront yesterday compared to Bassette, who has been somewhat bullied by defenders who cut off a lot of his runs.

Bassette is an exciting project player, but he’s not ready to make a massive impact as a starter yet.

 

[PUSB-We_are_going_up]

If Bassette puts on a bit of muscle he’ll be unreal (physically) and he’ll have all the attributes to become a top player providing he keeps improving his technique and skills

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

Not really excusing Sheaf as he was... not great but he'd pass the ball to people in decent crossing positions and they would pass it straight back to him so... what is he going to do? Also (might be wrong here) but wasn't it him that put in the cross for our only real chance of the second half?

There was one instance where both Simms and Bassette were in the box and a pass was potentially on, Sheaf turned away, tried a chip to Sakamoto or MVE which went straight out for a goal kick to relieve pressure. There were was another instance where BTA made a nice run between their WB and RCB and a pass was on and we turn away and after a couple of passes later, a goal kick was awarded.


It’s not just Sheaf, his examples were the most frustrating but the team as a whole shy away from the risky passes in the final third. Now compare that to some of the risky passing we do in our own and middle thirds. It’s the worst of both worlds, inviting pressure on ourselves whilst being easy to defend against in the opposition third.

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

If Bassette puts on a bit of muscle he’ll be unreal (physically) and he’ll have all the attributes to become a top player providing he keeps improving his technique and skills

He is reminiscent of Vik, even in the way he doesn’t have a right foot yet. But, he came to us a bit more developed physically.

That’s why the clamour for Bassette is so strong but he’s probably a season or two from breaking out properly in my view.

Right now, Simms is comfortably our best striker and we need more of him running in behind defenders where his strength can really debilitate opposition defenders. Not by hoofing it up to him where defenders have the advantage.

 

[PUSB-We_are_going_up]

He is reminiscent of Vik, even in the way he doesn’t have a right foot yet. But, he came to us a bit more developed physically.

That’s why the clamour for Bassette is so strong but he’s probably a season or two from breaking out properly in my view.

Right now, Simms is comfortably our best striker and we need more of him running in behind defenders where his strength can really debilitate opposition defenders. Not by hoofing it up to him where defenders have the advantage.

Agreed Gyokeres was very Right footed but developed his left now is in every way two footed. Also improved a lot when he bulked up as he had pace, height and ability just needed to bulk up a bit

 

[shmmeee]

Disagree. BTA has a better dribbling package than Bassette who relies on his pace and strength (which is slightly undeveloped atm because he’s young) to get past players.

Look at the difference Simms made upfront yesterday compared to Bassette, who has been somewhat bullied by defenders who cut off a lot of his runs.

Bassette is an exciting project player, but he’s not ready to make a massive impact as a starter yet.

Oh I think he’s miles off. But so is BTA so I’d rather have someone younger left footed with a bit of pace than whatever BTA is.

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

Oh I think he’s miles off. But so is BTA so I’d rather have someone younger left footed with a bit of pace than whatever BTA is.

BTA needs a start against Norwich at the expense of one of; Eccles, Torp or Sheaf and I’d move Rudoni back to AM. If Sakamoto is injured, then BTA at LW and Rudoni RW.

Without EMC or Wright, there isn’t really anyone who tries to take on players. If teams double up on either of Rudoni or Sakamoto, they’ll play it safe and pass backwards, generally speaking.

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

Oh I think he’s miles off. But so is BTA so I’d rather have someone younger left footed with a bit of pace than whatever BTA is.

He’s just 25 ffs

 

[Nuskyblue]

It’s definitely confidence and lack of movement in front. Sheaf needs to be dictating play by taking it off the CBs if needed but I never understand why the CBs (or DCM) don’t carry the ball into space, attract/commit an opposition player, then pass.

It shouldn’t be left to Thomas and Lati to have so much of the ball. If this is going to be the case get Kitching in as he’s more comfortable on ball

I know, pass and move. It's pretty basic stuff, it probably doesn't help that the players are pretty static when receiving the ball.

 

[gspotgaz]

I know, pass and move. It's pretty basic stuff, it probably doesn't help that the players are pretty static when receiving the ball.

Unbelievably static and no one apart from bassette makes anything close to a dynamic run - we are so easy to defend against

 

[Nuskyblue]

Unbelievably static and no one apart from bassette makes anything close to a dynamic run - we are so easy to defend against

I'd like to see Saka come from out to in, try and create an overload. Okay a one two with someone on the edge of the box, anything other than the horseshoe pattern of play we have seen for so long.

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

Today like the vast majority of goals he’s let in, his defence sold him down the river. Even the visually impaired Mrs BSB called it once the move started

Absolutely. In an ideal world, the defence would make sure the GK has little to nothing to do in the game.

There were at least 3-5 goals in that stretch with Collins in goal where you thought a good keeper would have dealt with that.

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

Absolutely. In an ideal world, the defence would make sure the GK has little to nothing to do in the game.

There were at least 3-5 goals in that stretch with Collins in goal where you thought a good keeper would have dealt with that.

He lost his No. 1 spot at Barnsley the season before we signed him. That in itself should have been a hint.

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

Unbelievably static and no one apart from bassette makes anything close to a dynamic run - we are so easy to defend against

Simms made a lot of runs and got in behind the defence a lot more yesterday than Bassette had done the prior 2-3 games. He even made the goal. Frankly, he needs a run in the team and Bassette brought on in the second half.

I do sympathise with Bassette because he does make runs and we rarely put in the area for him (or anyone) to run onto.

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

He lost his No. 1 spot at Barnsley the season before we signed him. That in itself should have been a hint.

That was because he got injured rather than for poor form. AV probably pushed hard for that transfer because AV was ‘like a father figure’ for Collins, in his own words in his Chelsea days.

Probably the same for Da Silva and Palmer but that’s conjecture.

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

Simms made a lot of runs and got in behind the defence a lot more yesterday than Bassette had done the prior 2-3 games. He even made the goal. Frankly, he needs a run in the team and Bassette brought on in the second half.

I do sympathise with Bassette because he does make runs and we rarely put in the area for him (or anyone) to run onto.

Was guilty of not pulling the trigger in some good positions though, but he isn't alone in that in this team.

 

[Nick]

It’s a wonder he was ever dropped in the first place, heard something about his attitude being an issue. But statistically he’s been comfortably our best GK and today was a good performance from him, there wasn’t a lot he could do about the goal.

I wonder how many points were dropped because of the Collins experiment?

He was injured wasn't he?

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

He was injured wasn't he?

Not the first time he was dropped he wasn't.

 

[fatso]

Eccles mistake but we have numerous chances to stop that goal as it was 80 yards forward next to their penalty area.
Just on the subject of the “weak and poor” midfield-like people’s opinion if they still think Eccles is the best midfielder and is having a great season still?

100% the best midfielder we currently have.
Unfortunate that his one error resulted in a counter attack that cost us a goal, but Sheaf and Torp gave the ball away more frequently.

Could we do better, ..... yes, but he's been better and more consistent than the other options.

Man of the match vs Plymouth, and yet shit against Cardiff according to some on here. If only the fans were as consistent.

 

[shepardo01]

Its so blindingly obvious we need a Hamer type player. To me I’d sell Sheaf if we get an offer in for him and sign a 6 and an 8

It's easier said than done though isn't it!?!
We've been trying (by the looks of it) since Hamer went.

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

He was injured wasn't he?

Not the first time when Wilson came in for Dovin v Leeds. The second time v Sunderland was because of the ‘freak incident’.

 

[CCFCSteve]

It's easier said than done though isn't it!?!
We've been trying (by the looks of it) since Hamer went.

Exactly. Hamer is maybe the best midfielder in his position in the league. He should be playing in the prem. fans need to accept we are unlikely to find another one and as a team we need to adapt accordingly. The fact is the players we have should be doing a lot better. They have the ability but we’re just not seeing it consistently