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Cardiff City 0 v 1 Bristol City
SkyBet Championship
Friday, 6th November 2020 Kick-off 18:00

Voting was locked for this match at midnight on Saturday 7th November but you may still add your mini match reports. Note that members and non-members alike were able to vote.


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Your Cardiff City v Bristol City Match Reports

cbower added 19:12 - Oct 26

Back from the game and whilst overall a draw was probably fair, Bolton were there for the taking and we just don't seem to have that killer instinct in away games. So far this season I have been to Birmingham, Wigan, Derby, Sheff Weds and Bolton. We have four points from those performances and we could conceivably have won each one of them. As it is, this inability to take all three, whilst frustrating, is being based on solid foundations.

An unchanged line-up from McCarthy and whilst we were treated to a song from the Fijian Rugby squad before the game, our own singers made their feelings towards the Irish FA clear with a hands off message to the men from the Emerald Isle.

The game was slow to get going and whilst both sides had openings, a lobbed effort onto the roof of the Town goal was about as close as the Trotters would come and some neat play down the right put Anderson in but he struck straight at Lonegran before Tunnicliffe missed a glorious opportunity to open his Town account, hit the keeper from a few yards out after good work from Murphy to flash the ball across the goal. The on-loan youngster really should have scored and the travelling faithful could barely believe he hadn't. The Trotters, despite some impressive names both on the pitch and on the bench, were disjointed and Town played the better football but rarely threatened to make the breakthrough. A few crosses from the home team caused some Town nerves but the half time highlights consisted of little more than half chances.

Bolton were a little brighter at the start of the second period and a spell of corners saw Mills head powerfully over. Gerken was forced to tip over a 20 yard effort for a corner before Murphy bundled his way into the area whilst showing good strength but his effort was deflected narrowly wide. From the corner, Smith headed downwards and goalwards but it was easily cleared. McGoldrick dragged a shot wide and another Murphy effort lobbed onto the roof of the net. Poor tippy-tappy passing on the half way line by Town saw possession needlessly given away and with Smith and Cresswell out of position, Berra took one for the team, fouling on the edge of the box with the home striker about to shoot. From the free-kick, the Trotters would take the lead on 65 minutes as the ball curled over the wall and into the goal via a quite firm but unsuccessful touch by Gerken. Mick seemed poised to make substitutions a few minutes later with both Nouble and Tabb stripped for action for several minutes. On 73, McGlodrick struck a shot goalward but the was blocked and looped back to him on the edge of the area. Quickly adjusting his feet, the former Forest man volleyed left footed beyond the diving Lonegran for the equaliser. McGlodrick, racing towards the Town fans, looked ecstatic to have broken his away duck and the game was there for the taking. Mick made the substitutions straight after the goal, Nouble replacing Murphy and Tabb coming on for Hyam. Tunnicliffe moved into the centre and Tabb went wide left. Nouble showed pace and strength down the right to put in a great cross but no-one could get on the end of it. McGoldrick had an opportunity from another cross but he was unable to adjust himself quick enough and the ball bounced off him into the keeper's grasp. I felt we had the upper hand but the home side were still in the game as it entered the final few minutes. Edwards replaced Anderson and it become obvious that Mick had settled for another away point and was not going to risk defeat in search of all three.

Not a great game but the foundations of a decent team are there. Some genuine width and a bit of creativity with a more consistent foil for David McGoldrick is all that is lacking.

Some comments on the players:
Gerken -a few decent stops and an adequate performance
Chambers - whole hearted. Not at his best at right back and sometimes exposed by Anderson
Cresswell - played as poorly as I have seen for some time. His distribution was lacking at times
Smith - solid. Both he and Berra seemed to struggle at times judging high balls in the wind but Tommy did his job
Berra - like him the more I see him
Anderson - yet to see what this guy really offers. Width? - not really. Pace? - nope. Effort? - yes. A decent corner? - sometimes. Not enough for me though.
Skuse -he is good quality at this level. One long range effort over the keeper in the first half. Strong in the tackle and a neat, short range passer
Hyam - like Skuse but not quite as good. For the first 20, the game passed him by a bit,
Tunnicliffe - not at his best today. How he missed - god knows!
Murphy - one of Murphs better games. Lots of high ball won. He was decent today
McGoldrick - great strike and some neat touches. The goal aside, I might have taken him off five minutes earlier!!!
Tabb - gave a little extra energy to the cause
Nouble - usually very critical of Frank but he did fine today - getting in a few decent ball and laying it off a couple of time quite effectively
Edwards - nothing much to report - only touched the ball three or four times.

Hope those of you who couldn't go get something from this long post
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azulyblanco added 20:05 - Oct 26

Due to travel and living in Cheshire, I attended my first Town game for over a year (last one was against Doncaster (0-6!) and cbower and MM summed-up the game correctly - not a great game and from a personal viewpoint; whilst a tedious game to watch, Town were the better side and created more goal scoring opportunities.

Overall, two average teams that lacked creativity and ability to retain the ball and move forward as a cohesive unit. Town hit too many long balls from defence that were immediately returned with the same end result from our hosts.

We should have the ability to construct moves from the back, but we seem to often to revert to the 'route one', but Bolton played the same style and I guess the onus is on both teams to produced a watchable game.

Agree with cbower's individual ratings; - thought Tabb's arrival gave a better balance to the midfield - more width and better passing game and Nouble added energy and pace to the front line and for me, he made a positive difference.

Please understand this is my first post match report and as I have only attended two games in over a year, I trust and hope that I am not seen as being too negative - we got a point!!
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slowerball added 20:34 - Oct 26

As always, a comprehensive and fair reflection of the match from cbower.

This wasn't a great game. They both looked like ordinary sides today, passes went astray, movement was poor, chances were few and far between, there were silly freekicks and Ipswich too often passed in little triangles without really getting anywhere.

Bolton looked a poor side, lacking in confidence and took the lead via a well hit freekick on the edge of the box. We gave away the ball after some more tippy-tappy, narrow play and lost possession due to an error. They broke, foul on the edge of the box. Frustrating.

The equaliser came after a second bite of the cherry for McGoldrick.

Tunnicliffe's chance aside, we didn't create too much and I don't think I'm being too informative if I say we do not score enough goals. Again, boot down to Murphy, or later in the game Frank, seemed to be plan A.

I've seen Mick's comments and it's disappointing to be honest. A point away against a poor Bolton side, there for the taking, isn't good enough for me. These are games we need to win. We had a throw with maybe a minute of the additional time to go - everyone was urging Smith & Berra, or even Chambers (who got plenty of stick from the Bolton fans in the first half) to go up, big throw into the mixer... but no; we lost the ball they broke, so we were again on the back foot - far too defensive at that stage. I really think we need to go forward and try and win games almost as a form of defence. Without wins away from home we will not, and won't deserve, to get into the play-offs.

Players... Gerken made one very decent save and his kicking was good. I'd like to see him make earlier decisions, there were times when he should have been quicker and come for the ball, but chose to stay... Berra played well, Smith was okay. Cresswell had a bit of a shocker today, Chambers was alright. Tunnicliffe didn't have a great game, with Skuse once again better than Hyam - no change there. Anderson needed to do more and I think Wordsworth must consider himself unlucky to be not getting a sniff. Murphy got his head to plenty and needed to show more conviction with the one or two chances he had. McGoldrick scored and was okay. Tabb I thought showed a lot when he came on and did well (is it me, or does he run just like Mick Mills?). Big Frank - who doesn't get much of a chance, 10 mins here, 5 mins there, did well when he came on. The introduction of Edwards perhaps should have come earlier.

An away point may seem okay, but - once again - I don't think it is. We need to remain solid, albeit we had our moments at the back today, but we need to show desire to win games and need to score more goals.

Hope this adds some further understanding of what happened, or maybe what didn't happen today.
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Mullet added 20:43 - Oct 26

An unchanged Town side lined up against Bolton's struggling galaxy of stars on a pitch which looked immaculate, but was as leaden as the sky above in a half full Reebok. The biblical rain had meant the first half was 40 minutes of wandering for a Town side as their fans wondered at the lacklustre display before them in the first half.

Bolton had a battery of attacking options but neither side had much of a spark. A woeful Cresswell failed to be a roadblock for the always impressive nomad Danns. Racking up miles on and off the pitch the right winger had the best of it near and far from the chalk. An early cross was deflected for a throw from a diving Smith early on, it could easily have careered goal-wards. The cornrows also whipped minutes later as a header unchallenged allowed Beckford a spectacular bicycle kick onto the roof of the net as Town looked on.

However while the Trotters dragged Town into a game on the hoof more often than not, the first half yielded very little for either side. Town often constricted themselves with tip-tap passes, but had some territory and possession. Anderson proved our irregular pulse in a stop-start half.

A neat Skuse chip to McG was played into the winger's path for an early and impressive move to little avail as Town were pushed wide. As the home side looked to drop in behind Town's backline the lanky Ngog seemed afraid of the dark. Leaving so much daylight between himself and any marker he nearly gave the lino a case of RSI. Beckford looked far more threatening, his thighs taped like nipples in a marathon while his running challenged Town but often looked undisciplined as he fired high and wide often.

Town had the clearer chances. Former target Lonergan proved a long barrier as he dived across his six yard box, chasing a neat pass from Hyam into the feet of Tunners who waited a second too long and was denied from close range. Likewise MOTM Anderson had a cross/shot punched away from similar range not long after.

A dull first half saw Skuse typically fire ferociously from distance, but his shot like much of his game was half as effective as usual as he did the work of two men. Hyam looked under pressure and weak as often passes were played immediately back to the man who had given it to him. His one audacious effort was wasted midway through the opening 45.

Town looked to be stalling and devoid of ideas as the whistle came for the interval. Gerken and the centre backs managed to steer us away from calamity in a game where disaster should have been far away from our minds.

The second half started where the first left off. Town were out very early as Mick clearly continued this week's theme of having little to say. A second half revival of total football was nowhere in sight as Town and Bolton scrapped with little to show for it.

Switching Danns to the left they let their Korean Lee run into the room Cresswell left. A vicious drive dipped onto the strong palm of Gerken and over the bar in impressive fashion. The wideman made easy work of the far from dogged defending down a left side that was far from right today.

A neat knockdown from Murphy set McG free with an onrushing chase from 4 defenders but clear ground between him and his pursuers wasn't enough. A disappointing shot was understandable. He went solo for that yard too far. Likewise Town seemed to struggle when Bolton were in the mood to push. The break in dull football came when Berra was forced to hack down an onrushing striker.

Hyam sold Skuse short on the midpoint and as he crashed to the floor, the Trotters stampeded forward. Kicking his man into the air I feared red would greet such bullishness from the Scot. Instead a caution and a freekick in dangerous territory.

I blame Snr and his maudlin “they'll score from this” as the ball was placed just outside the box. Medo duly delivered. The diamond from Sierra Leone hit an effort from the deadball which looked to kill off Town. Bent beautifully past Gerken in admirable fashion, it looked to sink us in one stroke. The travelling fans who only stirred to remind the FAI once again that Mick was still ours seemed palpably despondent at going a goal behind.

Town were as industrial as my language as the game closed out in the final half hour. Murphy was unlucky not to score when he turned defenders with both feet only to see the American yank his shot out of the air with a lazy deflection.

The hosts' defence seemed a real weak spot as there was little to be jealous of in backline including Mills and Ream. Town got back into the game through McG. Had he scored away before today? I know not. What I do know is he made sure of it today.

Finding Anderson with a neat pass out wide, the winger angled a cross which found his provider. The striker saw his first shot with his right go wrong as it was blocked. His left foot picked out a blocked shot from Cole and despatched it as Town stamped a rare bit of quality upon the game.

Soon after a double sub of Nouble and Tabb for the weary Murphy and worrying Hyam yielded better football. The subs combined to allow the diminutive winger a cross which was cut out dramatically. As Bolton pulled Town back down into a scrap the changes looked to run rings around them.

I'm not sure if Frank has lost his directions to Aqua8 but he looked far hungrier today than he has for weeks. Power, pace and a little directness summed up a game where he sought refuge in the corner as Town looked to protect rather than protract proceedings. He did however drag Baptiste into deep water every time he got the chance to push the left back.

The young forward worked the channels as Tunners now central picked up the slack in our middle. Town were lively but unlikely to break the deadlock as the hosts enjoyed better territory in the final throes. Town looked much better for a brief time. It was a case in point to drop the home town favourite in favour of better shape across the middle, but appearances can deceive as the winner never came.

Speculation might point to the players losing their momentum under intense pressure from tabloids and bookmakers alike. However if our worst performance under Mick can yield a point, perhaps there is little to be worried about.
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unstableblue added 16:38 - Oct 30

Better late than never?!

So a long trip to the Reebok for 3 Town fans, 4 tickets bought on the turnstile after hooking up with a local friend (not Bolton fan).

I've been to the Reebok many times, often to non- Town games, and I have to say it has grown on me. It suffers from being in a pretty exposed and windswept spot, isolated in a huge car park surrounded by retail outlets and Frankie and Benny type eateries. But the pitch and views are immaculate, the club shop and signage and state of the place scream of a higher level than Ipswich. And on the few occasions the home crowd got going their chants were held inside quite nicely.

Having visited Reading, Bolton and Spurs this season (the latter creaking at the seams) I do think that the Ipswich match day experience, catering, promotions for upcoming games, etc., just the look and feel of the place, is a little downbeat and amateurish. The feel of a company that has not basked in the glow and media attention of the Premiership for some time.

One did note Saturday the massive UV light banks that are clearly used to create a playing surface that looks better than Ipswich, which is some feat.

15K plus there, with I would say 600 Town fans, who for me were the most subdued away Blue Army I have witnessed for some years. Is it the 'sitting back' attitude on display? or the long run since 3 points were taken? who knows. But there was certainly not much vocal encouragement for the team, which was disappointing. Albeit our goal was celebrated with gusto, followed by a few White Stripe 'GOAL David MCgoldricks' before retreating into silence, mixed with mutterings about Murphy, Hyam, Nouble and our lack of pace and creativity.

So to the game and the performance. Do you know what I was unsure of big Mick's appointment, but for me this was a decent passing and defensive performance with shape, against a Bolton team that has some quality, their Korean standing out as one of the better opposition players we have seen. But to be negative for a moment, Bolton, despite having the ability to send players down the channels and play the ball into space, were nervous and did not really threaten. I think if Town had just upped the tempo, created a few sustained passages of attacking play, we should have taken 3 points. A draw in the end was fair. Albeit Tunnicliffe and Anderson spurned 2 glorious chances. Tunnicliffe has to score his. If he is going to become a Premiership class Man U player then those on the D slot-ins from a low cross have to be scored. Its not just about hitting the target, you have to also place to be certain. This is the not the first time this season 'Tunners' has failed in this way.

Having said that Tunnicliffe is fast becoming a first name and key player on the team sheet. That's a slight worry for me, as if he does leave in January - certainly this would be hastened if Mick was to leave - then he'd leave a big hole. We are relying on him and Cresswell way too much for our creativity. Skuse was really good at Bolton, he looks very classy on the ball, and also puts in some tackles. But there is almost zero penetrating ball from him. Hyam showed all that is good about him, with some tremendous tackles and closing down, but he wasted 3 good chances to play better balls forward, over or underhit. Tunnicliffe in the middle and Tabb on the left made a big difference to our play. And we provided a good period of pressure in the second half with that new formation. Perhaps we'll see Tabb in again on Friday night. Hard on Luke, but the team needs freshening.

Murphy is frustrating - when he switches on, with occasional good flicks, and holding of the ball by backing into the defender, or driving into the box, he is unplayable. He really is. But this is 20% of his contribution, if that. And he is just not threatening enough. McGoldrick's touch and ability to get himself space is sublime. But he is desperately lacking better support and a foil. Again Anderson is running at 40% effectiveness. When he does get a cross in they're really rather good. But he isn't able to beat a man in my view, and is often muscled out. Can we play Taylor in his place? or is the former Bristol City man going to click? I am not sure Mick will replace Taylor with Murphy as Murphy gives a head to lump to. But its almost not worthy mentioning - as its so bloody obvious - that when we go long the ball just comes back. We need better balls into the wide positions and channel - Murphs and McGoldrick are too narrow. Our neutral friend spotted this immediately - and when Anderson, or indeed the fired up Tabb, did go to the flags he ranted at why hadn't town done this earlier.

As to Nouble - well funnily enough he was the talk of our section of the away end, such was the excess of negative views on his introduction, and beforehand about his ability. I actually thought it was one of his better performances. He controlled the ball well a couple of times, put pressure on the shoulder of defenders and won a header. Yes its all relative, and a January spend on a striker is essential, but credit to Frank it wasn't the falling over debacles of recent times.

So to the defence. Smith and Berra were feckin majestic. Quality players indeed. Cresswell was so-so, didnt get forward, got skinned twice I think. But did enough. I would slate our Captain, Chambers, due to lack of a right back's core skills - pace, awareness, seeing people to the wings - but he made some superb (and sometimes last ditch) tackles that he has to be respected. Gerken tipped a shot over the bar and was OK. Still think we need a right full back - and why not give Hewitt who looked so promising prior to his mistakes a go?

So to conclude - disappointing away singing, disappointing that we didn't seem to have the fight and drive to go for the win, but by no means a terrible away performance and its a point. However, not gaining 3 points at home to Barnsley and the recent form looks decidedly dodgy - not helped by the lack of clarity on our managers future. I have a feeling Mick may tweak the team, we could see Taylor, and I am predicting 3 points and a good performance. COYFB.
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