Bluebirds flying high (Written for The Observer, 13 August 2006)
Cardiff 2 - 0 Coventry
On a gloomy Saturday afternoon at Ninian Park, there were glimpses of sunshine. The football proved much the same. Regardless, the home fans found a spring in their step, buoyed by a pertinacious score draw with the much-fancied WBA earlier in the week.
Last year Cardiff finished a disappointing 11th. After relinquishing and replacing, they look, on paper at least, a better team this term. New signing Michael Chopra’s 79 minute strike accounted for visitors Coventry, and elevated them to joint second on points in the Championship, with seven from a possible nine. ‘We’re one point better than our target after three games’, manager David Jones admitted.
If things continue as they are, Jones’s and Cardiff’s lofty ambitions may bear fruit. For the first time in over 20 years many believe that this season a Welsh team, through Cardiff, have the best chance to join football’s top table.
‘I feel there are exciting times ahead, in every department’, Jones said. ‘Everyone at this football club seems to be rowing the same way.’ Cardiff’s fans can sense this. They are fanatical - tattoos or Bluebird stud-earrings are embossed on a typical fan’s body - because to them it’s more than Cardiff City; It’s Wales against England.
Coventry manager Micky Adams admitted, ‘At the best of times it’s intimidating at Cardiff.’ His team created the majority of chances, but the strike force of Stern John and Dele Adebola were less than clinical in front of goal. John had four shots that were skewed wide or ballooned, and Adebola, while strong, was cumbersome. Futher, the highly-rated Gary McSheffrey was largely absent.
‘I’m absolutely gutted’, Adams said, hinting not only his disappointment at the team’s woeful finishing, but also at Cardiff’s ordinariness. ‘We created the better chances in open play, and we are just lacking a little cutting edge in the final third.’ Adams’s game plan had been wrecked by two injuries in the first 18 minutes - David McNamee was replaced by Adam Virgo, who in turn was injured. A defensive reshuffle did not help Coventry’s organisation or shape.
Although Cardiff’s performance lacked width and style, the result was inspirational. Their gritty win was epitomised by new-boy Kevin McNaughton, who crunched into every challenge with precision. The lively and quick Michael Chopra sprung the Coventry off-side trap with 11 minutes remaining. Young left-winger Joe Ledley spotted the newcomer, and whipped in an inviting cross which Chopra swept in with aplomb.
If Jason Koumas were playing alongside someone as pacy and clever as Chopra, Cardiff would pose more of an attacking threat, as is the belief of the fans. Until his on-off transfer is resolved, Cardiff will have to make do with Stephen McPhail’s ostentatious talents. However, if they keep winning the fans won’t care.
Cardiff 2 - 0 Coventry
On a gloomy Saturday afternoon at Ninian Park, there were glimpses of sunshine. The football proved much the same. Regardless, the home fans found a spring in their step, buoyed by a pertinacious score draw with the much-fancied WBA earlier in the week.
Last year Cardiff finished a disappointing 11th. After relinquishing and replacing, they look, on paper at least, a better team this term. New signing Michael Chopra’s 79 minute strike accounted for visitors Coventry, and elevated them to joint second on points in the Championship, with seven from a possible nine. ‘We’re one point better than our target after three games’, manager David Jones admitted.
If things continue as they are, Jones’s and Cardiff’s lofty ambitions may bear fruit. For the first time in over 20 years many believe that this season a Welsh team, through Cardiff, have the best chance to join football’s top table.
‘I feel there are exciting times ahead, in every department’, Jones said. ‘Everyone at this football club seems to be rowing the same way.’ Cardiff’s fans can sense this. They are fanatical - tattoos or Bluebird stud-earrings are embossed on a typical fan’s body - because to them it’s more than Cardiff City; It’s Wales against England.
Coventry manager Micky Adams admitted, ‘At the best of times it’s intimidating at Cardiff.’ His team created the majority of chances, but the strike force of Stern John and Dele Adebola were less than clinical in front of goal. John had four shots that were skewed wide or ballooned, and Adebola, while strong, was cumbersome. Futher, the highly-rated Gary McSheffrey was largely absent.
‘I’m absolutely gutted’, Adams said, hinting not only his disappointment at the team’s woeful finishing, but also at Cardiff’s ordinariness. ‘We created the better chances in open play, and we are just lacking a little cutting edge in the final third.’ Adams’s game plan had been wrecked by two injuries in the first 18 minutes - David McNamee was replaced by Adam Virgo, who in turn was injured. A defensive reshuffle did not help Coventry’s organisation or shape.
Although Cardiff’s performance lacked width and style, the result was inspirational. Their gritty win was epitomised by new-boy Kevin McNaughton, who crunched into every challenge with precision. The lively and quick Michael Chopra sprung the Coventry off-side trap with 11 minutes remaining. Young left-winger Joe Ledley spotted the newcomer, and whipped in an inviting cross which Chopra swept in with aplomb.
If Jason Koumas were playing alongside someone as pacy and clever as Chopra, Cardiff would pose more of an attacking threat, as is the belief of the fans. Until his on-off transfer is resolved, Cardiff will have to make do with Stephen McPhail’s ostentatious talents. However, if they keep winning the fans won’t care.
Labels: Cardiff, Championship, Coventry, football
