Midlands Robin

The commentator on the red button is really talking us up. (not!!!) Don't think he's had a good word to say about us yet. He described tonights match as "as easy a fixture as Sheffield Utd would want"

Well, while my list of away days with city is pretty small, In over 30 years going down the Gate, unfortunately I can honestly say, I have never seen City win away. I've been to: (some more than once) Aston Villa Exeter Stoke Gillingham West Brom Watford Reading Sheffield Wednesday And Wembley In all of that lot the best I've seen is a 1-1 draw with Exeter in the Pizza Trophy area final second leg. I did however, once see our reserves absolutely demolish Plymouth Argyle in a mid week reserve match at Home Park sometime in the late 90's.

A meme popped up in my Facebook timeline history to remind me that the departure of Swiss Tony was announced exactly two years ago today. https://fb.watch/jTT5Yh77Ft/

Overall, it's been an enjoyable season and certainly since the turn of the year we've been great to watch. We have a style and we have some fantastic young players. We are in so much of a better place now than we were twelve months ago. The tidying up has been completed. The wage bill is down, and we are moving in the right direction both on and off the pitch. The core of the squad is made up of young, hungry and talented players who have come through our academy and are committed to the club. Yes, we will almost certainy lose Alex Scott in the summer but I wish the lad every single success. He almost certainly knows his future will be in the premier league but he's not lost his focus. I'm sure we can think of other players in the past who have had their heads turned and pretty much downed tools. Definately a season to look back on with a smile.

I expect this will be written in a number of places and no one likes to see them lose but getting a reminder that they aren't unbeatable may prove a help as it will focus a few minds. You often learn more from your mistakes.

Cracking match. Really enjoyed it. Fantastic goal for England and the shot for the disallowed second was a peach. It's just a shame that the world cup is on the other side of the world this time because the match times won't be great. In our house, we enjoy watching the England ladies more than the England men.

Similar thing happened to us against Stoke in the Auto Windscreens final in 2000. Our defence were still complaining to the Ref about the foul when Mercer was picking the ball out of the back of the net.

Thanks to Walsall's partnership with schools programme, the wife and I took our 2 kids to the Walsall v Gillingham match today for the huge sum of £10 all in. Apart from the price of the tickets the other bonus was getting a chance to have a look at Joe Low. The Gill's also have a couple of ex Gas to have a good chuckle at as well. Low started on the bench but was brought on the 53rd minute after ex-City youth player Jacob Maddox limped off. Maddox was playing on the left side of a midfield 3 at the time which required a re-jig of the Walsall line up allowing Low to slot in at CB. He's a big lad for a 21 year old and definately likes to muscle his way in defence. Not scared to stick his body in when requried. Overall, I'd say he probably isn't at the standard we'd want at the moment. His decision making seemed off which led to him almost giving the ball away and presenting the Gill's forward an open net after having a mix up with his own keeper and then later giving away a free kick right in the middle of the goal on the edge of the penalty area. As I said, he's not worried about getting stuck in but most of his clearences were hard hit balls or headers forward just to clear his lines. Donervon Daniels, Walsall's Captain and the other CB, had a far better game and it was interesting to measure the two performances alongside each other. It was noticeable that after the enforced subsitution of Maddox Gillingham came back into the game. Overall though, Walsall's goal hadn't been troubled before Low came on and still remained goal free at the end of the match. A clean sheet is a clean sheet.

I've seen more grappling by Luton players than a Saturday Afternoon in the 80's on World of Sport

Lockyer is a dirty ******. Just think, there's a chance he could be in the Premier League next season. WTF!!!

What a reaction save from Max.

I think not only do we have a new kit tonight, they've also given the players trampolines for boots. Luton should have been at least 2 up this half. They look really well drilled and we just aren't at the races so far.

Lots of legs being left in on tackles here. Very scrappy. The Ref may be reaching for cards before too long.

Its definitely been a case of "after the Lord Mayor's show" for us. Its Al the more dissapointing as it had to be against the sheep shaggers when our run came to an end. Clearly the biggest problem is not the loss of points but the loss of two key players. We can hope and pray both injuries are nothing serious but we all know our luck when it comes to the physio's room. We've now got three games in the next 11 days and a paper thin squad. Cardiff were well organised today and it's a shame that our much publicised attacking talent really struggled against a solid back 5 and conceded far too much ground in midfield. The trick is now to minimise the damage. Try and freshen things up and go again.

Kalas

15 minutes in may have been a bit early to agree with you but you certainly couldn't argue against it now. Definitely not a great game.

Well that's some shite luck. Two key players injured.... Awwww bollocks and now 2 down.

It's fantastic watching players like Scott turn the Cardiff defenders inside and out but when their final ball is poor it's a waste of time. We've just not really fired it in the box so far.

**** **** ****

Three really good attacks in the first 5 minutes of the second half but we have to score we can't waste these opportunities.

Average first half. We are really struggling to break down their back five. We've had nothing down our left and Williams going off has not helped. Cam Pring my Mom so far. Second half we could really do with Wells on and we need to go at them from both wings. In the centre of midfield we've not been pressing them hard enough. Most of their attacks have come from the middle of the park normally after one of their players has fallen over and been awarded a free kick. The Cider'eds are in great voice. I don't think the Diff fans have made any noise at all. Seems like quite a flat atmosphere.

Early days yet and with Cardiff playing 5 at the back he's got far less space.

Superb tracking back by Kalas there. Playing some great stuff so far but just need to watch Cardiff on the break.

What a cross.