Alessandro

You've hit the nail on the head here for me. I've always been supporters of the Lansdown's, still am, I appreciate what they've done and their continued investment in the club. For me up until now you can't really question their commitment and I thank them for that. But you can question their actions. The list of 'mistakes' is getting longer and I feel they have, for whatever reason, become increasingly distanced from the fans, seemingly incapable of admitting fault or mistakes - and worst of all in danger of stubbornly peddling a 'narrative' that just doesn't meet with reality.

Astonishing interview. Pearson talking more like a CEO than I've heard from anyone else at this club for some time now. For me, Pearson nailing in one sentence what we've probably all known for a while now: "I think the club - and I’m not talking about the team now, I’m talking about the club - is still struggling to find the identity that it really wants" Very concerning to read, really felt behind the scenes NP, SL and JL were on the same page. This article suggests perhaps not. EDIT - Honestly, given all the hard work NP is clearly putting in day to day, JL, what are you doing? Where have you been?? Frankly, **** off.

Absolutely. The improvement and development trend is going in the right direction. Today is a bad day at the office. I've learned nothing new watching this game: 1) We have some very young but exciting players making their breakthrough season in the championship - they will have bad games. 2) We know we've got defensive weaknesses and we've seen again performances from the players in the squad who are unlikely to "take us forward". 3) We know we've lacked leadership on the pitch. Evident again today, especially with James, King out etc, the composure was quickly lost. 4) We have a few players in the team that too often "go missing" on a Saturday afternoon. All stuff Nige will know too.

Well the first half reflecting the wet and windy weather for us there. First 35 minutes or so we looked decent. Some excellent play from the back and a few good breaks at pace got us in good positions, but only ever really half chances. Chances - HNM having an excellent half pressed the Blackpool back line and did well before perhaps going down easily. COD doing the same (going down to easily) in a 1 on 1 race. Semenyo shot after super press bypassing move from the back, when Martin might have been a better option in the middle. We looked pretty well placed and in the game before a very poor 3 or 4 minutes of play. COD and Klose guilty of not getting rid and danger man Bowler sits up a cross where, again Dasilva beaten in the air at the far post by a header back across goal for a simple tap in and City are undone. Suddenly looking shaken, Dasilva (who’d be doing well getting forward, if leaving space for Hamilton to run into once or twice) being pressed seems to get mixed up with Max and a corner is conceded from which its 2 nil, Kalas out jumped by Madine. Scott good again on the whole. Generally impressed with Klose despite the poor clearance. Undone by a poor 3 minutes of defending. Tough second half ahead

Unchanged. Where is Bentley?

MOL Kalas Klose Pring Vyner Williams Massengo COD Scott Weimann Semenyo

Gutting. Frustrating. But you know what, somehow optimistic. Many positives, improvements every game. Really feel we’re going in the right direction. Individual improvements. Quality of play etc We know where we need to improve, attributes in the squad we don’t have needed in a few areas, can we do that in the market, hope so. Let’s see next summer. For now, let’s keep doing what we’re doing.

I was going to say exactly the same thing!

Wells and Williams incoming

I wanted to write more detail at HT, but that goal is absolutely gutting. MOL in no-man's land and again, City undone by a cross in weak fashion. A real sucker-punch because wow, at times, that was up there with some of the better football i've seen from City for many few years there IMO (without, albeit, creating enough chances though) Expect a bit more Luton second half and hopefully Semenyo can catch them on the break.

Without wishing to trawl over old ground, I have to agree with this: LJ tried to and did blood some youngsters and the reality is with time/hindsight, only Kelly has gone on to prove capable at this level or above. Under Pearson we have a manager willing to and capable of blooding and developing youngsters, but it's important to say it has also coincided with a) the need to use youth to bulk the squad and b) some real talent being produced from the system put in place by the club several years ago. Was it @Cowshed who was particularly vocal against the club with regards to the academy in recent seasons? (They seemed to have some personal experience through an acquaintance?) - What's your opinion currently? Genuine question.

Unfortunately you’re probably right.

Were the 2 assists not enough? The constant threat? The pace to beat all the defence to the first chance that hit the post? The strength to create the chance for the second that hit the post? Still quite surprised people can’t see the player Semenyo is turning into.

Nervy end but great win. Great determination and effort. Don’t think we were at our best today, a few under par in terms of consistent quality, but in the end 2 moments of quality get the job done as Cardiff over committed men forwards and we grew and grew into the game. Fantastic double over the Welsh rivals too. But please, please can we start defending crosses better?!

It was a mess all round. It was 3 vs 2 in our favour. HNM pressed by two players in the corner. Pring sort of watching on, COD in no-mans land. Poor HNM clearance, but neither of our extra men watching/anticipating the crosser behind. Vyner beaten so easily again in the air.

Classic Cardiff game. Low quality all round. They've done what they set out to do, disrupt us, 'injure'/deplete us, force mistakes. Game there for the winning if we play to our strengths. Tough second half awaits, but we'll have chances. I worry slightly about the lack of experience in the centre of midfield with neither King nor James. Williams may get on but that's our last sub and Wells could be needed.

If that’s still some sort of 3-5-2: Scott RWB Weimann in Scott’s hole? Bit of a shame not to have those two in the positions they’ve been effective recently, but we’ll see how things unfold. COYR’s!!!!

Without going into the debate about whether NP thought ZV vs AM was the best match up or not. I've felt for a while NP is doing exactly what you've said above - this is a manager who knows his job is pretty damn safe, knows his remit is to work with and develop what we have, with little to no expectations on league position, baring, don't go down. We've seen how he isn't afraid to throw players into matches, sink or swim scenarios. Several are responding to that, Semenyo, Scott etc. Perhaps matching him up against the division's best could well have been part of his thinking with Vyner's development last weekend. Let's see what you've got.

Given our current financial position, we've really got to start justifying every wage on our wage bill. Unless there are some major changes behind the scenes (big transfer fees, investment etc) we're potentially looking at treading water in this division for the next few seasons at best. If that is the case, we have two priorities, don't get relegated and develop/blood as much talent as possible. I think in the short/medium term, even some of the lower/mid earning players in our squad like COD are going to come under scrutiny, as I think he is a player who, to be fair, will help keep us in this division in the short term, but ultimately will he be a key part of a hypothetical future pushing promotion team in the longer term? So if he get's in the way of pathway or we could look to bring in someone with a higher potential ceiling, I can see him being moved on.

I don't like to go in on players individually too often or make sweeping statements/judgements - but O'Dowda: How long have we been waiting for him to find some consistency and finally step up and deliver? His 'highlights' are surely outweighing by his 'poorer' showings now. My only defence of him is perhaps wing-back isn't his preferred position - he's working harder at his defending but it doesn't come naturally does it, you can pin point a few too many goals this season where he is beaten for pace/muscle/speed of thought that leads to us conceding.

Not seen the game today or any highlights, but looking at the line-up, for me that team is probably defensively the weakest we’ve put out in the league this season on paper. This is where we need to strengthen if we can. Fulham are flying aren’t they. So not overly surprised. Glad Scott was played where he is best and Semenyo got 2 goals.

Probably the better of the two chances.

Thought Wells had a good game yesterday. IIRC he was subbed just as extra time started - slightly odd because we’d just had the break and he was still kitted up and on the pitch just to be subbed before ET started, so perhaps it was cramp. As for Conway, 2 decent chances for him, but credit for the run and I do think the keeper got out well (and may even have got a hand to it). The second was more of a snap shot and again IIRC he was being pulled about by the defender. Good to see him getting in good positions and getting chances, so it’s a shame but I won’t be getting overly worked up about him not scoring.

Shame. Afraid the depth in their bench and our poor finishing today proving the difference. Although it was a very soft winning goal. Should have been 1 or 2 - 0 to us after 90 though and Tommy C had 2 good chances in the first extra 15 minutes. But…..that’s a hugely encouraging performance regardless. Looking so much better in possession, out of possession and in creating chances. I hope that gives them confidence we can go to Craven Cottage and cause them some problems next week too.

All in all a decent first half. We look the much more positive and lively of the two teams, working harder to press in the middle and it’s paid off with a half that I felt like that we dominated possession for a first time in a long time. Changes from QPR were promised and came, not loads though. Scott out wide is a shame after he was so effective centrally vs QPR but HNM having another good half. I think we’re also finally seeing a fit and more effective Andy King. One benefit of Scott wide though is the good link ups with Wells whose looking lively and hungry. Martin decent, shame the excellent run and chance at the end of the half was him as had it been the pace and finishing of Wells that’s 1-0 for me. Benarous improved. Defence look good. Fulham trying to hit those channels between wide CB and full backs so we need to watch that. Good referee worth a mention, not many silly fouls given and game has flowed well. Fulham have been niggly though. Thought Bryan should have seen yellow.