My ratings/thoughts on today.

Only players who looked half decent today were Dublin (7) for his constant organisation of our defence and pretty much acting as onfield manager, bellowing instructions throughout, Brown (7.5), who worked his arse off as always and nearly got the goal he deserves in the final minute - won a lot of good flick ons too but sadly Cureton got on to about one of em, and Lappin (7) for some quality set piece deliveries and his well take goal.

Marshall (6) had NOTHING to do except for the two goals.

Doherty (6.5) was OK today, still needs to play it simple though and let others try the long balls, because if he tries any cross field ball at best it involves the player who's on the end of it struggling to make it, keeping the ball in, and giving away possession. But he was no worse today than others. Still worried as hell whenever he has the ball though or is called upon to do something.

Otsemobor (6.5) stopped coming forward as much after the first 25mins, which is just about when our whole team decided we'd be kind and give Cardiff 65minutes to win the game. Great crosses but just don't understand why he stopped overlapping as it worked well first 25.

Drury (6.5) - OK and got forward a BIT.

Russell (5.5) - Every time the ball came to him today he seemed to miscontrol it and it ended up at hip height so others took it off him. Not his best of games and really never got going.

Brellier - (6) - Bit better than last week but still can't believe this is all he has to give. Still quite slow in reacting to players runs and picking people up from throw ins or corners, but did make some decent interceptions.

Cureton - What worries me with him is that in all games I've seen him in he's been completely non existant for the best part of 80mins or more. YES i know it's down to our service to him but something needs to change up front. I just dont think Brown and Cureton work together.

Hucks - (6.5) - Came on after 70mins and had 2 chances instantly to deliver decent balls in. Helped us look more creative, so what do we do? We then pretty much stop passing to him at all after about the 75th min. Clever tactic that....

Croft (6) - Not really long enough to do anything at all.

Overally I think we basically lost the game ourselves today. Cardiff were nothing more than average at best and other than their two goals I can only remember one other chance in each half. Hitting post in 2nd half and a blocked shot in the first that went wide.

Something needs to change. We have a decent set of players but something within the mix of them just isn't working right now. I For the first 25mins I thought we'd turned a corner in looking more attack minded, but after that I never really believed we were going to score at all until Hucks came on.

YES they need time to gel, but right now I can't see us finishing any better than mid table - 12th-15th or so.

Posted By: CityForLife, Sep 1, 18:21:38