19.08.2014
Cardiff City 1 Wigan Athletic (a big fat) zero.
Closed down with grit, pace and attitude. Good vision going
forward, tight at the back, controlled midfield, the majority of the possession,
the majority of shots on target. Promotion contenders without a doubt.
Enough about Wigan.
We beat them because we were just about a bit smarter, a
little more savvy, and wanted it more.
All the features missing in Solskjaer’s dismal team of last year
were present in spades, or buckets or maybe present in buckets and spades. All
this despite having a couple of new players still finding where they fit.
Morrison played like he had lived with Connolly all his
life, knowing which toothpaste he uses, how he likes his lasagne cooked and
what his favourite movies are. It is a partnership that must be first choice. With
Hudson, Cala and Turner in the squad, Solskjaer could look at his three man
defence with greater confidence.
Pilkington came on like a man desperate to make an
impression with supporters worried sick at the lack of attacking penetration from
the home side. With Noone still in the sick room being fed grapes and
chocolates by sexy nurses in short dresses we desperately needed a winger.
Daehli is brilliant, a star, but not a winger. If he continues to play as he
did on his debut Pilkington will help keep us near the top.
Pilkington actually began a dialogue with the full backs. He
and Brayford looking to see what the other wanted. They could become as famous
as Morecambe and Wise, Frankenstein and the Wolfman, Batman and Robin …well ok
you get the picture. It’s gonna work!
Make no mistake, Wigan maybe floating near the bottom of the
division but they won’t be at the end of the season. This was a good victory
over a side who will probably be in the play offs.
Man of the Match. Fabio. A fabulous athlete, stunning skills,
phenomenal work rate. He maybe the only man in the championship who can keep
the talented Declan John warming the subs bench. Somehow the management team at
Cardiff have focused what was often a deranged, headless chicken performance to
one that may put him in a Brazilian shirt – well he is better than either full
backs or half backs that Brazil offered up in the World Cup.
And talking of the management sorting out players whose
defects appeared to outnumber their attributes. Who the hell is this new
Kenwynne jones? Who is this guy who is out there tackling, chasing, harrying,
crossing, (what? Yes, crossing!). Can’t be the same anonymous guy from last
season surely? This Kenwynne Jones could become a fan’s legend. Another
wonderful, telling display.
Was I the only one worried when we locked down the 1-0 lead
a la Mourinho? Solskjaer again got it right. His well-organised players can
kill the game when necessary.
BTW I pat the back of every player out there. A good team
performance and the sort of performance that continues to give us hope.
One final bit of mindless optimism. This feels like a team
still finding their way. Passes were spilled, the ball lost and at times they
were a bit clueless when heading forward. We will get better.
They have clearly worked hard in close season and the
results so far make it all worthwhile.
Hilarious! Brilliantly written comic prose masquerading as a football report. If only all sportswriters could write with your turn of comedic phrase!
ReplyDeleteYou're right about Daehli, Fabio and Jones. At the rate Daehli Is developing, United will soon regret letting him go!
Thank you for the kind words.
ReplyDeleteYou are right about Daehli. He didn't look as if he had woken up for the Wigan match but his class will be a major factor in any success we have this season