That’s more like it! Yesterday, Hull beat Cardiff 1-3 at the Cardiff City Stadium and my brother and I were there to witness it with less than 900 other dedicated City fans. It was a 500 mile round trip, which meant I had to be up at 5am, and with the current form we are in at the moment, I instantly regretted my decision once I stepped onto the coach. Thankfully, the team in business turned up today and it resulted in a decent trip to the Capital of Wales.
It was an enjoyable game of football to watch and it was very one-sided, with The Tigers beginning to realise how crucial these remaining matches are. I know I stated in my last report that we have blown the playoffs, but realistically, we have a game in hand, which if we win, we’ll be back in the mixer. But, we just have to apply this attitude in this match into the final 6 games. We also have to rely on the teams above us to slip up.
Rosenior made two changes to the starting eleven that lost to Leeds on Easter Monday, replacing the injured Lewie Coyle and Ryan Giles with Matty Jacob and Jacob Greaves, who is back from a two game ban. That meant we lined up in a 4-4-2 formation as follows: Ryan Allsop, formerly of the Cardiff parish, betwixt the sticks; Matty Jacob, Jacob Greaves, Alfie Jones and Regan Slater (also playing a midfield role) as the back four; Jean Seri and Tyler Morton in the middle, with Jaden Philogene and Omur either side on the flanks and that leaves Ozan Tufan and Fabio-lous Carvalho up top.
From the off, we were in control and it was not difficult to see who was up for it more: we were energetic; pressing high; forcing mistakes and keeping the ball without giving it away. We also played some incredible football out from the back and got it forward without faffing with it. Albeit, we did not test Horvath, their keeper, until after the 20 minute mark when Omur had two great shots on target, one of which was denied by the keeper and the other by the post.
This struck a spark in the team and we began to turn up the gas, which could have happened earlier; thus, we drew first blood, in the 32nd minute. A fantastic ball in by Omur from a corner was flicked back by Turnbull, which fell nicely for an onrushing Carvalho, who volleyed it into the back of the net. A lovely goal and what a pivotal signing he is; his energy levels and ability to score goals is something we have been lacking this season.
The Bluebirds came out of their shell and had a good 10 minute spell, but despite a ball across the frame of goal, which was cleared by us, a shot that rifled over the bar and a couple of corners, which did not cause any danger, we were able to hold them off. Henceforth, this was rewarded towards the latter stage of the first half in the 44th minute, when we bagged our second goal of the afternoon. Five quick and effective passes from the back allowed us to break up Cardiff and catch them lacking, which allowed Tufan to cleverly thread the ball through their back line to Carvalho, who took one look and placed it in the left-hand corner.
This was unusual to see from us–two nil up in the first half. I have seldom seen that this season, especially away from home. Admittedly, the first half was a walk in the park for us as the home side were not putting up a fight.
It was the hosts who came out of the stops quicker than us and they were able to reduce the deficit after 12 minutes of play, in the 57th minute; Collins spotted a darting run by Grant, who cut in on the right of the box and let rip, which creeped into the far-left corner of the goal. Some hope for the Cardiff fans, but that did not last long as we regained our two goal cushion just before the hour mark; Cardiff were awarded a free-kick in their own half and they tried to play it quick, however, the receiver, Phillips, was too busy barking orders at his players and the ball went behind him, which was picked up by a sprinting Philogene who drove into the box and placed it in the net.
We continued to press for goals and they were putting on an incredible performance. Omur, the man of the match, had an amazing chance to increase our advantage after he ran into the box and tried to bend it into the left-hand side of the goal, but, yet again, it was denied by the woodworks. We had an even better chance to make it four towards the closing stages of the game; Christie cleared the ball towards Philogene on the halfway line and he was able to beat his man and drive freely towards goal with Seri to his right, however, in lieu of squaring it to him, he somehow puts it over the bar. Fortunately, we were 1-3 up, but there will be some annoyance within the team that we did not put the game to bed.
At the end of a long day, I am glad I made the choice to make the trip down to Wales, but that will probably have to be the end of long journeys (Watford and Plymouth) unless we win our next two home games and put ourselves back in the fight for playoffs. Hopefully, I can do Coventry, which is a must win game, but before that we have two home games against Middlesborough, who have suddenly crept above us on goal difference, and QPR. Let’s hope The Tigers can claw their way back into it.