Lazy, trash and not looking forward to the next day, these are just some of the things Cardiff City and Boxing Day have in common after Charlton draw.
As it stands, Cardiff trail the play-off places by seven points after what was a more than disappointing Boxing Day draw at the Valley.
Despite only two points from a possible twelve, Cardiff owner (Vincent Tan) who has let the Bluebirds faithful know on this Christmas holiday that the club will “not be turning team back to blue”, but insists that Cardiff “will make the play-offs” – He told BBC Radio Wales after the game.
Leaving Tan out of the question, which he is more than use to, Cardiff knew to get back into the promotion challenge, they needed to either prove what they are capable of or return home with three points by any means necessary, they did neither.
With Cardiff one goal to the good in the second period not only had something to protect, but something to build on with only ten players in front of them.
Charlton were reduced to ten men when Harriott launched into a late and high challenge on Noone and was shown a straight red card.
Red Card at the Valley
Despite the one man advantage in the Bluebirds’ favour, they only managed one shot in the second-half and allowed Charlton to complete the day with 60% of possession to their name.
To add insult to injury, Charlton grabbed what was a deserved goal in the 88th minute through Berg Gudmundsson after Sean Morrison earlier cleared an attempt from George Tucudean off the line. Is this credit to Charlton and their staff or pity upon Cardiff?
This is not the first time that the Bluebirds have been unable to perform of the levels expected when playing against ten men. Cardiff found themselves in a comfortable two goal lead at the CCS and only brought pressure upon themselves when the ten men of Reading pulled one back and could nearly of taken away a point from the CCS with Cardiff having to withheld needless and relentless pressure. Could this be a poor mental state or just a negative approach from manager Russell Slade?
Playing terrible and not picking up results with the best squad in the league. Sorry, but that’s as bad as a manager gets!
Yes, at first under Russell, it was free flowing, swift, and a joy to watch going forward in his old school 4-4-2 system. With goals coming from various of areas, much like the era under Dave Jones, but we know how that one panned out.
Now, it looks gritty while relying on set-pieces as shown via Gunnarsson’s long throw which helped Tom Adeyemi to first City goal and unlike under Mackay, it’s not getting us the results.
Adeyemi first goal v Charlton
The problems on the pitch is obviously nothing the fans can do, that’s up to Russell and the team, but even worse of a job is that they can only worry about it.
“We had total control for 35 minutes but we were disappointed with the second half as we performed so differently.” – Slade told BBC Radio Wales.
He then went on to add: “We will have to look at the mental and physical side of our game. I thought our defending was poor for much of the second half.”
Cardiff are at home to play-off contenders Watford on Sunday with a chance to make things right in the play-off hunt, otherwise, things could look a bit blue.
Article by,
Sam Hardwell
@HardwellSam
Sam Hardwell - Football Correspondent 