Missed Opportunity for Hopeful Bluebirds
Following a summer which saw no fewer than 15 new signings come through the doors, this season always looked like being something of a transitional one for Cardiff City and manager Steve Morrison.
The season did however start in positive enough fashion for the Bluebirds with a narrow success over one of the favourites for promotion, Norwich City, on the opening day. Perhaps Cardiff would be hitting the sports news headlines for all the right reasons this season.
It was back down to earth in game two for the Cardiff City Stadium faithful with a disappointing result and performance in a 2-1 defeat at Reading. That short sequence of results is likely a sign of what lies ahead for Cardiff. Fans assessing the list of betting sites for the latest odds will find Cardiff around double the price to be promoted as they are for relegation.
Squad Players Handed Chance to Shine in Carabao Cup
On the back of that disappointment in the Thames Valley, Cardiff were handed a break from the league with a home clash against League 1 outfit Portsmouth in the Carabao Cup. An ideal opportunity for Steve Morrison to assess his options by taking a look at his squad players.
Morrison certainly seized that chance in making 10 changes to the side which lost at Reading, handing debuts to three of his summer signings. A great chance to make a real impact and push for a starting spot for the upcoming home clash with Birmingham City. But could anyone grasp the opportunity?
Humbled at Home
One look at a final score-line of Cardiff City 0 – 3 Portsmouth effectively answers that question. The players may have changed, but many of the lingering issues remained the same. Cardiff were decent on the ball, registering close to 67% of possession over the 90 minutes. However, a total of just one shot on target for all that control of the game exposed a real lack of ingenuity and cutting edge in the final third.
However, the major problems lay at the other end of the pitch. Going in goalless at the break, the Cardiff backline capitulated in worrying fashion after the interval. Portsmouth’s first coming from the host’s inability to clear their lines when under no real pressure, their second from a clumsy foul inside the area, and their third when failing to pick up their men at a corner kick – all basic errors which will need to be eradicated, and quickly, if the club from the capital are to enjoy a productive season.
Back to the Drawing Board
Fans probably shouldn’t get too downhearted just yet. It is after all still early days for a squad which has undergone a pretty major overhaul. It will be interesting to see the line-up for Saturday’s clash with Birmingham. Morrison summing up the situation when stating “No-one can sit there and say ‘I should be playing,”, referring not only to those who played against Portsmouth, but also to the starting eleven versus Reading.