For anyone who watched the draw with Cardiff, the progress we’ve made this season under Billy Davies is becoming very apparent. Too often in the past we’ve travelled back from Wales after a depressing one-sided defeat but on this occasion we fought as a side for the whole game and thoroughly deserved at least a point.
 
Considering the attacking talent currently injured (Blackstock, Earnshaw, Tyson all out), it was another impressive away performance and keeps us nicely in contention. There’s still plenty to work on in terms of final balls and concentration at the back but the improvement since last season is impressive. We continue to look very organised and tough to break down. The change in formation to 451 to accommodate Moussi alongside McKenna with Majewski getting forward seems to suit us very well when up against top opposition.
 
We started the game very brightly and should have been awarded a penalty when Anderson was tripped from behind. Anderson was a threat throughout and caused numerous problems down the left, the only problem was getting the ball to him often enough. Majewski and McGoldrick also looking prominent Cardiff struggled to cope with our passing through midfield as we looked easily the better side but too often we lacked composure in the final third and wasted the chance.
 
Anderson hit one narrowly wide when it was easier to score, Majewski’s free kick wasn’t too far wide and McGoldrick also should have done better with a couple of attempts. Garner won most things in the air but wasn’t really on the same wavelength as the others.
 
The hosts came back into the game using their direct approach to good effect. They didn’t enjoy the same amount of possession as us but caused us a few problems getting the ball forward quickly. MOTM Camp made a number of outstanding saves to keep us level especially one double save as Cardiff ran at the heart of our defence.
 
Despite one of two lapses in concentration, Morgan and Wilson did a great job of keeping their danger men quiet whilst Cohen continues to look much more assured at left back. Due to the form of our midfield, he might be struggling to get into the side elsewhere.
 
We were still re-organising from Majewski getting taken off when they enjoyed the benefit of another crucial decision again us - a borderline offside call. We got caught out and look disjointed at that moment and they took full advantage. This set-back didn’t stop us attacking and the game continued in the same pattern.
 
McGoldrick and Wilson should both have done better with chances in the closing stages as Cardiff sat back and let us dominate in midfield. McCleary had joined the action by this time and started to cause more problems running into space.
 
Cardiff sat back and thought they’d cruise through the closing stages and we made them pay for it. McGugan took advantage of some lucky deflections to hit a sweet left foot half volley past the keeper.

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Tags: MOTM Lee Camp, Games Drawn