STALEMATE AT THE CCS
- ccfcinsider
- Oct 13, 2023
- 3 min read
Cardiff City and Watford shared the points in a game that lacked real quality as the CCS.
Cardiff dominated the first half an hour and reaped the rewards as Mark McGuinness put The Bluebirds in front after 26 minutes.
Some sloppy play from Perry Ng saw Bayo round Alnwick, however, the keeper made it back in time to stop the Ivorian. Watford looked like they were about to score an equaliser, but Yaser Asprilla seemingly cleared it off The Bluebirds line, meaning Cardiff went into the half in the lead.
Cardiff continued sloppy play in the second half, and on 54 minutes a poor touch from Alnwick saw the ball fall to Bayo and he made no mistake this time. The game lacked quality from then on meaning it ended all square.
Player Ratings:
Jak Alnwick (5) - No point in sugar-coating it, Alnwick's mistake cost us all three points. Personally thought his kicking in general was poor. Decent save to deny Bayo after Ng's mistake.
Perry Ng (6) - Was decent against a good player in Matheus Martins. A couple of sloppy plays but altogether not too bad.
Dimitrios Goutas (7) - Carrying on his good form. Some crucial blocks Just proving once again how crucial he is.
Mark McGuinness (7.5) MOTM - Took his goal like a striker. Him and Goutas have formed a formidable duo and are improving each other every week, and against Watford was no different.
Jamilu Collins (7) - Played very heavily strapped but he played like his usual self. Was missed against Boro and proved how crucial he is once again against Watford.
Manolis Siopis (6.5) - Was quiet in the first half, but improved in the second half. Put himself about a bit more in the second half; just a shame he's going off to the Greek National Team, as I think he needs a rest.
Ryan Wintle (5.5) - Thought he was quite poor. Just a lack of end product and quality in the final third. Was quiet, but when he was involved he didn't do much with it.
Joe Ralls (6.5) - Good ball that was eventually flicked on by Goutas for McGuinness' goal. Overall solid performance.
Ollie Tanner (6) - Just looked like Jamal Lewis had his number. Tanner failed to find real rhythm in the game. Watford limited him but he didn't have much supply.
Karlan Grant (6.5) - Thought he looked dangerous every time he went forward. Did the hard work for his chance but ultimately lacked the composure. His pace can really hurt sides.
Ike Ugbo (6) - Felt bad for Ugbo, why we were trying to play him as a target man is beyond me. Ultimately he was never gonna win the physical battle against Hoedt and Sierralta but that's what we kept trying. No point playing a poacher as a target man, it doesn't work.
Subs:
Callum Robinson (5.5) - Lacked quality when he came on. When he lost the ball he rarely tracked back, improvement is needed if he wants his starting place back.
Josh Bowler (6) - One or two runs but was a quiet cameo from Bowler, looking forward to seeing him after the break.
Romaine Sawyers (N/A) - Brought on too late.
Summary:
Not a bad point for a team that was evidently tired. The boos at full-time seemed slightly unwarranted for a team in 8th place and three points off 3rd.
Next time out The Bluebirds travel to Ewood Park to face Blackburn Rovers.
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