28-09-2014, 10:33
Lees missing appeared to be a body blow but we started well with Buxton slotting into Lees position so that Loovens could continue as left sided CB.
Maghoma set up May with a great through ball. May rounded the keeper expertly but couldn't lift it enough to get it past the defender on the line.
Three Cardiff players free to attack a free kick giving Westwood no chance. Maguire's cross turned into his own net by a defender although May would have scored had he missed it. Terrible defending by Loovens gifted Cardiff the winner.
Overall, we dominated the game for long spells but created vey little. May's movement was again good but sad to say, Nuhui was again next to useless. Nuhui is my favourite player but he clearly isn't up to it as a striker at this level. Not sure that Madine is either.
I wouldn't argue with SG's decision to play Buxton because it helps get him fit without moving Loovens as well but he isn't the commanding presence that Lees is. Our CM again gave the back four little protection. Coke has regressed & Semedo does it in spells but his positional play is awful.
Maghoma was our one shining light. He was bright & inventive and created our best chances. In fairness, May played well but some may criticise him for missing the early chance rather than praise him for creating it.
Westwood - 7 - good saves but horribly exposed for the goals
Palmer - 6 - couple of good tackles
Buxton - 6 - solid job
Loovens - 5 - at fault for winner
Mattock - 6 - sound
Maguire - 5 - below par
Semedo - 5 - struggles when we play 442
Coke - 4 - hardly noticed him until he went off
Maghoma - 7 - set up May's early chance
May - 6 - bright but missed early chance
Nuhui - 4 - hardly won anything
........................................................
Drenthe - 3 - added nothing
Hope - 4 - added little
Madine - 5 - not a game changer
The substitutions were predictable but disappointing. Madine will only do well if he starts. He is a poor sub. Drenthe can do it but didn't. Hope is lively but it didn't click. Maguire & Coke are invariably hauled off and Madine for Semedo was bold but it left us with Maghoma playing as holding midfield and little creativity.
On another day, May scores, we take another chance & win comfortably. On this day, we were impotent apart from Maghoma & May. We are not going to score enough goals & if teams block out May, we are in trouble.
Ipswich will be tough on Tuesday. I think it is time to give Nuhui a rest. Maybe give Madine two matches although I remain to be convinced. We desperately miss Hutchinson's influence in CM.
Maghoma set up May with a great through ball. May rounded the keeper expertly but couldn't lift it enough to get it past the defender on the line.
Three Cardiff players free to attack a free kick giving Westwood no chance. Maguire's cross turned into his own net by a defender although May would have scored had he missed it. Terrible defending by Loovens gifted Cardiff the winner.
Overall, we dominated the game for long spells but created vey little. May's movement was again good but sad to say, Nuhui was again next to useless. Nuhui is my favourite player but he clearly isn't up to it as a striker at this level. Not sure that Madine is either.
I wouldn't argue with SG's decision to play Buxton because it helps get him fit without moving Loovens as well but he isn't the commanding presence that Lees is. Our CM again gave the back four little protection. Coke has regressed & Semedo does it in spells but his positional play is awful.
Maghoma was our one shining light. He was bright & inventive and created our best chances. In fairness, May played well but some may criticise him for missing the early chance rather than praise him for creating it.
Westwood - 7 - good saves but horribly exposed for the goals
Palmer - 6 - couple of good tackles
Buxton - 6 - solid job
Loovens - 5 - at fault for winner
Mattock - 6 - sound
Maguire - 5 - below par
Semedo - 5 - struggles when we play 442
Coke - 4 - hardly noticed him until he went off
Maghoma - 7 - set up May's early chance
May - 6 - bright but missed early chance
Nuhui - 4 - hardly won anything
........................................................
Drenthe - 3 - added nothing
Hope - 4 - added little
Madine - 5 - not a game changer
The substitutions were predictable but disappointing. Madine will only do well if he starts. He is a poor sub. Drenthe can do it but didn't. Hope is lively but it didn't click. Maguire & Coke are invariably hauled off and Madine for Semedo was bold but it left us with Maghoma playing as holding midfield and little creativity.
On another day, May scores, we take another chance & win comfortably. On this day, we were impotent apart from Maghoma & May. We are not going to score enough goals & if teams block out May, we are in trouble.
Ipswich will be tough on Tuesday. I think it is time to give Nuhui a rest. Maybe give Madine two matches although I remain to be convinced. We desperately miss Hutchinson's influence in CM.
The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.