Matt Stevenson
First Team
I've set this thread up so it can easily be ignored by those not keen on the concept.
I've also realised it would be helpful to mark when the goals were scored so we can look to see if this altered the flow of the game. I've added this to the Cardiff stats to check it works ok.
For completeness I've copied my thoughts related to the original post / analyses below.
At 44 mins you could say the Cardiff game plan of sitting back and hoping for a smash and grab had been successful. They had created two big chances (both rated about 1 in 2) but nothing else, and we had created little in terms of clear chances. Their first was a header in the 6-yard box from Moore that Travers reacted to well, although Anthony did enough to stop Moore getting a firm header on it, which hasn't been commented on. The second was a slide by Moore to connect on the edge of the six-yard box and Travers kept it out.
In between Cook had a chance to shoot first time but opted to steady himself with what Kris Temple called a terrible first touch and the chance disappeared. And we also scored, although the chance rated one in 33 was covered by the keeper before the deflection. Let's hope this bit of luck sets Christie on his way.
The sending off in the 45th minute (which was a clear red, but I was still surprised that the ref didn't bottle it) changed everything, with Cardiff sticking to the game plan but unable to get near our goal. As they tired we dominated the last third of the game with five big (rated above 3 in 10) chances. In order.
A Lerma header where he rose well but couldn't keep it down, Solanke's goal after a great one-two involving a backheel from Billing, a Solanke chance from a Christie pullback although the ball was slightly behind him, the third goal which is a shame won't be credited to Jeff after a thunderous shot and a late chance for Christie when he couldn't sort out his feet in time to meet an excellent Marcondes cross.
Cardiff looked like they had given up at 2-0, but it was pleasing that we were still going after them rather than settling for that scoreline.
I've also realised it would be helpful to mark when the goals were scored so we can look to see if this altered the flow of the game. I've added this to the Cardiff stats to check it works ok.
For completeness I've copied my thoughts related to the original post / analyses below.
At 44 mins you could say the Cardiff game plan of sitting back and hoping for a smash and grab had been successful. They had created two big chances (both rated about 1 in 2) but nothing else, and we had created little in terms of clear chances. Their first was a header in the 6-yard box from Moore that Travers reacted to well, although Anthony did enough to stop Moore getting a firm header on it, which hasn't been commented on. The second was a slide by Moore to connect on the edge of the six-yard box and Travers kept it out.
In between Cook had a chance to shoot first time but opted to steady himself with what Kris Temple called a terrible first touch and the chance disappeared. And we also scored, although the chance rated one in 33 was covered by the keeper before the deflection. Let's hope this bit of luck sets Christie on his way.
The sending off in the 45th minute (which was a clear red, but I was still surprised that the ref didn't bottle it) changed everything, with Cardiff sticking to the game plan but unable to get near our goal. As they tired we dominated the last third of the game with five big (rated above 3 in 10) chances. In order.
A Lerma header where he rose well but couldn't keep it down, Solanke's goal after a great one-two involving a backheel from Billing, a Solanke chance from a Christie pullback although the ball was slightly behind him, the third goal which is a shame won't be credited to Jeff after a thunderous shot and a late chance for Christie when he couldn't sort out his feet in time to meet an excellent Marcondes cross.
Cardiff looked like they had given up at 2-0, but it was pleasing that we were still going after them rather than settling for that scoreline.
