Cardiff City & Comic Irony

Cardiff City fan and VitalCardiff contributor Tim Edge gives his view on Cardiff’s latest performance:



Alan Bennett? Gordon Bennett more Like it!



I was amused by the comic irony of Alan Bennett being awarded the man of the
match award for his performance for Southampton against Cardiff recently.
The great playwright himself could not have scripted a better comedy performance than that performed by the Southampton defence on Sunday.

Throughout it was obvious just why they had the worst defensive record in the league. The biggest joke however was the inability of Cardiff`s powder-puff forward line to take advantage of it.



Also amusing was Dave Jones` assertion that the players must take responsibility for another disappointing performance. Failure to gain at least six points from the next three matches, all at home, may lead to the
spotlight being turned on Jones himself.



Of our six wins out of fourteen this season, two have come against lower
league teams in the Carling Cup and one (our most emphatic performance to
date) was against the West Brom reserves. Our three Championship wins have
all been against fellow strugglers, two of which are currently propping-up
the table. Thirteen points in eleven Championship matches is relegation form
which is disgraceful considering the talent on hand.



What then is to be done? Firstly, we`ve got to start keeping clean sheets.
We are also in urgent need of some leadership on the pitch: both these
factors might lead to the return of Darren Purse. Secondly, there is the enigma that is Stephen McPhail. People used to moan about Jason Koumas being a luxury. I for one however was happy to ‘carry` a player who scored regularly and brilliantly, particularly from free kicks. McPhail`s
inconsistency and his lack of a goal threat make you question his value.
Thirdly, the blend up-front just doesn`t seem right but will Jones have the
bottle to drop either Fowler or Hasselbaink?



Whatever the answer to these and other questions Jones is entering perhaps
the most critical phase of his Cardiff stewardship. Many more slip-ups and
the joke will be firmly on him.