Cardiff’s Derby reaction

A late wonderstrike fro substitute Giles Barnes snatched 2 points from Cardiff City in a game they really ought to have won. The game should have been sewn up long before Barnes snatched home a McNaughton half-clearance as Michael Chopra uncharacteristically missed a host of chances. You cannot however fault Chopra as he makes so many chances for the team, his work rate is phenomenal and every defence in the league must hat playing against his non-stop movement, pace and directness. The goal he did score was superb. Neat interplay found Paul Parry on the right whose vision and chipped cross were exemplary finding the magnificent Steve Thompson back to goal who instinctively laid the ball into Chopra`s path, his first time shot sweetly nestling in the far corner. Dave Jones thought the goal was ‘out of this world` and although disappointed with dropping points at home, was still happy with the performance.

“I don’t think they were on the same park as us today, we could`ve been well out in front in the first half. I’m disappointed in drawing the game, but not in the way we played. It`s a good point for us, because the two teams below us (Preston and West Brom) lost points.
Derby County Coach Julian Darby was more than satisfied with the fightback:
‘We knew the game was going to be tough and we needed that bit of luck. Cardiff deserve to be top of the league because they are a very good team. We would have taken a point before the game, but I think we’ve got nothing to fear from now on.’

Taking nothing away from Derby, Cardiff deserved to win but things like this happen in football. Sometimes every side can play well and draw but the important thing was that we were back on form and the team showed no signs of a hangover from the Carrow Road defeat. 3 points would have been fantastic but as long as we get something away at Roy Keane`s Sunderland – Cardiff will still be looking good. The team did seem to tire against Derby, a slight worry given the lack of squad depth and another 2 games within the week but the fitness levels have been good all season and few are likely to bet against Cardiff in the midweek game at the Stadium of Light.