Cardiff City were made to pay late on by a dramatic Birmingham City winner on Saturday and Lee Bowyer was a shocked as anybody that Stephen McPhail chose to head the ball directly into the patch of the on-loan midfielder.
McPhail has been out of the side following suspension and loss of form. It’s good that we are able to leave players out and he is patiently awaiting another chance following his petulent dismissal against Swansea City. Joe Ledley and Gavin Rae have been a revelation in the middle and Ledley’s stunning strike was well deserved.
However, on Saturday McPhail was a late replacement for the Bluebirds as we looked to keep possession and see out the remaining few minutes. Roger Johnson looked to be clearly pushed in the build-up by Marcus Bent but as the ball broke free, McPhail nodded sideways ahead of Bowyer.
It seems likely that McPhail was trying too hard to make an impact and was not quite thinking properly. A header in any other direction would have brought safety and 3 points. It was hard luck on the Irishman who showed good leadership from the sidelines throughout the second half, constantly encouraging and cajoling his team-mates. Cruel in the least.
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