Holmes_and_Watson

Stu nearly dribble right through there. SOmething he's very good at , and led to a goial in the first half. Good to see him being much more a starter.

Lovely finish from Adams. shame it was offside. Mostly Cardiff really, without torubling us. Last few minutes we've taken a bit more controil, looking for those through ball to release the likes of AA, if and when Cardiff push up.

A really good half form us. We dominated right form the start. Our passing moves began further up, putting pressure on Cardiff. We looked very comfortable on the ball, and both were really well worked goals. Excellent performances right across the team. We have our usual vulnerabilities of space left at the full back position (with Manning that's a little more so) and being caught a little too far up, wehn a direct counter ball is played through. Baz and THB did well to prevent one opportunity, and their runner at the back post couldn;t get his effort on target. As a result,Baz hasnp;t been overly troubled this half, but has still shone in his passing and quick thinking. It will be interesting if Martin solidifies the middle more, droipping back a little to prevent the counter, or if he gets us back out at the temp we started the match at, pushing for more goals.

Oh, that was a chance for them. They remembered all that space we leave in our full back positions. A runner in at the back post, got free. That and the possible chip following Baz's brave clearance have been opportunities for them. So, some direct play that's the most uncomfortable for us. Nearly half time when Martin will be able to give one of his inspirational team talks...uh oh.. 🙂

Baz with an insta-pass out, when it came into him awkwardly.

Alcaraz header from deep. Downes having a very good game, getting the ball in there.

A terrible slur! He'll never officiate again!

Adams gets it across. Noone there for us, so we got lucky a touch form them reached AA. Header right at their goalkeeper. We're creating even if Cardiff have come back into the half a bit.

Martin going all shouty. Possibly over the clatter that Baz gave their player? perfectly valid challenge.

Baz! Using his striker's head to get that clear. For a moment I htought he wasn;t getting that, but he was just timing it, as all top poachers do.

Manning did so well to get that back. We have AA on the back post, but noone in the middle for him. We've tow further back towards the edge.

Adams again in a really good position. Nothing reaching him yet, but keeps them on their toes.

Typical. We get 2 goals ahead and undead pirates come out of The Fog... 🙂

Bedders gone down again. He's been very composed today, happy to come forward and ping passes about as well as the usual defensive work.

Pen claim for them. Our passing out form the back got too tight, and we perservered, giving it away. They are coming into it more. Bednerek blocked a powerful shot.

Goals are all very well... But 73% possession!

...bounces harmlessly off the death star wall... 🙂

Good range for a free kick....

Alcaraz got his pocket picked there. Downes took a yellow to stop them getting an effort in. Good to see the players support each other after it.

He's not been central to any of our best moves. But Adams is pulling players away, creating space and is never far away from picking something up, if it gets to him. Suiting our more attacking approach to day, to have an extra body in a position to hopefully take advantage.

Alcaraz also working back really hard. We are working hard for this level of control. Good to see.

Glad that wasn;t pulled back when Alcaraz went down. Lovely work from Stu!

Could it be?! Yes it is! The second!

AA tracking back! Great stuff. We are pining around some really good passes. We've tested them through the middle and out wide with some passes from deep. All those possession passes giving us confidence and control.

Excellent move to get it to Alcaraz, who had compsure to pass to our goal machine!