THERE have been mixed emotions for City fans in the past week.
Last Saturday City impressed with a 4-2 defeat of Preston North End at Ashton Gate. But then on Tuesday night the Reds suffered a disappointing loss in an FA Cup 3rd round replay at Cardiff City.
On Saturday City played some really good attacking football and for once managed to get on the scoresheet early, with Danny Haynes bundling home a goal with less than two minutes on the clock. City did not look back after that as Liam Fontaine doubled the advantage ten minutes later.
The difference seemed to be greater balance to the side with Jamie McAllister being pushed up into a left midfield role instead of his usual left back position. There was also an inspired display from both right winger Ivan Sproule and central midfielder Paul Hartley, the latter playing a part in three of City’s four goals.
Captain Louis Carey and substitute Evander Sno added the remaining goals to complete a resounding victory for the home side. Sno’s goal was the pick of the bunch as he lashed in from outside of the area.
Tuesday’s defeat at Cardiff was very disappointing. City looked good in spells and particularly when passing the ball around between the defence and midfield. But in the final third, once again, City lacked creativity and ideas to break down a strong Cardiff defence.
In the second half manager Gary Johnson attempted to try something new by taking off forwards Nicky Maynard and Evander Sno and bringing on youngster John Akinde and loanee Alvaro Saborio. Maynard had been ineffective but I was baffled by Sno being pulled off as he was really pulling the strings for City.
The away side consequently lost momentum and Cardiff sensed the win was there for the taking. The inevitable goal came in unfortunate circumstances as Michael Chopra sent a shot goalwards and as the ball rebounded off the far post, it came into the path of City right back Bradley Orr who could do nothing as the ball rebounded off his leg into the open goal.
City have no game at the weekend and this will give them extra time to prepare for next Tuesday’s league game against, wait for it, Cardiff City. The game at Ashton Gate will be the third consecutive week the two sides have met and so far with a draw and Cardiff win, we will be looking for revenge.
New signing Jamal Campbell-Ryce will be available for the game having being recruited from Barnsley in the transfer window. The Jamaican international can play all across midfield and has a penchant for scoring spectacular goals.
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