Cardiff City lost their first home game of the season as they were humbled at the hands of their bitter rivals Swansea City in front of a Cardiff City Stadium record crowd.
Jones got it wrong. I know it's easy to say that in hindsight, but he did, there are no 2 ways about it, he cocked up big style. As soon as the team was named it baffled the Cardiff faithful and I would expect both the Caridff and Swansea players too. Why was Burke on the bench? With your top goalscorer injured surely you want the rest of your attacking unit playing and Burke has unquestionably been a key part of this.
It wasn't a surprise that Keogh was selected and I don't think it was necessarily a bad selection had we stuck with the 4-4-2 formation. But to play him on his own up from was, again, wrong. Chopra is an out and out striker, he thrives on playing on the shoulder of the last man, he is by no means a wide player and it was obvious from the start he didn't want to be in that position. Finally, Drinkwater's inclusion was a bit of a shock, okay I half expected it, but is this really the kind of game a young central midfielder should be playing in his first game after a 10 week lay off from injury? Evidently not.
That's my rant over, Jones obviously got it wrong, but it doesn't necessarily make him a bad manager. I still believe he is the man to take us to the Premier League, I just hope that he has learnt something from the defeat.
The atmosphere before the game was fantastic as the Welsh Guards marched around the stadium, led by a goat to the sound of 'Men of Harlech'. It was well applauded by both sets of fans, who embraced a rare moment of togetherness in showing their Welsh pride. However, that brief moment of solidarity was soon over as the players took to the pitch. The name of each Bluebird -announced by Ali - was greeted with huge cheers whilst the Jacks were booed in equal measure - nothing wrong with that.
The game itself started evenly enough with Swansea seeing a fair bit of possession, albeit largely in their own half. Cardiff could have easily been awarded a penalty in the 14th minute when Swansea keeper de Vries looked to have held back Chopra, however a free kick was bizarrely awarded against the Cardiff striker when the keeper fumbled the ball, highlighting just how much keepers are 'protected' in the modern game. Heaton then saved comfortably at the near post from Dyer 5 minutes later before Whittingham's cleanly hit shot from 25 yards just went over with De Vries rooted.
The next 20 minutes went by with little incident until Cardiff had another penalty appeal turned down with 5 minutes left of the first half, however it was turned down by the referee, who got this decision correct. The sides went into the break level after a half which neither team really showed its potential apart from the odd semi flowing move.
After the break I was hoping Cardiff would play more positively and maybe even revert back to their usual 4-4-2, something they could have done without changing personnel. But it wasn't too be and Cardiff continued to look uncomfortable on the ball, particularly in the centre of the park. Just 3 minutes after the re-start the Swans came within a few inches of breaking the deadlock when Sinclair - kept quiet by McNaughton for long periods in the first half - struck the post after a shot just outside the 18 yard box. Heaton got a touch, but it didn't look the most comfortable of saves.
This seemed to inspire the away team and they started to get a grip on the game, Dyer was a constant live wire and Cardiff seemed a pace behind the Swansea midfield in particular Joe Allen, who forced a decent save out of Heaton from long range.
With more than 30 minutes remaining Keogh was replaced with Burke. Keogh had actually done ok, but the main problem is that he isn't Bothroyd and it is unfair to compare him to one of the stand out players of the Championship so far this season, someone who's form has lead for calls for them to be included in the next England squad.
For all their possession, Swansea never really created any clear cut chances but did look much more likely to make a break throug, however as they were beginning to stamp their authority on the game Cardiff had a great chance to take the lead. With 65 minutes on the clock Heaton cleared the ball down the field, a Swansea defender slipped and Bellamy was gifted with a glorious chance to give his side the lead, but scuffed his shot and his lines as his left footed shot was easily saved by De Vries.
The next talking point came 5 minutes later when Chopra went in high against Allen, luckily for Allen his momentum made sure he rode the challenge, but had Chopra caught him a serious injury could have been caused. Chopra somehow survived without a booking but in reality he could easily have been shown a red card.
Despite Bellamy's earlier chance it was Swansea who were to deservedley take the lead. With 72 minutes on the clock Emnes shrugged off the challenge of Gypes to fire home from outside the box. Having seen it again keeper Heaton could and probably should have made a better attempt to stop the ball from hitting the back of the net. Although Gypes was easily beaten in the lead up to the goal he and Hudson had been solid for most of the match and kept Swansea to shooting from long range.
Cardiff never really looked like getting an equaliser, but in the very last minute of injury time Bellamy was again given the perfect chance to score in his first South Wales derby. Substitute Blake crossed from the right and Bellamy had the goal at his mercy, but he mis-timed his header and the ball came off his left shoulder with the ball trickled wide. Had he put it away it would've earned a point Cardiff's performance didn't deserve. Swansea were good value for their win and with it moved to within 3 points of Cardiff in 2nd spot. From the perspective of the home team it will be a day the fans will like to forget about as soon as possible, but one the Jacks will embrace.
But all is not bad, Cardiff are still in a very enviable situation and as I write this have a chance to regain top spot tomorrow night at Reading with QPR only managing a draw away to Portsmouth. There's expected to be changes, but whoever plays, it is important Cardiff put in a good performance and get their season back on track and there is no reason why they can't do just that.
Result - Cardiff City 0 Swansea City 1
Scorers - Swansea: Emnes 75
Attendance - 26,049
Fans man of the match - Didn't hear one announced.
My man of the match - Not many contenders here. Hudson was solid at the back and McNaughton was decent until he went off injured but erm, that's it. Hudson.
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