City came up against a Santander side yesterday that on the evidence in the UK this week don't conceed goals and don't score any either. The only goal on their UK tour was an own goal by Willie Boland. What looked like a poorly taken free kick caught everyone out and the ball went in off Boland. Warner first significant action on his home debut was to pick the ball out of the net. Santander were well organised and made it difficult when they were in possession.
City again created chances but got no luck, A poor Kav corner ran free for James Collins to see his effort hit the woodwork. Paul Parry fired two chances over the bar before Andy Campbell burst free and was cynically scythed down by the keeper on the edge of the box. Kav put the resulting free kick into the back row of the Canton Stand.
City statted the game with Warner in goals, a back four of Croft, Page, Collins and Vidmar. The central four was Robinson, Boland, Kavanagh and Parry with Thorne and Campbell up front.
Willie Boland was replaced by Lee Bullock during the first half.
Santander had a couple of shots and stretched our defence at times but overall were no real threat to the goal.
Lennie made changes at half time. On came Gabbidon for Collins, Weston for Croft and Warner for Margetson. As the game wore on City also used Lee, Earnshaw and Barker.
City continued to attack, Andy Campbell broke free and got the better of the keeper but the angle was tight and Campbell was nearer the touchline than the goal line and he did not gamble by having a go at goal. Alan Lee made some strong runs down the channels and set up a couple of crosses that Earnie only just failed to meet.
Lee Bullock, who in my opinion had a great game with quality passing and his attacking presence, headed against the cross bar, Alan Lee was pulled back in the box but no penalty was given.
Shirt pulling goes on in the British game week in week out, the continental teams appear to take it a step further, free kick after free kick was given for shirt pulling. Santander were also making some crude challenges. One such took out Paul Parry and when it was apparant the referee was getting a card out the Santander player ran to the prone Parry and dived over the top of him feigning injury and claiming he'd been assaulted. The cheeky git even need treatment from the physio. He was one of at least two players that should have seen red, the other being the keeper for the first half challenge on Campbell.
A mass brawl livened up a better second half. Both benches and just about all the players on the pitch were sqauring up to each other in front of the dug outs. The result was a yellow card to each side.
Next up for City is Lazio. The Romans march into Cardiff on Monday and it's a last chance for the Bluebirds to get a win that will give the fans confidence ahead of the trip to Crewe in 6 days time.
I've mentioned before that City are operating with 19 players. 18 of them were used yesterday, the only exception was Richard Langley who is nursing a groin problem. He is expected to be fit for the Lazio match.
Lennie has said that injuries permitting the side that starts against Lazio will start against Crewe. The only concern is Willie Boland who was subbed in the first half.
Lennie has stated that he knows he goalkeeper, his back 4 and his midfield. He is still pondering over his front two with Earnie and Thorne the favourites to start the season in attack.