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I think we need to take this in the context of one game. Only the most one eyed optimist would see us already in the play off final. The hard work is still to come when we go to Ashton Gate on Tuesday but credit where it's due, it was a far hungrier and committed Cardiff City that took the field today.
Lennie opted for a lop sided 4 - 4 - 2 with Alexander in goal, a back four of Weston, Prior, Gabbidon and Barker. Across the middle there was a start for Whalley alongside Kav and Boland with Andy Legg the wide option. Earnie and the Magic Hat man up front.
The weather in Cardiff today has been changeable to say the least, the walk to the ground was a wet one and at times the heavens opened during the game.
Finally the 32 year hoodoo has been laid to rest, Cardiff had won a Coca Cola Cup game in 1992 but that has been largely overlooked as the second leg was a runaway victory for Bristol City with Andy Cole getting a hat trick.
As far as league action is concerned it was the start of the 70's since Cardiff beat Bristol City and with two defeats this season so far anything other than a Bristol win could have been seen as progress.
A game of few clear cut chances saw the teams cancel each other out for long periods, Cardiff had possession but it was Christian Roberts who had the best chance of the first half, his header looked a certain goal but a superb diving save from Neil Alexander thwarted the former City player.
As you can imagine it was tense, City were excellently supported by nearly 18,000 fans, Bristol brought just under 1,400.
In the second half City pushed forward and were rewarded when Peter Thorne paid back a huge chunk of his transfer fee. The ball was pushed wide right but Willie Boland slipped and a huge sigh went around, but Willie popped up and put in the best cross of the afternoon which saw Pter Thorne muscle his way between two defenders to score a goal that could mean so much.
Robert Earnshaw, kept quiet for most of the game, found space after a slip and was through on goal, the angle was tight and his shot hit the keeper, if City had won by two goals then it may have been all over. Bristol were rocking but they managed to hold on.
City today kept a clean sheet, exorcised the Bristol demons, boosted their own confidence and gave the Bluebirds crowd hope. Not many will be counting chickens but I think the players and fans realise that it going to take hard work to achieve our goal but I feel a litte more confident than I have been but I'm still not going to sleep for the next two nights.
Well done today to Cardiff City
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