"Lord", he exclaimed, "My Dear Lord, for one weekend only, please will you let me be like Jose Mourinho and let my team play and perform like Chelsea. For just this once, please let us match whatever Chelsea do. Have mercy on us.". The Lord listened to his prayer and answered. And so it came to pass ... Chelsea got dicked 3-0 at Middlesborough, Stoke got stuffed yet again by Cardiff City by the same margin. There truly is a God!
A wonderful Kevin Cooper goal, an outstanding performance and double goal blast from unlikely hero Neil Cox, some sterling individual performances and a superb work ethic meant Jason Koumas just wasn't missed as City coasted to an emphatic win. Stoke tried hard and certainly threatened at times. Ultimately, they were out-worked by a City side who always made them look fragile at the back whilst we, in turn, looked rock solid and restricted The Potters to just one shot at Neil Alexander long after the outcome was beyond doubt. A highly satisfying afternoon.
With the teams currently in the play-offs all doing well, City know they must go on a winning run to maintain a challenge. There's plenty of points to play for but it still seems unlikely as the gap has widened whilst we've never gone won more than two on the bounce all season and that has only happened twice but we're not giving up hope by any means judging by this display.
Having earned himself two needless bookings over the past fortnight taking him to five, King Koumas the talisman was suspended. Meanwhile Steve Thompson left us feeling "stumped" about how he "core"-t his hand slicing an apple that needed an op to help regain feeling in his hand, it gave us the "pip" and made us (g)"rind" about his absence.
It meant a first start for "Dave" up front whilst Willie Boland started in midfield with Jeff Whitley again overlooked (producing inevitable terrace rumours "he must have got up to something during the trip in Portugal" being the clear winner) and Joe Ledley playing outside on the left in what many feel is his best and most natural position.
City therefore went with Alexander, Ardley-Cox-Purse-Barker, Cooper-Boland-Scimeca-Ledley, Nsungu-Ddumbu and Jerome. Special mention must go to the funk soul brothers of Nsungu and Jerome playing with wristbands. One had a black one, the other a white one, they must have come in a 2 for £1 pack from Primark. Subs were Alexander-Ferretti-Mulryne-Weston-Whitley. Jermaine Darlington who surprised some of us by not only getting back in the 16 but getting a couple of minutes too at Palace last week seems to have disappeared again.
City were down to barebones but so were Stoke, especially up front with key wideman and all round ugly bloke Luke Chadwick injured along with talented forward Paul Gallagher (on a season's loan from Blackburn) whilst their starman Sanbegou Bangora went to the African Nations Cup with Guinea and gone AWOL with the club having no idea where he is since they were eliminated. Maybe they're now regretting turning down an alleged big money offer for him in the transfer window.
It all added to the problems of a club having apparent behind the scenes bust ups on the coaching side who have taken just 2 points out of the last 24. Mind you, it can't help if your manager and entire coaching team spend the entire 90 minutes sat in the dugout with nothing to say and nil encouragement to the players out there. The only upside for the visitors is an FA Cup 5th round game with Birmingham next week but they only got there needing a replay and penalties to beat non-league Tamworth and then scraping through narrowly at home against Walsall. Clearly not the best of times for a club who have had a fierce recent rivalry with us. Anyone feel sorry for the Stokies? Thought not.
Their side were Simonsen, Broomes-Hoefkens-Duberry-Buxton, Henry-Brammer-Sigurdssson-Sweeney, Skoko-Sidibe. Duberry got the usual stick for being a grass but plays with a smile and has banter with the crowd. At times, he got a bit carried away with that and he certainly copped some choice comments from Lower Grandstand. Mind you, he didn't get as much stick as "The Big Mamma" Sidibe who had the longest and loudest choruses of You Jack B****** hard at Ninian for some time. Boy it sounded good too. Although he really should have been given stick for his ridiculous black leather golf-style gloves. It looked as though he'd loaned them from O.J. Simpson.
Stoke only brought 350 yet, appallingly, City attracted only 10,400 more. If it were not for Brighton's mini ground limiting their crowds, we would embarrassingly have been the lowest Championship crowd of the day. This at a club aiming for the Premiership play-offs with a home record at least 5th best for wins, points and goals at home but we continue to be one of the worst five supported.
What is it with the stayaways? This is the best City have done for over 30 years as far as league standing is concerned and, still, they can't be bothered to watch. They may well feel that the club and its leaders let them down in many ways, and with real justification in my view, but how does that make it right for them to continue to let down an excellent manager and the current group of players? We should be ashamed. I find it insulting that a few thousand more of us put our hands in our pockets to watch Lennie and his lot do very little last season by comparison. It is increasingly difficult to understand or defend them but somehow, the club and them need to address it.
Anyway, the game, it was preceded by a minute's applause for "H", Harry Parsons, City coach/trainer/kitman/coach driver and just about everything else during a lifetime's devotion to the club. A true Bluebird legend. There was also acknowledgement for Gwyn, who spent the last 20 odd years, looking after the needs of the pressmen. After his generalised drivel attack on City fans for not all being 100% behind Welsh rugby - it's our national duty apparently (what planet are they on?) - let's hope whoever gives Paul Abbadonato his next cuppa at Ninian slips a laxative in to help him can continue his peculiar brand of crap.
Although predicted to be tight with Stoke defending deep and in numbers to counter Jerome, it started with plenty of pace, life and ambition with both teams making for a rattling good spectacle. One thing that was noticeable in the first 25 minutes especially was that all the action was in front of the Grandstand as City, attacking the Grange End, only went down the right through Ardley, Cooper and co whilst Stoke, playing towards the Canton, had all their forays down the left with Peter Sweeney a dangerous outlet as he was able to by-pass Neil Ardley at pace.
First chance fell to City as Jerome and Nsungu linked up well, Jerome sent Ngungu spinning away, his angled low shot come cross flashed across the goalmouth with nobody able to get to it. "Dave" started well and obviously very keen to impress, that was emphasised by his 9th minute rash challenge which almost disembowelled one of the Stoke midfielder's for the game's first yellow card. The bloke behind me remarked that it was a shame ref's only record shirt numbers for bookings as if he needed to write down Guylain Ndumbu-Nsungu's name instead, he probably wouldn't have bothered!
Nsungu threw his body into everything and was warned later in the half by Jerome to clam down a touch. Part of the reason was referee Mike Jones from Chester who, today, was incompetent and came seriously close to losing control of the game in the first half.
For the opening 45 minutes, any time a City player collided with a Stoke one, no matter how minor, the outcome was a love affair with his whistle and a free-kick to Stoke. Has there been a rule change that I don't know about or did he also produce the most inept decision seen all season. A long ball was contested by Sidibe and Purse, Purse went down to a loose elbow with a head injury, the ref allowed play to continue. Purse had to get up was far behind play but, fortunately, the move broke down and the ball went back to Alexander. In rage, Purse saw red mist and gave the ref a verbal volley. The yellow card was inevitable but how does that transfer into an edge of area free-kick to Stoke from the spot where Purse shouted at him???
The only decisions he gave us in the opening 45 minutes were our goals, there were a couple of occasions that it became very close to boiling over. Some of his decisions so unbelievable and incompetent that you simply had to laugh at them, something Dave Jones had to do on at least three occasions towards an embarrassed looking fourth official.
Somehow, the game was a good one despite the ref not because of him, City had let offs as Skoko, World Cup bound with Australia and on loan from Wigan, had a cracking chance in front of goal but headed 15 yards wide, a shot went wide and then Sweeney turned Ardley inside out at the by-line but his cross was missed by two Stoke heads at point blank range. In between, City almost messed up as Sidibe managed to get past Barker through the centre but who recovered to flick behind with Purse rollicking Alexander on a day when he discovered his affliction of line-itis where he seems to be glued to his goal-line.
City were having the territory and domination but Stoke carried the bigger threat although Neil Ardley produced one outstanding deep cross that was just deflected away before Jerome pounced. Cardiff were showing the greater resolve and it directly lead to their opener.
With Stoke coming away with the ball, one of their players was hounded by Boland, Ardley and then Scimeca, the ball went loose and Boland flicked onto KEVIN COOPER. There was nothing on as Cooper took the ball 25 yards out on the touchline but he cut inside a Stoke player, got to the angle of the area and unleashed one of the best foot finishes I've seen. Being right behind the ball, it was incredible to watch it swing outside, swerve back inside and then dip on goal. Simonsen had no chance as the ball flew home into the top opposite corner. What an outstanding finish to end a week in which Coops notched up his 31st birthday.
With that, City established control and domination. Their work-rate was fantastic and they were not only first to every ball, they always seemed to have two players there as well. With Stoke being harried, a second goal was no surprise, the scorer was. An Ardley corner was flicked on at the near post by Jerome, NEIL COX incredibly found himself alone at the far post and turned home from 5 yards with nobody near him. The Stoke fans, managed one muted chant of Ing-ger-lund and didn't bother singing Delilah as they knew they would be embarrassed in return, looked sick.
The only time Koumas was missed in that first half was when a free-kick was awarded in prime JK territory. Ardley took it and floated one straight at Simonsen.
Stoke looked poor at the back and struggled to deal with Nsungu who worked hard and showed good touches although his one shot was well wide. It looked as though there were more goals in it for us but it remained two by the interval. City went off to long applause, the ref to sustained booing.
Half-time: CITY 2 STOKE 0
If the first half was very good for City, the second half probably saw us put together the best 25 minutes of pure possession and domination. We all love quality, skill and flair but how gratifying was it to see City charge into every challenge and win it, hunt for the ball in packs of twos and threes, pass and move it around at ease. Stoke tried to get back into the game, City never allowed them. his replacement Kopteff eerily sounded like Cot Death over the tannoy producing an uneasy silence and fans asking each other "is that really his name?" before someone quipped that he was doing well to still be around if that was his name. Continuing the child theme, a later sub for them was Junior.
Any time they got near our area, Purse and Cox especially were enormous. They had a battle but they won it hands down, Cox easily having his most impressive game of the season, his personal performances since Arsenal at the turn of the year especially have been immense. In front, Scimeca seemed to be everywhere winning the loose ball, taking control and passing it about. On the left, Joe Ledley was at his best, his work-rate up and down the pitch was outstanding, he showed some mean skills and trickery and his passing always precise. I love watching that boy in his stride and he looks so much better, so natural in this role. It was one of those performances where City's tenacious work-rate and team effort completely wore down the visitors and then we earned the right to play and score.
Kevin Cooper now had a taste for long range shooting and an instant 25 yard powered snap drive was just tipped over by Simonsen. Purse was so unlucky as he pounced on a high bouncing ball inside the area, his hooked effort smacking off the top of the bar. Alexander again caused panic as he failed to come for a ball dropping three yards in front of him and he then flapped at the resulting corner, punching when it was a routine catch, but it inadvertently almost became an assist as Jerome sped away, linked with Nsungu and was just denied with the return.
You did worry that one Stoke goal could leave City hanging on but those doubts were removed with the killer third on 68 minutes and it again emphasised how alert we were. Kevin Cooper was brought down near the Bob Bank touchline, level with the area. Stoke were slow setting up and in charged Neil Cox from 40 yards out, Ardley spotted the run and sent over a quick but perfect free-kick, COX ghosted in and glanced home his second of the afternoon in off the far post. Cox getting head, nothing's better! Cox was Man of the Match without his goals, head and shoulders above the rest which had those around me purring about his display long before this, his positional play quite outstanding.
3-0 at Stoke, 3-0 at Ninian, game, set and match Six-Luv to City. Thank you very much. In fact, it was the 5th time in 6 games, we've scored three against Stoke so no wonder we all sang, "can we play you every week?".
The final 20 minutes saw City cruise home but have to repel some Stoke pressure as they remained lively up front. Alexander showed how he doesn't let occasional errors shake his confidence these days by making an excellent low save from Kopteff, a couple of shots went wide or over but Stoke had no joy in getting a consolation, Alexander got his first clean sheet in 5 games and his 10th of the Championship season.
The only disappointment for many fans was that, with the game comfortably in the bag, it seemed the perfect occasion to let Ferretti have a 15 - 20 minute run out. It would have been good for him, there was nothing to lose for City. With another game coming up at Luton on Tuesday, it also seemed worthwhile to give one or two an early finish. However Dave Jones never looked to his bench, surprisingly the eleven who finished were the eleven who started but they all played very well. Nsungu had a satisfying first show, good touches and strength but without much nuisance in the area today anyway - reminiscent of a certain Alan Lee in that respect although he's now doing the business elsewhere.
That was the good news, not so good news came with other results as Watford and Preston had big home wins, Leeds and Palace got away draws so whilst remaining 7th, we're 5 points off the play-offs with those immediately above us having a game in hand too. However, we're now 4 points clear of those below us. All we can do is keep winning and hope someone above us crack but, regardless, we can truly enjoy days like today. Well done City!
THE COST OF BEING A CITY FAN:
Tickets: £20
Programme: £n/a
Nope not one on sale along Sloper Road again and I went early to the game.
Are they not bothering to sell them outside anymore from those who come to the game from Canton?
Food/Drink: £6
Transport: £4
Total for game: £30
Total for season-to-date: £2,359
Report from FootyMad
Cardiff powered to a well-deserved double over Stoke with goals coming from Neil Cox (2) and Kevin Cooper.
It was Cooper who started it off early in the first half with a magnificent 20-yard strike to celebrate his 31st birthday, while Cox hit his first goal for the club and grabbed a second after the interval.
The Bluebirds were without the suspended Jason Koumas and the injured Steve Thompson, while the Potters were missing Sammy Bangoura who had failed to return on time from the African Cup of Nations.
Cameron Jerome up front with Nsungu slashed a shot across the Stoke goalmouth as City began on the attack.
Nsungu was booked in the ninth minute after a high tackle on Lewis Buxton and two minutes later a sweeping move by the visitors saw new loan signing Josip Skoko head wide of Neil Alexander's post.
A mistake by Chris Barker gave former Swansea striker Mamady Sidibe an opening but the full-back recovered to give away a corner.
Skoko was back in the action in the 15th minute when he just failed to meet a Peter Sweeney cross when well placed in front of the home goal.
Cardiff went ahead in the 18th minute with a superb shot from Cooper. Receiving the ball down the right flank, he cut inside before unleashing a rocket into the top left-hand corner of Steve Simonsen's net.
On the half hour Cox doubled the lead from a Cooper corner. Jerome flicked the ball on and it ran on to the unmarked Cox who drilled it low into the net.
Three minutes before the interval Sidibe went close with a header from a Sweeney free-kick but that was a rare attack after City had dominated the opening period.
A flashing drive by Willie Boland in the 48th minute needed a fingertip push over by Simonsen.
Darren Purse almost increased the lead when he swung at a loose ball following a Cooper corner only to strike the angle of the post with Simonsen well beaten.
Cox netted his second of the afternoon in the 68th minute when he glanced a header from a Neal Ardley free-kick into the far corner of the net.
The Potters used all three subs in an effort to gain some consolation and while they mounted a number of raids, City's defence held firm for a deserved victory.
External reports
Western Mail
Oatcake (Stoke site)