2011-12 Match Reports CCFC v LEICESTER

25.9.2011

CARDIFF 0 v 0 LEICESTER

After the drama of the midweek 7-6 Carling Cup penalty shoot-out victory against the Foxes, expectations were high for another good return on our money. I checked the odds on a repeat result. About 3000-1. The same as taking a direct hit from a satellite fragment on Saturday. With an average attendance in excess of 21,000 there would have been a 1 in 7 chance of being hit by space junk yesterday. Clearly a chance worth taking but a SKY Live game meant that phew! it was the scheming, manipulative, phone-hacking, left-bashing megalomaniacal delusional octogenarian Aussie psychopath wot saved us!

And so to the game. I won’t dwell too much on the action as dear reader you probably witnessed it from the comfort of your armchair, balancing your TV Sunday roast on your lap, chasing peas and trying to avoid a major gravy spill, and in any case there wasn’t much to report. In fact there was more action and intrigue on the City bench than on the pitch in the first half.

To recap, Conway took an early tumble out wide, twisted an ankle and had to be replaced by Earnshaw. This meant that he had the opportunity to resume his fruitless partnership upfront with the equally ineffective Miller. Earnie’s major contribution in a first half that Leicester controlled without forcing home the advantage was to clear off the line from a powerful Foxes header with Marshall well beaten. He pulled up shortly afterwards and was replaced by Gestede.

This was not a problem for the majority of us as we have been calling for the French colossus to be given a start in preference to his vertically-challenged celtic cousins for some time. He made an immediate impact against the mighty Ivorian Sol Bamba and his captain Matt Mills who both check in at 6’3” and unsurprisingly were having a stroll in the park up to this point. Half time arrived with City fortunate to go in on level terms but there were grounds for optimism for a better second 45.

The half time entertainment was provided by a Malaysian dance troupe who performed for us in recognition of Malaysia Day. I’m not sure where this is going. Yes we’re very grateful for the Malaysian money and I’m all for the new spirit of internationalism and cooperation resulting in an enduring bond of friendship between our two nations which means that an outbreak of hostilities is no longer feasible.....(?)  You can’t force an artificial bond and invent a whole new common cultural identity between two peoples who have no shared history just because it’s commercially convenient.

The simple fact is that an extremely rich, well connected Malaysian burger and casino magnate has been persuaded to take a punt and indulge in some serious ego-massaging by buying into a football club. His interest will continue for as long as there’s a reasonable prospect of a decent return on his investment. As for anything more meaningful, well as Lennon & McCartney made quite clear in I Am The Walrus, ‘Kuala Lumpur, stick it up your Jumper...’

The second half saw the introduction of Darcy Blake in place of Hudson. It’s assumed that this was forced on Malky but, another happy accident. Blake injected some welcome pace and guile at the heart of the defence. With the tireless McNaughton marauding up the right, the surprisingly effective Naylor making a guest appearance and creating movement on the left and Gestade proving a handful up front we started the second half well and took the game to the Foxes, producing a number of decent chances.

Our dominance was effectively ended however when the rampaging Rudy became the third serious casualty of the game, tweaking a hamstring with about 20 minutes to go. With all 3 substitutions made, Rudy was given the tightest pair of emergency pants to support his wrecked thigh and told to just get back out and do his best. Which he did, hobbling around tirelessly on his one remaining leg. 

Leicester forced the pace for the remainder of the game but the back four kept a tight line and repelled all that crisp-munchers could offer. One very late scare well beyond the allotted injury time rattled the bar but an eventful but frustrating game concluded with a well-deserved point.

Next up, table-toppers Southampton. Malky will need to do some serious business in the loan market to secure the services of an emergency striker. Premier league training grounds currently echo to the sound of toys being thrown out of well upholstered prams by the great disaffected looking for a chance to prove a point. Carlos Tevez, anyone? More chance of being laid out by space junk...