Cardiff 2 City 3 (3-3 on aggregate), Cardiff won 4 – 3 on penalties
I was hoping that the ‘honour’ of writing the last Foxes Trust report this season would not be mine, but sadly the dream is over. However, we must be realistic; how many City fans believed that we would achieve so much this season? – certainly not me.
After losing on Sunday – the first time we had ever lost a play-off semi-final tie – it was going to be difficult, but paradoxically I think it helped us. Had we have won by one or two goals on Sunday, we might have played more defensively, always a dangerous tactic against a Cardiff team with so many prolific strikers. As it was, we had to go all out for a win and, barring a few hiccups, we did.
After going further behind, thanks to a well-taken goal from Chopra, City took control. A goal from Matty Fryatt, which crept agonisingly slowly over the line, was soon followed by an own goal after a Howard header. So at half-time it was 2-1 on the night and 2-2 on aggregate.
Soon after the restart King scored City’s third with a well-placed header although, as it was the goal furthest away from the City fans, we had to waitfor the various mobile phones and other electronic devices to tell us the scorer! …
Cardiff had become very nervous and now they were on the back foot. We had almost the whole of the second half to hold out and it was no surprise when we couldn’t. However, the second Cardiff goal was a controversial one, a somewhat dubious penalty.
Watching the highlights later on television, it was also clear that Chopra was offside shortly before – another example of the poor judgement of the officials, of which more later. The rest of normal time continued in much the same fashion and I, for one, was anxious that it shouldn’t go to penalties as I have never seen Weale save one, good goalkeeper that he is.
The 30 minutes added time changed nothing so we were into the lottery of a penalty shoot-out, rather surprisingly taken at the end where the City fans were. City went first (do they toss for it?) and Berner, Howard and Solano – three of our more senior players – scored text-book penalties; unfortunately so did the first three for Cardiff.
Then came another defining moment, when Kermorgant inexplicably chose to try to chip the keeper (at least, I think that was what he was doing) and Marshall had no difficulty in saving with his left hand. The fourth Cardiff man scored, putting a lot of pressure on Waghorn, the last of City’s five penalty takers. Although he struck it well, Marshall guessed right and pushed the ball away. Game over.
So a huge disappointment, but let’s look at the positives. We have had a fantastic season and, but for the blip when we only got one point from a possible fifteen, we have played well; on some occasions we have been fantastic – think about the games against Scunthorpe, Forest and Watford at home, and to win at Preston, a ground where we rarely get anything, was a real achievement.
In Pearson, we have a worthy successor to ‘Saint’ Martin (O’Neill) and he has brought in some excellent players, either permanently or on loan. I would single out Weale, Hobbs and Waghorn although it is somewhat invidious to do so. Of the players who were already here, Andy King and Bruno Berner in particular have shown what good players they are.
Jack Hobbs has been the player of the year in most people’s opinion and he has the rare talent of youth combined with an ‘old’ football brain. There have been one or two weak links: Dyer, Gallagher and Wellens have all had times when they have not performed to the best of their abilities, but which of us can say we have never been the same – fortunately for us, we are not watched by 20,000 or more people!
So what does next season bring? The big worry is whether we can hang on to Pearson. In a sport where loyalty is at a premium, Pearson does seem the worthy exception. Personally, I like the way he keeps his cards close to his chest, unlike some recent managers we can think of!
If he decides to stay with us, I have every confidence for the future. The other concern is the aforementioned Jack Hobbs, who must have been watched by a plethora of Premier League scouts. Again, I would hope that his coming of age with Leicester leads him to decide that his immediate future lies with us.
Back to the game. I know we often criticise officials, who are then vindicated when you watch a particular incident on television. But Webb (a Premier League referee?) was awful. I lost count of the number of free kicks he gave to Cardiff for the most innocuous challenges but when Cardiff did the same he waved play on. And he must have booked every City outfield player!
I have rarely seen such a one-sided match in terms of decisions and it felt that we were really playing against 12 men. The offside decision aside, the two linesmen were alright on the whole, although how the one on the far side missed an awful challenge on a City player towards the end of the game I will never know.
At the end of the BBC1 coverage, several texts were read out from City fans. One was just one word – ‘Proud’. I would heartily endorse this sentiment, the lads played their hearts out and no City fan could have asked for more.
For me, their resolve and determination was exemplified by Howard. At a corner towards the end of the first half of extra time, he came towards the City fans and encouraged us to cheer even louder. And at the end of the game, full marks to King who came to the away end touching the City badge on his shirt, which he then threw into the crowd. And poor Martyn Waghorn was inconsolable, and he is returning to a Premiership club. In the interviews with Pearson after the game and Chris Powell on Foxes Player, it was clear how close to tears both were and how much it meant to them.
So thanks Pearson, your backroom staff and all the players. You did us proud. And if by any chance Nigel Pearson is reading this, please stay!!!
City: Weale; Solano, Hobbs, Bruce, Berner, Gallagher, A King, Wellens, Dyer, Howard, Fryatt. Subs: Logan, Morrison, N'Guessan,Waghorn (72 for Dyer), Kermorgant (96 for Fryatt), Vaughan, Spearing (72 for Gallagher) .
Booked: Solano, Howard, King, Dyer, Wellens, Bruce.
Cardiff: Marshall; McNaughton, Kennedy, Hudson, Whittingham, Chopra, Bothroyd, McPhail, Burke, Ledley, Blake. Subs: Enckelman, Gyepes, Capaldi, Quinn (96 for McNaughton), Etuhu (59 for Burke), Wildig, McCormack (91 for Whittingham).
Referee: H Webb Attendance: 26,033.
The views expressed in this report are the opinions of the Trust member nominated to file the report only and do not represent the views of the Foxes Trust organisation