Cardiff Murdered But They Take The Points

Colin Calderwood sprung a few surprises with his selection today and not all of them bad. Most surprising and pleasing of all, was the inclusion of Joe Garner in the starting lineup. Not so surprising was the omission of Chambers, but alas only to the bench. Andrew Cole will have been well miffed not to have even made the bench and will no doubt have his customary rant in the local press about not being here to just pick up the money.

Forest started the game with purpose and set about the Bluebirds from the off. It was an entertaining opening, with both teams going for it. The Reds' should have gone in front after only 8 mins, when Garner hit the post with a decent effort. The Welsh side also had a decent chance shortly after, when Jay Bothroyd shot way wide from 12 yards when he should have hit the back of the net.

Forest took control of the game and missed a hatful of guilt edged chances. Cardiff were riding their luck and praying for the half time whistle. For all the huffing and puffing from a hard working Forest side, the breakthrough never came. As the half drew to a close, fans were getting that familiar feeling of it not being their day.

It was a tense and nervous afternoon for the home support, who did their best to silence a good following from the Valleys. 2,000 Taffs made the trip to Nottingham and they backed their side well. They were to have their trip made more than worthwhile, when McGugan made an unnecessary challenge on McPhail right on the edge of the box. McGugan clipped his heel and gave the ref the easy decision of pointing to the spot. Former Forest target Ross McCormack stepped up and smashed the ball in the middle of the net. 1-0 and you knew it was game over.

The heads dropped, as Cardiff put men behind the ball in an effort to stifle the game. These tactics worked and the game became scrappy. Both sides had been knocking the ball about well, but the goal killed the game. Cardiff were deserving of their top six league placing on this performance and were the best team to visit the City Ground this season. That will be of little comfort to the home fans, who have only witnessed one win all season.

The introduction of former Cardiff striker and Ninian Park hero Rob Earnshaw, lifted the home fans. He got a decent reception from both sets as he took to the pitch, as a replacement for Garner, who was never going to last the entire match.

Earnshaw should have pulled us level shortly after coming on. He managed to lose his marker on the edge of the area and let loose with a diagonal shot across the box. It looked to be going in, but keeper Heaton made a great diving save to deny the striker his 6th goal of the season.

As the game drew to a close, the ground began to empty. Not even 4 mins injury time could keep them in their seats, then again we were never going to score if we played another 90. These are serious times at the club and something needs to change. Forest sit firmly rooted to the bottom of the table and are six points adrift. You can moan about bad luck for only so long. It's said that it evens itself out over the course of a season, but I'm not so sure. You have to make your own luck in this game and I think that will only happen with a new man at the helm. It's the Mutton Molesters next Sunday and it's live on TV. The thought of getting a tonking from them doesn't bare thinking about, but at the moment and until things change drastically, you can't see anything else. Your time is up Mr. Calderwood. Thank You and good luck. Next!

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