Cardiff City vs Millwall 2014

          Just as we thought Cardiff City were getting back to winning ways, I turn on my television to watch them put in one of the worst performances I have seen I quite a while. After superb results as well as performances against Nottingham Forest and Ipswich Town, it was almost expected that they would go to Millwall, and at least bring home a point. However, as we saw, we may have expected far too much, far too soon.
          Where did the passion go? In the two games prior to this, Cardiff looked like a team that were playing for each other and had a real desire to win. You could see it on the players faces when a goal went it, jubilation and delight. It was enjoyable and refreshing to watch, the players playing for the club, which is exactly what the fans, and of course Russell Slade, will have wanted. From his short time in charge at Cardiff, it already seems Slade has got them working harder, which is what I believe should be one of the fundamentals of any football team, but it was something that had certainly been missing under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
          In fairness, the first half was promising with eight shots on goal but not one converted. I do not think many could believe it when Adam LeFondre side footed straight at former Cardiff goalkeeper David Forde from five yards out, after LeFondre having this reputation as so called, 'fox in the box.' Well he certainly did not live up to it today and has not proved himself to the Cardiff City crowd as yet. He must start scoring goals as Cardiff have a number of striking options on the bench that will be hungry for first team football.
          Apart from the occasional chance, Cardiff rarely looked a threat and were it not for big Bruno Manga at the back they may well have conceded more that just one goal. There has also been a fair bit of criticism for of all people, David Marshall, undoubtedly Cardiff's most consistent player in recent seasons. However, on this occasion he was certainly at fault for the goal. It was disappointing to see him go down after minimal contact during a scuffle in the box during a Millwall corner. The result of this tame attempt to win a free kick was Danny Shittu thumping home a header at the far post. A poor performance from Cardiff today and a great result for Millwall. On the other hand I have no doubt Russell Slade will let his players know his thoughts on todays woeful performance.