City Lack Bullet in Fox Hunt

Started Up Front
By Chris O'Brien
October 30 2004

Cardiff City took their unbeaten run to 6 matches following a 0-0 draw with Leicester City at Ninian Park, but the Bluebirds really should have won the game. Lennie Lawrence's side were denied by the woodwork on three occasions, and poor finishing in front of goal denied the hosts a goal.

How Cardiff City didn't win this game is beyond me. The Bluebirds squandered chance after chance, with Alan Lee particularly guilty, meaning a disappointing Leicester City side left Ninian Park with a goalless draw. Cardiff hit the woodwork on three occasions and enjoyed the lion share of possession but couldn't find a way past a Foxes backline that has now conceded only eight goals in eight away trips this term.

Lennie Lawrence was without Tony Vidmar through suspension, so James Collins partnered Daniel Gabbidon at the heart of the defence. Loan players Darren Williams and Gary O'Neil returned after being barred from playing in the mid-week League Cup tie. Paul Parry started up front alongside Alan Lee with Thorne absent due to injury, whilst Joe Ledley continued his stint on the left hand side of midfield.

Leicester City are a team with aspirations of promotion, however on this showing they are heading for mid-table obscurity. The defence looked solid and the visitors have second choice 'keeper Kevin Pressman to thank for some magnificent saves, but they were out battled in midfield and rarely looked a threat up front. New manager watched on from the Ninian Park stands, and will surely have some harsh words for his players when he takes over duties at the Walkers Stadium on Monday morning.

The Bluebirds attacked from the start. The central midfield pairing of Kavanagh and O'Neil gives the team an offensive edge and Paul Parry looked electric early on, covering loads of ground and using his pace to create opportunities. Gary O'Neil saw his free-kick rattle against the crossbar and over, whilst Parry's long rang effort clipped the post before Lee cocked up the rebound by selfishly shooting straight at Pressman from only yards out. We paid £900,000 for the Irishman - he should have scored.

More to follow...

This was an impressive performance from the Bluebirds but the lack of a goal is worrying. This was one of our strongest displays at Ninian Park over the past 12 months but poor finishing and a failure to break down a resolute Foxes backline meant City had to settle for a share of the spoils. Next up is the visit of West Ham United to South Wales on Tuesday evening in a tough Football League Championship encounter against one of the main contenders for promotion.

Full Time - Cardiff City 0-0 Leicester City
Attendance - 13,759

Cardiff City: Warner, Williams, Gabbidon, Collins, Barker, McAnuff, O'Neil, Kavanagh, Ledley, Parry (Bullock 86), Lee (Jerome 79).
Substitutes Not Used: Weston, Boland, Alexander.

Leicester City: Pressman, Makin, Elliott, Heath, Stewart, Scowcroft, Gemmill (Stearman 84), Tiatto (Gillespie 71), Nalis, Connolly, Dublin (Blake 60).
Substitutes Not Used: Benjamin, Gudjonsson.