Cardiff vs Villa, Peter Whittingham Memorial Match

[Dave P]

I went to Cardiff last night.  Just over 10k there so a decent turn out and it made you realised how loved Whitts was at Cardiff.  The teams came out to an acosutic version of his fans song and it just seem to floor everybody with how sombre it felt. 

On the pitch, we must have had about 75% possession without having many shots.  It was a proper work out though to blow a few cobwebs off.  Hard to see what Emery would have learnt.  Their 2nd and 3rd goals seem to come about due to very poor marking, but the result and performance was very secondary.  I ticked a new ground off so that was good.

[bilsim]

Probably one of the strangest experiences I've had at a football match, as above, the cover of "here's to you Peter Whittingham" was beautiful but very sombre. No chanting with the exception of a brief "allez allez allez" in the second half and cries of "shoooot" when Dougie came over to take a corner.

Cardiff crowd was very youngster heavy, a big shout out to the handful of very young kids who spent the evening goading the away end, that was a good laugh.

On the pitch, very much a training exercise. Not many of the youngsters impressed, each of the Cardiff goals seemed to stem from a mistake or miscommunication from the academy players. Ashley Young - absolutely class, a couple of absolutely beautiful passes that weren't given the finish they deserved. As has been mentioned, we dominated possession but can't think of many chances we created. Not really sure what we learned from the outing but in Emery we trust.

At the end of the game Cardiff were presented with the first "Peter Whittingham trophy" which gives the impression that this will be a yearly event.

[Bad English]

How was Archer?

[chrisw1]

I would have liked a great performance and win, but this was Cardiff and Peter's day and I'm pleased for them and his family.  I'm sure Emery will have learned loads and the players have had a run out. 

No harm done.

[dave.woodhall]

If there is a trophy, I hope it's a bit less one-sided and instantly forgotten than the Sir Graham one Watford said they'd always keep regardless and never mentioned again. 

[Neil Hawkes]

How was the goalkeeper?

Are we still screwed if Emi is out for any period?

[LukeJames]

Only saw the goals but he looked dodgy on the first two.

[Legion]

How was the goalkeeper?

Are we still screwed if Emi is out for any period?

Yes.

[Dave P]

How was the goalkeeper?

Are we still screwed if Emi is out for any period?

OK.  Very raw.  Not ready for the premier league yet i'd say.

I was very impressed with Raikhy when he came on.  The Punjab Pirlo.

[Neil Hawkes]

Thanks chaps..........and bugger

[Dave P]

Also, just to confirm, it wasn't Olsen in goal.  It was Filip Marschall.

[Neil Hawkes]

Also, just to confirm, it wasn't Olsen in goal.  It was Filip Marschall.

Thanks - knew it was someone else, but was too lazy to check who.......do we have any spare keepers that can stand in for Emi without causing major palpitations?

[Legion]

We have Olsen, Sinisalo and Marschall. None of them fill me with any confidence. Steer is on loan at Luton Town.

[eamonn]

I thought Sinisalo was meant to be "sick"?

[Dave P]

Sinisalo is at Burton on loan