Coming off the back of a good run of form – 5 wins from the last 6 games – Cardiff knew that if they won today, results on the final day of the season would decide if they would secure automatic promotion to the premiership.
Middlesbrough on the other hand had absolutely nothing to play for but pride, but were not going to be pushovers, themselves with good recent form. The 400 travelling fans were partying as if it was they themselves seeking promotion, and were vocal throughout the entire 90 minutes.
Within 5 minutes, they were rewarded with an opening goal. Within 25 minutes, Middlesbrough were 3-0 up and with the Cardiff team showing an apparent complete lack of attacking ambition, floods of Cardiff fans were leaving even before half-time. I would’ve done the same had my mate not been keen to stay to the end. I spent most of the 2nd half playing a football game on my phone, such was the extent to which my interest in the spectacle had dwindled. Meanwhile, on the pitch, I’m not sure if Cardiff had a single shot on goal. The only piece of light entertainment that happened in the second half was Cardiff player, Kevin McNaughton knocking into “celebrity” female official, Sian Massey, causing her to fall over, although I must admit I missed this (probably playing on my phone) – worth watching on youtube though. Does seem a bit harsh of the player voted as Cardiff’s player of the year, especially as he didn’t even apologise.
To avoid paying the £27 walk up admission – I’ve not had a season ticket since Cardiff were playing at Ninian Park – I’d bought a ticket in the family section for this game, where absolutely nobody sings, made the more painful being right next to the away support. But being anywhere in Cardiff’s odious new stadium would’ve been just as bad I think. The place is entirely lacking in soul, and so notoriously cannot generate an atmosphere, even when Cardiff are winning. It frankly amazes me that people are willing to pay and put up with things as they are at the ground, but the modern fan it seems is not one who sings his heart out, his head filled with vigour and zeal, but one who is content to sit there solemnly in replica shirt, occasionally shouting, “Come on Jay!”
The team, like both the previous two seasons, once again has shown their remarkable ability at “choking” at the end. “What a time” to get our worst home defeat in 2 years, just like “what a time” to get our worst away defeat for years – 6-0 away to Preston 4 games from the end 2 years ago. So traumatic was Cardiff’s calamitous close-season capitulation 2 years ago that it actually inspired conspiracy theorists. Yesterday’s defeat, which also had echoes of the last ever game at Ninian Park when we also lost 3-0, might well have those people asking similar questions. Norwich’s hard fought away win later the same evening ensured they took the second automatic place.
There is still a chance Cardiff could be handed the automatic play-off place if QPR are deducted points for fielding an illegible player earlier in the season. If that doesn’t happen, Cardiff still have the chance to go up via the play-offs, but I personally doubt this team of bottlers could beat either Reading or Forest – their most likely opponents. If neither of these things happen, and we face yet another season in the Championship (worse still would be if we stayed down and our West Walian caravan-crunching compadres went up), surely then Jones must go. Those who would continue to defend Jones after another year of embarrassing failure, are starting to sound as barking mad as scientologists.
