First of all, well done to Cardiff. Massive credit to the Championship, didn't know when they were beaten and had the energy - somehow - to come back after going 2-1 behind in extra-time.
Happy to get our first silverware for 6 years, it's been a long time coming.
Back to the reality of the game though, to have so many shots, corners and possession against any team and to only draw 1-1 in the 90 minutes and 2-2 after an extra 30 is nothing short of abysmal.
We lack creativity, pace and a poacher. Still think someone like Hernandez at Man United would be perfect for us. Always buzzing around the area, in the right place at the right time and tends to pop up with goals.
Great to win, but still a long way to go before we are a proper force in England again.
What were your thoughts today?
Carling Cup final reaction
posted on 26/2/12
I was disappointed with Carroll and particularly Suarez today. Both virtually non-existent when they were on the field.
posted on 26/2/12
Big well done to Cardiff. But thank heavens for that!
posted on 26/2/12
Suarez and Carroll as a partnership are obviously never going to work. They just aren't on the same wavelength, Suarez is far too clever for Carroll and needs to be partnered with someone who he can play one-two's with, who has good movement and decent pace.
Carroll could potentially be a decent squad player to give us the option of a big man in some games but he is never going to be the play every week answer if we want to be at the top end of the table, its painfully obvious.
Henderson also was dire. Playing with absolutely zero confidence. At one point in the first half he picked the ball up 30 yards out with space in front of him, and went sideways.
posted on 26/2/12
Many people have asked & questioned why have we struggled against a Championship team today?
Maybe, we have Championship players? Carroll? Henderson? Adam? To a certain extent Bellamy & Downing too?
posted on 26/2/12
Not half, bloody hell, Cardiff played a blinder, and turned it into a memorable cup final!
posted on 26/2/12
That's silly RKW.
I watch Championship football regularly. Carroll and Adam were both excellent in the Championship, too good for it (Carroll wasn't prolific, but he gave every team problems).
Downing would be dynamite in the Championship. In central midfield, Henderson would be better than most.
Bellamy was excellent in the Championship last season despite injury problems.
They are all Premier League players. They might not be top Premier League players, but they are all better than a decent Championship player.
What we lack is top players who will make a difference in the final third.
Cardiff played above themselves today. I have seen them first hand this season, beaten, and they didn't defend any near as well as they did today. They wanted it today big time and played their hearts out.
posted on 26/2/12
Fox in peace, just to say how sorry I was that Cardiff didn't quite pull it off this afternoon. A heroic performance, deserving of the cup.
Like many 'neutrals' I guess, I wished Liverpool to lose, having being sickened by the appalling attitudes over the past months of Dalgleish and Suarez. But no one could watch that match without wishing Cardiff to come out on top.
Great stuff, well done City.
posted on 26/2/12
Need Lucas back..badly, and add another 100 million; Hazard & Cavani >>>>> challenge
posted on 26/2/12
Great to win
Our finishing was woeful....
Some of the players are clearly not up to it
Stevie needs to play further up the pitch...he's the premier attacking midfielder and the partnership with Adam doesn't work
Carroll struggles as he isn't intelligent enough as a player to read Suarez and make the right movements, I'm not sure he'll ever be a starter if we can find a quick smart finisher
We need a dynamic ball winner to play with Lucas and cover for Stevie to support the attack properly
posted on 27/2/12
righteous1 - Think it's fair to say - and other comments will back me up on this - that the current squad of players aren't good enough for where we want to be.
We're aiming for fourth in the Premier League. I dread to think what'd happen to us in the Champions League after witnessing what has happened to Arsenal & Chelsea in recent weeks.
Are the players in question good enough for the Champions League? No.
Are the players in question good enough to get us into the Champions League? Debatable.