9:00am Thursday 9th February 2012
FOR the second week running City proved to be the architects of their own downfall.
Following on from last week’s game at Reading in which Louis Carey was sent off after conceding a penalty, this time Leeds United were the happy beneficiaries of City’s indiscipline on the pitch.
Forty minutes into Saturday’s encounter at Ashton Gate I felt sure that there would be only one winner in this game, as City played the more progressive football against a below-par looking Leeds outfit that were fresh from losing their manager Simon Grayson in midweek.
But City self destructed before half-time. Firstly, for the umpteenth time this season our defence fell into a comatose and allowed Leeds to play through us with eventually Robert Snodgrass being given all the time in the world to finish from inside the penalty area.
Then, also not for the first time this season, youngster James Wilson showed naivety in fouling the canny Ross McCormack with the former Cardiff City player breaking through on goal.
McCormack’s gesturing to the referee to show Wilson a card as well as the ease in which he tumbled was not appreciated, but regrettably the decision to show Wilson a red was probably just about right and we need to wise up quickly to this kind of gamesmanship.
Early into the second half City’s predicament went from bad to worse when Yannick Bolasie was booked twice in quick succession.
Both yellow’s looked harsh, the second one a coming together of two players more than anything, and this effectively ended the game as a contest.
The eventual 3-0 win for Leeds flattered them and we can again take heart from a spirited performance. My main concern remains goals. Even when we were on top for the first 40 minutes we didn’t create enough clear cut chances and still lack creativity.
McInnes is close to bringing in a defender on loan ahead of Saturday’s trip to Hull City (3pm) but just as a pressing for me is an attacking, goalscoring midfield player. They are tough to come by but it could make or break our survival chances.
City follow the Hull game with a home match against Crystal Palace next Tuesday (7.45pm) and four points from these two games would be most welcome.
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