Lennie. Don't make Mark Hughes' mistake

Last updated : 23 November 2003 By Michael Morris
I'd sort of left the 1st Division behind after our win over Stoke. I was happy we were in the top half of the table and doing well. My mind switched to Wales and the play offs against Russia.

After getting a draw in Moscow I looked forward to Wales going for it at the Millennium Stadium. I walked away after the defeat by the Russians shaking my head and ruing the cautious approach from Mark Hughes. Ruing the decision to play Earnie in midfield and not up front when we needed a goal.

I was devastated that we failed to grasp the nettle and have a bloody good go.

It's taken until late on Saturday night (now early Sunday morning) after City's win at Wimbledon to study the table and the possibilities in front of us.

Before the Stoke game we were challenging for 6th place. The top 5 had pulled away and we had a real claim for the final play of place. We have though won the last two league games. We are unbeaten in 7 league games and there has been no team that has really worried us this season. Now it's top spot that is acheiveable not just 6th.

3 of our four defeats have been freak results. Sheff Utd 5 - 3, Bradford at home 0 - 2, their only two shots. Palace are dreadful, we managed to completely lose our heads. Only Reading beat us by outplaying us for the last 30 mins but until then we were the better team.

On looking at the Division 1 table I see City 6 points from top spot. WBA currently on top visit Ninian Park on Tuesday. We could close the gap on them to 3 points. Norwich could win and keep us 5 points away but we'd still have a game in hand.

My thoughts that avoiding relegation was a result this season have been eliminated. My thoughts that consolidation is a good thing have been erased.

After seeing Mark Hughes and Wales fail to go for it and end up letting down a nation I am 100% in favour of City making a solid promotion challenge. Lennie, do the decent thing, strengthen the squad and be positive. We are good enough to do this.

Do not go gentle into that good night. Go into it all guns blazing. Wales broke our hearts once this season, don't let Cardiff City break them again by going out with a wimper.

Attack attack, attack.