Pathetic Bluebirds slump to 4 - 2 home defeat

Last updated : 13 September 2014 By Michael Morris

The boos that echoed around an empty Cardiff City Stadium at the final whistle today could go a long way towards the future of manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

The negative reaction would have been louder but half the crowd showed their disgust by leaving when Norwich's 4th goal was scored by Cameron Jerome.

I'm sorry but as nice a man Ole is he is just not up to the job. He has in my opinion bought good players (although Anthony Pilkington failed to impress for the second game running) but the second half performance was as poor and pathetic as any bad showing from City over the last few seasons.

It was all going so well. A positive Cardiff City passed the ball well and moved forward during the first half and despite a couple of shaky passes chances were taken by Joe Ralls and Aron Gunnarsson. The questions about the balance of the side had been raised though before the game. Again Solskjaer made changes. He just doesn't know his best team or formation or tactics.

Norwich had not asked too many questions though and when they did test City after the break they were a class above.

Cardiff could have put the game to bed at the start of the second half when a Federick Macheda volley was turned away by the Norwich keeper. But that was the turning point.

Norwich capitalised on Cardiff's indincisiveness, poor passing, defensive frailty and all round sluggish bad play as the home side capitulated.

Cameron Jerome came off the bench for the visitors and with the able assistance of his midfield, who were finding space all over the park, terrorised the Cardiff defence who were more wobbly than a plate of jelly (Matt Connolly aside) .

The goals flowed, one, two, three and four. If they wanted them Norwich could have gone for five and six. Cardiff had no answer apart from a Peter Whittingham free kick that Ruddy saved well.

Cardiff had no leader on the pitch. If Marshall was skipper he didn't show it. 

The season is not lost yet but on the second half showing today it's not going to be many weeks before City will be waving goodbye to a realistic promotion challenge.

There are two more games this week. Middlesbrough at home looks like a chance for Solskjaer to redeem himself but if not then I don't fancy our chances at Derby next Saturday. The Rams could give us a right battering.

Tony Pulis anyone?