Choices. Choose an early morning start. Choose driving music, loud and fast, familiar tunes, they rock.
Choose to ignore "M5 closed Southbound” signs, gambling overnight diversions not yet removed. Got that one right. Another right, a diversion to Bristol to collect an 80’s Akai Hi Fi, princely sum of £1. Well 99p actually but you can't really turn up with a handful of coins or ask for the change, it's churlish. Choose EBay every time.
Choose a few bits of music from Plastic Wax, one of Bristol’s best.
Choose dark beers, stouts and porters with friends in the City Arms, Cardiff eventually reached.
It's the last choice of the day; everything that follows is a watching brief.
Watch the stadium fill, the new Upper Tier full of home supporters, free tickets abound but they do make the rest of the ground seem bare. We don't sell out either even at £24 a pop. Bizarre yet sensible stewarding, those standing at the front told to "go to the back” and those who want to sit come forward. Mind there is plenty of room.
Watch the Rams all in white, sunshine makes them bright; our style of play dulls the effect.
Watch the Bluebirds hassle and chase; we have little time on the ball. We compete competently. It's hardly riveting stuff, it’s back to Clement football.
Watch us try to get forward, watch the final pass go astray. It's still better watching than listening. Behind me abuse is hurled, familiar targets, easily chosen.
I know you pay your money, you’re entitled to your view but why come if for the whole game you get on Keogh’s back, on Martin, on Ince, on Johnson, on Carson. After all if you tell folk they are crap often enough then that's what they become.
Watch Bryson, run his heart out, 100% effort! Achievement less. Much.
Watch a corner, an outswinging Whittingham. Watch a runner. Watch static defenders. Watch a goal line fixated goalkeeper. Watch the ball resting in the back of the net. Watch Cardiff celebrate Centre Back Ecuele Manga’s headed goal. Watch Keogh's arms raised in the normal "what can I do” pose.
Watch the minutes drift to half time, miss a melee and two yellow cards for a coffee, a choice I don't regret.
Chat to friends, plan trip to Charlton, discussion of the first half dismissed. Watch Chrissy Martin equalise. A scruff of a header, he put himself where it hurts though and we are level four minutes into the second. Watch the game open up. Watch the home side have shots on target. We don't see any. Watch another corner comically turned in by O’Keefe, it trickles over the line, 2-1 down. Watch Blackman’s sole contribution to ten minutes plus injury time, a headed flicked on to nobody. Nobody can argue with the stats. We lost 2-1. We had one shot on target, we scored, that's 100% conversion for those who want something positive out of each and every match. Watch the ground empty. Walk head down back to the Castle and the car and the long journey home. At least it’ll be four hours before we pick up on the managers post match views. Watch. Nine thirty it says as I pull on the drive. Another day on the road supporting the Rams, another day where you take the positives out of the journey and banish thoughts of the negative football. Watch the highlights? You must be joking! Good night…
Darren Wassall after the loss to Cardiff
COYR!!
Match Highlights & Stats:
Gaffer Post Match Interview:
What to read next:
We have been told by numerous Swansea fans of a chance meeting in a service station between Jamal Lowe and those returning from Norwich yesterday. Nothing in that or indeed the conversation they had yesterday. Indeed there has to be some interpretation from what we know already on Jamal Lowe.
It was a pulsating game to watch and very much one of my favourite away games of the season. The Swans looked an entirely different side to that we saw at Middlesbrough when it is clear a catalyst for commitment was agreed behind the scenes at Swansea City. To a man every player grafted and
wore the shirt with pride. To see the players really acknowledge the Swans support at Carrow Road this afternoon was emotional.
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report.
The Swans are on the Norfolk Broads, punting and boating their way to the end of the season. Hopefully the city of Norwich is obliging.
Swansea City have set out on their second long distance away trip in two weekends, this time to Norwich for todays clash between the Swans and Canaries (3pm) Over the last ten meetings between the clubs Swansea City have won five times, Norwich the same.
As a result of the news reported by Sky on Wednesday that five military horses had escaped and ran through central London, a Cardiff City follower thought it wise to relate the incident to the death of Swansea fan Terry Coles, 42.
Liam Cullen has had his request for a new contract dismissed by Swansea City after discussions broke down last week. The lowest paid ‘senior’ player at the club ( he is twenty five) asked for a better contract increasing his £3,500 a week to around £7,000 a week over three years.
Thanks to Gwyn we have a thorough assessment of this weeks officials who will take charge at Carrow Road this Saturday at 3pm. Norwich City will be keen to get the points to guarantee their play off slot, and Saturday is their first go.
He was a revelation for the Swans for the few games he played this season, and now it emerges Sam Parker has ‘turned down’ a new Swansea City contract. News is thin on the ground, and some of it just incorrect as he looks to involve his representatives in some further negotiations. Plus his current contract runs for two more years.
There were some worrying moments for the Swans yesterday, on three occasions mistakes from playing out from the back nearly saw the home side score. And is there now a case for Jamal Lowe to be offered a contract at Swansea ?