Missed Penalties Boost Cardiff City's Cause

Cardiff City have been somewhat disheartened to draw the last three fixtures, especially with the three points well within our grasp on all three occasions. However, it could have been much much worse for the Bluebirds with the opposition spurning glorious chances from the penalty spot in each of the past two games.

Clearly, goals have a huge effect on games so it's not accurate to say that, having converted their spot kick-kicks then Coventry City would have won 3-2 and Birmingham City 2-1 against us. However, Coventry taking the lead (instead of twice fighting back) would have had big implications and I couldn't see us coming back to draw if Brum had opened us a 2 goal lead with Huseklepp's strike on the counter attack.

It was Gary McSheffrey who blazed over in midweek. Apparently the decision was awarded for a Gunnarsson foul and not the handball I'd assumed at the time but is was a desperately poor effort. On Sunday, David Marshall guessed right and managed to keep out Marlon King's low effort. Again, nopt a great penalty but many aren't and still find the net.

Those two slices of luck helped us on our way to two draws, both disappointing in ways but creditable in others. Birmingham were at home and above us in the table, while Coventry City are scrapping for their lives.

There have been more encouraging signs over the past few days, certainly indications that we are less tired and perhaps regaining some much needed condifence. Again, those two penalty misses will have given morale lifts at the time and hopefully, just maybe, the next chance Kenny Miller gets will also benefit from that bit of luck and find the net, rather than skimming the post, crossbar or drifting just wide - as over the last 2 months!

Every team needs a bit of luck, I think Cardiff City have been somewhat unfortunate at times recently - now would be a great time to start getting those little breaks again!

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