The directness started to feel less like a Plan B and more like the plan. We caused Cardiff real problems early by getting the ball forward quickly and attacking the channels around Bamford and Cannon, but once they settled we almost bypassed our own midfield entirely. Cardiff were able to recycle possession, work us side-to-side and repeatedly attack the wide areas while we sank deeper. The point owed far more to the chaotic opening than anything we controlled afterwards. Really should have been a loss. The drop off in quality after the opening flurry was glaring at some points felt like we were playing with 10.