"Where has this come from?!" One supporter exclaimed as he walked down the tunnel to get his half-time pint at Cardiff City Stadium, with his team 2-0 up against Leeds United.
Indeed, that was the sentiment all around the ground, save the 6,000 magnificent travelling Leeds fans who were in attendance.
A paucity of goals and a dearth of creativity have been hallmarks of Cardiff's thus far disappointing Championship campaign. But against Premier League side Leeds in the third round of the FA Cup, they looked a constant threat throughout the first half.
There were moments of scrambled defence and missed opportunities from the visitors, but, to give Cardiff the credit they are due, Mark Hudson's side, against mean opposition, posed a far more potent attacking threat than they have done in months.
Cardiff have not won a football match since November 5, a statistic which is exacerbated by the month-long World Cup break during that time, but the overriding reason for that is their lack of consistent goal threat during matches in the ensuing period.
City are the Championship's lowest scorers. They have found the back of the net just 20 times in 26 matches. It is actually testament to their defence — they have conceded just 29 times, only seven teams have a better defensive record — they are not in the drop zone.
But it's their shortcomings at the top end of the pitch which will land them in trouble come May. How often does a team post the lowest number of goals scored and not get relegated? The ratio must be pretty high.
However, the showing, particularly in the first half, against Leeds, has served to encourage Bluebirds supporters. Despite Cardiff having a number of players missing through illness and injury and a much-changed starting XI from their previous Championship game against Blackburn Rovers, the patterns of attacking play were far more pleasing on the eye. There appeared to be a cogent plan of attack.
The first thing to note is the positive make-up of the side, which Hudson got bang on. The balance of brawn and creativity in the midfield two — Andy Rinomhota and Romaine Sawyers were brilliant — gave the opposition far more to worry about than when City simply deploy three holding midfielders in that position.
Having Sheyi Ojo play in a creative role through the middle, while also pinning the wing-backs back with pacey duo Jaden Philogene and Mark Harris out wide, offered more avenues through which Cardiff could create.
And, of course, at the top of the tree was the lightning-quick Isaak Davies, who caused Leeds skipper Pascal Struijk all sorts of bother, getting him running towards his own goal and forcing errors. It was encouraging to see him put in such a bright and energetic display after so long out through injury, reminding fans just what he can offer this side in the coming months.
The overarching point is that the team Hudson selected was attacking and the decision was vindicated. Even the Match of the Day pundits spoke about how the Bluebirds "scared" Leeds with their bold mindset and tactics. It's what Cardiff need right now. It had a blend of creativity and pace which led to multiple goal threats. The first strike came from a pacey run down the inside right channel from Harris, while the second came by virtue of a stunning Rinomhota pass but also a smart burst through the middle from Ojo.
So often this season Cardiff have worked their way up to within 25 yards of the opposition's goal before shipping it out wide and crossing to small strikers, only for defenders to head away with ease.
The way this squad has been assembled means Cardiff don't have a reliable, big target man — although Kion Etete has shown early promise he could mature into that player in the years to come — like in seasons gone by and must therefore work out a different way to skin the cat, so to speak.
They did that against Leeds, well in that first half, anyway, and City fans hope Hudson will be emboldened by that in his team selections going forward as they bid to scrap away from the bottom three.
With Colwill, Callum Robinson, Callum O'Dowda, Ryan Wintle and Etete to be brought back into the fold from that team Sunday, too, there are ample options within the squad to strike the perfect attacking balance. Hudson has a selection dilemma on his hands and a welcome one at that.
Hudson himself knows that Cardiff have to be more attacking and from his comments, post-Leeds, it looks as though he will endeavour to rectify that moving forward.
"We have been working on certain aspects of the game which will improve us. We get from our box to the opposition's box really well and then it's about simplifying it," Hudson said after the draw with Leeds.
"I thought we were really attacking. We picked and chose when we went. The recovery runs were brilliant. You could see the togetherness and there were two really good goals.
"It gives us an opportunity to review it as well. To show what we worked in in the week can be out into action at the weekend.
"There were some really good passages of play. We knew we could restrict them and pose a threat on the goal even if we were deeper. We got it spot on. They have all put themselves in the right frame of mind to continue to kick on. I'm proud and they should be proud. They are, they are in good spirits."
It's too early to bill Cardiff's clash with Wigan Athletic a relegation six-pointer, but it's a crucial match from which Hudson and Co need a result. Should they emulate the Leeds game and employ similarly positive, attacking tactics, it gives them a far greater chance.
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