The Introduction
Sod this preview lark. How the flipping heck are we at Preview Towers expected to make any sense of what Charlton are going to do next.
A breath taking result v Barnsley after wins v Leeds and Bolton plus a draw at Brighton have left fans calculating what set of results could see us sneak into the play-offs, however unrealistic that might be. Regardless the late flourish has put a smile on everyone's face (bar Golfie of course). Now to finish off the season in style.
The Opposition
In a barmy, bonkers, baffling season Cardiff have been consistent enough to leave the rest behind and now need just one point to clinch promotion to the top flight. Their home form (15 wins, 4 draws and only 2 defeats) has left their rivals in their wake. But they can be beaten as the nine goal thriller at the Valley proved.
Unlike other sides who have relied on just one scorer (Palace and Blackburn spring to mind) Cardiff have shared the goals around. No Cardiff player has got into double figures but only Watford have scored more.
In Midfield Craig Bellamy is still pulling the strings but AFKA's favourite, Mark Hudson, has dropped out of the team in recent weeks. There was a promotion clause in the deal that took Mark Hudson to Cardiff. If it still applies no one knows but it might be worth checking the contract just in case.
The Line Up
Never change a winning side is the truism of all football truisms but Powell showed at Brighton that he is prepared to do just that if needed. Regardless we at the Towers expect to see the same 4-4-1-1 with Yann dropping deep that started at Oakwell.
If not, then expect Wilson to come in to beef up the midfield with Pritchard man marking Bellamy.
The bench is also likely to be the same although Stephens maybe preferred to Green, if fit.
The Trivia
Of all the clubs in the Championship only Peterborough have never played in the top flight. Of the others, the Club with the longest absence from the elite is Cardiff, who were relegated in 1961/2. It's been a long wait.
The Prediction.
5 - 4? 6 - 0? you might as well get a couple of dice, roll them and go with whatever comes up but we're saying 2 - 2. Pritchard and Kerkar.
0
Comments
or can we?
I have that old feeling from last year when whoever we were due to play you thought 'we will win this'. This will be a big ask though, but we should be playing for fun.
Depends how early Bellend gets sent off for kicking Pritchard but think we may squeak it 0-1 Charlton.
Our lads will also have remembered putting 5 past this lot too
They'll get revenge for our ridiculous win earlier on in the season and can see them racking up a few
4-1 to the Taffs
We could of course concede first, after which the Cardiff team would relax and start playing the football we know they can and we could be on the end of a drubbing (anyone recall the last game at Burden park?). Only time will tell but, our best hope is to play the crowd, therein lays their Achilles heel.
Personally I'd change shape to 4-5-1, drop Fuller to the bench and bring Dale Stephens back into a central midfield three alongside Hughes and Jackson. That gives us almost as attacking a line up and yet more able to frustrate and hold. Mackay is not the sort to sit back however, so two maybe preferred up front to relieve any continued pressure.
With the form we are in and the pressure Cardiff will be playing under this match could go either way, one thing I can't see is a nil's each.
1-3 to us
I must say that I would rather beat Wolves on Sat. Would be pleased if they went down.
I used to get fed up with 'we are too bigger club to be playing outside Prem/1st Division' and remember when we had just got back to the Valley and we were mugged even though we were far the better side. Ref allowed a goal that was the clearest off side I have ever seen - only player in our half other than our Goal keeper. And I do not mean just in our half. Closer to our Penalty area than the half way line. To make it worse I was sitting next to a Wolves supporter in their end, and he was very nice about it.
The Cardiff match is all-ticket and tickets are no longer being posted out, so must be bought from commercial centre. 578 sold (MW) #cafc
I'm going to go for 1-1. Cardiff won't want to lose so will play cautiously, whilst we should be able to nick one and everyone leaves happy.
Draw: Cardiff City 1 v CAFC 1