Match Day Thread Cardiff City @The Cardiff City Stadium 27/2/2016

A trip to the Welsh capital for an interesting game, could possibly class this as a six pointer, with only a place separating the two sides, with a play off spot still on the horizon.
Fourth visit to Cardiff to watch football and my third different venue, yet to win in the Welsh capital two defeats play off finals and a 2-2 draw at Ninian Park at the start of the 1979-80 season, the home fans were so happy with the result they bricked the coach happy days!!!!!!!!!!
The return fixture at Deepdale was scoreless expect this to be very similar although Cardiff's chairman has asked them to shoot on sight which certainly worked against Brighton last Saturday winning 4-1 with Peter Whittingham scoring twice. Whittingham is always a danger from set pieces and now must be Cardiff's longest serving player by a country distance.
Finances meant that City had to sell Mason to Wolves and could not do a deal to get Watt to the club, he eventually went to the Plastics at Ewood.
Before Tuesday's defeat at the Riverside they had gone six games without defeat however they do seem to let in a few goals.
Will Grayson stick to the 352 system that didn't quite work on Tuesday however it is a system that seems to work like a treat away from home. Robinson pushing for a place after scoring the winner, Pearson now suspension free, Gallagher may get a rest as he seems to be struggling through games at the moment however once the 50 point target is passed expect him to have his operation.
Match report Sunday.

 

If NE win at cardiff, then signs of great possibility of NE reaching the play-offs. (Jut listening to FIFA announcing its new president...Deep Pockets Infantino) Nails down to the quick tomorrow!

 

Always had the thought that if North End go behind in an away game they would find it hard to get anything from the game and so it proved at Cardiff, on the balance of the play and the fact that Lindegaard had a blinder between the sticks for us it was a fair result although if we had played a different formation at the start we may have got something from the game but we didn't and we didn't.
The last of this seasons long away coach journeys for me cannot make Reading for the last away game saw my first visit to the impressive Cardiff City stadium, were fans do not mix at all, drive them in and drive them out routine which was well organised.
A very quiet start to the game which gave it an air of an end of season game, eventually it began to be obvious that City's early grip of midfield and their use of the wings would be a major factor in the game. Reach had an early effort which did not trouble Marshall, before City's first major attack nearly brought a goal although it would have been a fluke, a cross from the right missed every one and struck the post and rebounded into the grateful arms of Lindegaard. Soon after the post was struck again but this time Lindegaard had palmed the ball onto it with a brilliant double save to keep North End in the game. A North Endf attack nearly broke the deadlock however Reach could not quite find Garner with a cross cum shot.
City deservedly took the lead just before half time with a penalty, although the beginning of the move the ball seemed to go out of play, the lines man kept his flag down, some intricate play down the left hand side with the impressive Malone back heeling the ball to a City player who was fouled by Huntington, clear penalty. Lindegaard dived to head butt the right hand post Pilkington blasted it down the middle.
North End changed formation at half time with Robinson replacing Huntington and looked better balances but apart from a tame Robinson shot Marshall was not over employed in the City goal. Lindegaard was again performing miracles to keep out Pilkington, but then came an offside decision which denied Reach a goal, great cross by Cunningham, Reach finished well, sadly flag was up very tight but no goal. Slightly against the flow of the play City doubled their lead with a second penalty, at first thought it was outside the box but having seen it this morning it was a penalty, Lindegaard went to head butt the left hand post Pilkington sent him the wrong way again.
Game over well almost a neat Pearson pass found Cunningham he slid the ball to Robinson who scored with a neat finish, one more chance for North End but Robinson's free kick flopped into the blue seats behind the goal.
So back across the Severn Bridge to end a 14.5 hours journey pointless, although we did not play too badly.

Cardiff City 2 Preston North End 1 Att 15550

 

Well balanced report.

I was right by the touch line when City did keep the ball in leading to the 1st goal.

Thought our manager made it easier for PNE to try to come back into it by trying to defend a slender lead; surely best form of defence is attack?

This game was yet another Championship encounter between 2 teams, with plenty of endeavour and effort but little quality. Can't help but feel next season will be a lot harder.

Incidentally why do you call Blackburn 'the plastics?'

 

Plastic because loads became supporters when the money arrived glory hunters, yep next season will be harder for us as well, but that next year no need to worry about it just yet

 

I cannot see NE getting within the top 6. There are too many teams with more quality and money. I still think that when 55 points are attained, the club should think about preparing for next season. The acquisition of Pearson and the injured guy are possibly a step forward. Reach seems to be a growing influence and so if the much maligned Woods.
Obscure name calling is a trait of clubs that are close together. I am still trying to work out 'The Dingles' for Burnley. Dingle Dell...what the hell? Emmerdale Farm?

 

Burnley are the Dingles, Rover are the Plastics