It's asking a lot from a small squad that has knackered themselves ensuring our safety, but the only way to win this is to press high. From what I've seen, that's how other teams have been successful against the Swans.
Agreed. If you sit back against them, they'll be in their comfort zone - they'll pick you off (or get a penalty ) We might as well press high and go for it. Still don't think it would be "season ending" if we lose, but 3 points would give us a huge boost going into the international break.
I really hope he goes with your first choice Ninian. Plug will not have set up for that. It strengthens midfield and easily turns into a 4 2 4 if needed. Then there is always Watters to come on if he wants to push up on their centre backs through the middle and relieve Moore of some of the burden.
Cardiff City: Dillon Phillips; Thomas Sang, Sean Morrison (captain), Aden Flint, Ciaron Brown; Joe Ralls, Marlon Pack, Will Vaulks, Leandro Bacuna; Harry Wilson; Kieffer Moore. Substitutes: Alex Smithies, Josh Murphy, Jonny Williams, Max Watters, Sheyi Ojo, Mark Harris, Junior Hoilett, Rubin Colwill, Sam Bowen. Could still be a 5 at the back if Ralls drops back there. Otherwise 4 in midfield - Ralls, Pack, Vaulks and Bacuna?????
Does not fill me with confidence I'm afraid. The loss of Ng on top of Bennett and Ralls is a big blow. On the bench, is Sam Bowen a defender? If not then no defenders on the bench. I can't call Hoilett a defender. Going to be a long evening.
Bowen is a midfielder. Ralls and Sang 2 midfielders as wing backs isnt ideal at all. I presume Ralls will be there and not Bacuna. The loss of Ng is a massive blow.
Looks like it. We're going to play right down the middle with very little width. Maybe trying to snuff out the usual Swansea midfield control?
Don’t think MM has much choice to do that. Playing Ralls as WB would surely be a disaster for so many reasons, not least he hasn’t got the pace and the midfield 2 aren’t good enough to pose an attacking threat. Anyway it’s nearly time - all we can hope for is a totally committed effort which has been so lacking in the last few derby games. Not since the ‘gold Medel’ performance under Malky Mackay have City turned up.
Hope he doesn't play Bacuna as a No.10 and push Wilson out wide - that would be a waste. I'd like to see Wilson and Bacuna playing up alongside Moore with the midifield patrolled by Ralls, Vaulks and Pack - that of course means a back 4.
Signing off for the next couple of hours. In fact may not be back tonight - either pissed off or just pissed........
