Date: Tuesday 9th August KO: 19:45 Competition: EFL Cup (League Cup for those of us old enough to remember it pre-sponsorship days) Venue – Cardiff City Stadium Tuesday night sees the return of the “excitement” of the cup to the CCS. Sadly these days the early rounds of this particular competition are seen as a hindrance and a drain on resources by managers and many fans alike, however, as the Bluebirds showed back in 2012, if approached the right way then this competition can provide some real excitement and glamour (I won’t mention our little cousins down the road and their relationship with this trophy as they only had to beat 10 men from a League 2 team in their final!!). Incidentally, Ben Turner’s 118th minute goal was probably one of my most joyous moments of recent years following the Bluebirds. Early Team News The Bluebirds are likely to shake things up considerably, especially after the disappointment of defeat to Reading on Saturday where Bluebirds boss Steve Morison stated that we just “didn’t turn up”. Good performances against Pompey could well mean inclusion in the squad or even starting 11 for the home game versus Birmingham, so much to play for and points to prove from our current “fringe players” it seems. As a guess I’d imagine we will see Alnwick in goal, with potential starts for Etete up front, Philogene-Bidace and maybe Ollie Tanner on the wings. Joe Ralls may get a start plus there may be changes across the back line too with Bagan, Campbell, McGuiness & Denham all pushing for inclusion. For Pompey there may be a return to the CCS for familiar face Marlon Pack. He may well feel he has a point to prove after being released for a new, more dynamic approach by the Bluebirds. It appears Pompey are a bit like the Bluebirds, having brought in a fair number of new faces. Their League 1 results thus far have returned two draws, with an entertaining 3-3 away at Hillsborough being followed by a 0-0 at home to Lincoln in front of a bumper crown at Fratton Park (surprised they found the “time” to turn up!), a game it seems that was dull but dominated by Pompey. Portsmouth of course are the team that prevented the Bluebirds from once again taking the FA Cup out of England in 2008. A look at their history since then, when they were the money bags Premier League team boasting star names such as David James, Sol Campbell, Nico Kranjcar, Lassana Diarra & Sylvain Distin compared to our more humble rag bag Championship team should prove as cautionary tale as any when it comes to over stretching yourself in pursuit of glory! Sharing the Love Notable Bluebirds that spring to mind to have worn the colours of both the City and our opponents; Player Cardiff Apps Portsmouth Apps Jimmy Gilligan 99 32 Marlon Pack 101 2 Gary O’Neil 9 174 Greg Halford 28 42 Jimmy Scoular (Manager) 1964-1973 247 Frank Burrows (Manager) 1986-1989 & 1998 – 2000 1979-1982 & 1990-1991 Odd Fact – There is both a Ninian Park Road and a Cardiff Road in Portsmouth…. Personally I think they are just all Bluebirds wannabes! This is the first meeting of the sides since the Bluebirds defeated the same opponents in the same competition in the first round in 2017 by a 2-1 scoreline after extra time. What price a similar result this time around? The "knife" gives his "football fwends" the thumbs up! Anyway, time to “clock off” now and head for home after a day in the office. Bloooooooooooooobirds!
Sounds a bit obvious but I'd like to see SM do what he needs to do to win this. I think we need to get used to winning and stringing a few results together will help. All part of the work in progress.
certainly think the back 4 need a game together and watters needs the chance of a goal. Ng back in and likely that Campbell will play as Romeo came off injured against Reading. so a 50% change blows that out of the water. you're right though. we need to set out to win the game not just get fringe players some minutes.
It appears we've only won 1 of our last 6 league cup games (v Sutton 3-2). Hardly convincing stuff. A good performance and result would be most welcome. I can't see Pompey taking it too lightly so whoever plays will have to be on their game or we'll come a cropper early in the competition yet again.
Cardiff City XI: Alnwick; Campbell, Denham, Nelson, Bagan; King, Ralls, Whyte; Tanner, Harris, Philogene.
I go back to the Charles brothers but benches hadn't been invented then. Wait a minute, the Canton Stand was benches then
The question possibly should be brothers playing for City as back in the day it was only one sub. So other as you say Dave & Gary Bennett, only Paul & David Giles come to mind but unsure whether they played at same time.
I shouldn't criticise a ref before s game starts but Swabey (8 Pompey League games refed and they have won them all) and the other 2 officials are wearing exactly the same tops as the Pompey warm up kit. Spooky huh? Will save that for later if needed.
