Date: Saturday August 27th KO: 15:00 Competition: Football League Championship Venue – CCS (Home Sweet Home) The Bluebirds return home this week for the first of two fixtures at the CCS, hoping to put a disappointing Severn Side derby day defeat behind them with a continuation of their excellent unbeaten (in the league) home form, having picked up two wins in two on home soil. The first of these two fixtures sees us pitch our talents against Preston North End (PNE), a team who's goal scoring record is dwarfed by our own, with the Lilywhites having scored just a solitary league goal so far this term, with that coming in an away victory at Cardiff's mid-week opponents Luton Town. However, despite the dearth of goals, Preston have also yet to concede a league goal either, pointing towards this being a very likely tense, tight game with few chances being conceded or taken by either side. The corresponding fixture in March last season was also a nil-nil affair, with Steve Morison commenting after the game; "It was a 0-0 game, it had 0-0 written all over from about the first five minutes of the game. "You are hoping for one moment and not to concede a goal. "I shook hands with their manager at the end of the game and we said 'that was boring wasn't it?' "But it's a point in the right direction. We would have lost that game a few months ago." Will the Bluebirds faithful be as happy with a point this time around? One suspect not, with a win being "needed" to maintain our acceptable start to the season. PNE have brought in a few players during the summer, with notable additions in the shape of striker Troy Parrot on loan from Spurs, Parrot on loan from Spurs, Welsh International Ben Woodburn from Liverpool and the ever dangerous Robbie Brady from Bournemouth. With other experienced players in their squad (including former Bluebird Greg Cunningham) they appear to be a team that should not be taken lightly, despite their lack of victories so far this season they sit above the Bluebirds on goal difference and remain undefeated. Overall the Bluebirds have the edge in this fixture, with 39 victories to PNEs 36 and 24 draws. Troy Parrot remonstrates with the referee after being booked for diving while on the wing for PNE Early Team News After losing our second left back in the space of two games last week, the Bluebirds may be in need of a defensive re-shuffle. Joel Bagan will be unavailable for this fixture due to precautions and the concussion protocols after his head injury last weekend. There are rumours abound that a loan move for Everton's Niels Nkounkou may be in the offing, but even if true it may be a little to soon for him to be thrown straight into action so expect Callum O'Downda to probably deputise instead. Ebou Adams and Zac Davies remain long term absentees bit otherwise, JC aside, the Bluebirds appear to have a clean bill of health. After his impressive cameo appearance against Bristol City last week we may see a start for Rubin Colwill, but if this were to happen would it be Romaine Sawyers or even Max Watters who would make way for the precocious youngster? With Wintle and Rinomhota pretty much making themselves un-droppable at present there are very few berths left in the midfield to allow for changes. It is of course up front where the Bluebirds appear to have struggled most and it remains anyone's guess as to whether Steve Morison will continue to back Watters for the starting role or whether he will give him a break and utilise Harris or Etete (or potentially Colwill) instead. Prutton Predicts As the season progresses, Dave continues to back the Bluebirds, favouring us for a 1-0 victory this time around. Having started to go off the boil with his accuracy in recent weeks, let's hope he gets back on track and is correct this week. Sharing the Love There are a few players to have donned the shirt for both City and PNE, including everyone's favourite pie eater Jon Parkin (aka the Beast). Having read his autobiography it transpires he was neither keen to join the Bluebirds or enjoyed his spell with us, but still, having seen him outpace our back-line in their infamous 6-0 victory at Deepdale we just had to sign him! If only we had an athlete like this up top for us now! Others to share the honour are; Player Cardiff Apps PNE Apps Jon Parkin 11 101 Paul Parry 192 80 Kurt Nogan 18 93 Jordan Hugill 18 103 Eddie Johnson 30 16 (USA, USA) Frank O'Farrell Manager 73-74 118 So, will it be all quiet on the Preston Front? Can we put paid to another undefeated record like we did with Birmingham a few weeks back?? Can we subject them to a Lilywhite wash??? Will one of the league founders flounder??? Bloooooooooooobirds!!!!!!!
Brizzle, when you hinted at being able to string a few sentences together, you were significantly underselling yourself. These match day threads really are good reads. Not just a string of facts and figures but great humour and story telling. Seriously mate, get busy with a book. As to the game, the obvious result is a 0-0 but I seriously can't believe that our developing style won't produce more goals as we go along.
Another excellent thread Brizzle. You should send a copy every week to the Press Association and earn yourself a few quid in the process. Your previews are so much better than some of the tosh they chuck out.
As has been said many times...a delightful thread once again! Thank you very much. Lifts my day and informs as well.
No news on whether the Everton full back will be playing so otherwise will it be Ng or O’D or AN Other at left back? Gavin Whyte still is at the club so wonder if SM will give him a start to see if he’s worth keeping? Then the usual quandary of whether Max starts with Harris and/or Etete (if rumours of his ‘injury’ are unfounded) to come on. And central midfield. Sawyers and Ralls were terrible at Bristol. Give Sang a chance in the same vein as Whyte? Have a look at the U21’s highlights v Sheff U - Sang created 3 chances, and won a penalty. It’s obviously going to 0-0 looking at the results so far. We’ve had a few goalless bores against PNE recently as well so it’ll probably be 4-4
TEAM NEWS Cardiff City: Allsop; Romeo, Ng, Kipre, O'Dowda; Wintle, Ralls (c), Sawyers; Philogene, Watters, Colwill Subs: Alnwick, Simpson, Nkounkou, Rinomhota, Whyte, Ojo, Harris
I'm away for the next week. Anyone watching able to add anything. Crap internet at CCS so might not be possible.
