Game #16 sees the Bluebirds making the short trip West to visit our little cousins down the road and hoping to avoid a 3rd defeat in a row and bounce back from what have been 2 disappointing results on the spin for differing reasons. Last Saturday's defeat to Coventry came a little out of the blue and was admittedly a poor performance by the Bluebirds, but Wednesday's defeat at QPR came amidst controversy, with the City reduced to 10 men after just 18 minutes and conceding a penalty to boot to go behind. The subsequent viewing of the incident that set the tone for the night and the successful appeal of J B Simpson's red card point towards our team once again having been hard done by. In truth, would any of us really want this to be the game that we faced next in a bid to avoid 3 bad results on the trot? In recent years the West Walians appear to have held a bit of an Indian sign over us and of course last season needs no real mention (don't want to trigger anyone's PTSD) but of course it would be ungracious of me not to mention the fact that for the first time in the history of this fixture, a double was completed (or a doube as it is apparently known down West). Good to see the literacy lessons are working well in Swansea. Our undoubtedly gracious hosts come into the game in fine form, having won 5 of their last 6. There was a momentry blip away at Burnley when a heavy defeat and a red card for talismanic striker Joel Piroe appeared to have knocked them out of their stride, however, by hook or by crook they bounced back and overturned a 2-0 deficit v Reading to win 3-2 in their last outing. It would appear that defensively they are a little vulnerable but gong forward they seem have found their groove and have been scoring regularly, recording impressive wins away at the likes of Watford and West Brom in the process. Main striker Piroe's red card at Burnley has ruled him out for this clash but Michael Obafemi (back in favour after a summer contract wrangle and aborted move to Burnley) and Harry Darling have also been amongst the goals. Matt Grimes appears to be one of the chief supply lines with 4 assists this season so far, so could be one to try to shackle once the game is underway (if we can do it before kick off then all the better). The corresponding fixture last season saw the Bluebirds suffer a 3-0 defeat and in the head to head on this fixtures history, our little cousins also have the edge by some way, with 31 wins to the Bluebirds 23. 18 games have been drawn. Over the years there have been a few rip roaring games and some memorable goals for the Bluebirds. Craig Bellamy's curler from distance in 2011 at the then named Liberty Stadium, Michael Chopra's late winner in 2010, but for sheer entertainment and brilliance (as well as having a touch of nostalgia about it) I think we'd be hard pressed to equal this game and a screamer from John Buchanan at Ninian Park in 1980. Early Bluebirds Team News All eyes will be on whether Perry Ng has recovered from his knock that meant he had to go off at half time v the Hoops on Wednesday. If he is ruled out then the hope must be that Mahlon Romeo is fit enough to play, otherwsie we face the prospect of Daley-Campbell coming in at right back again despite his somewhat mixed showing v Coventry. After having his dreadful red card overturned, J B Simpson is likely to partner Cedric Kipre in defence once again and the midfield will potentially get another shake up. In all honesty, I wouldn't be surprised if we see a return to a wing back formation with O'Dowda and possible Romeo tasked with getting up and down the flanks where possible. Up top Robinson will again be first choice but may we see a front 2 in the hope of pressing a shaky Swansea back line? Prutton Predicts It's no surprise to see Davey boy tipping the home team for a relatively comfortable win by a 2-0 margin. I know they say form goes out of the window for derby games but it's hard to see the Bluebirds getting anything out of this match in truth. The bookies too favour such a result with odds as follows; Home Win 11/10 Draw 23/10 Away Win 5/2 Sharing The Love (of sorts) Obviously given the close proximity of the two teams there have been many players that have pulled on the jersey of both teams. I have therefore decided to pick out a select few that, as far as I am aware, actually do garner fond memories for both sets of fans. A special mention though goes to Frank Burrows, having managed both teams and gaining success at both. Appointed manager at Cardiff City in May 1986, Burrows arrived to a Cardiff side demoralised by two successive relegations under former manager Alan Durban that had left the club in the bottom rung of the Football League. Burrows brought in his own coaching staff, including former City manager Jimmy Goodfellow, Bobby Smith and Gavin Tait, and set to work revitalising a side that had dropped to new depths. Burrows managed to lead City to promotion in the 1987–88 season, but the side struggled in the old Third Division and following disagreements with the board of directors, Burrows resigned in August 1989. Later that year, he returned to Portsmouth as assistant manager to John Gregory, before being appointed manager in 1990. However, he left the following year after a string of poor performances. Burrows then arrived at Swansea City in March 1991, and enjoyed a productive four-year spell as manager of the Swans. Whilst at Swansea he led them to victory in the 1994 Football League Trophy Final.[1] However, a falling out with the board led to Burrows departure in July 1995, being succeeded in the position by his assistant, Bobby Smith. Frank sadly passed away in 2021 at the age of 77. Frankie Burrows and his famous flat cap Tough game ahead, but I can't leave us without some positivity, so how about a few words from our stand in gaffer... over to you Huds; "This game means everything,” Huds stated. "The recent record hasn't been good enough. We need to turn up and play for the badge, play for each other and play for the fans. "We've spoken about it with the players. We've spoken about how important it is to this football club. We've shown them what it means. "We've got to turn up as a group, together, united, and play with passion. We are in it together - not just as staff and players, but as fans and as a football club. It is going to take every one of us to drive it forward. "Games like this are about being controlled. We'll go into the game with a controlled emotion, but you do have to play with intensity and belief.” "This isn't just another game. We've spoken about that. We've got a game plan. They're a football team in our league, and we know there are ways to expose and hurt them. "We've gone through what it means in detail. There is a history to it. You have to feel the emotion and we will.” Bloooooooooobirds!
Good morning lads. Get your hairbands out for Sunday. Darren Bond will be the man in charge of the South Wales derby on Sunday. Sunday will mark the Lancashire-based official’s third trip to south Wales this season having already taken charge of league games at the Cardiff City Stadium and in SA1. He was the referee for Cardiff’s 1-0 win over Birmingham City, handing out five yellow cards with only one of those going to the home team, and was in charge when the Swans suffered a last-gasp defeat to Sheffield United. In total this season, Bond has overseen 11 Championship matches handing out 45 yellow cards and no reds. On Sunday, he will be assisted by Shaun Hudson and Philip Dermott. David Webb will be the fourth official.
Fantastic read as always. Cheers Brizzle Difficult to muster any realistic optimism about this encounter. It's a bitter pill to swallow but you have to say that the Jacks are in a better place than us and have been for some time. They're certainly continuing to benefit from the legacy of playing football left by Martinez all those years ago. Though not as successful in recent years, they've stuck to their guns. Anyway, I'm talking too much about the opposition. For me the game depends on the same factor that has affected all our games this season and that's our ability or lack of, to score goals. I really believe we have to go for this. No playing for a point. If we get stuffed then so be it. The bragging only lasts for a week anyway Bloooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooobirds
Same here Clingo. Really think this game has a tendency to mean more to them than us in some ways. Rightly or wrongly I genuinely believe there is a touch of the big club/ small club syndrome in it that has blighted us and inspired them in the more recent years (i.e. our club having a touch too much arrogance about it just because of size etc). If we can pick up a draw I'd not be displeased, though of course deep down I'm hoping for another Bellamy type moment, even if it comes against the run of play. Hopefully Hudson's own experiences and words will have an impact but it'll be a very tough game for sure.
Cheers glam. Hope you and yours are keeping well. I've sent someone out on a mission to Claire's Accessories for my head decoration. I fear one or two on here might make the point that at least we'll have one Hudson on the line affecting the game
Great read and an even better picture to start!!!!!! Tickled me no end!!!! I'm hopeful as always....it dies last, of course. We shall see tomorrow.
Come on guys - where's the KTF brigade?....... Just to keep you on your toes, here's a boosted offer from B365 on their betbuilder option - anyone care to have a go? please log in to view this image
Great pre-match summary again Brizzle. Got to hope either Alfa or Ng fit to play right back. And other choices are a recipe for disaster.
Cardiff City XI: Allsop; Sang, Nelson, Kipre, Nkounkou; Ralls, Wintle, Rinomhota, O'Dowda, Ojo, Robinson. Subs: Alnwick, Simpson, Campbell, Sawyers, Whyte, Harris, Etete.
Swansea City: Benda; Wood, Darling, Cabango; Latibeaudiere, Fulton, Grimes (C), Sorinola; Cundle, O Cooper; Obafemi. Subs: Fisher, Naughton, Stevens, Ntcham, Oko-Flex, Cullen, Congreve Jack's unchanged apparently.
