Game #20 sees the Bluebirds back under the lights at the CCS, fresh from an impressive win away up in the North East against Sunderland and looking to make it back to back wins again for just the second time under Mark Hudson's stewardship. Visiting the CCS this evening are Hull City for our re-arranged fixture. Hull come to us as another club that has undergone a managerial change this season after seeing Shota Averladze disposed of with the club struggling in 20th spot after 10 games. Following a bit of a delay, former player Liam Rosenior has been appointed to the hot seat at the MKM Stadium and took charge for the first time on the weekend, seeing his new charges grab a draw away at Millwall despite having top scorer Oscar Estupinan sent off in the 37th minute. Estupinan is now banned for their game this evening, which can only be good news for the Bluebirds given that he is joint 2nd in the divisional scoring table with 8 goals to his name! There aren't too many familiar/stand out names in the Tiger's side, but Benjamin Tetteh and Jean Seri are both pretty useful operators in their midfield. At the back, Jacob Greaves has played pretty every game and is often supported by Lewie Coyle, Callum Elder and ex-Jack Cyrus Christie. The Tiger's come to the CCS in 21st position, 7 places and 3 points behind the Bluebirds, highlighting just how tight the league actually is. Form wise over the last 6 games, they have actually picked up 1 point more than our boys, with 2 wins and a draw and their 0-0 last time out at the Den underlines a dogged side to them. Last season saw Hull run out 0-1 winners at the CCS in a game also held in November. Hull's winner came in the 15th minute and despite 13 efforts at goal (5 on target) the Bluebirds poor finishing was in evidence during the defeat. Let's hope we don't see a repeat this season! Historically Hull have the upper hand on these fixtures with 26 wins to the Bluebirds 22, with spoils shared 21 times. Hull City's most famous fan was quoted as saying the Fred Keenor statue was "Grrrrrrrreat" Early Bluebird Team news It's re-shuffle time folks....... With BOTH man mountain Cedric Kipre and midfield linch pin Ryan Wintle suspended after their weekend bookings Mark Hudson will have some thinking to do. It's a straight choice between either back in favour Curtis Nelson or Jack Simpson to cover for Kipre, but in midfield one imagines we will see Ralls, Rinomhota and probably Sawyers starting, unless a missing candidate comes into the reckoning in the shape of Rubin Colwill. Up front, it's a no brainer for Callum Robinson to return after his 3 game suspension but that will be harsh on Mark Harris who has worked hard for the team in Robbo's absence. However, both Harris and Philogene are reported to be nursing knocks after the weekend, so the blow may not be quite so hard for young Sparky to have to take. Managers Mumblings Cardiff City interim coach Mark Hudson: "[Sunderland was] a really good result. Really pleasing performance. We dominated the first half and grew into the game. Had a penalty, should have scored. Started the second as well as we did the first. We had to back up that first half and show resilience late on. "It was a really good performance but we spin around really quickly now. "We have spoken about the consistency of performance. The performances have been there, barring a flat Coventry game and the sendings off. It’s about turning that into wins. "But to travel up there after a busy week, to play like that, showing them how well we can play, it’s growing every week. We can use that going forward, hopefully we will tomorrow." Hull City boss Liam Rosenior: "I think Mark [Hudson] has done everything to deserve the job and I hope he gets the job. Because he has shown in a short space of time there has been a big upturn in their performances. "They have come off a great result away at Sunderland, so I was him all the best but just not for the game tomorrow. "We have to make sure we are difficult and horrible to play against. Then we have to take the ball and play in our style, which I will try and imprint on the team in a very short space of time." Prutton Predicts It's oh so predictable that the Sky man is once again shunning us in favour of our opponents... predicting a 1-2 scoreline in favour of the Tigers tonight. However, the bookies think different with the Bluebirds favoured to pick up another home win; Home Win 21/20 Draw 23/10 Away Win 11/4 Sharing The Love "Oooh oooh oooh oh oh oh oh, Fraizer Campbell will always score goals".... Timely signing Fraizer Campbell is just one of the featured names on tonight's list of players to have donned the jersey for both teams. Fraizer of course joined the Bluebirds during our promotion push in 2013, ingratiating himself to the Bluebirds faithful by scoring the winner against Leeds on his debut, just 2 minutes after coming on as a substitute against Neil Warnock's team..... who doesn't love a winner v Leeds eh? Yet another Bluebird goal v Leeds - It was almost getting boring picking up 3 points against them for a while! Campbell went on to score 7 goals in his 12 games that season, and a further 6 in the Premier League. Not bad for £650k eh? So, can we give the Tigers a frosty reception? Will we Muddle through and inflict a Tiger defeat?? Will Huds be saying adios senor Rosenior with a Tiger like grin or will it be a bengalling experience??? All I know is I'll be there and hoping the birds can triumph over another set of cats in back to back wins!! Oh, and Mr Hudson, no pressure but Mr Tan may also be in town for the game, meaning VT won't need to run the VT on his TV for a change..... Blooooooobirds.
Great job Brizzle. I'm looking forward to the Bluebirds making a statement of intent tonight. No defending a slender lead but striving to increase it. Take the pressure off a changed defence by scoring goals. Ambition, ambition, ambition (my new TV show) is the order of the day. Get the CCS rocking again. C'mon. Bloooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooobirds
Yo Brizzo - keep 'em coming. Just hope we can get an early goal tonight rather than squandering the chances that we do make. I know Kipre got an early one for us against Watford, but with the greatest of respect, Hull are no Watford. If we can start the second half in front, I'd be very annoyed if we tried to defend the lead and see the game out rather than going for more - Hull would have to come out to get anything out of the game and we should look to take advantage, not just sit back and defend. Points are all important but our GD is very poor. I accept the need to be cautious away from home (not always mind), but at home we should push on and try to change those stats. Although there are a number of obvious promo contenders, this division is so tight with a lot of "average" teams competing for final honours. Any advantage is worth having. Even if it's just a remote possibility, I'd hate to lose out at the death on goal difference like after that 6-0 drubbing at Preston under DJ a dozen or so years back that cost us a playoff place. Not suggesting we'll be anywhere near that target, but it must be our target. The way this season's Championship games are going, you never know - there are some awfully odd results being thrown up..
Top stuff again but no mention of the Emu man or Lindersfarne front man A few decisions for the butler to make then tonight. Yes good news their striker is ruled out. Will we see us tonight break into the 2 (or more) goal territory?
For some reason, City no longer odds-on to win this now, but now at even money it's still far too short for me. Money where mouth is time. Going to back up my theory of Huds going for an early goal being the way to do this. Stuck £40 @ 12/5 on City being in front at HT and going on to win it. Much better odds and worthwile a go, but I'll need that first half goal........
Wonderful stuff! Needs a wider audience! Sparkey ? Do do you have some magic link to widen our protégés spread?.
Another classic Brizzle. Hope we can give them a ‘frosty’ reception. Anyone on here old enough to remember the petrol advert for ‘a tiger in your tank’? My old man used to have a tiger’s tale hanging from his rear view mirror.
Keep going well, keep going shell, you can be sure of shell shell shell No, ok I’ll get my coat (again)
Have we scored yet? Don't give me excuses like they haven't kicked off yet. C'mon let's have some urgency.
Go hide in a cupboard until we've won. Going to see if I can get your service provider to turn your connections off during game times. Harsh on Harris if fit. I'd have played him instead of Sawyers. Maybe put O'Dowda in the 10 role.
Oi! We hadn't scored on Saturday until I intervened. I'm beginning to think it's not me that's the jinx. It is harsh on Harris but he's there if we need to change things. Good to see Colwill on the bench. Perhaps if we're five up, he'll get 20 minutes at the end.
