After the weekend's FA Cup diversion against some Yorkshire minnows, Game #27 this weekend sees the Bluebirds facing a huge game as basement boys Wigan Athletic come to town..... time to see how many of our team can stand up and be counted! The "Pie Eaters" come to the CCS on a horrible run of form under relatively new manager Kolo Toure having suffered 4 defeats on the bounce in the league, however, the Bluebirds shouldn't be getting too overconfident as despite this awful run, their points return over the last 6 games still matches that of our own (4 points), pretty much epitomising the "relegation 6 pointer" that this game is. Sitting bottom and 4 points behind the Bluebirds, the Latics are also 3 points from safety with a vastly inferior goal difference (-20 also the worst in the division) to their 21st placed quarry Rotherham. Wigan have attempted to bolster their squad in recent weeks, bringing in ex-Bluebird skipper Steven Caulker ans Arsenal loanee midfielder and England U-21 Miguel Azeez, a player who has previously had a loan spell at League 1 Pompey. Last time out at the DW stadium, the Bluebirds picked up a rare away win with a 1-3 victory, our goals that day coming from Robinson, Ojo and a late screamer from Wintle. That game of course was clouded with controversy after the Bluebirds staff realised that one goal was larger than regulations allow, but of course the game was allowed to proceed and much to their previous managers grumbles, Wintle's late goal crashed in off the elevated bar.... As is clear, both teams have fallen away badly since that game in October. Last season's corresponding fixture saw the Bluebirds come out on the wrong side of a 5 goal game, losing 3-2. If I leave here tomorrow, would you still remember me, for I must be travelling on now, as we've just gone and bloody scored three..... Early Bluebirds Team News After seeing an injury/illness hit Bluebirds side battle to within a whisker of dumping Premier League Leeds out of the cup, we can probably expect to see Mark Hudson ring the changes as players come back to fitness. Callum Robinson must still be a doubt though after picking up tonsillitis and losing a reported 6kg in weight and it remains to be seen if Mark McGuinness is re-registered in time to allow him to pull on a City short again after a successful loan spell at Sheff Wednesday. Hudson told the press; "Rubin, Gav and Cedric were all out. They have been poorly. It’s been a return to play over the last couple of days. Still to be assessed ahead of tomorrow. They are all back in the building and back on the grass. There was a small group I took yesterday. Robinson is available. Rubin is available. They are all available, but they have been poorly. There’s been a lot going around. They have missed quite a bit. Robbo lost six kilograms since he has been off ill. We have to be mindful of that. We have to protect them." Prutton (and friend) Predicts The Sky pundit has clearly been given a vote of no confidence by his employers as he is now joined by fellow pundit Simeon Gholam. Whether it's the fresh blood or not I don't know but the tipsters are backing South Wales's finest to pick up a much needed 2-0 win. The bookies are also in agreement with the rare sight of the Bluebirds being odds on to pick up the home win; Home Win 19/20 Draw 12/5 Away Win 3/1 Fun Fact The Wiganers nickname of the "Pie Eaters" may have some interesting roots..... In 1926, more than one million coal miners were at loggerheads with pit owners over wages and working conditions. So, in a show of solidarity, many British workers went on strike. The protests lasted for several days, but Wigan workers were apparently among the first to return to their shifts – and in doing so were said to be ‘eating humble pie’. They’ve been teased about it ever since. But according to Wiganers, that’s a little unfair. Some point out that whilst Wigan workers were the first to stop striking, they were also the first to start. The Bluebirds No'5 gets in a crucial block on the Wigan forward.... Sharing The Love The home thread saw us mull over some real greats like Kavanagh, Koumas, McNaughton, Moore and Bogle... This time we see a couple of the current squad, plus City's "white Pele".... also a smattering of Welshness in the list too. So, can the Bluebirds have the Pie Eaters for breakfast? Will Kolo go loco with his Latics at the final whistle?? Will the spirit of our performance on Sunday spur us to double up against Wigan??? All I know is I am STILL waiting for these bloody 3 points and am seriously beginning to doubt the reality of Santa....... C'mon the City...... Bloooooooooooooobirds.....
Great stuff Anyone here with me amongst the 3000 odd to see Billy Woof score a late winner for City after being 2 down in our (I believe) City’s first ever league game with Wigan in 1982?
yet again. Crucial game for all parties at CCFC tomorrow. I suspect Huds will go all out for a win in this one as he's got far more to lose than gain.
Brizzle! Just when I thought you'd reached a literary pinnacle, you surpass yourself once again. Great writing with match information, humour and a bit of social history thrown in. When your book comes out, can I have a signed first edition please? Seriously mate, that's another masterpiece.
Great writeup. Prediction League posted in match thread even if you're not top!!! Will McGuinness pull on a shirt as well as one leg of his shorts?
We need to get latic intolerant today. A win essential to boost morale and confidence going forward to the end of the season. Bloooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooobirds
Well, either the illness has still been taking an effect or Hudson is rewarding those from the weekend??
Hmmm Rinomhota on bench. Ralls and Wintle in the middle. Kipre, Robinson and Ete maybe not fully recovered.
