Ahh, the magic of the cup. OK, it's only the 1st round, against League 2 opponents in a (most likely) 80% empty stadium, but still, what's not to love? This competition surely invokes memories of Wembley 2012, the valiant efforts in getting back to 2-2 v Liverpool only to suffer heartbreak in the penalty shootout? How nice it would be to go one better this season under our new gaffer. Putting those distant memories to one side, we welcome Colchester Utd to the CCS for this first round game with the U's not having yet kicked off their season following their opening home game against Swindon being postponed due to a waterlogged pitch at the Colchester Community Stadium (or CCS!!). Quite how their postponement will affect them we'll have to wait and see. They could potentially still be a little "off it" with no competitive games under their belts or alternately could be absolutely raring to go given that this is their first outing. Managed by former Bristol Rovers boss Ben Garner, the U's finished last season in 20th spot in League 2, missing relegation by 6 points. They have since brought in a few new faces including Premier League loanees Mauro Bandeira (Arsenal), Palace Keeper Owen Goodman and Joe Taylor (Luton). Bulut's Bulletin The Bluebirds gaffer has already intimated that this is likely to be a chance for the players yet to get any minutes on the pitch as well as being an opportunity for some of the youngsters that shone in pre-season, so we can expect quite a few changes from the team that were within minutes of an opening day win up in Yorkshire. WoL have suggested the following could be a possible line up, however I for one don't see Callum Robinson being risked and would anticipate Ollie Tanner perhaps being given a start too. Possible Cardiff City XI: Alnwick; Romeo, Goutas, Simpson, Collins; Rinomhota, Sawyers; Robinson, Colwill, Meite; Etete. Our record against Colchester is actually pretty poor surprisingly, however we've not played them since a 3rd round FA Cup game against them at the CCS (ours, not theirs) in January 2015. The evening game witnessed by a crowd of 4,194 resulted in a 3-1 win for the Bluebirds. Looking back at that team it feels like a lifetime ago, though worth noting that midfield stalwart and current skipper Joe Ralls was a starter. What Are The Odds On That? Vincent is really relishing a cup run and is heavily backing his boys in blue to do the business. Well I Never Did you know, Colchester was home to Britain's only known Roman Chariot Racing Track? It could seat 8,000 spectators and was only uncovered in 2005. That capacity makes it almost as big as the U's current stadium! It was probably constructed on the orders of the emperor, Hadrian, who was in Britain at that time. I'm still not clear on what the Romans ever did for us though. Colchester's Roman Circus - built centuries ago by hand but still went up quicker than HS2! Sharing The Love Given that we're unlikely to play Colchester again this season I've listed a few players for this one, including a few old favourites (Macky's back in town). Little bit of interesting info on a couple of the above... "Dave" Ndumbu-Nsungu In August 2003 he joined Sheffield Wednesday, initially on loan before signing permanently four months later for a fee of £50,000. In 35 league appearances, 11 as a substitute, he scored 10 goals, making him the club's top goalscorer in the 2003–04 season. This form attracted the attention of West Ham United manager Alan Pardew and it was reported in The Sun that he was ready to make a £1 million bid, but it never materialised. He won the club's player of the season award,[3] but failed to find favour with the new manager Paul Sturrock and spent time on a short loan with Championship side Preston North End before being released. Steve Mardenborough Mardenborough's son Jann Mardenborough became a professional racing driver after winning the 2011 GT Academy on the Gran Turismo series of PlayStation driving games. A film based on Jann's career, titled Gran Turismo, is due for release in August 2023. There's hope for all us FIFA nuts yet!!! So, will it be home comforts for the Bluebirds? Can we send the U's round the bend with our scintillating attacking play?? Will the only way back to Essex be a journey with tails between legs??? All I know is I'm just hoping we avoid a horrid upset and can get off to a flyer at the CCS this year! Blooooooooobirds!!
Outstanding work again Brizzle. Thank you.Humour, history and football. It's a treat every time. As I said on another thread, I would like a bit of a cup run this season. So I'd be most grateful if Erol puts out a strong side. Oh, and play Ng as a striker.
Indeed. The mad thing is, I didn't list all the clubs he played for either. There were a few where he played literally 1 game (he played for the Jacks twice, before the City and then 1 game after he left us) so I didn't worry about those... Just hope his son settles into motor sport and finds a team to work longer term with... I can't imagine there are enough teams for him to hop around like his old man did with his football career!?
TEAM NEWS Cardiff City XI: Alnwick; Romeo, Benjamin, Simpson, Collins; Rinomhota, Sawyers; Evans, R. Colwill, Tanner; Etete. Subs: Luthra, Bagan, Semenyo, Adams, J. Colwill, Ojo, Wigley, Ashford, Ugbo.
Starting 11 looks like a decent mix of youth and experience, though the front players are a little light on appearances. Bench doesn't have an awful lot to change a game though if it's going pear shaped.
Not what I was looking for personally. Would have liked to have taken the opportunity to bed down his first team a little more. I see the sense in protecting against injury but it's not as if we had an exhausting pre-season. This is probably why I'm just a fan and not a manager. Anyway, I hope that those on duty give it their all for the name of Cardiff City otherwise known as Bloooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooobirds!
Blimey, I only popped around the shop to get a loaf of bread! What on earth happened? C'mon Erol, give em hell and send them back out with a bit of fire in their bellies.
