Wow, the hits just keep on coming don't they? Game 3 in a week (ok 8 days) and a top 6 side each time, it doesn't get much tougher than this.... So this Saturday sees us make the journey south east to the coastal delights of Southampton to take on our ex-jack tormentor in chief Russell Martin and his in form Saints. Following a very ropey start to life at his new, bigger club (and didn't our little cousins just love that eh?), old Russ now has his charges in fine form, having gone 10 unbeaten in the league (if ever there was a time to halt a record, this must be it). With a squad boasting quality throughout this will yet again be another very tough test for the boys in blue. Bulut's Bulletin Following the weakening of the side for our slump against West Brom in midweek, Erol will no doubt be throwing Karlan Grant and Jamilu Collins straight back into the mix and indeed, with no new injury concerns another unchanged lineup to our now 'standard' starting 11 is highly possible. On the subject of injuries, it's beginning to sound as though Callum O'Dowda is edging closer to fitness and impressing the gaffer... he may even beat Rambo back to full fitness. Past Meetings Oddly, the Saints are one of those teams that we actually have a decent record against. Last time out was our Premier League showdown at St Mary’s which saw the Bluebirds complete the double over our south coast hosts with gaols from big Sol Bamba and Ken Zahore, the latter coming in the 93rd minute, just 2 minutes after Jack Stephens thought he had rescued a precious point for the home team. That win came shortly after Emiliano Sala’s body had been recovered from the fateful aircraft crash and pushed the Bluebirds up to 16th in the table and a point clear of relegation at the time. https://www.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/football/11632717/southampton-1-2-cardiff 2014, Juan Cala (remember him??) earns all 3 points for City at St Mary’s https://www.premierleague.com/video/single/368410?TAG=On this Day A later to be Bluebird Rickie Lambert, equalises for Saints from the spot after Craig Conway put us ahead against our promotion rivals. What Are The Odds On That? So after letting us down with the Baggies bagging a win on our turf, Ken has once again been jettisoned and the master of the house is back with us, doing his best Roger Moore/Simon Templar impression, so over to you Vince..... Well I Never You probably did know, but just in case..... On 10th April 1912 titled the 'unsinkable' ship, the Titanic departed from Southampton port. It was carrying 3,327 passengers and crew on its way to New York. Four days into the crossing she hit an iceberg and sank. A bit like our west Walian cousins form since Martin left then!! It's also thought the area has been inhabited since the Stone Age. From looking at some of the locals, I think it pretty obviously has been!! The Wellington Arms pub on Park Road is the official British consulate for the Kingdom of Redonda. Do the residents have to sing when they need aid? Help me Redond, help help me Redonda..... life's a beach eh? Sharing The Love OK, so, confession time.... I'm desperately trying NOT to repeat players who I've covered already this season when writing up for other games.. it seems this has seriously hampered my efforts for this one, but here goes anyhow. Just don't shout at me for any post traumatic flashbacks you may get when you see the name of one of our worst managers ever! Ron Davies Born in Merthyr Tydfil, he started his career as an amateur with Merthyr Tydfil, before signing for Football League First Division team Cardiff City in October 1952. It was until the 1955–56 season that he made his debut for the first team, generally at full back although he was occasionally pressed into service as a forward. In his time with Cardiff he made a total of 32 appearances scoring three goals. In March 1958, Ted Bates signed him for £7,000 to replace the recently retired Len Wilkins. He soon proved to be a worthy successor and was an ever-present during the Saints' 1959–60 Third Division championship season. According to Holley & Chalk's "The Alphabet of the Saints" he was "unlucky not to gain international recognition during his spell with the club". He adjusted well to football in the Second Division and missed only one game in 1960–61, but the following season he had to vie for the No.2 shirt with Roy Patrick before losing out altogether to Wales international Stuart Williams in September 1962. For the next two seasons he spent most of his time in the reserves. His final first team outing was on 4 January 1964 in an FA Cup match at The Dell against Manchester United. After a total of 185 appearances for the Saints, without ever scoring, he was transferred to Aldershot in August 1964. After three seasons at Aldershot he moved to lower league football with Andover. He managed the Winchester Snooker Centre before retiring to Wales in 1997. In his later life he sadly suffered with Alzheimer's disease, passing away in December 2007. Russell Osman On February 15, 1996 Escape to Victory star and football player Russell Osman signed for Cardiff City. He went on to become one of the worst managers in the club's history. His playing time with us was limited and pretty unspectacular. Phil Kite Born in Bristol, England, Kite joined Bristol Rovers as an apprentice goalkeeper in 1979, and signed his first professional contract on his 18th birthday in October 1980. After making 96 league appearances for Rovers, he moved on to Southampton. He went on to make league appearances for thirteen different clubs, including the Bluebirds, but missed a large amount of playing time through injury, and only a two-year spell at Gillingham saw him play regularly as an established first-choice keeper. In 1996, he left Bristol City to re-join his first club, Bristol Rovers, as physio, goalkeeping coach and backup goalkeeper. Kite began studying towards his physiotherapy qualification in 1991 and completed his studies in 1995. So, can we get back to marching on to winning ways again against the Saints? Will Erol have us coasting to victory down south?? And can we avoid a St Mary's mare and continue our good form against our Hampshire hosts??? All I know is, we made it to Newport and back in one piece and with all wheels still on the car.... so I'm winning already!!!! Blooooooooooooooooooobirds (and come back soon Clingo)!!!!!!!!!
Let me know what Vince or Ken are offering on a City win - we're long shot outsiders @ 17/4 with B365. Having said that,.........................
Sorry gents, working this morning and this afternoon I'm off to Newport for a few hours as my son picks up the keys to his first house.... He's been back home for 18 months after returning jobless and homeless from Germany but is almost ready to fly the nest again now.... (Is it wrong that we can't wait?? ). Will hopefully get back to the thread early evening...
Brizzo.....anywhere but ASBO City for the lad - that's about equvalent to being jobless and homeless in Germany..........
OK, money where mouth is - can't wait for Brizzo to post Vince's odds.......... Taking a punt on that 17/4 offer on City and am posting it in advance rather than after the event............ please log in to view this image
TEAM NEWS Cardiff City XI: Runarsson; Ng, McGuinness, Goutas, Collins; Siopis, Wintle; Bowler, Robinson, Grant; Meite. Subs: Alnwick, Romeo, Ralls, Etete, Ugbo, Adams, Panzo, Colwill, Tanner.
Talking about Russell Osman as being the worst city manager, note that we get rid of managers on a continual basis, Swansea lose managers to better clubs….odd that! Masky
The same can be said for their players oh masked one. They sell players for £Ms, we pay some of ours to go. Some changes needed desperately.
Yes,a change is needed pal, Masky has always believed that a change can be worth a wa#k in many situations! Masky
The goalkeeping decision is questionable. Ralls probably needs to be managed carefully. If hes fully fit though its a poor decision.
This manager plays the wrong players and subs the ones who are good, he has cost us with his mad selections.
