A Happy New Year to all Bluebirds and our visiting friends, some of whom I'm sure will be waking this morning with sore heads and bleary eyes after seeing in 2024, most likely full of thoughts, hopes and dreams, and that's just due to the fact that the transfer window is now open!! Today's game sees us make the relatively quick trip to London for a visit to QPR, a side who's recent form is actually worse than our own (though not by much) with them having tasted victory just once in their last 6. Before we get too overconfident however, it should be noted that their last outing was a rather resolute display to pick up a point in a 0-0 away at high flying Ipswich - no mean feat! Last time out at the CCS saw us somehow contrive to waste several really good chances in a game that we certainly had the edge on yet slipped to a 1-2 defeat, so we'll need to be well on our guard to avoid suffering the ignominy of a double defeat against the struggling Hoops. Rangers are the 2nd lowest scorers in the league and rank similarly for expected goals, which suggests that creativity and finishing may be issues for them (sounds a little familiar and a bit too close to home for me). Past Meetings Our form against QPR in recent years has been pretty woeful, with just the 2 wins at Loftus Road in our last 10 visits. This is our young gun inspired comeback win in 2022 – cracking free kick! A Scott Malone goal of the season contender here in our 2015 clash in yet another ‘come back’ v the Hoops. Of course, no game v QPR is complete without mentioning (and showing) the play-off final…. Bulut's Bulletin Worrying times for the Bluebirds for this one with both Karlan Grant (who was just starting to find some confidence) and possibly Kion Etete both missing. This combined with the injury to Ike Ugbo will mean that Erol's choices in the attacking areas may be severely limited, so it could well be we see Meite up top again together with the struggling Bowler. Callum Robinson should be in the squad but following his alarming dip in form will Erol start him? I can't see that myself and the more pragmatic midfield 3 that started against Leicester is probably going to be retained I'd imagine, with us turning to Colwill and/or Robbo if we need some spark to lift us during the match. What Are The Odds On That? Hot off the press and with absent friends in mind, our Ng midget has stepped up to the plate for this one. Such is our poor form that even the bookies fancy QPR to turn us over, so c'mon City, let's upset those odds! Sharing The Love Sticking with the festive 'quiz' approach, have a gander at these former players and see if you can suss out who they all are. This winger joined the Bluebirds for a spell in 2003 from Wimbledon. The wild womble made quite an impression despite only being with us for a short time. This classy midfielder initially joined the Bluebirds on loan from Fulham before signing permanently in 1999. Sadly lost his battle with cancer in 2019 aged just 42. This player joined the Bluebirds from Newport in 1983 alongside Nigel Vaughan in a swap deal that saw Tarki Micallef, Linden Jones and John Lewis all move the other way. 59 appearances and 5 goals later saw him move on to Gillingham. Signed from our hosts in 2012, this striker never hit the heights or the back of the net often enough to warrant staying long. 1 goal in 27 games saw him released and going on to sign for Brentford as his last league club. The Mid 90’s were a decent time for the Bluebirds in many ways, and this striker played his part in helping us achieve a few results after joining from QPR, even if he only scored 5 in 43 before going on to Northampton. So, can our Bluebirds once again bounce back after defeat and make it a New Year, New Start? Will our faltering forwards find the ability to lift us at the Loft?? And what time can we expect the announcement on Kieffer coming home??? All I know is 2024 is the year of the Dragon, so maybe, just maybe, starting today we'll see our hopes and dreams start to be fulfilled..... Bloooooooooooooooooooooooooooobirds!!!!!
Another masterpiece. Prolific!!! Wish I could say the same for our strikers. Never mind Kieffer's coming once he's got the splinters out of his derriere.
TEAM NEWS Cardiff City XI: Alnwick; Ng, Goutas, McGuinness, Collins; Siopis, Wintle, Ralls; Meite, Etete, R. Colwill. Subs: Turner, Ugbo, Bowler, Adams, Panzo, Evans, Tanner, J. Colwill, Robinson. Who's going to provide the width or are we intending to go straight down the middle?
Looks like we are preparing for a physical battle again. A bit of pace on the bench when needed but little goal scoring ability.
That's good news as he normally plays well against us and gets a standing ovation! Reckon Colwill Snr is going to be used on the flank with Ralls at 10...
Same bloody team that was a shambles last time apart from Colwill who will help.. The ultra slow Meitie on the wing and we sit on Tanner and Bowler. A lone striker. 3 in midfield who stop nothing. Now if we are winning he will bring off players early but if we are losing he will throw on the players he should have started and bring off the best players. He will look to bring Ettete off and shift Meitie to striker!!! Seriously who the hell wants to rely on Meitie for a goal. The guy had 2 good seasons at Reading and I am sure he can score but give him a few games break. I will stand by all the players on the pitch and hope they all have a good game.
I don’t get a repeat of the midfield 3 even though QPR aren’t Leicester. Presume he’s playing Colwill out wide rather than infield where he’s best suited. ps QPR are also without Willock.
If he'd stuck Colwill Jr as a playmaker behind his brother there would be cause for optimism. It would be nice for Evans to get on the pitch as well. If you're going to be brave, be brave. The problem is, it feels more like desperation than bravery.
Sod's law, my CCTV live feed went down just as we won the corner that led to our goal. Got it back 5 minutes later, dagnabit!!!
Poor defending by Collins for their goal. Bowler on for Etete but pretty ineffective so far. Then nearly scores.
Just need another goal in our favour... I need the points in the prediction league My scorer is stuffed though....
Narrow win against a poor side, not convincing but welcome. Front line as poor as pis! Masky at new year
