http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25666378 The all knowing () Mark Lawrenson has predicted we'll get our first win of the season tomorrow!
It's not very often Lawrenson goes against the obvious form prediction - I think that's all he's doing again, and to be honest, that is a worry. If we score first, I don't think we'll have any trouble, but if the likes of Joe Cole bangs one in early like he did up there, they could start playing - they've got some decent players, just not putting it together as team particularly with the chopping and changing through injuries/suspensions. Will Ole definitely go 4-4-2 with two up top, (Campbell and Cornelius?) and Mutch in the hole just behind? Midfield set up is going to be very interesting with new card Eikrem in the pack. If he does play him, Medel has got to be in there as well, but that only leaves one other spot if he goes with a true 4-4-2. Whitts or Noone from the start? It's got to be Noone for me if it has to be a choice. Personally, I think he'll start Whitts as well and put Eikrem on the bench. Definitely think we'll see Eikrem get some pitch time tomorrow though.
I'm cynical,big Sam sent his players out against Man city for nothing more than a run-out, the big game is this one, this is the one he needs to win and turn things around. Before that cup game had a ball kicked he prophesied how the game would go, he had no intention of even trying, nobody was going to get worn out during that game. I don't think we will see a lack lustre side turn up against us, I expect them to be well up for this one, and maybe Carroll is in better nick than you would think for someone out for so long. But we have a few things up our sleeve as well, OGS is not certain to play this or that, a new manager brings new things, we have enough for them even if they play well, if they play like they have been we have no worries anyway. As for the Lawrenson thing, nobody really takes any notice of him do they, Mersons of the same ilk.
Bellers now apparently available as well poses a very interesting prospect for tomorrow. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/teams/cardiff-city
Bellamy on the left (not sure why MM persisted in playing him on the right earlier in the season), Noone on the right with Medel, Mutch and the ugly one in the middle and FC up top. That should give us enough going forward.
Noone will start barring any sort of injury, I'd put my house on it. I think he'll play Campbell and Kim up front. If he picks Eikrem in front of Witts I can see Mutch being asked to do a job out wide. He's got the skillset to play there and Kimbo is better in the free role imo. If he starts Witts he'll probably play left with Mutch and Gary in the middle. It'll be interesting to see which of Turner/Hudson keep their place.
It is unusual for us all to more or less agree who should play and who could be left on the bench but I think leaving good players like Noone out of the side for so long was a really bad decision. Having said this someone will surely pop up and say Odemwingie should be played as a lone striker. jck
My team: Marshall McNaughton - Hudson - Caulker - John Whitts - Medel Noone - kim - mutch Campbell I've picked Hudson, not because I think turner isn't good, but because it's a big game and I think we could use a cool head in defence. Also we won't win much in the air and Hudson and caulker can short pass out of defence, whereas turner opts for long balls. I would like to see Eikrim play for the last 20 mins perhaps too. ... I should have applied for the job
Eikrem. You missed the posts yesterday. http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/...ardiff-city-press-conference-round-up-6490241
Very unlucky today i thought . you were by far the better team but just could not find the net, Bellemy put in a good shift but you do need a good striker who is able to finish off the chances you had, Bellamy is to old now and is feeling the pace a bit but he is a must in the squad for his vast experience and dressing room encouragement. I think the ref called it right with the disallowed goal but you did enough to win the game anyway if the end product was done better...As for being safe then anyone from 10th down is in the relegation battle as its that tight...
As the massive disappointment of today eases I think you're probably right Dai. We've all watched this game long enough to know sometimes it isn't your day. We made excellent chances and missed them. Every deflected shot flew straight at their keeper rather than in. On another day that 2nd half would have been plenty for a comfortable win. It's very close and we've got it 100% in our own hands with the teams we still have to play at home. Today was a setback but there's still a ****ing lot of football t be played.
We have already taken 4 points from two games with the Manchester teams and once these two games are out of the way we don`t play them again. If we win these two games it will not really matter losing to West ham. jck
We got beat 2-0 by WHU in the first of Malkys games in the PL, and we lost to them again 2-0, again with Malkys team, was hoping for a result but it wasn't to be, at least we attacked them. Come February we should have more of Ole's idea of a team, it's all about getting out of the bottom 3 now, and staying out of there.
Still think we can get 22-25 points from the remaining games. We have a new manager with new ideas and a completely different approach to Malky. It will take a few games for the players to up their performances. Today, West Ham were written off in all quarters and this was one of those smash and grab jobs. We were by far the better team and hopefully the ruthlessness will kick in sooner rather than later. West Ham won, fair enough but they played like underdogs and are well and truly in the battle to stay up with us - they are now one of our bogey teams. Looking forward we look better placed to nail some important wins. A couple of tough games ahead on paper but I wouldn't bet against us doing better than others might predict. Climb aboard the rollercoaster!
We've put massive pressure on February now. Sunderland and West ham were our chances to give ourselves some breathing room. We have none. We need big points in Feb or we will be in miracle territory based on remaining fixtures imo
