A must win game for us, 6 points on offer...but not really....hmmm! Now listen up, Masky has acquired a ticket for this game, but has not paid for it......anybody know how Masky got such a ticket? My only clue to you is that it was eight minutes of my life that I can't get back pals.....ughh!
Just realised that the city game is a normal 3pm kick off. Wales v England game is 4pm, what the Fug is that about? Most people I guess would want to watch the rugby, poor planning in my opinion pals! No wonder she gave me her ticket eh? She said I was special...
Still trying to get to grips with that totally undeserved result on Tuesday. I suppose it was pure Karma, Leeds getting back for 31 years of failure v us. Anyway back to tomorrow. A massive game. I just hope Slade gets them to play like they did in 2nd half v Leeds, lots of high tempo and attacking endeavour with more of a cutting edge. There's no point playing slowly trying to build up each move; we saw what they can do when they play higher up the pitch as a team with more bodies up there. I'd start with Zehora. City need a striker, Pilkington is not a striker.
You are right there Nin, however his movement and ball retention allows others to move around him and creates opportunities. The movement on and off ball by all was exceptional for the first 20 minutes on Tuesday although I had a feeling that if we did not score in the first half hour then Leeds could nick it. The danger of playing Zohore from the start is that we revert to a KWJ situation and become more one dimensional. For me some of the football on Tuesday was the best I have seen from us in a long time and I want that to continue. If it does not work then Zohore becomes a plan B. From what I have seen I have some reservations about his aerial ability even though he is 6 ft 3 ins and his skills in holding the ball up. I hope I am wrong. I assume Connolly will be at RB with Morrison back in the middle, also giving us a much greater threat at set pieces as Manga is a bit of a powder puff there. I would like to see Noonie start as his display on Tuesday was the best from him since away at Man City in the Prem. Who to leave out though - Whitts or Lawrence? neither deserve to be dropped. Just hope Ameobi is nowhere near the 18 although I suspect he has to be in the match day squad if fit, under the terms of his loan. P.S. When will Saadi get another chance?
Frank pal FFS, how patronising to Masky....special in my own little way? Listen chum, I am currently second in the prediction league, and I have 40 likes to my name. I don't talk to everybody about my sex life, so I would ask that you show me a little respect! Pull your pants up!
You've got 42 now Masky!!! And there's me stuck on 36 and in the lower league too. Not so special in any way at all. I didn't realise you were so sensitive about the size of your speciality though. A man of your stature should be more confident!!!!
TEAM NEWS Cardiff must reshuffle the defence after Fabio saw red in midweek, with Lee Peltier or Matthew Connolly likely to play at right-back. Centre-back Sean Morrison is back after a knee ligament injury, with City otherwise unchanged from midweek. Ipswich boss Mick McCarthy hopes to have striker Daryl Murphy (calf) and midfielder Cole Skuse (toe) back. Despite minor knocks defender Kevin Foley and midfielders Kevin Bru and Ben Pringle should all feature. Cannonball Ted Phillips, expected to return after a long layoff! MATCH FACTS Cardiff are unbeaten in their last three home games against Ipswich after losing the previous three in a row. Ipswich have failed to score in just two of their last 14 league matches with Cardiff, including this season's reverse fixture which ended goalless. Only Hull (one) have lost fewer home games than Cardiff this season (two), though one of those two defeats came last time out against Leeds. Only Burnley (29) have earned more points away from home in the Championship than Ipswich this season (28). Despite their excellent away record, the Tractor Boys have won just one of their last six on the road (D2 L3).
Macheda has gone on loan to Forest. Won't be surprised if scores; Revell, Mason, ALF all did when they were sent out. Anyway back to today. Can City start from the off with the high tempo game they displayed with ten men v Leeds? Surely that's the best way to go rather than patient pretty build up football.
Where is everyone? Gone to the math I hope! I only need Pilks to score now and that will be fine!!!! But they seem to be pressing somewhat. Hope we can hold out.... or even progress onward form here.
3 vital points. Hard work by all. Solid defending. Moore didn't have to make a save. Ugly 1-0 as they say.
While they were big and physical it was as if Ipswich weren't that bothered about losing. No spark or enthusiasm. Typical McCarthy side big on organisation, short on flair and guile. If they had used a half decent winger to spread our back four we could have been in trouble but as it was we were able to keep our shape and defend well. We weren't much better but enough. Great header from Manga who otherwise had a mare of a first half. Big improvement after the break. Interesting little story from Ipswich - came from my contacts at Bournemouth. Ipswich have a Bournemouth winger on loan, Ryan Fraser, a tricky, nippy little Scots guy. Loaned out to get more game time. He is used to hard but creative training and not a little flair at Bournemouth. He was back there recently to watch a Cherries game and was asked about Ipswich and McCarthy's training methods. All he had to say was "Different" with raised eyebrows and a shake of the head. If Ipswich carry on playing like they did today I can't see them staying the course in the play off race.
Like to think its 2 from Derby, Bham, Weds & us. Got to play them all so I suppose it's in our hands.
Effective football rather than flowing yesterday but it worked. We were the better side but I watched that sort of stuff at the CCS in the first half of the season and we were usually lucky to get a point back then - Sheff Wed and Rotherham spring to mind. The focus of the players, especially Ralls and O'Keefe in the middle, meant we had control of the game for long periods and Ipswich were the ones forced to find something different rather than us. I enjoyed it - not in the same way as the Brighton and Leeds games - more for the new found resilience and the win in a game that previously we would have thrown away at least 2 points. I honestly can't see us dropping too many points on this run in based upon that game. The question will be whether either Derby or Wednesday above us will drop more than us. We have to play them both so we could sort it ourselves.
Hopefully our embargo will be lifted this summer. Its worked out brilliantly really as weve got loaness who otherwise wouldnt be here and cash saved. Derby and Wednesday have both thrown the chequebook and need promotion. Otherwise they could be under the embargo. The pressure is on those above. I think we will come 7th or 8th but big optimism for next season and a chance to really build for the PL. Nice to have a shot at it though. Hes got no hair but we dont care.
Considering it was a new pitch, it looked iffy in places. I know they sing Peter Whittingham, he does what he wants and all that, but he took two corners in the first half where the ball was defo not touching the white....scored off the second....not a linesman in sight! Three points for city in a resolute display, and three for Masking for his prediction eh?
