Date: Wednesday 17th August KO 20:00 Competition: Football League Championship Venue – The Hawthornes The Hawthornes - is it just me or does it look like a "cut and shut" ground that has two different halves welded together? So, this midweek match brings us to game #4 of the league season and a chance to try heap more misery on a pretty flat Baggies who's bounce hasn't yet found any oomph, whilst building on an exceptionally good performance against the Baggies near rivals Birmingham. Last season saw the spoils shared away from home (1-1 with WBA's goal being somewhat controversial) but with a 4-0 defeat at the CCS and the first viewing of Mick McCarthy's "keep it tight" 5 centre back experiment (oh such memories ). On a head to head, WBA have slightly the better record with 24 wins to the Bluebirds 18 and 16 draws. WBA sit four points behind the Bluebirds in the table having managed to pick up just two draws from their three games thus far, picking up a 1-1 away to 'Boro and at home to Watford, with defeat last weekend 2-1 away at early league leaders Blackburn Rovers. The Baggies managed by the gnarly Steve Bruce have a very strong squad, bringing in supposed Bluebird targets John Swift and Jed Wallace amongst others. Bluebirds boss Steve Morison reserved special praise for his old friend Wallace, waxing lyrical about what a good player he was but that was sadly beyond our reach financially. Additionally SM believes Wallace may be going all out for the win tonight just to secure the bragging rights and the ability to dish out the text banter afterwards. Interestingly, the Bluebirds have developed a bit of a habit of getting the WBA goalkeeper sent off, with both Scott Carson and Sam Johnstone seeing red in games v the City..... fingers crossed we can keep that trend going! A clearly innocent Michael Chopra merely asking Carson if his missus had gotten home ok after stopping over with John Terry & Ryan Giggs the other evening. How is it not possible to spot 8ft 5inch Flinty in this melee? Also within their ranks are former Bluebirds Ken Zahore (who has been told he can leave) and Semi Ajayi. Ken Zahore giving that look when you know someone has been overcharged for some seriously defective goods! Early Team News The Bluebirds will be without on loan defender Cedric Kipre, who will be a serious miss for them after several assured performances at the heart of the defence. Bluebirds fans will be praying that we don't see the return of Curtis Nelson, however, discounting the "obvious" replacement does limit the gaffers options with it apparently being too early for new signing J B Simpson (that reads so much better than "Jack" ). Otherwise you would expect the team to remain pretty much unchanged, although with Romaine Sawyers picking up what appeared to be a knock v Birmingham we will have to see. He will no doubt be busting a gut to be fit for this one and a chance to get one over on his former employers, especially as Steve Bruce was happy to release him without even seeing him in action for the team. Prutton Predicts Sky pundit David Prutton is once again backing the Bluebirds for a win by a 2-1 margin, placing emphasis on the Baggies poor end to last season, coupled with a worrying start to this, whilst acknowledging that the Bluebirds were comfortable victors on the weekend despite the tight scoreline. Sharing the Love There have been some excellent players to have worn the jersey for both us and our opposition tomorrow, some of which are; Player Cardiff Apps WBA Apps Jason Koumas 67 123 Ricky Scimeca 70 35 Danny Gabbidon 201 20 Rob Earnshaw 202 43 Peter Odemwingie 15 90 And just because they can't all be good..... Ken Zahore 96 18 Can the Bluebirds bag a brace at the Baggies? Will we see another keeper misdemeanor?? Will Romaine reign??? With the backing of 1,600+ travelling Bluebird disciples, surely we can keep up the good form and pick up our first points on the road?? Bloooooooooooooobirds!
Brilliant Brizzle. Can't help feeling you missed your vocation in life. But there's still time for a best seller or two. I'm quite fancying our chances for this one. Probably reading it wrongly but to me Steve Bruce's teams have become increasingly dour and careful. An opportunity for Wintle and O'Dowda to shine again. If we lose, I never wrote any of the above.
Brizzle. Your match day threads just get better. Loving the Chopra reference. I think the Baggies are a bit wobbly and I fancy us to edge this one. We could be joint top of the table tomorrow!
My bag wobbles too if it is warm but in cold weather it goes tight up against my groin. Is that normal? Asking for a friend!
Great Matchday thread Brizz. Must admit I agree with your "cut and shut" comment about that piccy of the ground - maybe just an optical illusion but it does look odd. BTW, there's no "e" in Hawthorns..........
Ah, good spot Sparky... I must have been living the wrong side of the bridge too long.... eeee by gum...
Do you put an 'L' on the end of words ending in 'A' yet? Australial v Western Samoal was a gem from Gareth Chilcott during comentary at a rugby world cup.
So it's not looking great for us omen wise is it? Cardiff have won one of their last 11 away league matches against West Brom (D5 L5), winning 3-0 in December 2009 under Dave Jones. West Brom manager Steve Bruce has never lost a home league match against Cardiff City in six previous meetings (W4 D2), winning each of his last three. With potential changes to the spine of the team due to Kipre being ineligible and possibly change needed in midfield it could make for a tough evening. I reckon we may see Simpson start instead of Kipre and it's just a bit of kidology from SM. If not Simpson then it'll probably have to be McGuinness as I'm not sure it'd be fair to throw young Denham in alongside Ng in the middle. Would anyone on here give Nelson chance to redeem himself this soon after his two horror showings?
Slight aside. Callum's sister competing in the Heptahalon at the European Games today. 8th after the hurdles. Sporting family.
Remote - I'm torn between 50 quid on City @ 9/2, or really going for it with City @ 11/1 by more than 1 goal difference...........
SM saying Simpson isnt match fit as he didn't have a pre-season. Not got a scorer option to throw in with the win odds? Either that or trust Clingo's view that with the chances we're creating at some point the floodgates will open.
Did see that but hence my thoughts that there may be a little kidology going on.... If he's genuinely not ready then it'd have to be McGuinness for me
