Tally ho, here we go, the Foxes are coming to town.... Fresh from our improved but still frustrating showing against Plymouth on Boxing Day, league leaders and title favourites Leicester City are heading to the CCS in a bid to keep their margin at the top of the table intact. With no defeat in their last 6 and only 4 points dropped in that time (2 of which were in their most recent game away at 2nd placed Ipswich) the Bluebirds face a daunting task in trying to stop Enzo Maresca's star studded side. Of course, earlier in the season the Bluebirds were mightily unfortunate to come away from the Kingpower Stadium empty handed, having put in a resolute display to come back from a goal down, the equaliser being an absolute worldie from Ramsey, only to see the Foxes snatch a winner in added time, with the Bluebirds misery compounded by Mahlon Romeo also picking up a red card at the death. Past Meetings We have of course had many a game against the Foxes, with some real classics including these few; 2010 Play-off game - I know I know, I've linked this one before but it was such a nail biter of a game, it's always worth a watch! A ding dong league cup game at the CCS. Bulut's Bulletin Minimal changes are anticipated for this one following a much improved showing by the Bluebirds against the Pilgrims after several flat displays. Rubin Colwill is beginning to make more of an impression and was arguably one of City's best performers in the Boxing Day game and Karlan Grant appears to have found some renewed confidence and is hopefully hitting a bit of a golden seam. Kion Etete could be a concern with mention of a hamstring niggle, whilst in midfield we could well see the Ralls Wintle partnership retained meaning Siopis missing out again. BY all accounts Callum O'Dowda is back training with the 1st team now so may be due to return in a couple of weeks but Rambo will be afforded a little longer just to be sure he avoids breaking down by coming back to soon. I must admit, the prospect of getting a fit Rambo back for the last few months of the season seems sensible as he could be the difference between sneaking a play-off spot or not. What Are The Odds On That? Having accidentally overlooked this for the last game, I couldn't let it go amiss again this time around, so whilst he's recovering Rambo has kindly offered to step in and lay down the odds. Unsurprisingly he's got the visitors as very strong favourites... but could the underdog end up disturbing the Foxes??? Sharing The Love Just because time is precious at the moment, I'll persist with the 'guess the player' for now.... This former striker was never gunnar be a long serving Bluebird but he still made 19 appearances in the 2006-07 season This full back joined on a month long loan in 2006, before returning to parent club Watford ahead of a move to the Foxes This penalty saving hero only played 21 games for the Bluebirds but helped the Ninian Park faithful to enjoy a cup upset in 1994. This lethal midfielder played 62 times for the Bluebirds, but also clocked up an impressive 213 for our visitors. His return of 2 goals in a City shirt earned him his humorous nickname. So, can Erol keep us within touching distance of the play-off spots and snare the Foxes with tactical traps? Whilst any kind of positive result won't be taken for granted, will Grant help us get a positive result?? Can we leave the Foxes seeing red as we hunt down the sides above us??? All I know is , the games keep coming thick and fast and if we stay in touch with the leading pack then who knows what can happen from there if we get some decent reinforcements in January??? Blooooooooooooooooooooobirds!!!!
Funnily enough, just looking into that. Now despite rumours to the contrary, I'm not dumb enough to bet on a lost cause. Having said that, I see City with a 1 goal handicap are on offer @ 12/1 - I wouldn't would I?........... Might go for some small money a long odds back 4 goalscorer instead. Goutas available @ 16/1 as is Ng and Collins whilst McGuinness is @ 20/1 - he's got to get on the end of one of those dead ball kicks before long. Will check out the account - it was empty the last time I looked after the Plymouth game.
This is a joke. Meitie the same price as Ettete to score. Did someone say he`s played 23 games and scored 1
As I can’t really see us troubling the scorers I watched the Top 5 City goals v Leicester. I’d forgotten about Lee Naylor’s fluke
City odds drifting. All our usual back 4 (assuming they start) have now drifted out to 20/1 to get a goal - just put a fiver on each for fun.
They scored 5 between them from my calculations that is 4 more than Meitie. Actually you should ask the others as they seem to know the result before kick off, how can you lose before the game starts? first 5 games against Leeds, Leicester and Ipswich we showed Quality on the pitch and none on the touchline, the only quality missing is the manager he has cost us games by his mess of changing the team when they are 2-0 up at halftime, then agains taking Colwill and Ettete off in the last game.
This game tonight reminds me of playing the top teams at home when we were in the PL, expecting a beating but always hoping beyond hope we’d defeat the odds and get a result. This though is the championship where any team can beat another. Bulut has said to the press we’ll give it everything. Let’s hope the players rise to the challenge.
Although there's a justifiable case to fault Bulut on times, this is down to the players he sends out there. Keep it tight and take no prisoners. Got to get the ball over their dead ball line and pick up corners and other set pieces. Don't piss around trying be clever and playing it short. Get the ball into the mincer and let them worry about getting on the end of it. We need to get back to that feared set piece team that we were. If we struggle in open play there's always a goal to be had from a corner/free kick situation.
This tactic of the keeper playing it out sideways is pointless and is more likely to lead to an error and a goal opportunity for the opposition.
City odds drifting further out - now @ 5/1 the win from 9/2 at the time of Brizzo's thread OP. I wonder............
Cardiff City XI: Alnwick; Ng, McGuinness, Goutas, Collins; Siopis, Ralls, Wintle; Bowler, Etete, Grant. Subs: Turner, Romeo, Adams, Meite, Panzo, Colwill, Tanner, Rinomhota, Robinson. Runnarson not on the bench. 4141?
No Runarsson. Is Turner the under 21's keeper? Neither Robinson nor Colwill in No.10 role. Ralls to do this on a more withdrawn basis? A more pragmatic outlook then. Perhaps not what we were looking for but understandable with the ability to change things from the bench if/when needed.
