Here we go then, the real 'business end' of the season and we head into the Lion's Den this weekend to take on a very familiar face in the home team dug-out, but as things get tight at both ends of the table and as Tight Fit once sang, will the Lion's be sleeping tonight (oh ok, Saturday afternoon but allow me some poetic licence won't you)? We travel to South West London (or should that just be Sarrf London?) in buoyant mood once again having picked up another decent 3 points on the road Wednesday night up at Birmingham. Whilst we were revelling in our own sides victory, out hosts for this weekend were probably sat in utter shock having witnessed their own charges topple the league leaders Leicester by a 1-0 margin at the Den (you have to love this division). Millwall are something of a conundrum because whilst beating the league leaders on Tuesday night, it was only a few games earlier that they saw themselves get toppled by now relegated Rotherham up at the municipal New York swimming pool! The Lions are once again coached by ex-Bluebird's gaffer Neil Harris, who took over in February following the sacking of Joe Edwards, who himself had replaced Gary Rowett in October. Since Harris re-took up the reins Millwall's form has probably been more positive than negative (with a win away at Southampton to go with the impressive win against Leicester) but they still find themselves looking nervously over their shoulder, being just 4 points clear of the drop zone. Last time out saw the Londoners probably just about having the better of a tight game at the CCS, but in true dogged, Bulut fashion, the Bluebirds nicked all 3 points via a 78th minute Goutas header from a corner routine. Note the fine example of why Meite hasn't scored more goals!! Absolutely NOT a strikers finish. Bulut's Bulletin Bring out yer dead..... bring out yer dead..... wow, where to start eh? Following on from the midweek injury list, we can once again add Rambo back to the list of inhabitants of A&E, joining the ever increasing 1st team roster that are laid up (O'Dowda, Etete, Esbrand, Alnwick, McGuinness and possibly still Wintle. Then we throw in the 2 'ill-disciplined' players Robinson & Romeo (it will be interesting to see just what was behind that little episode if we ever get chance) though it seems Romeo isn't quite as much of a naughty boy (so he's not the Messiah then?) as Robinson with Bulut stating he could be in contention for the squad again this weekend, unlike the latter who Erol will be 'having words' with. In more positive news however, young Cian Asford made his league bow in midweek and looked relatively comfortable (if a little lightweight) and Rubin Colwill more than filled the void left by the loss of Rambo with an excellent display when coming on at half time. Colwill jnr, Joel is still yet to be seen in league action so with a real dearth of bodies available could we see another young gun get thrown in for a late run out? Quite possibly methinks. So with the exception of Colwill or Turnbull stepping in for Rambo I'd hazard a guess it is likely to be an 'as you were' starting line up for this one. What Are The Odds On That? Well would you Adam & Eve it?? There I was taking an early evening stroll along Coney Beach in Porthcawl looking for the lesser spotted Sparkey, when I look up from the trail of still slightly chilled empty Peroni bottles to see this gent wandering along tossing a coin up in the air and muttering to himself "heads he stays, tails he goes... ok, best of 3, no, best of 5, no, best of 50,000").... Apparently he's just left Sparkey after having one or two too many Peroni's and had now forgotten what it was he was trying to decide, so I happily re-assured him it would come back to him at some point, and if it didn't well..... it can't have been anything THAT important eh?? So, after feeling re-assured by me he decided he'd gladly pop the odds up for this one. Interestingly we again seem to be little fancied, but we like it like that anyway don't we?? Sharing The Love This list quite possibly has several players that will have slipped from peoples memories, such is the brief impact they made whilst with us, though one is probably much fresher in the memory even if we wish he really wasn't!! Ben Amos Signed on loan from Bolton Wanderers, after finding himself second choice behind summer signing, Mark Howard, Amos signed a season long loan at Cardiff City on 26 August 2016. He was kept out of the starting line-up by Ben Wilson, until 17 September, where he made his debut against Leeds United. He remained first choice until December, eventually losing his place in the side to loanee Allan McGregor. On 29 July 2017, Amos joined League One side Charlton Athletic on loan for the 2017–18 season Now with Wigan after signing in July 2021 Mickey Bennett Signed from Millwall in 1996 During his career the winger made over 150 appearances in the Football League. Since his retirement from playing, Bennett has become involved with helping footballers dealing with depression and is currently the head of player welfare at the Professional Footballers' Association working alongside another ex-Bluebird Jeff Whitley. Bennett set up an organisation called Unique Sports Counselling to help footballers deal with mental health issues. Paul Shaw Joined on loan from Arsenal in 1995. Unable to break into the Arsenal first team, Shaw spent periods on loan with Burnley, Cardiff City and Peterborough United during his time at Arsenal, before he was sold to Millwall in September 1997. Went on to have a decent career at Millwall and Gillingham. After playing around to world, he settled in the US Sheyi Ojo Former loan player who joined permanently in July 2022 after impressing during his loan spell but has done little of note ever since. On 16 August 2023, Ojo joined Belgian Pro League club K.V. Kortrijk on a season-long loan but has been overshadowed by another Bluebird in the form of Isaak Davies. Can’t see us keeping him on after this season, so although technically NOT a former player, hopefully that’ll be rectified soon. So, can we follow up Wednesday night by taming the Lions yet again this season? Can the Bluebirds take flight from the Isle of Dogs with 3 points tucked nicely under their wing come 5pm?? Will the Bulut prove to be mightier than the bomb(er Harris) ??? All I know is I hope we can......... Win-away-o-win-away-o-win-away-o-win-away Bloooooooooooooooooobirds!!!!!!!!
Nice one Brizzo......... Really glorious day at Trecco Bay today (for a change) and Tan was suitably impressed - Beales cod and chips tonight. . He was a bit tight on those odds though - I got 15/4 on a City win.............again.
Lovely read!! Thank you!!! Is there a relationship between depression sufferers and former Bluebirds?
An epic Brizzle, thanks as always. Harris out! Bloooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooobirds
I loved the dredging up of some random players there - Bennett & Shaw in particular Did you notice in the home win (when did we do ugly 1-0 wins at home) a celebrity singer in our dugout? What was Gregory Porter doing there eh
Happy match day everyone. Let's hope for a positive performance today. Don't want to see anyone trying to do Mr Harris any favours just because.they think there's nothing to play for. Bloooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooobirds
Cardiff City XI: Horvath; Ng, Goutas, Phillips, Collins; Siopis, Ralls, Bowler, R. Colwill, Grant; Meite. Subs: Turner, Wintle, J. Colwill, Turnbull, Conte, Sawyers, Tanner, Ashford, Diedhiou.
How the hell is Deadhead still in the 20? Surely there is another youngster who would do a better job than him?
I see Millwall have Obafemi up front. Seem to recall he played for those down there a few seasons back.
Their central defender lashes one in (after a Colwill mistake) and ours scuffs a decent opening wide. City playing again better away and don’t really deserve to be behind. Should add our keeper too easily beat on the near post. As bad as Allsop last week
