What a difference a game makes. Following Saturday’s humbling of the Pilgrims of Plymouth, our beloved Bluebirds have an opportunity to bask in the glory of a quickfire south coast double as we welcome struggling Portsmouth to the CCS for a bit of mid-week action (I say struggling, they have the same number of points as we do!!). Omer Riza has now presided over a heavy defeat (albeit one that still had glimpses of encouragement and some misfortune within it), a draw and 2 wins in his 4 games as interim gaffer. This game represents another golden opportunity for the team to climb the table a little further. Not only could this be good for the club overall but for Riza, win this one and we could be looking at our next permanent manager!! 3 points will almost certainly see us climb out of the bottom 3 spots but we should be a little cautious as our visitors will no pushovers. Who Are You? Portsmouth are back at this level for the 1st time since the 2011-2012 season having been on a prolonged sojourn to the lower half of the football league following that relegation from the 2nd tier, that relegation coming just 4 years after they won their 1st major trophy, defeating our plucky Bluebirds in the 2008 FA Cup final. Relegation from the Premier League came just 2 years later, and they lasted a mere 2 years in the Championship before succumbing to the pressures and mess left behind from their Premier League “dream”. Nowadays the club are far more careful in their transfer dealings, with new Bluebird Alex Robertson being a shining example of their reluctance to spend beyond their means, despite him becoming a fan favourite in his loan spell the previous season. Boss John Mousinho has impressed in his maiden managerial role, taking on the job in January 2023 and promptly guiding the south coast side to promotion in his 2nd season, having taken them to an 8th place finish the year prior. Playing squad wise, there are of course a few familiar faces, with both Marlon Pack and, Josh Murphy playing their trade at Fratton Park nowadays. Interestingly, Gavin Whyte was also with Pompey until August but negotiated a mutual termination of his contract, however, it seems that move, as a result of it happening outside of the relevant windows may now be preventing Whyte from signing on anywhere else for the time being. Ex-Newport defender Regan Poole will also be a familiar name to us Bluebirds being an ex-academy scholar and having earned a senior Welsh cap. Beyond that, forward Matt Ritchie (ex-Bournemouth) and midfielder Andre Dozzell are probably 2 of the more eye catching names on the team sheet, though with 4 goals across 7 games so far this season, top scorer Callum Lang will need some attention from the Bluebirds rear-guard. Last Time Out & Form The last league visit for Pompey to the CCS was a bit of a heartbreaker for them, with Craig Conway snatching a dramatic late winner from a speculative effort after the visitors had done well to peg back our promotion chasing Bluebirds, taking a 2-1 lead until a fine header from Mark Hudson evened things back up after we’d taken an early lead via a fine Kenny Miller strike. There was a rare blunder from David Marshall thrown in for good measure and a now ex-Bluebird twisting the knife for their 2 goals. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/football/16672884 Form wise, Pompey have just picked up their first win of the season (a 2-1 triumph at QPR who are also languishing in the bottom 3 alongside us). Prior to that, recent results have seen a decent draw against follow promoted side Oxford, a 6-1 thumping at the hands of Stoke and entertaining draws, with a 2-2 at ‘Boro and a 3-3 draw at Elland Road. Rather worryingly for us Bluebirds, their away results have actually not been too bad that Stoke hammering aside, suggesting that a bit like us, despite their apparent struggles they may actually have been a tad unfortunate and in a slightly false position. In, Out Or No Sign Of Them About Surely this game has to be a case of “can I have some more please”? Though we were clearly helped by the red card in the game v Plymouth, one early scare aside it was very much a dominant performance both before and after that helping hand. Unless there are any niggles after Saturday’s triumph then I see nothing but a continuation of the same starting 11, however much I’d like to see Daland back in the line-up. I suppose we may see O-Dowda rested to ensure he is managed effectively, meaning a possible return for Bagan or Collins but any change will be a brave move by Omer Riza in my opinion. The bench however may be a different proposition. As has been mooted on the boards already, it wasn’t a bench to bring much dynamism to the attacking side of our game (apologies to Willock who obviously made an impact). Predicted Starting 11 Alnwick Ng Chambers Goutas O’Dowda Tanner Colwill Turnbull Robertson Robinson El Ghazi The Odds Bods Going a little rogue and mischievous with this one… It’s a sort of Guess Who for a change. This guy Ghanaian International had spells for both clubs, neither of which amounted to much (didn’t score for either team), despite his ‘pedigree’ of having come from Spartak Moscow and starting his career at a top Premier League side. Who is he? Top Boy Top Trumps Given the fact that these 2 guys have played for both teams and play in similar positions, a face off with the stats was a must as a precursor for a face off on the pitch. For this one we have the old boy pass masters. Match Day Melody Come on, let’s see those hands in the air……. Blooooooooooooooooooooooooobirds!!!
A great read Briz. As you say, Riza will be a brave man to change much, other than the bench. With regards playing against 10, it's often a struggle. Some good play on the weekend to open them up. Hopefully Omar has learned the lesson of the Brizzle changes and will keep the pressure on when we're on top. Certainly one we could lose, so it will give us a decent insight as to the progress made.
Brizzle you're a star. Not only the usual literary gem but also my escape from the bo!!0cks I've been talking on the music thread. I have always had a lot of time for Pompey and even more so after their fans helped them through a ridiculously tough time. Of course, as mentioned in your excellent piece, there's a good honest rivalry that's developed. It's just good to see an honest club with a great traditional stadium making their way again. Also they have some good guys on their Not606 board. It's important for us not to turn the game into an "after the lord mayor's show" affair due to complacency. We have to remember where we are. Let's hope for a good performance again. Bloooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooobirds
Have to say that I feel similarly "fond" of our opponents. They remind me very much of ourselves really, just a good honest club that's been through some seriously hard times after over stretching themselves. Even Fratton Park is relatively reminiscent of Ninian Park. It should hopefully be another ripper of a game, I'd happily settle for either another 5-0 or a repeat of their last league visit (those with good memories may have noticed I've conveniently ignored their actual most recent visit to the CCS!! ).
Marvellous as always Brizzle. I also have a fondness for Pompey when their supporters clapped our bus as we were leaving Wembley after the cup final. Nice touch. Haven’t a scooby who that Ghana international is but then again I can’t remember who played in Saturday!
As you were. Only change is on the bench. Siopis in for Collins. Bagan overtaken Collins for the LB slot. Other than Willock, not much 'go forward' on the bench. Cardiff City XI: Alnwick; Ng, Chambers, Goutas, O'Dowda; Robertson, Turnbull; Tanner, Colwill, El Ghazi; Robinson. Subs: Horvath, Daland, Fish, Bagan, Siopis, Rinomhota, Willock, Meite, Kanga.
After one game at the CCS, Regan Poole now has more goals for Cardiff than Kanga and Meite combined all season.
Bloody missed the start of the game (and both goals) as we were round the in-laws and Mrs Brizzle got chatting too long. It's almost as if she knew we'd be winning and her mob would be losing
Well, that looks like it was a pretty comfortable half again, although bit concerning that we didn't make more of some of the chances we created. I felt Pompey were just beginning to grow into it a bit towards the end of the half, so Riza will need to keep them on their toes. Colwill looking very influential again
Fair enough Robinson is scoring again but he needs to unglue that toblerone from his daps... he hit the bar to score from half a yard out and his second shot is in outer-space somewhere
Little bit negative with the subs again IMO. Little concerning how early we've gone back to a more destructive pairing...
We need to save legs for Saturday and there isn't much else on the bench. Negative? Yes. no other options though. Unfortunately, we have little option up front either.
That'll do. Another 3 points, another clean sheet. Lots of draws in other games tonight which helps us close gaps on those above. A totally different perspective from a couple weeks back. Well done Riza, well done the players. Not out of the woods, but what a difference.
Hey Whoopert, really thought your guys stepped it up a bit 2nd half but your final balls weren't quite there. I think our team are just starting to realise their potential now and after hitting you hard in the 1st half just out muscled you during the 2nd to prevent you getting back into it in too big a fashion. Good luck for the remainder of the season, would like to see you boys stay up (preferably at Swansea or Bristol City's expense!!).
