Right, so, where were we…. Oh yeas, that’s right, ‘cup final #2’ out of our proverbial 9 that we had left the other week. After what could be a huge 3 points on the road at Blackburn last time out w enow face the prospect of an erratic Owls team visiting our nest here in the Capital City this weekend. With just a solitary point keeping us above the dotted line the pressure on the team and the gaffer remains intense, however a win would push that pressure back towards our nearest chasers Derby County who don’t play until Wednesday for some reason (I can only assume they are expecting blizzards this weekend brought on by a large injury list or something??). Having had an international break, the team should be rested and raring to go, but as we’ve seen on many an occasion this season, should and are have often proved to be two very different things. Who Are You? Wednesday according to our own gaffer are “[a good side with some attacking threats. They’ve got a good structure and good concepts in their game, in possession and out of possession in respect of pressing and controlling the game at times in possession”] Danny Rohl has continued in the dugout at the Owls having been appointed in October 2023. In his first season in charge he managed to keep the Owls in the Championship with an impressive turnaround, having taken over with the side seven points from safety. Since taking charge, he has a win percentage of 40.74% having won 33, drawn 15 and lost 33. There are a few VERY familiar names in the Wednesday side, not least ex-Bluebird favourite Callum Patterson who has clocked up 5 goals in his 19 appearances this term. He is faring much much better than another former Bluebird in Ike Ugbo who has managed the sum total of 0 league goals in his 31 appearances (15 starts), this is despite also being given a penalty to try get off the mark (it was duly missed). Other players of note are ex-JB Jamal Lowe, a player we’d have loved in his prime (and probably still wouldn’t turn our nose up at now) Barry Bannan, striker and leading scorer Josh Windass (11 in 36) and long serving defender Dom Iorfa. Last Time Out & Form Last time out saw the spoils shared up at Hillsborough in a 1-1 draw. City took the lead somewhat against the run of play through Ollie Tanner, only to see themselves pegged back just 2 minutes later. Given the general overall performance, it was very much a point gained by the Bluebirds but we’ll obviously be wanting a bit more this time around. Form wise Wednesday are a little out of sorts having had an “all or nothing” type spell over the last 6 with 4 defeats and 2 wins. It is notable though that those 2 wins have come on the road against Plymouth (0-3 win) and Norwich (2-3 win), so they clearly DO have goals in them despite having Ugbo in the team, in fact they have the 7th best attack based on goals scored (53). Away from home they have the 5th best record in the division (9 wins & 2 draws from 19 away games) so we are absolutely sure of a tough game on our own patch yet again. Strangely, the last time we played them at the CCS was at the start of last season when the Bluebirds triumphed 2-1 with goals coming from Ryan Wintle and, most shockingly, Ike Ugbo (let’s just hope he doesn’t replicate that this time around)!! In, Out Or No Sign Of Them About According to Omer Riza Perry Ng is now available again. David Turnbull, Alex Robertson, Will Alves and Ollie Tanner are training and Andy Rinomhota hasn’t come back in yet from international duty. Callum O’Dowda felt a bit of tightness which meant he missed his international call up but he is doing well and is fit for Saturday. Ollie Tanner has been in non-contact for a few sessions but was in contact at the last session so he’ll also be in contention to be in the squad. Anwar El Ghazi has been ill but is over that now and is training well. There are a couple of knocks to Chris Willock and Callum Robinson, they potentially won’t be available, but other than that, everyone is back. Predicted Starting 11 Horvath Ng Fish Goutas Bagan Mannsverk Chambers Robertson Salech O'Dowda Alves The Odds Home 15/8 Draw 9/4 Away 7/5 Match Day Melody We’re all a little unsure of what to expect and have perhaps experienced a little bit of a crisis in faith and a bit of love slipping away this year, but…. Blooooooooooooooooooooooooobirds!!!
Nice update Brizzle, I think there are goals for both teams in this game and result could go either way, although with the excellent away support they have I am favouring a draw.
Well done Brizzle and thanks as always for a great thread. A tough game but we mustn't shy away from the challenge. Let's get focused on our game and let the worry about us. I hope the home support remembers that they have a huge part to play. C'mon City. Bloooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooobirds
Here’s some stats that may give some idea of the strengths and weaknesses of these two teams. Sheff Wed have scored 53 goals this season compared to our paltry 42 but have conceded 59 which is just 3 less than us but that includes 12 in our defeats at Leeds & Burnley. So both teams have leaky defences but they’re better at bulging the onion bag. 0-0 tomorrow then obviously
Marvellous yet again Brizzle., To answer your question why the snow queens aren’t playing tomorrow, their opponents Preston are in the FA Cup quarter finals on Sunday so the rearranged match is next Wednesday.
Good morning my glorious, fellow Bloooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooobirds. Hope everyone is in fine fettle and ready for the battle ahead Bloooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooobirds
Yes indeed clingo . As far as we're concerned it's 8 teams going into an 8 game mini league starting today. Unfortunately it's a handicap league with Pompey currently on top with a 9 point advantage over bottom club Plymouth. As for us, we're bang in the middle of that table right now, but only 3 points adrift of the top. All the teams in it still have 24 points available - those places could shift dramatically. Stopping the table right now is not an option (unfortunarely), so staying above that line is all that really matters. I'd like to believe we can get our act together, put some good performances together and actually climb it - starting today.
It was interesting reading the article on returning injuries. In it, it discussed our patchy form (or was it in the article about Bullut? No matter.) With 6 unbeaten, then very few points, then better results. In the 6 unbeaten, it was noted that Omer fielded a standard formation with consistency of selection. Who'd have thought......
I’ve put together in my mind about a dozen starting X1 selections and reckon none will be the one Riza goes for today….
Luton would still be below us even if they won today, but take your general point. Reckon if Luton and Plymouth who are away at Watford at the same time both lose, they are both as good as down.
Not sure they’d both be as good as down given they’d still have 21 points to play for but I get, to use your phrase your point. Both games goalless nearing the interval.
Saw it - that sort of goal can give anyone 3 points out of nothing. Hull clearly the better side but down by that goal is all that matters.
Back to us................... TEAM NEWS Cardiff City XI: Horvath; Ng, Fish, Bagan, O'Dowda; Mannsverk, Chambers; Davies, Ashford, Alves; Salech. Subs: Turner, Daland, Goutas, Turnbull, Colwill, Robertson, El Ghazi, Tanner, Meite.
