The big games just keep on coming eh? After a last gasp draw (3rd one in a row) was secured on Tuesday night away at Preston, pushing our unbeaten run to 4 games, we sadly still find ourselves below that dotted line of doom, however, this Saturday sees us welcome one of the clubs that we are straining to catch above us in the table, namely Stoke City. Who Are You? Stoke, now managed by Mark Robins reside just 2 points and 2 places above us. Robins only took on the task of steering the Potters clear of danger back in January, but it’s probably fair to say that things haven’t gone according to plan for the ex-Coventry gaffer. After Robins first game in charge (a draw at home to bottom side Plymouth) the Potters were 4 points and 3 spots above the drop zone – since then their ‘buffer’ of points has halved and they are a place closer to the line we are fighting to climb above. Top scorer is still Irishman Tom Cannon with 9 goals in his 22 games for the Potters on loan from Leicester, however, he was subsequently recalled and sold to Sheffield Utd in the January window. Second on the scoring charts is midfielder Lewis Baker with 6, however he too could be on the move at the end of season with his contract up come the end of May. Last Time Out & Form Last time out saw the two sides play out an entertaining 2-2 at the BET365 in the league. The Bluebirds went behind early on but managed to haul themselves in front via a rare El Ghazi goal and an own goal from Stoke stalwart Ben Gibson, however, Gibson then redeemed himself in fine fashion by grabbing a late, late equaliser in the 95th minute. We have also of course played Stoke on their own patch in the FA cup this season. That game also turned out to be an entertaining nail biter, with much changed line-ups from both sides serving up a rip-roaring 3-3 draw that ultimately ended in a Bluebirds victory on penalties. Form wise Stoke have a poor away record (6th worst) with just 14 points amassed away from the BET365 (by contrast we have 17 though have played a game more). A source of the Potters struggles could well be their flailing attack, with just 42 goals scored in 41 games (we have 45). Defensively they are also displaying bottom half form (9th worst defence overall) having conceded 54 times. In, Out Or No Sign Of Them About Who knows what to expect for this one? If it were left up to us on this forum I’d suggest that we’d be looking to go with pace, attacking verve with a little bit of steel to protect the backline, however, as none of our current crop of players seem to be capable of providing that right now then it becomes a bit of Hobson’s choice for our gaffer… Rumours are that Rino is out with a back issue, but thankfully Perry Ng appears fit to return. El Ghazi also remains unavailable along with the other usual long term absentees. Predicted Starting 11 Horvath Ng Fish Daland Bagan Mannsverk Chambers Robertson Salech Ashford Alves The Odds Home 13/10 Draw 9/4 Away 2/1 Match Day Melody The boys just have to keep trying hard to get us up and keep us above that line. Blooooooooooooooooooooooooobirds!!!
Great match day thread as usual BB. BUT no O'Dowda? Just read a WoL article on him. I think he's expecting to play. What do you know that he doesn't?
Just didn't think he played so well in midweek (but then who did??)... I'm probably wrong as he's pretty much Mr dependable usually.... And to be fair Bagan appears to have fallen out of favour recently too....
Glad to see you've got both Mannsverk and Chambers in there. Robertson for Colwill in front of them is huge sense as well. Think Riza might change things and go with Zak Davies to start this time - maybe as 3rd centreback..............
As always Brizzle. So, this lot again but I'll spare you bogs, basins, baths and bidets. Now then Mr Riza, play the strongest eleven straight from the off. Set your tactics to beat a beatable team and go for it. Get our boys to fire up our fans and send them home satisfied. Desist with the faffing and start winning. C'mon City Bloooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooobirds
There's more chance of predicting the lottery numbers than predicting a Riza 11. To be honest I'm past caring. This lot haven't got it in them to get the win.
I get the point and at times agree it’s tempting to say ah sod it but it’s impossible to not care about it - it’s so deeply ingrained into the DNA
Thanks Brizzle. I always look forward to the games aginst Stoke for some reason. Probably dates back to having Stoke and Cardiff subbuteo teams in my youth! I managed to see the FA Cup game this season, but didn't make the league game. If ever there was a time to win a a match this is it. Looking for a decent home win. Bluebirds!
Bloooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooobirds! Good morning, good morning, good morning. Another hugely important day for us loyal, long suffering supporters. C'mon City, let's put in a committed performance and get that elusive win and start the fight for safety. I repeat Bloooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooobirds
Morning folks.... Hopefully everyone is well this fine morning? Today is going to be a good day.... Mrs Brizzle and I are jetting off to Gran Canaria, I'm going to remember to put my prediction in early again when I get to the airport (will be telling Mrs Brizzle she needs to remind me) and it's going to be a magnificent 3 points for the boys in blue at the CCS later.... C'mon the City....
More in hope than expectation Riza will pick the right starting X1 and they’ll overcome the Potters ps Enjoy your holiday
The issue is there isn't a right line up. The defence a major issue. Our best defender this season has been Bagan but has he the physicality to play at the moment there. Yes if he had Bamba or Morrison alongside but it will be Fish who has some promise but is probably the least error prone. Dalaand and Goutas need moving on. Ideally Bagan left back but then ODowda moves forward which means lack of pace out wide. Ng well out of sorts this season but simply has to play right back or could he go cb or cm to add some bite there which we lack. I haven't a clue what our best defence is and our manager definitely doesn't. Cm a major issue. Inability to pass the ball , keep possession , tackle , pressure the opposition or do anything of any use other than pass back or give the ball away. Mannsverk has some ability (probably similar to Wintle ) but he's gradually getting worse and yet again mid week another failing to close down the opposition to allow a ball into the box. That just isn't on. I think he will be dropped today. I think Robertson has to start and we can't leave our top scorer out so I'd play Robinson 10. Riza will stick with Chambers who had a mare midweek. Siopsis was having a poor season but with Ralls and Ramsey out this has proved to be a mistake. I think id prefer Rino in midfield as at least he plays with energy. Up front he has options but will he use them. Ashford , Isaacs, Tanner , Alves with Salech. Id go Horvarth Ng Fish Bagan O Dowda Colwill Robertson Robinson Isaak Salech Ashford. We are hopeless defending just attack. We have no chance playing on the back foot.
Because Robinson is our top scorer, you'd play him at No.10 - bizarre. Robinson is not a No. 10 in a million years - he's an out and out box sitter to get on the end of something served up. No doubt he can finish but is no good sitting deeper. If anything I'd play him in a front two with Salech - yes I know, a Dave Bassett 4-4-2 again...... For gawd's sake forget Colwill - he's the epitamy of apathy when he hasn't got the ball and tries to do too much with it when he's got it. It's got to be either Robertson or Turnbull (or both) sitting behind those two front men- pace out wide would mean either Ashford or Zak (or both). I agree about our scary defending and to concentrate on scoring rather than trying to keep them out.
As with each game predicting what eleven he’ll perm from his squad to start is impossible. For example it would be no surprise if he started with Meite.
I wouldn't pick Colwill for the Under 21's. This season has shown that he's a show pony who loses the ball too easily, can't tackle, can't head and little or no end product. It's a pity but the promise of a couple of years ago has evaporated as has the ability to get a few .million quid for him by selling.
He was awful midweek. As we're most. Not many players in the division can do the one piece of magic he did in the 1st half when denied by a brilliant save. He needs to move away from our club and this summer he will. Away from our fanbase.
"Piece of magic" my arse. A failed piece of magic won't keep us up - only hard work and graft will that - two qualities that Colwill doesn't possess. As for moving away from our fanbase, I agree - as far away as possible starting now.
He's been pretty awful all season. I agree that a move away is best for him. What I don't understand is that he is regularly selected when done little or nothing all season to justify his place.
