Slavi said in today's press conference that he "expected everyone to be available". Well, I think we can take it that as merely playing mind games with the opposition since LVC is definitely still out. Cairney and Parker have to be questionable, albeit the latter will, technically, be 'available' for selection. Can't see either being in the starting line up. Bairdinho is back however. Which formation he chooses is the conundrum. In the presser he pretty much set out his stall, saying "Cardiff are competitive and organised and are fighting for the Play-Offs.We must start straight away, win the first tackle.." Reckon we'll see a defensive oriented set up with us trying to dominate the midfield. .......................Bettinelli................ ........Stearman...Madli...Amorebietta... ....Fredericks.......Baird..........Garbutt... ................Tunnicliffe..Ince... ...........Dembele.........McCormack..
.......................Bettinelli................ ....Stearman...Madl...Amorebieta...Ream... ......Parker.....Ince.....Tunnicliffe.. ...............????????............. ........Dembele.........McCormack.. That's what I'd call defensive. Might as well keep the back 4 and put tough tacklers in front of them. So ????? could be Cairney...Kacaniklic..Hyndman..Cairney will play if fit. But the other two could play CM if needed, but they seem to be out of favor, and I guess SJ would choose O'Hara. Give the CM license to roam and shoot on sight. Try to get as many freekicks near the box.
He was training this morning with the rest of them, according to the slide show on the Official Site. So that's good news. Oh, and the Top Trio watched on - Mr Khan has almost taken up residence! please log in to view this image Here's a linkt to full set of photos: http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2016/april/08/mr-khans-motspur-visit
With us now looking safe especially compared to this time last week and Dembele definitely off in the summer I hope we give Woodrow some game time get the last month of the season. With Derby and Sheff Wed both having very winnable home games this is a big game for Cardiff who probably need to win to keep there play off hopes alive this could could lead to an open game especially if it's still a draw going into the last half an hour. With us not so desperate to grind out results for survival now I would like to see full backs not centre halfs playing there, maybe go three at the back with Fredericksburg and Garbutt wing backs!
I'm not so sure about that, Cookie. Things look much, much better, but we're not safe yet. Let's get at least another win under our belts before we start selecting the team with next season in mind.
One more win would obviously see over the line and make it much more comfortable but we have one foot over the line especially with Charltons fixtures ( remaining three home games Burnley, Derby, Brighton) Woodrow in for Dembele wouldn't weaken us that much. The MK Dons v Rotherham is a big game a defeat for MK pretty much does for them.
Hatch and chickens come to mind. We need the strongest team for 6 games. 9 points can be gained in 8 days by any of the sides in trouble, so we are far from out of the woods yet. We can experiment in the summer with what I suspect will be a significantly different squad.
The man in the middle is yet another rookie, Jeremy Simpson We've never seen him before which might be as well since this year alone in his 30 games he handed out 104 yellows and 5 reds. He's obviously trying to beat his record for last season when in 32 games, he gave 119 yellows and a whopping 9 reds.
3 wins in a row!!!! We were due a late goal against cardiff, i seem to remember them getting a few against us in recent years. Safety assured???
How good is it to be on the front foot in the final quarter AND get the winner with a minute to go? Great second half effort from the whole team and credit to Slavi for his subs. Surprised to see LVC in the line-up but boy did he contribute when he came on, as did Fredericks (and we can turn a blind eye now to the one he ought to have taken on himself when he broke through). Parker was nonetheless the inspiration again and not just with that equaliser right at the start of the second half. Before any more eulogising though, a thought or two about the first half. We fought hard but Cardiff took control after the first twenty minutes or so and Whittingham in particular exposed us down our right side. Even though it was a soft goal we conceded (Bettinelli should have been more aggressive in trying to cut out the cross and goodness knows what Madl and Nando thought they were doing) it came as no big surprise. But Slavi made his first change at half time, also changing the formation and we got that goal straight away (big plus to Dembele for his assist and luckily Garbbutt survived the ball boy’s right hook to the chin in the resulting celebration!). As said, an excellent team display from thereon. Stearman was immense having moved into CB alongside Nando. The trio of Hyndman, LVC and Fredericks contributed with strong forward runs (culminating in LVC's persitance helping Emerson to his Birthday Goal and the winner}. But, for me the MOTM was Ince – a colossus!!
Really good second half, with Slava switching to a more traditional back-4. Made me wonder why we did not start with Federics C58 says it all. But I would add the experience of Scott & Ross was so important. Good cameo from LVC is a good sign. My only question was actually Ince - seemed a bit lost at times - but I note many made him MOM. 4 on the trot at Brighton? COYW !
It was a great team performance and just shows what confidence can do. We defended so much better and have to agree Ince was MOM, imo. I was a little surprised at half time as I thought Madl was having a really good game. I said at half time we should get Fredericks on to give us some width but I didn't expect it would be for Madl. I enjoyed the company of many Cardiff fans before the game and they must have been gutted when we scored the last minute winner. With the Bristol City game still a recent memory we know what it feels like. To score though, wow it had the place rocking. I was so pleased for Hynman on his birthday to score his first goal in front of his parents. I really do hope he signs a new contract and stays. Klinsmann is not our greatest fan and I hope he does not influence him. You have to say Fulham have been good to him and I'd like to see more of him. I love the shot in the replay when Parker celebrates with the ball boy. I think the ball boy then accidentally punches Garbutt. Great to come away feeling good after a game. It's been a disappointing season but a win and virtually safe made it a great weekend.
