Promotion has already been delivered. By the time Cardiff City return from Burnley tomorrow night, they expect to have been crowned as champions, too. Malky Mackay’s high-flying Bluebirds squad take off from Cardiff Airport today knowing that if they win at Turf Moor, the Championship trophy will be theirs as well. Cardiff have three matches left – Burnley tomorrow, Bolton next Saturday and Hull in the final match – to secure the three points they still require to guarantee finishing top. By doing so, they will eclipse the achievements of the teams of 1951-52 and 1959-60, the two previous occasions Cardiff earned promotion to the top flight. Each of those sides finished as runners-up, but Mackay’s Class of 2013 are ready to strike the final blow by ensuring they are title-winners. Only Hull can stop them, but having seen his men already create history by clinching promotion to the Premier League, Mackay wants his team to finish the job. The Bluebirds could even travel to Turf Moor with the Championship title already in place because second-placed Hull play tonight. If Steve Bruce’s men slip up at home against relegated Bristol City, it would be over before the Bluwebirds even kick-off at Burnley. But the likelihood is that Hull will win that one, leaving the Bluebirds’ destiny in their own hands tomorrow lunchtime. Cardiff have only won two League titles in their history – Division Three (South) in 1947 and Division Four under the Eddie May 20 years ago. Grabbing a third would be fitting climax to what has been a sensational season in which they have been undoubted kingpins. Burnley will prove tough opposition, with prolific striker Charlie Austin out for the season, veteran Ray Pointer is expected to make his return after a long lay-off. Cardiff City manager Malky Mackay has said he will put sentiment aside as he plans for life in the Premier League. Tuesday's draw with Charlton ended the Bluebirds' 51-year top-flight absence, with owner Vincent Tan saying Mackay will have up to £25m to spend. "I've had to be ruthless from the very first day I came here," said Mackay. "What we are doing is for the good of the football club. You have to realise life changes and situations change and you have to go with change." The former Watford boss added: "If you don't then you're left behind. But that's not just me, that's throughout football. "In end-of-season games, everybody's playing for something, whether you're in contract or going out of contract. "You're trying to impress every time you walk over the white line so the players know they've got to be playing well to be part of something here next year, which is very exciting." Cardiff will win the Championship title on Friday night if Hull lose to relegated Bristol City, otherwise they can clinch it by beating Burnley on Saturday. Mackay has targeted a return for injured striker Nicky Maynard on the final day of the season against Hull on 5 May. The former Bristol City player joined Cardiff from West Ham United on a three-year-deal in August. But the 26-year-old has been out since October after suffering a torn anterior cruciate knee ligament during the win at Millwall. "The light is there at the end of the tunnel for him," said Mackay. "He's back in training, which is great and he will hopefully get an under-21 game next week. "If by Hull, which is two weeks away, Richard Collins in our physio department feels that he's ticked every box in our fitness department and I'm looking at him in training, that's absolutely a possibility."
Some Burnley jokes just to kick off the weekend with some light-heartedness! Nobody was hurt in the making of these jibes! Q: What do you say to a Burnley fan with a good looking bird on his arm? A: Nice Tattoo Q: What is the difference between a hedgehog and a busload of Macclesfield Town fans? A: On a hedgehog all the pricks are on the outside Q: Did you hear why the post office recalled their latest batch of stamps? A: They had pictures of the Manchester City squad on and no-one could work out what side to spit on A man desperate at Macclesfield Town’s current situation decides to top himself.In his living room, alone, he prepares to hang himself. At the very lastmoment, he decides upon wearing his full Macclesfield Town kit as his last statement.A neighbour, catching sight of the impending incident, informs the police.On arrival, the police quickly remove the Macclesfield Town kit and dress the man instockings and suspenders. The man, totally confused asks why. The policeman simply replies, “it’s to avoid embarrassing your family.” Q: What do you call a Wrexham fans with alot of girlfriends? A: A Shepard Q: Why do Burnley supporters all have moustaches? A: So they can look like their mothers Q: Whats black and brown and looks good on a Burnley fan? A: A rotweiler Q: What do you call a Burnley fan in a 2 bedroom semi? A: A thief The seven dwarves are down in the mines when there is a cave-in. Snow White runs to the entrance and yells down to them. In the distance a voice shouts out “Manchester City are good enough to win the European Cup.” Snow White says “Well at least Dopey’s alive!” Q: What’s the difference between Macclesfield Town and a teabag? A: A tea bag stays in the cup longer!!!!! Q) What is the difference between Foot & Mouth and Manchester City? A) Foot & Mouth got into Europe.
Burnley defender Ben Mee is a doubt for the Clarets ahead of the visit of newly-promoted Cardiff. Mee picked up a hamstring problem in the midweek defeat by Leeds and could miss out, while on-loan winger Alex Kacaniklic is back at Fulham. Cardiff manager Malky Mackay has no fresh injury worries as his side look to seal the Championship title. Mackay's side only a point to win the title following Hull's draw with Bristol City on Friday. Captain Mark Hudson (ankle) is out for the rest of the campaign while Matt Connolly (groin) and Heidar Helguson (calf) are also out. MATCH FACTS Head-to-head • Cardiff were building their longest ever home winning league sequence from the start of a season when they thrashed Burnley 4-0 in October, with goals from Joe Mason, Craig Noone, Matt Connolly and Aron Gunnarsson. • It took the Bluebirds' undefeated streak against Burnley in all competitions to 10 (W4, D6), but they have not completed the league double over them since 1988. • The Clarets last beat Cardiff in April 2007. Their 2-0 home triumph in the Championship was their only victory in 15 league and cup meetings.o Burnley • Burnley are five places and three points above the trap door with three to play, having suffered successive 1-0 defeats, away to Blackpool and Leeds. • Sean Dyche's players have notched one win in eight and only two in 15, but have not tumbled to three straight defeats under the current manager. They last lost three league games in a row on 1 September. • 25-year-old Northern Ireland international forward Martin Paterson is hoping to make his 150th career league start. • The Clarets' remaining fixtures are away to Wolves (27 April) and home to Ipswich (4 May). Cardiff City • Victory for Cardiff would see the newly promoted side winning the second tier title for the first time in their history. • The Bluebirds have won more matches (25), kept more clean sheets (18), opened the scoring in more games (27), failed to score in fewer matches (six) than any other club in the Championship. • They are also trying to notch the eighth of a possible nine doubles. To do that maximum points are required here and in the last game at Hull on 4 May, after they have hosted Bolton on 27 April. Hey, make mine a double!
Line up: - Cardiff City 01 Marshall 02 McNaughton 03 Taylor 06 Turner 25 Barnett 11 Conway 13 Kim Bo-Kyung 16 Noone 17 Gunnarsson 18 Mutch 15 Gestede Substitutes 32 Lewis 31 Nugent 07 Whittingham 08 Cowie 24 Lappin 20 Mason 39 Bellamy Bellers to the bench and no Smith today.
Burnley 01 Grant 02 Trippier 03 Lafferty 05 Shackell 28 Long 06 McCann 07 Wallace 08 Marney 11 Stanislas 09 Vokes 14 Ings Substitutes 12 Jensen 15 Edgar 16 O'Neill 20 Bartley 22 Stock 26 Treacy 10 Paterson Cardiff City 01 Marshall 02 McNaughton 03 Taylor 06 Turner 25 Barnett 11 Conway 13 Kim Bo-Kyung 16 Noone 17 Gunnarsson 18 Mutch 15 Gestede Substitutes 32 Lewis 31 Nugent 07 Whittingham 08 Cowie 24 Lappin 20 Mason 39 Bellamy Ref: Attwell No Bellamy, need to change my prediction fast!
KimBo is looking premiership top 6 class right now- I can see his abilities growing every game What an amazing strike from Conway- Great vision from Kim though. Credit to the away fans- unbelievable I'm laughing my ass off here
KimBo is giving them a torrid time and looks class. The movement of our midfield is superb with Conway, Mutch and Noone making the most of the chaos KimBo is causing. Rudy doing a job as well. To be fair, with the exception of Marshall, they are all playing well. The only reason Marshall isn't is because he's bored, with nothing to do.
That filth Wallace should be off. Poor player who can't cope with the brilliance of little Kim. Furious
Watching MM talking to Gunner as they were walking off. He obviously knew the camera was in front of him as he hid his mouth the whole time. Whats the odds on Wallace getting a clattering in the first 5 mins of the second half?
If it was a legit challenge that would cheer me up no end!! However knowing our luck we'd get a red and Wallace would get an equaliser! Oh wait ... No... This isn't 2007,2008,2009,2010,2011,2012... NAIL THE BASTARD
We can risk 10 men and gunnar is due a rest. Hope he puts the ****er off the pitch. 2 cheap shots now, he's got it coming.
