When he was interviewed after tuesdays victory over blackburn and asked about the semi final MM joked that "A two leg semi-final going to Palace" would seriously test the teams ability. He said it in the knowledge that the next evening they were Facing Man U. Well his joke has become reality, it Crystal Palace and then hopefully either Liverpool or Man Citeh at Wembley. We go to them first so we have every chance of getting there. going to Wembley is starting to become a habit. lol KTF
We're not there yet and a cold January evening at Selhurst is not an attractive proposition. Call me a killjoy but I would have preferred us to draw Liverpool or Man City to get a bit of glory, a lot of cash and then concentrate on the main aim of the season - getting promoted. As we have seen before cup games can be a distraction and with the F A Cup to come as well our small squad will do us no favours. Malky will really need 3 or 4 quality signings in January to see us through.
With the Fa cup starting in Jan, a few suspensions for bookings (though we don't seem to have had as many as previous seasons), a wadge of league games and undoubtedly an injuy or two, Jan could be a make or brake month. As you say Blue, a few decent signings required to give us some depth. I hope MM has some 'done deals'. Most targets are likely to have already played in this cup but would be avalable for league and FA cup. A nice worry to have.
lighten up BFB. you talk about money but what if we beat palace then make the final? we'll get 3 televised games then, as well as wembley gate receipts and prize money. distraction? its potentially 3 games, not 20 like the europa league, now thats a distraction if there was one. and finally, the cup will be concluded in february, it wont drag on until the end of the season..
Our best chance to get to Wembley but not a give me Palace will be up for it too. It's a good time to be a Cardiff fan and I'm "Over the moon"
Exactly Swamp, 2 C Cup games in January plus at least 1 maybe 2 F A Cup games, then if we reach the C Cup final in Feb don't you think players' heads will be turned towards that? Look at our Cup Final year and the way we fell away in league games. Also, do you get match day programmes? If so, look at the squad lists inside the back page. Bar one (Brighton I think it was), you will find we have about the smallest squad in the division by a long way. Most others added to their squads in the loan window - we lent out 5 although Jarvis is back as Newport cocked up the loan registration. More highly competitive games, the middle of winter - we will inevitably suffer injuries and get more bookings = suspensions, all of which will diminish our league effort unless Malky gets in a number of good quality players to bolster the squad. Do you want to see the likes of Gyepes, Naylor and Taiwo playing away at Southampton at the end of January, for instance? Don't get me wrong, I will be at Palace, home and away and at Wembley if we get there and cheer the team on as much as anyone but surely the main aim is promotion to the Prem and I don't want to see us deflected from that.
We needed players before winning the QF. We would have put a lot into 2 games v any of the 3 big clubs so 2 games against Palace isn't any different. Only difference now is that there's a realistic chance of getting to Wembley and I think most clubs and players will happily squeeze 1 extra game in when it's the Calrling Cup Final!! We have some serious momentum at the moment, winning is a good habit to be into. You've got to enjoy times like these, only in May will we know whether the 2 cups were a problem to our final league standing (we might go out of the FA first match). Surely the extra revenue will help our January transfer window chances, there's also the increased profile and the look of a club which is on the up which may help one or two chose us over the others in our league. Personally I can't wait for the 2nd leg at the CCS, it should be bouncing!
Anyone know how the payment format attendance/prize money per round for the Carling Cup is ? i know the prize money is peanuts for semi finalist ( 25000 k) and finel winner ( 100000k) and loser (50000k) but how is attendance receipt split throughout the tournament and what is the going rate for T V apperances ?. I believe the money accured through the cup run and especially if we make the final will seriously help our push for the play offs with the rewards from the CC which would not have been budgeted for the squad strenghing at the beginning of the season.
Don't get me wrong guys, I'm delighted to be where we are. Wouldn't change it. As I said above, it's a nice problem to have. Hopefully it's the leverage MM needs to open the purse strings of our investors. The other advantage all this publicity gives us is advertising us to prospective signings. I know they are unlikely to be eligible for a final (or semi) as they are likely to be cup tied already, but it shows the potential and ambition of the club. I'm being positive snaggle, but recognise the strain on limited resource. Hopefully we get a Blue Square team in the FA cup and we can 'pretend to be a big club' and play our youngsters. Happy days. Stevo, isn't each gate receipt split 3 ways between the home team, away team and the FA?
Let's not get too overconfident about the Palace games.This is two extra game added to a tough fixture list for a small squad as it stands. Just pray we don't get key player injuries. Yes on paper this is probably the best opposition from those available but come on,they will be buzzing with confidence having now conquered Old Trafford.
There's quite a lot of football to be played between now and the first leg ITIWRAN. We could go on a bad run and they could go unbeaten. It will put a totally different perspective on things. On the other hand, we could remain unbeaten and be in the top 2 with Palace continuing their poor league form and be in the relegation zone. More likely to be somewhere between those extremes. We need to be winning and playing with confidence in the run up to the two legs.
Nice to know the "The Football League " will be represented in the final ... even if it's partially by forfeit Lol !!
I'll be honest I haven't got a clue! They'll be buzzing but we can beat Palace. Man City over 2 legs are basically unbeatable for a Championship team imo. Liverpool are taking the CC very seriously and would surely have been too strong over 2 legs, would have loved to have seen Suarez at the CCS though. I think the excitment is based on the fact we all thought we were getting a very exciting but 'unwinnable' semi final. All of a sudden Wembley is a realistic possibility. Palace are a long way off a gimmie though, just ask the Mancs.........
All good stuff though innit? Third in the league and the semi finals of a cup. Anyhone here expect that back at the start of August? Let's do a variation on the Brirmingham model - we'll win the cup and go UP! Yeah, I know Palace will be tough, and yeah the tough end of the season is to come - but we is fans, not realists.
If we dont go up it wont be because of this cup run. It will be because as a squad we are not good enough. The players must be in great spirits due to this great cup run. My opinion is it can only help us. Squad too small? 2 good keepers. Right back - McNaughton , Blake or Quinn CB s - Hudson , Turner , Gerrard, Keinan , Gypes plus Blake , Kev and Quinn could play there. LB Taylor , Naylor , McNaughton or Blake can play there. So - Defence is ok? Midfield - Conway , Cowie , Gunnarsson , Kiss , Whittingham , Ralls , Mcphail . We lack pace and width. So far though the system we play has got us to 3rd. Up front - Miller , Mason , Gestede , Earnie - we only play 1 up front . Size of squad isnt the problem. What we need is some of the above to be moved on/sold and better players brought in. That may not happen until the summer. If Liverpool can knock out Man City then I would go to Wembley hoping to lift the Cup let alone a nice little trip to Wembley. Im with Clingo - Carling Cup and promotion.
Dates confirmed by WoL but not on official site yet (probably be in March then lol) First leg date: Palace v Cardiff City: Tuesday, January 10, 8pm (I've been told it's live on Sky Sports ??) Second leg date: Cardiff v Palace: Tuesday, January 24, 7.45pm (I've been told it's live on BBC 2 ??) http://www.walesonline.co.uk/footba...ace-in-carling-cup-semi-final-91466-29874893/ Right, thats me done with the CC until Jan. The Zulus are coming and The Men of Harlech are waiting for them
From the film Zulu Men of Harlech stop your dreaming Can't you see their spear points gleaming See their warrior pennants streaming To this battlefield Men of Harlech stand ye steady It cannot be ever said ye For the battle were not ready Welshmen never yield From the hills rebounding Let this song be sounding Summon all at Cambria's call The mighty force surrounding Men of Harlech on to glory This will ever be your story Keep these burning words before ye Welshmen will not yield The proper words Men of Harlech, march to glory, Victory is hov'ring o'er ye, Bright-eyed freedom stands before ye, Hear ye not her call? At your sloth she seems to wonder; Rend the sluggish bonds asunder, Let the war-cry's deaf'ning thunder Every foe appall. Echoes loudly waking, Hill and valley shaking; 'Till the sound spreads wide around, The Saxon's courage breaking; Your foes on every side assailing, Forward press with heart unfailing, 'Till invaders learn with quailing, Cambria ne'er can yield!
