Around about this time last year, maybe a few weeks earlier, we had a resounding 3-0 win at Derby. I had just come back from a winter cruise, desperately seeking the result. Whilst away, we had beaten Burnley in the cup, and secured a good point at Leeds. Also heard that we had drawn Blackburn in the next round. All in all a good week away, begs the question, should I fug off again?
TEAM NEWS Derby manager Nigel Clough will check on the fitness of teenage midfielder Will Hughes, who suffered an ankle injury against Birmingham. Meanwhile striker Nathan Tyson is hoping for a recall but Jamie Ward (hamstring) is definitely out. Cardiff manager Malky Mackay is likely to be without trio Ben Turner, Andrew Taylor and Kevin McNaughton as they recover from injuries. Midfielder Simon Lappin is suspended after he saw red on Saturday. MATCH FACTS Head-to-head • Cardiff have a 50% win record in league matches against Derby; 26 of 52. • The Welsh club are also targeting a fifth successive league victory over the Rams, having scored 11 goals and conceded two in the last four victories. • Derby's only maximum in eight league tussles with the Bluebirds was 2-0 at Pride Park in May 2010. Derby County • 12th placed Derby are bidding for a fourth successive home league win, and a first Pride Park maximum against a top 10 club. • Counting last season, the Rams have been beaten in only two of the last 14 league matches on home soil. • Nigel Clough has seen his side score 14 more goals at home than away; the widest such discrepancy in the Championship. Cardiff City • The Bluebirds recaptured top spot on Saturday, and are targeting a fourth successive victory in defence of their one point lead over the field. • Only 10 of Cardiff's 37 points have been secured on their travels, and manager Malky Mackay has seen his side ship 14 more goals on the road than at home, which is unparalleled so far this term in the second tier. • Peter Whittingham is poised to make his 250th Cardiff start.
Runaway leaders Cardiff City take their unfancied side to The Baseball Ground tonight, with Alan Durban back after a long lay off. Brian Clough fields an unchanged side from the one defeated by Nottingham Forest at the weekend. Scot Archie Gemmell is aiming to get back on winning ways, after a run of three defeats. Time lapse!
#CardiffCity XI: Marshall, Ralls, Hudson, Nugent, Connolly, Kim, Gunnarsson, Whittingham, Noone, Bellamy, Helguson Subs: Parish, John, Mason, Mutch, Gestede, Conway, Kiss
Whittingham's 250th game for the Bluebirds tonight, wants to play Premiership football with Cardiff! Great isn't it to hear that, mind you Ledley kept saying that!
Travelling Bluebirds Some coaches still stuck on Motorway due to an accident please log in to view this image EDIT: Just hearing it wasn't an accident but a PIG loose on the M1
crap!! Noone sent off. 2 reds in 2 games. Batten down the hatches. here we go FB...Derby have had possession but not really troubled Marshall...yet! I imagine they'll have a fair bit more now though
