In the absence of Brizz's matchday thread for the moment, Prutton has gone for us to beat Norwich. Cardiff vs Norwich, Saturday 3pm Cardiff boss Steve Morison has been given plenty of room to manoeuvre in the transfer window this summer and he has brought in 10 players as a result, only two of whom have commanded transfer fees. I'm really intrigued as to how the Bluebirds are going to get on in Morison's first full season in charge. Norwich, meanwhile, have looked pretty sharp in pre-season and prioritised attacking reinforcements, with Isaac Hayden and Gabriel Sara sure to offer them a new look going forward. I have to say that I can't see past Cardiff for this one, though it could well be tight. Prutton predicts: 2-1 (Sky Bet odds)
Cardiff City 3 Norwich City 1 24 August 1963 City Vearncombe; Edwards, Stitfall, M Charles, J Charles (1), Williams, McIntosh, Hole, Scott, Allchurch (1), King (1) Masky saw this game, but below is not written by me! (Report) The one common theme about my pieces in this category up to now has been that I was actually there to see the match I was talking about – I’m 99.9% certain though that this doesn’t apply to the match on the opening day of the 1963/64 season in which the great John Charles marked his first appearance for City with a goal that the Official History of the Bluebirds describes as having been scored from seventy five yards out! If my father was still around mind, he would say that I was there to see what sounds like an amazing goal. Years after the match took place, we were watching some sort of debate on television as to who was the greatest player the panellists had seen in their life. My Dad answered “John Charles” (as I knew he would!) and then said “remember that goal he scored on his City debut from inside his own half?”, I replied that I didn’t and he assured me that I was definitely there because he had seen the goal and the only City matches he watched around that time were ones that he took me along to. Now, I would love to be able to say that my first ever City game was one where, arguably, the two best Welsh players of all time (John Charles and Ivor Allchurch) scored for us with one of those goals being from absolutely miles out, but I can’t – my first match was a nondescript affair against Northampton Town about six weeks later decided by a single goal by Mel Charles (his brother John was out injured that day). All I can think is that my dad was so keen to see his favourite player in action for City that he went along to that game by himself or with work mates – sorry Dad, you got most things right, but you were wrong this time. please log in to view this image John Charles was a guest of the club for the FA Cup tie with Leeds in 2002 - his last visit to Ninian Park before his death two years later. The moment my Dad talked about arrived just before half time in a game with Norwich which saw a crowd of 22,000 attracted to Ninian Park to watch the Gentle Giant’s first game for Cardiff City. Just before half time, with the score at 1-1, John Charles (who was playing at centre half that day) took a free kick from deep inside his own half that the Norwich keeper came for, made a mess of and saw the ball divert in off his shoulder. Ironically, the goal would not have stood if the keeper had not got that touch on the ball because the original free kick had been given for offside and was, therefore, an indirect one. The embarrassed Norwich keeper was also making his debut for his new club that day, but, for what was, virtually, the next two decades, Kevin Keelan more than made up for this blunder as he clocked up a total of five hundred and seventy one league appearances with his last one (an amazing televised 5-3 defeat against Liverpool at Carrow Road in 1980) being as memorable as the first one. Keelan was unusual for a footballer in the sixties especially because, firstly, he was born in Calcutta and, secondly, his skin colour made him a natural target for the sort of “banter” from crowds that provided the basis for a good portion of the television comedy around at that time. Norwich were regular visitors to Ninian Park in the sixties and seventies and I must have seen them play about ten times before they had anyone else but Kevin Keelan in goal for them. Keelan was a keeper who had a reputation for playing to the cameras when they were there and, from memory, he did used to like a dive when, perhaps, one wasn’t required, but he was a quality goalkeeper – in my opinion. this is the one position where domestic standards have definitely dropped since my youth. MASKY OF LLANDAFF
I remember them all, I was one of he young boys who greeted Big John to Ninian Park, swarmed him as he walked through the gates, handsome man! Accompanied by Italian Agent Gigi Peronace who arranged the deal! Trevor Edwards was a diminutive full back who the fans didn’t rate, and he emigrated to Australia. Was a part of Wales 1958 World Cup team....unknown to Masky! MASKY OF LLANDAFF
Apologies gents... Busy day at work..... I'll be skiving off early tomorrow to get a thread popped up, though this one is pretty encouraging already!!
I tend to ignore the media "super computer" finish predictions that pop up all over the place with the ludicrous "expected goals" farce whatever that means. The bookie's odds are a far more plausible guide. If you break down the Championship final table this season in sets of 6 teams based on what's on offer, there are obviously 4 groups in which any team will finish. It looks like City are predicted to finish in the 3rd group in around 16th position. Top 6 finishers to be Norwich, Watford, West Brom, Boro, Sheff Utd and Burnley. Next 6 just missing out are Swansea, Stoke, Luton, Blackburn, Coventry and Millwall. We're in the 3rd group along with Sunderland, QPR, Huddersfield, Hull and Preston. Bottom 6 trap door scrappers to be Wigan, Blackpool, Wurzel City, Reading, Brum and Rotherham. I'm of a mind to have a go at City finishing top 6 @ 4/1 - not generous in my opinion but maybe worth a shot. I've already got £50 @ 12/1 on City getting promoted by any route. That may be a bridge too far, but does a top 6 finish seem that way - I don't think so.
If we can hit the ground running, top 6 isn't that far fetched. More likely it'll take a month or two for players and style to fully embrace each other. A top half should still be do-able. The other factor being the addition of a goal scorer. Realistically, if the team can deliver on the gameplan without having to look down the table at any point during the season, it should be regarded as a success. Anything else is a bonus. The bookies odds being so close suggest they arent that confident in their predictions.
I can't see us finishing in that 3rd group of 6. The way things have changed, if the newbies can gel and hit the ground running, top half should be well within our reach with top 6 not out of the question at all. Always a tough division, this season will be no different. Morison is on a mission and will not be afraid to mix it.
Good points guys. A regular goal scorer remains the key. As it stands opposing defenders don't have a lot to worry about. Getting someone to make them think will also take pressure off and give more space to others getting forward. Back in the says of Millar and Helguson, while they didn't score many they were physical handfuls and our midfielders and wingers benefitted. Watters and Harris can't do that.
[QUOTE="BluefromBridgend, post: 16009966, member: 1009238" A regular goal scorer remains the key. As it stands opposing defenders don't have a lot to worry about. .[/QUOTE] Been posted on another thread but this shows perhaps how crucial another striker option is to Morison’s plans https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport...s/cardiff-city-talks-striker-targets-24617450
Uh oh, I see SM has now been named Manager of the Week for the Championship.... Manager award curse to strike already???
