Date: Saturday 6th August KO: 15:00 Competition: Football League Championship Venue – Select Car Leasing Stadium (Dear Lord, please don’t saddle us with a naff name like this when we do succumb to selling the naming rights to the CCS). So, this weekend brings us to game #2 of the season and an away trip to a stadium that has previously proved to be a rather miserable visit for us Bluebirds on most occasions, seeing us come away with a draw or loss on 7 of our last 8 visits, however, that one anomaly came last season under the stewardship of a certain Steve Morison with the Bluebirds showing their battling qualities to come from behind in a 2-1 victory, can we repeat or better this feat again this weekend? Will the Championship Manager of the week make changes after last week’s inspiring and encouraging win? Reading on the other hand came away pointless from their trip to the seaside up at Blackpool, losing 1-0 despite edging possession and shots (but with fewer shots on target – does this display a lack of cutting edge?). Having narrowly avoided relegation last season, Reading are widely tipped to struggle again this year, especially having lost several key/big players. With their own manager claiming fans shouldn’t expect too much over the next few weeks because of the amount of injuries within the squad things do indeed look grim for them. Early Team News The Bluebirds will have at least one enforced change with Perry Ng suspended after his two yellows last week against the Norwich Synchronised Diving Team. Popular belief is that Curtis Nelson will be brought in as cover, especially after his positive showing as a substitute last week. It is highly unlikely we will see our new star striker Kion Etete but having been handed the #9 shirt it would appear big things are expected and it’s hoped he can make a big mark this season. We may however get a first glimpse of on loan winger Jaden Philogene, although dropping either Ojo or O’Dowda after last week’s positive showings could be a little harsh, so perhaps a run out from the bench for the exciting young prospect is more likely than a start? It should be noted that Andy Rinomhota is returning to his former team in just his second game for the Bluebirds – one to watch as he may come in for some “special” treatment from former colleagues and fans alike, especially after the Royals Manager Paul Ince claimed he wanted to stay at Reading but the finances wouldn’t allow it. Other than this the gaffer has stated we have a “clean bill of health”, so make of that what you will with regards to the likes of Rubin Colwill and Isaak Davies, although Ebou Adams is still on the treatment table (c’mon gaffer, don’t forget the wounded!). Prutton Predicts Sky pundit David Prutton went against the grain last week to predict a Bluebirds home win versus one of the divisions “big guns” and was proved correct. He has again predicted a Bluebirds victory this week with a 0-2 result, can the man be correct twice on the trot?? Let’s hope so! Sharing the Love Probably the most famous (or should that be infamous?) player to have worn both a Cardiff and a Reading shirt in their career is of Course Robin Friday. Sadly this Bluebird is a little too young to have witnessed the man in action but having read “The Greatest Footballer You Never Saw” one can only marvel at the type of character he was. With 121 Reading appearances and just the 21 for Cardiff, his career was sadly all too short but it’s fair to say he left a very lasting impression. Other notable Bluebirds that spring to mind to have worn the colours of tomorrows opponents; Player - Cardiff Apps - Reading Apps Chris Gunter - 28 - 280 Jobi McAnuff - 43 - 189 Sean Morrison - 278 (and counting?) - 38 Junior Hoilett - 173 - 27 (and counting) Andy Rinomhota - 1 (and counting) -125 Jason Bowen - 134 - 15 Brian McDermott - 51 - Manager 2009 – 2013 & 2015 - 2016 The gaffer has said he expects more from the team, so hopefully they will indeed deliver for him and the bumper amount of Bluebirds that will pitch up in RG2 on Saturday and maintain our 100% record. Bloooooooooooooobirds!
Here we go then. Should be a massive difference to last season in midfield for both clubs. It's probably as much to do with players lost as much as those acquired. Reading have lost Swift, Laurent and Rinohmota whilst we've lost Pack, Bacuna and Vaulks. No prizes for guessing who should suffer the most.
Lovely read!!! And I dropped everything to concentrate on it. Quite some effort gone into that so thank you very much Brizzle.
Hope you weren't holding a beer!!! What a waste if so... Thanks for the encouragement and kind words though gents... Learning as I go...
Regarding the delay in the posting of the Matchday thread, it's just so annoying that some posters have the audacity to let work get in the way of 606 obligations.
Have to say I reckon you are spot on Sparky. As much as I likes Vaulks for his effort, we really aren't likely to miss any of the three you mention, whereas Reading have pretty much lost their entire engine room. Stark differences between our two clubs and with Ince's comments about Kipre coming out too, it makes it sound like perhaps we're not the paupers we think we are.
The good news is, you'll only need to wait about another 14 years or so for me to retire and start taking my new found duties seriously
Yes, I read those comments from Ince about Kipre. Seemed to suggest we were some sort of moneybags club. Never liked Ince anyway ever since he interfered with our attempt many years back to get his son Tom on board - I think I can remember him advising him against joining us as he was "too good" for us. Maybe events since has proved him wrong. Tom has never hit the heights and now plays for his father at Reading - probably his last chance saloon.
Excellent post Brizzle. I might possibly be the only one on here who has watched Robin Friday play at home for both Reading and Cardiff. I lived in Reading before moving to the ‘diff in 1979 and I would occasionally pop down to Elm Park to see the biscuit men. When the Bluebirds signed Friday there was a huge sign of relief from the Reading supporters as his behaviour was getting too much out of control and let’s say some of his antics were inexcusable!
Alas he was another flawed genius (as geniuses often are). So hard to find genius that isn't somehow tainted in some way.... Regular posters on here excepted of course
Hoping my season/writing can be like the City's.... Continuously getting better Now, as Sparky said, where's that bar??
We lost our entire engine room.... ..... and replaced it with a fuel injected, turbo charged upgrade.
