As the sword of Damocles hangs above the CCS on Saturday we welcome the not so bouncy Baggies of West Bromwich Albion to the Welsh Capital. As bizarre as it sounds they could just be the type of opponents we need right now, with them having very little left to play for after a dreadful run has dashed their play-off ambitions and now a managerial sacking, however, that could also have totally the opposite effect with no pressure left on them and just pride/fun to play for. In terms of our own side, after a battling and semi-decent performance last time out v Oxford which frustratingly only resulted in a single point at a time when we really, desperately needed all 3, you just wonder how much Rambo will be able lift the team for these last 2 games that will help decide our fate. The odds are stacked against us now but sometimes, just sometimes, miracles can happen – we just all need to find our own bit of faith I guess? Who Are You? West Brom, like the Bluebirds are now on their 3rd manager of the season, placing James Morrison on temporary charge following the sacking of Tony Mowbray after the dreadful (for them and us) defeat to Derby County last weekend. Ex-Sunderland striker Josh Maja leads the way in the gaol race for the Baggies with a decent 12 in 26 games with Alex Mowatt and ex-Bluebird loanee Karlan Grant following behind with 7 apiece. Young Tom Fellows appears to be one of their main danger men, racking up an impressive 13 assists for our visitors. The next nearest on that list is Michael Johnston with just 5 so perhaps if we can freeze out the jolly good Fellows we may be onto a winner? Other faces in the squad include John Swift, Jed Wallace Darnell Furlong, Kyle Bartley and Grady Dianganga to name a few. Last Time Out & Form Last time out saw the Bluebirds grind out a creditable 0-0 with the then play-off bound Baggies, a result that meant our opponents had drawn their 4th game in a row whilst our own form at the time was looking very decent, the point gained at the Hawthorns being the 11th out of the 18 on offer whilst adding a 5th game to our then unbeaten run – heady times indeed! The Midlanders were managed by Carlos Coberan at that point in time but of course were forced to find a new gaffer after he left, with the afore mentioned Mowbray taking up the challenge. Form wise The Baggies are in worse shape than even we are! In saying that, they do have a win to their name in their last 6 courtesy of a 2-1 home win over Watford, but otherwise you need to go back to early March for their pre3vious maximum (a 1-0 home win over QPR). They currently have the 11th best attack in the division with 52 goals from their 44 games and the 5th best defence, conceding 44 goals so far this term. Taking just their away form, they are ranked as the 14th best side in the division, picking up 4 wins and 10 draws across their 22 games on their travels. We need to go back 8 games for our last win v West Brom, a 2-1 victory at the CCS in January 2020. In, Out Or No Sign Of Them About My assumption would be that subject to any injuries, Rambo is likely to name the same or very similar starting 11 from the weekend given the improved, if near fruitless performance. The only changes I can see is with Ashford wasting a glorious chance to create a good opening for a 2nd goal, we may just see him drop out and with Turnbull looking lively when he came on, he may get the nod ahead of Robertson. Predicted Starting 11 Horvath Ng Fish Chambers O’Dowda Mannsverk Rinomhota Turnbull Salech Willock Meite The Odds Home 23/20 Draw 12/5 Away 11/5 (Bit shocked if I’m honest to see us down as favourites for this one!) Match Day Melody Depending on how you see things going it’s either got to be…. or Bloooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooobirds!!! Have to give it the full Clingo for this one!
A Brizzle classic if ever I read one. With his permission, I'll join FfB in offering heartfelt thanks. I know that the results from other games are critical, I just hope we can at least do our bit. It can be done so let's give it a gung ho attempt. Bloooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooobirds.
Excellent yet again Brizzle. Can’t believe there’s only one more of these masterpieces to read this season. I’m with the bookies and think we will take the three points. I’ll also be supporting Coventry, Hull and Preston.
Thank you Brizzle and also for all your matchday reviews this season. Only one more to go then you can have a few weeks off
All credit to you Brizzo - another superb MDT for our game against one of our old protagonists WBA. Our common history is recent, and you have an abundance to draw upon. If you're prepared to continue doing this for us next season, I fear for your sanity trying to find much to write about for our games against the likes of Stevenage Borough and Crawley Town. Nevertheless, we await your interesting and very informative MDT's next season with nothing less than sheer anticipation........... Thanks again Brizzo - keep 'em going next season if you can......
To be fair FFB, I don't know if it's optimism, blind faith, a fading hope or miserable resignation that I'm feeling about this game and our end of season fate. I know from a business perspective relegation will be awful, but from a pure sporting perspective, there's a large part of me that says we will still have our team, we can still go to games, we can still back the boys, have a beer, eat overpriced burgers etc. even in League 1. The standard of football isn't going to be vastly different and it may even lead to a few more of the youngsters coming through into the first team as regulars, which could help reset the culture of the team too. I honestly can't see us bouncing straight back up if we do go down but it may yet, in some weird peverse way turn out to be an enjoyable, positive experience in the longer run.... Getting a bit ahead of myself I know but if the worst happens then I still don't believe all will be lost!
Tan isn't funding the club, he's funding the results of his own mistakes and shortcomings. A bit of humble pie and the admission that he knows nothing about football could be the start of a better future for the club...and him.
Bit of a typo there Sparks? Don't think that 0 should have been attached - at least not on this season's showings again.... as with pretty much all the squad, he needs to accept some responsibility for our predicament too.... he's had quite a few chances to 'shine' this season and apart from the odd moment here and there just hasn't hit the heights needed or expected.
Aww c'mon Remote, that's a bit unfair - he did score 1 stunner this season - OK it was in the league cup but it was against Premier League opposition, so that's got to add at least £50k to his value eh???
It surely was a mistake which did not need hindsight to give Robinson a new contract. Since then he’s been next to useless and his injury issues have returned. I only hope there’s a clause permitting City to get rid if the clubs relegated, or his wages drop significantly. As for El Khazi he’s been a terrible signing so thanks to Bulut for that dud.
Mannsverk has played his last game for us. Ultimately a disappointing signing. I presume this means Turnbull will get an opportunity.
Both windows have been major disappointments save the odd flash from Robertson and the odd goal from Salech. Bulut can take responsibility for the first and Riza for the second. Both now are out of the club which tells its own story.
Good morning fellow, faithful Bluebirds. So here we find ourselves on the morning prior to what could be our last, home encounter in The Championship for at least a season. This after 22 continuous seasons at this level (with the exception of two misadventures into the PL) makes this day have the potential for real sadness. BUT, we are solid faithful supporters who will not give in until the end. It may seem like mission impossible but while the maths are not yet terminal, we must and we will fight to the bitter end. After all, we are Bloooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooobirds. Good luck Aaron and the lads.
