' MATCH THREAD: WATFORD V CARDIFF CITY ' MATCH THREAD

WATFORD v CARDIFF CITY
Friday 21st November
Vicarage Road
3.00pm

@CardiffCityFC: #CardiffCity Starting XI: Marshall, Brayford, Turner, Morrison, Connolly, Pilkington, Whittingham, Gunnarsson, Noone, Jones & le Fondre.

@CardiffCityFC: #CardiffCity substitutes: Moore, Fabio, Ralls, Adeyemi, Daehli, Macheda & Maynard.

Watford is Ticket Only for City Fans.

Watford 11/10. Cardiff 12/5, draw 12/5.

Untitled.png

Updated Daily ' CARDIFF CITY '

Pilkington pre Reading

' UPDATED DAILY '

' CARDIFF CITY


Manga is not available this weekend. He has a calf problem which we are dealing with, It’s not a major concern and we feel it will settle down quickly. He could back back quickly and he has had an injection.We will know in 48 hours.

Cardiff: The big decision for Bluebirds boss Russell Slade is whether to bring back centre-half Bruno Manga who has shrugged off a calf injury. Manga though is lacking match fitness and Slade looks set to go with the defence that served him in reasonable fashion against Birmingham and Reading. Kagisho Dikgacoi is still out long-term with his knee injury and will not be available to Slade for several more months yet.

Russell Slade is expected to stick to his 4-4-2 formation at Watford, with Matt Connolly continuing at right-back instead of Fabio and Adam Le Fondre leading the line alongside Federico Macheda despite the availability of Kenwyne Jones.


Russell Slade has No injuries worries going in to the game at Watford and is set to keep with his 20 man squad.

Cardiff are yet to record a win on their travels this season. Watford have just lost their last home game to Derby County.

Despite having built some welcomed momentum on home soil, Anthony Pilkington has called on the clear need for Cardiff City to improve on the road results, if we are to have a chance to taste success this season.

Ahead of the Bluebirds’ difficult trip to face Watford this weekend, Anthony said plainly, “We need to pick up our away form. That’s what’s damaging our position in the table at the moment. We’ve got a tough away game again coming up and all the focus is on trying to get our first away win.

“If we pick up our away form to match our home form, we’ll be right up there. You can’t really put your finger on it, but I’m sure when the first one comes, a few more will roll along.”


' WATFORD '


Watford, who have suffered three successive defeats and are seventh in the Championship, three points ahead of the Bluebirds, have signed Crystal Palace midfielder Adlene Guedioura on loan, and the Algeria international is expected to start at Vicarage Road.

Preview: Watford vs. Cardiff

Watford will be looking to arrest their alarming slump before its too late when they host Cardiff City at Vicarage Road this Saturday.

The Hornets have lost their last three matches to slip out of the playoff places, with the last two defeats being particularly damaging ones against fellow promotion contenders.

It is now just one win in six for Slavisa Jokanovic's side, but they remain just one point outside the top six and three away from the automatic promotion places.

It won't be time for panic stations just yet, then, but a fourth defeat in a row could begin to raise questions whether Jokanovic - already Watford's fourth manager of the season - is up to the job.

The 2-1 defeat at the hands of league leaders Derby County last time out was Watford's first at Vicarage Road this season, and they will be keen to make a swift return to winning ways in front of their own fans.

However, they have only beaten Cardiff once in their last 11 meetings, drawing five and losing five in that time.

Jokanovic could be without Heurelho Gomes for the second week in a row due to tendonitis, but Almen Abdi played an hour in an Under-21 fixture on Tuesday and is available for selection.

The loan signing of Adlene Guedioura also gives him more options in midfield, and the Crystal Palace man could feature this weekend.

Cardiff, meanwhile, continue to hover in mid-table as they struggle to reproduce their home form on their travels.

The Bluebirds have the best home record in the division, but just five of their 26 points have come on the road. Only Bolton Wanderers and Blackpool have amassed fewer away points.

Indeed, they are one of just two teams yet to pick up an away victory this season, while they have not scored in any of their last four matches on the road.

Their record at Vicarage Road will not inspire confidence either. They have won just one of their last 13 visits to Watford, although eight of those matches have ended all square.

There are problems defensively for Cardiff too, as Russell Slade's side have kept a league-low two clean sheets so far this season.

Watford:

Recent form: DDWLLL

Possible starting lineup: Bond; Paredes, Ekstrand, Bassong, Doyley; Andrews, Tozser, Ighalo, Forestieri, Dyer; Deeney

Cardiff:

Recent form: WLWLDW

Possible starting lineup: Marshall; Connolly, Morrison, Turner, Brayford; Pilkington, Gunnarsson, Whittingham, Noone; Le Fondre, Macheda

Sports Mole says: 2-2


Possible Lineups

Cardiff City
01 Marshall
02 Brayford
06 Turner
36 Morrison
03 Fabio
19 Pilkington
17 Gunnarsson
07 Whittingham
11 Noone
14 Macheda
10 Le Fondre

Watford
30 Bond
14 Paredes
06 Ekstrand
39 Bassong Nguena
12 Doyley
05 Andrews
08 Tozser
24 Ighalo
11 Forestieri
23 Dyer )
09 Deeney

The Opposition



Form - Last 5 Games

Cardiff:
Cardiff 2 - 1 Reading
Birmingham 0 - 0 Cardiff
Bolton 3 - 0 Cardiff
Cardiff 3 - 1 Leeds
Millwall 1 - 0 Cardiff

Watford:

Watford 1 - 2 Derby
Ipswich 1 - 0 Watford
Birmingham 2 - 1 Watford
Watford 3 - 1 Millwall
Middlesbro 1 - 1 Watford

Last 5 meetings

012/2013 Sat 06 Apr Watford 0 - 0 Cardiff City Championship
Tue 23 Oct Cardiff City 2 - 1 Watford Championship
2011/2012 Mon 09 Apr Cardiff City 1 - 1 Watford Championship
Mon 26 Dec Watford 1 - 1 Cardiff City Championship
2010/2011 Sat 22 Jan Cardiff City 4 - 2 Watford Championship


Match Odds
Click here for full odds


Watford 21/20
Draw 23/10
Cardiff 9/4


Tickets


Tickets on sale:
http://www.eticketing.co.uk/cardiffcity
0845 345 1400

Vicarage Road

Key facts



Club: Watford FC
Opening: 1922
Capacity: 17,477 seats

History and description

Watford FC moved to Vicarage Road in 1922 after it had been playing for 23 years at a ground on Cassio Road. The club played their first match at the new ground on the 30th of August 1922 against Millwall.

Vicarage Road back then consisted of two small covered stands and several terraces. One of these stands, the Union Stand, had been brought from Watford’s previous round on Cassio Road. About a decade later, the Union Stand got replaced by a new stand, the Shrodells Stand.

Further developments to the ground were made in the 1950s and 1960s, among which in 1969 an extension to the Main Stand.

The Shrodells Stand was again replaced by a new stand in 1986. The new Rous Stand consisted of two tiers and introduced corporate facilities to the ground.

In 1993 and 1995, following the Taylor report recommendations, two new stands were built at both ends. This only left the original main stand from 1922 and its extension in place.

After the original part of the main stand had already been closed in 2004 following safety concerns, it was demolished in 2010 as a result of further doubts regarding the state of the stand.

Plans were made for the construction of a complete new main stand, but have thus far not been realised, leaving only the 1969 extension on that side of that ground.

Guess the Score / Attendance
Post your predicted score/attendance below

You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.

Take a score draw now if I am honest

Watford 1 City 1

2-1 to city.

Watford 5
Cardiff 1

4-1 Watford. Negative mentality going onto the pitch is unlikely to help. First of a few difficult away games.

Another 0-0.

3-0 Watford

3-1 city. We will surprise everyone on our travels.

Watford 2 Cardiff 1

I hardly ever predict us to lose, but can't see us getting anything..............

So football being football, watch us win

Nice write up but the ground has he been updated , old stand replaced, it's a cheap one but looks ok, though not fully open yet.

2-1 Watford (just)

0-0

6-1 to Watford if we lucky to score.

If Tan picks the side 1-6 win lol

1-2the City, law of averages says we are overdue a win

Watford to beat City 3-1

A goal away from home would be a start.

The anti negative brigade are going to have a field day with this thread.

Personally I feel this could be the start of our decline. Then again it could be the kick up the backside our player need. I can't see us getting a result here, more a limit damage exercise.

Watford 3 Cardiff 0.

Not very confident about this one as Watford have the number 1 rated home attack in the division having scored in every home game this season with an average of 2.33 goals per game. In comparison we have the joint worst away attack in the division having scored only 5 goals in our 9 away games.

Unless there is a major improvement from our team, and I just can't see that, then this is a home banker. But this is the Championship so anything could happen.

3-0 to Watford in my opinion.

Not very confident about this one as Watford have the number 1 rated home attack in the division having scored in every home game this season with an average of 2.33 goals per game. In comparison we have the joint worst away attack in the division having scored only 5 goals in our 9 away games.

Unless there is a major improvement from our team, and I just can't see that, then this is a home banker. But this is the Championship so anything could happen.

3-0 to Watford in my opinion.

Your not allowed to be "not confident". Well to some your not.

Not very confident about this one as Watford have the number 1 rated home attack in the division having scored in every home game this season with an average of 2.33 goals per game. In comparison we have the joint worst away attack in the division having scored only 5 goals in our 9 away games.

Unless there is a major improvement from our team, and I just can't see that, then this is a home banker. But this is the Championship so anything could happen.

3-0 to Watford in my opinion.

Your not allowed to be "not confident". Well to some your not.

Your right maybe "Unsure about this one" would be a better way of putting it.

Watford v Cardiff City: Bluebirds need to show mental strength to stop away-day blues
Nov 27, 2014

By Steve Tucker

Former skippers Darren Purse and Jason Perry agree travel sickness is all in the mind

Ben Turner helped Cardiff earn a point at Birmingham.

It may be hard to believe, but it’s been 25 league matches since Cardiff City last savoured the delight of an away-day victory.

They go to Watford tomorrow looking for a cure for the travel sickness that is threatening to derail their hopes of a Championship title bid.

While all is well at the Cardiff City Stadium, Russell Slade picking up five home wins out of five since his reign began in October, the Bluebirds have been unable to replicate that form away from the Welsh capital.

Their blues on the road stretch a lot further than Slade’s tenure or even this season, indeed they reach back right across the previous Premier League campaign too.

Cardiff have not won on the road in the league since April 12 when they triumphed 1-0 at Southampton thanks to a goal from centre-half Juan Cala. The Spaniard, ironically, is now embroiled in a war of words with the club after being sent to train with Cardiff’s youngsters.

But even that win proved an isolated case. The Bluebirds’ previous away win, aside from a couple of FA Cup victories. came on September 28, 2013, when they won 2-1 at Fulham under then-boss Malky Mackay.

So, how do you cure a severe case of travel sickness?

Juan Cala scores for Cardiff against Southampton - the Bluebirds' last away win in the leagueJuan Cala scores for Cardiff against Southampton - the Bluebirds' last away win in the league
Well, two of Cardiff’s toughest past skippers think the solution is all in the mind and that the Bluebirds squad need a head start to begin believing they can end the hoodoo.

“In my experience, in practical terms, there’s little difference between playing at home and playing away,” said Darren Purse, a no-nonsense centre-half with 123 Cardiff appearances to his name.

“Sure, you are travelling, but that’s by luxury coach and more often than not you are staying overnight. It’s not an issue.

“I can totally understand why Cardiff have an easier time picking up results at home, it’s because of the fans and the crowd, I’ve experienced that plenty of times myself. The noise and intimidation factor can be massive in Cardiff and that definitely gives them an edge.

“Away from home, of course, you don’t have that and that is where that little bit of mental strength comes in. You need the ability to just dig in and grind out a result and that is maybe where the Cardiff players are just slightly lacking right now.



“You are walking out at the Cardiff City Stadium and you are thinking, ‘I fancy this, we are winning here, doing well’. But away from home, when you are not picking up results, it is easy to lapse into a negative mind-set. It does become a ‘thing’ in the dressing room if you are not careful, you don’t talk about it, but it is there.”

But Purse, who has retired from the game now after a distinguished career, believes the Bluebirds may have taken their first step to finding a cure thanks to their previous result away from home.

Last time out on the road they battled out a 0-0 draw at St Andrew’s against Birmingham. It was their first away point under Slade and only their second clean-sheet of the season.

Purse added: “That’s something right there. That is something to build on. Birmingham have been improving and to take at least something at St Andrew’s is a result. The clean-sheet is important. If you are going to arrest an away run like they are on, you are most likely going to do it with a scrappy 1-0 win. That’s what they will be looking to do at Watford now.’

Jason Perry, another battling former Cardiff skipper and centre-half, agrees with Purse that the Bluebirds must be careful of slipping into a downward spiral of negativity when on their travels.

But the man known affectionately as ‘Psycho’ by Cardiff supporters also sees more practical reasons as to why City are finding it hard to make the breakthrough away from the Welsh capital.“One reason is that the side lacks pace, simple as that,” observed Perry.



“People say Slade has a big squad, but for me it is an uneven one, Over-stocked in some areas it may be, but it is lacking in others and one area it is lacking is when it comes to players with a bit of pace.

“Being strong in defence away from home is fine, but the difficult thing on the road is turning defence into attack quickly and that is where Cardiff are falling down right now.

“The aim away from home is to go out there and keep the home supporters quiet, you do that either with possession, by frustrating them or ideally by grabbing a goal of your own. The Bluebirds need to start well away and often they don’t and if they fall behind you fear they don’t have the character to get back into the match.”

Slade is expected to stick to his 4-4-2 formation at Watford, with Matt Connolly continuing at right-back instead of Fabio and Adam Le Fondre leading the line alongside Federico Macheda despite the availability of Kenwyne Jones.

Watford, who have suffered three successive defeats and are seventh in the Championship, three points ahead of the Bluebirds, have signed Crystal Palace midfielder Adlene Guedioura on loan, and the Algeria international is expected to start at Vicarage Road.

1-2 city

Cardiff City... Behind Enemy Lines: Watford fan on how the Hornets will sting the Bluebirds

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=150716

Thursday Nov 27, 2014
By -->
Jerry Ladell of East Anglia Horns supporters' group says Watford can add to Cardiff City's travel sickness


Cardiff travel to Vicarage Road on Saturday to face Watford who have lost their last three games and only won one in their last six. So they’ll be looking to turn thing around against Russell Slade’s men and get back into the play-off places.

Meanwhile, the Bluebirds will look to push on after a 2-1 win over Reading last time out. A win on Saturday would put Cardiff level on points with their opponents.



What happened in the 2-1 defeat against Derby?
I was at the Derby game. We tried to do something different, but it didn’t work out. But at least manager Slavisa Jokanovic tried to change things and do something different.


Who should we look out for?
Gianni Munari in the midfield. He’s a beast and his speed is something to behold. He’s been really good for us this season.


Watford's Gianni MunariWatford's Gianni Munari
What are you expecting from the match?
For us, it’s a win. I think it’s going to be a good open game. I think we’ll bring the game to you. Cardiff have been doing OK, your results have been picking up recently, so it won’t be easy.


Are you hopeful of promotion?
Well, the club said anything but first is a failure, but I’m not sure about that. Personally, I would love an automatic promotion. I don’t think a top-six finish is a certain, but hopefully we’ll get promoted.

Do you think Cardiff’s chances are good?
I think so. If you start to get some good results then you should be up there. But you’ve had some managerial problems this year, like us, which doesn’t help.

What’s your best game this season?
Sheffield Wednesday away. We won 3-0 and we just took them apart. If we play like that that every week we’ll go up.

So, a prediction?
3-1 to Watford. Vydra will get two and Deeney will get the other for us.

MATCH FACTS: WATFORD VS CARDIFF

PUBLISHED
Thursday 27th November 2014

by Sam Roberts.

Watford vs Cardiff City
Venue: Vicarage Road
Date: Saturday 29th November 2014, 3.00pm KO



Cardiff City travel to Watford on Saturday afternoon with a first away league victory of the campaign firmly in their sights. The Hornets have started strongly this season, but are currently winless in three games.

Tickets for this match are still available. Please call 0845 345 1400 or buy tickets online now

MATCH FACTS
Slaviša Jokanović is Watford's fourth manager this season, after Beppe Sannino, Óscar García and Billy McKinlay
Matěj Vydra is currently top scorer for the Hornets with seven goals
Peter Whittingham's penalty against Reading was his fifth goal of the campaign
City's last win at Vicarage Road was a 4-0 comprehensive victory back in October 2009
Three points currently separate the two teams going into Saturday's match


KEY OPPOSITION PLAYER: Troy Deeney
Former Walsall strike Deeney has proven himself as one of the Championship's most lethal forwards in the past two seasons. He netted an impressive 19 goals for the Hornets in 2012/13 before bettering it in the subsequent season with 24 goals from 44 appearances. Famed for his last minute winning goal as Watford turned an opposing penalty kick into a play-off semi final winner, Deeney has scored three times this current campaign and will be looking to hit his previous totals by seasons end with loan star Matej Vydra also available to call upon when goals are required.

ONE TO WATCH: Ikechi Anya
Undoubtedly the highlight of Anya's season so far was his equalising goal for the Scottish National Team as they fought World Champions Germany. While the Germans eventually came out on top in a tight match, the impressive Anya made a lasting impression on the watching crowd. Anya could be considered a journeyman despite being just 26-years-old with spells in England for Wycombe Wanderers and Northampton Town as well as Spanish sides Granada, Cadiz, Celta and a number of other sides. He seems to have settled at Vicarage Road though, with a regular spot in the starting eleven.

Preview: Watford vs. Cardiff

Watford will be looking to arrest their alarming slump before its too late when they host Cardiff City at Vicarage Road this Saturday.

The Hornets have lost their last three matches to slip out of the playoff places, with the last two defeats being particularly damaging ones against fellow promotion contenders.

It is now just one win in six for Slavisa Jokanovic's side, but they remain just one point outside the top six and three away from the automatic promotion places.

It won't be time for panic stations just yet, then, but a fourth defeat in a row could begin to raise questions whether Jokanovic - already Watford's fourth manager of the season - is up to the job.

The 2-1 defeat at the hands of league leaders Derby County last time out was Watford's first at Vicarage Road this season, and they will be keen to make a swift return to winning ways in front of their own fans.

However, they have only beaten Cardiff once in their last 11 meetings, drawing five and losing five in that time.

Jokanovic could be without Heurelho Gomes for the second week in a row due to tendonitis, but Almen Abdi played an hour in an Under-21 fixture on Tuesday and is available for selection.

The loan signing of Adlene Guedioura also gives him more options in midfield, and the Crystal Palace man could feature this weekend.

Cardiff, meanwhile, continue to hover in mid-table as they struggle to reproduce their home form on their travels.

The Bluebirds have the best home record in the division, but just five of their 26 points have come on the road. Only Bolton Wanderers and Blackpool have amassed fewer away points.

Indeed, they are one of just two teams yet to pick up an away victory this season, while they have not scored in any of their last four matches on the road.

Their record at Vicarage Road will not inspire confidence either. They have won just one of their last 13 visits to Watford, although eight of those matches have ended all square.

There are problems defensively for Cardiff too, as Russell Slade's side have kept a league-low two clean sheets so far this season.

Watford:

Recent form: DDWLLL

Cardiff :

Recent form: WLWLDW

Anyone know if this is pay on the day?

Anyone know if this is pay on the day?

City have asked for it to be, will know tomorrow day

Brilliantt. Hope it is!

Team news

Watford: Usual first choice goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes missed the Derby game with tendonitis and will likely not be risked with Jonathan Bond continuing between the sticks. Gabriele Angella (ankle) and Almen Abdi (shoulder) could again miss out with their respective injuries. Gianni Munari and Matej Vydra were surprisingly dropped against the Rams, but should be back to face the Bluebirds. Adlene Guedioura has arrived on loan from Crystal Palace, but the midfielder will start on the bench.

Cardiff: The big decision for Bluebirds boss Russell Slade is whether to bring back centre-half Bruno Manga who has shrugged off a calf injury. Manga though is lacking match fitness and Slade looks set to go with the defence that served him in reasonable fashion against Birmingham and Reading. Kagisho Dikgacoi is still out long-term with his knee injury and will not be available to Slade for several more months yet.

Russell Slade


Manga is not available this weekend. He has a calf problem which we are dealing with, It’s not a major concern and we feel it will settle down quickly. He could back back quickly and he has had an injection.We will know in 48 hours.