SCOUT'S REPORT: BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION
Mon Aug 20, 2012 5:43 pm
http://www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/page/New ... 40,00.html 
Cardiff City's 2012/13 Championship campaign continues at Brighton & Hove Albion's AMEX Stadium on Tuesday evening (7.45pm). Thomas Phillips has this preview.
City will be looking to add to their opening day victory against Huddersfield Town, while Brighton are looking to get their first points on the board after defeat against Hull City on Saturday.
But Brighton will undoubtedly prove to be a tough test for the Bluebirds, as the south coast outfit restricted Cardiff to just one point from two games last season. The Seagulls won 3-1 at Cardiff City Stadium almost a year ago to the day, and scored late on to earn a 2-2 draw in the return fixture at the AMEX Stadium back in March.
Albion finished tenth in the table last season and nine points of the Play-Off places, falling away at the death after a promising early part to 2012. Gus Poyet and his squad will surely regard themselves as promotion candidates and will be looking to improve their league position this time around after summer acquisitions.
Key Players
Brighton have a number of stand out players in their ranks. So far this summer, Poyet has added some astute signings to a squad that already had quality within it.
Arguably the most impressive signing is the addition of Goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak. The former Manchester United stopper has a wealth of top-flight experience. He signed for West Bromwich Albion in 2004 and made the switch to Manchester united two years later. He as also won ten caps for the Polish national side. Wayne Bridge has also dropped down to the Championship from the Premier League, currently on loan from Manchester City.
The experienced left back is definitely one to watch, having been capped by England thirty-six times and played in the World Cup. Brighton have more danger down the left with Spanish international winger Vicente. Although his career has been overshadowed by injury, he still has great technique and pace and could prove a threat for Brighton on Tuesday night.
Albion have plenty of potential goals in the team too, with Craig Mackail-Smith and Ashley Barnes potent attacking options. Mackail-Smith was prolific for Peterborough and scored ten goals for Brighton last season, while Barnes has scored thirty-eight goals so far for the Seagulls and will be sure to add to his total this term. With the players that Brighton possess in their squad, it should be a close encounter on Tuesday night.
Brighton and City drew 2-2 at the AMEX last March
Head-to-Head
The two sides are evenly matched when it comes to previous meetings; both have won twenty-one games each and seventeen fixtures have ended in draws. Out of the last five meetings between the sides, Cardiff have only lost the one, which was that 3-1 home defeat last season. On Brighton turf the Bluebirds have been less dominant, winning just once in the last five visits. Last March's meeting at the AMEX Stadium ended in a 2-2 draw - City twice having taken the lead thanks to Joe Mason and Peter Whittingham strikes.
Full commentary with @MAcMcAuliffe and @MarkDen_CCFC from 7.30pm on Cardiff City Player
Cardiff City's 2012/13 Championship campaign continues at Brighton & Hove Albion's AMEX Stadium on Tuesday evening (7.45pm). Thomas Phillips has this preview.
City will be looking to add to their opening day victory against Huddersfield Town, while Brighton are looking to get their first points on the board after defeat against Hull City on Saturday.
But Brighton will undoubtedly prove to be a tough test for the Bluebirds, as the south coast outfit restricted Cardiff to just one point from two games last season. The Seagulls won 3-1 at Cardiff City Stadium almost a year ago to the day, and scored late on to earn a 2-2 draw in the return fixture at the AMEX Stadium back in March.
Albion finished tenth in the table last season and nine points of the Play-Off places, falling away at the death after a promising early part to 2012. Gus Poyet and his squad will surely regard themselves as promotion candidates and will be looking to improve their league position this time around after summer acquisitions.
Key Players
Brighton have a number of stand out players in their ranks. So far this summer, Poyet has added some astute signings to a squad that already had quality within it.
Arguably the most impressive signing is the addition of Goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak. The former Manchester United stopper has a wealth of top-flight experience. He signed for West Bromwich Albion in 2004 and made the switch to Manchester united two years later. He as also won ten caps for the Polish national side. Wayne Bridge has also dropped down to the Championship from the Premier League, currently on loan from Manchester City.
The experienced left back is definitely one to watch, having been capped by England thirty-six times and played in the World Cup. Brighton have more danger down the left with Spanish international winger Vicente. Although his career has been overshadowed by injury, he still has great technique and pace and could prove a threat for Brighton on Tuesday night.
Albion have plenty of potential goals in the team too, with Craig Mackail-Smith and Ashley Barnes potent attacking options. Mackail-Smith was prolific for Peterborough and scored ten goals for Brighton last season, while Barnes has scored thirty-eight goals so far for the Seagulls and will be sure to add to his total this term. With the players that Brighton possess in their squad, it should be a close encounter on Tuesday night.
Brighton and City drew 2-2 at the AMEX last March
Head-to-Head
The two sides are evenly matched when it comes to previous meetings; both have won twenty-one games each and seventeen fixtures have ended in draws. Out of the last five meetings between the sides, Cardiff have only lost the one, which was that 3-1 home defeat last season. On Brighton turf the Bluebirds have been less dominant, winning just once in the last five visits. Last March's meeting at the AMEX Stadium ended in a 2-2 draw - City twice having taken the lead thanks to Joe Mason and Peter Whittingham strikes.
Full commentary with @MAcMcAuliffe and @MarkDen_CCFC from 7.30pm on Cardiff City Player
Re: SCOUT'S REPORT: BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION
Mon Aug 20, 2012 8:45 pm
VINCENTE & BUCKLEY are doubtful, according to some reports online of recent niggles they've picked up.
Re: SCOUT'S REPORT: BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION
Mon Aug 20, 2012 11:06 pm