MATCH THREAD ' CARDIFF CITY v CHARLTON ' MATCH THR

' Scott Young Speaks at todays Press Conference '



Will Peter Whittingham return?

Scott Young: 'It's a great headache for gaffer and coaching staff to have.

'Competition after a strong result is exactly what we want.

'But he's not irreplacable.

'Joe Ralls stepped in and did a great job. We will asses the situation today and make a decision.'


' Scott Young on the arrival of Paul Trollope '


Paul has been brilliant. He is a new, fresh voice on the training ground.

He's a different class and brings more experience in management and coaching.

My role has not changed and we're all singing off the same hymn sheet.

Cardiff City have benefited and I have benefited from Paul being here.

Thought 4-4-2 was prehistoric? Charlton playing it and several premier clubs also!. OK its more fluid than city but still 442?
Get impression Witt's is not playing going by interview on news,
Score 2-1 city

Scott Young Talks about Peter Whittingham

Peter Whittingham takes flak at times. Is that fair?


Scott Young: "Whitts is a top player and has been for a long time.

The criticism he takes is too strong, but he bears the brunt of it and gets on with his game.

He would walk into most Championship teams.

Peter is a laid back guy, but this football club means a lot to him.

He wants to play well. He shows that in training every day.

But Joe Ralls would be disappointed if he is left out.

Every time he has been selected, Joe has done a fabulous job."




" Will Peter Whittingham return? "

Scott Young: 'It's a great headache for gaffer and coaching staff to have.

'Competition after a strong result is exactly what we want.

'But he's not irreplacable.

'Joe Ralls stepped in and did a great job. We will asses the situation today and make a decision.'

“Scott Malone and Anthony Pilkington are still a little way off, while Joe Mason is making good progress and training.

“Ben Turner and Kagisho Dikgacoi are also some way off, but working hard.”

Why was Kenwyne Jones left out at Rotherham and how did he take it?




Scott Young: “Kenwyne has played a lot of football, he’s been battered and bruised as our target man.

He has suffered some heavy knocks.

We talk to him all the time and the decision was taken to pull him out to look after him a little bit.

Kenwyne is fine.

He is brilliant to have around and really important to us.”

MATCH FACTS: CARDIFF vs CHARLTON

by Sam Roberts

Cardiff City vs Charlton Athletic

Venue: Cardiff City Stadium

Date: Saturday, 7th March 2015, 3:00pm

Cardiff City host Charlton Athletic for the first time since securing promotion against the South Londoners back in April 2013. This match is sure to be a tough battle with one point, two places and a single goal separating the Bluebirds and the Addicks.



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

MATCH FACTS

Former Cardiff City favourite Roger Johnson could play for Charlton on Saturday
Kiko Macheda netted his sixth of the season for City on Tuesday, while Conor McAleny opened his account as a Bluebird
City and Charlton drew 1-1 on Boxing Day in the reverse fixture
Bluebirds stalwart Peter Whittingham is available for selection after missing Tuesday's win over Rotherham
Charlton's last win over Cardiff in South Wales was all the way back in December 2007
KEY OPPOSITION PLAYER: Igor Vetokele
Angolan international forward Vetokele joined the Addicks from FC Copenhagen in the summer months and it didn't take long for him to settle into life at the Valley. Vetokele has netted on 11 occasions during his first season, last scoring on February 20th in the 3-0 win over Wigan Athletic. He has recently been accompanied in attack by January signing Tony Watt, and this strike partnership looks set to continue on Saturday.

ONE TO WATCH: Tony Watt
As previously mentioned, Scotland U21 international Watt moved to South London in January after a six month spell with Standard Liege. He originally shot into the limelight after coming off the substitutes bench to score for Celtic during their 2-1 win over European giants FC Barcelona in 2012. A one-year loan with Lierse turned out to be slightly controversial for Watt, but he did manage to hit 10 goals in just 16 games for the club in 2013/14, awaking the attention of Liege. Watt has scored 3 times since joining Charlton, and has already impressed the Addicks support with his work ethic and technical ability.
RECENT FORM (ALL COMPETITIONS)

Cardiff City: DDDWLW



Last time out: Rotherham United 1-3 Cardiff City – Tuesday, 3rd March 2015, Sky Bet Championship

A second successful away trip in succession for the Bluebirds, defeating Rotherham United, 3-1, at the New York Stadium. Bruno Ecuele Manga headed the Bluebirds into the lead on 23 minutes, before Federico Macheda doubled the advantage three minutes later with a deft half volley. Conor McAleny added a third goal with ten minutes of the half remaining, sealing an incredible first-half for Russell Slade's side.

Danny Ward headed home late in the second period for the Millers, but this consolation goal couldn't take the shine off a solid and dominant victory for the Bluebirds at the New York Stadium.

Cardiff City: Marshall (Moore), Peltier, Connolly, Ecuele Manga, Morrison, Gunnarsson, Ralls, Kennedy, McAleny, Macheda (Doyle), Revell (Jones). Subs Not Used: Fabio, O'Keefe, Harris, Noone.

Charlton Athletic: LWWLWW



Last time out: Charlton Athletic 2-1 Nottingham Forest – Tuesday, 3rd March 2015, Sky Bet Championship

The Addicks inflicted a first defeat on Forest manager Dougie Freedman, winning the match 2-1.

Bruno Ecuele Manga's Gabon international teammate Frederic Bulot opened the scoring early on with a 20-yard free-kick after Tony Watt was brought down. Michail Antonio equalised when he cut inside from the left and fired a low shot past Stephen Henderson. But Bulot turned in a Lawrie Wilson centre before the break to register a fourth win in five games.

Charlton Athletic: Henderson, Wilson (Bikey), Gomez, Diarra, Fox, Harriott (Eagles), Buyens, Cousins, Bulot, Vetokele (Lepoint), Watt. Subs Not Used: Church, Lennon, Dmitrovic, Ahearne-Grant.

Former Cardiff City favourite Roger Johnson could play for Charlton on Saturday

Looking at Charlton's overall form compared to our over the season the stats look similar. Looking at their forum and from what I can gather, they will try to seize the game from the start with a high tempo pressing attacking style and then try to score an early goal, which is what happened against Forest - they've certainly got the firepower to do that so we need to be solid at the back (shame about Marshall being out). Their fans sound a little over confident to me and reckon they'll get a win with their tails up. From our perspective, I think that following the Blackburn game and some away wins, confidence maybe building. We lost against Wolves but we all know that we were unlucky not to get something out of that game, even after Whitts got sent off. So, I'm going 2-1 City.

SCOTT: SELECTION DECISIONS ARE A PLUS

6th March 2015

by Oliver Roderick

City's Assistant Manager praises squad for creating competition

Cardiff City assistant manager Scott Young handled press and media conference duties on Friday morning as the Bluebirds prepare to host Charlton Athletic for a Sky Bet Championship fixture on Saturday afternoon.

And despite his half-time substitution at Rotherham, Scott revealed that goalkeeper David Marshall could still feature against the Addicks at Cardiff City Stadium.

“He's [Marshall] probably fifty-fifty for tomorrow,” Young revealed. “He came off the other night with soreness in his groin.

“It's more of a strength issue than a recurrence [of his recent injury], so let's see how he is. In the second half on Tuesday Simon Moore came in and did great, but Marshall is our Captain and arguably the best in the division right now. We’ll have to see.

“As for some of the others, Scott Malone and Anthony Pilkington are still a little way off, while Joe Mason is making good progress and training. Ben Turner and Kagisho Dikgacoi are also some way off, but working hard.”

The Bluebirds are able to welcome back Peter Whittingham though, who is available after serving his one-match suspension following two bookable offences against Wolves.

“It's a great headache for gaffer and coaching staff to have,” Young said of the Cardiff City stalwart. “Competition after a strong result is exactly what we want.

“Joe Ralls stepped in and did a great job on Tuesday. We will assess the situation today and make a decision. Whitts is a top player and has been for a long time, but Joe Ralls would be disappointed if he is left out I’m sure. Every time he has been selected, Joe has done a fabulous job.

“Our home form hasn’t been great, but it has been a big transition period. It’s been tough losing a lot of players and bringing others in, but it is starting to turn and we have a good, solid group training here now. We have to build on results the team are now earning.”

Just stuck a pound on Carlton to win, 4/1 odds, and a few quid on a price boost,,derby, spurs, Bristol City to win 6/1 odds

2-0 city.

7th March 2015

Peter Whittingham not 'irreplaceable' at Cardiff, says Scott Young


By Rob Phillips
BBC Wales football

Cardiff City's Peter Whittingham has been told no-one is "irreplaceable" as they ponder recalling him at home against Charlton on Saturday.

Midfielder Whittingham is hoping to make his 300th Cardiff League start.
He missed the midweek 3-1 win at Rotherham after being sent off against Wolverhampton Wanderers last Saturday.
"It's a great headache for the gaffer, myself and the rest of the coaching staff to have," said assistant coach Scott Young.

Joe Ralls was on loan at Yeovil from Cardiff in 2013-14

The Bluebirds may have to make a decision between Whittingham and Joe Ralls, who impressed at Rotherham.

Goalkeeper David Marshall is rated 50/50 after coming off with a groin problem in Tuesday's triumph.

Young added: "Competition for places, people coming in and doing a good job for the team and a strong result - that's what you want as a management team.

"I don't think anyone is irreplaceable but Joe Ralls stepped in on Tuesday and did a very good job. It's a big decision."
Whittingham, 31, is Cardiff's longest serving player having joined from Aston Villa in 2007.

Fabio is fit and raring to go

Would love to say we'll win. But have to say 1-1 unfortunately.

Cardiff City - Moore, Peltier, Connolly, Ecuele Manga, Morrison, Whittingham, Gunnarsson ©, McAleny, Noone, Macheda, Jones.

Subs: Wilson, Fabio, Ralls, O’Keefe, Kennedy, Revell, Doyle.

Not the team I would have picked but neither was Tuesday's team. I would have had Kennedy and Ralls in the side. Soon see won't we. Whitts to score first goal?

35 minutes: Good first 30 minutes by Cardiff. Don't think Charlton have had an attack so far. Best chance so far has come from Noone who created it all on his own shooting over the bar from just outside the penalty box. Only drawback besides not scoring is Gunnarso going off with an injury.

Substitution
Substitution, Cardiff City. Joe Ralls replaces Aron Gunnarsson because of an injury.

H-T 0-0

Good performance by Cardiff. Charlton not in it so should be pleased its still 0-0.

Jones can't pass water # awful passes to other players ahead of him causing breakdown of attacks! Otherwise not bad game by him.

Reading comments from those at the game it sounds a right boring game,

Goal Cardiff Macheda. Good team goal as well.

1-1

Since scoring Cardiff have gone off the boil and have paid for it.

1-1

Penalty Charlton......goal Charlton

Since scoring Cardiff have gone off the boil and have paid for it.

1-1

Off the boil f**k me we never even got hot today let Alone boil.

Since scoring Cardiff have gone off the boil and have paid for it.

1-1

Off the boil f**k me we never even got hot today let Alone boil.

Blew it Ian.

Glad when this season is over.

Since scoring Cardiff have gone off the boil and have paid for it.

1-1

Off the boil f**k me we never even got hot today let Alone boil.

Blew it Ian.

Glad when this season is over.

Same here, on well on to the next one brentford Sat

Would like to see whether that was a penalty or not - looked a dive to me from 114.

Actually enjoyed our performance, but Macheda once again put in a lazy showing and shouldn't be starting games in my opinion.

Two decisions cost us that game: 1) the penalty, and 2) allowing ourselves to go down to 10 men instead of subbing Whits. The game changed with the latter.

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