' MATCH THREAD CARDIFF CITY v BLACKPOOL ' MATCH THREAD

Team News


Cardiff may be forced to play Doyle and Joe Mason in attack, with Conor McAleny unlikely to return after he was injured in the victory over Leeds United earlier this month.

City could also change in midfield with Fabio, who was dropped in favour of Craig Noone against Millwall, in contention to start.

Blackpool may look to continue with Tom Barkhuizen at right back against the Bluebirds while Darren O'Dea, who recently returned from injury against Derby and last week's defeat to Fulham, looks set to remain in the starting lineup.

Clark also has to decide whether to keep Henry Cameron in attack alongside Gary Madine, having shown faith in the 17-year-old in recent games.

Watch this weeks In The City: Blackpool on Cardiff City Player and the Club's official YouTube channel NOW!

You're in for a chance to win a pair of signed David Marshall gloves in today's show and you can also see Big Ben Turner's lethal strike, which leads to this weeks silly's #InYourFace, with Gabs, Simon Moore, Ben Wilson & Macauley Southam. And after him being named in the Football League's 'Team of the Decade', Whitts talks us through his favourite Bluebird team over the time he's been here at the club..

#InYourFace #MarshyMadness #HeDoesWhatHeWants #BluebirdsSportsDay


http://youtu.be/-53Bhly9xdY

http://www.player.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/l ... -blackpool

http://youtu.be/-53Bhly9xdY

http://www.player.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/l ... -blackpool

Cardiff fans may have hoped for a promotion push after relegation from the Premier League last season, but their current campaign has been disappointing.

The Welsh outfit quickly parted company with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after a poor start and the Norwegian was replaced by ex-Leyton Orient boss Russell Slade.

While Slade has at least steered the Bluebirds well away from danger, Cardiff have largely languished in the bottom half of the table, but can mathematically still finish in the top 12.

If they are to do that, they may rely on ex-Chesterfield striker Eoin Doyle to rediscover the form that made him one of League One's hottest properties prior to his move to South Wales.

However, their home form has been below-par with only eight victories to their name this season and Cardiff were also left frustrated last time out when they were held to a goalless draw by relegation-threatened Millwall.

Their recent form has tended to reflect their mixed season, having won two and lost two of their previous six outings.

Although, they may see Blackpool as an opportunity to register another victory at home.

Recent form: WDLWLD

Blackpool supporters may be wishing for their nightmare season to come to an end, and for chairman Karl Oyston's tenure at the club to come to an end.

However, Oyston has found himself answering an FA charge of misconduct recently over an alleged angry exchange of text messages with one fan - a charge which he denies.

Inevitably, their relegation was confirmed at the start of this month and, despite a run of credible draws against Leeds United, Bolton Wanderers and Reading, Lee Clark's side have now gone 16 games without a win.

Blackpool's support may have been vociferous in their opposition to the club's board, but they could be forgiven for wanting to stay at home rather than travel to the Principality, having seen their side win none of their 22 games on the road so far this season.

The latest of those outings was a 4-0 drubbing at the hands of promotion-chasing Derby County at the iPro Stadium last Tuesday.

In all, the Lancashire outfit have been beaten 15 times away from home this season, although their home form is little better, with only four victories to the name at Bloomfield Road.

Recent form: DDDLLL

Three of Cardiff's most experienced players will be welcomed back to the fold this weekend as already relegated Blackpool come to town

Ben Turner and winger Anthony Pilkington could both start for Cardiff City against Blackpool in their final Championship home fixture of the season.

Turner is set for a first team return after three months out, while Pilkington hasn’t started since last November.

South African Kagisho Dikgacoi is also on course to finish the season in playing action after struggling badly throughout 2014-15.

Manager Russell Slade made it clear he wanted to give Turner, Pilkington and Dikgacoi playing time in the Championship and Blackpool is an ideal opportunity.

City have missed Turner’s powerful, effective defending at Championship level, while Pilkington was starting to find consistent form when he was injured at Watford.

Dikgacoi was initially signed to take over Gary Medel’s role in front of the back four, but has made only two Championship appearances.

Turner has now played in three development matches and looks ready to play, probably alongside Bruno Manga at the heart of defence.

A win would be nice! I'd take a win

Peter Whittingham ruled out.

Nicky Maynard a surprise return.

Maynard has been plagued by injuries and he, too, will benefit from going into close season knowing he is fit and healthy.


Russell Slade on Nicky Maynard's future

Those we feel are still some way off will be asked to come back after the end of this season and we can check on them. We must ensure the group who finish season are fit and those who need work in training get it.

Maynard’s contract is up this summer. It’s been difficult he has simply not played. He has been plagued by a back injury. We seem to have got to the bottom of it and the only thing he is missing are minutes on pitch.

Russell Slade Says
It’s a difficult fixture for us. They are playing with no fear, players playing for contracts and they have been picking up good points since they have known their fate.

Come on City lets give our fans something to Cheer about

Former West Ham flop Nicky Maynard set to play first game in six months for Cardiff City

By Matthew Nash

Sat 25h April 2015


The striker is out of contract in the summer and Russell Slade is preparing to give him a chance to earn a contract.



In January 2012 West Ham snapped up Nicky Maynard in a move reported by the BBC to have cost the club for a fee in the region of £2 million.

His contract was due to expire and after scoring 46 goals in 131 appearances for Bristol City the striker arrived at Upton Park when The Hammers were in the Championship.

His stay at West Ham however was short-lived. He was at the club for just eight months, scoring four goals in 17 games.

He was sold to Cardiff City, were things have not got any better.




He has suffered a string of injuries in Wales and has played just 21 times for the club in three years and has not played since November. His last goal for the club came in August, against former loan club Wigan.

Now he looks set for his first appearance in nearly six months. Cardiff City manager Russell Slade is reported to have stated Maynard could play in Cardiff's game with Blackpool at the weekend by the BBC. He has a back injury, but Slade wants him playing in order to put him in the shop window - with his contract expiring in the summer.

In the three years since he joined West Ham things have certainly gone down hill for the striker.

Can Maynard get back to the big time?

Cardiff City : Marshall, Peltier, Fabio, Ecuele Manga, Morrison, Gunnarsson, Ralls, Noone, Kennedy, Mason, Doyle.

Subs: Moore, Turner, Gabbidon, Pilkington, O’Keefe, Harris, Maynard.

Russell Slade is hoping to sign off with a win against already relegated Blackpool,who have not won away this season.

Shouldn't that be "sign on"? Perhaps just wishful thinking on my part.

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