' MATCH THREAD : BRIGHTON v CARDIFF CITY ' MATCH THREAD '

Brighton
Murphy will start his three-match suspension this weekend after having an appeal against his sending off against Bolton rejected by the Football Association. Hemed and Bruno are expected to feature after recent injuries, but Brighton will be without Kazenga LuaLua.

' TEAM NEWS '


Cardiff City


Kenwyne Jones looks set to be back in the starting line-up against Charlton

Federico Macheda is confirmed as injured for another seven weeks following his back operation over a fortnight ago.
Cardiff were forced to contact Macheda’s former employers Manchester United to find a cure for the Italian’s recurring back injury.
Ben Turner is yet to return to training and continues to suffer from a lateral knee injury.

Former Arsenal man Semi Ajayi joined AFC Wimbledon on a short term loan during the week, Ajayi had made regular appearances on the Cardiff bench. David Marshall will serve the last game of his supension s Simon Moore will remain between the sticks.


Cardiff stopper David Marshall will sit out the second match of his two-match ban, meaning that deputy Simon Moore will continue between the sticks.

Slade must decide whether to partner Joe Mason with either Kenwyne Jones or Sammy Ameobi.



Brighton
Murphy will start his three-match suspension this weekend after having an appeal against his sending off against Bolton rejected by the Football Association. Hemed and Bruno are expected to feature after recent injuries, but Brighton will be without Kazenga LuaLua.


Brighton & Hove Albion possible starting lineup: Stockdale, Bruno, Greer, Hunemeier, Bong, Rosenior, Stephens, Kayal, Murphy, Baldock, Hemed C



Cardiff City possible starting lineup: Moore, Fabio, Morrison, Connolly, Malone, Pilkington, Dikgacoi, Whittingham, Ralls, Mason, Jones .

Brighton & Hove Albion - Brighton go into their 10th league match of the season yet to taste defeat in the Championship, but their progress has slowed down considerably over the past two matches. Against a Wolverhampton Wanderers side who played with 10 men for over 40 minutes, Brighton failed to break the deadlock, or test goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, as they were left ruing a first-half penalty miss by Tomer Hemed. A week later at Bolton Wanderers, Brighton established a two-goal advantage, only to see the controversial dismissal of Jamie Murphy lead to his team conceding an injury-time equaliser and give Middlesbrough the chance to close the gap at the top of the table. Brighton still hold a one-point advantage, but there is a feeling that they need to rediscover that winning feeling on Saturday afternoon, as a failure to do so will leave the club without a victory in a month when they return after the international break. That said, everyone associated with Chris Hughton's outfit are on a high right now, with the club having suffered four defeats at this stage last season, while they are also 12 points better off than they were a year ago. Recent form: WWWWDD Recent form (all competitions): LWWWDD

Cardiff City When Cardiff conceded the opening goal to out-of-form Charlton Athletic last weekend, manager Russell Slade found himself under slightly more pressure after heading into the game having suffered two defeats in a row. However, the former Leyton Orient boss would have been delighted with the response of his team, who hit back with two goals to not only register their third home triumph of the campaign, but to move the Bluebirds into the playoff places. The club are hopeful that a run of four wins from six outings will help improve the dwindling attendances at the Cardiff City Stadium, with crowds already down by an average of 7,000 supporters compared to last season. That aspect of Slade's job places more responsibility on his shoulders to produce a team playing the kind of football that saw the club claim the Championship title in 2013, but in reality, only positive results and the potential to reclaim a place in the top flight with bring fans back to home games. It is their form in South Wales that sees them sit in the top six, with only one success - away at Nottingham Forest on August 29 - being registered on the road in five games in all competitions Recent form: WWWLLW Recent form (all competitions): LWWLLW

Russell Slade on the ' Injury News '

02/10/15

BY CHRIS WATHAN



What is the injury news - how is Lee Peltier for example?

He’s resumed training and recovered from what was a dead leg so he’s available. We’ve a few little concerns which we’ll know more about after today’s training.


Longer term, how are others progressing?
I spoke to Ben Turner yesterday who has started to make progress and he might be on the grass next week to do some individual fitness work. We’ll start testing him out and he can step it up. He did have a spell where it's been sore but we can test it out.




Is there a target in mind for him?
Ben Turner of Cardiff goes close with a header.Ben Turner has been out for months

We said eight to 10 weeks initially and that hasn’t changed but after the reconstruction of the ankle we’re pleased with it, it’s looking sound, he’s had another scan to show it’s fine. It’s good news because he’s had problems but we’re confident we can overcome them this time around.





You allowed Semi Ajayi to join Wimbledon on loan. Why?

Semi Ajayi has joined Wimbledon for a month
He’s gone to get some games on his CV and that experience of playing on a Saturday where it matters and you're fighting for points, it will do him the world of good. I see him here long-term. He’s a younger player who has almost grown out of the Under 21s and the next step is to go out and get some games in the lower leagues. There’s a possibility others could go out if there is the right move for them – we already have a few out like Rhys Healy. Adedeji Oshilaja is out on loan but he's picked up a bit of knee injury with his cartlidge.

Lee Peltier, He’s resumed training and recovered from what was a dead leg so he’s available. We’ve a few little concerns which we’ll know more about after today’s training.

' TICKETS ON SALE TOMORROW/AT TURNSTILES '


Tickets will be available to purchase at Brighton tomorrow. They can be purchased in person or over the phone by calling 0844 327 1901.

Ticket Prices will remain the same. Please note there is a £1.50 charge per ticket booked. Cash and card sales are available.

In person sales will be from the main ticket office (other end of ground to away turnstiles). Ticket collections and reprints will also be from the main ticket office tomorrow.

' Russell Slade and Matt Connolly '


' Slade & Connolly Talk Brighton '

03/10/2015

Manager Russell Slade and defender Matt Connolly have given their thoughts ahead of the weekend's game against Championship leaders Brighton.

Speaking to the Official Site in the pre game press conferences, Slade said that firstly this would be a fantastic yardstick for how far we have come given Brighton's extremely bright start to the Championship campaign.

'Every week is a yard stick for our progress as we`re playing new opposition in the first half of the season. However, Brighton are the ones that have set the standard in the Championship so far this season. Chris Hughton has done a great job in organising them and sorting them out. They`re looking a different proposition from the side that struggled in the bottom half of the table last season.'

Slade went on to say that we were looking forward to the game though and we had every intention of doing our best and hopefully taking all three points from them and ending their unbeaten run.

'We`ll go there and we`ll do our best to get a really positive result. It`s a game that you have to embrace. It will be a tough challenge, but all of the players are together, can trust the man next to them, and are willing to put their bodies on the line for each other. The focus is always fully on the team. We're looking forward, attempting to progress and I think we`ve done that well. I`m always looking for improvement though. As a group we can get better still.'

As for Connolly, he was next up to field the questions from the press and he echoed the gaffer's thoughts that it would be a tough game for us, but they all are in the Championship and we have to find a way to take the maximum return from it.

'It`s a challenge as they`ve started very well, but everyone is fighting for points in this division so it`s always a difficult game no matter who you play," said the centre-half. They`re unbeaten for a reason though, as they are obviously a good side, but that run will come to an end at some point. We`re focussed on the game. We had a good win against Charlton last weekend and we want to build on that.'

Connolly went on to say that he felt we had 'really' turned ourselves around this year, so obviously we want to kick on further now and continue playing the good football we have, and dominating games as we have done at points - but the results have to come because he feels we've lost games we should've won so far.

But the group are in good confidence and spirits and long may that continue.

'We`ve really turned it round this year. We`re playing good football and we`ve dominated games, deserving to win even in the couple of matches that we have lost. We`ve got a really good squad and we`re full of confidence. Our team spirit is very similar to the times that I`ve been promoted from the Championship. The boys all get on, we all work hard and we all push each other. You need good spirit to get out of this division - we`ve definitely got that and we`ve got quality players as well.'

Russell Slade on the ' Injury News '

02/10/15

BY CHRIS WATHAN



What is the injury news - how is Lee Peltier for example?

He’s resumed training and recovered from what was a dead leg so he’s available. We’ve a few little concerns which we’ll know more about after today’s training.


Longer term, how are others progressing?
I spoke to Ben Turner yesterday who has started to make progress and he might be on the grass next week to do some individual fitness work. We’ll start testing him out and he can step it up. He did have a spell where it's been sore but we can test it out.




Is there a target in mind for him?
Ben Turner of Cardiff goes close with a header.Ben Turner has been out for months

We said eight to 10 weeks initially and that hasn’t changed but after the reconstruction of the ankle we’re pleased with it, it’s looking sound, he’s had another scan to show it’s fine. It’s good news because he’s had problems but we’re confident we can overcome them this time around.





You allowed Semi Ajayi to join Wimbledon on loan. Why?

Semi Ajayi has joined Wimbledon for a month
He’s gone to get some games on his CV and that experience of playing on a Saturday where it matters and you're fighting for points, it will do him the world of good. I see him here long-term. He’s a younger player who has almost grown out of the Under 21s and the next step is to go out and get some games in the lower leagues. There’s a possibility others could go out if there is the right move for them – we already have a few out like Rhys Healy. Adedeji Oshilaja is out on loan but he's picked up a bit of knee injury with his cartlidge.

Just pulling in to the stadium on Carlos coachesb

Whittingham, Dikgacoi, Ralls, Pilkington, Jones, Mason.

Subs : Wilson, Peltier, Manga, Noone, Revell, Gunnarsson, Ameobi.

Whittingham, Dikgacoi, Ralls, Pilkington, Jones, Mason.

Subs : Wilson, Peltier, Manga, Noone, Revell, Gunnarsson, Ameobi.

Defence looks weak

Whittingham, Dikgacoi, Ralls, Pilkington, Jones, Mason.

Subs : Wilson, Peltier, Manga, Noone, Revell, Gunnarsson, Ameobi.

Defence looks weak

And an open goal.

City fans very loud

Yessss 1 0

Masooon!!!!

Mason on fire

Hope the fans caught in traffic made it in time for that

25 min mark: Brighton started brightly but were caught out by Joe Mason to give Cardiff the lead. Brighton push forward for the equaliser to no avail then the game went a bit quiet.

Brighton have moved up a gear and Moore has been forced to make a few good saves.

Sounding like a matter of time before they score

Sounding like a matter of time before they score

Aye. Sounds like moore is doing well mind.

1-1 been coming.

Paying the penalty for losing the ball to easily.

It finally had to come, Moore has saved us about 5 times

1-1

Moore has kept us in the game. Someone should stop Saitor (Bruno) - it is Ralls' job. Statistics: possession 70% Br. Shots on goal 8-1. Corners 8-0 . GK saves 5 by Moore. f*cking hell I thought we will cream those guys. We are on the ropes. We defended v well - but nothing really in MF or up front (Mason excepted) . Has Jones touched the ball? He had a couple of not v good flick ons . I say Ameobi for Jones & Noone to worry the 35 yr old Saitor. What do u think? Still 1-1 is excellent and perhaps the fact that we are still in it means that it is OUR LUCKY day. Come on Bloooobirds.

Moore has kept us in the game. Someone should stop Saitor (Bruno) - it is Ralls' job. Statistics: possession 70% Br. Shots on goal 8-1. Corners 8-0 . GK saves 5 by Moore. f*cking hell I thought we will cream those guys. We are on the ropes. We defended v well - but nothing really in MF or up front (Mason excepted) . Has Jones touched the ball? He had a couple of not v good flick ons . I say Ameobi for Jones & Noone to worry the 35 yr old Saitor. What do u think? Still 1-1 is excellent and perhaps the fact that we are still in it means that it is OUR LUCKY day. Come on Bloooobirds.

didn't know Jones was playing ? going to be tough unless we make couple changes to put preasure on them further up field!

Half Time: Brighton 1 - 1 Cardiff City

By Terry Phillips

Kenwyne Jones has been moaning to Russell Slade about a lock of service, but was told to get on with it by Russell Slade and Paul Trollope

Good first half display in many ways by Cardiff City, but we have to keep the ball better.

Whittingham has been the best player for us, while Moore has made a few good saves. Pilkington has struggled and Jones has struggled for service.

Whittingham the pick of the players for me so far. He made the goal with a pass of real quality and has been excellent.

Defensively he has played a part by being available and, when needed, has taken charge in deep positions and cleared the danger.

Big second half ahead for the Bluebirds

Noone on for Pilkington.

Cardiff getting back into the game but Brighton still looking the more dangerous.

image.jpg

Scary stats!!!

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Brighton have had 64 per cent possession so far - eight corners to Cardiff’s none!

Brighton 15 shots, Cardiff three - seven Brighton shots on target.

Brighton gone off the boil and look nervious now.

There is another goal in this.