' 5 REASONS CARDIFF MUST BEAT HULL '

Wednesday 19th February 2014.

Five reasons why Cardiff City v Hull City is the biggest game of the season for struggling Bluebirds - Wales Online

Manchester City? Arsenal? Chelsea? Forget it. Steve Tucker gives five reasons why Cardiff City’s clash with Hull on Saturday is the most important game so far of the Bluebirds Premier League campaign.

1. The points of course

Cardiff City's current status at the bottom end of the Premier League is, of course, troubling, but not terminal. Yet!

It is currently one of those rare Premier League relegation mixes where no one thus has become detached. Things remain tight with anyone up to Swansea City in 10th still looking anxiously over their shoulders and fearing the trap-door. Indeed the gap from rock bottom Fulham to the Swans is eight points now with 12 games left.

The Bluebirds are two points from safety and know a win over the Tigers would quite likely lift them out of the bottom three. What a psychological boost that would be for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and his men as they head away to their warm weather training camp. What a lift indeed for all at the club ahead of the challenges to come.

Put it this way, people have gone on about how well Steve Bruce and Hull side have been doing this season since they came up. But, if Cardiff beat them on Saturday, they will be just two points behind their visitors in the table.

It is all there still to play for, but it won’t remain like that for long for the Bluebirds unless they start notching up victories and quickly.


2. Time to impose themselves

Since the arrival of Solskjaer in the Welsh capital the results have, of course, been a concern, but it has been the manner of the defeats, even the manner of the only league win over Norwich, that have also raised concerns.

The Norwegian, we know, has been handed an extremely difficult job. A Premier League relegation fight is incredibly difficult even if you are familiar with the club and its players.

To come in fresh, in the middle of a season, and to try to turn things around remains a tough ask for any manager. Solskjaer has had to get to know the squad he inherited whilst trying to blend in the new faces he himself brought in last month.

It’s little wonder the team has lacked an identity as Solskjaer has tinkered to try to find his best side as quickly as possible. If the Bluebirds can beat Hull and perform well, it might signify that the Cardiff boss has finally found the right personnel. That finally the Bluebirds have a team in place capable of beating the drop.


3. Lift the morale

There is little doubt that everyone connected to the club needs a boost right now and three points on Saturday would be the best way of providing that.

Sure there has been little for the Cardiff-faithful to cheer about in recent weeks, months even. Off the pitch as well as on it there has been a plenty of bad news and controversy. On it, goals have been incredibly thin on the ground and as their team’s situation has worsened supporters have, understandably, become nervous and anxious themselves.

Atmospheres like the one in the Welsh capital when the Bluebirds saw off Manchester City seem a distant memory now with supporters now more likely to bite their nails than bawl and shout.

Fans obviously have a huge part to play in the relegation scrap, but the players must give the faithful something to get excited about. Three big points and a passionate showing against Steve Bruce’s man could just be the spark needed.


4. Silence the doubters

It may sound difficult to imagine, but just nine games into his reign at Cardiff City doubts persist about whether Solskjaer is the right man to stop the Bluebirds going down.

It is easy to see where they come from. Sure, Solskjaer was a legend as a player at Manchester United in the Premier League, but he has no experience of the English top-flight as a manager. He has done well in Norway as a boss, but a cynic would dismiss the game in Solskjaer’s native land as way below the standards expected in the English top-flight. The pressures they would point out cannot even be compared they would point out.

And the cynics would be right of course. But Solskjaer has only been able to work within the parameters he has been exposed to so far and, in his defence, he has been successful. It is time now for him to show that he has what it takes at this level, that he is ready to make the big decisions and stick by them. If he can keep Cardiff up he could be on his way to legendry status at the club already. But defeat against the Tigers this weekend and the Bluebirds boss will find those whispers of discontent might just get that little bit louder.

5. Momentum is the key

Momentum is the one thing the Bluebirds have never managed to build up in their Premier League campaign. A precious victory has been followed almost invariably by defeat, back-to-back wins have never been achieved. It is a very difficult feat in the top-flight to string a run of results together of course, but you suspect it is something the Bluebirds are going to need to do at some point during their final run of12 games.

A win over Hull could act as the launch-pad for Solskjaer and his men, three points on Saturday then Cardiff travel next to face a Tottenham side not always at their best after an excursion into Europe. A result at White Hart lane, even a morale-boosting performance and the Bluebirds entertain fellow strugglers Fulham then with a real spring in their step.

If the Bluebirds could actually pick up results in their up-coming trio of games, by the end of them, their position in the table would look a lot healthier. The pressure, in danger of suffocating them right now, would be released somewhat and what a relief that would be for all concerned.

I agree with all of them but one stands out 3 points a must

BOTTOM line is they have to play BETTER than they have done so far and you have to think of reasons as to why would/should they as they /

It's going to be edgy because looking at the weekend teamsheets, they will be the better team. I have no idea how they travel but probably not that well as their points-total is'nt great. We need to win our home games. C'mon City!!

Can't see us beating hull if I'm honest, Bruce to give young Ole a master class in premiership management.

If we don't beat them, then it's goodnight Vienna and Leyton Orient here we come bye bye Old Trafford

Can't see us beating hull if I'm honest, Bruce to give young Ole a master class in premiership management.

Spoken like a TRUE ccfc suporter

...........and the point of posting an article that didn't need saying because we all know how important Saturday's result is

Can't see us beating hull if I'm honest, Bruce to give young Ole a master class in premiership management.

Spoken like a TRUE ccfc suporter

i wont give up until its mathematically impossible ...never have not going to start now.
if we lose to Hull ill get my head around how we need to beat Spurs.
i went to both Wimbledon and Gillingham as did many City fans when relegation was almost certain........we kept the faith then..and we should now, its the only way

I think he listen to the fans to Mutch. We are not good enough to play 442. To open that way!!!! Counter attack is the way to go. Cowie/mutch/medal are key for remaing games. Take control of midfield and kick on.

Well the main reason is that we are almost definatly going down and if we drop another points it will be all but mathematically confirmed

I wouldn't be surprised if bookies stopped taking bets on us going down if we don't beat hull

Well the main reason is that we are almost definatly going down and if we drop another points it will be all but mathematically confirmed

I wouldn't be surprised if bookies stopped taking bets on us going down if we don't beat hull

Must be fun playing for ccfc. Feeling that 12 man push from the stands reaching renewal.. But 3 points behind and 36 up for grabs they surly must agree its not gonna happen...

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Well the main reason is that we are almost definatly going down and if we drop another points it will be all but mathematically confirmed

I wouldn't be surprised if bookies stopped taking bets on us going down if we don't beat hull

is this a joke?

So badly written.

The pressures they would point out cannot even be compared they would point out.

Er, because we badly need points to avoid relegation. That is all, really

Don't want to gloat.....but if you didn't see that coming your deluded.