' TOP SIX FINISH IS AN ABSOLUTE MINIMUM '

Top six 'minimum' target - Marshall

BBC

Monday July 20th

Goalkeeper David Marshall says Cardiff City will be aiming for a top six finish as a minimum in the new season.

The Bluebirds were 11th in the Championship last term after relegation from the Premier League in 2013-14.

The 30-year-old Scotland international argues that the club is better equipped mentally ahead of the new season.

"It's probably more realistic in terms of expectations this year, so we'll probably be able to handle that a bit better," he said.

"I think probably for 18 teams the top six is a realistic target because there's so many upsets in the league and there's not a lot to choose between the teams, but we'll be aiming for the top six as an absolute minimum."

Cardiff were among the favourites for promotion ahead of the 2014/15 campaign, which Marshall claims was an unrealistic expectation.

"Most teams coming down from the Premiership are labelled as favourites to go back up," he said.

"We were realistic as a team and set of players and staff last year but obviously the expectations for the fans and the media are a little different".

Cardiff manager Russell Slade has been forced to cut expenditure over the last year, but Marshall thinks this should not stand in the way of a promotion chase.

"Obviously expectations have dropped in the last 12 months, but I'm sure if we work hard and have a good start we can certainly aim for the top six," he added.

Cardiff start their campaign at home to Fulham on Saturday, 8 August.

Better look for a new manager then if thats the case

Better look for a new manager then if thats the case

Better look for a new manager then if thats the case

Thats exactly how he makes me feel!

Better look for a new manager then if thats the case

Thats exactly how he makes me feel!

And thats exactly how you make me feel!

Better look for a new manager then if thats the case

Thats exactly how he makes me feel!

And thats exactly how you make me feel!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8LOLswfTkQ

Many had top 6 a minimum for last season before it started (me included, in fact as I remember, 1st or 2nd were my predictions). That wasn't to be but it isn't the end of the battle.

However, great as the target is, realistically, I wouldn't want my club promoted before it was ready. In my opinion, consolidation is needed. Get back the identity of the club (blue is back bu there is more). The ethos surrounding the squad, the supporters united again. Surely these are the things to have in place before pushing for the top flight again.

Mid to upper table is my prediction and ambition for this year. Otherwise, be careful what you wish for.

the salaries some of our under peforming squad are on, marshall is right that we should be up there.

but i'd be very surprised if we finish in the play offs, too many of our squad are happy to coast through games. i suspect slade is not happy with marshall coming out with such ambitious statements either as slade will not be aiming as high and will be seeking to keep fans expectations as low as possible.

Top 6 is wishful thinking but worse teams have gone up before. I like that the players are determined. It's a start. Not sure it's possible. That said, I think top 10 is and if you finish top 10 then you're not going to be too far off the playoffs so with a bit of luck anything could happen. Can you imagine Russell Slade in the Premier League though?

Cant see us making the top 6. Another mid table average year for us.

Surely we should be looking at top 2, as we never win in play offs? however unlikely it is with Mr Slade in charge.

We bit qpr in one play off once

Yes but how many have we lost? I can think of Blackpool,Reading,West Ham, and Leicester? and we were all but home for QPR-but what a great day that was in MS!

I would rather target automatic than play offs but Slade has reached every final of a play off he has been in so you never know it could be fourth time lucky.

Better look for a new manager then if thats the case

League one plodder at best

Not going to happen. Mid table at the best unless you pull of a few great signings but you're like us this season, bottom feeders, and we'll (both) be looking around the bargain bucket for loans after it's been riffled by top teams.

I think Slade said something along those lines before.

To be honest id prefer they didn't make targets, it just heaps more pressure on them if it doesn't happen

I had us down as finishing 10th last season. This year I think a relegation battle is on the cards unless people like Ameobi really step up and become match winners.