" Cardiff City This Saturday "
Fri Aug 21, 2015 4:34 am
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=161712 
" Cardiff City Saturday go in search of their first win "
Preview: Cardiff City vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers
By Daniel Lewis, Football League Correspondent
Plus viewtopic.php?f=2&t=161712
Cardiff City play host to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday afternoon seeking their first win of the Championship campaign.
Wolves have enjoyed their visits to South Wales in recent years, but they come up against a resilient Bluebirds side who have made themselves tough to beat under Russell Slade.
Cardiff CityCardiff manager Russell Slade looks on ahead of the Sky Bet Championship match between Millwall and Cardiff City at The Den on October 25, 2014
With three games of the league season played, there is currently one big question being asked by Cardiff supporters - glass half empty or half full?
On the one hand, three points from a possible nine is not exactly a great outcome for a side harbouring just the slightest of promotion hopes. Yet on the other hand, an unbeaten start to the campaign - including two fixtures away from home - could now be used as a real springboard to push on.
Whichever way you look at it, Slade will no doubt be targeting a first three-point haul of the campaign when Wolves arrive this coming weekend. If that is to be the case in South Wales, then improvements will be required in a backline that has conceded in all three games to date.
Sean Morrison, who can no longer boast being captain upon David Marshall's return to the fold, was arguably at fault for Blackburn Rovers's late leveller last time out, as well as Clint Hill's opener in the dramatic 2-2 draw at Queens Park Rangers.
Slade also has a big decision to make up top, having once more shown his stubbornness to stick with the same 10 outfield players for a third game running in that 'disappointing' tie at Ewood Park.
One thing the former Leyton Orient chief has done, however, is turn Cardiff into one of the toughest sides to beat in the division. Just the single loss in 10 away outings goes some way to underlining that point, while it has also been 14 games since the Bluebirds last tasted defeat of any sort.
If City supporters are to remain firmly behind their side, then hard-fought draws (QPR), lucky escapes (Fulham) and near misses (Blackburn) must now be turned into victories.
This 46-point average in which Cardiff are currently on course to hit will certainly not win over the many doubters currently on Slade's back, regardless of any stats which help to prove that the performances have indeed improved since last term.
The incredible capitulation against QPR in midweek - a stark contrast to Cardiff's recent meeting with the Hoops - certainly calls into questions Wolves's promotion credentials.
Coming on the back of a 1-1 draw against Hull City just a few days prior, Kenny Jackett's men have made a somewhat inconsistent start to their second season back at this level by winning one, drawing one and losing one.
The sliding scale of those results suggests that Wanderers are maybe failing to live with their tag of heavily-backed favourites to claim a top-six spot, yet Jackett will not be fazed one iota at this stage.
Losing Bakary Sako earlier this summer may be felt for a while yet, but Benik Afobe has shown that he can more than step up to the plate. After turning down an approach from Norwich City for the prolific forward, Jackett will now hope that the Arsenal product can maintain his impressive form.
Afobe has now scored or assisted nine goals in his last 10 Championship outings, while also converting from the spot as Wolves saw off Newport County in the opening round of the League Cup.
It is up the other end of the field, though, where Jackett will perhaps be feeling a little more worried. One clean sheet in 10 league games, which came against Wigan at the tail end of last season, hints at a backline that needs strengthening.
In particular, Jackett's decision to overlook Carl Ikeme for his side's last two matches in favour of Emiliano Martinez appears to have backfired. The Arsenal loanee came in for criticism on the back of the 3-2 reverse at the hands of QPR, with Wolves falling apart after a strong start.
That was also the case against fellow promotion-hunting side Hull, with Wanderers dropping off their high levels to allow their opponents back into the game. Jackett, who saw his side run out of ideas slightly on Wednesday night, may now be forced into making some changes.
" Cardiff City Saturday go in search of their first win "
Preview: Cardiff City vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers
By Daniel Lewis, Football League Correspondent
Plus viewtopic.php?f=2&t=161712
Cardiff City play host to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday afternoon seeking their first win of the Championship campaign.
Wolves have enjoyed their visits to South Wales in recent years, but they come up against a resilient Bluebirds side who have made themselves tough to beat under Russell Slade.
Cardiff CityCardiff manager Russell Slade looks on ahead of the Sky Bet Championship match between Millwall and Cardiff City at The Den on October 25, 2014
With three games of the league season played, there is currently one big question being asked by Cardiff supporters - glass half empty or half full?
On the one hand, three points from a possible nine is not exactly a great outcome for a side harbouring just the slightest of promotion hopes. Yet on the other hand, an unbeaten start to the campaign - including two fixtures away from home - could now be used as a real springboard to push on.
Whichever way you look at it, Slade will no doubt be targeting a first three-point haul of the campaign when Wolves arrive this coming weekend. If that is to be the case in South Wales, then improvements will be required in a backline that has conceded in all three games to date.
Sean Morrison, who can no longer boast being captain upon David Marshall's return to the fold, was arguably at fault for Blackburn Rovers's late leveller last time out, as well as Clint Hill's opener in the dramatic 2-2 draw at Queens Park Rangers.
Slade also has a big decision to make up top, having once more shown his stubbornness to stick with the same 10 outfield players for a third game running in that 'disappointing' tie at Ewood Park.
One thing the former Leyton Orient chief has done, however, is turn Cardiff into one of the toughest sides to beat in the division. Just the single loss in 10 away outings goes some way to underlining that point, while it has also been 14 games since the Bluebirds last tasted defeat of any sort.
If City supporters are to remain firmly behind their side, then hard-fought draws (QPR), lucky escapes (Fulham) and near misses (Blackburn) must now be turned into victories.
This 46-point average in which Cardiff are currently on course to hit will certainly not win over the many doubters currently on Slade's back, regardless of any stats which help to prove that the performances have indeed improved since last term.
The incredible capitulation against QPR in midweek - a stark contrast to Cardiff's recent meeting with the Hoops - certainly calls into questions Wolves's promotion credentials.
Coming on the back of a 1-1 draw against Hull City just a few days prior, Kenny Jackett's men have made a somewhat inconsistent start to their second season back at this level by winning one, drawing one and losing one.
The sliding scale of those results suggests that Wanderers are maybe failing to live with their tag of heavily-backed favourites to claim a top-six spot, yet Jackett will not be fazed one iota at this stage.
Losing Bakary Sako earlier this summer may be felt for a while yet, but Benik Afobe has shown that he can more than step up to the plate. After turning down an approach from Norwich City for the prolific forward, Jackett will now hope that the Arsenal product can maintain his impressive form.
Afobe has now scored or assisted nine goals in his last 10 Championship outings, while also converting from the spot as Wolves saw off Newport County in the opening round of the League Cup.
It is up the other end of the field, though, where Jackett will perhaps be feeling a little more worried. One clean sheet in 10 league games, which came against Wigan at the tail end of last season, hints at a backline that needs strengthening.
In particular, Jackett's decision to overlook Carl Ikeme for his side's last two matches in favour of Emiliano Martinez appears to have backfired. The Arsenal loanee came in for criticism on the back of the 3-2 reverse at the hands of QPR, with Wolves falling apart after a strong start.
That was also the case against fellow promotion-hunting side Hull, with Wanderers dropping off their high levels to allow their opponents back into the game. Jackett, who saw his side run out of ideas slightly on Wednesday night, may now be forced into making some changes.
Re: " Cardiff City This Saturday "
Fri Aug 21, 2015 4:39 am
Team News
Slade has shown during his 10 months in South Wales that he is often reluctant to change his side, which could mean the Bluebirds remaining unchanged once again.
Goalkeeper Marshall was the only player brought in for the clash at Blackburn, leaving the likes of Craig Noone, Sammy Ameobi and Kenwyne Jones kicking their heels as they watched on.
Noone, with two goals to his name already this term, may now be thrown into the starting lineup in place of Anthony Pilkington, who had possibly his weakest game to date in the midweek draw, while Jones is also in contention to be given the nod up top.
In terms of the visitors, Jackett is unlikely to drop Martinez so soon after bringing him into the fold, but further changes could be made elsewhere.
Nouha Dicko is possibly one of those who will fall victim to the axe, with Liverpool loanee Seyi Ojo an option for the visiting side should they wish to add some further width.
Ethan Ebanks-Landell will also be eyeing up a place in defence after Wolves struggled to cope with the threat of Matt Phillips in midweek.
Cardiff City possible starting lineup:
Marshall; Malone, Connolly, Morrison, Peltier; Ralls, Dikgacoi, Whittingham, Noone; Mason, Jones
Wolverhampton Wanderers possible starting lineup:
Martinez; Iorfa, Stearman, Hause, Golbourne; Coady, Price, McDonald; Henry, van La Parra; Afobe
Head To Head
Cardiff have lost three of their last four home games against Wolves, while the Midlanders have only failed to score once in their last 11 league trips to Cardiff.
Sako's first-half goal proved the difference when the teams last met earlier this year, helping Wanderers to a third-successive league win.
The Bluebirds did record a comfortable 2-1 triumph at Molineux in 2013 on their way to promotion, however, in a campaign that ended with Wolves going the opposite way out of the division.
Slade has shown during his 10 months in South Wales that he is often reluctant to change his side, which could mean the Bluebirds remaining unchanged once again.
Goalkeeper Marshall was the only player brought in for the clash at Blackburn, leaving the likes of Craig Noone, Sammy Ameobi and Kenwyne Jones kicking their heels as they watched on.
Noone, with two goals to his name already this term, may now be thrown into the starting lineup in place of Anthony Pilkington, who had possibly his weakest game to date in the midweek draw, while Jones is also in contention to be given the nod up top.
In terms of the visitors, Jackett is unlikely to drop Martinez so soon after bringing him into the fold, but further changes could be made elsewhere.
Nouha Dicko is possibly one of those who will fall victim to the axe, with Liverpool loanee Seyi Ojo an option for the visiting side should they wish to add some further width.
Ethan Ebanks-Landell will also be eyeing up a place in defence after Wolves struggled to cope with the threat of Matt Phillips in midweek.
Cardiff City possible starting lineup:
Marshall; Malone, Connolly, Morrison, Peltier; Ralls, Dikgacoi, Whittingham, Noone; Mason, Jones
Wolverhampton Wanderers possible starting lineup:
Martinez; Iorfa, Stearman, Hause, Golbourne; Coady, Price, McDonald; Henry, van La Parra; Afobe
Head To Head
Cardiff have lost three of their last four home games against Wolves, while the Midlanders have only failed to score once in their last 11 league trips to Cardiff.
Sako's first-half goal proved the difference when the teams last met earlier this year, helping Wanderers to a third-successive league win.
The Bluebirds did record a comfortable 2-1 triumph at Molineux in 2013 on their way to promotion, however, in a campaign that ended with Wolves going the opposite way out of the division.
Re: " Cardiff City This Saturday "
Fri Aug 21, 2015 1:48 pm
Speaking to a wolves fan today in work he said we should have beat QPR as he watched it on sky and said we should turn them over, he also said the other night wolves looked good first half then fell apart second half vs QPR sounds like us vs Blackburn, only play one half of football, hopefully three points 
Re: " Cardiff City This Saturday "
Fri Aug 21, 2015 7:37 pm
Bluebird1977 wrote:Speaking to a wolves fan today in work he said we should have beat QPR as he watched it on sky and said we should turn them over, he also said the other night wolves looked good first half then fell apart second half vs QPR sounds like us vs Blackburn, only play one half of football, hopefully three points
Sounds promising.
Re: " Cardiff City This Saturday "
Sat Aug 22, 2015 1:22 am
first game of the season for me coz of work. i cant wait come on city
Re: " Cardiff City This Saturday "
Sat Aug 22, 2015 1:53 am
At the start of the season I would say most of us would have been happy avoiding defeat in our first four games against what look like difficult opposition.
Thing is the 3 teams we have played have appeared to not be that difficult for one reason or another. Now we have Wolves and looking at them it is coming over as not a difficult opposition at all. In fact excluding Middlesborough none of the other teams seem to be that difficult opposition at the moment.
So it begs the question have we improved or have the other teams been not as good as expected. I think the later and the cost cutting at the club might prove to be a big mistake come the end of the season.
Thing is the 3 teams we have played have appeared to not be that difficult for one reason or another. Now we have Wolves and looking at them it is coming over as not a difficult opposition at all. In fact excluding Middlesborough none of the other teams seem to be that difficult opposition at the moment.
So it begs the question have we improved or have the other teams been not as good as expected. I think the later and the cost cutting at the club might prove to be a big mistake come the end of the season.
Re: " Cardiff City This Saturday "
Sat Aug 22, 2015 10:34 am
Wondering what selection surprises awaits us today, hang on,its Slade, so that will be no surprises then