' MATCH THREAD ' CARDIFF CITY v CHARLTON ' MATCH THREAD'

CARDIFF CITY v CHARLTON
Championship
Saturday, 26 September, 15:00
Cardiff City Stadium

Morrison, Connolly, Ralls, Pilkighton, Whittingham,Dikgacoi, Jones and Mason

Sub Wilson, Tamas, Manga, Noone, Gunnarsson Ameobi and Revell

Bookies
Cardiff (10/11) Draw (13/5) Charlton (11/4)

Pay on the day

LATEST TEAM NEWS

Lee Peltier is a doubt for Cardiff City's clash with Charlton Athletic as Scott Malone prepares to come in

Lee Peltier is a doubt due to swelling on his leg
Slade says Bruno Manga will have to wait for his chance
Kenwyne Jones is set to return to the side


Charlton have sold approx 550 tickets so far.

" UPDATED DAILY "

Team News

Cardiff City

Federico Macheda has undergone back surgery which keeps him out, while Ben Turner remains out for the next couple of months. David Marshall has had his suspension reduced from three game to two after a (moderately) successful appeal but he will, of course, still miss this fixture. Simon Moore will be the Scots replacement. Vice- Captain Sean Morrison is expected to captain the team. Aron Gunnarsson limped off towards the end of a development team fixture mid-week but it did not seem to be anything serious and he should be available for selection this Saturday.



CONOR McAleny starred on loan for Cardiff City last season – and he could come back to haunt the Bluebirds when he returns to Wales with Charlton Athletic on Saturday.

Newcastle United FC loanee Sammy Ameobi delights Cardiff City boss Russell Slade but is likely to lose his place and be back on the bench.


David Marshall is Suspended


Cardiff City have only 3 current injury concerns with Ben Turner, Federico Macheda and Idrris Saadi in the treatment room.

Turner is still a couple of months away from returning to action after ankle surgery, but is ready to step up his running regime next week.

Macheda is being treated for a back problem and there is a slight chance he might be ready for this Saturday’s Championship home match against Charlton? ? ?

Idrris Saadi should be ready by mid October,he is doing light training



Latest News


Match Preview

Cardiff will be without keeper Marshall for Saturday's home match against Charlton following his red card against Rotherham.

Cardiff have lost their last two games, whilst Charlton haven't won in their last four matches.
Their last league win was back in August against Hull.

Possible Lineups

Cardiff City

21 Moore
02 Peltier
04 Morrison
16 Connolly
03 Fabio
11 Noone
15 Dikgacoi
07 Whittingham
08 Ralls
38 Ameobi
10 Mason

Charlton

30 Pope
20 Solly
12 Diarra
05 Bauer
21 Fox
07 Berg Gudmundsson
08 Cousins
03 Kashi
19 Bergdich
31 Kennedy
32 Watt

The Opposition

Charlton Athletic Football Club is an English football club based in Charlton in the Royal Borough of Greenwich, London. They currently play in the Football League Championship.

The club was founded on 9 June 1905. This was when a number of youth clubs in the south east London area, including East Street Mission and Blundell Mission combined to form Charlton Athletic. The club play at The Valley in Charlton, where they have played since 1919, apart from one year in Catford, during 1923–24, and seven years at Crystal Palace and West Ham United between 1985 and 1992.

The club's traditional kit consists of red shirts, white shorts and red socks and their most commonly used nickname is The Addicks. Charlton turned professional in 1920 and first entered the Football League in 1921. Since then they have had four separate periods in the top flight of English football: 1936–1957, 1986–1990, 1998–1999 and 2000–2007. Historically, Charlton's most successful period was the 1930s, when the club's highest league finishes were recorded, including runners-up of the First Division in 1937. After World War II, the club reached the FA Cup Final twice, losing in 1946 and winning in 1947.

2015/16 Latest Results

Cardiff

SAT 20 SEP 2015 - CHAMPIONSHIP Rotherham 2 - 1 Cardiff
TUE 15 SEP 2015 - CHAMPIONSHIP Cardiff 0 - 2 Hull
SAT 12 SEP 2015 - CHAMPIONSHIP Cardiff 2 - 0 Huddersfield
SAT 29 AUG 2015 - CHAMPIONSHIP Nottm Forest 1 - 2 Cardiff

Charlton

SAT 19 SEP 2015 - CHAMPIONSHIP Blackburn 3 - 0 Charlton
TUE 15 SEP 2015 - CHAMPIONSHIP Charlton 1 - 2 Huddersfield
SAT 12 SEP 2015 - CHAMPIONSHIP Charlton 1 - 1 Rotherham
SAT 29 AUG 2015 - CHAMPIONSHIP Wolves 2 - 1 Charlton

Last 5 meetings

2014/2015 Sat 07 Mar Cardiff City 1 - 2 Charlton Ath. Championship
2014/2015 Fri 26 Dec Charlton Ath. 1 - 1 Cardiff City Championship
2012/2013 Tue 16 Apr Cardiff City 0 - 0 Charlton Ath. Championship
2012/2013 Tue 06 Nov Charlton Ath. 5 - 4 Cardiff City Championship
2008/2009 Tue 21 Apr Charlton Ath. 2 - 2 Cardiff City Championship


Previous Highlights




Match Odds

Cardiff 10/11
Draw 12/5
Charlton 14/5


Tickets

Tickets can be purchased in person at the ticket office situated in the Grandstand, next to corporate entrance 2.

Alternatively you can call the Stadium Ticket Office on 0845 345 1400, which is open from 9am to 5:30pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 3pm on non match-day Saturdays.

The easiest way is to book online.

To purchase your membership please contact our Ticket Office or click here: https://www.eticketing.co.uk/cardiffcity/default.aspx

0845 345 1400

Ticket prices: http://www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/cms_imag ... 536009.jpg

Guess the Score / Attendance

Post your predicted score/attendance below

Narrow City victory watched in front of 12000. 2-1

2-0

1-1 tricky game this one

3-1 City.

0_1

1-1 tricky game this one

Every game is a tricky one! I'll go 2-1 City.

2-2

3-1

Cardiff City have only 3 current injury concerns with Ben Turner, Federico Macheda and Idrris Saadi in the treatment room.

Turner is still a couple of months away from returning to action after ankle surgery, but is ready to step up his running regime next week.


Macheda is being treated for a back problem and there is a slight chance he might be ready for this Saturday’s Championship home match against Charlton? ? ?

Idrris Saadi should be ready by mid October.

Newcastle United FC loanee Sammy Ameobi delights Cardiff City boss Russell Slade but is likely to lose his place and be back on the bench.

Ex-Cardiff City loan star Conor McAleny could return to haunt the Bluebirds with Charlton Athletic

23 SEP 2015


BY TERRY PHILLIPS

Everton FC youngster made a good central impression at Cardiff City Stadium, but is set for Addicks debut as a wideman


CONOR McAleny starred on loan for Cardiff City last season – and he could come back to haunt the Bluebirds when he returns to Wales with Charlton Athletic on Saturday.

McAleny, 23, starred as an attacking central midfield player for Cardiff during a two-month stay from Everton last season, scoring twice in eight Championship appearances.


His first appearance, against Sheffield Wednesday, was at the tip of a midfield diamond, just behind Kenwyne Jones and Eoin Doyle.

“Conor puts in a good shift and is a quality finisher,” said Slade at the time, and the youngster played a key role in Cardiff’s end-of-season improvement in form.


Having returned to Goodison and been assured he has a future there, McAleny moved to Charlton on a short-term loan until November, though he may be patrolling the flanks at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Charlton coach Guy Luzon insisted: “Conor is a winger, not a central attacking player” and used him out wide as a substitute in the Addicks’ last two defeats against Huddersfield and Blackburn.



Now, McAleny is poised for his first start in Charlton colours, possibly replacing out-of-sorts Zakara Bergdich, while on-loan 6ft 7ins Danish centre-forward Simon Makienok may return too.

Makienok, signed from Serie A club Palma, missed the defeat against Blackburn because of a hamstring injury. Mikhail Kennedy and Tony Watt led the Charlton attack.

Wales Under-21 international Morgan Fox,looks likely to be included in the Charlton Athletic side to face Cardiff City

Now the Londoners are ready to recall the towering Makienok alongside Watt, while Chris Solly will continue to captain the team unless Johnnie Jackson is added to the team. Club skipper Jackson has been struggling to earn a starting place with Icelandic ace Johann Berg Gudmundsson and Jordan Cousins playing in the central roles.

Wales Under-21 international Morgan Fox, who was also in the senior squad for Euro qualifiers against Cyprus and Israel, will be at full-back for Charlton.

Charlton have sold approx 533 tickets so far.

City to win 2-1 (11,200)

3-0

Charlton head coach Guy Luzon revealed he could not risk losing anymore players to injury after his side’s Capital One Cup exit to local rivals Crystal Palace.

Dwight Gayle’s second-half hat-trick ensured that the bragging rights remained firmly with the Premier League outfit.

Before the game, the Israeli fielded out a weakened Charlton XI as notable stalwarts Ahmed Kashi, Patrick Bauer, Johann Berg Gudmundsson and Tony Watt were left on the bench.

Luzon said: “Of course, I always want to play with my strongest team but thinking of Cardiff on Saturday, we could not take any risks with anymore players.
“Igor Vetokele, Simon Makienok, Christian Ceballos and Reza are all injured and will not play on the weekend so I needed to make sure everyone stayed fit.

“I knew before the game that we had a short squad and because of that I had to rotate.”

September 21 marked the 30th year anniversary when Charlton had to leave the Valley to groundshare with their South-East London rivals - the cup tie could not have come at a better time.

Team News

Cardiff City

Federico Macheda has undergone back surgery which keeps him out, while Ben Turner remains out for the next couple of months. David Marshall has had his suspension reduced from three game to two after a (moderately) successful appeal but he will, of course, still miss this fixture. Simon Moore will be the Scots replacement. Vice- Captain Sean Morrison is expected to captain the team. Aron Gunnarsson limped off towards the end of a development team fixture mid-week but it did not seem to be anything serious and he should be available for selection this Saturday.

Charlton Athletic

The Addicks will be without Alou Diarra for the trip to Wales after the defensive midfielder was sent off during the Capitol One Cup trip to Crystal Palace. Charlton have recently signed former Cardiff man Conor McAleny, the talented Everton striker who had a loan spell at Cardiff last season, joined on loan late last week. Franck Moussa is finally returning to action after ten-months out while Cristian Ceballos and Simon Makienok remain out.

Bookies



Cardiff (10/11) Draw (13/5) Charlton (11/4)

Cardiff have lost two on the bounce and are in danger of throwing away their good start.

This is a chance to get back on track against an indifferent Charlton side

A bad few weeks for the Addicks continued in midweek against rivals Crystal Palace and Guy Luzon needs a win.

Possible Cardiff City starting XI: Moore, Peltier, Connolly, Morrison, Fabio, Pilkington, Whittingham, Dikagcoi, Ralls, Mason, Jones.

Possible Charlton Athletic starting XI: Pope, Solly, Diarra, Bauer, Fox, Bergdich, Cousins, Kashi, Gudmundsson, Watt, Makienok.

' Slade looks set to turn to the 10 outfield players '


Cardiff City team vs Charlton: Kenwyne Jones and Anthony Pilkington expected to return to starting XI

24 SEP 2015


BY TERRY PHILLIPS


Bluebirds boss Russell Slade looks set to turn to the 10 outfield players who featured in the wins against Wolves, Nottingham Forest and Huddersfield


Kenwyne Jones and Anthony Pilkington are expected to start for Cardiff City on SaturdayKenwyne Jones and Anthony Pilkington are expected to start for Cardiff City on Saturday

Kenwyne Jones and Anthony Pilkington are expected to return to the Cardiff City team to face Charlton.

Manager Russell Slade is expected to revert to the XI that made a superb start to the Championship season and saw them second after six games.




Striker Jones and winger Pilkington both starred in the early season run but were left out at Rotherham last weekend as Newcastle loanee Sammy Ameobi and Craig Noone were given their shot.

Are you expecting a win against Charlton?
YES
NO


As the Addicks come to town, Slade is set to call on the same 10 outfield who won against Wolves, Nottingham Forest and Huddersfield in the season's opening weeks.

The only change will be David Marshall, who is banned for two games after his red card at Rotherham. Simon Moore will replace him, as he did at the start of this season.



The form of Fabio is currently keeping Scott Malone out, while the likes of Bruno Manga and Aaron Gunnarsson are waiting patiently for their chance to impress.

Ben Turner (ankle) and Federico Macheda (back) are both recovering after surgery, although they will be ruled out for some time yet, while French centre-forward Idriss Saadi is being given time to adjust to playing in a new country.

Saadi is not injured, but needs to lift his fitness levels to those needed for Championship football.

He will be in contention after the next international break when the Bluebirds go to Preston on Saturday, October 17.




Charlton have gone five matches without a win, scoring four goals and conceding 12. They crashed out of the Capital One Cup in a 4-1 defeat against Crystal Palace and coach Guy Luzon said: “We need to move on from this, focus on the league and increase our levels of performance to bring a (positive) result against Cardiff.

“That is a very important game for us and we will do everything to take the points.”



Cardiff City team (probable, v Charlton) 4-4-1-1

Simon Moore; Lee Peltier, Sean Morrison (capt), Matt Connolly, Fabio

Anthony Pilkington, Kagisho Dikgacoi, Peter Whittingham, Joe Ralls

Joe Mason; Kenwyne Jones

Let's support the team for 90 mins plus on Sat

Cardiff City -
Cardiff began the season with three wins and three draws from their opening half-a-dozen fixtures in the Championship, but back-to-back setbacks have sent the Bluebirds tumbling outside of the playoff spots.

The 2-0 defeat to Hull City was down to a combination of wayward finishing and a resolute defensive performance from the Tigers, while they found themselves on the wrong end of a 2-1 scoreline against Rotherham United after the first-half dismissal of goalkeeper David Marshall.

The Welsh club would have earned a point had it not been for a last-minute own goal, but nevertheless, successive matches without a point has changed the mood at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Manager Russell Slade is coming up to a year in charge of the club, and a return of 18 victories and 16 defeats is only considered an average record at a club who have failed to produce the desired response after suffering relegation from the Premier League in 2014.

It is still early in the season, but the next few weeks could play a significant part in whether Cardiff are to be considered genuine contenders for the playoffs or a club who will endure another inconsistent campaign in an unforgiving league.

Recent form: DWWWLL
Recent form (all competitions): WLWWLL

Charlton Athletic -
Over the course of the first six games of the season, the excitement at The Valley grew to its highest level since their return to the second tier of English football in 2012.

However, it has taken just five fixtures for that early-season optimism to disappear and boss Guy Luzon has a major job on his hands to halt a run of form that has included four defeats and 12 goals being scored against the Addicks.

Last weekend, Charlton succumbed 3-0 to a Blackburn Rovers side who had previously failed to register a win all season, while in midweek, they were on the end of a 4-1 thrashing from London rivals Crystal Palace in the League Cup.

Luzon put their second-half capitulation down to the lack of experience in the side due to injuries, but three of the four losses that they have suffered since August 29 have been down to goals shipped in the second period.

Saturday's game will represent Charlton's third away game in the space of a week and tiredness may be a factor, but with his team now just two points above the relegation zone - a month after sitting in third - Luzon cannot afford another defeat.

Recent form: DWLDLL
Recent form (all competitions): WLDLLL

Preview: Cardiff City vs. Charlton Athletic
By Darren Plant

25/09/15

Cardiff City will be hoping to avoid a third defeat in a row when they host Charlton Athletic in the Championship on Saturday afternoon.

Charlton make the trip to South Wales in even worse form, with no win being recorded in all competitions since August 25.


Cardiff began the season with three wins and three draws from their opening half-a-dozen fixtures in the Championship, but back-to-back setbacks have sent the Bluebirds tumbling outside of the playoff spots.

The 2-0 defeat to Hull City was down to a combination of wayward finishing and a resolute defensive performance from the Tigers, while they found themselves on the wrong end of a 2-1 scoreline against Rotherham United after the first-half dismissal of goalkeeper David Marshall.

The Welsh club would have earned a point had it not been for a last-minute own goal, but nevertheless, successive matches without a point has changed the mood at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Manager Russell Slade is coming up to a year in charge of the club, and a return of 18 victories and 16 defeats is only considered an average record at a club who have failed to produce the desired response after suffering relegation from the Premier League in 2014.

It is still early in the season, but the next few weeks could play a significant part in whether Cardiff are to be considered genuine contenders for the playoffs or a club who will endure another inconsistent campaign in an unforgiving league.

Recent form: DWWWLL
Recent form (all competitions): WLWWLL



Over the course of the first six games of the season, the excitement at The Valley grew to its highest level since their return to the second tier of English football in 2012.

However, it has taken just five fixtures for that early-season optimism to disappear and boss Guy Luzon has a major job on his hands to halt a run of form that has included four defeats and 12 goals being scored against the Addicks.

Last weekend, Charlton succumbed 3-0 to a Blackburn Rovers side who had previously failed to register a win all season, while in midweek, they were on the end of a 4-1 thrashing from London rivals Crystal Palace in the League Cup.

Luzon put their second-half capitulation down to the lack of experience in the side due to injuries, but three of the four losses that they have suffered since August 29 have been down to goals shipped in the second period.

Saturday's game will represent Charlton's third away game in the space of a week and tiredness may be a factor, but with his team now just two points above the relegation zone - a month after sitting in third - Luzon cannot afford another defeat.

Recent form: DWLDLL
Recent form (all competitions): WLDLLL


Team News

Second-choice goalkeeper Simon Moore will start in place of Marshall, who will sit out the next two games through suspension.

Cardiff boss Slade is likely to make further alterations to his team, with Anthony Pilkington and Kenwyne Jones potential inclusions in midfield and attack.

Luzon indicated after the defeat to Palace that he would have the same squad at his disposal, but Johann Berg Gudmundsson and Tony Watt are likely to come back into the team.

Reza Ghoochannejhad and Franck Moussa are among as many as seven players who are sidelined, while a decision must be made regarding Igor Vetokele, who is the subject of interest from Bolton Wanderers.



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

Charlton Athletic possible starting lineup:
Pope, Solly, Diarra, Bauer, Fox, Bergdich, Cousins, Kashi, Gudmundsson, Watt, Makienok



Head To Head
Charlton have the edge in the head-to-head record between the two teams, winning 33 times from 72 matches compared to just the 21 triumphs for Cardiff.

The Welsh club have also won just once in their eight most recent meetings, which came back in 2008.

Charlton boast a five-match unbeaten streak, but three of those matches have ended in a draw.

Lee Peltier is a doubt due to swelling on his leg
Slade says Bruno Manga will have to wait for his chance
Kenwyne Jones is set to return to the side

' Russell Slade on... His squad '


25/09/2015

I look at my bench and I’m very pleased with what I see. There’s the competition there.

From time to time players will think ‘why am I not in the side?’ - but once they roll their sleeves up and do something about it that’s the response you want. We’ve got that right now and there’s one or two absolutely dying to get out there at the minute which is really good for us and a good sign of the team.

Lee Peltier is a doubt for Cardiff City's clash with Charlton Athletic as Scott Malone prepares to come in

Cardiff City atmosphere debate: Russell Slade implores fans to turn up and says 'There are times when we NEED you'


25 SEP 2015


BY CHRIS WATHAN

With Bluebirds fans holding meetings aimed at improving the stadium atmosphere, Russell Slade has joined the debate


' Russell Slade insists his Cardiff City team need the fans '

Cardiff City fans have been told they can be the difference as the Bluebirds look to get back on track at home against Charlton - but Russell Slade has warned his stars they need to do the business regardless.

Supporters have met this week in a bid to try and improve atmosphere and attendances at Cardiff City Stadium after dwindling numbers and noise levels in the early part of the season.




And Slade has admitted, as they look to put back-to-back defeats behind them come the clash with the Addicks, home support could prove crucial in getting them over the line.

But while discussions and ideas continue as how to manufacture the kind of home buzz missing of late, Slade admits his players have to perform whether gates improve or not.


Cardiff’s last win – the 2-0 victory over Huddersfield at the start of the month – drew the club’s lowest home attendance since promotion to the Championship in 2003, and Slade said: “Whenever we play at home it’s an opportunity for us to show there is something to get excited about with this side.

"Of course we want as many people down there as possible behind us because it does help.

"There are times when the team need that support and you can almost feel a build-up of momentum on and off the pitch.


"When you’re all pulling in that direction it can pull a ball into the net when you get those fine lines between winning or losing - fans can have that influence, especially at home.

"We all want that vibrant home crowd and positivity from the stands – but by the same token the players are professionals and they have to have a focus to perform at their best and not allow any external influences to affect that.

"We need that same concentration on their jobs whether there was a full crowd or nobody in the stadium."

I am going for a City win and will say 3-1