Three Crucial Fixtures for Cardiff City
Tue Dec 08, 2015 11:36 am
Three Crucial Fixtures for Cardiff City
http://insidecardiffcity.co.uk/three-cr ... diff-city/
Inside Cardiff City
Russell Slade’s men recently broke into the play-off positions but they now face a real battle to hold on to the all-important sixth place with three tricky yet crucial fixtures. Cardiff face three teams all on the outskirts of the play-off’s and all in the top half of the Championship table in the next fortnight.
Cardiff’s 3-2 win over strugglers’ Bolton was enough to propel them into the top six but they now face an even greater battle with three potentially season defining fixtures as they try to hold on to that final play-off spot going into Christmas.
They say that if you’re in the mix going into the new year then you are likely to be in the mix come the end of the season, Cardiff will be hoping they can fall into that trend but first they need to stick around for at least a few more weeks.
We’ll take a short look at the three tough fixtures and what Cardiff need to do keep hold of their current play-off place going into the Christmas.
*Sheffield Wednesday (Home)- Saturday 12th December*
First up is Sheffield Wednesday, a team just a place and a goal below the Bluebirds in the Sky Bet Championship table. Carlos Carvajal’s team has been praised throughout this season for their positive style of play but it has cost them on a few occasions and maybe that’s where Cardiff can exploit the Owls.
The Owls had a slow start to the season but five wins in seven games across the months of September and October saw them rise towards and into the top half. The good form even featured a strong Capital One Cup run which saw Carvajal’s team defeat Premier League outfit’s Newcastle United and Arsenal before being knocked out by Stoke City.
Wednesday’s rise up the table has been halted lately by poor form, achieving just one win in five league fixtures. In their last outing Wednesday picked up a point at home to promotion favourite’s Derby as both teams drew a blank in front of goal.
This fixture will be a difficult one for Cardiff who will need to show their ruthless side at home against play-off chasing rivals. Having said that, Russell Slade and his men will need to show a degree of respect against strong opponents featuring on-form Portuguese international Lucas Joao.
*Brentford (Home)- Tuesday 15th December*
Brentford have had a strange season and the Bee’s fans expected little else after Mark Warburton was sacked at the end of last season following a successful campaign. Warburton’s replacement Marinus Dijkhuizen was to last just under two months and was given the boot following a poor start to the season, he was temporarily replaced by Lee Carsley.
Despite caretaker manager Lee Carsley making it clear he didn’t want the job, he certainly did a good job while he was in charge. Carsley lost his first two games as temporary boss but soon put things right, winning four in a row and five in eight before handing the job over to new full-time manager Dean Smith who was brought in from in-form League One outfit Walsall.
New manager Dean Smith took three points from his first game in charge as the Bees expectedly saw off MK Dons at Griffin Park last weekend.
Brentford surprised many by getting into the play-off’s last season and some good form has moved them towards that top six once again this term. Brentford have a squad full of passion and under the right leadership, there’s no doubt they can push on to achieve success.
Losing Andre Gray was a big loss for Brentford but Lasse Vibe is proving to be a sufficient replacement and Brentford are still scoring goals. Brentford are currently in tenth spot, just one point behind Cardiff in sixth.
Cardiff should be looking to take another three points at home next Tuesday but it won’t be easy. Brentford will always put up a good fight but ultimately, Cardiff have to show them that it’s not enough. The Bees will still be on cloud nine with the ‘new manager bounce’ likely to still be in full swing but if Cardiff want to succeed this season, they have to put tough opponents like Brentford to bed, especially at home.
*Birmingham City (Away)- Friday 18th December*
The third of the potentially season defining fixtures for Cardiff and the only away trip they have to make, or be it a very short one. Birmingham who were, until recently, clinging on to the sixth spot, are now in eighth place, one point behind Cardiff.
Gary Rowett’s improving Blues continue their improvement as they push on towards a play-off place this season and they are more than likely to be one of Cardiff’s main contenders for that final spot come the end of this season in May.
Birmingham have a decent solid squad but a little like Cardiff, a lack of consistency is holding them back from pushing further up the league table. The Blues’ good form has been halted of late by three consecutive defeats including a very disappointing home loss to Huddersfield Town most recently.
The Midlands’ club current situation is more than relate-able for Cardiff fans, current boss Rowett has had to build a squad on a minor budget and there doesn’t seem to be any major investment coming any time soon. Like Russell Slade and his Cardiff side, Rowett relies on team spirit and that will be the key for Birmingham this term.
Strangely, Birmingham are on a real goal drought at home with Blues’ fans not seeing a goal at St Andrews since October 17th when they saw off QPR in a 2-1 victory.
This one will be a very tough trip for Cardiff and Birmingham will be well into the process of re-gaining their top form. If Cardiff can collect a good bunch of points from the two home games prior to this one then they can afford to get a solid point from St Andrews but even that will be a tough ask against one of their biggest play-off rivals.
*What Cardiff need to do*
All three fixtures will be very difficult and Cardiff will have to put a lot in to get anything back against teams who will be looking to replace Cardiff in that top six. If Cardiff can grab around seven points from the three then they would certainly be in a very good place come Christmas day.
It’s a tough ask, no doubt, but if Russell Slade can keep his side unbeaten during this period then he may find his teams Play-off place (at least) temporarily consolidated, giving them a little bit of breathing space going into the new year.
Ideally, Cardiff need to do well at home during this period, especially with supporters’ numbers already dwindling and their confidence likewise. The Birmingham fixture will be tough, especially as it’s on the Friday (due to Sky Sports selection) just a few days after the Brentford game on the Tuesday, making rotation in the team more than likely.
http://insidecardiffcity.co.uk/three-cr ... diff-city/
Inside Cardiff City
Russell Slade’s men recently broke into the play-off positions but they now face a real battle to hold on to the all-important sixth place with three tricky yet crucial fixtures. Cardiff face three teams all on the outskirts of the play-off’s and all in the top half of the Championship table in the next fortnight.
Cardiff’s 3-2 win over strugglers’ Bolton was enough to propel them into the top six but they now face an even greater battle with three potentially season defining fixtures as they try to hold on to that final play-off spot going into Christmas.
They say that if you’re in the mix going into the new year then you are likely to be in the mix come the end of the season, Cardiff will be hoping they can fall into that trend but first they need to stick around for at least a few more weeks.
We’ll take a short look at the three tough fixtures and what Cardiff need to do keep hold of their current play-off place going into the Christmas.
*Sheffield Wednesday (Home)- Saturday 12th December*
First up is Sheffield Wednesday, a team just a place and a goal below the Bluebirds in the Sky Bet Championship table. Carlos Carvajal’s team has been praised throughout this season for their positive style of play but it has cost them on a few occasions and maybe that’s where Cardiff can exploit the Owls.
The Owls had a slow start to the season but five wins in seven games across the months of September and October saw them rise towards and into the top half. The good form even featured a strong Capital One Cup run which saw Carvajal’s team defeat Premier League outfit’s Newcastle United and Arsenal before being knocked out by Stoke City.
Wednesday’s rise up the table has been halted lately by poor form, achieving just one win in five league fixtures. In their last outing Wednesday picked up a point at home to promotion favourite’s Derby as both teams drew a blank in front of goal.
This fixture will be a difficult one for Cardiff who will need to show their ruthless side at home against play-off chasing rivals. Having said that, Russell Slade and his men will need to show a degree of respect against strong opponents featuring on-form Portuguese international Lucas Joao.
*Brentford (Home)- Tuesday 15th December*
Brentford have had a strange season and the Bee’s fans expected little else after Mark Warburton was sacked at the end of last season following a successful campaign. Warburton’s replacement Marinus Dijkhuizen was to last just under two months and was given the boot following a poor start to the season, he was temporarily replaced by Lee Carsley.
Despite caretaker manager Lee Carsley making it clear he didn’t want the job, he certainly did a good job while he was in charge. Carsley lost his first two games as temporary boss but soon put things right, winning four in a row and five in eight before handing the job over to new full-time manager Dean Smith who was brought in from in-form League One outfit Walsall.
New manager Dean Smith took three points from his first game in charge as the Bees expectedly saw off MK Dons at Griffin Park last weekend.
Brentford surprised many by getting into the play-off’s last season and some good form has moved them towards that top six once again this term. Brentford have a squad full of passion and under the right leadership, there’s no doubt they can push on to achieve success.
Losing Andre Gray was a big loss for Brentford but Lasse Vibe is proving to be a sufficient replacement and Brentford are still scoring goals. Brentford are currently in tenth spot, just one point behind Cardiff in sixth.
Cardiff should be looking to take another three points at home next Tuesday but it won’t be easy. Brentford will always put up a good fight but ultimately, Cardiff have to show them that it’s not enough. The Bees will still be on cloud nine with the ‘new manager bounce’ likely to still be in full swing but if Cardiff want to succeed this season, they have to put tough opponents like Brentford to bed, especially at home.
*Birmingham City (Away)- Friday 18th December*
The third of the potentially season defining fixtures for Cardiff and the only away trip they have to make, or be it a very short one. Birmingham who were, until recently, clinging on to the sixth spot, are now in eighth place, one point behind Cardiff.
Gary Rowett’s improving Blues continue their improvement as they push on towards a play-off place this season and they are more than likely to be one of Cardiff’s main contenders for that final spot come the end of this season in May.
Birmingham have a decent solid squad but a little like Cardiff, a lack of consistency is holding them back from pushing further up the league table. The Blues’ good form has been halted of late by three consecutive defeats including a very disappointing home loss to Huddersfield Town most recently.
The Midlands’ club current situation is more than relate-able for Cardiff fans, current boss Rowett has had to build a squad on a minor budget and there doesn’t seem to be any major investment coming any time soon. Like Russell Slade and his Cardiff side, Rowett relies on team spirit and that will be the key for Birmingham this term.
Strangely, Birmingham are on a real goal drought at home with Blues’ fans not seeing a goal at St Andrews since October 17th when they saw off QPR in a 2-1 victory.
This one will be a very tough trip for Cardiff and Birmingham will be well into the process of re-gaining their top form. If Cardiff can collect a good bunch of points from the two home games prior to this one then they can afford to get a solid point from St Andrews but even that will be a tough ask against one of their biggest play-off rivals.
*What Cardiff need to do*
All three fixtures will be very difficult and Cardiff will have to put a lot in to get anything back against teams who will be looking to replace Cardiff in that top six. If Cardiff can grab around seven points from the three then they would certainly be in a very good place come Christmas day.
It’s a tough ask, no doubt, but if Russell Slade can keep his side unbeaten during this period then he may find his teams Play-off place (at least) temporarily consolidated, giving them a little bit of breathing space going into the new year.
Ideally, Cardiff need to do well at home during this period, especially with supporters’ numbers already dwindling and their confidence likewise. The Birmingham fixture will be tough, especially as it’s on the Friday (due to Sky Sports selection) just a few days after the Brentford game on the Tuesday, making rotation in the team more than likely.
Re: Three Crucial Fixtures for Cardiff City
Tue Dec 08, 2015 5:12 pm
I'm confident we can win these. 
Re: Three Crucial Fixtures for Cardiff City
Wed Dec 09, 2015 12:08 am
Rydogsccfc wrote:I'm confident we can win these.
if we win all three then our goal for the season should be automatic promotion rather than play offs
Getting carried away now just want to be in the mix so 2 wins from 3 would be fine.
Re: Three Crucial Fixtures for Cardiff City
Wed Dec 09, 2015 12:12 am
neathbluebird wrote:Rydogsccfc wrote:I'm confident we can win these.
if we win all three then our goal for the season should be automatic promotion rather than play offs
Getting carried away now just want to be in the mix so 2 wins from 3 would be fine.
Yes win these and autos is a real possibility.
Re: Three Crucial Fixtures for Cardiff City
Wed Dec 09, 2015 12:56 am
We won't win all these though. If we do I'd be very shocked! End of the day, Slade can't take us to the next level. I don't think anyone believes he can take us forward as a club. Slade out! Bellamy in!
Re: Three Crucial Fixtures for Cardiff City
Wed Dec 09, 2015 7:32 am
lathamgaffney wrote:We won't win all these though. If we do I'd be very shocked! End of the day, Slade can't take us to the next level. I don't think anyone believes he can take us forward as a club. Slade out! Bellamy in!
Why can't Slade take us to the next level?
Have belief for god sake we can do this just get behind the bloody team