" NO EXCUSES/WE CAN MAKE THE PLAY OFFS "
Fri Mar 25, 2016 12:47 pm
" Think Cardiff City are chokers? These facts prove they are really strong finishers "
By Paul Abbandonato
25/03/16
No pressure Russell, but there are 5.14 BILLION reasons why Cardiff must make the top.
There are 5.14 billion reasons why Cardiff City are about to embark upon what is being described as a "season-defining" eight match sequence of Championship fixtures.
That is the sum of money at stake for teams going into the Premier League next season, given the vast riches of the new TV deal.
The stakes really could not be higher, with a place in the play-offs and a shootout for the top flight on the line.
Some reckon Russell Slade has done a decent job getting his Bluebirds within touching distance of sixth place, given the behind the scenes shenanigans he has had to deal with this season.
Others reckon that in a poor Championship, the minimum aim for this gifted squad of players should be the top six. That's not just the view of outsiders either. Club chairman Mehmet Dalman and midfield stalwart Aron Gunnarson are on record as saying something similar.
Whatever your views of whether Slade has under-achieved, is just about par for the course or even punching above his weight, once the international break is over the time will have arrived for everyone to rally around the Bluebirds and try to help drive them over the play-off and promotion line.
Many remain highly sceptical about whether Cardiff can crack the top six under Slade. Currently they stand in seventh, three points behind Sheffield Wednesday.
On paper they have some really difficult fixtures left in their final eight matches.
On the other hand, two things are very much in Cardiff's favour.
One is that their destiny is very much in their own hands, with games to come against Derby, Sheffield Wednesday and Birmingham. Each of those are direct rivals for the two berths available to join likely men Burnley, Brighton, Middlesbrough and Hull in the final top six.
The other, and this is where the omens look good, is that Cardiff are traditionally strong finishers in the Championship.
Because of the tospy-turvy nature of this division, it's impossible to predict just how many points will be required to finish sixth or above this time around.
But a repeat of recent seasons past might just be enough for Slade's Bluebirds.
We've taken a look at the final eight-match run-in of Cardiff's last seven Championship campaigns and the facts and figures spell good news.
Of the 56 final run-in games played over that seven-year period, Cardiff have won 26, drawn 21 and lost just nine.
That's with a combination of Slade, Malky Mackay and Dave Jones in charge.
Every season is different, of course, but Cardiff can definitely take encouragement from the fact they have finished recent campaigns stronger than most.
Their run-in this time around begins on Saturday April 2 with a home game against Derby, where a highest crowd of the season of 20,000-plus are expected to turn up at Cardiff City Stadium.
Cardiff have away games at Burnley, Fulham, Brentford and Sheffield Wednesday, and other home fixtures with QPR, Bolton and Birmingham.
They may be outsiders, to many. But it's very much in Cardiff's own hands.
It's going to be nip and tuck right down to the wire. But Cardiff finished strongly enough under Slade a year ago. They have to replicate that form when it really matters this time around.
The stakes could not be higher.
By Paul Abbandonato
25/03/16
No pressure Russell, but there are 5.14 BILLION reasons why Cardiff must make the top.
There are 5.14 billion reasons why Cardiff City are about to embark upon what is being described as a "season-defining" eight match sequence of Championship fixtures.
That is the sum of money at stake for teams going into the Premier League next season, given the vast riches of the new TV deal.
The stakes really could not be higher, with a place in the play-offs and a shootout for the top flight on the line.
Some reckon Russell Slade has done a decent job getting his Bluebirds within touching distance of sixth place, given the behind the scenes shenanigans he has had to deal with this season.
Others reckon that in a poor Championship, the minimum aim for this gifted squad of players should be the top six. That's not just the view of outsiders either. Club chairman Mehmet Dalman and midfield stalwart Aron Gunnarson are on record as saying something similar.
Whatever your views of whether Slade has under-achieved, is just about par for the course or even punching above his weight, once the international break is over the time will have arrived for everyone to rally around the Bluebirds and try to help drive them over the play-off and promotion line.
Many remain highly sceptical about whether Cardiff can crack the top six under Slade. Currently they stand in seventh, three points behind Sheffield Wednesday.
On paper they have some really difficult fixtures left in their final eight matches.
On the other hand, two things are very much in Cardiff's favour.
One is that their destiny is very much in their own hands, with games to come against Derby, Sheffield Wednesday and Birmingham. Each of those are direct rivals for the two berths available to join likely men Burnley, Brighton, Middlesbrough and Hull in the final top six.
The other, and this is where the omens look good, is that Cardiff are traditionally strong finishers in the Championship.
Because of the tospy-turvy nature of this division, it's impossible to predict just how many points will be required to finish sixth or above this time around.
But a repeat of recent seasons past might just be enough for Slade's Bluebirds.
We've taken a look at the final eight-match run-in of Cardiff's last seven Championship campaigns and the facts and figures spell good news.
Of the 56 final run-in games played over that seven-year period, Cardiff have won 26, drawn 21 and lost just nine.
That's with a combination of Slade, Malky Mackay and Dave Jones in charge.
Every season is different, of course, but Cardiff can definitely take encouragement from the fact they have finished recent campaigns stronger than most.
Their run-in this time around begins on Saturday April 2 with a home game against Derby, where a highest crowd of the season of 20,000-plus are expected to turn up at Cardiff City Stadium.
Cardiff have away games at Burnley, Fulham, Brentford and Sheffield Wednesday, and other home fixtures with QPR, Bolton and Birmingham.
They may be outsiders, to many. But it's very much in Cardiff's own hands.
It's going to be nip and tuck right down to the wire. But Cardiff finished strongly enough under Slade a year ago. They have to replicate that form when it really matters this time around.
The stakes could not be higher.
Re: " NO EXCUSES/WE CAN MAKE THE PLAY OFFS "
Fri Mar 25, 2016 1:48 pm
Quite simply three points against Derby in front of a passionate crowd would nail it to the mast!! Derby have brought in Redknapp at the right time, but it's time we have then a Ninian park welcome. Can't wait 
Re: " NO EXCUSES/WE CAN MAKE THE PLAY OFFS "
Fri Mar 25, 2016 1:52 pm
Stringfellow wrote:Quite simply three points against Derby in front of a passionate crowd would nail it to the mast!! Derby have brought in Redknapp at the right time, but it's time we have then a Ninian park welcome. Can't wait
Probably the biggest game of our season so far
Let's hope for a solid performance & 3 big points
Re: " NO EXCUSES/WE CAN MAKE THE PLAY OFFS "
Sat Mar 26, 2016 10:13 am
Stringfellow wrote:Quite simply three points against Derby in front of a passionate crowd would nail it to the mast!! Derby have brought in Redknapp at the right time, but it's time we have then a Ninian park welcome. Can't wait
We must turn it into a fortress that day
Re: " NO EXCUSES/WE CAN MAKE THE PLAY OFFS "
Sat Mar 26, 2016 10:48 am
We can do it 
Derby are crap btw, pile of pants
Derby are crap btw, pile of pants