Sat Nov 19, 2016 8:46 am
' HUDDERSFIELD FAN'S VIEW OF TODAY'S GAME '
Following two straight defeats on the bounce for Neil Warnock’s men, the Bluebirds will get their chance to make it right when wobbling Huddersfield Town visit the Cardiff City Stadium.
By Sam Bardwell
Saturday 19th November 2016
Ninetyminutesonline.com
I look at what the Welsh side need to do to overcome the Terriers this Saturday lunchtime, and I speak to Huddersfield Town fan Thomas Hirst who gives his verdict on the upcoming fixture.
How do you feel about the Terriers’ chances at the Cardiff City Stadium this Saturday?
I think we’re in with a good shout this time around, we’ve had a disappointing record against you since our return to the Championship, but given the huge changes that have taken place around the club in the last 12 months, I’m a lot more confident.
Our fitness is exceptional and our tactics have helped us take good teams apart so far this season. We’ve been taking some great away support with us this season as well, so that will also give the team an extra boost.
What weakness would you be worried about being exposed by our side?
Well there’s the theoretical aspect which says ‘gegenpressing’ teams are vulnerable to incisive through balls, and if you look at the way Fulham beat us 5-0, they were perfectly open about the fact they wanted to take us at our own game.
They didn’t give us any time on the ball, pressed us into mistakes and countered quickly and clinically. More and more teams are prepared for us now, the league is getting acquainted with our style of play, so we need to be wary of those factors when playing Cardiff, for sure.
You’re currently third in the league, just five points off second. Are you surprised by your sides’ form this season and what’s been the key?
I’m not surprised by our hard work ethic and fitness, those factors are to be expected from David Wagner.
However, I’m very pleasantly surprised by our start to the season. The key to our success is the numerous changes that have taken place as part of the Wagner Revolution: The (now famous) team building pre-season trip into the Swedish wilderness, the double training sessions starting at 3:00pm to coincide with kick off times and many players were specifically signed due to their leadership credentials and experiences of winning promotion (Chris Schindler was captain of 1860 Munich and Michael Hefele captained Dynamo Dresden to promotion last season).
Wagner even requested the floodlights on the training ground to be replaced, as they were not bright enough. Those are just a few of many changes that have made us much more exciting this season.
If you could take any player from the Cardiff City squad, who and why?
I’d have to go with who I know and pick Emyr Huws. His talent was clearly on display last season when he was on loan with us, despite our poor start.
He looks comfortable in midfield, provides extra firepower behind the attacking players and takes a good free kick.
Warnock said the reason why he hasn’t played more for you is down to bad luck, and not ability. But, given there are a lot of big names in the Cardiff side that aren’t necessarily performing as they should be, there’s no reason why a player of his ability shouldn’t be given a chance.
What’s your greatest memory when playing the Bluebirds?
There was a 5-1 walloping we dealt out to you in the mid 90’s, but I was too young to really remember it. In more recent times, I’d say it was when we played you in the first game of the 2012-13 season, also our first game back in the Championship.
It was televised by Sky and we lost 1-0, but we still played excellently and gave you a good game and basically announced ourselves very well. I remember my dad saying if we play like that all season, we’ll have no problems staying up, which we did in the end.
How is ex-Bluebirds skipper Mark Hudson faring as a Terrier?
He’s done great, I was happy when we signed him due to his experience – he’s been solid for us and given us good service as our skipper. But, I/m getting the sense that his playing days are numbered.
His contract will see him integrated onto our coaching staff, and in recent months, he’s made no bones about the fact he wants to become a manager one day, and I think he will be a very good one.
He seems a nice bloke, and in a day and age where the game is demanding more managers who are intellectual and highly adept where tactical fine-tuning is concerned, he will absolutely fit the bill.
I mean who knows? He will be working with some high-quality people behind the scenes when he starts coaching with us, and as and when Warnock goes, he may be in with a shout at managing Cardiff. I’d have him at Huddersfield, but of course, we don’t want to lose Wagner!
Score Prediction?
We’ve seen a real change of fortunes at both clubs, positively for Town and negatively at Cardiff. So, IÃm going to say 1-0 Town.
Cardiff City v Hudersfield Town – Head to Head
If recent records are anything to go by, it would be a difficult task for David Wagner to come away with maximum points – the Terrier haven’t won in Cardiff since dating back to the 2001-02 season in a 2-1 victory.
The Bluebirds have been victories on 17 occasions out of the 36 (47.22%) competitive games played in the Welsh capital. In contrast, Huddersfield have won just eight (22.22%).
Recent Form
Neil Warnock and his men would consider themselves more than unlucky to not accumulate any points in the past couple of games.
A shock late defeat at home to Wigan followed by a defeat to league leaders Newcastle United at St. James’ Park, despite the Bluebirds bringing the game to the Toon.
Warnock also felt hard done by referee Tony Harrington following an alleged infringement by Alexandra Mitrovic.
“I am so gutted at the penalty.Mitrovic mauls him down; at this level the officials should be educated better and know about the pull.” the Cardiff boss told BBC Sport.
“To add salt the linesman gives the free-kick to them. They will go home and see it with their coaches next week and say ‘oh yeah, I made a mistake’.
“We have not got enough goals in the squad at the moment – we have to work on that.
“There were some pluses though: the lads at the back especially. At half-time they might have got five or six. The second goal killed us.”
In contrast, the Terriors have had a flying start to the season. However, the Huddersfield Town faithful have been forced to endure a U-turn in fortunes.
The Terriers have only managed to pick up four points from a possible twelve. Despite the U-turn, Wagner and his troops still occupy third spot and just five points off the all-important automatic promotion.
Last time out, the Terriors shared the spoils when Birmingham City visited the John’s Smith Stadium.
Elias Kachunga had thought he set his Huddersfield side on their way to all three points, however, just four minutes later, Lukas Jutkiewicz silenced the home fans with a bullet header courtesy of a David Cotterill’s free-kick.
“I always feel we are able to score and we had some good opportunities,” David Wagner told BBC Sport.
“There was a clear penalty and the free-kick for the goal was not a foul in my opinion, but we have to accept that. Overall the performance was good.
“We know that if we stick together and show our identity on the pitch in every game we are competitive in this league.”
What must Warnock’s men do?
The form of Cardiff City’s hosts must be considered. Looking at the way Fulham had pressed as a unit to force Huddersfield into making mistakes will be a key area that Warnock should consider exploiting.
With the fitness and tenacity of the Icelandic warrior Aaron Gunnarson and the experience in front of goal with Rickie Lambert up top, the Bluebirds should be gunning for the three points.
Prediction: 1-1. A game where both teams will be eager to get back to winning ways. I can see the pair cancelling each other out, come Saturday.