Fri Jan 27, 2017 9:09 am
" Why Cardiff City will travel to Reading without fear "
By Joseph Rose
Friday 27th January 2017
Cardiff City make the short journey up the M4 to face play-off chasing Reading at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday and they’ll be full of belief.
Despite a narrow loss to league-leaders Brighton in midweek, Neil Warnock’s side are in good form as they look to get back to winning ways against Jaap Stam’s side, who are forth in the Championship following a 1-0 win over Fulham during the week.
Despite the defeat at the AMEX stadium in midweek, the Bluebirds have had a very promising start to 2017, picking up three successive victories over Aston Villa, Bristol City and Burton Albion.
These victories have calmed any relegation fears in the City camp, but Warnock has stated he will want to get to 50 points as quickly as possible to be certain of safety. Also, Warnock will see the remainder of the season as a chance to build momentum ahead of a potential promotion push next season.
It must be added that City travel to what has been one of their more favourable away grounds in recent years. The Bluebirds haven’t suffered defeat at the Madejski Stadium since a 5-1 hammering at the hands of Reading’s record-breaking promotion side way back in 2006.
City have drawn 1-1 on their last couple of visits since relegation from the Premier League, and Warnock will be aiming to build on their impressive recent record.
Reading head into the game looking to consolidate their place in the top six, with the Royal’s having a six point cushion ahead of Derby in seventh.
Jaap Stam would have identified this fixture as a must-win and with the Bluebirds seemingly playing for pride for the rest of the season, all the pressure will be on Reading to come at Cardiff, who will be happy to play on the counter-attack.
If City can frustrate their hosts on Saturday, then they can take advantage of nerves in the Reading camp and secure a surprise three points – they would even be satisfied with just the one at one of the league’s best teams.