8 days that could make or break the season....
Tue Dec 18, 2012 6:50 am
Malky Mackay's Cardiff City are gearing up for the eight days of Christmas which could prove pivotal to their bid to reach the Premier League.
Saturday’s shock 2-1 home defeat against relegation-battling Peterborough needs to be quickly consigned to history as City finish 2012 with a top six three-match challenge which can fire them towards their promotion goal.
Championship leaders Cardiff play three of their biggest rivals in an eight-day spell and a decent haul of points will send manager, players and supporters alike into the new year smiling broadly.
Boss Mackay takes his team to Leicester City this Saturday before back-to-back home matches against Crystal Palace and Millwall.
All three of their opponents are chasing the leaders hard and Mackay says: “They are all against teams who are right up there in terms of consistency and League position.
“We play them all in a short period before and after Christmas.
“There will be an excitement about these matches. The atmosphere for all three will be fantastic.”
City welcome back captain Mark Hudson after a one-match suspension and he is certain to start after the defeat against bottom club Posh.
Either Jordon Mutch and Aron Gunnarsson are likely to partner Peter Whittingham in central midfield as Mackay aims to find the right blend against one of City’s biggest threats in the promotion race.
The players won’t look any farther ahead than this Saturday clash with fifth-placed Leicester City at the King Power stadium.
That is the 23rd League match for both clubs and Mackay says: “We’ll be halfway through the season and, yes, that is significant.
“People look at the table after 10 matches and try to judge how things are going, while at halfway things have settled down.
“We will still have the whole second half of this season to go and the January transfer window when squads may change slightly, but the midway point certainly shows how things are going.”
Leicester include former Bluebirds players Danny Drinkwater and goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel in their squad along with Wales international Andy King.
The Foxes lost against Millwall in their last outing and manager Nigel Pearson – like Mackay – is looking for a positive response from his side.
Read more: Wales Online http://www.walesonline.co.uk/footballna ... z2FNrPnv8r
Saturday’s shock 2-1 home defeat against relegation-battling Peterborough needs to be quickly consigned to history as City finish 2012 with a top six three-match challenge which can fire them towards their promotion goal.
Championship leaders Cardiff play three of their biggest rivals in an eight-day spell and a decent haul of points will send manager, players and supporters alike into the new year smiling broadly.
Boss Mackay takes his team to Leicester City this Saturday before back-to-back home matches against Crystal Palace and Millwall.
All three of their opponents are chasing the leaders hard and Mackay says: “They are all against teams who are right up there in terms of consistency and League position.
“We play them all in a short period before and after Christmas.
“There will be an excitement about these matches. The atmosphere for all three will be fantastic.”
City welcome back captain Mark Hudson after a one-match suspension and he is certain to start after the defeat against bottom club Posh.
Either Jordon Mutch and Aron Gunnarsson are likely to partner Peter Whittingham in central midfield as Mackay aims to find the right blend against one of City’s biggest threats in the promotion race.
The players won’t look any farther ahead than this Saturday clash with fifth-placed Leicester City at the King Power stadium.
That is the 23rd League match for both clubs and Mackay says: “We’ll be halfway through the season and, yes, that is significant.
“People look at the table after 10 matches and try to judge how things are going, while at halfway things have settled down.
“We will still have the whole second half of this season to go and the January transfer window when squads may change slightly, but the midway point certainly shows how things are going.”
Leicester include former Bluebirds players Danny Drinkwater and goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel in their squad along with Wales international Andy King.
The Foxes lost against Millwall in their last outing and manager Nigel Pearson – like Mackay – is looking for a positive response from his side.
Read more: Wales Online http://www.walesonline.co.uk/footballna ... z2FNrPnv8r
Re: 8 days that could make or break the season....
Tue Dec 18, 2012 9:41 am
A good 8/9 days and I have 4 games to attend 
Re: 8 days that could make or break the season....
Tue Dec 18, 2012 2:21 pm
Mackay and the team need to repay the fans,who turned out on Saturday in record numbers in dreadful weather,to watch a load of dross,the best way to redeem themselves is taking 3 points at Leicester
Re: 8 days that could make or break the season....
Tue Dec 18, 2012 4:54 pm
Id be delighted with 7 points from the next 3 matches
Im very confident that we will bounce back from the horror show last saturday
Im very confident that we will bounce back from the horror show last saturday
Re: 8 days that could make or break the season....
Tue Dec 18, 2012 5:32 pm
Lets be realistic. even if we LOSE the next three it wont make or break the season.
We will still be within a couple of points of an automatic promotion spot and were
the worst to happen... Tan is going to tell Malky "buy whoever you want"
But if we WIN the next three... We will still have the pack snapping at our heels.
I'm thinking.. a point at Leicester, Millwall might hold us... But we will beat Palace
We will still be within a couple of points of an automatic promotion spot and were
the worst to happen... Tan is going to tell Malky "buy whoever you want"
But if we WIN the next three... We will still have the pack snapping at our heels.
I'm thinking.. a point at Leicester, Millwall might hold us... But we will beat Palace