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Cardiff (Away) - High Noon - what can we expect


Davefevs

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Back by popular demand...or not as the case may be!  Decided to wait until all the results were in before starting, as they affect both teams.

Heres the usual two game graphic, left - 1-0 home v Boro, right - 1-0 away v Ipswich...both wins.

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The players;

GK - Etheridge - Philippines international, ex-Rovers loanee.  Not seen tonnes of him but he’s always looked fair assumed unlike the last few keepers I’ve previewed.  15 clean sheets in 32 games suggests he is no mug behind a powerful defence.

RB - Ecuele Manga - CB or RB - Gabon international.  Fits in well with the other strong central defenders and they often revert to a back 3 with the flexibility of Bruno E-M.  Not a technical footballer and like to think if we can press him at RB, then he won’t be able to get much ball into his wide right colleague, if into the striker (whoever is picked).  Might play CB if Morrison doesn’t pass a fitness test.

LB - Bennett - former Villa, Boro and BHA man, who has come to the media attention for a cynical foul of Sane in the FAC.  Not the most expansive LB, but a decent left peg.  Good pedigree from former clubs, and on our radar a while back.  Looks a bit like Joe Bryan

CB - Morrison - dominant CB, who is a bit of a warrior.  Pops up with key goals, and probably a bit more physical than our own Aden Flint.  Big for us if he misses out.  They may play Manga, or Warnock’s prodigal son, and resident Panto Villain / Lazarus - Greg Halford.  Much as I don’t think Halford is good enough any more, he knows every trick in the book, and I’d worry slightly about Diedhiou reacting.

CB - Bamba - ex-Leeds, where he was great then suddenly out of favour.  Dominant CB, unless marking Djúric - who bossed him last season.  I’ve underrated his footballing ability, seen him play a couple of times in DM, and was surprised how comfortable he was on the ball.

CM - Paterson - think he’ll get the nod over Damour.  Ex-Hearts, supposedly on our radar.  Very versatile player down the right side or in midfield.  Physical....starting to see a theme, energetic, and eye for a goal.  Doesn’t look pretty, but has been very effective each time I've seen him.

CM - Ralls - steady Eddie in the middle of the park, with a tidy left foot.  Not one who’s grabbed much of my attention, but good engine...very much needed in Cardiff’s style (more later)

CM - Grujic - Liverpool loanee with good Euro pedigree from Red Star Belgrade.  Tall, rangy midfielder, who is a nice passer.  

RF/W - Hoilett - I think he is their key man, and he’s caused us problems whenever we’ve played against him for Cardiff and former clubs.  Gets in goalscoring situations and certainly not afraid to shoot. Dangerman

LF/W - Mendez-Laing - burly side-man signed on a free from Rochdale.  Great start to the season, but goals have dried up and starting spot no longer guaranteed, especially with Wildschut arriving from Norwich.  I like Yanic, but as per the typical comment on wide-men...lacks end product.

ST - Zohore - Danish u21 Striker, who reminds me of Zamora (not just with his similar name).  Big, powerful, who you don’t want to let turn and run at you.  Goals gave dried up, but important to the way Cardiff play.  Alternatively, Madine - ex-Bolton and Wednesday and HMP (!).  Very effective back to goal striker, with good touch (for a big man).  Another bought to fit Cardiff’s style.

Others of note:

GK - Brian Murphy - ex-Man About The House - might play tomorrow, Etheridge might be out.  Experienced, but would be a loss to Cardiff if he does come in.

CM - Craig Bryson - ex-Derby, good player at this level.

RM/F - Pilkington - very good feet, but irregular starter.  Has quality about him.

CM - Gunnarson - hard man in midfield with a long throw.  Icelandic international.

How do they play?

4231, and not as long ball as people make out, but they certainly play at pace, and don’t hang about in trying to get it forward.  They play quite spread out, happy to allow space between the lines, mainly so their physical assets can hopefully overrun their opponents.  Not pretty but entertaining.

How do we beat them?

Tough decision.  Do we try to meet power with power, or try to beat them with football / passing?  Without Pack, I think I’d go with a ball-playing midfield and energy....with four CBs to do the physical / aerial stuff (Wright, Flint, Baker, Magnússon).  I don’t think their back four are gonna knock it around with comfort, so I think our press with Reid, backed up by Brownhill might be the best approach.  Diedhiou might find himself having a lot of Sunday lunchtime doing the unselfish physical battling with Morrison / Bamba (Assuming Morrison’s fitness), for the benefit of the ball players.  Bryan to come back in at LM, for either Kent or Paterson.  Think I’d play Pato, gotta find his form at some point.

 

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Interesting insight, if Manga is playing RB (or Halford as likely alternative if Manga moves to CB) then I want to see Kent or Bryan playing LM as I think we need to hit that position hard, could be where a lot of our chances come from. For me same back 4 as Wednesday, Bryan in for Pato and a flat 4 of Bryan, Smith, Brownhill, Kent with Diedhiou and Reid upfront. On defence we can drop into the back 5 as we like to and Joe is quick enough to get forward on counters.

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1 minute ago, hodge said:

Interesting insight, if Manga is playing RB (or Halford as likely alternative if Manga moves to CB) then I want to see Kent or Bryan playing LM as I think we need to hit that position hard, could be where a lot of our chances come from. For me same back 4 as Wednesday, Bryan in for Pato and a flat 4 of Bryan, Smith, Brownhill, Kent with Diedhiou and Reid upfront. On defence we can drop into the back 5 as we like to and Joe is quick enough to get forward on counters.

Yeah, don’t disagree that I think that’s our best approach.

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4 minutes ago, BlueDredd said:

Morrison 90% out, Bennett was out with illness for Ipswich so he should be back. We’re a bit stretched at right back for tomorrow

What are you Dredding , blue? And be honest. Because in a way, we don't have anything much to lose tomorrow.

We are the clear underdogs

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Bryan and Eliasson for Pato and Kent. Bryan, Brownhill, Smith, Eliasson in midfield will be good I think. Bobby helps and then Famara. Hörður, Flint, Baker and Wright in defence. On paper think thats a strong line up. Movement and pass the ball fast in to the box and behind the Cardiff defence, Im optimistic, COYR!!!

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By the time you read this, 200 of us were at Temple Meads for  6 am with @sticks 1969

It was the away day to end all away days. Orgnised. Ready and bang up for anything that came our way.

Perhaps it was the reason it's now a bubble. 

Scott Murray put 2 past them and most us stayed up almost 24 hours. 

It probably won't happen again . 

But I hit my bed, exhausted, stinking, needing several new body parts, nostril, throat, lungs and liver. 

It was Bristol City. It made me feel CAF. It was... Indescribable. It was 3 goals in 5 minutes that left me feeling I hope we don't score again because I had nothing left in the tank to celebrate with. 

If you experience half of that tomorrow then fair play. Me.. got the alarm set once again for 4am for Cardiff away.

 Not to get up and catch the train, but as an expat and login to BCTV live.

But whilst I live thousands of miles away. I had that day... The best of days. 

CTID

 

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