Just a brief update, mainly to keep my friends across the Atlantic up to date!
So, we reach a break in the season for international friendlies (yawn!). A useful time for the team to re-group and prepare for the vital month of April, with 7 games to play before the final match of the season on May 2nd (hopefully not the final match for us!).
So, we reach a break in the season for international friendlies (yawn!). A useful time for the team to re-group and prepare for the vital month of April, with 7 games to play before the final match of the season on May 2nd (hopefully not the final match for us!).
If anything, we are in a slightly stronger position since my last post 4 games ago, and we continue to be in with a good chance of at least forcing our way into the playoffs. As I see it, there are 5 teams battling for the last 2 playoff places - ourselves, Birmingham, Ipswich, Derby and Sheffield Wednesday. The pundits suggest that if we can get to 75 points we should definitely make it into the playoffs, which means that we need to win 5 of our remaining 8 games, and perhaps get a draw elsewhere. It means that we really need to show some consistency. As an added ingredient to the situation, our last 2 matches of the season are away to Sheffield Wednesday and then at home for Birmingham. Oh ... and our next game is at home to Derby! Exciting times indeed!
Four matches since my last post:-
BRISTOL CITY 0 CARDIFF 2
CARDIFF 0 LEEDS 2
CARDIFF 1 IPSWICH 0
READING 1 CARDIFF 1
It was very important after the hard fought home win against Preston to keep up the momentum, and this is what we did with the short trip to Bristol City for the "Severnside Derby". Another thoroughly professional win where we gave the opposition few chances and took our chances well.
CARDIFF 0 LEEDS 2
Then came what could prove to be the pivotal moment of the season. And it was a home defeat by Leeds! This was a good Cardiff performance, but it just wasn't our night. Leeds scored a deflected goal on the break in the first half. Soon after half time, we were down to 10 men when Fabio was red carded for a second reckless tackle. But the team dug in deep, and put huge amounts of pressure on the Leeds goal. Unfortunately their keeper had a superb game, and we hit the woodwork on at least 3 occasions. But 2 minutes into stoppage time, Leeds broke through the Fabio shaped hole down the left hand side and scored the almost inevitable counter attack clincher.
Then, an amazing thing happened. The home crowd of Bluebirds fans stood up as one to applaud their team. A couple of months ago there would have been booing, but now there was an appreciation of how far the team has come, and how much effort the players had put in on the night. The whole mood of the crowd changed, the attitude towards Russell Slade has changed, even the attitude towards the ownership. Even if we don't make the playoffs or get promoted this season, there was a feeling that this could be the start of an upward climb.
CARDIFF 1 IPSWICH 0
After the defeat by Leeds, the home game against fellow playoff candidates Ipswich took on even greater significance. A Bruno Ecuele Manga goal after 20 minutes proved to be the only goal of the game. Although the final score was 1-0, this was quite a comfortable and professional win where Ipswich had few chances to equalise.
READING 1 CARDIFF 1
It would have been nice to win this game, but to come back from a goal behind and get an away point was more than acceptable
The biggest game of the season so far!
So, this Saturday we are home to Derby County, another of our playoff rivals. We really need a win here. The club has had a moment of inspiration here, and has arranged many thousands of free tickets to be distributed via season ticket holders. The new stand, which has been mothballed for the whole season, will be opened for the occasion, and there could even be a record Cardiff crowd for the Cardiff City Stadium. I must admit, I can't wait! We can do this!
It was very important after the hard fought home win against Preston to keep up the momentum, and this is what we did with the short trip to Bristol City for the "Severnside Derby". Another thoroughly professional win where we gave the opposition few chances and took our chances well.
CARDIFF 0 LEEDS 2
Then came what could prove to be the pivotal moment of the season. And it was a home defeat by Leeds! This was a good Cardiff performance, but it just wasn't our night. Leeds scored a deflected goal on the break in the first half. Soon after half time, we were down to 10 men when Fabio was red carded for a second reckless tackle. But the team dug in deep, and put huge amounts of pressure on the Leeds goal. Unfortunately their keeper had a superb game, and we hit the woodwork on at least 3 occasions. But 2 minutes into stoppage time, Leeds broke through the Fabio shaped hole down the left hand side and scored the almost inevitable counter attack clincher.
Then, an amazing thing happened. The home crowd of Bluebirds fans stood up as one to applaud their team. A couple of months ago there would have been booing, but now there was an appreciation of how far the team has come, and how much effort the players had put in on the night. The whole mood of the crowd changed, the attitude towards Russell Slade has changed, even the attitude towards the ownership. Even if we don't make the playoffs or get promoted this season, there was a feeling that this could be the start of an upward climb.
CARDIFF 1 IPSWICH 0
After the defeat by Leeds, the home game against fellow playoff candidates Ipswich took on even greater significance. A Bruno Ecuele Manga goal after 20 minutes proved to be the only goal of the game. Although the final score was 1-0, this was quite a comfortable and professional win where Ipswich had few chances to equalise.
READING 1 CARDIFF 1
It would have been nice to win this game, but to come back from a goal behind and get an away point was more than acceptable
The biggest game of the season so far!
So, this Saturday we are home to Derby County, another of our playoff rivals. We really need a win here. The club has had a moment of inspiration here, and has arranged many thousands of free tickets to be distributed via season ticket holders. The new stand, which has been mothballed for the whole season, will be opened for the occasion, and there could even be a record Cardiff crowd for the Cardiff City Stadium. I must admit, I can't wait! We can do this!
Lex Immers has been nominated for Championship player of the month.
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