Playoff Semi-Final Leg 1, Cardiff

[Dylan]

GK: Marshall

RB: McNaughton

LB: Kennedy

CB: Blake

CB: Gerrard

RM: Burke

LM: Whittingham

CM: Ledley

CM: McPhail

ST: Bothroyd

ST: Chopra

The bench will be selected from: Enkleman, Hudson, Gypses, Quinn, Matthews, Wildig, McCormack, , Etuhu, Feeney

Looks a strong team. Two very good strikers, however we've got Jack Hobbs, who will have them in his pocket! If im remembering correctly, Chopra and Bothroyd have received quite a few yellows. And what i saw from the home league game, Bothroyd loves complaining to the refs. Hopefully they go over the top and get sent off . Looks a good midfield too. Hopefully Morrison's fit, as I cant see Solano keeping up with Whittingham- we need to keep him quiet.

[Dylan]

If we're throwing stats around:

Never lost a single game in a two legged semi-final scenario:

L.C 1999/2000 Aston Villa AWAY 0-0 HOME 1-0

L.C. 1998/99 Sunderland AWAY 1-2 HOME 1-1

L.C. 1996/97 Wimbledon HOME 0-0 AWAY 1-1 (Away Goals Rule)

P.O. 1995/96 Stoke City HOME 0-0 AWAY 0-1

P.O. 1993/94 Tranmere AWAY 0-0 HOME 2-1

P.O. 1992/93 Portsmouth HOME 1-0 AWAY 2-2

P.O. 1991/92 Cambridge AWAY 1-1 HOME 5-0

L.C. 1964/65 Plymouth HOME 3-2 AWAY 0-1

L.C 1963/64 West Ham HOME 4-0 AWAY 0-2

Makes me feel much better

But there's always a 1st time

[Dr Pop]

If we're throwing stats around:

Never lost a single game in a two legged semi-final scenario:

L.C 1999/2000 Aston Villa AWAY 0-0 HOME 1-0

L.C. 1998/99 Sunderland AWAY 1-2 HOME 1-1

L.C. 1996/97 Wimbledon HOME 0-0 AWAY 1-1 (Away Goals Rule)

P.O. 1995/96 Stoke City HOME 0-0 AWAY 0-1

P.O. 1993/94 Tranmere AWAY 0-0 HOME 2-1

P.O. 1992/93 Portsmouth HOME 1-0 AWAY 2-2

P.O. 1991/92 Cambridge AWAY 1-1 HOME 5-0

L.C. 1964/65 Plymouth HOME 3-2 AWAY 0-1

L.C 1963/64 West Ham HOME 4-0 AWAY 0-2

And some more stats for you!

Our head to head records are identical - we've played you on 51 occassions in our history and we've both won 20 games each, with 11 draws.

It really is too close to call I reckon, early goals may be all important in both games.

I'm nervous already!!!

[AmericanScott]

This was my friend's status update on Facebook earlier.

"the seagulls in Cardiff Bay must know something's up... they're acting weird... I believe animals act strangely before catastrophe"

He doesn't know a thing about football but this made me smile

[Head Honcho]

This was my friend's status update on Facebook earlier.

"the seagulls in Cardiff Bay must know something's up... they're acting weird... I believe animals act strangely before catastrophe"

He doesn't know a thing about football but this made me smile

I work near to Cardiff Bay and it's funny you should say that.

I opened up this morning and the Seagulls were going hell for leather at each other it was like a mass punch up........

.................only with beaks and wings

[maddog]

Well we knocked the ball around like Arsenal, and outplayed Cardiff when we won this season, even Oakley and Howard did well in that match.

So i anticipate more of the same, with more goals this time.

Cardiff were and are totally inferior to our team, in every single possible way, manager, backroom staff, playing staff, chairman, fans, stadium.

This is going to be such a simple 3-0 to 6-0 victory.

[davieG]

From the BBc

Steve Claridge believes Cardiff City have the edge over Leicester City in their Championship play-off semi-final.

The two sides meet in the first leg at Leicester's Walkers Stadium on Sunday with the second leg taking place on Wednesday at the Cardiff City Stadium.

"My heart says Leicester because I'm ex-Leicester and I love the place," he told the BBC's Sport Wales TV show.

"But my head just favours Cardiff because they have Championship players."

Cardiff finished fourth in the Championship having sealed their play-off place with two games to spare.

Leicester finished a place below the Bluebirds, also with 76 points, but reached the play-offs a week later.

In the two regular league games this season, both sides have beaten each other at their respective home grounds - Leicester 1-0 and Cardiff 2-1.

Cardiff do have the overall upper hand having earlier knocked them out in this season's FA Cup, 4-2 in the fourth round.

But the two sides go into the crucial play-off games in good form.

The Foxes, who are looking for back-to-back promotions after winning the League One title last season, have won their last five after turning around a five-match winless run which included four straight defeats.

Cardiff have lost just one of their last 11 league games, a run which started after the defeat at Leicester.

The eventual winners will face the winners of Nottingham Forest v Blackpool at Wembley for a place in the Premier League.

"Whatever you say about Leicester, they've carried the momentum on from last year and they've got some good players," Claridge told the BBC's Sport Wales programme.

"I think because they've had such a good year they will believe the world's their oyster.

"If Cardiff play at the top of their game and Leicester play at the top of their game you would just favour Cardiff - but by no means is it certain that that will happen.

"Cardiff are going to have to play very well. If they do then they have an outstanding chance of going through."

Claridge achieved hero status at Leicester in 1996 when he scored the winning goal at Wembley as the Foxes beat Crystal Palace 2-1 in the play-off final in the last minute of extra time, earning them a place in the Premier League.

But he believes current hero Matty Fryatt, who has just returned from almost three months out with a broken jaw, could hold the key to success.

"Matty Fryatt coming back... will be a huge, huge plus to them although they have done well without him," Claridge said of the 12-goal striker.

"He is undoubtedly someone who can turn at a sixpence.

"But [Cardiff's] Peter Whittingham, Michael Chopra and Jay Bothroyd are all players that can win a game of football.

"These players will have to play well and be the difference between the two sides if Cardiff are to progress."

[FoxyPV]

That's just reverse psychology (i hope) - the mind games are in full flow.

[MC Prussian]

Most players on both sides will remain unfazed by those comments. I can't recall a single footballer who's lost a playoff or other important finals game coming out in public, claiming the press were to blame for the defeat.

It's merely a fun past-time game for fans and critics alike in the build-up phase.

[maddog]

Whats he talking about 'they've got championship players'

He obviously hasn't seen us play much this season, we are way stronger than them.

[MikeyT]

Whats he talking about 'they've got championship players'

He obviously hasn't seen us play much this season, we are way stronger than them.

Exactly what i was thinking, seems a bit odd.

[Chairman of the Bored]

Having stayed up all night watching the election on Sky I probably won't be making much sense, but as MON would say, "howeeeeever"....

I know there is a tendency to be cautious in the first leg of of a POF semi and I think Cardiff will apply that philosophy, maybe setting up not to lose, as opposed to going for the win; thinking they can take it at home etc.

We are at our best when there is tempo in our game and I think we should attack them with pace from the off. Vaughan, Waghorn and Dyer up front, backed by Gally and Spearing behind is a pacey unit with Bruno and (hopefully) Morro at full backs.

I'm hoping we throw caution to the wind and go for broke in the first twenty minutes. We'll need to watch for Burke on the break as he's a pacey so an so and Hobbsy and Brown will need to be at their very best to shackle Chopra and Bothroyd. But our best chance is to win, and to win big, at home. If we don't take a two goal goal cushion to Wales I'd be fearful.

Two up after 20 mins following a pacey blitzkrieg would be lovely!

Right, back to the post-election shenenigans...

[Dr Pop]

Having stayed up all night watching the election on Sky I probably won't be making much sense, but as MON would say, "howeeeeever"....

I know there is a tendency to be cautious in the first leg of of a POF semi and I think Cardiff will apply that philosophy, maybe setting up not to lose, as opposed to going for the win; thinking they can take it at home etc.

We are at our best when there is tempo in our game and I think we should attack them with pace from the off. Vaughan, Waghorn and Dyer up front, backed by Gally and Spearing behind is a pacey unit with Bruno and (hopefully) Morro at full backs.

I'm hoping we throw caution to the wind and go for broke in the first twenty minutes. We'll need to watch for Burke on the break as he's a pacey so an so and Hobbsy and Brown will need to be at their very best to shackle Chopra and Bothroyd. But our best chance is to win, and to win big, at home. If we don't take a two goal goal cushion to Wales I'd be fearful.

Two up after 20 mins following a pacey blitzkrieg would be lovely!

Right, back to the post-election shenenigans...

I think you are right - the opening 20 minutes or so of both games could be pivitol. Funnily enough, I expect us to go for it from the off at your place on Sunday. We've had some massive away victories this season and have tended to do well when we've started strongly. We've scored 4 goals at Watford, Peterboro, Sheff Utd and then 6 at Bristol City. I hope we don't try and play safe and don't think we will - our strengths are going forward. We may have quite an open game on our hands.

So it'll be 0-0 in both games and a penalty shoot out then!!!

[Chairman of the Bored]

I think you are right - the opening 20 minutes or so of both games could be pivitol. Funnily enough, I expect us to go for it from the off at your place on Sunday. We've had some massive away victories this season and have tended to do well when we've started strongly. We've scored 4 goals at Watford, Peterboro, Sheff Utd and then 6 at Bristol City. I hope we don't try and play safe and don't think we will - our strengths are going forward. We may have quite an open game on our hands.

So it'll be 0-0 in both games and a penalty shoot out then!!!

Not sure you came at us that strongly from the off in the league game at The Walkers? I think we have a bit more pace that Pboro et al so your man Jones will be tad more cautious, I'm thinking. Brizzle was a one off, surely?

Play Offs are a different kettle of fish to league games (as I'm sure you're aware), and the psychology within the team can be very different.

All to play for though.....

[Fox You Forest]

I think it's going to be tighter than a nuns tuppence, with no more than three goals in the two games, if my past predictions are anything to go by we're looking at something like seven each on aggregate 15-16 on penalties.

[Dr Pop]

Not sure you came at us that strongly from the off in the league game at The Walkers? I think we have a bit more pace that Pboro et al so your man Jones will be tad more cautious, I'm thinking. Brizzle was a one off, surely?

Play Offs are a different kettle of fish to league games (as I'm sure you're aware), and the psychology within the team can be very different.

All to play for though.....

We were severely under strength at the Walkers though, so don't think you can read too much into that game either way. You are right though, play off's are a complete unknown - you could end up with 2 sides both too nervous to express themselves and cancel each other out or a real flowing game with both teams going for it. Who knows?

[Aeropars]

If theres an early goal I expect a blood bath. Whichever way the goal goes, I would expect that team to push on and make the lions share of chances. Never will nerves have played such a part and an early goal will shatter one teams nerves and quash the others.

I'm really hoping we either get the early goal or sit it out for the first 30.

[Fox Mulder]

We're pretty much at full strength - only Gavin Rae is missing who is out for the season and he would have been on the bench anyway.

Our starting line up will almost certainly be:

GK: Marshall

RB: McNaughton

LB: Kennedy

CB: Blake

CB: Gerrard

RM: Burke

LM: Whittingham

CM: Ledley

CM: McPhail

ST: Bothroyd

ST: Chopra

The only possible change is our captain Mark Hudson coming in for Darcy Blake at centre back, but Hudson has only just come back from an ankle op and Blake has been in superb form since he got his chance in the team, so I expect him to get the nod.

The bench will be selected from: Enkleman, Hudson, Gypses, Quinn, Matthews, Wildig, McCormack, , Etuhu, Feeney

I've heard that this Darcy Blake character is actually quite good and can play at full back and midfield too.

We need to keep the ball away from Whittingham and Burke, who are both fooking deadly players. 33 goals between them from midfield.

[iBleedLeicesterColours]

I don't care if i get quoted on this and look like a tw4t. Even if they win it won't change my mind.

These so called 'experts' no fook all. We have a quality team. Miles better than Cardiff. They are a bunch of individuals that occasionally play as a team. Most of their goals have come from individual players producing magic. Everyone knows that we are brilliantly organised and hard to beat. When we played them at home with a full selection availible we absolutely battered them footballing wise, just didnt get the goals we deserved. Could of been 4-0 easily. We are more of a team than they are and our core IMO is the best in the championship. All of our strikers bar Fryatt have scored and played well recently so we carry a goal threat and their defence aint the best. The players that concern me are Burke and Whittingham but get Berner and Morro on them and they won't know what's hit em. All we need is the fans behind us now and im sure we'll do it.

I think we'll win at home and then hold out away

[LCFC-ARAB]

Just worked out that Cardiff away in the Play Offs will be my 100th away game

Good omen?

[OriginalRobboFOX]

I don't care if i get quoted on this and look like a tw4t. Even if they win it won't change my mind.

These so called 'experts' no fook all. We have a quality team. Miles better than Cardiff. They are a bunch of individuals that occasionally play as a team. Most of their goals have come from individual players producing magic. Everyone knows that we are brilliantly organised and hard to beat. When we played them at home with a full selection availible we absolutely battered them footballing wise, just didnt get the goals we deserved. Could of been 4-0 easily. We are more of a team than they are and our core IMO is the best in the championship. All of our strikers bar Fryatt have scored and played well recently so we carry a goal threat and their defence aint the best. The players that concern me are Burke and Whittingham but get Berner and Morro on them and they won't know what's hit em. All we need is the fans behind us now and im sure we'll do it.

I think we'll win at home and then hold out away

Oh dear...

[OriginalRobboFOX]

We were severely under strength at the Walkers though, so don't think you can read too much into that game either way. You are right though, play off's are a complete unknown - you could end up with 2 sides both too nervous to express themselves and cancel each other out or a real flowing game with both teams going for it. Who knows?

Is Bothroyd still a bit of a hot head?? Can we rile him a bit until he loses it and breaks someones leg down near the corner flag??

[Chairman of the Bored]

I'd much prefer him just to break the corner flag. We don't want any injuries thank you very much.

[OriginalRobboFOX]

I'd much prefer him just to break the corner flag. We don't want any injuries thank you very much.

Unless its this man....

[fatmando]

Longest week ever waiting for this game??