[jjamez]

So the season finally begins, or so we've been told, a lot of us felt that it started two weeks agao, although Saturday sees town approach a fixture when one can foresee a possibility of getting the three points to kick start the campaign.

The last two games have seen town line up on the defensive, although we did trouble chelsea during the first half, we failed to continue that in the second half, whilst last Sunday the only trouble we caused was to the scorer having to right down the names of everyone who got on the scoresheet. Now it was hardly likely we would manage to repeat last seasons endevours against two of the biggest clubs in English or even global football, but what ensued was pretty much like watching an amateur featherweight boxer trying to go 12 rounds against Anthony Joshua. Not a pretty sight.

On Saturday,  a battered and bruised Town welcome former Town boss Neil Warnock to the John Smiths Stadium, for what should be an encounter between two sides on more of an even playing field. Now Warnocks sides generally are fairly combative, so Town should probably prepare themselves for a more physical representation of bruises, his side generally have a few big men amidst their ranks, whilst also possessing some form of set piece specialist that they aim to make the most of. Warnock is usually referred to as being a dinosaur of a manager or a throw back to yesteryear, but his record in the championship is second to none, especially at keeping sides up, his record in the premier league is not as favourable. Maybe it is now time he starts getting referred to as a manager who makes the most of what he has, even if that is not as flamboyant as what other managers offer.



Its still early days to the season but Cardiff sit 16th in the league on 1 point, level with champions league wannabes Wolves and current europa league side Burnley. Their point came at home to troubled side Newcastle. It nearly wasnt to be as Kenedy had a last minute penalty saved by keeper Neil Etheridge, to cap a poor afternoon for the Brazillian winger, Cardiff also did something very town like, in that they had just under 30 minutes against 10 men and failed to make a break through. They managed just one shot on target all game.



The first game of Cardiffs campaign came away at Bournemouth where they lost 2-0, again struggling to get efforts on target, once again managing just the one. Also something worth noting is that Bournemouth dominated possession against Cardiff, something that one can imagine will happen again on Saturday with Town. Warnock is very likely to set them up as being hard to beat, with two strong centre halves and a bit of pace on the wings to try and hit on the break, whilst having a relatively big man up top as a focal point.

So whats occuring at the Cardiff City Stadium I hear you ask, well owner Vincent Tan is still in the board room, although this premier league campaign they are playing in a blue home shirt, unlike last time when they superstitiously changed it to red. Not one to leave the controversial decisions there. Tan also changed the badge, however the badge too has reverted back to the classical blue bird, over the dragon that had been implemented, although the dragon does feature at the bottom. Unusually for Cardiff, the away kit this season is two tone grey mini hoops and will be making its competitive debut on saturday, hopefully its debut goes as well as our awful yellow and blue shoulder pads one!

   

In regards to transfers, Warnock has gone on record making noises about how small their budget is this term, not kicking up a fuss, but trying to play the underdog card like ourselves and that they are here for the ride. Warnock made a point of saying that Cardiffs budget is half that of us, arguably the side that sit second bottom in terms of budget available, hopefully the league table doesnt share that idea come end of the season.

There hasnt been a plethora of signings from Warnock this summer, ultimately deciding to sign players that add to the squad rather than adding for the sake of it.

Bobby Reid has joined after a standout campaign with Bristol City for £10mil. Reid has made the short journey to Wales and started against Bournemouth and featured off the bench against Newcastle. He's a player that looks to operate in the spaces usually but last season became more of a box player and will need to be watched if he appears.



Josh Murphy joined from Norwich also for £10mil, Murphy is a pacey winger that normally operates down the left. His brother Jacob plays up at Newcastle. Josh has often been thought of as a player with vast potential but has yet to reach what he has promised, with the end product being the usual problem, where have we heard that before?

Full back Greg Cunningham joined from Preston. Hes yet to appear for the bluebirds, it seems like he has been signed to offer competition down the left, having only registered two assists last campaign, but 14 in total during his time at preston

Former town stopper and local boy Alex Smithies signed from QPR, lucky him judging by their recent results. Hes currently operating as back up to Neil Etheridge who has kept the shirt from last season, but will be looking to take the opportunity when it comes.



Harry Arter and Victor Camarasa have joined on loan from Bournemouth and real betis respectively. Both operate in midfield, arguably showing that Warnock felt that they needed something different in the middle as and when required

On Saturday, I would expect Town to revert to a 4-2-3-1 with Lossl taking the number one jersey from Hamer. Right back is an interesting one with Hadergjonaj being more attack minded of him and Smith, although Smith is the better crosser of the two. Its worth considering that if Flo overcommits forward, there could be a lot of room Murphy to run into. At centre half Schindler is a shoe in, but it is unknown yet if Zanka will return. If he doesnt then it is fair to say that Kongolo will partner him. At left back, should Zanka be fit, then Kongolo will slot in at left back, should it not be the case then Lowe will continue with Durm not yet match ready, but should possibly get some minutes against Stoke.

In midfield, Aaron Mooy will return after missing the Man City game due to his wife giving birth. Hogg should hopefully return, but Billing will probably step in should he not. I doubt we will see Bacuna or Williams take to the field until Stoke. Sabiri too is probably not quite ready to feature regularly in a central role.

The three behind the strikers will almost definately feature Pritchard, with Adama Diakhaby taking one wing, with Sobhi or Mbenza taking the other, another option would be rajiv, but he too is yet to feature for town this term. At the moment we havent seen anything of Mbenza whilst Sobhi had a brief cameo against Man City.

Up top itll be between Mounie and Lolo, at the moment Wagner seems to favour Mounie, although for a game against a side with the physical prescence of Cardiff, I would be inclined to start Lolo.

As for Cardiff, other players to watch out for is Junior hoilett, another pacey player that is capable of producing the magic moments, whilst also being equally fustrating.

Kenneth Zohore is a strong striker, who has a knack of making and causing problems for defenders and will need to be well marshalled by the town back line. At the other end, former town loanee Sean Morrision is a big strong defender that will be looking to nulify any aerial strength that we have. Whilst on the bench, Callum Paterson had a fine season last year, making the switch from a full back to playing off the striker. Another big lad that will cause problems from set pieces.



JJ's tip- town to win 2-1, pritchard to score, Cardiff to score from a set piece


Played for both.

lucky for you guys they are all in anagrams, see if you get them all. No clues. Not yet


1) annoy hitting plonk

2) elite repel

3) hate six limes

4) human dorks

5) a minor sensor

6) Slay herd chairs

7) randy wand

8) jones iron pen

9) whey rums

10) momentary grants

[Lord Snooty]

Nice one jjamez.


2) elite repel - Lee Peltier

Talking of anagrams. Little known fact is that I'm the one who made the anagram of Neil Warnock that has since become his official nickname, Colin Wanker. It was in an edition of Hanging On The Telephone back in the 90s when he was our manager.

[Lord Snooty]

1) Anthony Pilkington

[jjamez]

Two so far snoots, you're on a roll.

Yeah I refer to warnock as colin quite a lot. Didnt think it would like it if I gave him his full title all the time!

In other news, another old fashioned but relatively effective manager in tony pullis is after one of our players apparently. None other than rajiv van la parra, thought he would be more inclined for the taller quaner, but dont tell him neither can head the ball!

[SHEP_HTAFC]

Nice one jjamez.....very good thread

5) Sean Morrison

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7) Danny Ward

[Amelia Chaffinch]

4. Mark Hudson?

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6. Ashley Richards? Better known as Jazz?!

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3. Alex Smithies?

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9. Emyr Huws?

[jjamez]

Just 8 & 10 to get

[Amelia Chaffinch]

8. Of course ... Ronnie Jepson!

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No idea about 10, though.

[jjamez]

thought 10 might stump people a little more than the others

[Amelia Chaffinch]

10. Martyn Margetson!

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I like anagrams