Cardiff City news 16/03/01

Fri 16th Mar 2001 - Carlisle preview

Rob Earnshaw is out of tomorrows clash against Carlisle at Ninian Park. Earnie is trying to over come a knee problem and will not be fit. It is hoped the 15 day break until the next game will be enough time go get him back to fitness. He has also been pulled from the Wales U21 squad for the forthcoming games. City could also be with two other strikers. Gavin Gordan is still troubled by a thigh strain and Leo FW is doubtful after taking a knock at Shrewsbury. Kyle Lightbourne is ready to stand in and partner Paul Brayson up front as City look to extend their unbeaten home record and to take a step nearer to promotion.

Skipper Andy Legg is available after suspension and I would expect him start as sweeper. Rhys Weston or Scott McCulloch will then partner Willie Boland in midfield. So I think three changes from the side that won 4 - 0 at Shrewsbury on Tuesday. Lightbourne for Leo, Legg for Weston and Weston for Evans.

Carl Muggleton, the keeper signed from Stoke is available and I would expect to see him on the bench, the last time we had a substitute keeper in the league was at Torquay on Dec 2nd when Jon Hallworth was named in the 16.

City line up. probable. Walton, Low, Young, Legg, Hughes, Gabbidon, Weston or McCulloch or Evans, Boland, Bowen, Brayson, Lightbourne or Leo.

Subs from Weston, McCulloch, Leo, Lightbourne, Nogan, Jordan, Evans, Collins, Giles, Muggleton.

Carlisle are not coming to make up the numbers tomorrow. The Blues won 1 - 0 at home to Orient on Tuesday night, a result that did us as well as themselves a favour. Carlisle are 91st in the league, 1 place and 1 point off the bottom, and they have played a game more than bottom team Halifax. Its cut throat down there, only 7 points separate the bottom 9 teams so it really is a "fight for your life" situation.

Cardiff of course should be too strong for them, but the players must not be complacent, they must learn from last weekends defeat at Lincoln, do not take anyone for granted in this division.

Cast your mind back to last October 17th, Carlisle 2 - 2 Cardiff. Alan Cork's first game in full control. A wild and windy night in Cumbria, City 2 down and the fans watching in disbelief as the team seemed to be nosediving, we'd just come off the back of defeats at Hull and Orient and this was the third away game in a row, then it all started to go right again, Andy Legg started it off, his header at the City fans's end was the start of the remarkable climb to where we are now, the injured Kevin Nugent secured the point and since then 24 games have been played, 17 of them wins. A credit to Corky and the players.

My prediction for tomorrow. City 4 - 1 Carlisle.