Cardiff City news 22/01/02

Tues 22nd January 2002 - Early Stoke preview

Stoke City visit Ninian Park tonight in a fascinating promotion clash. With a nine point lead at the moment you'd feel that a win for Stoke would eliminate Cardiff from an automatic promotion slot. Especially with the top three of Reading, Brighton and Bristol City 14, 11 and 10 points ahead respectively.

If City were to make it back to back wins though it all looks a little different.

We currently have two games in hand on Bristol City, a game in hand on Reading, both teams we have played twice this season and we play Brighton next week.

There are points to be won and there are more eliminators where the top clubs are taking points from each other.

Stoke lost on the weekend as did Bristol City. The form teams are Brighton and Reading. The match at the Withdean on Thursday Jan 31st could be the one that finishes hopes of automatic promotion or push us into contention.

Man Utd have proved that a run off 6 / 7 wins can catapult you to the top of the table. City need that to have any chance.

1	Reading	28	9	2	4	24	13	8	2	3	18	11	+18	55
2	Brighton	27	9	2	1	24	11	5	8	2	16	15	+14	52
3	Bristol City	29	8	3	3	23	14	7	3	5	23	17	+15	51
4	Stoke	27	9	3	2	24	8	5	5	3	16	15	+17	50
5	QPR	28	7	5	2	25	13	6	2	6	17	18	+11	46
6	Brentford	27	9	3	1	31	9	4	3	7	17	22	+17	45
7	Oldham	28	9	3	2	28	10	3	6	5	20	24	+14	45
8	Tranmere	26	7	5	2	31	13	5	2	5	15	21	+12	43
9	Huddersfield	27	7	4	3	22	14	4	5	4	18	16	+10	42
10	Cardiff	27	5	6	3	22	19	5	5	3	17	13	+7	41
11	Wycombe	26	8	4	1	25	11	2	5	6	13	22	+5	39
12	Colchester	28	8	2	4	25	17	3	4	7	20	28	0	39

It was only 4 weeks ago that City went to Stoke and earned a draw at the Britannia Stadium. Dean Gordon's quality free kick cancelling out Daniel Gabbidon's own goal.

Cardiff owe Stoke at NP, the last time the Potters came to town Peter Thorne was a scorer in a 2 - 1 win. Thorne will miss tonights game but Graham Kavanagh will lead the team as he looks to increase the 10 goal tally already accumulated this season. City have the historical edge with 6 wins from 12 games to Stoke's 4. Meetings between the clubs are at a premium with City's last home win over Stoke (only 3 home matches ago) being just over 24 years ago.

Kavanagh was subjected to missiles being thrown at home at Stoke. I hope none of that goes on tonight.

Cardiff City fans and Stoke City fans must exercise common sense and a respect for the game. No throwing of missiles, sing for your team support with your hearts but let your heads tell you anything more is not worth it.

The game is all ticket, Stoke could bring up to 1,000 fans and Cardiff fans must pre purchase their tickets, that can be done up until 5pm.