March
Newsfile

Newsfile Archive

Cardiff cannot afford to try and hold onto the lead. All the talk coming from the City camp this week is that the Bluebirds will attack from the start and look to build on the lead.

"We will be looking to score the first goal on Wednesday. If we do, it will require a super-human effort from Stoke to win it. But, if they score first, it's game on." Said Lennie Lawrence.

Stoke have a poor record away from home against the top teams in Division 2. While previous form means nothing in the Cup final situation we will find ourselves tomorrow it is somewhat heartening to see that Stoke's results against the top six teams this season away from home reads

That's no goals scored against any of the promoted / play off teams away from home this season.

City of course are 14 games into an unbeaten run stretching back to February when we were tonked 4 - 0 at Wigan in Alan Cork's last game in charge. Only twice this season have we been beaten by 2 goals at Ninian Park, Bristol City at the turn of the year beat us 3 - 1 while Peterborough benefitted from our FA Cup hangover and secured a 2 - 0 win. That win by the Posh was the only game this season in which City failed to score. A goal for the Bluebirds tomorrow means that Stoke will need to score at least twice.

The match at Ninian Park is the biggest game City has played for years. Bigger than Man City and Leeds in the Cup. They were awesome occasions but the furure of the club depends on promotion, not one off cup games. Should Cardiff get through tomorrow then an even bigger game awaits at the Millennium Stadium.

Cardiff City were last promoted from this league to the then old second division in 1983. There are City fans, season ticket holders for a few years now, who wern't even born then.

Team news and more quotes to follow but the bottom line is

Avoid defeat at Ninian Park and we are into the final. Win or draw and we are there.