Cardiff City news 31/01/02

Thurs 31st January 2002 - Brighton preview

One of the most anticipated games of the season is taking place tonight. Both clubs were promoted last season and with the money spent Cardiff were expected to pull away from Brighton. Its not happened though and City are playing catch up. Both teams have played 28 games but Brighton are currently 8 points and 7 places ahead. This is such an important game for both teams. Cardiff cannot afford to lose and drop 11 points behind the promotion places.

1	Reading	30	10	2	4	27	13	9	2	3	20	11	+23	61
2	Stoke	30	9	4	2	26	10	6	5	4	18	18	+16	54
3	Brighton	28	9	2	1	24	11	5	8	3	16	19	+10	52
4	Bristol City	29	8	3	3	23	14	7	3	5	23	17	+15	51
5	Brentford	29	10	3	1	35	9	4	3	8	17	23	+20	48
6	Huddersfield	29	9	4	3	25	15	4	5	4	18	16	+12	48
7	QPR	30	7	6	2	26	14	6	2	7	17	19	+10	47
8	Oldham	30	9	4	2	31	13	3	6	6	22	27	+13	46
9	Tranmere	27	8	5	2	32	13	5	2	5	15	21	+13	46
10	Cardiff	28	6	6	3	24	19	5	5	3	17	13	+9	44

The big screen is up at Ninian Park so it was not expected that City would sell their full allocation. The Sussex police brought the fixture forward from Saturday to tonight. There aim to make it inconveinient for City fans to attend and therefore lessen the chance of any crowd trouble.

Cardiff have named a 19 man sqaud for the Brighton game including Thorne, Earnshaw and Simpkins. Alan Cork will make a late decision on whether to play any of the three players from the start, from the bench or at all. All are recovering from injury.

The squad selected was.

Alexander, Low, Weston, Young, Gabbidon, Legg, Bonner, Kavanagh, Boland, Brayson, Hamilton, Leo FW, Thorne, Earnshaw, Collins, Simpkins, Maxwell, Bowen, Walton.

Gavin Gordon has been ruled out.

The most likely strike partnership is a pairing of Leo / Brayson or Leo / Bowen. Strikers are at a premium at the moment. Nugent gone to Orient, Nogan out for the season, Collins a defender really, Thorne, Earnshaw and Gordon all injured. Why we never brought in a loan striker is a mystery. Earnie, Gordon and Torne should all be ready for the Bournemouth game if they do not take part tonight. Spencer Prior is also aiming for a return against the Cherries.

But its tonight that matters and one thing for sure a win for either side tonight will be a huge result for the team concerned. Lets hope its Cardiff City.