Tues 21st Sep 1999

Tues 21st Sep 1999 - Wimbledon v City preview.

Tonights match may turn out to be one of City's bigest games of the season. We have a realistic chance of a major upset. Cardiff were the better team last Tuesday in a 1 -1 draw at Ninian Park. Wimbledon though are firm favourites. Cardiff have to score. A 0 - 0 draw would take the game into extra time which would then be won on away goals by Wimbledon if it stayed that way. City pulled off an upset in the 1st round by beating Q.P.R. on penalties at Loftus Rd, a second penalty shoot out tonight would probably kill me after the drama at Loftus Rd, where Jon Hallworth saved 3 spot kicks to earn City progression into the second round. Wimbledon will be feeling confident. They have just returned from Old Trafford where they picked up a Premiership point against Man Utd last Saturday. Cardiff go into the game after beating Notts County at Ninian Park. Wimbledon have not won at Selhurst Park in 10 months, maybe a shock could be on the cards. Frank Burrows knows his side are underdogs and has told his players to go out and enjoy themselves. Even the most optomistic among us know we should be beaten tonight but we have been playing a fine standard of football this season and have raised ourselves for big games before. There is much interest in this tie, Sky Sports News are running a full feature on the game on their digital service and this morning carried interviews with Egil Olsen, Frank Burrows and Kevin Nugent. If City were to win the media interest would be massive and would raise City's profile no end.

On the playing side City will be without on loan defender Tony Vaughan who has been ruled out by Man City not wanting the player cup tied. Mike Ford will return to his normal position after being on the bench on Saturday. It is expected that Russell Perrett will get a place as substitute tonight in the hope he can prove his fitness for Saturdays league game against Wigan.

Wimbledon are expected to be at full strength.

Full coverage of the game will be available on this website tonight. I should have video footage of the goals tonight as well.

Preview from Total Wales.
CAPTAIN Mike Ford returns to the starting line-up as Cardiff City seek an improbable Worthington Cup triumph over Wimbledon at Selhurst Park.

City held the Premiership club to a 1-l draw in the second round first leg at Ninian Park but the Dons are firm favourites to win on their own ground.

“We did very well in the first leg and I was disappointed they scored a late equaliser,” said manager Frank Burrows.

“Now we have to give a repeat performance.

“I’ve told my players to enjoy their visit to a Premier League club and do themselves justice.

“Somewhere in the equation there’s a tiny chance that we might just pull off a small miracle.”

Ford resumes at the centre of defence because Tony Vaughan, signed on loan from Manchester City, is ineligible.

Centre-back Russell Perrett, a summer signing from Portsmouth, is added to the squad after missing the last 10 games with a foot injury.

City must again shut out John Hartson.

The Swansea-born striker gave a subdued performance at Ninian Park, suffering constant and unwarranted verbal abuse from the crowd.

The Wales international can expect more heavy stick from City fans tonight though his confidence will have been lifted by his good form against Manchester United on Saturday.

Burrows is one of Wimbledon’s greatest admirers.

“You have to admire the Dons,” he said. “Compared to other London clubs they have limited financial resources and small crowds.

“But they have stayed in the top division ever since they got there. Nobody relishes playing them.

“They may lack the glamour of a Manchester United or an Arsenal but you have to remember they are a Premiership team who got a draw at Old Trafford at the weekend and might have nicked a win.

“It will be a hard, hard game. That’s the way Wimbledon play it, that’s the way they have to play
it.”

Preview for the Daily Mirror.

CARDIFF CITY face a bruising Worthington Cup ordeal at Wimbledon tonight with strict orders from manager Frank Burrows: "Go out and enjoy it."

There must be better ways of enjoying yourself in London than enduring the ultra-physical challenge of the Crazy Gang.

And after Wimbledon were fortunate to scramble a 1-1 draw in last week's first leg at Ninian Park they will be doubly determined to take full retribution.

But you won't hear the Cardiff boss complaining at the crunching challenges his team will face.

Burrows said: "I admire Wimbledon because they've lived in the Premiership with all the glamour clubs and their spirit has kept them there.

"It's a tribute to Joe Kinnear and now Egil Olsen that a team which cost buttons can go to Old Trafford and come within a whisker of beating Manchester United.

"They do it because they have aggression, determination and players who can play a bit as well. They might not have star names but they have talent.

"You'll never catch me knocking the club for the way they play. I think it's great for the game that a team like them can survive at the top."

Burrows believes the tie is also a gauge to measure his own team's progress.

"Don't forget that a year ago we were knocked out of this competition in the first round and were playing Third Division teams every week," he said.

"Now we are playing a Premiership side, then we take on Wigan who are challenging at the top of Division Two. We've come a long way in a short space of time.

"I've been happy with the quality of our play so far this season. But these games can tell you how you are progressing."

Cardiff, without their cup-tied on-loan defender Tony Vaughan, are likely to recall club captain Mike Ford to their defence.

Former Portsmouth defender Russell Perrett, out through injury for the past three weeks, is fit enough to return to the subs bench.