Preview - So here comes another 6-pointer. As we all know, things didn't go too well in the last one and thus this game is now as important as ever. After winning at Gresty Road on December 29th, the Crewe game at home never looked as big a game as Cardiff away. Presumptions were that after winning at Crewe, we should beat them at home and therefore a visit to Ninian Park has been on every Latics fans mind for the last month. Saturday's defeat now raises the stakes even higher.
Cardiff City aren't unbeatable though. I found it immensely funny that Huddersfield Town, a team they beat 4-0 at the Ninian and a side who was in complete turmoil as they sacked Wadsworth last Tuesday but then had to re-instate him a day later as they couldn't afford pay him off, could actually go on and beat the Taffy’s. I'm sure I wasn't the only one to find that not only pleasing but extremely funny.
I think it's fair to say that not many football fans like Cardiff City, unless of course, you are unfortunate enough to be a Bluebirds fan. Let's face it who can like a club with a "section" of fans that constantly use patriotism as a means to having a go at the English (unless of course they play Swansea or Wrexham). However, it's quite ironic that those fans who sing Cardiff’s trademark song can't be bothered to learn the Welsh words and thus they sound like a bunch of tongueless muppets.
It would always be nice to beat Cardiff, but now we must. The Latics must avenge that season opening defeat. And they must prove just how good our away record is, to re-claim 2nd spot and keep the pressure on those with games in hand. With our home record looking as poor as an away record usually does and our away record looking as excellent as a home record should, 8 wins 6 draws and no defeats, that must become 9 wins 6 draws and no defeats. But what are the chances of that?
Well, a friend of mine has more confidence than I have and says that any club that hosts the Latics should be scared of us. Our away record is no fluke. Winning at places like Crewe, QPR, Tranmere and Chesterfield are no easy feats and then add on our cup victories at West Ham and Derby County. That's a pretty good CV by anybody's standards. And when you consider that Northampton, a team now struggling in the relegation zone, and Bristol City have been to the Ninian and won this term, the task doesn't look as daunting as it might. If anything, just like back to back games against Crewe and Tranmere were, this is another major test of our travelling credentials. To pass another test with flying colours would send a few shockwaves around the top of division 2. However, some considerations need to be looked at.
Visiting Ninian Park is a squad missing 2 regulars. Goalkeeper Les Pogliacomi and strong midfielder Julian Baudet both begin suspensions, as they both were victims of appalling refereeing decisions. However, although that is a blow it is ironic that last season David Miskelly’s 1st league game, like this is for 2002/3, was a very important game. The Northern Ireland U21 keeper played 65 minutes in a goalless draw vs Stoke before being stretched off injured. Like this is, that game was an important 6-pointer at another unfriendly ground. Miskelly, acquitted himself well and as he is a very crisp shot-stopper, Latics fans should put some faith in him.
Replacing Baudet is another interesting topic. The defender-cum-midfielder looked lost when he played in the middle for the first time and who was that against? Cardiff, or more specifically, Graham Kavanagh. It may be a blessing in disguise.
However, this is where my sticking point comes. Dowie will most probably insist with playing Darren Sheridan rather than Lee Duxbury, whereas Duxbury deserves a place in the side for his performances and perseverance alone. Knowing that he’d be forced into being a squad player this season, Dux has fashioned himself perfectly and not only does he deserve this challenge, I feel this game would suit him better than it would Sheridan. It will be fiery in the middle and Sheridan could get so involved, that he gets himself sent off. And if that doesn’t happen, he might slip into the temperament where he sometimes neglects the defensive duties. Duxbury on the other hard works tirelessly and is cultured in this and he would have the cool head, something which will be needed to shut Kavanagh down.
Cardiff will be looking to the big forwards though to shoot the Latics down. Crewe made that mistake when we beat them, so their tactics might suit us and if the defence can keep tabs on Earnshaw et al, then Andrews will be best deployed upfront to do the damage. The former Chesham man really looks to be settling into things now and despite the odd greedy spell in our last game, he is worth keeping upfront to menace, like only he can.
The game will prove to be a hard fought, nervous and fascinating encounter. Let’s just hope we can put on the same spirited performance that we’ve seen in recent weeks and get something from it.
Team News – Latics
The usual injuries to Holden, Appleby and co. Add to this Corazzin, who picked up a hamstring strain in his substitute appearance on Saturday, and suspended Pogi and Baudet and the line up should be as follows:
Predicted line up: GK - Miskelly, DF - Berahall, Hall, Haining, MD - Eyres, Sheridan, Eyre, Armstrong, Murray, FW - Burgess, Andrews
Team News – Cardiff
News is that Leo Fortune-West picked up a calf strain last Saturday which will rule the forward out for 2 weeks. That came in the surprise defeat to Huddersfield. Young and Weston took knocks from the game too, but they appear to have shaken them off in time for the game. Kavanagh should be back after an illness meant he had to miss the defeat at The McAlpine. Andy Legg is standing by to step into midfield if needed.
Manager Lennie Lawrence, hopes to link up Kavanagh with Willie Boland and Mark Bonner in midfield, while new signing Alan Mahon, on loan from Blackburn Rovers, makes his full debut on the left. Jason Bowen will start on the bench. He will surely also make a tough decision at the back with Scott Young and Chris Barker linking up in the centre and Spencer Prior among the substitutes.
The Form Book:
Cardiff (h) - (W)LWDDW
Latics (a) - DDWWWD
() denotes - FA Cup vs Tranmere
Last 6 games:
Cardiff - WD(DL)WL
Latics - WWDWDL
() denotes - FA Cup vs Coventry
Cardiff's last home win - January 18th 2003: Cardiff 2 Cheltenham 1
Latics last away win - January 1st 2003: Tranmere 1 Latics 2
Match Factors:
Past meetings - The Latics have to look back some way for their last win against Cardiff. Even at Boundary Park, the Latics have lost the last 3 times to the Bluebirds. Alarmingly, we visit 1983/4 when the Latics last won as they sneaked a 2-1 win. Strangely though, during Jimmy Frizzells managerial rein the Latics won 3 times at Ninian Park with 1981's 2-1 victory coming on - January 31st!!! Could this be just the omen the Blues need to win?
Revenge - Despite not having won against the Taffy’s for almost 2 decades, Latics fans still have to avenge that 7-1 defeat at Boundary Park last season. It's a nice thought to think we could return the complement, although I think a plucky 93rd minute winner would be just as sweet!
Away days - It's a major factor that we are unbeaten. It should leave Lennie (The Owl) Lawrence with plenty to think about.
Referees - Nobody can legislate for the idiots we have had refereeing our games recently. Common sense has evaporated and madness has become the result. Latics fans are now hoping just for a good referee, rather than the 3pts. It appears that one won't come without the other.
We only need 10 men - Having one of the best fitness regimes in the country (who else has their side taking 7am dips in the local swimming baths?) the Latics have proven they can more than match anyone even if we aren't allowed to finish a game with 11 men. At Wycombe we got a creditable draw and against Crewe, it was 83rd and 86th minute errors which lost the game 3-1, not the man deficit. It'd be nice to know how we would fair with 11 men in a game.
Key players head to head - Cardiff and Oldham have two really strong, talented sides. The Latics hold a possible England international in the making in Fitz Hall, whilst Cardiff have ex-Premiership quality in former City player Spencer Prior – and he’s on the bench! In midfield, Graham Kavanagh can be a deadly weapon when on form. Latics' David Eyres needs to get back to his best form and prove that he is still the best player to never have graced the top flight. Whilst upfront, Wayne Andrews, Ben Burgess and Chris Killen (from former Premiership clubs) have a lot to live up to if they want to match Cardiff's Rob Earnshaw. The Welshman’s scoring abilities aren't too dissimilar to that which we saw from Brighton's Bobby Zamora. However, like with the Seagulls - if you can stop Cardiff's version of Bugs Bunny, do you stop Cardiff? We hope.
Verdict:
It’s going to be tight. Both will attack, both will do anything to not lose and that could see some rough stuff being played. I’m hoping we can keep the home faithful quiet, although I have a feeling that will be difficult. Just because we’re a rival and we’re English, they’ll be screaming at us from the word "go".
The Latics need to be patient, measured and on guard at all times. This game will show whether we can really challenge for that 2nd spot or if we should begin preparing for the play-offs now. If we lose, then I think it’s the play-offs that needs to be made certain. A win though and, well, wouldn’t it be fantastic.
Fingers crossed, hold on – I’m going for another 2-2 away draw with the Latics taking the lead both times but being pegged back.
Predicted score: 2-2 draw