Cardiff 2-1 Saints - Match Thread

[whelk]

Can’t wait.  Going and thought would be dead rubber but now properly back on. Same starting line up. 1-3

Edited 16 April, 2024 by whelk

[Roger]

Start the same back 4 every game you can and Downes in front. If Downes out then play Charles. 

[S-Clarke]

Just now, Roger said:

Start the same back 4 every game you can and Downes in front. If Downes out then play Charles. 

Absolutley that. That back 4 is my starting back 4 and it shouldn't change again.

Maybe Stephens can come on in games where we need him, but there's no need to mess around with that 4 from the start if they are fit (well, 5 if you class Downes as the deepest CM). The back 4 are going to be slightly rocked with a slight change in the way they play without Bazunu to use as an out ball, so playing the guys who have already established relationships makes the most sense to me.

[Roger]

14 minutes ago, S-Clarke said:

Absolutley that. That back 4 is my starting back 4 and it shouldn't change again.

Maybe Stephens can come on in games where we need him, but there's no need to mess around with that 4 from the start if they are fit (well, 5 if you class Downes as the deepest CM). The back 4 are going to be slightly rocked with a slight change in the way they play without Bazunu to use as an out ball, so playing the guys who have already established relationships makes the most sense to me.

You could argue we’d be already promoted if we had kept to that personal and not changed it.

[Saint Matty 76]

McCarthy
KWP - Bednarek - THB - Manning
Stu - Downes - Aribo/Smallbone
Arma - Che - Fraser

 

[SNSUN]

Just win! Keep the pressure on the other 3. Play like we did tonight and we should.

[FarehamSaintJames]

Jack Stephens is absolutely playing this one, Russell Martin will do almost anything to have him play. I also this will be a close game. 1-1.

 

[Toussaint]

I hope he starts with broadly the same team as tonight, I don’t mind Frasier in for Brooks l (who was ok tonight), pretty much our strongest lineup in my view.

[Harry_SFC]

No need to change the team IMO.

Second half was a doddle, they shouldn't be tired. 

The back four MUST stay the same. 

[Toadhall Saint]

Draw

[Micky]

It ain't 'rocket science', so don't make it so.  KISS concept and we should be fine.  Simples.

[SaintNewForest]

On 16/04/2024 at 23:46, FarehamSaintJames said:

Jack Stephens is absolutely playing this one, Russell Martin will do almost anything to have him play. I also this will be a close game. 1-1.

 

Russell Martin will do almost anything to have him play ... yet left him as an unused substitute last night. Our fans have some very odd logic sometimes 🤣

Edited 18 April, 2024 by SaintNewForest

[Dr Who?]

9 hours ago, whelk said:

Can’t wait.  Going and thought would be dead rubber but now properly back on. Same starting line up. 1-3

Yep when I was at the Blackburn away game a couple of weeks ago, the feeling in the stand and on the pitch was that of that’s it, playoffs it is. Now wow! This time next week if we have another 6 points under our belts with Stoke at home coming up, we will be dreaming for sure! 

[Dr Who?]

7 hours ago, Harry_SFC said:

No need to change the team IMO.

Second half was a doddle, they shouldn't be tired. 

The back four MUST stay the same. 

Well they are still in the middle of 8 matches in April after a long hard season. I do think if off the back of these games and Leeds away in May, we will de dead on our feet for the playoffs. In games against Coventry and Watford we looked very leggy late on. 

[Fabrice29]

9 hours ago, S-Clarke said:

Absolutley that. That back 4 is my starting back 4 and it shouldn't change again.

Maybe Stephens can come on in games where we need him, but there's no need to mess around with that 4 from the start if they are fit (well, 5 if you class Downes as the deepest CM). The back 4 are going to be slightly rocked with a slight change in the way they play without Bazunu to use as an out ball, so playing the guys who have already established relationships makes the most sense to me.

 

On 22/02/2024 at 20:50, S-Clarke said:

He won play of the season last season, yep. (on Sky Sports, not the official one). But who cares what he did last season? All we can judge him on is what we see in front of us, and it's been pretty pitiful let's be honest.

I don't need to look at stats, graphs and figures to know that he hasn't scored, maybe assisted 1 at best and has created very little. On the other hand he's created a shit load of opportunities for the opposition through his awful touch, poor positioning and lack of awareness on transition. That doesn't strike me as someone who has been decent for us and I don't think it's fair to say our expectations are too high. I just want someone who can defend and provide an outlet at full back. 

 

On 02/03/2024 at 17:26, S-Clarke said:

I'd have Fox every day, he was decent for us I thought. At least he had an attacking output that season, 11 assists I think? 

If Manning was able to make up for his defensive dodginess with some attacking threat, then he'd have a few more fans - but even in attack he is pretty piss poor tbf. We will be so much more stable with him out of the side. Guarantee it.

 

[trousers]

"Play our best players in their best positions"

Same again please Russ!

K.I.S.S. 

 

[Dman]

Has to be the same team. Win the game early then rest our important players, much like last night. 

[FarehamSaintJames]

I just don’t want him to overthink and tinker, that’s where he lets himself down sometimes

[Saint_Ash]

I think Martin came out and was pretty honest last night saying something like he played everyone in the correct position and players that have a connection. We have a lot of games in a short period of time but we need to keep last night's line up, or as close as possible, for the rest of the season. I think we can change a couple in midfield and up front with Fraser, Charles, Edozie, Sulemana and Rothwell all being able to do a job. Not wholesale changes though and leave the back four alone!

[coalman]

Cardiff will be the latest team to get banjoed. Che once again stranded one goal short of his hat-trick.

[FarehamSaintJames]

If we play with that same back four and a recognised CDM (not a Jack Stephens shoehorned, hybrid role) then I think we’re well in with a chance.

[Fan The Flames]

Big big game now, our record at Cardiff isn't great and we haven't done the double over them since 1966. Time to sort that out, would be great to go into the Leicester game in touching distance.

Please please Saints don't fuck this chance up.

[Give it to Ron]

17 minutes ago, Fan The Flames said:

Big big game now, our record at Cardiff isn't great and we haven't done the double over them since 1966. Time to sort that out, would be great to go into the Leicester game in touching distance.

Please please Saints don't fuck this chance up.

Hope not as bad as last time I went to Ninian Park where we lost 1-0 and never had a shot but we had Vincent Pericard up top!

New ground for me this one hoping for another Welsh result like Swansea away 

[saintant]

Due to past history I develop a little paranoia whenever  RM says 'Flynn Downes has a bit of a knock' because it could mean he misses this game plus a few more. We need him firing on all cylinders for the crucial last 4 games of the season so I'm crossing everything that it is just a minor knock and nothing to worry about.

[Noodles34]

Is our allocation sold out? How many are going? 

[CSA96]

23 minutes ago, Noodles34 said:

Is our allocation sold out? How many are going? 

Yeah, sold out. Took the full allocation of 3,193

Edited 17 April, 2024 by CSA96

[JRM]

3 minutes ago, CSA96 said:

Yeah, sold out. Took the full allocation of 3,193

Always a good away day, crossing the border into foreign lands, hearing train announcements in Welsh, all gives it an extra edge. 

Martin had a decent record against them with Swansea, hope he can carry that on. 

Everyone will be watching Leicester v WBA in the lunchtime kick off. 

[SNSUN]

4 hours ago, coalman said:

Cardiff will be the latest team to get banjoed. Che once again stranded one goal short of his hat-trick.

The passing move and finish for Che’s second yesterday was one of the best goals I’ve seen us score in a while, it was certainly one of Che’s best finishes in his time here. More importantly after it you could see he really wanted that hat trick. I wish he’d play like that all the time. His movement was excellent too.

[Maury Dyer]

And if he hadn't messed with the team back in the middle of February, we'd be celebrating like the Skates are today. Cannot see premiership next season.

[Whitey Grandad]

1 minute ago, Maury Dyer said:

And if he hadn't messed with the team back in the middle of February, we'd be celebrating like the Skates are today. Cannot see premiership next season.

I dropped my grandson back in Fratton after our match. For some reason the streets were full of teenagers waving blue and white flags.

[Noodles34]

1 hour ago, CSA96 said:

Yeah, sold out. Took the full allocation of 3,193

thanks,not been to NP myself, so looking forward to this one. 

 

[Jack]

Un-fucking-changed, please Russ. 
 

*Fully expecting Stephens back in. 

[AlexLaw76]

Russell will probably need the additional bravery the Shoehorn brings to the team, so bound to play him 

[Saint_clark]

3 hours ago, Noodles34 said:

thanks,not been to NP myself, so looking forward to this one. 

 

I hate to break it to you...

[John B]

7 hours ago, Fan The Flames said:

Big big game now, our record at Cardiff isn't great and we haven't done the double over them since 1966. Time to sort that out, would be great to go into the Leicester game in touching distance.

Please please Saints don't fuck this chance up.

We got promoted in 1966 and strangely beat them 20 April 1966 Southampton3 – 2 Cardiff City so omens are good and they have little to play for

[Convict Colony]

my input 

 

[OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint]

Is it MacCarthy or Lumley in goal? Suspect it is the former though he was far from convincing in the very little he had to do against Preston. That loss of possession and loose kick straight to their player spring to mind.

[Suhari]

Hey Russ-baby? How about you leave your shoe-horn alone again, stop trying to be clever and leave Captain Fantastic on the bench?

Granted he's decent, but let's not fuck up what's worked so well by regressing to stuffing him in anywhere, eh?

Cheers and stuff.

Kisses.

[Noodles34]

1 hour ago, Saint_clark said:

I hate to break it to you...

Its not Ninian is it 

[Whitey Grandad]

5 hours ago, Jack said:

Un-fucking-changed, please Russ. 
 

*Fully expecting Stephens back in. 

It is a Welsh name.

[Pamplemousse]

It's been well over a month since we won away from home so we're due one. Hopefully we get the job done early and can rest a few for Leicester. If Downes isn't 100% then bring in Charles for this one.

[Jack]

Weird side Cardiff, they’ve lost 4 of the last 6 after winning 4 on the spin. Beat Ipswich at home on the end of that run, but they’ve lost their last 2 home games (Sunderland and Hull) 

[Mixedkebab]

Team, hopefully unchanged

Supporters, hopefully right up for it, really need to do our bit these last few games.

Hopefully minimal day tripping, posh out of towner, kit wearing snack packers, let’s have a bit of fucking city pride to put those skate helmets in the shade.
 

 

[sfc4prem]

Radio Solent having a jerk-fest about 'Good Old Pompey'.

Fuck em. 

[TheAlehouseBrawlers]

43 minutes ago, sfc4prem said:

Radio Solent having a jerk-fest about 'Good Old Pompey'.

Fuck em. 

Let’s be fair, it’s the first thing the third division minnows have won in their short existence. (not to be confused with the previous cheating football club that went pop)

[Wade Garrett]

Keep the same side.  Rest players once the game is safe.  
 

Only change to consider is between the sticks.

Love Cardiff, I know it’s in Wales but it is actually a normal city with normal people.  Think you have to go north to encounter the inbreds and sheep-worriers.

[badgerx16]

47 minutes ago, Wade Garrett said:

 

Love Cardiff, I know it’s in Wales but it is actually a normal city with normal people.  Think you have to go north to encounter the inbreds and sheep-worriers.

When at Uni in Swansea the locals called the folk in Cardiff 'the English'.

Edited 18 April, 2024 by badgerx16

[DT]

Think we are drawing this one. Damp squib.

[east-stand-nic]

Cardiff should be on the beach, as the old saying goes so really we should roll them over with little resistance as we did Preston. We should. Of course, another must win and for once I really think we will win. They are very poor at home having lost 9 already this season. I have probably jinxed it now as i rarely feel so positive about a game as this one. In fact I think we will beat Cardiff, Leicester and Stoke. No idea about the Leeds game as it will I think hugely depend on their situation as to what Leeds team we face.

If we do, then I can see Leicester being very nervous when we play them next week.

[skintsaint]

1 minute ago, east-stand-nic said:

Cardiff should be on the beach, as the old saying goes so really we should roll them over with little resistance as we did Preston. We should. Of course, another must win and for once I really think we will win. They are very poor at home having lost 9 already this season. I have probably jinxed it now as i rarely feel so positive about a game as this one. In fact I think we will beat Cardiff, Leicester and Stoke. No idea about the Leeds game as it will I think hugely depend on their situation as to what Leeds team we face.

If we do, then I can see Leicester being very nervous when we play them next week.

This will be the one we lose, we will then win the rest and miss out on auto promotion by GD. Classic Saints.