After a disappointing mid-week defeat to WBA Pool look to step closer to securing Championship football next season by beating the F.A. Cup finalists Cardiff.
Cardiff Team News:
After beating Barnsley in the FA Cup semi final the Bluebirds have a little injury crisis with three new players doubtful for the game. Enckelman, Capaldi and Ledley have all picked up injuries and join Kevin McNaughton who is already on the injured list.
Manager Dave Jones is hopeful that one of the injured party will pull through as he has no other left backs in the squad.
Upfront Parry, Feeney and Fowler are all injured which might mean a 5 man midfield rather than playing Hasselbaink and Thompson upfront together.
Player to watch: Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
Since the move in the summer the former Leeds and Chelsea striker has netted 6 times, one a great goal in the F.A. Cup against Wolves. Now aged 36 he`s getting on but is still doing the business for the Bluebirds.
Blackpool Team News:
Steve McPhee went off in the WBA game with cramp but he should be fine to start, if not Paul Dickov and Grant Holt are ready to step in. Keith Southern returned midweek after injury to play 5 minutes at the end, he may start in the middle of the park. Joe Martin who has yet to appear for Pool had a knock but is fit to take a place in the squad if required.
Player to watch: Stephen Crainey
He may have been or may have not been at fault for the first WBA goal on Tuesday but he`ll have do well this weekend, he may come up against former Pool favourite Trevor Sinclair or Peter Whittingham who has had some storming performances in the cup run.
Match Facts & Stats
Cardiff grabbed a 1-0 at Bloomfield Road in December a first half goal from Steven Thompson gave the away side all three points. In recent years Pool have performed at Cardiff, a 2-2 in 2002, two goal from Big John Murphy, 1-1 in 2000 a very late goal from Big John Murphy and 1999 1-1 a goal from….you guessed it…Big John Murphy. Our last win, 1-0 1995 Andy Watson.
Ref Watch:
A Bates –From Staffordshire – Games: 32 Yellow Cards: 73 Red Cards: 2
A J Horton and M G West
Fourth Official S Castle
Match Prediction:
Cardiff 1 – 1 Blackpool
Next Fixtures:
Football League Championship H Sheff Wed 19-04-2008
Time for a very needy three points!
Good memories of Cardiff for Pool fans let’s hope for more of the same today!
Sadly not to be with a very lack lustre display!
Looking awefully gloomy at the bottom. Think 4 to 6 points are needed out of the available 9. What a great league this Championship is.
Oh dear it was a disaster, did we actually turn up? A win against wendy is now a must. 9 points still to play for.
suprised to see your player of the season poll, Hoolahan has no votes but he looked very good against us. 3-1 a harsh scoreline too – unlucky
Another defeat? can’t belive you’re in the relegation fight now, you WERE one of the better sides in this division a few weeks back, hope you stay up, have a soft spot for your team…
Your in real stum now, i think it could be you that gets relegated at the end of the season!