Ipswich Town V Cardiff City 
Saturday 31st October 2015 – 15:00
Portman Road
Opening Thought – Jamma
Who was to blame for our latest stoppage time collapse at the City Ground on Saturday, then? Was it Dean Gerken’s fault for failing to get enough on the ball that he came to claim? Maybe the defence should take the blame for not dealing with the situation better? Or should Mick McCarthy shoulder the responsibility with his decision to try and shut up shop by bringing Piotr Malarczyk on for Freddie Sears? I tell you what: let’s take the easy option and blame Roy Keane, as Liam Trotter became the second former Town player to be released by Keane to come back and haunt his old club in 3 weeks!
In the build-up, all the talk had centred around Jonny Williams but, as it turned out, it was another Jonny who proved the difference: that pesky Jonny on the Spot again, a.k.a. Trotter. Our own Jonny, Jonathan Parr, had spoken pre-match about how we would likely need a little luck, as well as being on our game, to claim the 3 points against Forest. When he converted his well-taken goal in the 75th minute, it was looking like we would go on to do just that. Gerken had kept us in it with two tremendous saves, one from Trotter, and, as the clock ticked down, it just seemed like it was going to be our day. Although a point was probably a fair reflection of the game as a whole, the nature of the equaliser made it hard to see it as anything other than 2 points dropped.Talking about luck, there is an expression in football that ‘it’s better to be lucky than good’. Any side aspiring to promotion from the Championship obviously needs a decent amount of quality, but a successful team also needs its fair share of luck, whether with injuries, refereeing decisions or even the way the fixtures fall. While luck tends to even itself out over the course of a season, we have certainly not had the rub of the green recently. Going back 6 weeks or so, things seemed to be going our way, with Ainsley Maitland-Niles winning a debatable penalty against Birmingham and Jonas Knudsen being fortunate in some people’s eyes not to concede a penalty at Elland Road. Injuries may have been a regular feature of our campaign so far, but the other two factors have come into play more over the last couple of weeks. Jed Steer’s ‘challenge’ on Tommy Oar escaped so much as a booking, and left the debutant with concussion. And a trip to Hull on a Tuesday night can’t be considered lucky in anyone’s book! Call me deluded – or ‘Bluemike’ (not because he’s deluded, just positive!
) – but I have the feeling we are due a change in fortunes. Two quick-fire home matches, the first against a Cardiff side which will have had two days fewer to recover, means that that five-game winning streak is surely just around the corner…! 
The Opposition – Cardiff City FC
Riverside A.F.C. was formed in 1899 as a way of keeping players from the Riverside Cricket Club together and in shape during the winter months. In 1905, Cardiff was granted city status by King Edward VII, and as a result the club put in a request to change their name to Cardiff City, but the request was turned down as they were deemed to not be playing at a high enough level. To combat this, they arranged to join the South Wales Amateur League in 1907 and the following year they were granted permission to change the name of the club to Cardiff City.
Over the next two years, the club welcomed many of Britain's top sides to Cardiff, including Middlesbrough, Bristol City and Crystal Palace, with the matches being played at various grounds in Cardiff and nearby towns. The club would eventually move into their new ground, Ninian Park, in 1910.
With the new ground in place, Cardiff joined the Southern League Second Division. Their first match was a 2–1 defeat to Aston Villa. They stayed in the division for the next decade, apart from when the league was suspended due to the outbreak of World War I.
The club's most successful period so far has been the 1920s, in which they finished runners-up in the old Football League First Division, followed by two FA Cup finals in 1925 and 1927 against Arsenal. The final against Arsenal saw Cardiff become the only team to have taken the FA Cup out of England, with a 1–0 victory. The final was also notable as it was the first to be broadcast to the nation by BBC Radio.
On 30 August 1920, Cardiff City played their first Football League match at Ninian Park.
This early Cardiff City team showed more than enough class to match others in the League, and they were promoted to the top flight of English Football at the first attempt.
1923–24 has proved to be the best ever in the league for Cardiff City. After a dramatic season in which they and Huddersfield Town tussled for the Championship title, Cardiff would have to settle for 2nd spot on goal average.
The following season was the first time Cardiff City appeared at Wembley Stadium in an FA Cup final versus Sheffield United, which they lost 1-0, and, as mentioned above, in 1927 they won the FA Cup final against Arsenal.
That FA Cup final win was not the end of their cup exploits that season; they also won the Welsh Cup, defeating Rhyl by a scoreline of 2–0, and would go on to win the FA Charity Shield after beating the Corinthians 2–1 at Stamford Bridge.
In the 1928–29 season, Cardiff City were relegated from the First Division of the Football League. However, this was only a sign of things to come for the Bluebirds, and after two seasons in the Second Division, they were once again relegated in 1931 into Division 3 South, and in 1934 they had to re-apply to stay in the Football League after finishing last.
They were crowned champions of Division 3 South and returned to the Second Division in the 1946–47 season. Finally, they finished second level runners-up and returned to the top level after 23 years in the 1951–52 season.
During the 1960s, Cardiff began qualifying for European competition for the first time through the Welsh Cup. Two years later, the club would go on to reach the semi-final of the Cup Winners Cup, the furthest any non-top division club has ever gone in European competition.
The club remained in the old Second Division except for the 1975–76 and 1982–83 seasons.
Between 1985 and 1993, Cardiff were continuously in the lower two divisions of the league after being relegated to the Third Division. They were relegated to the Fourth Division once in the 1985–86 season and were promoted to the Third Division in 1987–88 as runners-up. Two years later, they dropped into the Fourth Division for the second time. Cardiff won the new Division Three championship in 1993 but were relegated two years later, and in 1996 finished in their lowest ever league position – 22nd of 24 in Division Three. They finished third in Division Three in 1999 and won automatic promotion to Division Two.
Having sold his interests in Wimbledon, Sam Hammam purchased control of Cardiff City in August 2000. Shortly after he took over at Cardiff, the club crest was redesigned. This new design incorporated the Cardiff City bluebird in front of the Flag of Saint David, and featured the Club's nickname superimposed at the top of the crest. Lennie Lawrence guided Cardiff to promotion via a Division Two play-off triumph in 2003.
The Bluebirds established themselves in Division One during the 2003–04 season, finishing in 13th position. They struggled to a 16th position finish at the end of the 2004–05 campaign and ended the 2005–06 season with an 11th position finish.
After failing to get the new stadium plans agreed by Cardiff Council due to concerns over financial security in 2006, Hammam agreed to a takeover by a consortium led by new chairman Peter Ridsdale but the club remained £40 million in debt.
Datuk Chan Tien Ghee (TG) took over as chairman on 27 May 2010 after a meeting on the same day. Vincent Tan also invested and joining the board.
Cardiff changed their home colours to red and black, as well as their badge, from the 2012–13 season in exchange for an investment plan from the Malaysian owners, including a new training facility, stadium expansion and a transfer budget. Cardiff topped the Championship and with it gained promotion to the Premier League for the first time, but were relegated after only one season with 30 points from 38 matches.
Last season, Cardiff finished 11th place on the Championship table on 62 points.
One To Watch – Joe Mason
This week’s one to watch first came to prominence at Plymouth, with whom he had a taste of the Championship as an 18-year-old. Six years down the line, and Joe Mason is up there with the league’s top scorers.
Mason’s potential caught the eye of a number of clubs in his two seasons in Devon, and he signed for Cardiff in July 2011. He enjoyed a very successful first campaign with the Bluebirds, playing the majority of matches and scoring 12 goals in all competitions. The striker was restricted to more of a bit-part role in Cardiff’s promotion season of 2012/13, as he had to take a back seat to the likes of Craig Bellamy and Rudy Gestede, but still managed 6 goals. Seeing his opportunities limited in the Premier League, Mason sought out a loan move to Bolton. He spent three separate spells at the Reebok Stadium over the last two seasons but returned to South Wales ahead of 2015/16 keen to stake his claim for a run in the side. He has managed just that, featuring in all 13 of the Bluebirds’ league games and scoring 5 goals. Mason is a tricky customer with a good turn of pace, and presents a different kind of threat from fellow strikers Alex Revell, Kenwyne Jones and Sammy Ameobi.
The Gaffer – Russell Slade
Slade started out as a PE teacher at Frank Wheldon School after studying Sport at University. Having had an extended career at reserve team level, Slade entered professional sports coaching with Notts County in 1993.
Slade was assistant manager to Mick Walker at Notts County, and took over as caretaker manager when Walker was sacked in September 1994. When County appointed Howard Kendall as manager in January 1995, Slade stayed on as his assistant.
Slade was then appointed manager of Midland Alliance side Armitage, then moving on to Southern Football League side Leicester United before having two separate spells as caretaker manager at Sheffield United.
Slade's first permanent managerial post was at Football Conference side Scarborough. When he arrived in November 2001, the club were adrift at the bottom of the Conference and looking doomed. However, a remarkable run of 39 points from the final 19 games of the season meant Scarborough finished 12th. In January 2003, two days after the club went into administration, Slade tendered his resignation. The fans presented a tearful Slade with a petition at the next game and on the Monday morning he changed his mind.
The following season saw mixed league performances, but a tremendous FA Cup run, which saw victories over Hinckley United, Doncaster Rovers, Port Vale and finally Southend United following a replay meant a glamorous home tie in front of Premier League Chelsea. Despite losing 1–0, Slade's side had put up a tremendous battle.
At the end of the 2003–04 season, Grimsby Town decided not to renew the contract of manager Nicky Law following relegation into League Two. Slade was appointed as their new manager. A midtable finish ensued in the 2004–05 season but Grimsby spent most of the 2005–06 season in an automatic promotion spot in League Two, also managing to topple both Derby County and Tottenham Hotspur in the Football League Cup. Town eventually finished the season in 4th place but were unable to secure promotion, losing in the final against Cheltenham Town.
Slade's success with Grimsby had attracted League One side Yeovil Town, and Slade was appointed as the Somerset club's new manager. Slade led Yeovil to a surprise 5th place play-off finish in the league. Slade's successful first season at Yeovil saw him win the League One manager of the year award. Slade left his post at Yeovil on 16 February 2009, despite having won four consecutive matches immediately prior to this, as he had become frustrated with the club's lack of ambition.
On 6 March 2009, Slade was appointed manager of struggling Brighton & Hove Albion until the end of the season, and succeeded in ensuring they avoided relegation from League One.
Slade was appointed manager of Leyton Orient on 5 April 2010, six matches before the end of their season and with the club in danger of being relegated from League One. However, Slade managed to win the club 10 points from their last six matches, enough for Orient to avoid relegation by a single point.
The following season, he guided Orient to 7th place, one point outside the play-off places, as well as a fifth round replay at Arsenal in the FA Cup.
Slade was unable to build on previous the season's promise during the 2011–12 season and the club finished in 20th, but the next season he was able to guide Orient to another 7th-place finish.
The 2013-14 season was Slade's most successful as he led the club to the play-off final, where they were runners up after a penalty shoot-out. It was a record-breaking season, though, as Orient recorded their best ever start to a season and highest ever points tally. Slade twice won the Manager of the Month award and was named as the League 1 Manager of the Year.
However, after the takeover of Francesco Becchetti during the summer of 2014, Slade's Orient side started poorly, failing to win any of their first 3 home games. Slade was given an ultimatum by Becchetti that he had one game or it was ‘curtains’.
Just days after being issued the ultimatum, Cardiff parted company with Ole Gunnar Solksjaer and Slade became the favourite. After four attempts by Cardiff to bring in Slade, he tendered his resignation at Orient, on Wednesday 24th September.
Last season, Slade led Cardiff to 11th place in the Championship.
Past Match - Video Highlights - Trev
I’m sure we would all take a repeat of the scoreline the last time Cardiff came to Portman Road, back in April…
Trev's Trivia
Players to play for both teams
Michael Chopra ITFC 2011–2013 CCFC 2009–2011
Neil Alexander ITFC 2007–2008 CCFC 2001–2007
Mark Kennedy ITFC 2010–2012 CCFC 2008–2010
Andy Legg ITFC LOAN 1997 CCFC 1998–2003
Media Watch - K L Blue
Why there’s cause for optimism at Portman Road:
http://the72.co.uk/38399/theres-light-e ... wich-town/
Is Mick set for a tough time at tonight’s A.G.M.?
http://www.ipswich.vitalfootball.co.uk/ ... p?a=419447
Stat Time
Head to Head
Ipswich Town Wins................19.....(45.24%)
Cardiff City Wins...................11.....(26.19%)
Draws................................12.....(28.57%)
Ipswich Town Goals...............68.....(1.62 Ave per Game)
Cardiff City Goals.................46.....(1.10 Ave Per Game)
Head to Head at Ipswich
Ipswich Town Wins................11.....(52.38%)
Cardiff City Wins...................4.....(19.05%)
Draws................................6.....(28.57%)
Ipswich Town Goals................37....(1.76 Ave Per Game)
Cardiff City Goals..................21....(1.00 Ave Per Game)
The Predicted Teams
Ipswich Town
It will be interesting to see whether Mick McCarthy sticks with the 4-3-3/4-5-1 formation which has seen contrasting fortunes in the last two matches. Jonas Knudsen and Cole Skuse face a race to prove their fitness after both being withdrawn at the City Ground.
1 Dean Gerken
4 Luke Chambers
5 Tommy Smith
6 Christophe Berra
2 Jonathan Parr
7 Ainsley Maitland-Niles
8 Cole Skuse
17 Kevin Bru
10 David McGoldrick
9 Daryl Murphy
20 Freddie Sears
Cardiff City
After seeing his side go five matches unbeaten, Russell Slade could well name an unchanged team for the third game in a row:
1 David Marshall
2 Lee Peltier
4 Sean Morrison
16 Matthew Connolly
3 Fabio da Silva
11 Craig Noone
15 Kagisho Dikgacoi
17 Aron Gunnarsson
7 Peter Whittingham
10 Joe Mason
19 Alex Revell
Marko’s Caption Contest
Reigning champ Blueblood makes posts in the Forest thread, but NO CAPTION? Number 9 didn't fancy it either. Still 12 entries though and some really good ones. Top marks to Ashford, very very closely followed by Barmy. Both made me laugh out loud. Loving the dry humour.
Scores
Ash 5
Barmy 4
Frosty 3
Quasar 2
LEAGUE TABLE
DerickIpsw 24
Barmy Billy 24
Blueblood 22
Number 9 21
Nicscreamer 19
Frosty 19
Quasar 17
Floors 14
Ando 13
Ashfordblue 13
James Scharmann 12
Charnwood 10
IpswichtownNO1 9
Foxy Lady 8
Bluemike 7
Hallamblue 6
Shed on Tour 6
Herforder 6
Watership Down 5
Ohiotractorboy 3
Kerry Blue 2
LoudNProud 1
Cardiff City caption picture:
Let's hear some beauties.
Match Referee – David Coote
Final Thought - Frosty
A point against Forest at the City Ground wouldn’t usually be a bad result, but unfortunately the chance of 3 points was given away in injury time, and when you can’t buy a win at the moment it seems to hurt a bit more than it normally would.
This week we host Cardiff, who, without checking, I thought we had a great record against in recent seasons, but when I looked at it a bit more closely I was surprised to find that over the past 6 fixtures between the two sides we have shared the points with two wins, two losses and two draws.
Currently Cardiff sit 5 places above us on the table in 8th place and, although they are finding goals hard to come by, they are equally not conceding them either. Over their past four fixtures they have managed 3 draws against Bristol City, Preston and Brighton, as well as a win over Middlesbrough. They have scored two goal and conceded one goal in total from these fixtures.
Other fixtures that involve the teams around us on Saturday include the Brum at home to the Wolves, Wednesday hosting Forest and Brentford’s Friday night game against QPR.
Both Cardiff and ourselves are probably targeting Saturday’s match as an important fixture to gain maximum points, which I think will point to an intriguing battle, particularly if one side scores early.
I have got us down for the win on Saturday, but that is more my heart than my head if I am to honest and quite frankly anyone that is able to predict half the results in this year’s Championship is doing bloody well in my opinion.
Have a great day at the football if you are attending.
COYB!
IPSWICH TOWN 1 CARDIFF CITY 0
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