Cardiff City Boss Caught In Two Minds

Cardiff City manager Dave Jones is in two minds regarding team selection for tonight`s game against already relegated Charlton Athletic with the Bluebirds looking for the win that would cement a play-off position and keep alive the slimmest hopes of snatching the second automatic spot.


On the one hand, Jones will want to give his players the chance to respond in style and get the demons off their backs following the 6-0 thrashing we took from Preston North End. That side was close to our best starting XI and all those players would expect to feature in the play-offs so it`s no good them going in short of confidence and still wobbling from Saturday`s shocker.


On the other hand, perhaps fatigue or complacency had a bearing while others have waited patiently for a chance - Saturday`s starting XI plus Michael Chopra and Paul Parry have appeared in virtually every game recently with others overlooked by Dave Jones.


Tonight`s game would give Dave Jones the option of changing things around and only Ross McCormack can be assured that recent form would guarantee him a place. Others such as Gyepes, Ledley and Bothroyd would be extremely confident but few could complain if they were to be dropped.


Tony Capaldi could come in at left-back. He has barely featured since returning from injury but a couple of cameo substitute appearances saw him looking fit and he slotted back in with easy - perhaps looking more comfortable than last season! Others frustrated by a lack of opportunities would be on-loan winger Quincy - yet to start and rarely making the bench. Riccy Scimeca, Darcy Blake and Darren Purse are also regularly confined to the stands but all hoping for contract extensions.


Perhaps most unfortunate of all is winger Chris Burke, the only natural right winger in the squad who has done nothing wrong but is consistently overlooked by Jones. The Scotsman has looked busy in his appearances so far without causing serious problems save for a superb performance away at Coventry City. He was the fall-guy when we were reduced to 9 men against Sheffield United and since then hasn`t had another chance - in that game he had again looked useful but needs chances to show his best form.


Dave Jones is likely to go with a slightly changed line-up. McNaughton is ruled out so Comminges/Blake will slot in on the right while Michael Chopra is a likely candidate to return to the starting XI. For me, McPhail and Whittingham should both be dropped - that however is unlikely to be the viewpoint of the man that matters….Dave Jones.



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