Cardiff City Left-Back Crisis Deepens

Cardiff City will face a severe headache in terms of selection for Sunday`s Severnside derby after left back Tony Capaldi was sent off for two bookable offenses against his former club Plymouth Argyle last night.

The Bluebirds are already severely depleted, and full-back is undoubtedly the problem point with Tony Capaldi himself already the third choice at left-back and a 17 year old debutant on the other!

Kevin McNaughton is first choice on the left, but remains sidelined for a few weeks. His place was taken by veteran Mark Kennedy who impressed in that role last season. However, a hamstring problem has ruled him out handing a chance to Tony Capaldi. Now, the Northern Irishman has picked up an automatic 1 match suspension and will miss the big game against rivals Bristol City.

Our first choice right-back is Paul Quinn, he was ruled out of the previous game but could return for Sunday`s clash. If fit, Quinn may play on the left-side of defence with teenager Adam Matthews continuing on the right. However, if Quinn is not available - Dave Jones faces a tricky decision.

Darcy Blake and Miguel Comminges are the two players most likely to step in, but neither has any significant gametime behind them or seems a big part of Jones` plans. They are both full-backs, but both primarily right-sided. To my knowledge, Blake has not operated on the left for the first team but Comminges did have a few games in that role last year - looking uncomfortable and a weak link.

The only other option available to Dave Jones would be switching one of his midfielders back to a defensive role. Joe Ledley and Peter Whittingham both have experience as a left-back and either could be used to make way for the return of Stephen McPhail in midfield. Ledley seems the more likely candidate as a left-back but has operated in central midfield all season and would seem a waste at left back.

The problem is all the more disappointing given that we were 3-0 up with moments to go when Capaldi collected his 2nd yellow, for a deliberate handball in the area. There was no need, and it costs him a chance to stake his claim for a regular starting spot.

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