Bluebirds Must Cut Out 'Relegation Fodder' Upsets

Cardiff City are on the back of some excellent results, none more-so than the smash-and-grab victory over rivals Swansea City last time out. We now prepare to face lowly Scunthorpe United in what would seem, on paper, to be a home banker for the Bluebirds to extend our run.

Scunthorpe United are second from bottom, already 8 points adrift of safety and looking likely candidates for relegation. They're without a win in seven, and have endure heavy defeats to Hull City (5-1), Leeds Utd (4-0) and Doncaster (3-0) in that run - not to mention a 5-1 cup mauling by Everton.

However, Cardiff City simply cannot afford to be complacent - especially given our immensely disappointing record against such teams. Our last few games have all come against rivals and we beat promotion hopefuls Leeds, Swansea and Watford while Norwich were lucky to escape with a last gasp draw.

At the other end of the table, we fare much worse - especially at home. Of the teams around Scunthorpe Utd, we drew against Sheffield United (1-1), Preston North End (1-1) and Crystal Palace (0-0). Those are games we really should be winning and those 6 points will likely be crucial if we miss out on promotion.

Those games saw us look jaded, lacking in fluency and under pressure. We weren't able to dictate possession, the games got scrappy and the bottom-of-the-table clubs were able to pack midfield, denying us space and chances. Scunthorpe are in dire form, but remain a decent side and they will be up for the fight. They can certainly take heart from how their rivals have fared against the Bluebirds but anything less than a Cardiff City will will be a bitter disappointment.

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