Burnley Fan's View On Cardiff Clash

Vital Cardiff City spoke to 'Turfman Phil' this week ahead of the visit of Burnley FC this weekend:



Are you happy with your departures / signings ?


Generally very happy, although would have liked a couple more especially to cover midfield, possibly our weakest area at the moment. Delighted by return of Robbie Blake, Kiraly looks a good 'un in goal, Jordan solid in defence and the old heads of Unsworth and Alexander give us options in defence and midfield. We sold Wayne Thomas for a ridiculous amount of money to Saints for over £1m and brought in a better defender in Clarke Carlisle from Watford for only £200k. We said goodbye to Branch, McGreal, Sinclair and Coyne but they were all getting past their best anyway.




A good start, satisfied so far?


Only one defeat in 8 matches and with a slightly better away performance it seems than at home (drawing too much recently). If we had played and won our game in hand over QPR we would be 4th. Cant argue with that!




Aspirations for this season?


We have to finish in Top 10 I think to keep the 'Cotterill Out' brigade at bay. Still have one of the smallest squads in League so if injuries/suspensions kick in in second half of season we might struggle. We do have more options though this season, especially in attack. We could be an outside bet to reach play-offs if we get a fair bit of luck and the new Director (Brendan Flood) and Board seem to mean business and have some money sloshing about for a change. We don't appear to want to sell in the transfer windows now to make a quick buck and if anything have become a buying club.





Burnley player to watch, how will they hurt us?


If Blake continues to play like last few matches you better watch out, if he doesn't score he will assist a few. Andy Gray is always the poacher and when either of them tire in final 20 minutes the usual ploy is to bring on Ade Akinbiyi who has got back his pace and goal-scoring thirst.





If you could have one Cardiff player on a free, who and why?


Fowler probably. He's just that sort of guy like Teddy Sheringham who always seems to be a lethal prospect despite their advancing years. Experience counts a lot. How's Peter Whittingham doing these days? We had him loan a couple of seasons back but he never really shone.




Prediction for the game?


Suspect another draw. We have looked poor in defence in first 20 minutes recently, but have come back from 1-2 goals down in last two games. If we get out the blocks quickly and we can score in first 20-30 minutes we are difficult to beat. Ill go for 2-2 hoping we can nick it by the odd goal.





Thanks to Turfman Phil over at Vital Burnley for his comments.

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