View from Cardiff

[terryr]

" Manager of the month and player of the month awards won this morning.
Over 3,000 tickets reported as sold by the club.
Warnock press conference to come this morning
City take their 100% record to Craven Cottage tomorrow
Fulham took Ipswich's 100% record from them in their last match"

"
Warnock's press conference this morning:

Neil Warnock on his manager of the month award
Every one (award) is important. I remember most of them. It's not an award for the manager, it's an award for the whole club. We've moved together from the top right down, we are united. It's a really good achievement. The players have done really well and we've had a good pre-season and we've played good stuff well.

Warnock on player of the month Nathaniel Mendez-Laing
Right from meeting him I know what he's got, it's just reassuring lads like that, that the step up is not what you think, and to be yourself really. He has attributes which we use and you can see he enjoys it. Even before the season started, we had a very good pre-season.

Warnock on his side's form
All credit to the lads that were here as well, we had a decent end to the season. I've not seen Hoilett or Bamba play like this before. You've got your consistent ones like Peltier, Gunnarson and Ralls. And you've got Zohore as good as anything in the country. With Mendez-Laing playing like this, it's the freedom.

Warnock on tomorrow's opponents
Tomorrow's going to be a real good challenge. I think they were the best team we played last year, in the play-offs, i thought if they got past Reading they'd have gone up.
I think it's soon (that they go up). I have lost in the playoffs once. It's a horrible feeling and it's very difficult to get the lads up, no matter what you say. They must have known they were the best team so it's a double low to them. They've got so many good players, they'll have a lot of the ball.

Warnock on the upcoming fixtures
The next two months, I've said from day one, if we can be in the top 4 from the end of October then we've got a good chance of the play-offs. In the championship you won't win every game, it's so difficult. It wouldn't be a shock if we lost all three games. We'll have to use the squad a bit. Bruno's not even back yet. We'll have to think carefully about selection.

More from Warnock on the Championship
It's just as difficult to go to Burton in this league, the bottom teams can beat the top teams. The attitude of the players has got to be right. All I know is it will be difficult for the teams to play us.

Warnock on new signing Craig Bryson
I asked about Craig a couple of weeks earlier but Gary Rowett had no intention of selling him. I had a couple of options in midfield but I left it till about 8am in the morning to check with Gary if there was a chance of a deal.
And it seems things changes at their end. I was told that it would be possible if the player wanted to come.
In the end it was about 10 to 11, I don't know why it happens every year.

More on how Warnock got his man
He was my number one target. I just had a hunch when I rang up on that morning, because I had to get that passed by Vincent, Mehmet and Ken, they were fabulous. They really helped me secure Craig, they knew he was my target and he's the one I'd have liked to sign permanently.

Warnock on what Bryson brings
He's a very underrated player, he's a manager's player, I think that's why Gary was a bit loathe to let him come. He doesn't catch the eye but you always give him 8/10. We're asking a lot of Loic to play three games a week when he's come from the second division in france.

Warnock on new signing Liam Feeney
I think the two players coming in will help us get goals. Last window (Feeney) should've come. I think he needs me, he's not been a regular at Blackburn and the way I see him playing I think he can do well for me which is why I let Matthew (Kennedy) go.
I think we've got better on the bench now. It's given us a really good competitiveness now, to win games, not to just shut up shop.

Warnock on holding onto striker Kenneth Zohore
It's important that Zohore stayed, but I do feel sorry for Danny Ward because he's on fire in training. When you've won five out of five you can't complain to the manager. He will play an important part this season.
It is an absolute nightmare for managers. Last year we had deadline day on a game day. I was on the bench trying to do a deal. It's no thought from people who haven't got a clue about the game. I think it only encourages you to be a better manager.

More from the Bluebirds boss on Zohore
There was always interest in Zohore and the board I imagine of years ago would've snapped offers up but they weren't the right offers for us. Ken's a very important player for us so we were delighted when the window closed. I think he needs another year to play under me. He's come back a lot more mature than when he first came into the team. Whilst he might be disappointed that he hasn't scored goals in the last few games, his contribution has been super.
I've been quite pleased that he hasn't scored many goals because it hasn't alerted anybody about how many goals he's scored.
We need Ken and I think he needs us for this season.
I had Premier League managers ringing me and told me that they'd put an offer in, but then it was left to Mehmet and Vincent and they said no right from the start.


Warnock on his injured players
I went in the physio room and said they'll be out of work soon.
Paterson and Camp are both training, one's going to have half a game in the U-21s (Paterson) next week and Camp is planning to have half a game the week after.
I can't envisage him coming back until October (Paterson) but they're both big players.

More from the manager on injuries
Connolly is fit, he's Mr Reliable. You'll always lose Matt for a few games with his ankles, he's got ankles like pieces of paper.
Kadeem is doing very well, the medics are very happy with him. He's still got the brace on but it comes off next week if I'm not mistaken.

Warnock on not signing Ledley
We're done now until January. I don't want any other additions. I was looking for that attacking midfield player. That's why Bryson shaded that.

" Would absolutely love the continue the 100% start but this maybe a lot tougher that the current league positions indicate.
Our style is to allow opponents to have more possession while we hit them quickly on the break.
Perhaps allowing fulham plenty of possession early on may well give them increasing confidence to play the ball around smartly.
Last season I thought they were the best footballing side I managed to see. Even better than Algarve united in the North Midlands
I would take a draw."

" Fulham have made a pretty average start. Let them worry about us."

" Tom Cairney doesn't play against City tomorrow"

" Tactics !
Believe it when I see/hear it."

" ITS PAY ON THE DAY TOMORROW  :thumbright:  :thumbright:

Over 3,100 away tickets have already been sold - and tickets are available on the day!

Ticket Update

Cardiff City Stadium Ticket Office will be selling tickets until 5pm on Friday, 8th September 2017
Supporters can purchase from Craven Cottage on matchday
Cash Only at Turnstiles  :thumbright:  :bluebird:


Matchday Ticket Prices  :thumbright:  :thumbright:

Adults: £25
65+: £20
18-21: £20
17 & under: £5



08/09/17

NEIL WARNOCK:  :bluebird:  :bluebird:

"Connolly is fit, he's Mr Reliable. You'll always lose Matt for a few games with his ankles, he's got ankles like pieces of paper.
Kadeem is doing very well, the medics are very happy with him. He's still got the brace on but it comes off next week if I'm not mistaken."
"I went in the physio room and said they'll be out of work soon."
"Paterson and Camp are both training, one's going to have half a game in the U-21s (Paterson) next week and Camp is planning to have half a game the week after."
"I can't envisage him coming back until October (Paterson) but they're both big players."
3,500 CARDIFF CITY FANS WILL BE AT CRAVEN COTTAGE  :thumbright:  :bluebird:  :bluebird:
Fulham captain Tom Cairney will miss tomorrow's Craven Cottage clash"

" As always 2-1 to the Bluebirds."

" Good news Fulham sold Aluku to Reading for a big fee. So we gain vs Fulham then meet him later on vs Reading. By selling one of their better players , perhaps it is a sign that Fulham who was one of the favoured teams for top 6 is really less ambitious than we thought or needed the money"

" Aluko always been a threat for them when he played against us."

" Hundreds in the neutral end and its pay on the day in the Away End '  :bluebird:  :bluebird:
For years I have have done work for Fulham FC.
I asked my contact how many city fans do they expect in the neutral end and he stated that from the address records they are already a few hundred in the end that should be city supporters. They do ask fans on the telephone who have booked if you support Cardiff but have no issue if you say yes If you book via telephone you will save a few quid as prices are £5 more expensive.
Its pay on the gate "

" We are going to need to be on top form to keep our winning streak going!
Lets show em we aint going to roll over!

http://www.friendsoffulham.com/forum/in ... ic=61579.0


Nice to be thought of as a big scalp, but we are the team to beat right now!  :notworthy:  :bluescarf:  :ayatollah:  :bluebird:

Big scalp to take on Saturday, time for our first win at home of the season, for all sorts of reasons, 
If the Manager, Players and Supporters, and I repeat, if the Manager, Players and Supporters cannot be up for this encounter, then they will never be motivated for anything.

If I was in the home dressing room in some capacity prior to kick off.
Those players would emerge from the tunnel feeling ten feet tall, breathing fire, and feeling as though they are capable of pulling Oak trees out by their roots.
The dressing room walls would have more dents in them than my wife's car.
No excuses for having an uneventful mediocre start to the game.
We should hit them hard from the start. Don't give them hope when there isn't any. Take no prisoners. Sow seeds of doubt in their minds.

Silence their supporters.
No excuses for failure.
Get in there ! "

" The Fulham poster describes himself as a 'biscuit' I'd say more of a fruit cake myself."

" They're knobs mate and obviously worried about the threat we carry

" We've sold 3000 for this so the atmosphere should be rocking just like it was a few seasons back when we packed the away end. Great gound, another tough game for sure and an away point would be great but I just wonder if we could nick it?"

" So fulham will be up for .well so will we with three thousands diehards behind our team I can see us winning there again"

"How have they got a better manager than us? fans may not like NW but at least they respect his record at this level!"

" They are claiming that they have better players I'm struggling to think of many who would make our furst 11 TBH. Not as deluded as Wolves but certainly up their. A point would be great for us a win would be sensational and then I would be starting to think we could even go on to make it 10 from 10 given our upcoming fixtures crazy "

" GOOD NEWS!!!!
Fulham captain Tom Cairney will miss tomorrow's Craven Cottage clash with Championship leaders Cardiff City due to injury, Slavisa Jokanovic has confirmed during his pre-match press conference this afternoon.

The playmaker has been troubled by a knee injury since the summer, having had an operation in Barcelona to repair a meniscus tear during pre-season, and was withdrawn from the Scotland squad for their recent World Cup qualifiers in order to manage his fitness following his return in the 2-0 win at Ipswich last month. Cairney, who had an injection to ensure he could start the game at Portman Road, is definitely out of tomorrow afternoon's game and he is not the only first-team figure Fulham will be without.

" That is really good news.
Cairney is definitely one of the best players in the Championship and it's a real boost that he's unable to play tomorrow.
It's a pity for the player of course and it would be interesting to see how our midfield did against him but I'd much rather he were not to play"

" Happy to hear that news as he is probably the best CM in the championship. His passing and the way he dictates the tempo of games is similar to a young Peter Whittingham, so a big boost for us on Saturday."

"  I'm disappointed. I'd have liked Cairney to have played. If you wanna be the best, you have to beat the best.
Oh, and of course, should we win it'll give Fulham a massive excuse why we won :bluescarf:  :bluescarf:
Still, you can only beat what's in front of you"

" Tough test for us this one. We're playing so well it's hard not to see us taking something from this game. But can we really make it six wins in a row?
Fulham 2-2 City (Zohore, Morrison)"

" Fulham 1- 3 City"

" nervy 1-0 city"

" 1-2 city win "

" 2-1 Fulham"

"  064.gif"

" In fairness to Russell Slade's greatest admirer, Fulham are fave's to win the game with every bookmaker on the planet."

" 3 - 1 City"

" I was there for the last 5-2 at Craven Cottage. It was 1989 and super Cohen Griffith ran rings round their hapless defenders all afternoon. City Go Nap at the Cottage, screamed the Football Echo's front page."

" I think we'll drop or first points here.
Whether it's 2 or 3 dropped, I really don't know."

" Fulham are not (yet) the side they were last season
We can give them a hiding
3-1"

" Well earned 1-1."

" Fulham 3 Cardiff 8"

" I see this as a game for the spectator.
They will want to play their much hyped purist football (could well work in our favour) and we will want to keep it tight at the back whilst hitting them on the counter, big Ken holding it up whilst we bust a gut to support him.
Fitness will be key on whether we play a hard press (hopefully no injuries and few pies consumed in the last fortnight) and I hope we do this rather than try and soak up what they throw at us.
First points dropped, I predict 2-2."

" http://mauveandyellowarmy.net/"

" Fulham 2 - 1 City please mate,
Zohore to end his drought."

" 1 - 1 at Fulham. Zohore has to notch again soon. This could be the one."

" 2-1 the mighty city
I think Fulham are potentially a better side than Wolves but they might not quite be there at the moment.
As long as the result is the same, that'll do."

Next 8 fixtures

Sat Sep 9 Fulham A - DRAW

Tue Sep 12 Preston North End A - WIN

Sat Sep 16 Sheffield Wednesday H - LOSS

Sat Sep 23 Sunderland A - LOSS

Tue Sep 26 Leeds United H - WIN

Sat Sep 30 Derby County H - DRAW

Sat Oct 14 Birmingham City A - WIN

Sat Oct 21 Middlesbrough A - LOSS

Out of 24 points I'll go for 11

" Nah...I'm more optimistic

Sat Sep 9 Fulham A - DRAW

Tue Sep 12 Preston North End A - WIN

Sat Sep 16 Sheffield Wednesday H - WIN

Sat Sep 23 Sunderland A - WIN

Tue Sep 26 Leeds United H - DRAW

Sat Sep 30 Derby County H - WIN

Sat Oct 14 Birmingham City A - WIN

Sat Oct 21 Middlesbrough A - LOSS

Out of 24 points I'll go for 17

Sunderland are in dreadful form and Wednesday have started poorly. Leeds however look a really good side and 'boro have too many good players and will start to click at some point"

" I think teams will start to figure us a bit more now.

Sat Sep 9 Fulham A - LOSS

Tue Sep 12 Preston North End A - DRAW

Sat Sep 16 Sheffield Wednesday H - WIN

Sat Sep 23 Sunderland A - DRAW

Tue Sep 26 Leeds United H - DRAW

Sat Sep 30 Derby County H - WIN

Sat Oct 14 Birmingham City A - WIN

Sat Oct 21 Middlesbrough A - LOSS
12 points

"Fulham win
Preston win
Sheff weds win
sunderland win
Leeds win
Derby win
Birmingham win
Middlesbrough win
24 points, was thinking leeds might be a draw and middlesbrough but if they get there on a roll I think they can nick a win"

"  Sat Sep 9 Fulham A - LOSS

Tue Sep 12 Preston North End A - DRAW

Sat Sep 16 Sheffield Wednesday H - WIN

Sat Sep 23 Sunderland A - LOSS

Tue Sep 26 Leeds United H - DRAW

Sat Sep 30 Derby County H - WIN

Sat Oct 14 Birmingham City A - DRAW

Sat Oct 21 Middlesbrough A - LOSS

Out of 24 points I'll go for 9 (prefer being proved wrong when pessimistic than the other way around! "

" f we get through those 8 and still sit top of the league, I'd back us to still be there by the end.

Fulham - Draw
Preston - Win
Wednesday - Win
Sunderland - Win
Leeds - draw
Derby - Loss
Birmingham - Win
Middlesbrough - Loss

14 from 24 for the hardest period of the season I'd take."

[aaronmcguigan]

Last season I thought they were the best footballing side I managed to see. Even better than Algarve united in the North Midlands


I'm probably being dim here but who or what are these folk referring to here?

[Bill2]

I want some of the drugs there fans are taking, they are a bit delusional. They play a few of the strugling teams and they think they are world beaters. It is like an England fan saying we are top of our world cup group therefore we should go on and win the competition. I seem to recall Huddersfield and Reading fans saying similar things last season.

We have a few injuries and we have not had a chance to play the same 11 players in consecutive matches,  so it will bean interesting game.