Southampton v Cardiff 28.02.09
After a decent point against QPR in midweek, Cardiff travel to Southampton on Saturday as we look to continue our fine unbeaten run. Three points will be on the agenda against a team who face the real possibility of relegation, but City will know it will not be easy. Simon Glanville takes a look at the key facts ahead of the St Mary's meeting.
Cardiff team news: Dave Jones has a selection headache on his hands after four players picked up injuries in the QPR game on Wednesday night. Michael Chopra limped off with a heel injury and Kevin McNaughton also had to be withdrawn after a hamstring strain. Roger Johnson and Gavin Rae did complete the 90 minutes, but they also picked up niggles. All four players face a race against time to be fit for the Southampton game.
Unfortunately, that's not the end of Jones' troubles, as he was already without Jay Bothroyd, Gabor Gyepes and Stephen McPhail for the Hoops' visit. Jones will be hoping that the majority of his casualties will patch themselves up in time for the weekend.
Win World for a for a year.
Who was manager of Cardiff City prior to the appointment of Dave Jones in 2005?
A) Alan Cork
B) Bobby Gould
C) Lennie Lawrence
Text your answer with the prefix of card to 88442 - Example card B to 88442.
Texts cost 25p plus your network charge.
The winner will be drawn at random at half time during the Barnsley game.
Southampton team news: Saints teenager Kayne McLaggon will miss the Cardiff game and the rest of the season after suffering a ruptured achilles. The youngster has made eight first-team appearances since making his debut at Plymouth on Boxing Day, and also scored his first senior goal in the Saints' 2-2 draw with Norwich.
Wayne Thomas remains on the sidelines but other than that Mark Wotte has a fully fit squad to choose from for the visit of the Bluebirds.
Southampton's season so far: Southampton have had a difficult season to say the least, and they go into the weekend's game with Cardiff in a position which brings a serious threat of relegation.
Jan Poortvliet was in charge at the beginning of the season, but he was recently replaced by new head coach Mark Wotte, as the club look to avoid the drop to League One. Wotte has admitted that he intends to stick with the more experienced players at his disposal, pointing to the lack of experience in the young Saints squad for a reason for their season of struggle.
Last meeting: Our last meeting with the Saints was on the opening day of the season at Ninian Park, where a last-minute Roger Johnson goal earned City a great start to the season. Earlier, Steve Thompson had put Cardiff ahead four minutes before half-time, but the Saints went in at the break level courtesy of Dave McGoldrick. But it was Johnson who had the final say as the Bluebirds kicked off 2008/2009 with a bang.
Teams from last meeting at Ninian Park on 9th August 2008:
Bluebirds: Heaton, McNaughton, Loovens, Roger Johnson, Kennedy, Whittingham (Parry 74), Rae, McPhail, Ledley, Thompson (Bothroyd 67), McCormack. Subs not used: Enckelman, Purse, Comminges.
Saints: Davis, James, Perry, Svensson, Thomson (Dyer 59), Surman, Holmes (Wright-Phillips 70), Schneiderlin (Wotton 70), Gillett, Lallana, McGoldrick. Subs not used: Bialkowski, Thomas.
Attendance: 19,749.
Southampton last time out: The Saints gave their survival hopes a big boost last time out after overcoming promotion chasing Preston at St Mary's. Andrew Surman sent them on their way and Marek Saganowski notched an impressive brace, to see the home side go in 3-0 at the break. Shell-shocked Preston did get one back in the second-half through Ross Wallace, but Southampton held on for a deserved three points.
Saints: Davis, James, Perry, Saeijs, Skacel, Lallana (Liptak 88), Gillett, Euell, Surman, McGoldrick (Wotton 77), Saganowski (Wright-Phillips 87). Subs not used: Bialkowski, Smith.
