Article: B.McAuliffe
Avoid an easy mistake. This weekend, many connected to Cardiff City are looking intently at the points available, fuelled by the knowledge that three points from the nine remaining on offer will guarantee a top six finish.
It's something still on our 'to do' list since returning to the second tier in 2003, so some could be forgiven for an over elaborate focus and desire to attain the play-off prize (and pressure) on offer. But at times like this - ok, factoring in last year, we've done that already - in the run up to the fixture it's a time to perhaps emulate the cool as ice persona of Cardiff City boss Dave Jones.
Don't be confused or misled into the 'no passion' tag that some have wrongly attempted to label Jones with. In pressurised scenarios, at least to this writer, we really need to get into Lady GaGa 'Poker Face' mode. Flapping arms achieves nothing; a purple face achieves nothing other than high blood pressure.
The 'City boss has passion in truckloads, but correctly tempers this with a stern focus on the job at hand. What Dave does is to calmly look at each situation in itself, in football terms analysing the current game and target available. So to the weekend ahead it's important to look to our Loftus Road trip with blinkers on, aiming only for the win in isolation to the whirlwind around us right now. We can only control what we can control, right?
Rangers will provide a real test, as we already know from their win at Cardiff City Stadium courtesy of two first half Jay Simpson goals. Thankfully for us, and perhaps in parallel to the Hoops faltering season, gone are Wayne Routledge and Ben Watson - attacking flair players who would have certainly helped QPR take up a loftier position in the Championship table.
Instead Rangers go into the weekend in eighteenth place and with much to play for - also needing to isolate the world around them and to focus on the mission at hand. Ironically, three points is all they need from the four games and twelve points remaining to secure a Championship place next season. It won't be easy.
After our visit Neil Warnock's new club face fellow strugglers Watford, the almost safe Barnsley and one hundred points and title chasing Newcastle United.
Twenty third placed Plymouth and already relegated Peterborough can't catch the Loftus Road club, but should Cardiff claim the win on Saturday, a difficult win for Sheffield Wednesday at home in a derby day fixture against the Blades would certainly keep the pressure alive.
But as said, at times like these, success will be rewarded to those who can keep emotions in check and the pressure at an arm's reach. It sets itself up for an exciting afternoon in keeping with the demands and anxiety of the Championship. Get your poker faces on.
