by Steve Garland
Chris Burke has called for caution ahead of Saturday's play-off final with Blackpool to ensure that the Bluebirds are not the forgotten men at Wembley.
Preparing to embark on his first trip to the iconic stadium, the Scottish winger insisted that City had not achieved anything yet, and would be forgotten if they underestimated a strong Blackpool side looking to write a fairytale of their own.
Speaking to press on Thursday, the Scot rallied: "Nobody remembers the team that came second at Wembley. They will always remember the team that gets to the Premier League and we know that we are nowhere near that yet.
"We still have a massive game on Saturday and it's down to us to perform on the day and win the match. It's a great occasion to play in, but as the manager says, 'don't play the occasion, play the game,' - I think he's totally right."
The bookies have made the Bluebirds slight favourites against a Blackpool team that have produced a miraculous campaign under the guidance of manager Ian Holloway, having been tipped to flirt with relegation in pre-season.
As a result Burke was quick to take the favourites tag off Cardiff, saying: "I wouldn't say we are favourites, Blackpool are there because they deserve to be there. They are there because they have done well all season and have beaten a good team in the semi-final of the play-offs like we did. They deserve to be in the final just as much as us.
"The first league game between us was early on in the season and we drew 1-1 with them at their ground. It was exactly the same at Cardiff City Stadium as well, so in a sense it's level pegging. They're a great team and play good football."
And the former Rangers man is all too aware of some of the talent Blackpool have their disposal, having grown up with the likes of Stephen Dobbie and Charlie Adam during their time together at Ibrox.
"I know Stephen Dobbie well," Burke explained. "I played with him at youth level and in the reserves at Rangers, as well as Charlie Adam who I played with in the first team with. I practically grew up with Charlie at Rangers.
"Charlie is a fantastic player and some people may have said that it was a bit of a gamble to pay half a million for a player nobody really knew to come to the Championship; but I knew from a personal point of view that he is a fantastic player. He's got great technique and has been a very important and influential figure for Blackpool this season.
"He's got many attributes, he can see a pass, get the ball down and play and tackle. What you'll always get with Charlie is 110% commitment, plus he will always score goals and will always get double figures in a season for whoever he is playing for."
Burke has been regularly hitting the back of the net himself this term though having scored ten goals in all competitions so far. The Scot has reassured City fans that he will be fully fit to help take the Bluebirds into the Premier League on Saturday.
"My groin was a bit stiff before the Leicester play-off semis, but it's completely fine now and I'm looking forward to the match. Like the manager said, we're aiming to take a nation up at Wembley and we're relishing the challenge."
