CAULKER TARGETS HOME GAMES

City defender calls for good run of home form

Following Saturday’s derby defeat to Swansea, focus turns to tonight’s clash against Aston Villa.

With seven home games remaining, Cardiff defender, Steven Caulker is urging his side to become consistent in South Wales to bolster their chances of survival.

The 22-year-old has made a positive impact on City since arriving in the summer and having witnessed his team show great resolve to bounce back from disappointments before, he’s backing his side to do the same again.

The side have been bolstered by a raucous crowd all season and the man who has captained the Bluebirds on numerous occasions this campaign is urging the supporters to bring the noise once again, saying: “I’d like to make a plea to the fans to continue to get behind us and make our stadium a hard place to come.

“If we can win our seven remaining home games we’ll remain in the Premier League. Saturday was unacceptable and we have no excuses. It was a disappointing result, especially in a derby but we’ve got a strong bunch of lads and a good manager behind us so we’re looking to put things right.

“We’re all thankful to play for the badge but there was a lack of quality on Saturday as we conceded sloppy goals. We were well beaten but we now need to bounce back. We need to start games better as it’s always a hard battle when you go one or two down.

“We’ve been speaking about starting more on the front foot and that’s something we’ll look to do on Tuesday. The manager made it clear that he wanted to play attacking football when he got the job and bit by bit we’ve picked it up.”

Cardiff may lie one place away from the foot of the division, but Caulker is well aware that there is only six points separating 19th and 10th in the league and is looking for his team to take advantage of that.

Speaking to the press at Cardiff City Stadium, Caulker said:  “There’s no excuses now. It’s a case of now or never.

“It’s very tight down the bottom. We’re in a dogfight and we’re looking to get three points against Aston Villa. We need to restore belief in the camp as that was dented on Saturday.

“Villa are a good attacking side and we’ll need to be at it. There’s no easy game in the Premier League. They have a number of good players such as Benteke who I’ve played against a few times. I’ll be playing with respect but no fear.”

With thirteen games to go of the Premier League season, Caulker has pointed to the good form of Crystal Palace and Sunderland in recent weeks that has seen them climb their way up the league table from the bottom three positions.

“You look at Palace and Sunderland who were down the bottom a few weeks ago, but they put a run together and got themselves out of it so we’ll be looking to do the same. I’m sure it’ll go right down to the wire,” Caulker said.

“There’s a lot of confidence in our group and we’re ready to go. The table is so tight and we’re more than capable of pulling ourselves out of the relegation zone and going on an unbeaten run.”

WATCH OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER AND STEVEN CAULKER GIVE THEIR PRE-MATCH VIEW BELOW