Opposing View: Cardiff City

Vital Cardiff City editor Bluebirdshroom gives us the inside track on his side ahead of Tuesday's clash...

What were your hopes, fears & expectations for the season?

Obviously promotion is the aim, but there is again the realistic proposition of us 'doing a Cardiff'!

Any more Play-Off defeats would be difficult to take but with the strength of teams competing for the top two - it looks likely that could be our only option.

It's old news now - but what's your take on the whole kit and badge fiasco?

If changing our kit and badge was crucial to a well thought out strategy to ensure we are successful in the Far East where Vincent Tan will look to align the Cardiff City FC brand with his commercial empire - then we would reluctantly accept it I think.

What has transpired though has not lived up to that, and it's a bit of a mess at the moment.

Is this the season Cardiff finally do it?!

The old frailties are still there unfortunately.

When Nicky Maynard came in, everything finally looked in place but his awful injury halted that and we again lack pace, presenting teams with an easy option to nullify us.

How are messrs Taylor, Mutch, Helguson, Cowie & Smith doing?

Taylor is dependable if unspectacular, though he does allow his opponents to cross a little too easily.

Mutch looks good, but has missed the last few weeks so the jury is still out.

Cowie remains a luxury, and contributes little other than being amazingly fit and dependable.

Smith has been inconsistent, lively and very intelligent one week, negligible impact and looking lost the next. I think he's still learning his role.

Helguson does an awful lot for the team, but we are somewhat limited when he plays along up-front. He is undoubtedly effective, but will need more help.

One player you'd drive to his next club?

There's no-one I think can't play a role for us this season (though many won't).

I think I'd happily take Joe Ralls to any League One club - for his own good!

He's a fantastic prospect, but won't improve much more without playing, I'd just hope it was a loan move...

One Hornet you'd snare & why?

I can honestly say that much of your squad is a mystery to me this season, but we certainly need defensive cover and Lloyd Doyley would fit that bill nicely.

Having said that, he's been with you a while and I'm not sure how well it would go down if we stole anyone else from you!

Who will be the key player on Tuesday?

Craig Noone.

Our home form is great, but away we're poor. A lack of pace means that teams can stifle us, denying Whittingham any space and isolating Helguson.

If Noone can get on the ball and offer his pace and width - everything becomes so much easier for the other attacking players.

Match prediction?

Simply because we're playing at home, I will suggest that City can win this.

Unfortunately Watford will definitely have a go at us, and historically those teams often hurt us, but if we can score first a 2-0 win would do wonders.

Well noted Bluebirdshroom - no-one is touching our Lloyd!