Oppositions View - Cardiff City

Last updated : 21 October 2002 By
Notts County Vs Cardiff City
How has your start to the season been?
We have had a good start really, five wins, two draws and a defeat is not to
be sniffed at. This is without the team playing exceptionally well, we have
had some poor performances notably at home to Northampton and the away draw
at Cheltenham was awful stuff. The last two home games have seen a change
in system to 4-4-2 from a more direct 4-3-3, and we have started to pass the
ball and play more football (rather than lumping the ball high upfield to
Leo Fortune West).

Where do you think you will finish this season?
After the horrible way we lost to Stoke in the playoffs at the end of last
term, we have to be looking at top two. Wigan are the only other side in
the division who can compete with us in the money stakes, and we have a
squad filled with quality players. If we don't go up this season then
serious questions must be asked. It's promotion or bust for us this year,
especially with the prospect of a new stadium in the pipeline. It's no good
having a 30,000 seater stadium and playing in division 2.

Are you happy with your start to the season?
Yes, the last couple of games have shown that we can break sides down at
home, and up until this weekend our away record is excellent.

Robert Earnshaw
Who should Notts' fans watch out for in the Cardiff side?

Our best player is Robert Earnshaw up front who is exceptionally quick and
very skilful. Whoever is marking him will be in for a busy afternoon. From
midfield, Graham Kavanagh seems to be regaining a bit of form in the centre,
and at the back Danny Gabbidon has been superb recently (including a full
debut for Wales in the away win in Helsinki). Ex-Notts County man Andy Legg
is still playing and still producing the goods week in week out. After last
season many fans thought it might be the end for Andy, but he is still in
there and playing better than ever.

How do you rate Notts County?
Obviously you haven't had the best start to the season, but with you not
having won at home yet, and us with an away record with no defeats since the
departure of Alan Cork in February, it's the sort of game where we could
come unstuck and you could get your first home win of the season. We never
seem to do well at Notts, in our last three visits the best result was the
dire 0-0 last season!

Who do you fear most in Notts' squad?
Caskey in midfield is obviously a good player on his day and we will have to
keep an eye on him, it seems your forwards have been sharing the goals
around. Even though your form isn't good you are scoring goals so our
defence will have to be on alert as there have been some shaky moments at
times.

Score prediction?
The obvious prediction to go for on league position, form etc is a Cardiff
win, but I fancy you are going to be keen for the victory against our big
time primadonnas (!) so I'll go for a 2-2 draw.