***match day thread*** Cardiff City v Millwall

Back in wales it is time to feature the Chough. While its black plumage identifies it as a crow, the chough (pronounced 'chuff') has a red bill and legs unlike any other member of the crow family. It has a restricted westerly distribution in the British Isles and because of its small population size and historically declining populations it is an Amber List species. It readily displays its mastery of flight with wonderful aerial displays of diving and swooping. Found in flocks in autumn and winter.

Cardiff City: Russell Slade calls for unity amid Trust concern

Cardiff City manager Russell Slade has urged the club and its supporters to "pull in the same direction".
Cardiff City Supporters Trust called on the club to reveal its blueprint for the future amid fears over player sales and falling attendances.
In response, Bluebirds chairman Mehmet Dalman said the club will "enhance engagement" with fans this summer and next season.
"You do want everybody trying to pull in the same direction," said Slade.
"That's important for any success. My priority is the football, the players and dealing with that. Any off-the-field thing has to be dealt with by the relevant parties."
Cardiff are 13th in the Championship table following Tuesday's 3-1 defeat at Ipswich.
A disappointing season has seen attendances fall sharply, prompting worries from the Supporters Trust.
The Trust has also expressed its concern about leading players such as Kenwyne Jones being loaned out recently.
Slade admitted in April that some of the highest earners at the club may be among those to leave at the end of the season.
But speaking after his side's defeat against Ipswich, Slade insists he is still determined to build a side which can compete for promotion.
"We are trying to build here," he said.
"There are two things: the sustainable level we are trying to achieve and, at the same time, we are trying to build to be competitive enough to be in the top six.
"That's our aim. Nothing has changed."


Cardiff hope to have Ben Turner available for the first time since injuring ankle ligaments in January.
The defender is back in full training and could be listed among the substitutes, with a view to starting the final two matches of the season.

Millwall will be without midfielder Ed Upson through suspension, after he was sent off during the 2-0 win over Wigan. Defensive trio Shaun Williams, Shaun Cummings and Jos Hooiveld are doubts and Carlos Edwards is still out (knee).

MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head

•Millwall won the earlier meeting this season 1-0 at The Den in October - their first win in nine meetings.
•Cardiff are unbeaten in the last four meetings at home, winning two. Millwall's last win there was 1-0 in the Championship in February 2005.

Cardiff
•Cardiff have won only one of their last four games. Their only win since 21 March was 2-1 at Leeds last Saturday
•Cardiff have won only one of their last nine home games in all competitions. Their only home win since 10 January was 2-0 against Birmingham in the Championship on 21 March.

Milwall
•Millwall have lost only one of their last five games. Their only defeat since mid-March was 2-0 against Watford at home last Saturday.
•Millwall have lost four of their last five away games, drawing the other. Their last win on the road was 1-0 at Birmingham on 10 February.

Sorry for the negativity but Millwall have far more to play for....2-1 to Millwall

*** G L O V E S *** wrote:

Cardiff City Football Club 1-0 Miwaw

Oh, Gloves, I think your streak is about to end.......................

0 - 2 Millwall

Yes they have more to play for but they're still rubbish. Score draw.

hope my chough does not end up crapping on russell

Back in the late 1960s / early 1970s when I was a real regular at Ninian Park, Millwall was an annual fixture. They were as much stuck in the old 2nd Division as we were and I think the matches between us were pretty much honours-even over that period.

One lasting memory was Brian Clark's header back and over Bryan King from the keeper's goal kick. King had had a nightmare kicking all day, but he hit a low straight bullet at Clark who was about halfway between the edge of the box and the centre circle. It was a thing of beauty, Clark just putting his head through the ball and watching it sail gracefully into the goal at the Grange End.

Topically also, Millwall had been rebranded in those days and turned out in all white. Wiki says that they adopted all-white twice, 1968-1975 and 1999-2002 but I don't remember that it caused any particular angst at the time.

Fabio out, Noone back in...........

Can't listen today - family day trip!

To be honest I'm looking forward to a summer break and a fresh start in August

First 20 minutes sound scrappy. Plenty of "long balls forward"....

This squad would look infinitely better if we just had a player in the middle of the pitch with a little bit of flair. Someone who is happy with the ball at his feet, isn't scared to take on his opppsite number and can also pick out a half decent pass. Chelsea have Fabregas, Man City have David Silva, Arsenal have Cazorla, United have Herrera. Obviously that sort of quality is too much to ask (unless Fabregas is REALLY keen...),  but that 'false 9' as its paraded about nowadays is critical to success nowadays. We don't have one, so we have to boot it up the pitch instead.

For the record, we did have him previously - Daehli fitted the profile of want absolutely perfectly.

Elsewhere, two goals for Rudy, first one set up by Conway....

Red614 wrote:This squad would look infinitely better if we just had a player in the middle of the pitch with a little bit of flair. Someone who is happy with the ball at his feet, isn't scared to take on his opppsite number and can also pick out a half decent pass. Chelsea have Fabregas, Man City have David Silva, Arsenal have Cazorla, United have Herrera. Obviously that sort of quality is too much to ask (unless Fabregas is REALLY keen...),  but that 'false 9' as its paraded about nowadays is critical to success nowadays. We don't have one, so we have to boot it up the pitch instead.

For the record, we did have him previously - Daehli fitted the profile of want absolutely perfectly.

True enough, but such players are a luxury for Championship teams. Hughes at Derby and Scott Parker come to mind.

TDA wrote:Elsewhere, two goals for Rudy, first one set up by Conway....

.....and a goal for ALF

Hat-trick for Rudy now........