Cardiff plot a return to winning ways against stumbling Stoke

Cardiff City are set to be presented a golden opportunity of getting back on track with the visit of out of sorts Stoke City on Tuesday evening.

Following Mick McCarthy’s appointment at the back end of January, the Bluebirds have appeared a different proposition, storming into the play-off positions.

The Irishman has masterminded seven victories out of eleven in his so far short tenure, deservedly claiming February’s Manager of the Month award. However, his side have failed to clinch victory in their two most recent outings. This mini-blip has seen them fall further adrift of the top-six, now seven points shy of Barnsley who are enjoying all-encompassing form.

Their opposition, on the contrary, are in disarray. Having harboured genuine promotion aspirations at the beginning of the campaign, they now malinger a galling 11 points short of the play-off places, winning a paltry three of their last sixteen fixtures.

All three of the aforementioned wins were against arguably lesser opponents, the full quota also held at their Bet365 home. Occupying 12^th position with a points tally of 48, a season that once held such promise looks to result in a prolonging of the Potters’ Premier League absence.

In their most recent contest, Cardiff’s promotion credentials received a substantial dent, as Watford inflicted late heartbreak upon the Bluebirds.

In what was Mick McCarthy’s first defeat as manager, his charges raced into an early lead. Josh Murphy sent a wicked delivery across the face of goal in search of target man, Kieffer Moore. Denied from applying the finish, Francisco Sierralta intervened, but could only put through his own net.

Fellow promotion hopefuls, Watford, responded almost instantaneously, drawing level just a minute later. Midfielder Nathaniel Chalobah drifted into a pocket of space before unleashing an unstoppable drive into the bottom corner.

Ismaila Sarr’s deflected attempt drew a fingertip save out of Dillon Phillips moments prior to the break, Watford’s equaliser providing Xisco Munoz’s side renewed impetus, and they continued to apply considerable pressure during the second stanza.

Cardiff’s defensive triumvirate of Aden Flint, Sean Morrison and Curtis Nelson admirably held strong, however, the persistent waves of Hornets attacks eventually paid dividends. Perry Ng pushed Sarr on the edge of the area, allowing for Adam Masina’s swirling free-kick to bamboozle Phillips and snatch all three points in the Welsh Capital.

Stoke were dismantled by Neil Warnock’s Middlesbrough on Saturday, keeping Boro’s play-off hopes alive; the Teesiders trail Cardiff by a single point.

Stoke started on the front foot and fell agonisingly short of taking the lead, Jacob Brown grazing a post after only 22 seconds. For all of their possession, the Potters were unable to convert and Boro took full advantage.

Demonstrating efficiency at its fullest, Chuba Akpom instinctively glanced Marc Bola’s corner into the path of Grant Hall, who made no mistake from yards away; Boro’s first sight of goal proving devastating.

The lead was doubled prior to the interval, Yannick Bolasie feeding Paddy McNair down the left, who coolly guided into the far corner.

Middlesbrough almost made it three, Angus Gunn charging out of goal. Stranded in no-man’s-land, the ball fell to the feet of McNair, who could only find the side netting as the goal gaped. It didn’t matter, Warnock’s side made amends, making it three without reply with two minutes remaining, as Nathaniel Mendez-Laing expertly chipped Gunn having latched onto Sam Morsy’s through-ball.

“We’ll expect to see a reaction. It was a very quiet dressing room after the game and we have to make sure we’re ready for a very tough game at Cardiff, who have got themselves into a good position and are on a great run under Mick.”

“We have to be able to deal with the challenge they pose. It will be a big physical challenge.” – Michael O’Neill: Stoke Sentinel

Winless in their last ten away trips, Michael O’Neill’s side face a daunting prospect. That being said, if Cardiff are to put Stoke to the sword, a return to form for top scorer Kieffer Moore, could prove pivotal. The Welshman still leads the way with 16 strikes, but the goals have dried up recently, a mere three from seven contests following a spell of five in as many fixtures.

Team News

For McCarthy’s Bluebirds, Leandro Bacuna and Sheyi Ojo are eyeing recalls and will be hoping to play a part in Tuesday’s clash under the lights.

Midfielder Lee Tomlin, along with right-back, Jordi Osei-Tutu, continue to progress well, however, will likely miss the hosting of Stoke having endured prolonged injury layoffs.

As for the visitors, Michael O’Neill will undoubtedly be planning to shuffle the pack following a dismal run. Rabbi Matondo and Sam Vokes will seek to make an impact, as the Potters hope for a lift in the goalscoring department.

The spine of the team could also receive a timely boost, with defender, Danny Batth, and midfielder, Jordan Thompson, progressing well along the recovery trail.

Head to Head

The Bluebirds claimed maximum points from December’s visit to Stoke’s Bet365 stadium, and, in the process, made it four wins on the bounce.

Proving they could indeed “do it on a cold Tuesday night in the Potteries”, Cardiff fought back from a 1-0 deficit to secure a priceless victory, denying Michael O’Neill’s side the chance to move level with, at the time, second place Norwich City.

After a promising start from the visitors, Stoke took the lead, defender Sean Morrison erroneously directing a Tyrese Campbell centre into his own net. The Potters almost doubled their advantage, James Chester’s header from a James McLean cross cannoning off the crossbar, but the score remained 1-0 going into the break.

Sean Morrison’s individual nightmare almost went from bad to worse, as he was adjudged to have felled Nick Powell. Sam Vokes stepped up for the home side, but another chance went begging, Alex Smithies guessing correctly and thwarting his effort.

Ultimately, the failed penalty proved brutally costly, as Cardiff found a way back into the game in the 66^th minute. Joe Ralls sent in a hopeful delivery directed towards the back post, finding substitute Robert Glatzel, who made no mistake.

With just under a quarter of an hour of the contest to play, the Bluebirds converted one point into three, centre-half Sean Morrison transitioning from villain to hero in the most dramatic fashion, guiding home a corner from close range.

Meetings between the sides have been infrequent of late due to differing league stature. In full, Stoke boast the bragging rights, tasting victory on 21 occasions, compared with 17 for the Bluebirds. The remainder of the 48 duels have finished all square.

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