City v. West Bromwich Albion - Match Preview

The Baggies assistant boss enjoyed two spells as manager with the Bluebirds and is well liked amongst many supporters. Burrows first took over in Cardiff in May 1986, leading City to Fourth Division runners-up spot the following season. However, he left Ninian Park the following year to assist John Gregory and after a short spell of managing Pompey, went to the dark side as boss of Swansea City.

Burrows returned to Ninian Park in 1998, and once again gained promotion with City finishing 3rd in the bottom flight. However, chairman Steve Borley parted company with Burrows the following season following a series of disappointing results. The ex-City boss is sure to receive a welcoming reception from fans on the night.

On-form Robert Earnshaw will perhaps have a few interesting words to exchange with Burrows before the game. Burrows tried to offload Earnshaw during his second spell in charge of the Bluebirds, with Fulham and Greenock Morton both in talks with the club, but fortunately Burrows' successor, the late Billy Ayre, decided to keep Earnie at the club!

City go into the game with West Brom in fantastic form, with a current run of 7 games without a loss. Victory tomorrow would see us go up to an incredible 5th place in the First Division, and qualification for the end of season play-offs would certainly become a talking point on the terraces. It will be no easy task though, with Gary Megson's hardworking side having won their last 6 games on the road, and they are looking strong contenders to bounce straight back into the Premiership following relegation last season.

Graham Kavanagh is still definitely unavailable for selection following the leg injury he picked up on international duty with the Republic of Ireland, with the Bluebirds skipper likely to make his comeback against his former club on December 6th.

Lennie Lawrence is also sweating over the fitness of John Robinson, who limped off over City's lucky 1-0 win over Wimbledon at Milton Keynes on Saturday with a calf strain. Willie Boland will be expected to step into the midfield should the Welsh international be left out.

There is a big question mark over whether Lawrence will start with Peter Thorne or Gavin Gordon up front tomorrow. Record signing Thorne has only 60 minutes of reserve team football under his belt since the injury, and is still not 100% but the fans are anxious to see the man with the magic hat return alongside Robert Earnshaw. If Gordon starts, it could be his last chance to prove himself to the City bench that he is worthy of a contract extension, with his current deal ending in May.

Visitors West Brom have been in the news recently for the wrong reasons, with striker Lee Hughes being arrested for involvement in a car crash which resulted in the death of a man in his 50's. Hughes will definitely not be considered for the match-day squad tomorrow.

Gary Megson also has Danny Dichio as a doubt, but his hopeful he will shake off the knock picked up in Brom's goalless stalemate with Reading on Saturday, to partner pre-season City target Robert Hulse up front.

City's last competitive meeting against Albion was an amazing 28 years ago, with West Brom 2-0 winners in both league encounters that season. However, although I wasn't even born in that season, I can sadly remember Bromwich's last visit to Ninian Park in non-competitive action. For those of you who have only adopted the Bluebirds-bug recently, the Baggies visited Fortress Ninian in a pre-season friendly back in July 1998, and left the Welsh capital 5-0 winners!

Just over 2,000 were in attendance that day. I would predict a bumper crowd of over 17,000, with a strong following from the Midlands, to create an enjoyable atmosphere at Ninian Park tomorrow.

Bluebird to the Bone Prediction - Cardiff City 1-0 West Bromwich Albion
Normally, I wouldn't expect to much from this fixture but with all the news on West Brom and Lee Hughes at the moment, expect some disruption in the ranks. City are on excellent form results-wise, and the confidence is there to get something from this game. Robert Earnshaw to score City's goal.

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