City v. Wolves - Boxing Day Preview
Football Festivities
By Chris O'Brien
December 25 2004
Wolverhampton Wanderers visit Ninian Park in a crucial Boxing Day clash. The Bluebirds could drop into the relegation zone unless they take three points from Glenn Hoddle's side, who are the surprise strugglers of the Football League Championship.
Another bad week off the field as Neil Harris moves to Nottingham Forest, Cardiff City admit they are struggling to compete financially with even the poorest Championship sides and journalists slam the boardroom and playing staff. It has certainly been yet another week to forget, as Wolverhampton Wanderers make the relatively short journey from the Midlands to Ninian Park for the Boxing Day encounter.
Wolves have disappointed so far this season, and currently sit 16th in the table with dreams of a quick return to the Premiership fading quickly. Even more amazing, they lost to the Bluebirds at home! Dave Jones resigned from his position as manager after a slow start in the Football League, and Glenn Hoddle has taken the helm at Molineux in the hope to drag back a tarnished career from the dust.
Defeat at Sheffield United has really plunged City into trouble. Defeat on Sunday could see the struggling Bluebirds fall to 23rd, with both Forest and Gillingham only once point behind. Rotherham remain rock bottom of the table with 12 points, and Ronnie Moore's side seem certainties for the drop. Lawrence's side have lost ? games on the bounce, and will be hoping not to have a repeat of last season's festive period where the club suffered 5 successive losses.
Junichi Inamoto could be handed his Cardiff City debut in midfield for the festive clash, with Graham Kavanagh suspended after his foolish antics at Brammal Lane. The Japanese international is included in the squad after joining on a brief loan spell from West Brom, in a move designed to help the player find some fitness. However, Lawrence may prefer Lee Bullock and Willie Boland in the centre of the midfield.
Richard Langley could be set for a surprise inclusion in the side. The London-born Jamaican international has taken longer than expected to recover from an injury but is now back to near-full fitness and may be thrown straight into the line-up, with a change in playing style desperately needed. Meanwhile, long-term absentees Martyn Margetson and Gary Croft remain unavailable.
As for the visitors, Hoddle is without Dean Sturridge and George Noah meaning Wolves are extremely weakened in attacking options. Influential midfielder Paul Ince could return, but the former Manchester United, Liverpool and Inter Milan star may have to wait until Tuesday's game against fellow strugglers Brighton and Hove Albion.
It's Boxing Day - so the 'once a season' fans tend to come out of the woodwork. A big away following is certain from the Black Country, so a minimum attendance of 16,000 has to be expected. Fans are voting with their feet as calls for Lawrence's head grow louder by the day.
I hope you all have a fantastic Christmas. Enjoy the game.