After last week’s emotional encounter at the CCS, Warnock will be looking for a reaction from his team in a ‘winnable’ game against Brighton. No offence to Brighton, but they are a team I’m never sure are good or bad. Hughton has done a great job for them – what could have been, eh? – and they sit mid-table in the Premier League – but the times I’ve watched them, they’ve never set the world alight. Either way, Cardiff City will be hoping they can get their second win of the season…
Cardiff City vs. Brighton & Hove Albion
Premier League
Cardiff City Stadium
10th November 2018, 12:30pm (GMT)
Referee: Martin Atkinson
Starting XI
And three things to look out for…
No Arter. It was only a matter of time but Harry has tackled his way into a suspension. It was going to come sooner rather than later and it’s good timing, I guess, with Ralls returning. One would assume that Ralls comes straight in for Arter with Victor being allowed to push forward again. Gunnar will likely screen. But Arter’s suspension will leave us without his endless energy and chasing down – a big miss when trying to put opposing players under pressure.
Manga at right back. With Richards injured, and Peltier out of the frame for a bit longer, Manga will continue at right back. I agree with Warnock when he says he’s been the most consistent defender out of the regular back four. But others don’t. Manga is a class act but not a natural right back. He’s been brilliant for much of the season but has, perhaps, wasn’t at his best against Leicester. Time for him to make amends.
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No Zohore. Zohore being out injured is a blessing and a curse. It’s a blessing because it takes the focus off him and his lack of form. A curse because it means we have to persist with Madine on the bench. Zohore is this season’s scapegoat. Perhaps unfairly, but he hasn’t looked at his best. A period without him in the squad will take the pressure off him ever so slightly. And I hope it gives chance for Warnock to reflect too. Zohore isn’t a typical target man. Just because he’s big doesn’t mean he should be played as one. We need to figure out how to get the best of Zohore – otherwise, he could fade from the team altogether.
Players to watch out for
Shane Duffy. But for slightly different reasons…
Brighton lost 3-1 in their last outing to Everton and will be looking to rectify that at the CCS. Up top, veteran Glenn Murray is still doing the business for them. Testament to him as a footballer, he’s seemingly reinvented himself over the past seasons and the 35-year-old scored 12 last year and is halfway to that this season. He’s big. He’s uncompromising. He scores. I expect him to give Bamba and Morrison a torrid time.
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Beyond that, they’ve got a few tricky players in Knockaert, Kayal, and Jahanbakhsh that our midfielders will have to be wise too.
Best case result
We were good against Fulham and getting back to those levels is key. We need to ensure Victor has a bit of freedom, Murphy gets the ball in the right areas and we support Paterson. That’s what worked against Fulham and it can work against Brighton. We keep defensively tight and actually keep the ball for a bit, we can win 2-0.
Worst case result?
Brighton are no slouches. A sound manager, some quality players mixed with some grit and guile. They aren’t mid-table for nothing and they have given better teams than us a run for our money. I don’t expect them to be anything other than solid at the back and if Murray gets on to a cross or a corner, they could come away with a 1-0 win.