Wembley. Cardiff are no strangers to Wembley though this year was unexpected. We were meant to be the second team to run out at the new Tottenham stadium but alas, it wasn’t ready. Wembley has been a decent hunting ground for Cardiff – though we could be facing a backlash from a Tottenham side who are missing key players and lost midweek to lowly Barcelona. After Messi, Tottenham will now be worrying about Murphy…
Tottenham Hotspur vs. Cardiff City
Premier League
Wembley Stadium, London
Saturday 6th October, 3pm BST
Referee: Mike Dean
Starting line-up
Three things to watch out for…
The wrath of Zohore. Zohore splits opinion like a Morrison throw splits time. For some, he’s simply not good enough. For others, he just needs a confidence boost. He had some good moments last week, testing Hart with a snap shot and making some good runs. But he needs a change in fortune and a goal would do him the world of good. Playing off Paterson is better for him and I hope that with a player like Murphy swinging crosses in, he gets on the end of one.
http://gty.im/1043750790
Bennett’s back. I still don’t understand why Joe was dropped. He’s been one of our better performers this season and his attacking play against Arsenal was a key reason for the first goal. Cunningham has been fine, though was at fault for at least the first goal against Burnley, but Bennett should be back. Doubling up on Tottenham’s weakened flanks on a wide pitch will give us a good shot at goals.
Camarasa’s wide play. With Paterson a defacto striker, Camarasa’s ability to support the wings is going to be more important than ever. But on a wide pitch, does he need to get that wide? Camarasa is probably our best passer of the ball and he gets crosses in regularly. But how wide will he push? We have to be careful not to overstretch because Spurts, despite missing players, can and will punish us. And Victor’s discretion will be required.
https://twitter.com/cardiffcitytv/status/1048238094028328960?s=12
Players to watch out for
Spurs are missing a few but they’ve still got Harry Kane. Reports of him looking jaded should be ignored. He’s the epitome of a striker who only needs one chance and with our defence as leaky as it has been, he will get that chance. Head or foot, Etheridge, Morrison and Bamba are going to have their work cut out.
http://gty.im/1049361138
Son and Lamela both started against Barca and both are class acts. Son is proving himself to be a quietly brilliant player and while Lamela hasn’t quite lived up to the hype he came with, he’s still a class act. Both seem to operate behind Kane and the midfield will need to keep tabs on where they are and what they are up to. Otherwise, we are sure to be punished.
Best case result?
It’s fair to say Tottenham haven’t been at their best this season and with key players like Eriksen and Dembele missing, Cardiff might think there’s no better time to play them. Cardiff were better against Burnley and more clinical play and one less Joe Hart might have seen us score more. Morrison’s throws will be tested on a bigger pitch but their keeper is still inexperienced. Cardiff could sneak a 1-0 win.
Worst case result?
It’s fair to Cardiff are still struggling and Warnock is right to be worried about his future. Football is a cruel game and results = job security. Tottenham are still a class outfit. Yes players are missing but they still have world class defenders and the best out-and-out striker in the world in their XI. We give them an inch, they will take a mile and they’ll be wanting to rectify this weeks loss to Barcelona. 2-0 Tottenham.