Cardiff City 1 v Ipswich 0 > Bluebirds Getting It Done (Ugly)

There are big wins and there are big, BIG wins and this one over Ipswich ranks as one of them BIG ones. It keeps the Bluebirds, as it did, just shy of the top-six and opening up a three point gap over the visitors who had started the day level on points with City. It may have been a grind, but it was a colossal step towards a play-off finish. It was an ugly win too and an uneventful few hours but at this time of year it’s about taking care of business and results, not tika tika or entertainment.

The recent run of form and the hinting of progress on the pitch is slowly turning the tide at Cardiff City, with the rebooted fan-base coming to life again at the right time.  With injuries and no captain David Marshall in goal (out due to Man Flu) – City were up against it on Saturday and not at their best but a tight defence saw them to full time.  

Destiny is very much in the Bluebirds hands now with games against play-off rivals on the line including Derby, Sheffield Wednesday and Birmingham all looming in April. If they can handle the other games (particularly at Reading away this Saturday) then these cup finals should determine City’s fate and ensure a pumped up CCS (not seen since the Malky era) for the play-offs. 

At this point a major shout out needs to be directed at Cardiff Devils Ice Hockey organisation and their new sexy arena which we visited on Saturday night (see above / below snaps). Ice Arena Wales is next level with panoramic sight lines throughout, clean white lines and big noise.

It’s another world from their previous stadium which barely had walls or a roof. The new swish arena has fan friendly facilities aplenty, including toilets that don’t reek like the old ones, multiple bar options and the acclaimed hot dogs also remain (phew!). The atmosphere generated by 3k plus inside #IAW put the one we’d experience earlier in the afternoon at the football to shame – the arena was rocking. We'll be back. 

Cardiff City 0 v Leeds 2 > A Stadium Rebooted

On the face of it, this was an opportunity wasted as Leeds shut down the Bluebirds recent run (one defeat in nine) and any efforts of edging into them elusive play-off spots. Walking into work on Wednesday, the cave dwellers I work with who bask in the glory of any CCFC failing were quick to gloat that the result of the night prior wasn’t ideal. They were right too, it wasn’t, but that wasn’t the whole story was it? Hell no... Hell no. 

Under the radar to some, things have been improving slowly at City for a while and off the back of the recent run, even the fans turned up last night - Not just in numbers (15k) but also in voice. For the first time in Russell Slade’s reign the CCS came to life and the volume was cranked up backing the team. 

Much of the outcome of this game was down to Marco Silvestri in goal for the visitors, a man on a mission to keep a clean sheet making insane mega saves all night with limbs you didn’t know he had. Cardiff playing with a man down after Fabio's 64^th minute red card, pummelled Leeds in the second half raining shots on Silvestri’s goal. The bar was shaken, the post clipped and Craig Noone’s pile driver free kick even appeared to be clawed out from the net.

Respect is due to Silvestri for this performance and it was City’s ambition to go forward that ultimately cost them late on as Leeds got their chance on the counter and killed the game with a cruel sucker-punch. After this first loss at our house in 14 games though City can take heart from their shift which deserved so much more. 

The recent run of form and solid home record went with the final whistle, but this time the default boos were replaced with applause for the team’s efforts. If Russell Slade didn’t know what to make of it all, the supporters certainly did. City fans are back and we’re up for these remaining ten games.

Shout out to the Middlesborough scout sat next to us during the game (see below). This boffin drew pictures on a pad of where goalkeeper’s goal kicks landed and took photos on an underpixelated ipad of where markers stood at set pieces (all for his report apparently). He did laugh louder than expected at my Slade v Guardiola next season gag mind.

Cardiff City 2 v Preston 1 > More of This Please

Things must be looking up at City as even the Pop was in attendance for this one, rushing his pre match golfing and pumped up for the game. Forget any chat or bonding though as the Pop was also psyched for some time on his phone checking his Facebook profile. He’s completely cool with not talking for an hour straight before getting into game mode at 2.59PM. 

Fans could be forgiven for being led to think that more points would be wasted here against a non-glam team after a busy week. City are digging deep though and appear to have cranked things up in the last few weeks and Saturday was more evidence of the cranking.

Shout out to the Bluebirds home form which has seen them defeated just once all season (against Hull). We all know there’s been a few lame draws in that run and points urinated away, but it’s this form which has kept City in the mix for the top six hunt. Without it, the season would be over now. 

Preston came to town Saturday for a draw and City were dragged into an ugly match lacking in quality but patience paid off and it was Anthony Pilkington (below licking a lip) who continued his run of smoking the opposition. 

Much has been made of ‘Pilks’ being shoved up front in a gamble a few weeks back after Tony Watt left. He’s had some trash talk but ultimately he’s played lights-out and offered more than any other front man on the clubs books this season. He may have the touch of a camel but Pilks is hungry, positive and playing for the team. He's thriving off the responsibility and linking well with strike partner Lex Immers. After another two goals here (making him club golden boot leader), respect is due to him and his form is priceless to City at this time of year. 

As pressure grows, the games are slipping away now (12 to go) and it’s during this squeaky bum time that we’ll learn whether this team can overcome the inconsistency and get s**t done. 

On the horizon now are two ‘winnable’ games away at Bristol and then at home to Leeds within a few days of each other. Grind out more results there and the play offs are on in a major way.