' MATCH THREAD ' CARDIFF C V NOTTS FOREST ' MATCH THREAD

CARDIFF CITY v NOTTINGHAM FOREST
Saturday 18 October
Cardiff City Stadium
12.15pm
You can pay on the day
Live on Sky


CITY LINE UP

Late change to @CardiffCityFC line-up: Joe Ralls starts in place of Fabio, who misses out due to illness. Declan John on subs bench.

v forest Marshall, Brayford, Fabio, S Morrison, Manga, Whittingham, Noone, Gunnarsson, Pilkington, Le Fondre,

#NFFC Starting XI: Darlow, Hunt, Mancienne(C), Wilson, Lichaj, Lansbury, Tesche, Burke, Antonio, Assombalonga, Fryatt

forest.png

' UPDATED DAILY '

Possible starting lineups

Cardiff: Marshall; Connolly, Manga, S Morrison, Fabio; Pilkington, R Morrison, Gunnarson, Whittingham, Noone; Jones

Nottm Forest: Darlow; Hunt, Lascelles, Mancienne, Fox; Burke, Vaughan, Osborn, Antonio, Lansbury; Assombalonga

Preview

Russell Slade will finally get his Cardiff City reign underway when his new side host Nottingham Forest in the Championship on Saturday.

A protracted switch from former club Leyton Orient was finally completed earlier this month as Slade was officially announced as the new manager, and his first task will be to turn Cardiff's ailing fortunes around.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer saw his time at the helm ended following a poor start to life back in the Championship, but things did not improve much in his absence.

The nadir came in their last outing as they became the first team to lose to Blackpool this season, falling to a hugely disappointing 1-0 defeat at Bloomfield Road.

That made it just one win in their last eight league outings, and Slade will have been grateful for the international break to give him a chance to mould his new side as he sees fit.

Nine of their 13 points this season have come at home, and victory over a high-flying club like Forest could act as the springboard the Bluebirds need to rise up the table.

Slade will be without Ben Turner for the match, although the defender is nearing a return from injury having missed the whole season so far.

Forest, meanwhile, go into Saturday's match in relatively poor form themselves, despite their lofty position in the league table.

Stuart Pearce's side have drawn their last four league outings yet still remain joint top with Norwich City courtesy of those around them also slipping up.

Even so, Pearce will know that four points from a possible 12 is not good enough for a side tipped by many for automatic promotion, and he will be desperate to get back to winning ways sooner rather than later.

They are, however, one of only two Championship teams who are still unbeaten this season, and their late equaliser to rescue a 2-2 draw against Ipswich Town last time out would have almost felt like a victory.

One concern for Pearce will be that the goals seem to have dried up for Britt Assombalonga, who began the season so impressively but has now gone more than a month without a goal.

Injuries are starting to take their toll on the visitors' squad too, with Andy Reid ruled out for the rest of the year and Jack Hobbs, Chris Cohen and Dexter Blackstock also sidelined.

" CARDIFF CITY "

Russell Slade has a Strong squad to pick from

Ben Turner is still out injured, has had his operation on his ankle, very hopeful to be back for Millwall Away

So far All players have returned from International Duty injury Free


Former Cardiff fans' favourite Chris Burke returns as Forest aim to spoil the opening day party for Slade.

' NOTTS FORREST '
Andy Reid: Nottingham Forest midfielder out until 2015

Nottingham Forest midfielder Andy Reid could be out of action until January.
The 32-year-old hurt his groin in the derby against Derby County in September and a scan has revealed the damage is more serious than first feared.
Reid has said the best-case scenario could see him return in eight weeks, but it could be as long as 12 weeks.
"
Earlier this week Reds defender Jack Hobbs was ruled out until Christmas because of an ankle injury.

Team news

Nottingham Forest midfielder Andy Reid could be out of action until January.
The 32-year-old hurt his groin in the derby against Derby County in September and a scan has revealed the damage is more serious than first feared.
Reid has said the best-case scenario could see him return in eight weeks, but it could be as long as 12 weeks.

Forest defender Jack Hobbs has been ruled out until Christmas because of an ankle injury.
Hobbs was injured in the game against Derby County last month and had surgery this week.
The 26-year-old, faces a total of more than three months on the sidelines.


The Opposition
Nottingham Forest are currently joint top of the Championship with Norwich and Watford, despite drawing 4 of their last 5 championship games.


Form - Last 5 Games
Cardiff have won 1, drawn 2 and lost 2 in all competitions.
Forest have drawn 4 and lost 1 of their last 5 games in all competitions.

Last 5 meetings
2012/2013 Sat 13 Apr Cardiff City 3 - 0 Nottm. Forest Championship
2012/2013 Sat 20 Oct Nottm. Forest 3 - 1 Cardiff City Championship
2011/2012 Sat 31 Dec Nottm. Forest 0 - 1 Cardiff City Championship
2011/2012Sat 26 Nov Cardiff City 1 - 0 Nottm. Forest Championship
2010/2011 Sat 19 Feb Nottm. Forest 2 - 1 Cardiff City Championship

Match Odds
Click here for full odds

Cardiff 6/4
Draw 23/10
Forest 7/4

Tickets
Tickets available to current Season Ticket Holders and Gold Members

GOLD FIXTURE

On sale to Gold Members only 22/23 Sept
On general sale from 24 Sept

As a gold category match, Zone 4 prices start from as little as £25 for a gold member adult.

Continuing our emphasis on family support, this season a family of four can enjoy a match from just £40 in the Family Stand, offering fantastic value.

Tickets on sale:
24th September 2014
http://www.eticketing.co.uk/cardiffcity
0845 345 1400

Away Fans
Tickets for Nottingham Forest’s trip to Cardiff City on Saturday 18 October (kick-off 12.15pm) are now on general sale.

Reds fans have been allocated an initial 1,643 reserved seat tickets located in the corner of the Cardiff City Stadium between the Ninian Stand and the Grange Stand. The allocation also includes 131 tickets located within the Family Enclosure.

Guess the Score / Attendance
Post your predicted score/attendance below

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Latest News on Forest

Andy Reid: Nottingham Forest midfielder out until 2015

Nottingham Forest midfielder Andy Reid could be out of action until January.
The 32-year-old hurt his groin in the derby against Derby County in September and a scan has revealed the damage is more serious than first feared.
Reid has said the best-case scenario could see him return in eight weeks, but it could be as long as 12 weeks.
"I'm gutted but all I can do now is be as positive as I can and work as hard as I can to come back stronger," he told the Nottingham Evening Post.
Earlier this week Reds defender Jack Hobbs was ruled out until Christmas because of an ankle injury.

City 2 Forest 2 Crowd 20,790

1-2 19888

Score 3-3

Att 24,5000

On another note , that forest badge all ways makes it feel like a huge game , iconic symbol in British football imo

Cardiff City 0 Forest 2

19,500

Although Forest have gone off the boil lately I just think we are not ready yet to be challenging.

1-1

21,200

Team will be up for this to impress Slade,3-1 City

21,670

cheap tickets on amazon

2-3 to the scabs...
21, 071.

Nottingham Forest

Current Position in league: 2nd
Last Time Out: Forest 2-2 Ipswich Town

Nottingham forest have had a terrific start under returning legend Stuart Pearce, The Reds are still unbeaten in the league having won 5 and drawn 6 of the 11 played so far. In their last outing Forest came within seconds of their first loss at home to Ipswich but Michel Antonio popped up with a 94th minute equalizer to salvage a point. Pearce has brought a very attacking style of football to the City Ground with top scorer Britt Assombalonga netting 8 goals this season so far. Despite their great start, The Midlands side have drawn their last 4 league games which made it 5 draws 6 games. In their seventh season in the Championship The East Midlands side will be desperate to finally return to the Premier League but the second tier is looking tougher than ever this season and despite Forest being one goal away from being top they know how long and difficult the season is going to be especially after finding out how difficult every game is with the amount of draws that they have picked up. Stuart Pearce was announced as the new manager back in March but didn’t take charge until this season; The former England U21 manager observed every game from March till the end of the season and it seems to have paid off being one of only two unbeaten teams in the league. It’s no doubt forest will prove incredibly difficult opponents and The Bluebirds will need to improve on their last showing to test the promotion challengers.

Possible Line-Up:
Stuart Pearce has installed the Wide 4-4-2 Diamond into the Forest team with the attacking formation causing problems for most defences around the division. Ken Darlow will start between the sticks for Forest with the stopper being snapped up by Newcastle but loaned back to the championship side and the same can be said for centre-back Jamal Lascelles who may get a start alongside Chelsea academy graduate Michael Mancienne. Eric Lichaj will most likely starting on the right with Jack Hunt the Crystal palace loanee on the left. The talent Forest boast on the wings is just scary with Mikel Antonio and former Bluebird and Scottish international Chris Burke, the two have provided and scored many a goal in their time and are continuing their ways at the City Ground. At the tip of the diamond will be henri Lansbury who is an incredibly effective attacking midfielder and he provides many assists for the two strikers. Up top is seasoned goal-scorer Matty Fryatt alongside top scorer and man in form Britt Assombalonga.

20,075............0-0

Ben Turner is still out injured, had his operation on his ankle, very hopeful to be back for Millwall Away

BLUEBIRDS defender Bruno Manga faces a journey of 3,000 miles back to Cardiff after playing for Gabon in Wednesday’s African Cup of Nations qualifier against Burkina Faso.

Centre-half Manga, who was taken off after 86 minutes of Gabon’s 2-0 home win in the first leg on Friday, is expected to be fit for the return in Ouagadougou.

Manga will then leave Africa, starting his flight back to the UK on Thursday morning, before reporting back for training with the Bluebirds at their Vale of Glamorgan Resort headquarters on Friday.

22649 1-3

BLUEBIRDS defender Bruno Manga faces a journey of 3,000 miles back to Cardiff

Like a 7 hour flight, big deal :') Trying to make it sound like he's running back or something

Former Cardiff fans' favourite Chris Burke will be playing for Forest.

Be happy with a draw. Not sure what the crowd will be - big game, new manager, but live on Sky.

2-2

Slade to start off with a flier I am going for 3-1 to the city.

Match Preview

Russell Slade will finally get his Cardiff City reign underway when his new side host Nottingham Forest in the Championship on Saturday.

A protracted switch from former club Leyton Orient was finally completed earlier this month as Slade was officially announced as the new manager, and his first task will be to turn Cardiff's ailing fortunes around.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer saw his time at the helm ended following a poor start to life back in the Championship, but things did not improve much in his absence.

The nadir came in their last outing as they became the first team to lose to Blackpool this season, falling to a hugely disappointing 1-0 defeat at Bloomfield Road.

That made it just one win in their last eight league outings, and Slade will have been grateful for the international break to give him a chance to mould his new side as he sees fit.

Nine of their 13 points this season have come at home, and victory over a high-flying club like Forest could act as the springboard the Bluebirds need to rise up the table.

Slade will be without Ben Turner for the match, although the defender is nearing a return from injury having missed the whole season so far.

20,032

Cardiff City v Nottingham Forest, 12.15pm Saturday

Russell Slade has had almost a fortnight to work his Cardiff City players and he has made the most of the time afforded to him by the international break.

The new Bluebirds manager has stepped up the fitness regime by slotting in double sessions, morning and afternoon, on a regular basis and the players have responded in style.

Slade has been close to his squad out on the training pitches at Vale of Glamorgan Resort, putting his message across in a clear and concise manner.

There has been no margin for misunderstanding and Slade is clear that when his City team runs out against Nottingham Forest every player will know exactly what their job is.

Everybody in the starting line-up has a specific defensive duty when the opposition have possession and City will do everything they can to deny high-flying Nottingham Forest the time and space to build attacks.

Slade has worked on fitness, which had been lacking, plus shape and partnerships within the team. The links between full-backs/wingers, attacking midfield players/strikers, centre-backs/midfield are crucial - and City will keep building on those.

Russell Slade is the new Cardiff managerRussell Slade is not short of options
He favours a 4-4-2 system, but that will change at times in terms of the midfield shape and attacking pair.

I believe Slade will go for width through the middle with Craig Noone and Anthony Pilkington in the wide areas, while Ravel Morrison will slot in just behind attack leader Federico Macheda up front.

Only the City manager knows exactly what he will do, but he has worked tirelessly to ensure City know the dangers unbeaten Forest pose.

Slade has not had the chance to work with players like Kenwyne Jones, Bruno Manga, Aron Gunnarsson, Pilkington, David Marshall and more because they have been away on international duty.

He has a problem at centre-back with Ben Turner and Matt Connolly not quite fit, while Manga only arrives back from Africa Cup of Nations duty with Gabon later today.

The big, powerful Manga has adapted well to Championship football after his move from French club Lorient, but he hasn’t had any time at all to work with Slade and that may mean, after a long trip back from Burkina Faso, where he played for Gabon, to the UK, he isn’t in the starting line-up against Forest.

Thankfully, City still Sean Morrison and Danny Gabbidon, both experienced defenders, able to link up at the heart of Slade’s back four.

Manga will be assessed when he gets back, but with a kick-off against Forest soon after midday I believe Morrison and Gabbidon will start.

Here’s the likely make-up for Slade’s first Cardiff City team (4-4-1-1)

David Marshall (capt): First choice and ever present. Marshall will start against Forest with Simon Moore the back-up.

John Brayford: One of City’s successes this season. There is a lack of competition at right-back with Kevin McNaughton out on loan at Bolton and Matt Connolly injured. Brayford, though, is a sound, solid first choice.

Sean Morrison: The best is yet to come, but Morrison is settling in and has scored two Championship goals. He is an effective and experienced defender at this level. If Gabbidon starts he will be Morrison’s third centre-back partner in seven Championship appearances, following Connolly and Bruno Manga.

Danny Gabbidon: Gabbidon is my bet to start. Juan Cala has been training with Slade, is fit and stands by, but my feeling is that Gabbidon will be given the nod. Ben Turner and Matt Connolly are injured, while Manga only arrives back from international duty late on Friday. If he plays it will be Gabbidon’s first League appearance for the Bluebirds in more than nine years.

Fabio: No question, Fabio will play. He is one of the City players who have Premier League quality. When he attacks Fabio can make things happen, while he has worked hard on the defensive side of his game. Declan John, who has been on Wales duty, is a challenger for the left-back slot.

Craig Noone: It’s good to see the winger fit and firing. He adds something extra, a touch of genuine quality plus an ability to run wide or move inside to create chances or go for goal. City missed him earlier this season and Noone will serve Slade well.

Aron Gunnarsson: Captained Iceland to European Championship wins against Latvia and Holland during the international break and is back to add his strength and total commitment in City’s midfield. Has the qualities to link with Whittingham. Tom Adeyemi is the main midfield option, Gunnar is in form.

Peter Whittingham: Is an ever-present this season, but has come under pressure from outside the club. Adeyemi, Guido Burgstaller, Kim Bo-Kyung and Mats Daehli are possibles, but I believe Slade will go for Gunnarsson and Whittingham through the middle. The former Aston Villa man has the ability to open up defences - either from set-piece moves or open play.

Anthony Pilkington: Growing in confidence and starting to produce his best for the Bluebirds. A technically gifted winger who has been in the Republic of Ireland squad over the last couple of weeks. Kim, Burgstaller and the talented Daehli can all play the wide role, but Slade is likely to go for width and forward drive in those areas. Pilkington fits the bill.

Ravel Morrison: Has the ability to be a matchwinner and in Slade’s preferred 4-4-2 he could be the man to open things up. A smooth running style, great touch, vision and more. A player of Premier League quality in the Championship and he should be given the freedom to create. The manager, though, will also remind him he has defensive respons-ibilities when Forest have possession.

Federico Macheda: Kenwyne Jones has been the main man at centre-forward, but City have a change of emphasis under their new manager. Slade will want a partnership. Morrison, playing just a little deeper in the hole, and Macheda could be special. We haven’t seen the best of Macheda, but he has shown glimpses of his true potential. Certainly I’d love to see more. Jones, Adam Le Fondre, Nicky Maynard and Javi Guerra contenders. For me Morrison and Macheda will start with Jones plus either Le Fondre or Maynard among the subs.

Quite like the sound of Macheda & Ravel given a chance up front but would be a bit worried with Gabbidon & Morrison at centre back if this is what Slade goes for.
Can't see why Manga wouldn't be fit mind. Few hours in first Class! I think he done similar recently when he arrived back to play for us & was fine.

1-0 to the Bloobirds (whitts)
Att 21,927

TEAM NEWS
New Cardiff boss Russell Slade will assess a jet-lagged Bruno Manga before naming his team. Manga played for Gabon this week in a draw with Burkino Faso.

Ben Turner is unlikely to feature as he is still carrying an ankle injury.

Kelvin Wilson (illness) and David Vaughan (hamstring) are back in contention for the so far unbeaten Nottingham Forest.

However, Jack Hobbs faces a long spell on the sidelines after suffering a setback with his ankle injury.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-Head
• Cardiff won the last meeting 3-0 at the Cardiff City Stadium in the Championship in April last year.
• Cardiff have won three of the last four meetings. Nottingham Forest's only win since 2011 was 3-1 at the City Ground in October 2012.
• Nottingham Forest have won only one of the last seven meetings at Cardiff. Their only win there since 1976 was 2-0 in November 2010.

Cardiff

• Cardiff have won only one of their last eight games in all competitions. Their only win since 26 August was 2-1 against Sheffield Wednesday at home in the Championship on 27 September.
• Cardiff have won only one of their last four home games in all competitions, losing the other three.

Nottingham Forest

• Nottingham Forest have not won any of their last five games in all competitions, although they have lost only one. Their last win was 5-3 against Fulham at home in the Championship on 17 September.
• Nottingham Forest have lost only one of their eight away games in all competitions this season. Their only defeat on the road was 3-1 at Tottenham in the Capital One Cup on 24 September.

Cardiff have won 4, drawn 2 and lost 1 of the last 7 stagings of this fixture, outscoring their opponents by 10 goals to 3.

Cardiff have scored in 65% of their last 20 home games.

Cardiff have kept a clean sheet in 20% of their last 20 home games.

Nottm Forest have won 1, drawn 2 and lost 4 of the last 7 stagings of this fixture, being outscored by their opponents by 10 goals to 3.

Nottm Forest have scored in 75% of their last 20 away games.

Nottm Forest have kept a clean sheet in 35% of their last 20 away games.

http://www.kickoff.co.uk/matches/?match ... re-history

Come on City

Forest have drawn as many as they have won and are nothing special
Our players will want to impress Slade we are home,I cannot see why we can't get the 3Pts

Please do not play Whitts.

Slade first team v forest Marshall, Brayford, Fabio, S Morrison, Manga, Whittingham, Noone, Gunnarsson, Pilkington, Le Fondre, Macheda.