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Cardiff v AFCB
Cardiff v AFCB
CC: Cardiff City have dominated the headlines for something no football team ever wants see happen. It's not going to be easy to get back to playing football. But has the Emi Sala story drawn fans closer together at Cardiff?
VFTN: It really is an unbelievable tragedy. The last week or so since Emi went missing has been one of the toughest we've faced as a fan base. Some will say that we never saw him play so how can we have a connection with him, but it's important to consider the sheer excitement among the fans to be signing this striker who had only been outscored in France by Kylian Mbappe - that's no mean feat. He also bought into the Cardiff project and wanted to join us when not many did!
Cardiff have always had a close knit and passionate fan base, but yeah this has definitely brought fans closer together. We're united in our grief, but also in our determination to honour Emi and, hopefully, stay up for him. I've got to give credit to Neil Warnock and CEO Ken Choo, too, who have handle this admirably. There's real gratitude from the fans towards them at what has been undoubtedly the toughest period of their careers.
CC: Are Cardiff fans keen to see Arter sign a long term deal in the summer with his performances so far?
VFTN: Harry Arter is the perfect Cardiff player. We're a working class club and value hard work over everything. We love to see a player showing 100 per cent and running all over the shop to drive the team forward. Arter gives you that and more.
We'd all love to keep him permanently. Whether we can do so is another matter. It all depends on whether we can stay up,
CC: How damaging was the 3-0 defeat to Newcastle United?
VFTN: I'll be completely honest - I'd totally forgotten about that game! The Sala tragedy has completely consumed us, so the Newcastle loss is in the past. If Sala's disappearance hadn't happened, I'd say yes it would be damaging. When you couple the Newcastle loss with the draw to Huddersfield, they were both concerning. We have to be beating those sides to stay up, but we barely landed a punch on either. We need to improve.
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CC: Neil Warnock was very mad about Nathaniel Clyne changing his mind to join Bournemouth after he had an agreement with Cardiff City. So, is the right-back position a particular weakness?
VFTN: Yes and no. Bruno Ecuele Manga, a centre-back by trade, has been the stand-in right-back so far this season. While he struggles going forward, he has done an admirable job in an unnatural position. It looks like Sean Morrison, who has suffered from a burst appendix, will miss the next few games, so Manga will go to centre-back. That means Lee Peltier is more than likely to slot in at right-back, but I don't think he's a Premier League player. It's an area where Bournemouth could target and take advantage of.
CC: Cardiff have had six clean sheets, the same amount as Bournemouth. So do you see the team becoming harder to beat as the season has progressed or do you think the defence would suffer even in the Championship?
VFTN: I don't think we'd suffer in the Championship - the same back four were exceptional last year and our defence was among the Championship's best. We started unsteadily this year in defence and conceded some real sloppy goals. We've grown into it, though - Sol Bamba in particular. We've had some big defensive performances - Palace and Leicester away come to mind - but we've been really sloppy defending set-pieces, which is a shame as it was our strength last year.
CC: Who do you fancy most in your team to get some goals up front?
VFTN: There's a severe lack of goals, hence the signing of Sala. We've also loaned Oumar Niasse his transfer window, so the hope is that he will get a few goals. Victor Camarasa is our main goal threat. Although more of a creative player, he's shown his ability to grab some goals from distance. He's the one to watch out for.
CC: If Cardiff are going to catch one more team to escape the bottom three, which team do you think you can catch?
VFTN: I think it's between the bottom four now. Southampton made a really good appointment in Hassenhuttl and it's paying off. They're pulling away. The loss to Newcastle was huge, but I still think we can catch them. They've got Manchester City [Ed- yeah nobody expected the result the Toon got either!], Spurs and Wolves coming up - I think they'll lose all three - whereas Bournemouth, Southampton and Watford are more winnable for us.
Everything hinges on what happens before the transfer window shuts. We need three now - another striker, a right-back and central midfielder.
CC: Who has been the best player for Cardiff this season and why?
VFTN: There's a few contenders. Neil Etheridge has been brilliant - few would've expected him to step up like he has. Callum Patterson has played out of his skin in an unnatural position up front, while Harry Arter and Aron Gunnarsson have been instrumental in midfield. I think Victor Camarasa, the Spaniard on loan from Real Betis, has been the stand out, though. He's the player you get excited when he's on the ball and is most likely to make something happen. He joined on deadline day, alongside Arter, and it's scary to think what would've happened this season without those two last minute additions.
CC: If you could pick a player from the Bournemouth squad to have for the rest of the season who would it be and why?
VFTN: I'd say Nathaniel Clyne, but he'd only change his mind last minute!
All joking aside, Bournemouth have got some really good players and I'd take most of them! Scoring goals is our biggest problem so I'd go for Callum Wilson, although I've got a major softspot for David Brooks a.k.a the price of Wales.
CC: Have Cardiff got any injuries for this game?
VFTN: Sean Morrison is the big miss at the moment. Jazz Richards is a long-term absentee, while Kenneth Zohore continues to struggle with his fitness.
CC: How do you think Cardiff will line up?
VFTN: Harry Arter will be missing, so while Joe Ralls is the obvious replacement, I think Warnock will go to a 4-4-2 for this one. Etheridge; Peliter - Manga - Bamba - Bennet; Mendez-Laing - Gunnarsson - Camarasa- Hoilett; Patterson - Niasse
CC: What is your score prediction?
VFTN: Cardiff need to get back to winning ways and I think, with the home crowd behind us, we'll just edge Bournemouth out. 1-0 Cardiff.
CC: A very comprehensive set of answers form Scott there. I think every football fan has been thinking about Emi Sala, Cardiff City and Nantes FC, just hoping for a miracle and knowing that it is desperately sad. I am sure this first home game since the incident will be very moving and will hopefully remind everyone that Sala was a great player with amazing potential. It may be hard to play in that atmosphere but I expect it will be an opening game with both teams feeling that it is a winnable game. Good luck to Cardiff in their aim to stay up this season!
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