New head coach and supporting staff, new captain and new system. Influential holding midfielder and prolific striker departed. Opponents headed up by a two-times Championship winning (and former international) manager who has lost only 3/22 games since joining Cardiff in January and have added one goal threat (Collins) to an existing one (Moore). Tough game for us, to my way of thinking.
The opening day always throws up some strange results. I’d almost be more confident about facing Cardiff this Saturday than I would a month in.
Opening day, Collins up front who always seems to score against us, Kieffer up front who is a menace, poor record against them and big Mick overall - yeah I'm not confident. I'm excited nonetheless though and really keen to see how we play under our new manager.
Cardiff gossip that Kieffer is off to Burnley. If he was to go I don’t think the Cardiff fans would have seen him in the flesh playing for them.
Moore’s on 70% training protocols as he came back off holiday with COVID so hopefully he’ll not be playing a full role on Saturday.
I'd also take a point now coupled with a good performance and a good run out for the new lads. Starting to get excited for the new season now.
I just can't shift the thought that this season will be a struggle and this new manager might be another Spackman.
Cardiff is a freebie. I never expect us to do anything down there or even in the reverse fixture. They're a team that I'd be quite happy never to play again.