POSF1: Cardiff City 0 West Ham Utd 2 (03/05/12)

[Up the Junction]

We only go up via Cardiff. KUMB on you Irons.

ps. At the behest of Mr Magic, away goals don't count in the play-offs

KUMB.com Match Preview (by Preview Percy): http://www.kumb.com/article.php?id=3040

[Bobby Orangeboom]

I think if we go for them we'll beat them, and i think we will go for them and beat them.

[RyanWHUFC]

We can do this lot if we go at them with an attacking mentality in both legs straight from the off, then Wembley here we come. COYI!!

[west ham15]

Come on you irons!!!! Huge games now

[Up the Junction]

Did you know Cardiff have only lost once since we beat them at their gaff? One defeat in 12, not to be sniffed at...

http://www.kumb.com/story.php?id=126201

[RyanWHUFC]

Did you know Cardiff have only lost once since we beat them at their gaff? One defeat in 12, not to be sniffed at...

http://www.kumb.com/story.php?id=126201" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Didn't realise they'd been on such a good run, Wembley by no means a certainty then.

[Monkey Magic]

UtJ, worth putting in the thread title that away goals don't count? Will save hundreds of posts...

[smuts]

They looked poor against us in the away game....but they were still creamed from the extra time at the cup final.

I'm always pessimistic....but I'm not confident.

[RyanWHUFC]

UtJ, worth putting in the thread title that away goals don't count? Will save hundreds of posts...

[Het-Field]

Two decent sides.

Cardiff City should NOT be sniffed at. They are entering these play-offs on a high, after taking the final spot today. Our position in the play-offs has been assured(although not in practice) for months. Remember 2005? We took the final Play-Off spot on the last day of the season, while Ipswich Town were in the automatic promotion race until the final day. They were deflated by their failure, we were buoyant after our success. The only difference is, I think we were prepared to have to take on the play-offs, and today was not likely to give rise to a promotion.

The team I would select would be essentially the team that has sustained us through the final weeks of the season, and has won and played well together. The only potential changes would involve McCartney for Taylor, and Collison for Lansbury, while on the bench, there will be a case to bring in Carew for Baldock or Maynard (I dont agree with it). Other than that Green,Demel,Tomkins,Reid,Nolan,Noble,O'Neil,Vaz Te and Cole should be assured of the start.

If Joey O'Brien is fit, I would also be minded to have him around the squad, while Steve Henderson will naturally be assured the spot of sub-keeper (whether that guarantees him a place on the bench or not).

[Matt of iron]

I am ****ting it with this game.

You'd say a draw would be fine then back to our place.

But with our home record?

[Gator_Hammer]

Hang six on em.

[RyanWHUFC]

I am ****ting it with this game.

You'd say a draw would be fine then back to our place.

But with our home record?

It will be the other way round mate, we'll hopefully get a couple against them at their place but will be hanging on for dear life at The Boleyn unless we play as we did against Brighton.

[Aceface]

Can't tell you how overjoyed I am that the away leg is first.

They're on a good run, but not as good as we are - one loss in the last 18, and that to the eventual champions.

If we can get a 1 goal advantage heading into the home leg it could be enough. We've started off nearly every game in 2012 being the better team in the first 20 mins, so the key is to convert that into an early goal and settle the nerves for the rest of the fixture.

Would be stressing the importance of not giving away free kicks near the box though - Peter Whittingham terrifies me. They could play sh*te all game and one of those ropey slide tackles from Noble or Nolan could wipe the whole thing out with one kick.

Prediction: 1-2

[Matt of iron]

It will be the other way round mate, we'll hopefully get a couple against them at their place but will be hanging on for dear life at The Boleyn unless we play as we did against Brighton.

I still find it some form of witchcraft that West Ham are anything other then complete **** away from home.

[saludo de carlitos]

Please can someone tell me when Season Ticket holders can phone up and try to get tickets for this away leg?

[Matt of iron]

Please can someone tell me when Season Ticket holders can phone up and try to get tickets for this away leg?

Unless you have about 10 or more PP points I wouldn't bother mate.

[HamburgHammer]

I don't care on what kind of run Cardiff have been, our own run of games hasn't been bad either. With our current team I reckon we'll be a nightmare for anyone to play against, we will score plenty of goals, I'm sure of that, and if we do even a blunder like the Demel/Green cock-up won't be the end of the world.

Cardiff, Birmingham and Blackpool, all potentially great teams, however, we are a decent bunch now as well and I would fancy us to beat any of the three mentioned teams easily if we play like we did in the last few games.

Let's put it this way: Cardiff need a good day to even stand a chance of beating us - and we would have to have a bad day at the office at the same time. If we play anwhere near our potential we should win the playoffs.

Stand up Mr.Nolan and the rest of the team and be counted, the next three games (let's hope it will be three) could be the most important in our history!

[RyanWHUFC]

I still find it some form of witchcraft that West Ham are anything other then complete **** away from home.

[saludo de carlitos]

Unless you have about 10 or more PP points I wouldn't bother mate.

Ah OK, cheers.