West Bromwich Albion travel to Ninian Park to face Cardiff City tonight in their first away game of the new season.
Ex Baggies aplenty!!!
This is a game Baggies fans will desperately want to win. The current Bluebirds squad contains 3 ex Baggies who were all deemed not good enough and allowed to leave, this means the Darren Purse, Ricardo Scimeca and the newly recruited veteran Kevin Campbell will all be out to prove Baggies boss Bryan Robson wrong.
The atmosphere of this game will be tense as there is clearly no love lost between the two clubs thanks to the on going Jason Koumas saga, Danny Gabbidon’s controversial transfer fee when he moved from Cardiff to West Ham which some sources believe cost Albion a hefty sell on clause and Cardiff Hero, Robert Earnshaw’s mixed spell at Albion
Cardiff City Team News:
Ex Baggie Darren Purse is the only major doubt for Cardiff and is expected to be replaced by Rodger Johnson in the centre of defence. Otherwise ex Wolves Manager Dave Jones is expected to name the same team that won 2-1 at Barnsley on Saturday which included ex Baggies Ricardo Scimeca and Kevin Campbell who was on the bench:
Alexander, Gilbert, Johnson, Loovens, McNaughton, Ledley, Mcphail, Scimeca, Parry, Thompson, Chopra.
Player to watch: Michael Chopra
One to watch is new Blubirds Striker Michael Chopra who was signed from Newcastle in the summer.
The 22 year old was highly regarded by Newcastle United and has spent time on loan at Watford, Barnsley and Nottingham Forest. He was given his Premiership opportunity by United towards the end of last season but did not quite make the grade.
West Bromwich Albion Team News:
Bryan Robson has no fresh injury worries ahead of tonight’s game and is expected to start with the same side that beat Hull City 2-0 at home on the opening day.
The only change will be on the bench where Russell Hoult is expected to take the place of Tomasz Kuszczak who is expected to join Machester United for £2.5m this week.
Zuberbhuler, Watson, Perry, C Davies, Robinson, Greening, Quashie, Wallwork, Gera, Hartson Ellington.
Subs: Hoult (GK), Chaplow, Carter, Inamoto, Albrectson
Player to watch: John Hartson
John Hartson will no doubt want to add to the 2 goals he scored against Hull on the opening day of the season. He will get a hostile reception from the Ninian Park crowd as he is a self confessed Swansea City fan.
Hartson is the type of character who thrives on pressure and i cant think of a better player to lead the line in what will be a tough game. His strength at holding the ball up will be essential.
Form Guide
Cardiff City’s last 6 home games: W W D L L L
West Bromwich Albion’s last 6 away games: D L D L L D