|
They have the same play off ambitions that we have. 6th place is only 6 points away from both teams.
Earlier in the season City came from a goal down to pull off a cracking 3 - 1 win at Highfield Rd in front of the live Sky cameras.
This seasons league game and last season two FA Cup games apart there has been no recent history between these teams. Prior to the three aforementioned games that have been played in the last 12 months there is a gap back to 1967 since the teams met. The last actual City win over Coventry at Ninian Park came on April 19th, 1965. City winning 3 - 1. The following day, April 20th the teams met again in the return fixture with Cardiff also winning that one. This time 2 - 0.
The referee scheduled for tomorrow nights game is Paul Armstrong from Berkshire (officials can be subject to change).
Mr Armstrong has issued 60 yellow cards and 3 red cards in the 22 games he's officiated this season. He last took control of a Cardiff game when Richard Langley scored the winner for QPR at Ninian Park last season and prior to that the 2 - 0 defeat at Luton. He's not a total jinx on us though as he was the referee on the night we beat Rushden 7 - 1 in the LDV vans trophy in October 2001.
City have two main injury concerns ahead of the game. Peter Thorne is expected to miss a second successive match with a bruised foot so Alan Lee is expected to keep his place and Rhys Weston was carried off at West Ham. He could be replaced by Gary Croft as a straight swap. On Saturday Lennie played Tony Vidmar in Weston's right back position bringing Spencer Prior into central defence with Daniel Gabbidon.
Coventry City have a doubt over key midfielder Youssef Safri he is hoping to overcome an infection to be able to play.
This game is the start of a run of three consecutive home games for Cardiff City. This first one against Coventry, on paper, would appear to be the easier of the three. Next up are Norwich on March 13th and Reading on Tuesday March 16th.
Lennie believes we need to win two of the three to still be in contention for the play offs
"We now have three home games on the trot and we need at least a couple of wins if we are to make a serious challenge. If we can put together our very best run at the end, when it matters, then maybe we can pinch that last play-off spot."
City last home game was the 4 - 0 thumping of Sunderland, another one of those against Coventry would be very nice.
Cardiff City v Coventry City
Ninian Park, ko 7:45pm.
Tuesday 2nd March, 2004.