The game is heading towards a near sell out, rumours on Thursday that around 16,000 tickets had been sold, maybe more. A time for City to perform in front of their own fans. Fans who witnessed automatic promotion ebb away with defeat against Colchester and a draw against Wigan will expect better.
Bristol City come to Ninian Park with only 1 win in their last 6 away games but I think form counts for nothing. We are looking at two cup finals, both teams are capable of winning and both have players with history. Scott Murray set up both goals at Ashton Gate for the Robins and the scorers were the same as those at Ninian Park, the experienced Tinnion with a penalty in each game and Cardiff fan Chris Roberts with the second goal each time. Cardiff though have 31 league goal striker Robert Earnshaw, with his strike partner Peter Thorne they have scored 50 goals in all competitions, no team can boast better.
Both managers have been quoted as being 'relaxed'.
I'm glad for them, as a fan I've been less that easy with the situation we find ourselves in, oh to be a Crewe fan, on the beach with a pina colada safe in the knowledge that Division One is already in the bag. May is going to be the best or worst month of our lives.
Lennie has stated all week he is a happy man, he knows his team and his subs. He has a fully fit squad and he has a plan. Back from long term injury are Daniel Gabbidon and Gareth Whalley, fit again is striker Andy Campbell.
Two choices Lennie will not have to make is in Alan Mahon and Gareth Ainsworth. Mahon has returned to Blackburn after his loan spell and Ainsworth is suspenced for both legs of the semi final. As you may have guessed that's both wingers out of the team.
Who knows what Lennie is planning? 4 - 3 - 3 or maybe a 4 - 4 - 2 with the middle four being lopsided. For sure he must provide enough cover on Scott Murray, the Scotsman is Bristol's top scorer this season and can be a match winner with his pace on the right flank.
At a guess I'll suggest a line up something like
Alexander, Weston, Prior, Gabbidon, Croft, Bonner, Boland, Kav, Whalley, Thorne, Earnshaw.
But Barker or Legg could be involved, Campbell, Margetson and Gordon are likely to make up the 16. Leo, Jason Bowen and Scott Young are knocking on the door but I think the 16 I mention will be involved.
Whatever the outcome on Saturday the tie will not be over, unless one side or the other racks up a 5 - 0 win then it will go into next Tuesdays' live Sky game to sort out the winner.
You'd be forgiven for thinking this was the final. QPR and Oldham are seen as a side issue so far, don't forget one or other of the City sides will be facing them on May 25th.
Come on you Bloobirds.