CARDIFF RETURN TO CUP ACTION

ccfcinsider
Oct 27
3 min read

Updated: Oct 28

Cardiff City travel to The STōK Cae Ras as they face Wrexham in the Round of 16 of the Carabao Cup.

The Opposition:

Wrexham had a successful 24/25 season, as they sealed back-to-back promotions with a second place finish in League One, confirming their return to the Championship.

As The Reds have looked to bridge the gap with the rest of the Championship, they have been active in the summer window adding Nathan Broadhead from Ipswich Town, Danny Ward from Leicester City, Kieffer Moore from Sheffield United, Callum Doyle from Manchester City, Conor Coady from Leicester City, Lewis O'Brien from Nottingham Forest, Issa Kabore from Manchester City, Ryan Hardie from Plymouth Argyle, George Thomason from Bolton Wanderers, Josh Windass from Sheffield Wednesday, Liberato Cacace from Empoli, Ben Sheaf from Coventry City and Dom Hyam from Blackburn Rovers.

Parkinson's tactics often feature a back-three system with attacking wing-backs, a narrow attacking width focused on overloading the flanks, and a high press out of possession. Key elements include a focus on wing play to create numerical advantages, rapid transitions using counter-pressing and counter-attacking, and using direct passes and high tempo to get into attacking areas. The team is known for being defensively solid while also posing an attacking threat, adapting its style from balanced to more attacking as needed.

The Bluebirds:

City come into this one on the back of a 1-0 defeat against Bolton Wanderers. A 94th minute strike from Brighton-loanee Amario Cozier-Duberry sealed the victory for the hosts.

Barry-Murphy’s side could counter this by maintaining patient possession to draw out Wrexham’s press, then exploiting the space left behind the advanced wing-backs through quick vertical passes and wide rotations.

Opposition Player to Watch:

Cardiff fans know all to well the quality of Kieffer Moore, not only did the forward catch the eye during his spell at The Bluebirds, but Moore has been prolific against City since departing the Welsh Capital. Moore is a powerful target man who uses his physicality, aerial dominance, and hold-up play to link attacks and create chances for teammates while posing a constant threat inside the box.

Kieffer Moore began his career at Truro City, before a move to Dorchester Town. Moore would then move to Yeovil Town, before a move to Viking in Norway. The striker returned to the UK with Forest Green. After a loan spell at Torquay United, Moore completed a permanent move to Ipswich Town. Moore would be loaned out to Rotherham United before completing a permanent switch to Barnsley. After catching the eye at The Tykes, Moore would join Wigan Athletic, before a move to Cardiff City in 2020. After a successful spell at City, Moore completed a permanent move to Bournemouth, where he would spend two years. After a loan move back to Ipswich, Moore joined Sheffield United on a permanent deal, before leaving The Blades after a season to join Wrexham on a permanent deal.

Last Meeting:

Cardiff City 3-2 Wrexham (2002)

Cardiff City moved into the Second Division play-off zone with a 3-2 win over Wrexham - but they were left hanging on in the final minutes.

The Bluebirds raced into a 2-0 lead within seventeen minutes thanks to goals from Scott Young and Peter Thorne. Craig Faulconbridge reduced the deficit in the 34th minute with a fine header. Defender Danny Gabbidon fired home a long-range drive to restore City's two-goal advantage. Hector Sam netted an 88th minute consolation for The Reds, as City sealed the victory.

Team News:

Cardiff City - Chris Willock a doubt for The Bluebirds. Eli King and Ollie Tanner remain out injured.

Wrexham - Callum Doyle returns from suspension. Parkinson hopeful of having Ben Sheaf back available. Aaron James, Ollie Rathbone, Danny Ward, Jay Rodriguez, Andy Cannon and Harry Ashfield out for the hosts.

Preferred XI:

GK - Nathan Trott

RB - Perry Ng

RCB - Dylan Lawlor

LCB - Will Fish

LB - Joel Bagan

CDM - Alex Robertson

RCM - Joel Colwill

LCM - Rubin Colwill

RW - Omari Kellyman

LW - Isaak Davies

ST - Callum Robinson