CITY OPEN CARABAO CUP CAMPAIGN

ccfcinsider
Aug 11
2 min read

Cardiff City are back in the Welsh Capital as they host League Two Swindon Town in the First Round of the Carabao Cup.

The Opposition:

Swindon had a real slow start to last season before the appointment of Ian Holloway in late October. Holloway turned things around and guided The Robins to a steady 12th place finish.

Holloway has made a lot of changes in his first summer in charge with a heavy player turnover. Fourteen players have departed so far this summer with ten having come in. Swindon have recruited Jake Tabor from Amersham Town, Darren Oldaker from Chesterfield, Tom Nichols from Mansfield Town, Billy Bodin from Burton Albion, James Bell and Lewis Ward from AFC Wimbledon, Joe Snowdon from Leeds United, Filozofe Mabete from Wolves, Finley Munroe from Aston Villa and Tom Wilson-Brown from Leicester City.

Holloway's management style is often characterized by an emphasis on attacking football, positive energy, and strong man-management. He is known for encouraging creative play, aiming to entertain fans with a high-scoring, attacking approach. He also values a strong team spirit and resilience.

The Bluebirds:

City come into this one the back of a 0-0 draw away at Port Vale. Cardiff lacked imagination and intent in their play, with a performance the polar opposite to that on the opening day against Peterborough.

The Bluebirds will look to bring back that intensity from the Posh game and take control of the game with purpose, something they failed to do against Port Vale.

Opposition Player To Watch:

Defender Will Wright is definitely the one to watch for The Robins. Not only defensively astute but a real goal-threat. The 28 year-old netted seven goals last season, whilst also picking up four assists. Wright also netted in Swindon's opening day defeat against Walsall.

Wright has carved out a career at the lower levels. Turning out for the likes of Hitchin Town, Biggleswade Town, Colchester United, Dagenham & Redbridge, Gillingham, Crawley Town and now Swindon.

Last Meeting:

Cardiff City 1-1 Swindon Town (2003)

These two sides played out a draw in their last competitive fixture, with Robert Earnshaw equalising late on for The Bluebirds.

Sam Parkin put the visitors in front just after the hour mark with a strong header, before Earnshaw levelled the game with his twenty-first of the season with a close range effort to earn a point.

Team News:

Cardiff City - Alex Robertson and Perry Ng remain out for The Bluebirds.

Swindon Town - Fully fit squad for the visitors.

Preferred XI:

GK - Matt Turner

RB - Will Spiers

RCB - Will Fish

LCB - Jesper Daland

LB - Luey Giles

CDM - Eli King

RCM - David Turnbull

LCM - Troy Perrett