Cardiff v Hull. Match preview

Last updated : 12 March 2008 By Michael Morris
The first one is already under way in the High Court in London where Peter Ridsdale is defending a claim from Langstone for immediate payment of £31m of loan money (loan + interest).

The second action is on the pitch. City find themselves just 4 points off the relegation places after last night's results so go into the match with Hull City tonight in need of a win to make a move up the table.

City will climb 6 places to 12th with a win tonight. Hull City are currently in 6th place, 11 points ahead of the Bluebirds having played a game more. Realistically City need to win tonight and win at Colchester on Saturday to 1, pass the mythical 50 point barrier needed for Championship safety and 2, to still be considred in with a chance of a play off challenge.

Defeat leaves us in a scrap at the bottom. City need to transfer the cup form into league form. A Wembley appearance is amazing but Championship survival is also a must. 2 points from the last 18 on offer is shocking.

City could be without Peter Enckleman and Kevin McNaughton for tonight's game. Both are carrying injuries. Riccy Scimeca could feature after his first game in a year last week while it's a game too soon for Joe Ledley.

Hull will be without the injured Dean Windass and the suspended Caleb Folan and Jay-Jay Okocha. Former City loanee Simon walton could play for Hull. Walton upset City fans with derogatory comments about the Bluebirds posted on his MySpace website.

Dave Jones is still aiming for a play off place and has warned his players their places are not safe. They must play for their Wembley places.

"We can still mount a play-off charge," he insisted. "That's why we are here and that's what we want to do.

"There are plenty of points still to fight for. It's a tall order, but we want to kick on.

"We've got games in hand and, if we win them, you never know. We might be going to Wembley on a few occasions this season.

"That's something for the players to realise and there's shirts up for grabs now for a place at Wembley. So everybody will be wanting to play there and I'm hoping that will spur us on in the league."

He continued, "I don't have to tell the players, they know in the next game everyone is playing for a shirt. I'm not saying it to them but it's one thing that goes into the equation.

"If you don't play well in this game then you could be out for the next game and so on and so on. All of a sudden games start to run out and you haven't staked your claim.

"There's a shirt up for grabs every week at this place. If people don't perform, with players like Joe Ledley coming back to fitness, it does put pressure on people to keep their shirt."

Tickets are flying out the door for tonight's match. Fans who purchase a Hull ticket will be added to the pecking order for a Wembley ticket if they keep the ticket stub. Hull stub holders, subject to availablity, will be eligable for a Wembley ticket after the Ambassadors, ST Holders and Away Travel Members get theirs.

Early report suggest the Family Stand has limited tickets available, the Bob Bank Terrace is close to being sold out already. Please get to Ninian Park early especially if you have to purchase or collect a ticket for tonight's game.

Hull City manager Phil Brown said

"It is a big match and we have to go there and win to show we have a side capable of staying in the top six.

"There is never a bad time to be in the top six and getting there is testimony to the players. We have always talked about progress and we are already ahead of our final points tally from last season."