Sunderland go into Saturday's game aiming to build a bit of positive momentum, whilst Cardiff will try to put distance between themselves and the relegation zone. The Bluebirds couldn't help us out midweek against Burnley but let's hope they don't cause us any problems at the SoL! We spoke to the guys who run Cardiff City Mad about their disappointing season, whether they'll stay up and how they think this match will go...
Cardiff are currently in hovering above the relegation zone in 21st with 8 wins, 12 draws and 15 defeats. What's been the story of your season so far?
Our season was defined in the first six games. One point from an awful start under Erol Bulut has meant we have been in a relegation battle since September. Then Omer Riza, first as interim and then as permanent manager, took over and has improved the quality and style of football and found some results. It's still a struggle and we are only five points above the relegation places as things stand, so there's still work to do. Overall it's another disappointing season at the wrong end of the table but it could have been (and could still be) a lot worse.
What are your thoughts on Riza in the dugout?
I like the guy. He has made mistakes, he has infuriated at times by making the wrong changes at the wrong times. Away at Bristol City we go a goal up and are dominating the game and he made changes that saw us drop deep and invite the home side to grab a draw. Sound familiar? But there are other games he's made exactly the right call and we've won games or seen them out to earn points. He also delivered a 3-0 home win over Swansea. He gets the passion and the fans in the stadium are all behind him. He gets stick online but he's overcome the death of his father and is giving us a better brand of football that we've seen over the last couple of seasons.
Callum Robinson is your top scorer with 12 goals. What kind of player is he?
Robbo is not a target man striker. He's very busy in the final third. He closes people down when we are out of possession and he has an eye for goal when he's in range. He can score from 20 yards out, he can spot a chance (like a 50 yard effort vs Burnley this week that the keeper saved, or the quick thinking to get onto a poor back pass to score vs Swansea) and can finish from close range. Like all good strikers, he can find space in the box and find the net. We don't often get high scoring players. Robinson is on course for the highest league scoring season of his career. His current total of 12 matches his best season at Preston several years ago.
Other than him, who are some of your best players?
Striker Yousef Salech is starting to shine. Five goals already and we only signed him in January. He is a target man striker but has much more to his game. On his day Rubin Colwill can be superb, but he's not scoring enough. Aaron Ramsey is still a class act and we have players who have come through the Academy like Joel Bagan and Cian Ashford who are doing well this season when they play. Callum O'Dowda is our Mr Reliable. Always puts in a decent performance.
Which Sunderland player worries you the most?
Jobe Bellingham is your stand-out player. He's the first name that I think of as Sunderland's most influential player. I also noticed Eliezer Mayenda scoring goals recently, so he will be a threat.
What's your score prediction and goalscorers?
Cardiff have won on the last three visits to the SoL and I'd love them to win again, but I think we might grab a 1-1 draw with Salech scoring for Cardiff and Mayenda for Sunderland. I can't see us keeping you out for 90 mins.
Finally, where do you think both sides will finish this season? Will you stay up? Will we go up?
Sunderland will probably stay in 4th place. You are nailed on for the play-offs but unfortunately won't get automatics. For Sunderland I'd be fearful of Coventry City. Lampard has them on course to steam into the play-offs and I can see them going all the way.
Cardiff will avoid relegation with a game or two to spare. I think we will play each other again next season...
