Well, well, well...
Twelve months ago, who put their money on Crystal Palace reaching the Semi Final of a cup? Anyone? No? Didn't think so.
After a long old season last year in which just one away win was notched up, Palace came back this season with true Eagle fighting spirit and he rewards speak for themselves. A 3-1 AWAY victory over arch-rivals Br*ghton after being 1-0 down for almost 80 minutes. A 2-0 win at home over the league leaders in the League Cup, progressing to the quarter finals to draw Manchester United at Old Trafford. Winning that fixture in extra time after scoring first with an unstoppable strike from the goal machine that is, Darren Ambrose. Then after booking our place in the Semis, The Eagles beat rivals Millwall at The Den. So the 2011 portion of the season was tasty to the end but now, with no wins in 2012 as yet we are due one against Cardiff City in tonight's Carling Cup Semi Finals' first leg. You could only dream of reaching this point in 2010/11 but now it seems as if it was written. Palace fought off Crawley Town, Wigan Athletic, Middlesbrough, Southampton and even Man United to book their place in the Semis and face the best team for their cup run to continue. With Cardiff being the only Championship side left in the cup besides Palace, the draw guarantees a Championship finalist to face off against either Man City or Liverpool.
Cardiff's Cup Run:
Oxford United - A - 1-3 (AET)
Huddersfield - H - 5-3 (AET)
Leicester City - H - 2-2 (AET 7-6 on pens)
Burnley - H - 1-0
Blackburn Rovers - H - 2-0
Despite scraping through the early stages, Cardiff's last result in the cup (like Palace's) was against Premier League opposition and they controlled themselves well and got the result. Blackburn may be struggling but are in the top flight for good reason and against Championship opposition you would expect them to win. However, Cardiff just missed out on a promotion last season and are shooting for the same target this year so to win against Blackburn was not an impossible task. Kenny Miller's first half goal gave the Bluebirds the lead at half time and just after the break Anthony Gerrard sealed the deal for Cardiff as they progressed to the semi finals for only the second time in the club's history.
Team News
Crystal Palace midfielders Jonathan Williams and Alex Marrow will miss out whilst Freedman will hope the virus that hit the club has subsided in key players; McCarthy, Speroni & Clyne. He will also hope Gardner is fit after suffering a thigh strain. Young players may see a bench spot after a valiant effort against Derby on Saturday in the FA Cup.
Cardiff City manager Malky Mackay will be boosted by the return of Kevin Naughton for tonight's game after his calf strain forced him out of the last three matches. Craig Conway may get a run out after a good show against WBA at the weekend.
In all honesty, I hope beyond belief that we win tonight, there is no greater stage in English football than Wembley and if I can go there and watch Crystal Palace then I'm a happy man. However, Cardiff have had a great season so far and can NOT be underestimated. Real fans will know that this one is swinging in Cardiff's favour but that doesn't make them less of a fan for saying "I know we might lose". We've come this far and I'm proud to be an Eagle so whatever the scoreline is tonight and in two weeks time for the second leg. I'll be happy to make it this far.
COME ON YOU PALACE!!!!!!!!!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment