We are top of the league … within a League

Neil Warnock and his Cardiff City team make the journey to Watford this weekend is this the game that will bring the Welshman’s first away win of the season, I ruddy hope so. Now with the seven crossings free the club will be saving a few quid.  I would have a small wager on it happening if I bet on Cardiff as a rule I just don’t want to jinx them.

There is a sizeable gap that as appeared in the Premier League between Cardiff in fourteenth place and thirteenth Brighton, seven points meaning Cardiff are top of our own alternative league within the league. I think most fans would be happy with finishing top of that league just to prove all our critics wrong.

The last time we played Watford was back in 2014/15 and while we won 1-0 at their ground coming home across the Seven Bridge with all three points. A month or so later they thrashed Cardiff 4-2 at the Cardiff City stadium the season Watford gained automatic promotion to the Premier League behind Bournemouth.

In his pre-match conference Cardiff boss, Warnock was asked could Cardiff avoid relegation without an away win, he replied

“We’d have to win a few good games at home against the top teams! You don’t want to lose games away from home, but sometimes the results away are the ones you can’t predict. Anyone outside the top five or six, there are surprising results.”

Warnock has spoken to a number of players ahead of the January transfer window pointing out Mehmet (Dalman) and Ken (Choo) are working really hard to facilitate his targets. Cardiff have been widely linked through the press and social media with French side FC Nantes forward Emiliano Sala.

“When we’re looking at a player, we’re not looking at players the top half of the Premier League can afford. You have to weigh up the cost of the player, look at the situation if we were relegated, the financial implications of the club - and who’s available. You don’t want your good players to go in January.

We’re looking at three positions if we can, but I’m probably only confident in one position of the three. It looks like if our number one or two options don’t come off, it’ll be the end of January.”

He (Warnock) confirmed interest in Nathaniel Clyne but is unsure if Kenneth Zohore will be fit to face Watford. Striker Zohore has taken part in training this week after being side-lined by a calf muscle injury. Danny Ward and Greg Cunningham are both nursing injuries along with Jazz Richards hamstring problem.

Watford manager Javi Gracia insists he will not underestimate Cardiff City at Vicarage Road tomorrow with the Welshman picking up three wins from their last five games but they are yet to win on the road. Like Cardiff Watford’s form is better home as well.

As for predictions I always say a Cardiff win no matter who we play it’s a given being a fan but the professionals have other ideas. I always check out the predictions of Mark Lawrenson and his guest and footballing marmite Robbie Savage and like most weeks no good news both predicting a 2-1 defeat but Lawrenson’s guest is more in lighten calling the game 1-1 I like David Ginola at least he offered up a draw.

The busy festive period games are upon us starting with Manchester United next weekend, four games in 10 days with a Boxing Day trip to Crystal Palace with Leicester three days later both games are away from home and New Year’s Day Tottenham at the Cardiff City stadium, a busy time.