Cardiff City will travel to Preston tonight with the hope of securing a result.
Cardiff City will be looking to get their first away win since March at Preston tonight. The Bluebirds have so far had a poor start to the season, winning just one game from six.
Cardiff go into the game off the back of a 3-2 defeat to Norwich at the weekend. Manager Paul Trollope will be under pressure to get a result against a struggling Preston side, but the Welsh team currently sit 18th in the Championship and confidence won’t exactly be high.
Here are three things that Cardiff must do to get a result tonight:
No more defensive errors
It’s vital for Cardiff that they cut out the defensive errors. Against Norwich, the Bluebirds made an error at the back – Cameron Jerome’s opener came from a set-piece. The striker had too much space and time to score, and a soft goal was also conceded in the Bluebirds’ 1-0 defeat to Reading.
Stupid defensive mistakes that can easily be avoided have cost Cardiff crucial points this season, the Bluebirds can’t allow this to happen tonight.
The back four will also have to be wary of Preston striker Eion Doyle. The 28-year-old has scored two goals in six appearances – although both goals have come in the EFL Cup. Manager Simon Grayson will be looking at Doyle to provide the goals for Preston.
Lambert needs some luck
Former West Brom striker Rickie Lambert joined Cardiff this season on a two-year deal.
Although new signing Rickie Lambert failed to score in his debut at the weekend, the striker had some killer chances that could have won the game for Cardiff.
Lambert was denied at first by a brilliant save from Michael McGovern, his second chance was a header in which the striker should have scored. A cause for concern for Trollope is the 34-year-old’s tiredness against Norwich. A lack of game-time could be responsible, but fans will be relying on Lambert to provide the goals.
Aron Gunnarsson was one of Cardiff’s best players at the weekend. The central midfielder’s long throws were a big threat throughout the game. If Gunnarsson can play like this tonight – then he could just help Lambert find the back of the net.
Lex Immers needs to perform
Lex Immers has failed to live up to expectations this season
Questions have been raised by fans asking what has happened to Lex Immers this season. Immers signed for the Bluebirds last season on loan and made an instant impact on the Bluebirds squad. However at the weekend, Immers didn’t make any contribution to the midfield and failed to perform.
Immers as well as the rest of the squad will need to step up in order to secure an all-important three points for the Bluebirds tonight
Preston will host Cardiff at the Deepdale this evening at 7.45 p.m.
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