Bluebirds back in the Championship after just one year in top flight
With all six of Huddersfield Town’s new 2014/15 opponents now confirmed following the Play-Off finals, htafc.com ran the rule over the Terriers' new destinations ahead of next season.
Over the next few weeks, we will preview each team either relegated from the Premier League or promoted from the Sky Bet Football League 1.
Our first stop takes us into Wales with Cardiff City, who spent just one season in the top flight after being promoted as champions in the 2012/13 season.
CARDIFF CITY FOOTBALL CLUB
Cardiff City Stadium, Leckwith Road, Cardiff, CF11 8AZ
HEAD TO HEAD
The Terriers are well ahead in the head to head stats despite Cardiff’s recent domination over them. In 67 meetings between the two teams Town has won on 29 occasions compared to Cardiff’s 19.
However, you have to go back over a decade to find the last time that Town gained three points from the Bluebirds. Andy Booth’s 80th minute strike was enough back in 2003.
Since then, Cardiff have won twice courtesy of a 5-3 (AET) victory in the Carling Cup and a 94th minute winner from Mark Hudson at the start of the 2012/13 season. The latest meeting, just over a year ago, saw Town earn a point on home soil.
MANAGER
Despite a win on debut against Newcastle, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s time in charge of Cardiff City has brought little joy. After taking over from Malky Mackay in January, the Norwegian presided over 21 games, boasting a win percentage of just 23.81%.
A surprise one goal victory at Southampton kept faint hopes of survival alive for Solksjaer and Cardiff, but defeat at Sunderland ended their stay after just one year.
Despite a stuttering start to life in Cardiff, Solksjaer is intent on pushing for promotion - click HERE
PLAYERS IN
Guido Burgstaller
Javi Guerra
PLAYERS OUT
Craig Bellamy
Tommy Smith
Simon Lappin
IN THE NEWS
KEY PLAYERS
Cardiff City’s biggest task this summer will be keeping hold of those players that managed to impress last season. David Marshall and Jordan Mutch were arguably Cardiff’s stand out players, but with the 2014/15 season still over two months away the Bluebirds’ ‘keeper looks to be heading for the exit door. North London looks to be his likely destination with both Arsenal and Tottenham vying for his signature.
If they can keep hold of him it will be a massive boost as the Scottish international frequently kept clean sheets during Cardiff’s championship winning season.
Jordan Mutch finished as the Bluedbirds’ top scorer from midfield with seven goals last term, one ahead of striker Fraizer Campbell. It was Mutch’s first season in the top flight of English football and he didn’t look out of place. The 22 year-old netted the winning goal against Fulham and also scored against Chelsea and netted three times against Liverpool over two matches.
Get your 2014/15 Season Card and watch Town take on Cardiff!
