BEN: WE'VE EVERY RIGHT TO BE CONFIDENT

Ben Turner spoke to the media on Friday morning, and was evidently in high spirits as we head into the final five games of the season.

City play host to in-form Nottingham Forest on Saturday afternoon, and the centre-half feels that consistency is key as the Bluebirds look to pick up a positive result.

“Obviously we feel that we’re close now, but there’s no real excitement because you want to get the job done," Ben admitted. "But we’re happy with the way we’re playing and we know that if we just keep playing the way we have for the last three games then we should be fine.

“The Manager’s just keeping things ticking along as if it’s the middle of the season with the way we go about things day to day. I think that’s just to make things seem as normal as possible.

“There’s absolutely no reason not to be positive though. It’s been a long season and with where we are with five games left, I think everyone in the whole of Cardiff would have taken that before we started. Barnsley scored a late goal – it’s one of those things that could have happened at any time of the season – but the result took us nine points clear of third place which is a massive positive for us."

As for the threat that Forest could pose on the weekend, Ben added: “I think since Billy Davies went back there Forest have only been beaten in one game – and he’s been there a while so they’re on a good run.

"But obviously they’re a dangerous team coming to play us at our ground. They’re on a role towards the top of the table but I’ve always said, every game is about how you approach it. Any game can be very, very tough but every game is winnable. So it’s a winnable game and we hope to get three points.”

Ben was awarded the man of the match award at Watford last week and has been a central figure in a string of fine defensive performances in recent games, particularly when considering the absence of skipper Mark Hudson.

“Obviously it left a big gap (when Hudson picked up his injury) because not only is he a really good player, but he was having a fantastic season and firing on all cylinders really," Ben commented.

"It was a big blow to lose him, but it was good to get Leon Barnett in as he’s got experience with what we’re doing now going for promotion, and in the level above as well.
 
“I think Leon’s slotted in well and we’ve defended really well on the whole recently, not giving away many chances, so hopefully that keeps up. We’ve been asking Leon every day whether he’s extended his loan as we wanted him to stay because he’s been playing well. He’s fitted in superbly with everything we’ve been doing so it’s fantastic news to hear he has."