OLE: NEXT GAMES VITAL

City boss looks to Hawthorns clash with the Baggies

City manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær has pointed to the next ten days as a crucial period in the Bluebirds fight for Barclays Premier League survival.

Heading to the Hawthorns on Saturday to face a West Bromwich Albion side just two places and three points ahead of them, City’s trip to the West Midlands is followed by the visit of Crystal Palace to Cardiff City Stadium next weekend.

Speaking exclusively to our pre-match preview show In the City on Cardiff City Player, Ole said: ”The next two games will be massive because they're against the two teams directly around us. It's going to be a vital ten days coming up.

“Saturday is a massive game for both teams. We go there to win the game but we can't be as open as we were against Liverpool, although we’ll of course want to push forward when we get the opportunity. We're concentrating on ourselves, making sure we get what we need.

“We can get the points and results we need, we all share that belief; we know what we have to do. Looking at the next two games and then to April it's a month that we have the chance to get some good points from.”

Recent performances against top five sides Everton and Liverpool are enough to give plenty of hope to the City squad and the 2,600 fans traveling to the Hawthorns on Saturday, with only a last minute winner at Goodison Park and the forward power of the Reds last weekend eventually condemning City to defeat.

They are performances that Ole has seen his squad look to build on in training in the week, with just Craig Noone looking doubtful through injury on Saturday.

“The first-half against Liverpool was really positive and the lads have come in this week and have been really bright as well.  We were playing against a top, top side who were going to exploit any spaces that were left in behind.

“We're looking ok. Craig Noone has not quite recovered from his injury while Matt Connolly is back in full training after his time out.”



WATCH OLE SPEAK EXCLUSIVELY TO CARDIFF CITY PLAYER AND OUR MATCH PREVIEW SHOW IN THE CITY, BELOW