Hey Junior Bluebirds! On Saturday, we’re back at Cardiff City Stadium to play against Southampton!
This is the Bluebirds’ first match against the Saints since April 2014, when Cardiff City were last in the Premier League! With that in mind, let’s have a look at some facts about the two clubs!
Bartley's must-know facts for Cardiff City vs. Southampton!
* Southampton’s manager is Ralph Hasenhüttl! Hasenhüttl was appointed earlier this week following the departure of Mark Hughes, having previously managed at RB Leipzig and Ingolstadt 04.
* Southampton’s home ground is St Mary’s Stadium, which was opened in August 2001! The Saints previously played at the Dell between 1898-2001!
* St Mary’s Stadium’s four stands are the North Stand, the Itchen Stand, the Chapel Stand, and the Kingsland Stand!
* At one point during World War II the Saints had to move to play in Portsmouth’s ground at Fratton Park, as a bomb landed on the Dell pitch, leaving an 18-foot crater!
* Like Cardiff City, Southampton have won the FA Cup once in their history. In 1976 the Saints defeated Manchester United 1-0 in the FA Cup Final, with Welshman Peter Rodrigues as their captain!
* Southampton’s 2017/18 goal of the season award went to Manolo Gabbiadini, whose 72nd minute strike against Swansea City in May 2018 gave his team a crucial away win that eventually secured their place in the Premier League!
* Cardiff City’s 2017/18 goal of the season award went to Sol Bamba’s half volley against Brentford in the Bluebirds’ 3-1 away win in March 2018!
* Southampton’s longest winning run in all competitions is 11 matches, between April 16th and August 20th 2011!
* Both Southampton and Cardiff City’s youngest ever players went to play at Arsenal! Theo Walcott and Aaron Ramsey went to play at Arsenal in 2006 and 2008, respectively, having both played their debut first team match for their initial clubs when they were 16 years old!
* Players who have made appearances for both Cardiff City and Southampton include Rickie Lambert, Kenwyne Jones and Steven Caulker!
That's all for now, Junior Bluebirds! Check back with me before our next match against Watford for more of Bartley's Match Facts! Bluebirds!!!
