Carabao Cup Preview | City vs. Colchester United

Cardiff City begin their Carabao Cup campaign by welcoming Colchester United to Cardiff City Stadium on Wednesday, August 9th, 7.45pm KO.

Get your tickets here!

OPPOSITION FOCUS | IN THE DUGOUT

Colchester United’s manager is Ben Garner, who was appointed in March 2023.

Garner began his coaching career at Crystal Palace, starting as a youth coach within the club’s Academy, before going on to become a part of the First Team backroom staff.

The current U’s boss then had spells as assistant manager at West Bromwich Albion and Indian club ATK.

Taking the step into management, Garner was appointed Head Coach of Bristol Rovers in December 2019.

Prior to joining Colchester United, the United manager has also held managerial positions at Swindon Town and Charlton Athletic.

OPPOSITION FOCUS | SUMMER SIGNINGS

The U’s have made six signings so far this summer, strengthening their goalkeeping options with the arrival of 21-year-old Tom Smith from Arsenal.

Garner has also welcomed 25-year-old left-back Ellis Iandolo, who last featured for Swindon Town.

The club have utilised the loan market with three signings, coming in the form of Crystal Palace goalkeeper Owen Goodman, Southampton centre-back Nico Lawrence and Arsenal midfielder Mauro Bandeira.

Also making a loan move to the JobServe Community Stadium is attacker Joe Taylor, who joins from Luton Town. 

OPPOSITION FOCUS | KEY PLAYER

Colchester’s top scorer last season was playmaker Noah Chilvers, who came through the ranks at the club and made his debut in 2019.

Chilvers netted nine league goals in League Two, as well as contributing with one assist.

The midfielder has also impressed in previous seasons; he was named the club’s Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year at the end of the 2020/21 campaign.

CLUB CONNECTION | GREG HALFORD

Former Bluebird Greg Halford came through the youth system at Colchester United, going on to represent the First Team between 2002 and 2007.

Halford made over 136 league appearances for the U’s, contributing an impressive tally of 18 goals.

Going on to have a respected career in the EFL, the utility man joined City in January 2017 from Rotherham United, reuniting with Bluebirds boss Neil Warnock.

Halford was part of the side that secured second place in the Championship in the 2017/18 campaign, earning promotion to the Premier League.

The 38-year-old currently plays for Hashtag United, who play in the Isthmian League Premier Division.