by Jordan A Jones
CARDIFF City’s win away at Portman Road on Wednesday evening is just the latest showing of their promotion credentials.
With just over a quarter of the season to go, Cardiff City are exceeding their own expectations as they sit in the automatic spots. Victory over Ipswich also meant that the Bluebirds have already beaten last season’s tally of 61 points, with 13 fewer games played
The win over a side currently in mid-table may not be a big result to some, but for Cardiff it’s huge. Other results went their way, with Aston Villa and Derby County all dropping points and league leaders Wolverhampton Wanderers squandering a two-goal lead against Norwich.
It was the manner of Cardiff’s win though that could bode well for them in the remainder of the season. Goalkeeper Neil Etheridge picked up his fifteenth clean sheet of the season, highlighting how hard it is to break down the Cardiff defence. Kenneth Zohore scored his first goal since Boxing Day, which could now kick-start his season and encourage him to re-capture his previous form.
The Bluebirds weren’t helped when captain Sean Morrison exited the field in the 40 minute for Greg Halford, after picking up a groin injury.
But even without their trusted captain, Cardiff City picked up a result at a place where it has been hard to get a result. Cardiff haven’t won at Portman Road, since the 2012/2013 season, the same year they won promotion to the Premier League. It is also the first time City have done the double over the Tractor Boys in 72 years.
It’s now a run of seven league games without defeat for Cardiff, who have recovered well from their blip over the festive period.
Victory over Severnside rivals Bristol City today could provide a thirteen-point gap over Lee Johnson’s side, which would put Cardiff in a strong position to at least secure a top-six spot, barring a major hiccup.
A win would top off a fine February for Neil Warnock’s men and would put them into a prime position going into the business end of the season.
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