by Robbie Armstrong
ROB Bailey’s boys will be hoping to improve on the 3-1 away defeat to Bristol at the beginning of December when they face Cardiff University.
A close title race seems to be developing and looks likely to go right to the wire with USW positioned at the top of the pile ahead of Cardiff on goal difference.
However Bristol’s impressive victory over USW have moved them into contention and just two points behind the two Welsh teams.
USW coach Rob Bailey is in good spirits going into the game against Cardiff and that is down to the impressive strike partnership of top scorer JJ Ogugua and Mikey Wicherek.
Bringing Ogugua up from the USW 4th team has paid dividends for Bailey, who has been on fire this season alongside third year student and USW 3rd veteran Wicherek, who appeared and scored for Lee Kendall’s first team this season.
Bailey said: “I am expecting the players to bounce back with a good performance following a disappointing result against Bristol.
“We are top of the league on merit but still havent reached top gear so that bodes well for the remainder of the season.”
The fact Bailey believes there is more to come from his squad will surely be aided by three new additions in the form of Dom Ward, Danny Maguire and Pepe Fernandez, who Bailey confirmed will all be in the matchday squad against Cardiff.
The USW coach is expecting a tough match which could be pivotal to the title race and insists his team “won’t be complacent as Cardiff are a good side so we have to be at our best.”
Cardiff will also hoping to bounce back from a disappointing result as before the winter break they drew 2-2 at home to bottom side USW 4th.
Bristol will be listening closely for the result at the USW Sport Park because a draw there and a win away at Gloucestershire would see them leapfrog the two Welsh teams into pole position.
First versus second is always likely to be an exciting affair, especially with it being a local derby.
Kick off is at 15:30 at USW Sport Park.
