'Pool Hope To Freeze Bluebirds

The Seasiders travel to Cardiff City on Saturday for a crucial Championship fixture - weather permitting!

Ian Holloway's team have only played one league game since 12th December which has seen them slip three points behind the playoff pack.

However, with two games in hand - against West Brom and what looks to be Alan Irvine's Sheffield Wednesday - there is no panic at Bloomfield Road.

The game looks set to be on despite the big freeze across Britain, which is good news for 'Pool who were looking at a fixture pile up should this have been postponed.

A win at Cardiff would put 'Pool into a fantastic position. With Sheffield United vs Watford already off due to the weather and the possiblity of more to follow, the pressure is off.

This may work in the free-flowing style of 'Pool's football favour; they can go out and express themselves for three points.

A win would take them level on points with the Bluebirds - quite an achievement, especially with Dave Jones' side having played one more game.

Ian Holloway on Cardiff's technology to get the game on: 'Now Cardiff have got their heating system up and running it's great.

'How someone managed to do that the other week, get it all sorted and ready to go, but no one had tested it, I'm not sure.

'But they've managed to do that now.

'Apparently they've got loads of salt too that we all need and they are going to chuck it around the ground and we're told the match is under no risk whatsoever, apart from the fact that we've got to risk our lives going down there.

'It's absolutely surreal, isn't it?

'All our supporters, if they want to watch us, have to risk their lives travelling down and we have to get on some skiddy coach going the length and breadth of the country when I wouldn't let a racehorse out in it! It is crazy, but there we go, who cares?

'It should be a cracking match and hopefully somebody will be there watching, because without anybody watching a game what's the point in playing it?'

Expect all of the big guns, bar Stephen McPhail who is battling cancer, to be in the 16.

Up front there is a choice between Bothroyd, McCormack and Chopra.

After returning back to Wales after a loan spell at Leeds, Tony Capaldi could start at left back.

Reported to be a target for the Seasiders in the summer, Chris Burke has had a startling start to his City career.

From the right wing, Burke has notched four goals already and tormented left back's in most games he's played.

Playing five in midfield could benefit us, with Keith Southern providing cover when Burke cuts inside as he does.

New signing Andy Butler is set to start alongside Alex Baptiste in the heart of defence.

Both Rob Edwards and Ian Evatt are serving one match bans with the club swooping quickly to draft Butler in.

With no other signings (at 12 o'clock on Friday anyway!), Adam should be joined by Vaughan and Southern in the middle.

Billy Clarke is still injured so Barry Bannan could be the man to fill in on the wing should Ollie drop either GTF or Ormerod.

Keith will have a tricky job keeping track of the Cardiff City runners from midfield.

Without him in the midfield five the likes of Joe Ledley, Chris Burke and Peter Whittingham could have a field day running at the Blackpool defence - who are liable to back off when faced with quick ball in front of them, especially away from home.

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Saturday 16th January
QPR (Home)
15:00

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