HOW RIVALS CAN REACH WEMBLEY SHOWDOWN
CARDIFF CITY V FULHAM, TOMORROW, 7.45PM
JUNIOR Hoilett believes Cardiff City’s impressive centrehalf pairing Curtis Nelson and Sean Morrison will be equipped to deal with the threat of Aleksandar Mitrovic in the play-off semi-final.
The Serb has been in incredible form this season, having scored 26 goals and played a huge part in dragging Fulham to within touching distance of automatic promotion.
The striker scored both in the draw at Cardiff City Stadium at the beginning of the season and from the penalty spot at Craven Cottage two weeks’ ago in the Cottagers’ 2-0 win.
But while a lot of talk will doubtless surround the threat the towering striker poses to the Bluebirds’ playoff final chances over the coming week, Hoilett thinks Mitrovic will fear the prospect of coming up against City’s in-form centre backs.
“Morrison and Nelson have been fantastic all year round,” Hoilett said. “I’m sure they are ready and Mitrovic is fearing them as well.
“They just have to keep playing the way they’ve been playing recently and we’ll be fine. They’ve been solid at the back and, with support around them, they’ll be fine.”
It’s clear Mitrovic will be the main focus of Cardiff’s defensive efforts in the build-up to tomorrow night’s clash at Cardiff City Stadium, but City manager Neil Harris also backs his defence to stand firm against the task.
“I look at my team to deal with their strengths.” Harris said. “I look to my centre-halves to deal with Mitrovic, my full-backs to deal with their wide players and my midfielders to come out on top in the middle.
“He is a good number nine at this level – at Premier League level – and I think he’ll get better. But we have got the ability and know-how to deal with him. I hope!”
At the other end of the pitch, though, City have been free-flowing.
They have scored eight goals in their last three games and Hoilett himself has looked particularly threatening, having netted three times in the nine games since lockdown.
Harris said Hoilett probably benefited most from the three-month break from football, given the sheer volume of game-time he has had under his belt in the last few years.
So, what was they key to the player’s rejuvenation? What did he do to recharge the batteries when the country ground to a halt owing to Covid-19.
“I did absolutely nothing!,” he laughed. “I just used the moment to relax. I have been playing a lot of football with the club and national team.
“It was nice to recoup, relax and get ready to hit the ground running.
“It helped me to get back into the form I’m used to.
“It’ll be great if I can use that form in the next two games and get the team to Wembley.”
If the team do get to Wembley, of course, they could well face archrivals Swansea City, who play their own play-off semi-final against Brentford this week.
There are a lot of ifs and buts before that happens, of course, but even Hoilett couldn’t deny himself a smile when asked if he would fancy facing the old enemy on August 4.
“Of course!” he said when asked if he would relish the rivalry. “Why not? It could be a South Wales derby final at Wembley, a pity there’s no fans there, but that would be a great match.
“For that to be the match to decide who goes to the Premier League would be a massive game and a fantastic game for the players and the fans.”
But, as we all know, there is the small matter of Fulham and Brentford in the way of that happening.