Ex-Swans who could scupper Cardiff hopes
DESPITE their defeat at Derby County on Tuesday night, Cardiff City’s bid for promotion is still firmly in their own hands.
The task for Neil Warnock’s men is simple: win their remaining games and Cardiff City Stadium will be hosting Premier League football next season. Of course, a return to the top flight would also signal the possible return of the South Wales derby — one of the most passionate rivalries in British football.
And interestingly, Cardiff’s bid for a place in the top flight could yet hinge on three men with very strong Swansea City connections. Ultimately whether they go up or not will be down to the Bluebirds, but these are the ex-Swans who nonetheless will have a say one way or the other...
Chris Coleman
COLEMAN spent four years playing for his home town club, before moving to Crystal Palace in 1991, and has never forgotten his Swansea roots.
Left the Wales job to take charge of Sunderland, but has been catapulted from the highs of a Euro 2016 semi-final to the doldrums of League One football in less than two years.
But he has it in his hands to do Cardiff a favour when Sunderland visit the Bluebirds’ promotion rivals Fulham on Friday night.
Don’t hold out too much hope, though, Cardiff fans. Many are anticipating a hammering for Coleman’s woeful Sunderland. Fulham currently sit one point behind the Bluebirds in the race for second place. Should they lose, then promotion for Cardiff will be confirmed with a win at Hull City the following day.
Garry Monk
SHOULD Coleman fail to do Cardiff a favour, the promotion race will go to the last day of the season.
Step forward Garry Monk, who is still fondly remembered by many Swans fans for his time first as a player and then a manager, before his eventual departure in 2015.
After spells in charge of Leeds and Middlesbrough, Monk is in the dugout at Birmingham City, and has guided the Blues away from the relegation zone with a run of four wins from their last seven games.
Monk’s men host Fulham on the final day of the campaign. They may still need something from the match to be totally sure of avoiding the drop. If they can somehow get a good result against Slavisa Jokanovic’s side, it could be enough to send the Bluebirds to the Premier League.
Paul Clement
THE only man in the trio of ex-Swans trio that Cardiff fans will not want a win from.
Clement is the most recent managerial casualty at the Liberty Stadium, having been shown the door in December in favour of former Sheffield Wednesday boss Carlos Carvalhal.
This isn’t yet a must-win game, but it is likely to be. The simple equation as we stand is that of Cardiff beat Hull and Clement’s Royals, they will be in the top flight next term.
Fortunately, perhaps, Reading don’t look to be up to much, having won just two of their last 15 games, although Warnock will know better than anyone that you can’t take anything for granted in this league.
By Tom Coleman