Leeds United will be looking to end their 26-year winless run against Cardiff City on Monday night when they host the Welsh high-flyers.
The Yorkshire club were under the stewardship of Eddie Gray the last time they took three points from the Bluebirds, in February 1984, but will be hopeful of repeating that feat if they can match the performance that saw them beat struggling Middlesbrough last weekend.
A disappointing 2-1 defeat to Leicester followed three days later though, after which Leeds manager Simon Grayson told the press that his team had been “second best.”
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Midfielder Bradley Johnson was even more scathing in his comments on the match, telling the official club website: “It wasn’t good enough.
“Coming from a good result on Saturday to Tuesday, it just wasn’t good enough. I’ve said it before, but I’m sorry to the fans who watched it.
“We’ve got to knuckle down and put it right. It’s down to us,” added the 23-year-old.
The 2-1 win over Middlesbrough was, despite the ongoing crisis at the Riverside, a significant performance, especially defensively.
The strikeforce of Luciano Becchio and Davide Somma has combined for 11 Championship goals and speaks for itself, but at the back Leeds have been regularly exposed.
Any chink in the Leeds United defence, which has been without Alex Bruce since his red card in the defeat to Ipswich and looks all the better for it, is likely to be exploited by Cardiff’s impressive frontline.
Jay Bothroyd is behind only Chis Iwelumo and Jamie Mackie in the Championship scoring chart with seven league goals and will be joined up front by Welsh star Craig Bellamy.
The on-loan Manchester City forward has been limited to four appearances due to a knee injury but has scored twice and Cardiff have won every match he’s played in.
“Craig will be fit to face Leeds,” confirmed manager Dave Jones after Bellamy played 80 minutes of the 2-1 midweek win over Coventry City.
Such is the embarrassment of riches in attack for Cardiff that they could even leave Bellamy out by choice, with Michael Chopra providing a third quality striking option while Peter Whittingham’s goals from midfield offer a further, alternative threat.
Centre-back Chris Riggott and on-loan midfielder Danny Drinkwater are back in training after injuries but won’t be fit enough to push for a starting spot, leaving Jones with the option of sticking with the same team that cruised past Coventry.
