Behind Enemy Lines Extra – Cardiff

Behind Enemy Lines is picking up pace and we’ve had some great feedback, sometimes we get some great responses and this next one is well worthy of the title, with thanks to Mr Davies of ccmb.co.uk.First of all, Dave Jone’s seems to be doing a fantastic job, what’s your opinion on the bloke?

He has an eye for bringing in rough diamonds and polishing them up, but he doesn’t seem to have a plan B tactically when things start going wrong. This season is a massive season for DJ as Peter Ridsdale has said 7th place is not acceptable, so it’s play offs or bust.

You’re sitting in 3rd and the leagues top goalscorers, did you expect the start of the season to be so good?

We always start reasonably well, and then tail off as the season progresses. Quick of the blocks with no staying power. Hopefully that’ll change this year.

I was surprised you got beat by Doncaster, what happened?

Not at all. We struggled to get a point at the Keepmoat last year with only a last gasp Ross McCormack equalizer salvaging a point, so I had a feeling it’d be a difficult day at the office. I think what went wrong was exactly the same thing that was responsible for our disasterous end of season collapse last season – the players took their foot off the gas and thought the game was in the bag. Doncaster wanted it more. Plus, with Bothroyd going off injured and Jones, as previously mentioned, having no plan B, it was never going to be easy.

Do you expect one of your players to be a real star this year?

This season is going to be a massive season for Jay Bothroyd. Maybe this will be the season when he finally fufils his obvious potential. Other than that Adam Matthews will have a breakthrough year and I’m interested to see what chance Jones will give to Josh Magennis, a goalkeeper-cum-striker. Big, strong, quick and with an exocet of a shot.

Where about do you think you’ll finish this season?

Anything less than a play-off place will be a failure. It’s going to be a tough ask over 46 games, but I think, with maybe a flutter during the loan window and maybe strengthening in January we’ll have enough to take us over the finish line. Then we’ll do it at Wembley. Against Boro for you lot!!

Is there anyone we should look out for on Sunday?

Michael Chopra. All the talk of him bottling it is bound to have fired Chops up and the boy is on fire. What’s that coming over the hill??

Chopra’s boot might be on fire, do you think he’ll be up for it against his former team?

No doubt about it. He missed a couple of gilt edged chances at Doncaster and there is no better way than to set things right against your old club. Tag him as a bottler at your own risk.

Do you think we represent your biggest test so far?

Yes. Especially defensively. We’ve made errors against teams like S****horpe and Plymouth that have gone unpunished. We cannot to afford Newcastle such luxuries as they will not be so generous in letting us off the hook. But I firmly believe, if we play the same style of football that tore S****horpe and Bristol City to shreds, Newcastle could be in a bit of trouble.

What do you know about NUFC?

They are hurting and they will want to get back into the top flight at the first possible attempt. They’ll have a good chance if they don’t underestimate teams as the Championship is a league where anybody can beat anybody.

Where do you think we’ll finish?

You’ll be thereabouts. Yourselves, Boro, WBA and us (hopefully).

Any team news?

You’ll have to ask Dave Jones.

Finally a score prediction?

2-1 to the BLUEBIRDS!! Chops to score too!!