Source: FOOTYMAD
Jones and Blackwell pre match comments
"Cardiff won't have any problems getting over their play-off final defeat," insists Kevin Blackwell. "We know how disappointing it is to lose a play-off final and what a hangover it can leave."But the big difference is that Dave Jones has not had to sell his better players."//'); //]]>"We lost the parachute payments after that defeat against Burnley (in the 2009 play off final) and players like Kyle Naughton, Kyle Walker, Greg Halford had to go," said Blackwell. But Cardiff have kept the majority of their team together. If you can put names like Chopra, Bothroyd and Whittingham on a team sheet then you're doing all right."They have a nucleus that's been together a long time and that counts for a lot in terms of understanding and team spirit."Dave is a very canny and wily operator and we know we are in for a big test at Cardiff."City boss Dave Jones can now include three new sqaud members after their registrations were cxomplete on Friday.But is Jason Koumas ready?"Jason's available, but he's not ready yet. He's probably going to need 10 more games to get up to speed," said Jones."What we don't want to do with him is throw him in and find he's not up to the pace of the game."He's done most of his running and fitness training, but we now need to get him back kicking, twisting and turning so he's ready for game action."I would love him to play against Sheffield United, but he's not ready."The players we are trying to add to the squad will make us stronger and up for the challenge in this league," said Jones."My players are up for it and ready for the fight. I wouldn't expect anything different from them. They have never let me down on that score."When it comes to whether they have got over missing out on promotion last season we will only find out once the new season starts."
