Source: Team_Talk
Jones wary of Strachan's side
With West Brom not in action until Monday's match against QPR, Cardiff can keep the pressure on, having closed the gap by beating the Baggies 2-0 at the Hawthorns in midweek.[LNB]Dave Jones' squad head north full of confidence, but the manager is wary of Strachan's side, whom he believes must begin to find form soon.[LNB]"They have some very good players with a lot of experience in the side and an experienced manager in Gordon Strachan, so we'll have to be at our best," he said.[LNB]"Our players are up for it - if confidence isn't high now, I don't know when it will be.[LNB]"Gordon has a tough task but with his experience and track record he'll turn them around - starting after Sunday.[LNB]"Fingers crossed, we've come through our rough spell, which seemed to coincide with the injuries and suspensions we've had."[LNB]Jones has been further boosted by the return from suspension of Jay Bothroyd, while Joe Ledley has passed a fitness test after battling a hip problem.[LNB]However, doubts remains over Riccardo Scimeca, Kevin McNaughton and on-loan Kelvin Etuhu.[LNB]While Cardiff are in good form, Strachan's frustrations have been growing as his team's inconsistencies came to the fore again this week, with an outstanding 5-1 win at QPR followed immediately by a 3-0 home reverse against Blackpool, leaving the manager winless in four games at home.[LNB]With only one win in their last seven league outings, Boro are down in 10th, but only two points separate them from the play-off places, and Strachan is eager to get back on track.[LNB]"It's rather strange that you can go from doing so well to doing so badly in the space of four days," he said of the Blackpool loss.[LNB]"I've never seen such a drop in form anywhere else. It's a strange one. We're looking into it and what we can do to be more consistent.[LNB]"It takes a lot of work to develop the team you want to. It took Sir Alex Ferguson five years so I don't see why I should do it in five weeks, but if I can do it in five weeks, fine."[LNB]Strachan is hoping that both Marcus Bent and Gary O'Neil shake off problems in order to play.[LNB]West Brom know they cannot lose their top-two place this weekend, but will be hoping Boro do them a favour before they bid to increase their grip on a top-two place by capitalising on QPR's problems come Monday night.[LNB]That heavy loss to Boro last weekend was followed by a 3-1 loss to Watford on Monday, a game that led to the suspension of manager Jim Magilton for an alleged dressing room incident.[LNB]Magilton has admitted to having a difference of opinion with midfielder Akos Buzsaky, but denies wrongdoing.[LNB]The incident means that youth team coaches Steve Gallen and Marc Bircham will be in charge against West Brom.[LNB]"We've had one session under Steve and Marc and it went really well," said striker Rowan Vine.[LNB]"The players are just focusing on the game on Monday night.[LNB]"Our main aim as players is to get back to winning ways on the pitch and to get our play-off push back on track."[LNB][LNB][LNB]
