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Benjamin James was kind enough to answer our questions this week. What did he have to say about Cardiff?
Cottagers Confidential: Cardiff's season last year didn't go a whole lot better than Fulham's. What is going to make this season different? What was done to improve the squad?
Benjamin James: Slade has gotten rid of all the filler that Ole brought in and has sorted out the squad’s fitness. He said the squad was incredibly unfit when he came in and that affected performances towards the second half of the season. Transfers haven’t gone too well at the moment – it looks as if Marshall leaving might trigger a flurry of activity to add to the signing of Sammy Ameobi so far. Slade has also talked of better togetherness amongst the squad now. Last year was an awful year for Cardiff – from Ole’s incompetence to Slade’s, things can only get better this year.
CC: If you had to guess, which three teams get promoted? Who gets relegated? Where do you think Cardiff finish?
BJ: Promoted teams? I’m going to say Burnley, Wolves and Middlesborough. Relegated is a tougher call – the Championship is such a tight league that it teams can easily get sucked into the fight. I’m going to say Rotherham, Huddersfield and MK Dons (the last one might be more hopeful because they represent so much that’s wrong with football)
CC: If you've been following Fulham's moves this season, are there any moves that you like? Moves that you don't?
BJ: Jazz Richards is an impressive signing. He was quality for Wales against Belgium and I was surprised a Prem club didn’t try and snatch him away at the 11th hour. Jamie O’Hara is a curious one – I can only assume he’s on a decent wage but he’s been living off a dubious reputation for a few years now. If Symons gets him playing, you have a class act. But it’s a big if…
CC: Expected lineup? Result?
BJ:
Cardiff will line up: Moore (GK)
Malone
Morrison
Connolly
Peltier
Pilkington
Whittingham
Dikgacoi
Ralls
Mason
Ameobi
And I think it will be a 1-1 draw!