Forget past, insists Cardiff City's Gavin Rae
GAVIN RAE has told his Cardiff City team-mates to forget past Crystal Palace encounters and focus on the present ahead of tomorrow’s Selhurst Park clash.
Cardiff travel to south London to take on Paul Hart’s Eagles with the fixture fast developing a reputation as a grudge match.
The last meeting, a 1-1 draw last October, ended in a war of words between the two clubs following allegations of racist remarks made to Bluebirds striker Michael Chopra.
And last season’s Selhurst contest also finished with plenty of bad blood between the teams after a horrific elbow from the hosts’ Claude Davis on then City centre-back Roger Johnson.
Johnson, who left Leckwith for Premiership Birmingham City in the summer, was hospitalised after the challenge – with chairman Peter Ridsdale claiming the defender ‘could have died.’
But, although midfielder Rae conceded those events will add to the atmosphere come tomorrow’s early afternoon kick-off, the Scot said the Bluebirds have to see the bigger picture.
“There’s been a few tough games between us recently,” said Rae, back in his protecting midfield role after a short spell on the sidelines. “Last time down there it was a great result for us (Cardiff won 2-0) because it was one hell of a game.
“It was probably the most physical game I’ve ever played in and there had to be some big performances that day to get the result.
“And then we had what happened after the game in Cardiff earlier this season.
“It all adds spice to the game, but we will forget all that and concentrate on what we’re doing as a team because that’s what will get us in the play-offs.
“It’s going to be a tough afternoon, but it’s about putting all the surrounding stuff aside and just focus playing as well as we’ve done in the last few games.”
Dave Jones’ men looked back to their confident selves in the first 45 minutes against Sheffield United on Wednesday, switching off in the second half to concede a Stephen Quinn leveller.
And Rae has admitted it’s good to be back with belief after a run of games that saw Cardiff struggle.
Yet the former Rangers skipper, who will partner the influential and in-form Stephen McPhail in midfield tomorrow, knows Jones’ side will have to dig in when required against Palace.
Neil Warnock is gone, but they have retained a reputation for being tough in the tackle – especially now they are in the middle of a relegation battle which has been made worse by a 10-point deduction for entering administration.
“We know what we could face down there and if we have to battle like we did last time we’ll be prepared for it,” said Rae. “It’s not just about physical with them, they have some players who can play and it will be a tough game in every sense.
“The deduction is a shame for them because they were going well and are a good side, but they’ve had the rug pulled out from under their feet and they’re now scrapping for their lives.
“We know they’re a good team even though they’re down there so it will be a real test for us.
“But we’re confident and we showed that on Wednesday. Hopefully that can carry on because perhaps that’s something that’s been missing of late.
“But we know it’s about picking up the points as much as performances at this stage of the season, however they come about.”
Captain Jay Bothroyd is banned for the London trip after collecting his 10th booking of the season on Wednesday, but Mark Kennedy could return after recovering from a rib injury.
