TALKING TACTICS: Cardiff form provides hope

It is our first FA Youth Cup semi-final clash since 1978 - a remarkable achievement.

But on to Cardiff City on Sunday, a team on the slide.

Five defeats from eight in the Championship suggests that they will fail to emulate our own achievements following Carling Cup heartache.

Two wins from five on home soil, conceding an average of over two goals a game, provides hope that we can end our own disappointing record of late, netting just six times in our previous five outings away from Turf Moor.

Key statistic of the weekend? Cardiff lead the way in terms of scoring first, going ahead a colossal 24 times out of a possible 36.

Our record when slipping behind is far from complementary, a mere 11 points achieved from a maximum total of 51.

It is interesting to note that, as it stands, our opponents have arguably gone backwards since the sacking of Dave Jones.

This season, their haul of 32 points at home and 25 away rank them as the seventh and sixth best in the division respectively.

However, in 2010/2011 totals of 36 and 26 saw them achieve a much better fourth and fifth status.