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The lure of Wembley: I’ll be there! 19/02/2012

The disappointment after yesterday’s 0-3 defeat at Ipswich was eased this morning as I was lucky enough to get myself a ticket for the League Cup final at Wembley against Liverpool. Although we’re destined to lose against the Reds, the temptation to experience another match with the Bluebirds at the incredible Wembley Stadium against a big club like Liverpool (with Craig Bellamy probably in their team) was just to strong to resist!

There are two main differences from my past two trips to watch Cardiff City at Wembley (when we beat Barnsley in the FA Cup semi-final in 2008 and the Play Off final two years ago against Blackpool). Firstly, the opponents are huge favourites to win and secondly there will be thousands of fellow Norwegians in the stands –  although 99% of them will supporting Liverpool!

This is what the view from where I’ll be seated looks like. It’s not that far from where I sat when we played Blackpool at Wembley in 2010, and the view looks good. Mind you, there are hardly any bad seats at Wembley.

While Cardiff’s last match before the final was yesterday’s dreadful 0-3 defeat at Ipswich, Liverpool on the other hand warmed up for Wembley by mauling Cardiff’s fellow Championship team Brighton 6-1 at Anfield Road today…

There were scored 3.29 goals on average in the seven Championship games Saturday. We didn’t score a single one, and have only won one of our five games since the semi-final win over Crystal Palace on the 24th of January.

It should be easy not to have too high expectations on Sunday!

For a week now it’s time for both the Cardiff City players and fans to forget about the ongoing promotion race in the Championship and our bad results of late and just thoroughly enjoy the great occasion that playing in a League Cup Final at Wembley is.

Liverpool have the most to lose at Wembley. The pressure is on them. Kenny Dalglish’s team is expected to go to Wembly to just pick up the trophy. Defeat would be if not catastrophical at least extremely embarrassing for them.

I’m bracing myself for a thrashing on Sunday.

But I’m hoping for a miracle.

The matchday programme for the 2012 League Cup final, Cardiff City versus Liverpool.