Cardiff City prepare for first step in their treble quest

Cardiff City insist they are not looking too far ahead into the future, as they prepare to take on Cardiff Met in the Adran Trophy final on Sunday.

The Bluebirds are on course to achieve an historical treble this season, but manager Iain Darbyshire says he and the squad are taking things one game at a time.

“We’ve got a big chance to win this weekend and then the league in a couple of weeks, but we’ve got to get there first. We’re taking it one game at a time, and that’s the way we do things. We’re not going to overlook this weekend, but we know this is stage one of our three stage plan.”

Last season, City finished third in the Adran Premier, runners-up in the Adran Trophy, and won the FAW Cup.

This season, they have rocketed to the next level. They have reached both cup finals again, but are top of the Adran Premier, still unbeaten, and can win the league if they win their next two games.

There are numerous factors that have played a part in why Cardiff City have been the cream of the crop in Wales so far, but playing in a new formation has given them a lease of life.

The move to a three at the back has led to more swashbuckling and attacking performances from Darbyshire’s side. For Danielle Green, who has been at the Cardiff City Stadium since 2012, it meant a move from her natural position as a left winger.

“When Iain asked me to play wing-back, I thought, am I fit enough?! I know how much running it involves, but usually, I’m a winger so I thought the only difference was the defensive side of it, which I wasn’t as experienced in.

“I feel like it’s improved me and for that reason, I have enjoyed playing there, and hopefully I don’t get moved again!”

With four goals and six assists to her name so far, it’s certainly been a productive season for Green down the left. But while personal stats are great to look back on, the currency the Bluebirds operate in is silverware.

Since Christmas, City have been tested a lot more, and it’s reflected in some of their performances. From rallying back against a valiant TNS side in the semi-final, to scoring a 97^th minute equaliser against Swansea, there is a hunger in this group of players.

“It’s a great thing to see because the best teams don’t always play the best football,” Green stated.

“But the mentality of our team is what pushes us to the final whistle. I think previously we would have buckled under that pressure, our heads drop, we get on each other’s backs, but the team and the mentality we’ve got now, we don’t fall.”

Sunday will of course bring another challenge in the form of Cardiff Met. These two sides have done battle many times across the previous season and a half, and Darbyshire is relishing another tactical clash against Met’s Yzzy Taylor.

“There’s a lot of respect between us. We’ve been on similar journeys; I think she went in as Met manager the same time I became manager here. She’s always built competitive sides and I expect no different this Sunday. She wants to win, she likes to win, and that’s the same as us.”

From a player’s point of view, Green explained that her team could never get tired playing against the Archers.

“They’re such a good team and they only make us better. We’ll never be tired of playing them and it always helps to play teams like them week in and week out, and I think that’s what’s improved us as a team.”

Last season there was certainly a perception that the Bluebirds were the hunters, and the Archers were the hunted.

Now the narrative has certainly flipped on its head, and Green is happy for the Bluebirds to have a target on their back.

“It does come with a bit of pressure on our backs, but I feel like with the team we’ve got that we can cope with that like we’ve shown so far this season, and it feels good to be in the front seat.”

While they may not say it publicly, this is a City side that want to win the treble. The T word has certainly felt at times like it’s been banned around the Cardiff City Stadium, but Darbyshire has made it clear that not winning the treble would be a big blow to his side.

“With the position that we’re in it would be disappointing not to win all three. I’m a terrible loser, the players are terrible losers, and that makes us so good at what we do. We want to win everything, we’ll be disappointed not to win the final, we’d be devasted to lose the league, but for us we want to win everything.”

Cardiff Met take on Cardiff City in the Adran Trophy final on Sunday, March 12th. Kick-off at the SDM Glass Stadium is at 2 pm.

(Featured Image: Lewis Mitchell)