{"id":16427,"date":"2017-02-03T11:35:00","date_gmt":"2017-02-03T11:35:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/jomec.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/?p=16427"},"modified":"2017-02-03T11:35:00","modified_gmt":"2017-02-03T11:35:00","slug":"bluebirds-hope-winning-ways-will-edge-play-offs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/2017\/02\/03\/bluebirds-hope-winning-ways-will-edge-play-offs\/","title":{"rendered":"Bluebirds hope winning ways will edge them to play-offs"},"content":{"rendered":"

FIRST-HALF goals from Peter Whittingham and Kenneth Zohore helped Cardiff return to winning ways with a 2-0 victory over Preston in midweek and a win this weekend could lift them to within seven points of the play-offs.<\/span>
\nThe\u00a0victory moves the Bluebirds closer to the play-offs than relegation and the next couple of games, beginning with Norwich, will determine if they can mount a late play-off push.
\nManager Neil Warnock was unhappy the club were unable to buy any players on transfer deadline day, but he was more than happy with his team’s performance against Preston.
\nSpeaking to BBC Radio Wales, he said: \u201cIt was comfortable, quite professional. It showed how far we have come really. In every area it was pleasing.
\n\u201cYou\u2019re only as good as your forwards and I thought they were all a threat. Midfield did well too. It was a pleasing night.\u201d
\nTop goalscorer Anthony Pilkington remains sidelined with a thigh strain while Rickie Lambert is struggling with a back problem. As a result, Warnock is likely to keep faith in Zohore to lead the line against a Norwich side that has conceded 40 goals this season.
\nNorwich\u2019s season has been one of ups and downs. Two defeats in their first 13 matches was followed by run of eight defeats in their next 10. Complaints from fans \u00a0have fallen away after wins in three of their last four.
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