Opposition View: Ben Johnsey

With things looking up for the Hatters recently, Luton travel back to South Wales for the second time in two weeks, this time to face Cardiff. ORH spoke to Ben Johnsey for a Bluebird's insight on the season so far, as well as the upcoming fixture.

Tell us a bit about your background as a Bluebird...

I started properly watching the club when I was about 12, my parents aren’t massive football fans so got into the sport myself, been a season ticket holder for 6 years now and been able to see some big ups and some big downs!

A mixed bag of results sees Cardiff sitting in midtable with an even split of wins draws and losses, but without a win in 3 games, how do you expect the Bluebirds to bounce back?

It was always going to be a mix start and season for the club, over 15 new signings will make it hard to gel or expect instant success. Personally I think it may take up until mid season for the side to find consistency.

With goalscoring being a major issue for Cardiff up to this point, and Steve Morrison saying the club will just have to "get on with it" if the club fail to sign a striker before the deadline, how does that effect your hopes for this season?

I take Morison’s words with a pinch of salt, he said the same last week and we signed a new left back 2 days later, I do think we are desperate for a striker though, if Cardiff fail to sign one it could definitely effect where the club finish the season.

Luton have also struggled on the goals front, having scored just 1 more than Cardiff's 3 in the Championship, but with a recent win away to Swansea and a draw to Sheffield United, things are looking up for the Hatters. What do you make of their transfer business and how do you think they'll do this season?

I’ve been impressed with Luton’s business this season, it will always be hard for a side to to push back up after going out in the play offs, and the loss of Naismith could prove costly. Though Nathan Jones is a great manager at this level that suits the club perfectly, I can definitely see Luton having another positive season.

It would be fair to say Cardiff have had a bit of a squad overhaul this window, which can always be a risk, but do you feel that the squad has been strengthened on the whole?

Over the whole pitch Cardiff have greatly improved in squad depth and quality, Cardiff struggled greatly with ageing players on big wage packets that stunted the club bringing more in. Steve Morison has now managed to replace those departing with younger hungry players that suit a new system at Cardiff. There will definitely be those that don’t work out but on the whole it’s been a very positive window.

Time for some predictions - who do you think will (i) get automatic promotion, (ii) make the playoffs, and (iii) get relegated?  

There won’t be a Fulham this season that’s for sure! Burnley and Sheffield United for automatic promotion, Norwich may struggle at times but can see them winning the play offs. Relegation is a hard one, I think Rotherham, Wigan and Birmingham to go down. Despite Rotherham’s good start I think it will catch up to them come mid season.

Finally, give us your score prediction for the Weekend's game…

Cardiff yet to lose at home and did preform well against Preston despite the draw. I think Cardiff will come out 1-0 victors in what will be a tough game.