Russell Slade reckons Cardiff City’s bid to make the Championship play-offs will go right to the wire.
The Bluebirds boss reckons City will need around 75 points to reach the top six – they are currently on 55 points with 10 games left.
Slade’s men face Ipswich Town on Saturday in seventh spot but only ahead of the Tractor Boys on goal difference.
But he believes the final home game with Birmingham – who are currently ninth – could decide if their dreams of returning to the Premier League continue for a few weeks longer at least.
The 55-year-old said: “I don’t think we would be far off with 75 points. That’s been round about the average over the last ten years for sure.
“But it’s difficult to know this year. It’s intriguing.
“It will probably got to the wire. Maybe we would take playing Birmingham at home needing the win to ensure it. You don’t know.
“That’s the sort of scenario you could end up with. But we’ll take it one game at a time. Ipswich now is our focus.
“At this stage, every game seems to get bigger. It’s the way it is. It’s a huge game for both clubs.
“They are not going to give us anything. We are going to have to fight for a throw-in or a free-kick. Everything little thing we are going to have to fight for because we will get nothing.”
“I’ve played Mick McCarthy’s teams a few times. He’s a man you respect for what he has done on international and the domestic scene. They are in the mix again.
Slade has not ruled out right-back Lee Peltier returning after he injured his foot in the victory over Bristol City last weekend.
But if Peltier is ruled out and with Fabio banned following his sending off in Tuesday’s undeserved home defeat by Leeds, he could be forced into a reshuffle.
Matt Connolly could move to right-back with fit again Sean Morrison slotting back in the centre of defence alongside Bruno Manga.
Slade insists there is a belief in the City camp that they can reach the play-offs – a confidence that was not dimmed by the rare reverse against Leeds.
He added: ”There’s a belief in the group and we’ve shown we are capable, the Leeds defeat was more proof we are going in the right direction.
“It can be cruel, but you have to dust yourselves down. You get those in a season. If we are performing like that, we will be there or thereabouts.”
endig
