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MIDDLESBROUGH v CARDIFF CITY - POOR FORM NO CONCERN FOR ENCKELMAN
Cardiff goalkeeper Peter Enckelman insists their run to the FA Cup quarter-finals is not the reason for their recent poor league form.
The Bluebirds head to Middlesbrough for Sunday's clash with just one victory from their last seven games - the win over Wolves in the previous round.
They have picked just two points from a possible 18 in the Coca-Cola Championship and having been on the brink of the play-offs, now find themselves 10 points adrift of sixth in 14th position.
In stark contrast, their cup form this term has been exemplary - they are yet to need a replay from their games with Chasetown, Hereford and Wanderers.
But the on-loan Blackburn goalkeeper insists the contrast is coincidental and denied suggestions the competition has been an unwelcome distraction.
"I don't think so personally," he said. "You're going to have your good runs and bad runs.
"Obviously before Christmas up until late January it was a great run for the club but that has now been followed by a worse run.
"You are always going to get that in the season. It's just one of those things. I'm sure it will only take us one goal in one game to get back on track in terms of scoring goals and defensively we have been okay.
"A couple of mistakes may have cost us a few goals but we are not conceding many so it's a good base to work from."
Sides from the second tier have already shocked the elite this term, with Barnsley's victory over Liverpool at Anfield in the previous round the most notable.
Cardiff have coped with the pressure of being favourites in their ties so far, but Enckelman believes they can benefit from the burden being shifted onto Boro this time around.
He added: "I think when you get as far in the competition as we have you are eventually going to run into a Premier League team.
"At this stage it might actually be better for us. Now we are going to be the underdogs and there might be less pressure which might suit us.
"Hopefully we can have a good game and in the cup anything is possible.
"You have to treat it as another game. If you start treating it differently that will add to the pressure.
"I think of it as just another game and trust your abilities once the day is there."
CARDIFF CITY FANSONLINE HERE...
By Bettingzone.co.uk
Used with permission.
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