Dean Whitehead wants his Cardiff City players to put in a performance for the travelling away fans at Leeds United in the FA Cup third round replay amid a tumultuous week at the club.
Mark Hudson was sacked as Bluebirds boss on Saturday night, with his assistant Whitehead taking the reins on a temporary basis while the club look for a permanent solution. Whitehead is currently second favourite with the bookmakers to take the job.
In truth, Cardiff could do without this midweek tie against the Premier League club, but Sonny Perkins' stoppage time equaliser at Cardiff City Stadium just over a week ago forced this game into a rematch in Yorkshire.
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Speaking for the first time as Cardiff boss in an in-house interview, Whitehead said of the clash, which will see 700 Bluebirds supporters travel up to Elland Road: "The boys are ready. Everybody is fit. We are looking forward to it. It's a good game for us.
"The atmosphere is going to be really good. We will have travelling supporters so we have got to put in a performance for them.
"It's an amazing amount of people who are going to come and support us on a Wednesday night, away at Leeds, we have to wear the shirt with pride and put on a performance for them."
Cardiff desperately need a result, just to inject some positivity after what has been a hugely frustrating season. City are now nine games without a win, but have been seconds away from doing so in both of their most recent FA Cup and Championship outings.
While the manager situation is likely to move at a pace this week, Whitehead still has one eye on the home Championship fixture with Millwall at the weekend, too.
"We had players who stepped up for their chance and we have players who are going to do that again. They have got to take their opportunity and everyone has to step up and be counted. We look forward to it," he added.
"You gain confidence all the time in matches, but that was a big turning point for one or two players who came in, performed and stayed in the team.
"Now it's up to everyone to up their standards and we will go to Elland Road and then Millwall at the weekend.
"Any opportunity for any player who hasn't had the minutes they would have liked, this gives them a chance to put on the shirt and put in a performance. It puts people in contention.
"They are all ready. Everybody is fit and healthy. We have a fully fit squad."
Cardiff captain Joe Ralls also spoke to the club's media team and hopes some of the younger players can be afforded an opportunity again and grab it with both hands while live on ITV on Wednesday night.
"It'll be a good opportunity again on the back of a good performance at home, hopefully we can produce the same again but get the win," Ralls said.
"It's a good occasion for a lot of the boys who haven't played at Elland Road before, I'm sure it'll be packed out like it normally is and will be a good atmosphere and good experience for everyone.
"When I was younger and coming through you get your minutes in the cup and it's a great opportunity for the lads to show what they can do.
"A lot of the boys showed in that game against Leeds did themselves no harm. Had a great game and put in a good performance. It will be good for their experience going forward to play in front of that atmosphere. We were disappointed with the late goal but proud of the performance the boys put in.
"It's hard getting into the league side when you are trying to achieve something, the manager might be a little reluctant to put you in. But the cups give you a chance to show what you can do.
"For me, being involved in the cups when I was younger was a great chance to come in and show what I could do. The shoe is on the other foot now and some of our boys are coming in and it's great to see."
Cardiff take on Leeds at Elland Road on Wednesday, January 18. Kick-off is at 7.45pm.
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