Simon Grayson was forced to make one change to the starting line up that performed so well against Palace and West Brom with Claus Jorgensen missing out through injury, his place in the starting line up went to fit again Keith Southern, elsewhere Grayson added Andy Morrell and David Fox to his substitutes bench with Grant Holt being the unfortunate man to be left out.
Pool started well and Stephen McPhee nipped in to dispossess Darren Purse but the Cardiff skipper did well to recover with McPhee about to pull the trigger. Minutes later Purse was fortunate to have been booked when he sent McPhee tumbling as the pair challenge for a bouncing ball, referee Tony Bates despite the Pool protests waved play on and Purse looked a relieved man.
Having created very little in the opening exchanges the hosts took the lead on seven minutes former Pool favourite Trevor Sinclair sent over a fantastic cross from the right to Steve Thompson who nodded back across goal, Aaron Ramsey laid off to Peter Whittingham who saw his first time strike blocked by Keith Southern, but the ball fell to STEPHEN McPHAIL who crashed a great finish off the inside of the post.
Pool's response was almost immediate, Michael Flynn saw a long range effort almost sneak in on ten minutes whilst Ian Evatt headed straight at Enckleman after a good cross from Shaun Barker.
Wes Hoolahan operating down the right flank went on a trademark mazy run, the resulting cross found McPhee who saw his first time effort blocked by Purse, the ball fall back to McPhee who saw his volley cannon back of the big centre back and away from the danger zone.
Cardiff seemed content to let Pool play in front of them but alarm bells were ringing after the Bluebirds defence failed to clear after a series of headers between the two sides, the ball fell to Ian Evatt who saw his looping finish clawed away by Enckleman.
In a bid to find a spark Simon Grayson threw on Paul Dickov for Ben Burgess and David Fox for Michael Flynn but the duo could only watch on as Cardiff doubled their lead five minutes after the restart McPhail found Capaldi down the left, he pulled back to Ramsey who failed to make great contact but, the loose ball fell to TREVOR SINCLAIR who stroked a left-footed shot through the desperate dives of two Pool defenders and into the back of the net.
The second goal settled the nerves of the vocal Ninian Park faithful and you sensed that they would go on and add to the scoreline Darren Purse twice headed towards goal, the first was saved by Rachubka, the second whistle just wide.
As expected Cardiff netted a third on the hour when PETER WHITTINGHAM drilled a low shot home after Aaron Ramsey had seen Pool open up like Moses and the Red Sea.
Four minutes later Pool threw on Andy Morrell in place of Stephen McPhee
Nine minutes after his introduction ANDY MORRELL gave the Seasiders a glimmer of hope, Paul Dickov who had looked lively in the second half wriggled free down the left, he picked out his strike partner at the near post and Morrell stole in front of Johnson to steer home his first goal of 2008.
Keith Southern, who was the pick of the Pool players thought he had netted Pool's second late on but his finish was chalked off for offside.
All in all a disappointing result and display and looking at the results elsewhere next Saturday is a massive game!
Cardiff: Enckelman, Capaldi, Purse, Johnson, McNaughton, Whittingham, Sinclair (Brown 68mins), Rae, McPhail, Ramsey, Thompson. Subs not used: Oakes, Blake, Loovens, Scimeca
Blackpool: Rachubka, Crainey, Barker, Southern, Gorkss, Hoolahan, Taylor-Fletcher, Evatt, Flynn (Fox 45mins), McPhee (Morrell 64mins), Burgess (Dickov 45mins). Subs not used: Flinders, Coid
Referee: A. Bates (Staffordshire)
Attendance: 14,715
