Quincy Owusu-Abeyie on SoccerAM

Quincy Owusu-Abeyie exclusively revealed on Soccer AM that he had signed on loan for Cardiff City, and shocked Bluebirds' management when he broke the news before it was official. See link below

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1126121770/bctid9531809001

Cardiff City - Megson in dreamland

Bolton boss Gary Megson was all over the papers in the week complaining about the stick he has been getting from Bolton fans. I don’t know what he is like as a manager but he is a fantasies.

In today’s Daily Mirror on the ‘Football Spy’ page there is a little piece about him want James Harper from Reading and Cardiff City young starlet Joe Ledley, fair enough he can talk transfer so why a fantasies?. The paper is implying he would offer only £2m for Ledley who was a £6m player in the summer, what a joke.

I would love to be a fly on the wall when Cardiff boss Dave Jones answered that call .........

Megson – Hi Dave it’s Gary I would like to do some business with you
Jones – Gary who
Megson – Gary Megson boss at Bolton
Jones – So what can I do for you
Megson – It’s about young Ledley he’s not a bad
Jones - £8m
Megson – Player not has good has the one you sold to Wenger
Jones - £8m
Megson – I’m hoping to get Harper for £3.5m
Jones - £8m
Megson – How about £2m ............ are you there Dave ................. Dave .............. DAVE .......... I SAID £2M ......... Mr Chairman, Mr Chairman he put the phone down on me

The guy (Megson) must be living in cloud cuckoo land if he try’s a £2m bid, Wigan offered £4m and a player at the bringing of the week.

Porter off to Derby

Rumour has it Motherwell striker Chris Porter signed for Derby because it was close to Scotland and his wife who has no plans to leave her job. It’s unsure if the offer from Derby was better than the one put together by Cardiff.

It doesn’t say much about his ambitious joining a club in relegation trouble when he could have joined a club who have been in and around a play-off position all season.

Even his old boss Mark McGhee last told Chris Porter: “You got it wrong.”

“I spoke to Chris yesterday and gave him my view what he should do and why.

“I told him that he should join Cardiff City over Derby.”

Porter said, “I can only give him my experience, but it is not a football decision. The final decision was with the player.”

Unknown striker to sign today

The South Wales Echo has announced on their back paper that Cardiff will be signing a new loan striker today from overseas. The player is not named with chairman Peter Ridsdale only confirming, “We are extremely close to bringing in a striker.” It’s hope the new striker will be at today’s game against Nottingham Forest.

Cardiff City boss Dave Jones and Chairman Peter Ridsdale have had a busy week in talks with targets, the paper say up to five strikers have been enquired about, with the club looking to make two more signings hoped by the close of the transfer window on Monday 5pm.

**** News flash ****

Quincy Owusu-Abeyie who players for Spartak Moscow is Cardiff City new loan striker as he told SoccerAM this morning and it’s now on the official website. He started his career at Arsenal before heading to Russia in 2006, he was loaned out to Celta de Vigo in 2007/08 and he played twenty games only scoring four.

He has some Championship form as he was loaned to promotion rivals Birmingham City on loan, initially until January 2009, but with the intention of extending the loan for the rest of the season. An option was included to purchase the player outright at that point. He had a trial with Tottenham in January.

Flood at Celtic

Cardiff City has done the deal with Celtic over the transfer of Willo Flood from Dundee United and the player is now a Celtic player. There was no fee involved has Cardiff chairman Peter Ridsdale was happy to see Flood off the wage bill, so the remaining six months of his wages with Cardiff have been cleared off Cardiff wage bill.

Flood had a swipe at Celtic a day or so ago over the delay over the lack of speed on the part of the Glasgow club. He is delighted the move as been sealed and his looking forward to a fresh start with a new club. The delay meant his last game for Dundee United was against is new club Celtic in the semi-final of the Co-operative Insurance Cup and it was his penalty in Wednesday night’s epic shoot-out that sent Celtic into the Final.

In the picture Willo Flood can be seen with Celtic’s doctor Derek McCormack after is three-hour medical he later said, “This is an exciting challenge and one which I am really looking forward to. I have been a fan of Celtic all my life and this truly is a dream come true to sign for the club.

“I will be joining a great group of players and I will be giving everything I can to make as big a contribution as possible to Celtic Football Club. I hope to play my part in achieving more and more success for the club and its supporters.

“I would like to thank Dundee United FC for all they have done for me. I have enjoyed my time there immensely and I wish the club all the best for the future. My focus is now Celtic and I can’t wait to get started with my new club.”

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan said: “We are delighted to welcome Willo to Celtic Football Club.

“He has had a tremendous time at Dundee United where he has shown great ability, drive and enthusiasm. We look forward to working with him at Celtic.”

Purse to stay

Looks like Darren Purse will be going nowhere and he will fight for his place with Cardiff City in a hope winning a new contract has he will be out of contract with the Bluebirds in the summer, according to reports. He told to the South Wales Echo, “Cardiff could not find a replacement for me in time and the move is dead in the water for the time being,”

"It has been nice to speak to Norwich and other clubs have expressed an interest as well, but now that has to be put on hold.

"My focus is to do what I can to help the club achieve its goal of promotion and help the rest of the lads on and off the field."

Purse has not played for the first team since back in November when City lost 2-1 at Plymouth Cardiff last league defeat. Cardiff manager Dave Jones recently said he wanted Purse to stay until the summer. If he doesn’t get a new deal with the Bluebirds he is more than likely to get a new team.

Porter deal on hold

We all heard this one before, a player on his way to sign for us and he doesn’t turn up. Well it has happened again with Motherwell target striker Chris Porter, both clubs’ agree a fee the player looks happy, set off to come to Cardiff and something happens. He is now looking at his options before committing himself to the Bluebirds.

Last night is manager at Motherwell was urging his striker to join Cardiff after his 11th-hour rethink, which has angered Cardiff City. The late entry of Derby County and their new boss Nigel Clough has thrown a stone in the works, and they are willing to match the valuation and deal Cardiff have put on the table.

Cardiff has told the player and his agent they are not willing to hang around for him with chairman Peter Ridsdale said: "We have made a bid which has been accepted by the club and Dave has to talk to him as well.
"We have targeted five players and we expect to get one or two of them. We have made progress on one and have given that person a day to make a decision.
"Failing that, we move on to hitting the next target."

His boss at Motherwell Mark McGhee told his player a move to Cardiff would be fantastic and would be foolish to let this pass him by.

McGhee said, "Cardiff are fourth in the Championship and a club that has tremendous ambitions to join the Premiership, either this season or the next.
"Chris can play a big part in that ambition. When his head is clear, he will know what a great opportunity this is for him and I will talk to him and urge him to start talking to Dave Jones and take his career and his future to another level.
"Cardiff has given Chris a day to make a decision and I will be speaking to him and making sure he is aware what a great opportunity he has in front of him.
"It's blindly obvious what he should do and I know he's not thinking straight with the advice he's getting at the moment. But he should clear his mind and think of where Cardiff are trying to go.
"I know that he has spoken to Ross McCormack about Cardiff and I'm sure Ross has given Chris a positive feedback about the set-up at Ninian Park."

Derby chairman Adam Pearson confirmed he and Clough were in the bidding for Porter's services and saying, "Chris Porter is a player Nigel Clough likes and we are aware of his situation.

"He is a player the club would be interested in signing."

Trouble brewing - could be

Of years, Cardiff City naught fans and their counterparts from Swansea have been kept apart from travelling to away games on the same day because of the risk of trouble. However, Cup games can always throw a spanner in the way of South Wales Police and Transport Police leading to their plans going out of the window, and throw up a major headache. It’s ok find the games are in different parts of the country, but in the same city and possible sharing the same trains and motorway, crumbs.

Well on Tuesday both set of fan are having an away day to London while Cardiff play Arsenal in a FA Cup replay our rivals from the West have a League game with QPR. Chief Inspector Andy Morgan, of South Wales Police said, "We will be monitoring ticket sales and working closely with British Transport Police and the Met Police to ensure our response is intelligence-led, proportionate and effective.
"Our aim is to ensure both games go ahead with minimum disruption. We also want people to enjoy the fixtures.
"As with all away fixtures, officers from South Wales Police will work alongside officers in the host force in the build up to the game, and on the day.
"They will assess potential issues, and officers will travel with British Transport Police officers if needed.
"We will monitor intelligence and plans will be constantly under review."

The Police plan to keep track of potential troublemakers and have identified flashpoints like stations, trains, underground and motorway service stations. Police are expecting up to 10.000 football fans to be heading for London from South Wales with around 9.000 being Cardiff City fans vastly out numbering there rivals from Swansea.

If that’s not bad enough there are a number of other potentially explosive situation to factor in with Leeds travelling to Orient while not far away Millwall are home to Colchester and Birmingham are playing at Crystal Palace. “Perfect storm” a hooligans dream, but has well the police will have to be on the watch out for other hooligan firms from London who could see this has a opportunity to join in, the likes of West Ham and Chelsea and others.
Tens of thousands of hardline fans from Cardiff, Swansea, Birmingham and

Superintendent John Hennigan said: “This is no easy task and Tuesday could prove a challenging time for us.

“The majority of fans are law-abiding and we hope they will enjoy the football. But a small minority often seek to spoil the occasion. We urge supporters to be respectful of other passengers and rival fans.”

The last word I leave to Swansea City director Dave Morgan who said, "With so many fans travelling at the same time, I am sure the police have done their homework. I would call on all travelling Swansea fans to use their common sense on the journey to London and especially on the way home, when many Cardiff fans will be in a bad mood after their team loses."

See the unfunny comment at the end which he thought would be a good joke

Match Reports - Coventry City 0-2 Cardiff City

Bluebirds are closing in on the 'Big Three' - Wales Online

CARDIFF City extended their unbeaten run to 12 matches and eased into fourth place in the Coca-Cola Championship with this comfortable win. Goals from Jay Bothroyd and Ross McCormack sent the Sky Blues crashing to a first home defeat since mid-November. >>>>> FOLLOW LINK

Classy Cardiff City halt Coventry City run – Coventry Telegraph

COVENTRY CITY’S creditable seven-game unbeaten run in the league came crashing to a halt at the hands of an impressive Cardiff City side last night. >>>>> FOLLOW LINK

Cardiff on the move - Daily Mail

Bluebirds move into the top four but are eyeing a place on the top floor
Dave Jones' assertion that the Championship race for automatic promotion is far from over was backed up by his players, who extended their unbeaten run to 12 game. >>>>> FOLLOW LINK

New Scottish Striker on the way

SPL look’s to be Cardiff City bosses Dave James preferred hunting ground for strikers and Motherwell his favourite target. Motherwell have confirmed they have accepted a bid for their striker Chris Porter in the region of £400.000 with his boss Mark McGhee told BBC Scotland: "We have received a bid from Cardiff for Chris and it is now up to the lad to decide if he wants to go."
"It would benefit clubs like ourselves if we could make a transfer at any time," said McGhee.
"Sometimes there is a cost that you have not budgeted for and you don't have the money.
"We are in the situation where we are saying, 'We might have to sell now, just in case it happens'.
"That's a pressure we could do without and I would prefer if we could make these decisions when we need to make them."

Porter is out of contract in the summer and has had interest for a number of club’s with Huddersfield tabling a £200.000 bid earlier in the month and SPL club Hearts also interested in the player.

He started his career with Bury and then moved on to Oldham at both clubs’ he know the way to the back of the net and was a regular scorer. He moved to Scotland and Motherwell in the summer of 2007 and that season scored 18 goals while Cardiff top scorer who also played with Porter at Motherwell last season only could muster 11. All told, he played 60 games and 6 off the bench and scored in total 27.

Another Scot on the way

Cardiff City boss Dave Jones love affair with all things Scottish looks to have reared its head again with talk of him about to sign Motherwell striker Chris Porter, of a £425,000 fee.

Source Scottish.com

*** More on this Story later if it develops ***

Is there a future for Purse at Ninian Park

After spending most of last season in the shadow of Glenn Loovens things got off to a better start for Darren Purse at the start of this season with him being first choice. Soon has Gabor Gypes got his chance he grabbed it with both arms and took over Purse spot in the team. The Cardiff defender has publically stated his desire to force his way back into the side and hopefully do enough to win a new contract.

With him out of contract that the end of the season a number of clubs has shown an interest in signing, him Charlton and Leeds were the front-runners.

Today Purse is rumoured to be in Norwich talking to new Norwich boss Bryan Gunn who is desperate to strengthen his leaking defence

Dave Jones said a few days ago, 'We've had inquiries about Darren Purse. Darren knows the situation that we won't be letting any players out until we've got replacements.'

'Darren knows this and is happy. He is still trying to earn a contract here which is fine, but he knows I'm looking for other players.'

Purse was reported to have been at Carrow Road to watch Norwich’s 2-2 draw against Southampton last night and saw tim squandered a two-goal against fellow strugglers Southampton, after he was given permission to speak to Gunn by Dave Jones.

Dave Jones will be shopping to the last minute

The Cardiff boss is still in the market for three players to help with his push towards promotion. One of the players is Chad Evans who has been a target since Dave Jones tried to sign him in the summer. But one of them will not be Jason Koumas who’s wages are believe to be £20,000 even has part of the cash + player deal the Cardiff boss said, "couldn't afford" him.

If the window shuts without signing any new players, he can still go shopping when the loan window opens

Talking to BBC Wales Bluebirds boss Jones said, "I think honestly I need three players to give us the maximum push we possibly need, and that's if we don't lose anybody as well.
"If anybody goes we'll have to replace them. That makes it difficult.
"We are trying to build something here.
"I think the chairman (Peter Ridsdale) has come out and said that it's going to take something special to let any one of our players go.
"We've still got to try and bring players in to give this squad the best opportunity we possibly can.
"I spoke to Steve Bruce.
"They (Wigan) spoke to the chairman and the chairman said no.
"We couldn't afford Jason Koumas anyway."

Evans a target

It is not like Peter Ridsdale to confirm a transfer target but in today’s Echo, he has. Ched Evans the 20 year old striker for Manchester City and Welsh international who is the objective but Celtic are also chasing the young striker and if today’s Mirror as it right Celtic are in the front seat in getting his signature.

Manchester City boss Mark Hughes is not interested in selling Evans according to reports and only wants to loan him out until the end of the season. Both Celtic and Sheffield United rate Evans at £1.2m, which for a young international who can score, doesn’t seem a lot.

Ridsdale is given two options to Manchester City boss Hughes a loan deal and a permanent which now looks unlike. Ridsdale said: "Ched is a player we're keen on and I know Celtic have an interest in him as well.
"We've offered Manchester City two options - a loan and a permanent deal.
"We're waiting to hear back on that one and it would be nice to get him here.
"Ched played against us last season for Norwich and scored twice so we've been aware of him for some time.
"He's a Welsh lad as well and we feel he could be an asset to us."

Ledley only going for crazy money

Yesterday it was reported Wigan wanted Joe Ledley on a cash (£4m)and player (Jason Koumas) deal and like expected Cardiff City Chairman Peter Ridsdale has rubished the idea in the press today.

Ridsdale told the South Wales Echo it would take an ‘outrageous’ offer before he and the board would consider it or Ledley who has another season under contract with the Bluebirds is going nowhere. Hs siad to the paper, “Our manager Dave Jones wants to keep this team together and we will do everything possible to do that.

“We are ready to say no to any bid unless they reach outrageous levels.”
There will be no hiding place for Ledley and Cardiff City because of the FA Cup game being a Sunday kick-off it means City play Coventry tomorrow and its one of only a few game outside the Premiership being played. That could see the scouts out in force with the transfer window closing Monday. Cardiff were talking a week or so it would need to be offers of £8m before they would even consider having a chat about Ledley.

Replay on Setanta Sports

It just had to be Setanta Sports i will never forgive Sky and the BBC for losing the rights to the FA Cup. Setanta is the poor man’s Sky it just on up to it, the coverage on Sunday was poor and ITV highlights were third divsion close to non-league compaired with MOTD.

Koumas for Ledley

The Wigan boss Steve Bruce is said to be interested in signing Joe Ledley more is expected to have a lot of interest shown him with the transfer window days from closing.

Bruce is willing to paid £4m cash and throw in Jason Koumas who he rates is worth £2m making the whole package worth £6m, but Cardiff if you believe newspaper talk want £8m for their star player. Wigan has recently trawled in £17.5m in transfer money, so have the cash to spend but will a cash + player deal interest Dave Jones and Peter Ridsdale.

Only today Chairman Peter Ridsdale has made it known that a firm enquiry has been made for Joe Ledley of £5m but it has been dismissed.

"We have had an enquiry about Joe and a fee was mentioned, but we said he is not for sale," said Ridsdale.

"Unless somebody comes in with a bid we haven't even thought about, that situation will not change.

"I have spoken to Joe Ledley and he understands the situation. I expect Joe to be with Cardiff City until the end of this season at least."

"If somebody left a message offering £6m, I may not even ring them back," said Ridsdale.

Match Reports (Monday) Cardiff City 0-0 Arsenal

Adebayor's big bungle leaves Cardiff happy with a pay-day after – The Independent

The romance of the Cup? Not when there is a chance of a lucrative replay. In the 93rd minute Joe Ledley, Cardiff's highly-rated young midfielder and captain, had the opportunity for one last attack, one last cross into the Arsenal penalty area, one last opportunity to find the goal to win this tie. Instead Ledley ran the ball into the corner, killing the final few seconds until referee Martin Atkinson blew his whistle. >>>>> FOLLOW LINK

Wenger will pay price – The Express

ARSENAL now have another game to contend with as a potential fixture backlog starts to rear its unruly head, but Arsene Wenger is not unduly bothered. His team are still in the FA Cup. >>>>> FOLLOW LINK

Spirited Cardiff City let Arsenal and Arsene Wenger off the hook – Times Online

Arsenal have not won a trophy for 3½ years and the natives are getting restless in the red corner of North London. But for the fingertips of Lukasz Fabianski, their second-string goalkeeper, and the width of the crossbar, they could be facing another barren season at the Emirates Stadium. >>>>> FOLLOW LINK

Dragons breathing fire again and Gunners are glad to escape the den - Mail Online

It says something about Arsenal these days that a goalless draw at Cardiff City, and the prospect of an extra match in an already crowded fixture calendar, looked to be regarded by all as a job well done. >>>>> FOLLOW LINK

Last year's FA Cup finalists hold Premier League big guns - The Mirror

Arsenal have to try again to eliminate last year's beaten FA Cup finalists Cardiff after sharing a goalless fourth-round draw in the Welsh capital. >>>>> FOLLOW LINK

All even at Ninian Park - The Sun

ARSENE WENGER has enjoyed some memorable FA Cup days out in Cardiff. This was not one of them. Not so long ago, Wenger’s team were regular visitors to the Millennium Stadium to lift the famous pot three times in the space of four years. >>>>> FOLLOW LINK

Cardiff force Arsenal to replay - Telegraph Online

So the Welsh march rolls on. First Swansea outsmart Portsmouth with their elaborate attacking artistry, then Arsenal, the consummate masters of such a style, are thwarted in the teeth of Cardiff's uncomplicated commitment. Not since Hughie Ferguson's winner for Cardiff in the FA Cup final 82 years ago has the trophy been prised from English hands, but on this weekend's evidence a challenge is stirring beyond the Severn Bridge. >>>>> FOLLOW LINK

FA Cup fifth-round draw:

If Cardiff City can overcome Arsenal in the replay on 3rd Februray, they will have a home game against either Burnley or West Brom in the last eight, well worth fighting for.

Sheffield United v Hull
Watford v Chelsea
West Ham v Middlesbrough
Sunderland/ Blackburn v Coventry
Derby/ Nottingham Forest v Manchester United
Swansea v Fulham
Liverpool/ Everton v Doncaster/ Aston Villa
Cardiff/ Arsenal v West Brom/ Burnley

Fourth round replay dates:
Tuesday, 3 February
Arsenal v Cardiff (19.45)
Burnley v West Brom (19.45)

Wednesday, 4 February
Aston Villa v Doncaster (19.45)
Blackburn v Sunderland (20.00)
Everton v Liverpool (20.00)
Nottingham Forest v Derby (19.45)

Cardiff have a home against Nottingham Forest and a trip to London again the following Saturday to face Charlton. The replay means Cardiff need to find a new date for the scheduled League game, which was to be played on the same night home to Watford.

Arsenal has some real tough league game before and after the replay with City. On the Saturday, they have a London derby game at home against West Ham and the following weekend the big one away at Tottenham v Arsenal after the 4-4 early in the season there is a lot to play for with bragging rights at stake. This could play into Dave Jones hands if the Arsenal boss has to play around with his squad.

City big news

The importance of a today’s game can be seen in the interest from around the world through match reports. Normal when Cardiff play the reports are local and some of the London papers and then down to whom we are playing some times.

Today after the game Cardiff City are worldwide with newspaper reports in USA, Canada, South Africa and football mad Asia and has well the game was on TV and the internet. This could be the kind of coverage Cardiff could expect, week in week out if they can reach the goal of Premiership football.

Managers Reaction

Some Cardiff fans had been unhappy with the decision to play for a draw in the dying moments but manager Dave Jones urged them to think again.
He said: "There were one or two boos in the last minute when we were keeping the ball in the corner but we were playing Arsenal so give us a break.
"We're at our most vulnerable when we're attacking teams, but I can't fault anyone today.
"We gave it a go as we said we would. With a little bit more composure or luck, it might have gone for us."
Cardiff are among the Championship play-off contenders and Premier League football would be a fitting debut for the new stadium that is due to replace Ninian Park next season.
But Jones insisted he wanted to keep the FA Cup run going, not least because of the money it would bring in.
He said: "My players would rather play than train. They're always moaning that they have got to train, so it doesn't really affect us. Arsene Wenger is fighting on three fronts at the moment so if he wants to give me the game, we won't go down to the Emirates although the chairman wouldn't be happy. It's a massive payday."

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admitted next month's FA Cup fourth-round replay with Cardiff was a game he could do without.
The FA Cup is the Gunners' best chance of silverware this season although Wenger has not given up hope in the Premier League, where they are currently fifth, or the Champions League, where they face Roma in the last 16.
Another bout with last season's beaten finalists Cardiff will also be appearing on that busy schedule following an entertaining 0-0 draw at Ninian Park.
Wenger said: "We could do without it, 100%, but let's not complain because we play football. It's one more game to play. If that's the price we have to pay to stay in the hat, we're happy to do it.
"We are very short at the moment and cannot rotate very much. I could rest a few players today but not as many as I had wanted. I had planned to take Robin van Persie off but it didn't work that way."
Cardiff were excellent in the first half but although Arsenal were the better side after the break City striker Ross McCormack almost won it late on with a free-kick that hit the crossbar.
Wenger added: "At 0-0 anything can happen but I wasn't too worried in the second half.
"Cardiff created more chances in the first half but they didn't really create many in the second. They wanted that replay because, when they had an opportunity to cross the ball at the end, they kept it in the corner. For them, maybe, it's a good opportunity to have another big game."

Match Reports - Cardiff City v Arsenal

Emirates replay for Bluebirds and Gunners – Wales Online

Arsenal have to try again to eliminate last year’s beaten FA Cup finalists Cardiff after sharing a goalless fourth-round draw in the Welsh capital.
An Emirates Stadium replay will now be required after an entertaining repeat of the 1927 final, which the Bluebirds won 1-0, failed to produce a goal.>>>>> FOLLOW LINK

Arsenal frustrated by dogged Cardiff – Times Online

Arsenal's FA Cup hopes are still alive, but they were forced to endure an uncomfortable afternoon as they were held to a goalless draw by Cardiff City. >>>>> FOLLOW LINK

Emmanuel Adebayor's miss gives Cardiff another chance to upset Arsenal – Telegraph Online

Cardiff City earned themselves another crack at Arsenal following a goalless draw at Ninian Park. >>>>> FOLLOW LINK

Cardiff hold uninspired Arsenal – Guardian Online

If this is to be the last FA Cup football seen at Ninian Park, it will certainly be fondly remembered by Cardiff City fans. Facing what wasn't quite an Arsenal first team, yet still a strong one, , City made their visitors work constantly, edging the first half and seeing off their opponents' considerable challenge in the second. >>>>> FOLLOW LINK

Cardiff and Celtic in scarp for player

After a friendly chat over the possible transfer of Willo Flood (the deal is yet to be completed) Celtic boss Gordon Strachan could find himself on the wrong side of a stitch-up has Cardiff City are rumoured to be to hijack Celtic’s bid to sign Welsh international Ched Evans. The Cardiff boss Dave Jones is a huge fan of the young Manchester City striker and try to sign him on a season long loan in the summer but new manager at the time Mark Hughes said he would not deal.

In the Wales on Sunday, they are suggesting Celtic is preparing a £1.2m offer for Welsh international Evans with Cardiff considering a counter bid. With Dubai moneyman buying up just about any striker they can Evans has dropped down the pecking order at Man City, by my reckoning there must over ten strikers at City of Manchester Stadium.

It Evans is looking for football a move to Ninian Park would be better in my book because he would be more likely to get pitch time where with Celtic he is likely to be a bench warmer. At was not help his international career with important Welsh games coming soon.

Cardiff loan star on the way to Celtic

There must be something in the water in Dundee because unwanted Cardiff City can become hot property. Last week it was Warren Feeney, a player who did not fit into City boss Dave Jones plan a was loaned out to Dundee United in the news being linked with a number of clubs in a possible transfer, today it is the other Cardiff loanee.

It looks like Glenn Loovens will the joined by an old Cardiff City teammate at Celtic with Willo Flood expected to sign for the Glasgow giants early next week according to newspaper reports. Flood will earn the Bluebirds in the region of a fee of £150.000, he join Cardiff back in 2006 but never seemed to fit in with Dave Jones plans like Feeney and has been loaned out to Dundee United twice last season and for the whole season now.

Flood cost Cardiff £200.000 Manchester City and played 25 games only scoring once a memorable winning goal at Elland Road. His boss at United Craig Levein held talks last week with Flood's agent and hoped to make the move permanent at the end of the season. However, Celtic gaffer Gordon Strachan has been impressed with the Irish star and an official move was launched last Thursday night to thrash out a fee with Cardiff.

Feeney a wanted man

A Cardiff City player Warren Feeney who doesn’t play for Cardiff City has had some transfer interest shown in him. Huddersfield Town are the latest name to be linked with Feeney.

The Cardiff manager Dave Jones loaned him out along with Willo Flood for the season to SPL side Dundee United. Along with Huddersfield, Burnley Carlisle and his club Bournemouth shown interest in the player but Feeney wants to stay with United to help them again a place in Europe.

He told the press in an interview said: "The manager called me to ask what I wanted to do because there was interest from clubs in England.
"But I told him I wanted to stay. I came here to play football and I'm loving it.
"The club is on a roll, these are exciting times here and I want to be part of that.
"I told Craig Levein I'd be here for the season and that's what I'm going to stick to. I'd love to play a part in helping this club get back into Europe.
"I was thinking the other day how I'd feel if it happens and I had to go but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. The main thing is getting there."

The decision to sell Feeney would not be made up in Scotland but at Ninian Park and unless a fee is mentioned I can see him staying up in Scotland and he would like to stay with United next season. Again speaking to the press this time about Cardiff he said: "I've got another year left at Cardiff so it's really just a case of waiting until the summer to see what happens.
"They are in the play-offs just now so who knows what could happen in the next few months.
"The main thing is focusing on United, playing as many games and getting as many goals as I can.
"Cardiff have a lot of players and several big earners, so at the end of the day it's up to them. Everyone has a price. But I'm not the kind of player who can sit in the stand and watch. I need to be playing."

Ledley an Eastender

It has been very quiet on the Joe Ledley transfer front with on wild reports of offers for him. However, it could be all change now with West Ham about to put a £5m bid on the table according to some of today’s papers. Chairman Peter Ridsdale and the Cardiff City board are will to sell only if the price is right with the benchmark set at £6m from a previous bid.

With eleven days left in the January transfer window clubs are thinking about the run in to the end of the season. A number of other teams are said to be keeping an eye on Ledley if the rumors are to believe, Everton, Fulham and Spurs and there is always Stoke City who made a £6m bid in the summer. Cardiff boss Dave Jones would not want to lose Ledley with the club pushing for a promotion or a play-off place that less.

Ledley mate and ex-Cardiff player Cameron Jerome has chipped in his five pence said in an interview, “I’ve always said that Joe should join the Premiership, he has got to be one of the best midfield Championship players in the country and someone will take a chance on him.
“In my opinion he would not only make the grade but inspire colleagues around him.
“He’s only in his early 20’s and got 20 odd caps already and footballers don’t reach their peak till around 27,28, 29 so whoever takes the calculated gamble will get a player for a good six or seven years.”

City no pushover

Arsene Wenger is getting a lot of advice about the upcoming FA Cup game at Ninian Park like don’t take a win for granted and play his first team not an inexperienced one. Former Arsenal player Charlie Nicholas believes Arsenal could well be bundled out of the FA Cup just like against Burnley in this year’s Carling Cup.

Nicholas who is a Sky pundit thinks Wenger do not need to be told about whom to play and told the South Wales Echo, “I expect players like Adebayor and van Persie to play because I don’t expect Arsenal to take this game lightly.
“The young lad Aaron Ramsey might get a run out at his former club, but I don’t think there’ll be too many changes to Arsenal’s strongest side.
“Look at Arsenal’s history and you see that in the Carling Cup that Wenger uses his youngsters.
“But as soon as they get knocked out of that competition he keeps the best and farms out the rest out on loan to other clubs.
“The FA Cup, though, is a totally different concept. It is a competition, which has been very good to Wenger over the years, and he takes it very seriously.
“So I expect him to pick a strong starting 11 to do a job on Cardiff. If he doesn’t, then Cardiff will really fancy their chances.”

There will be a full house at Ninian Park with the game a sell-out after both sets of fans snapping up all their avaible tickets should lead to a top atmosphere. The divide between the Premiership and the Championship does not always work in a one off Cup game, while the fans will be looking for a straight out win, the chairman and the board would like a win but via a replay.

Nicholas also when on to say, “I don’t class Cardiff as minnows, no way,” said.
“They will give Arsenal a run for their money and I see it as a great game to watch.
“It will be a typical FA Cup tie, plenty of tackles flying in and played at a high tempo.
“Cardiff will get three or four really good chances, make no mistake about that.
“The key is whether they can put one or two away, because you can guarantee Arsenal will create double that.”

The Arsenal striker, Dutchman Robin Van Persie thinks Cardiff will not be a pushover, and warned his Arsenal teammates about the “Ninian Park effect”. Van Persie has visited Ninian Park to watch his friend and ex-City player Glenn Loovens and has had a taste of the Ninian Park atmosphere and the Arsenal striker said the Cardiff City fans were incredible. He went on to say about his experience, “I watched them at Ninian Park a couple of times when I went to visit my old mate Glenn Loovens last season.
“He would always tell me tales about their fans – and then I witnessed it for myself. They are passionate; they are outstanding in their support.
“The atmosphere will be similar to that at Stoke City’s Britannia Stadium – and we lost [2-1 in the Premier League] there.
“It’s going to be tough. I would be far happier if we had been at home, but if we match their work-rate, I am positive we can come out on top.
“We have gone far too long without winning anything.
“When I first came the team were winning things for fun and in my first season we won the FA Cup. If we could do that, again this season it would be an even bigger achievement.
“I remember the feeling of winning against Manchester United in 2005 and it was unbelievable. It was an amazing day and to score in the shoot-out, as I did, made it even more special.”

Bent looking for a new club????

Marcus Bent could be on is way out at Birmingham by the end of the month it is rumoured. He was all set to sign for Cardiff City in the summer when the Midlands club snatched him at the last moment. He later said is U-turn was down to the fact that Birmingham would have the better chance of promotion.

Again, if it is true, QPR and City are interested in him, which is a bit of a surprised since joining Birmingham he has spent getting off the bench and only scored two league goals. There was a report in the South Wales Echo that Dave Jones was looking for a new striker. I hope it is not Bent.

I am taking about Marcus Bent so it gives me a chance to put a picture of his EX-GIRLFRIEND, Gemma Atkinson. Any men who can't keep her doesn't deserve to play for my football team.

Managers Reaction

Dave Jones Cardiff City

"I think if the referee looks at it again, he's given all of those pushes and fouls all day and the one time that we want him to give one - he hasn't," said the Bluebirds boss.

"It will feel like a victory for them and in all honesty we've totally outplayed them, we should have come away with maximum points.

"We'll pick ourselves up and get going again because to come here and dominate and not come away with maximum points is a big disappointment for us.

"We came here with an intention to try and win the game and (goalkeeper Peter) Enckelman has only had one real save to make and that just shows you how disappointed we are. It feels like a loss to us."

Cardiff, touted by many for a play-off place, impressed in an encounter during which Blues, many people's tip for automatic promotion, started brightly but faded badly.

And Jones felt the encounter highlighted the fact the race for automatic promotion is not just between Blues, Wolves and Reading.

"If anyone thinks it's done and dusted and it's only between the top three sides then they're kidding themselves because there's a chasing pack gathering and they're hungry for it. And hopefully we're one of them," he added.

"I thought our performance was superb. It just shows you it might not be as clear cut as everyone thinks it's going to be."

Alex McLeish Birmingham

Opposite number Alex McLeish was obviously delighted with his side's late equaliser and reserved special praise for Bowyer.

But he also acknowledged his side were very much second best after a promising start to the game.

"I'm sure Cardiff will think it's tough on them but we threw everything at them at the end and we risked losing another goal to get an equaliser. And it paid off," he said.

"I'm pleased for Lee, I'm delighted for him. He showed he's still got the legs and he's still got the energy. He found that wee bit extra to get in the box and find that equaliser at a crucial time for us.

"I thought we started really well and for 20 minutes or so we dominated.

"Cardiff then had a wee spell but I don't think either goal was really threatened.

"Second half, we never really got started, we huffed and puffed but Cardiff definitely dominated proceedings."

The Blues boss was coy over whether Jaidi had fouled Johnson in the build-up to his side's equaliser, but also pointed to Cameron Jerome's disallowed first-half goal for offside.

Asked whether he thought it was a foul, McLeish said: "Maybe, but Dave (Jones) probably didn't mention Cameron Jerome's goal, which I felt was onside.

"So we all see through our own club's spectacles."

Fowler on the move

Remember God ............. well Robbie Fowler who turned down the chance of sticking with the Bluebirds last summer on a pay when you player deal for this season but flew away after the call from the Premiership was to strong, well he could have a new club and could be paid full wages.

After is pay as you play stint was Blackburn which only saw him pull in only five pay days soon has new manager Sam Allardyce walked through the door, Fowler was nearly out the door as fast. With employment staring him in the face Grimsby Town chairman John Fenty, throw him a lifeline with a possible player-coach role at Blundell Park by it would seem no deal was done after provisional discussions.

The Fowler trail when dead until news he could be off Down Under. He is reported to be hold talks with North Queensland coach Ian Ferguson over a move the Australian club and talking to the press said, “He has agreed to catch up in Townsville for a few days and obviously we will be talking about football,' Ferguson said.
"We're looking for a marquee player and Robbie easily fits that position in any A-League football club.
!His record speaks for itself. He is a pure goal scorer who would lift the profile of football in this country to a new level if he decided to play in the A-League. "

Fowler has dallied with the thought of joining the A-League before joining Cardiff City and holding similar talks with Sydney FC.

Match Reports - Birmingham 1-1 Cardiff City

No glee for Joe Ledley despite landmark moment - Wales Online

JOE LEDLEY saw his dreams of a double celebration shattered at the death as a face from the past returned for his Bluebirds revenge.
City star Ledley looked to have sealed his 200th appearance in his beloved blue shirt with a goal worthy of the occasion. >>>>>> FOLLOW LINK

Bowyer's late leveller a hammer blow for Bluebirds – Mail Online

Lee Bowyer marked his debut with a 94th-minute equaliser that spared Birmingham's blushes against a Cardiff side who had looked destined for their first victory at St Andrew's since 1966. >>>>> FOLLOW LINK

Lee Bowyer makes a point – Times Online

NOT so long ago, Lee Bowyer was persona non grata here. The midfielder, once banned from being selected for the England squad, rejected a move to Birmingham in 2005 after supporters, mindful of his off-field reputation, launched an internet protest against his acquisition. >>>>> FOLLOW LINK

Bowyer leaves it late to get even with Cardiff - Guardian Online

Cardiff will be kicking themselves. For the best part of 90 minutes – along with four minutes of stoppage-time – they looked and played like a side capable of a significant and fully merited victory. >>>>> FOLLOW LINK

Purse off down Sloper Road

Reports are suggesting that Cardiff City have told club captain Darren Purse he can leave Ninian Park if he can find a new club and could leave on a free transfer. Purse, has been hoping to source a new contract with the Bluebirds has he is only under contract until the summer.

He joined the club in time for the start of 2005/06 season from West Brom for a fee of £750-000. He was a regular much of this time with Cardiff until Glenn Loovens force his way in front of him for much of last season. With Loovens sold in the summer Purse got back into the starting line up until his sending-off, after which he soon lost his spot.

The emergent’s of Gabor Gypes has possible lend to Dave Jones’s decision to allow Purse to leave the club if the rumours are correct. Gypes has forged a strong partnership with Roger Johnson since getting his chance at the end of October. There are a number of clubs how would like to take him now on loan to the end of the season with Leeds, Leicester and Charlton all linked.

Wag of the Week No18

Imogen Thomas

She found Z list fame through being on Big Brother and was Miss Wales. She is TOTALLY hot, even having come out for the Big Brother stable, she has had a job on the old boobies - bigger. She has done the glamour model route appearing in most of the lads’ magazines.

On the WAG front, she was link Cristiano Ronaldo and a number of other players by partying in the right places. She as dipped her toe into the dark side.............. she dated a rugby player or more actuate an eggchaser, which in the world of WAG can't get any worst then dating an eggchaser oh yes she can get lower.

She is reported to be the WAG of one Matt Collins footballer who ply’s his trade with Swansea City, how could someone we class as hot go that low, it makes one so sick.
She was a 10 until then but she had 3 points knocked off for dating a eggchaser and 5 for the Jack, what a pity but we had a change of heart after watching her XXX performance in her naughty video, So we reinstated 4 points plus another point because she don't go to the games, who would if it was Swansea. Standards must be keep she is Premier League and if she drops the Jack she could go up the leaderboard.

Imogen revealed: "After we met we were poking on Facebook — I love a bit of poking. We were poking each other 10 times a day. And then there were flirty messages."

WAG rating 7

Giggs a Bluebird

Cardiff City boss Dave Jones is reported in the Wales on Sunday to be eyeing up a move to bring Ryan Giggs to Cardiff. Chairman Peter Ridsdale and manager Dave Jones discussed the matter last week after Giggs went public by saying he might retire from football in May if Manchester United does not offer him a new contract.

Some time ago, Giggs said he would like to play for Cardiff his home –town and with him being a Welsh footballing icon be a marketing and commercial gold mine for City’s in shirt sale at less. Giggs as long said he would like to go into management and Cardiff could offer Giggs a player-coach role in a bid to tempt him back to South Wales he has taken his Uefa A licence coaching qualifications.

The paper calls it audacious if he were to come, I would break my ‘No end of career players’ for my club rule because I think he would give 100% if he joined, and he can still play..

“I always look at Cardiff City’s results because they are my home town team,” said Giggs.
“I’d like them to be in the Premiership.
“I have been asked many times whether I would play for my home town team, although I don’t know what the future holds for me.
“I will keep playing as much as I enjoy it, I am fit and the manager wants me.
“If one of those three things stops I will consider my future.
“My contract ends in May so we will see. At the moment there have not been any talks on a new deal.”

Celebrity Football Hooligan No2

The big guy of Masterchef Gregg Wallace the one who likes his puddings was naughty he run with the Bushwackers the notorious Millwall firm and he got stuck in by all accounts and is from Peckham and went to Millwall regularly.

Mates in his school run with the Bushwackers and he was soon drawn in he was arrested at Millwall v Brighton match at the old Den Stadium.

"I knew what was going to go on," he recalled. "I walked to the car park and there was mayhem—people throwing bricks and bottles.
"I was in no man's land between a line of police with dogs and Millwall fans.
"A cop pushed me and I told him I was going to take his number. Then he set a dog on me. I didn't hit anyone—it's hard to with a dog on your arm." He was convicted of threatening behavior and fined —but it wasn't his first offence.

There was one dangerous situation at West Ham, where the police were escorting us in. Some Millwall fans broke away and I ended up being stuck in no man's land again: I was closer to the West Ham fans than the Millwall ones, so I just walked into the West Ham crowd and started chanting with them. Nobody batted an eyelid!
Now he is a big egg-chaser not sure he goes to Millwall these days.

Celebrity Football Hooligan No1

Noel Gallagher outed himself this week when he admitted that in his young days before hitting the big time he used to hang around with football hooligans in the '80s being unemployed there was not much to do. He roamed around with the main groups of Manchester City hooligan firms, Maine Line Crew, Under-5s and Young Guvnors.

It is unknown if he made the trip to Ninian Park during the early 80’s with his troop of naughty boys on an away day.

"I knew all that lot and I still see a few of them today. They were quite mad times. Half of us were on the dole.
“The grounds we used to go to 20 years ago were dangerous, especially night games at Leeds and places like that, and wondering whether or not you’d make it home in one piece.” said the Oasis star.

Burke signs for Bluebirds

Cardiff City boss Dave Jones got his man now at Rangers winger Chris Burke has joined the Ninian Park club from Rangers on a two-and-a-half-year deal. Burke has only just returned from a lengthy spell out injuried he has had problems in the past.

The 25-year-old is eager to kickstart his career with the Championship outfit and is relishing a new challenge well place for a challenge on the Premier League. Burke felt it was time to leave Ibrox and Rangers is relishing the opportunity to make a name for himself with the Welsh outfit.

He told Rangers World: "The Championship is a very difficult league and anybody can beat anybody. I'm sure it will be difficult to reach the Premiership but that's my aim, to play in the Premiership.
"I feel as though that's where they belong and that they are a Premiership club because they have come on in leaps and bounds over the years.
"They keep progressing and hopefully they can continue to do so.
"If you look at the standard down there, it's a good standard. You see some Championship teams in the cups doing well against the top Premiership teams.
"It will be difficult but I'm looking forward to it."
"It's a new challenge for me."
"I loved my time at Rangers but I felt as though it wasn't progressing the way I wanted, I wasn't playing as much as I would have liked.
"Like any player, I want to be playing football and back enjoying it again. The only way you can do that is by playing matches and that wasn't happening at Rangers.
"The way forward is to move on and hopefully I can do that at Cardiff. I'm not saying I'm going to walk straight into the team - I'm going to have to fight for my place - and hopefully I can do well there.
"It's always disappointing with injuries but I'm back now, I'm fit and raring to go and I'm just looking forward to a new chapter in my life."

Old target on the move

Remember back in the summer Cardiff boss Dave Jones targeted Rangers striker Kris Boyd and offer £3.5m to bring him to Ninian Park. His boss Alex McLeish said he was going nowhere even though at the time he was not a regular starter he was the press were told part of his plans.

His plans must have been to sell him in the January sales, because Boyd is now a Birmingham player after signing in a £3.5m deal. With the purchase of Boyd Birmingham could be looking to off load ex Cardiff player Cameron Jerome to recoup some of the £3.5 paid for the Rangers striker.

Hunt for Setanta pubs

Want to watch the forthcoming Cardiff City v Arsenal FA Cup game down the Pub. Well the it could be harder than buying a ticket for the game. Hardly a pub in Cardiff carries the Setanta Sports channel putting a big premium on a seat in the pub for the Sunday lunchtime game.

The South Wales Echo have found just
• The Corporation ... Canton
• Walkabout ......... City Centre
• The Crockerton .... City Centre
• The Grange ........ Grangetown
• Cayo Arams ........ Pontcanna
• The Mochyn Du ..... Pontcanna

If like me you subscribed Setanta for the Joe Calzaghe fight, a while back, it is not cheap, you have to pay £25, which includes a £10 signing on fee, but you have to keep the package for a further two months (well I did last time) but there are a number of offers on the Setanta website

Arsenal game on Setanta

Poor man’s Sky Sports will the showing the Cardiff City v Arsenal FA Cup game on Sunday, January 25th kicking-off at 1.30pm. I was hoping the game with be on ITV not Setanta Sports as I don’t have it, ITV will be showing West Ham v Hartlepool and Manchester United v Tottenham.

Being on Setanta should not have much of an effect on ticket demands and the game could still be a sell-out for the home fans. Arsenal could well be given the whole Grange End Arsenal are entitled to 15 per cent of the tickets for the third-round tie. They don’t have to take up their full allocation, but if they did it would be 3,000 tickets. That would certainly mean Arsenal fans taking over the entire Grange End.

The club will make £160k for showing the game and because of the Sunday kick off the home game with Coventry City scheduled for the Tuesday has been moved back a day to Wednesday January 28th, KO 7:45pm.

Aaron Ramsey and Arsenal coming to Ninian Park

Well this game should full Ninian Park after the poor crowd for the Reading game in the FA Cup on Saturday. It will be interesting to see what kind of importance Arsene Wenger's puts on the game, will he respects Cardiff City and plays his best team.

All the 1927 stuff will rear its head but we have better, more up to date history in the FA Cup with Arsenal back three years ago we lost 2-1 at Highbury. The last time they came to Ninian Park in the FA Cup was back in January 1980 with the game going to a replay after a 0-0 draw.

The game will be a sell out and the normal scramble for tickets will in sue with everyone from his monkeys’ uncle coming up with why they should have a ticket, or because we have a season ticket, we should have two.

Aaron Ramsey could well be in the team for his first visit back to Ninian Park since his £5m summer move to Arsenal.

The game should be high on the list of games at could be shown live on Setanta or ITV hopefully on ITV but there will be competition with some interesting ties. The Merseyside Derby where Liverpool host Everton, and Spurs travel to Manchester United there are a lot of replays to wait on, so we will have to wait and see.

The complete draw for the fourth round:

Liverpool v Everton
Manchester United v Tottenham
Hull or Newcastle v Millwall or Crewe
Sunderland v Blyth or Blackburn
Hartlepool United v West Ham
Leyton Orient or Sheffield United v Charlton or Norwich
Cardiff City v Arsenal
Portsmouth or Bristol City v Histon or Swansea
Chelsea or Southend v Ipswich
Cheltenham or Doncaster v Aston Villa
West Brom or Peterborough v QPR or Burnley
Torquay v Coventry
Kettering v Fulham
Watford v Leicester or Crystal Palace
Derby v Nottingham Forest
Birmingham or Wolves v Middlesbrough

He’s in the money

Reading the News of the World what player wouldn’t jump ship to the bright lights of London town, if money was your goal in life. Who knows why Wagne Routledge dash out of his hotel jumped into to his car and headed for London. Mabye the street around QPR ground are paved wit goal.

The paper is giving a break down of what he would be getting now he (Routledge) has joined QPR. His old club Aston Villa will the getting close to £600.000 with addons and 20% sell on clause, while Cardiff were thing in the range of £300.000 with NO add-ons and no sell-on clause. No wonder Villa called off Routledge loan deal early with the Bluebirds.

The presonal terms he has reported to have signed for are,

• £15.000 a week wage
• £5.000 per appearance
• £150.000 signing-on fee

All this can only be done because of F1 money in the shape of Brinie Ecclestone and Flavio Briatore who are the owners of QPR and are trying to fast track them into the Premiership.

The Cardiff City Chairman in a interview with the paper said, “We made Wayne a vear generous offer, but he saw fit to leave us without saying a word.
“He came here tp cover for injuries and did such a good job that we made an offer to take him permanently.
“Our fans shouldn’t think that we would not open the cheque book to sign Wayne.
“But when you see those figures from Rangers, it’s obvious we couldn’t match it.
“I make no apology for not wanting to break the bank to sign players.
“We pushed the boat out to try and sign Wayne, but even if we had incresed our offer. I think the pull of a return to London would have been too great.
But Wayne did very well for Cardif, and he goes with our good wishes.”

Match Reports - Cardiff 2-0 Reading FAC 3rd

McCormack fires Bluebirds into fourth round

CARDIFF City set off on the Wembley trail again, brushing aside Coca-Cola Championship rivals Reading at Ninian Park. City went all the way to the final last season and now await the fourth round draw being made on Sunday afternoon. >>>>> FOLLOW LINK

McCormack makes his mark by dispatching Coppell's Royals

Ross McCormack inspired last year's finalists Cardiff to victory over Reading with a goal and an assist in the FA Cup third round. Steve Coppell's much-changed side had arguably the better chances before the break, with Bobby Convey missing a couple of decent opportunities. >>>>> FOLLOW LINK

Routledge gone

It has not been a good week for Dave Jones and Cardiff City with breaking news this morning that Wayne Routledge has turn down the chance to join the Bluebirds and has left Ninian Park joining Michael Chopra who left the club this week after his loan spell. He (Routledge) had been offered a three and a half year contract to stay at Cardiff.

His club Aston Villa have ended Routledge loan spell with the Welsh club early with speculation QPR are waiting in the wings. Routledge is believed to favour a move back to London and its rumoured talks have already taken place between the player/agent and QPR and the offer of better personal help to sweeten the deal.

Recalling the player early means, he will miss two League game home to Derby and the important away visit to Birmingham with part of his loan deal mean he couldn’t take part in the FAC game against Reading on Saturday.

The chance of the player picking up a injury before the end of is loan deal on 17th January could well have help the Aston Villa manager decide to recall the player early. Cardiff City Official Statement

Could Routledge be a true Bluebird?

One minute it looks like Cardiff boss Dave Jones could lose out of luck with signing Aston Villa midfielder Wayne Routledge because of the mega bucks of QPR. Today reports suggest he could be signing for Cardiff has sooner rather than later, Chairman Peter Ridsdale told the local press “We have made an offer for Wayne to Aston Villa and discussed personal terms. We are very hopeful about signing him on a permanent deal after his excellent spell on loan with us."

Everyone at Ninian Park will have to wait and see if QPR make a move but it is rumoured that they are willing to put in a similar offer of £300,000. Routledge is likely to want to talk to any to listen to what the personal terms are.

Routledge has been a hit with the fans as well as Dave Jones