Legg manager

Cardiff City favourite and ex-player Andy Legg has taken another step into management has he became Llanelli new manager after the departure of old boss Peter Nicholas .

He (Legg) was player/manager of Hucknall Town in 2007 for a short time but resigned following six consecutive defeats at the start of the 07/08 season he then join Llanelli has a player.

A statement from the club said: ''Llanelli AFC are pleased to announce the appointment of Andy Legg as the new manager of Llanelli AFC with immediate effect.
"This reflects the club's philosophy of promoting from within.
"Andy has been a great asset to the club since he arrived three seasons ago.
"He has terrific credentials in taking this position having played at the highest level in league football and for Wales.
"Andy is a thorough professional, who is extremely well respected by players wherever he has gone.
"His appointment reflects the club's view that it must continue to build for the future and once again maintain a serious challenge for top honours this coming season.
"Andy will have full flexibility in choosing his management team and the Board will continue to offer its full support to provide Andy with every chance of success."

Heaton would like to stay

On loan goalkeeper, Tom Heaton has the right idea when it comes to his career get away from Manchester United if he wants regular football. He is hoping that Cardiff City boss Dave Jones will pick him up at the end of the season after a having a reasonably season. The City boss has Peter Enckelman on the books along with two other loan keepers, both of whom have expressed an interest in staying with the City Stuart Taylor (Aston Villa) who had his loan period extended until the end of the season and the Greek international Demitrios Konstantopoulos on loan from Coventry City. There has been no consistency with the goalkeepers is season either by injury or poor form all four of them have played with Heaton having been most between the posts.

Konstantopoulos will more any likely be on his way back to his club and with boss Dave Jones rumoured to be checking out another keeper from Northern Ireland may one of the other loan keeper could be missing from the squad for next season.

Heaton told the South Wales Echo: "I have a year left on my contract and I`m due to go back in the summer - but I think I need to get away now and be playing. I`ve had a taste of it now and I don`t want it to stop."
"It`s hard at United with such top players in my way. I feel I can play in the Premier League and if I can do it with this club that would be brilliant."
"I`ve thoroughly enjoyed my time here. I love the club and it`s moving in the right direction - we`ll have to see what happens."

Fans players of the year

The last home game of the season is time for Cardiff City Supporters Club to end the season with the players awards. Over 500 turn out on Saturday along with players and management with Roger Johnson the big winner of the night going home with two awards.

Cardiff City Online Mailing List ‘Magic Moment’: Eddie Johnson, for his first goal in British football (v Doncaster Rovers, home).

Cardiff City media department Player of the Year: Jay Bothroyd.

Cardiff City Supporters’ Club Player of the Year: 1 Roger Johnson; 2 Ross McCormack; 3 Kevin McNaughton.

Cardiff City Supporters’ Club Goal of the Season: 1 Joe Ledley (v Birmingham City); 2 Joe Ledley (v Swansea City); 3 Jay Bothroyd (v Doncaster Rovers).

London-based 1927 Supporters Club Special award: Dave Jones, for his work at Cardiff City.

Cardiff City Supporters’ Club Young Player of the year: Ross McCormack.

Disabled Supporters Association Player of the Year: Roger Johnson.

Ton Tan-sponsored Young Player of the Year: Darcy Blake.

The PFA Team of the Year

Two City players made it into the Championship Team of the Season Roger Johnson and Joe Ledley voted by the Players the full team,

Keiren Westwood – Coventry City
It’s not been the best of seasons for Coventry, but it could have been a whole lot worse but for the impressive form of a keeper who has been attracting a lot of interest from Premier League clubs this season. That form earned him a call-up to the Republic of Ireland squad in February.

Kyle Naughton – Sheffield United
Kyle established himself as first choice right back at Bramall Lane but has also played in central midfield at times and impressed on each occasion. Kevin Blackwell reckons the England Under 21 international has a ‘massive future’ and he has been a key player in United’s push for promotion this season.

Daniel Fox – Coventry
Highly-rated left back Daniel has won many admirers this season, not least Newcastle United who expressed an interest during the January transfer window. Fox, who has said recently that he would like to commit himself to Coventry, has been knocking on the door of the England Under 21 squad, although he is also eligible for Scotland.

Roger Johnson – Cardiff City
Ever-present Roger has made more league appearances for Cardiff than any other City player this season and has carried on the excellent form that earned him the club’s Player of the Year award last term. His consistent performances have led to interest from other clubs but promotion-chasing Cardiiff see him as a future captain.

Richard Stearman – Wolves
Former Leicester defender Richard has impressed at club and international level alike this season, his performances for promotion-chasing Wolves catching the eye of England Under 21 boss Stuart Pearce. His debut against the Czech Republic last November earned him glowing praise from Pearce who has earmarked the Wolves man for the Euro finals.

Michael Kightly – Wolves
Having sadly been ruled out for the rest of the season with a metatarsal injury sustained earlier in the month, Michael can take some comfort from the fact he has been named in the PFA Team of the Year – and that he will probably be playing Premier League football with Wolves next season, although he will also miss out on the Under 21 Euro finals.

Stephen Hunt – Reading
Everton, Middlesbrough and Wigan were all reported to be showing an interest in Republic of Ireland international Stephen in the January transfer window, but the Reading fans’ favourite delighted those who admire him for his ability and total commitment by putting pen to paper on a new deal that will keep him a Royal until 2012.

Joe Ledley – Cardiff City
The Cardiff playmaker is recognised as one of the most naturally gifted midfield players in the Championship – and Joe has certainly impressed Welsh boss John Toshack on the international stage too. Toshack also believes the City skipper would be a hit in the Premier League too and is backing him to get there with his hometown club.

Jordi Gomez – Swansea City
The 23-year-old Spaniard has enjoyed a fine debut season for the Swans since moving on-loan from Espanyol, and manager Roberto Martinez is keen to extend his spell at the Liberty Stadium beyond the end of the season – although a move to Celtic, if rumours are true, might prove tempting for Gomez who is one of the players who make this slick Swansea side tick.

Sylvan Ebanks-Blake – Wolves
With well over 20 goals to his name already this season, Sylvan has played a huge part in Wolves’ push for promotion. Having begun his career at Manchester United, the big striker who initially made his name with Plymouth, is keen to get back to Premier League level. Since joining Wolves midway through last season he has averaged more than a goal every two games.

Jason Scotland – Swansea
Whilst Ebanks-Blake has been leading the goals race in the Championship, Jason has never been far behind and he too has broken the 20 goal barrier this season – many of them spectacular, sole efforts too. Like Ebanks-Blake, the Trinidad and Tobago striker also boasts an English league ratio of over one goal in every two games.

Match Reports - Cardiff City v Ipswich

Ready, Steady go as Keano off to a flyer – The Mirror

Roy Keane has wrecked many a party, so maybe a capacity crowd at Ninian Park's last league game turned up fearing the worst.
But if the Irishman, back in management again, was a formidable touchline presence it was his tactical prowess which earned Ipswich their stunning win and leaves Cardiff still needing a point to secure their playoff place. >>>>> FOLLOW LINK

Keane sweep as Stead gives Roy a lift – News of the World

THE rollercoaster that is Roy Keane is well and truly back on track. And Ipswich fans would be wise to hold on tight.
Just three days into his reign and the Irishman has breathed new life into his new team, had a dig at his old Manchester United mates and wrecked Cardiff's farewell party to Ninian Park. >>>>> FOLLOW LINK

Roy Keane's Ipswich Town revolution begins in style – Telegraph Online

Ninian Park, this throwback of a ground, staged its final league match on Saturday. Sure, the "old girl" could yet be hosting a Championship play-off semi-final next month, but that, so far as regular league combat is concerned, is that; the successor stadium, a sterile corporate dome the other side of Sloper Road, is ready and waiting. >>>>> FOLLOW LINK

Roy Keane works his 'horrible' magic at Ipswich – Guardian Online

Ninian Park has seen more than its fair share of hard cases down the years, the vast majority of them on the terraces. How appropriate then that in its death throes the old ground should bear witness to the second managerial coming of a man you would be wise not to mess with, someone whose appeal stretches way beyond the county boundaries of Suffolk. >>>>> FOLLOW LINK

Match Report Cardiff City v Ipswich – Mail Online FOLLOW LINK

Manager's reactions - Cardiff City v Ipswich

Cardiff manager Dave Jones failed to show up at the press conference preferring to send assistant Terry Burton to face the waiting media.
"There is no conspiracy regarding Dave's non appearance it's just that he has asked me to come in today.
"We are always assessing our performances and in all honesty we have had a very bad week. We have played well for periods but have left ourselves too open and easy to play against and we will have to put that right.
"We got into the right areas today without causing them too many problems but when we missed the penalty and they scored against the run of play we were always chasing the game.
"Today was the supporters' day but it was a football match for us and the players and staff are as disappointed we were beaten as the fans but it hasn't been such a bad season and we will be looking for something from our last match.
"The players know they have to work hard and get back to basics and they have been given some sharp words by the manager."

Cardiff manager Dave Jones is speak to the BBC on the pitch after the game and said, "I don't know how we lost it because the first half we've absolutely battered them, but we've got to put the ball in the back of the net.

"The penalty [miss] knocked a little bit of stuffing out of us, the first goal was a bad one to give away and the second was even worse.
"It's a good job I'm here with you on this pitch because I'm ready to absolutely flip.
"The lads are lucky they've come out [to do a lap of honour] because I wanted to really rip into them."

Ipswich manager Roy Keane said, "It happened to be our day today. Cardiff missed a penalty and then we scored to put us on top.
"We were forced to change things around when Alex Bruce went off with an arm injury. We had no defenders on the bench and so Jon Stead went on and did very well for us.
"He is a good player and he sat up two goals scored one himself and I am quite happy to have him at the club.
"I have had a good feeling in the short time I have been at Ipswich as the players have responded and we want to finish the season on a high and not just go through the motions.
"I was very, very relaxed at 3-0 but when it was 0-0 and they had a penalty it was very different. In fairness to Cardiff they have had a good season but the missed penalty was the turning point."

The party that never was

It had all the makings of a party at Ninian Park today, full house for the last ever league game to be played at the old ground and only a point to secure a play-off spot and the mass media in town to see the return of the dog walker Roy Keane, so what happens, Cardiff City go TITS up.
This morning I called for Cardiff City boss Dave Jones to ‘Unleash the Dogs of War’ and what do we get a bunch of pussies who in the space of a week have turn us from a team to fear, to someone else bitches.
There was a small hope of end up in the play-offs tonight that is should Preston fail to win at Birmingham the late game. But Birmingham failed losing to a last minute goal so Preston have hope and along with Cardiff and Burnley are chasing the two play-off spots left to full.
It could have been all so different if Cardiff’s deadeye penalty taker Ross McCormack had have scored but he must have left his scoring eye at home for the second time in a week. We have the Roy Keane factor in the mix with the new manager myth, will it worked today.

Southampton down and out

Southampton are relegated, well as good has after Football League gave them a 10-point deduction after Southampton Leisure Holdings plc, and went into administration. They claim that the football club itself was not in administration and should not receive the mandatory 10 points penalty that comes with administration.

The Saints are four points from safety with two games remaining if they were to do a miracle and save themselves from the drop they would be relegated anyway because they would be hit with the ten point’s deduction. If the go down this season then they will start life in Division 1 minus 10 points. It would but better if they could avoid relegation, because it would mean starting next season in Division 1 all level with the rest of the teams.

They could still do Cardiff City fans a favour by beating one of our play-off rivials Burnley, but doing that helps out our Jack neighbours down the road in Swansea.

What the Football League said in statement: At its meeting today, the Board of The Football League reviewed the report of the independent forensic accountants commissioned by The League to examine the circumstances at Southampton Football Club, together with external legal advice as to the interpretation of The League’s regulations.
The report, by Grant Thornton, set out in detail the various inter-relationships between the four different group companies at Southampton Leisure Holdings Plc (the Holding Company).
The conclusions were based both on the content of the annual accounts published by the Holding Company, which include the Club, and other information made available to Grant Thornton as part of their enquiries.
The Board noted that Grant Thornton reported that toward the end of their enquiries co-operation with them was withdrawn.
The report concluded, among other things, that:
1. The Holding Company has no income of its own; all revenue and expenditure is derived from the operation of Southampton Football Club Limited (SFC) and the associated stadium company.
2. The Holding company is solvent in its own right. It only becomes insolvent when account is taken of the position of SFC and the other group companies.
3. The three entities (the Holding Company, SFC and the stadium company) comprise the football club and they are inextricably linked as one economic entity.
In light of all this advice, the Board concluded that an administrator had been appointed in respect of the Club or part of its undertaking or assets.
Accordingly, it was left with no alternative other than to invoke its ‘Sporting Sanctions’ regulations and apply a 10 point penalty to the Club. The other provisions of The League’s insolvency policy also become effective.
As the insolvency event occurred after The Football League’s deadline of the fourth Thursday in March, the points deduction will take effect either:
1. In the current season, if Southampton avoid relegation to League 1; or
2. Next season, if the club does not avoid relegation.

Cardiff v Ispwich

Manager-less, well for a few hours anyway Ipswich will not be the last game at Ninian Park if Cardiff manage to get a point out of the game or if results go the way of the Bluebirds then there would still be one more game, a 1st leg Play-off game.

Yesterday Ipswich had two managers the AM boss Jim Magilton who was rumoured to have been sacked via the phone while caring for his sick mother after a failing season for Ipswich and having lost the fans. Up steps the PM boss with Roy Keane out of management since jumping ship from Sunderland. It was rumour he was not getting on with the new owner at Sunderland

Could the new manager, old manager factor come into play we have all since it happy a new guy comes in and the next thing you know they start win, it can be the same when a manager is sacked. He looks like he will be in the dugout for Saturday’s game after taken Thursday training.

With Cardiff, looking to be in the play-offs there is still something to play for, position. Where you finish could have an issue to if you play the 1st leg home or away. I always thing playing the 2nd leg game home gives you an advantage because you know what you need to do.

Managers' Reactions Charlton v City

Cardiff manager Dave Jones: "Saturday was a freak result. At this stage of the season you will get them.
"If we didn't show grit and determination on Saturday then it came flooding back [here] and we deserved to come back into it. "It would have been hard to come away with nothing because it would have been tough to pick them up and we've got a hard game on Saturday against Ipswich.
"If we had gone into that on the back of two defeats it would have been a nervous occasion.
"But if we've got to limp over the line then we will. We've got to get another point."

Charlton manager Phil Parkinson: "I had an experienced team out there and yet we still looked naive.
"We're a team scarred from the season, when it's happened before, and [against Cardiff] we went into panic mode on and off the ball.
"Cardiff are a good side and I expected a reaction from the weekend and we got that.
"It was a tight game, we got the second goal and that should have been enough.
"The reaction from the supporters is understandable, I'd be feeling the same if I was sat there."

Match Reports - Charlton v Cardiff City

Cardiff City earn valuable point with late show – Western Mail

CARDIFF CITY boss Dave Jones does not always have the best of times at Charlton, but he left south London last night a relieved man.
Last season at the Valley the Bluebirds lost 3-0 and Jones was on the verge of losing his job after a run of poor form and, while there was no such personal drama this time, Cardiff left it very, very late to earn a point against the already-relegated Addicks. >>>>> FOLLOW LINK

Cardiff pull off comeback at Charlton – Telegraph Online
A year ago Cardiff were bringing joy to South Wales by winning an FA Cup semi-final and giving their followers two trips to Wembley. Now they are torturing their fans, ending their hopes of automatic promotion to the Premier League, but the outcome could still be another Wembley adventure after Hungarian defender Gabor Gyepes stole a dramatic late equaliser last night. >>>>> FOLLOW LINK

Match report from the Daily Mail >>>>> FOLLOW LINK

Cardiff takes a point in London

What have Cardiff City got ‘bouncebackability’ that is what they showed tonight at Charlton. After going 2-0 down and with ten minutes left, I just had an awful feeling it was not going to be our night. Maybe the attitude change Cardiff boss Dave Jones called for earlier in the day finally kicked in, but two goals in seven minutes salvaged a much need point.

It is the plays-off now and Cardiff still need a point to guarantee a place, that depending on the weekend results. Automatic promotion has passed City by which is a pity but we have to make the best of the lottery of the play-off.

Fan in Court

The fan arrested in the after mark of the coin-throwing incident at the City v Swansea has had is day in court. The fan named David Roberts, 24, from Pontypridd, was fined £200 and given a three year banning order after admitting the charge at Cardiff Magistrates' Court but following a legal discussion, the prosecutor agreed for the charge to be amended to "throwing a missile" rather than "throwing a coin". Cardiff City said Roberts would be banned from their games for life

Roberts claimed he was not reponsable for throwing the £1 coin and claimed he threw chewing gum only after being, in his words, "swept up in the emotion of a local derby"

Premier League 2

The greed of the chairman of the Premiership never fails shock me, only a few weeks ago some were rumoured to be talking up a full European League based on three divisions of 20 teams. Today one of the little clubs of the Premiership Bolton and their chairman Phil Gartside has reopened the whole Premier League Second Division.

Sunday Mirror Sport has seen the document, believed backed by at least seven Premier League clubs as well as key Football League clubs. Celtic and Rangers would be invited to join. The two leagues will be made-up if 18 teams each, 20 premiership teams and the two Scottish clubs making 22. How the rest would be made up is the question, before it was going to be via a invitation base on grounds and not on if you are in the Championship, mean Leeds in Division One could be invited but with space of only 14 teams. There would be the introduction of a new Premier League knockout cup as well.

The joining of the Scottish teams would be controversial and the Scottish FA would not be happy seeing the way they reacted to a GB team for the Olympics. Scottish football is Celtic and Rangers with not much left after them.

I just see this whole idea has a plan to get Rangers and Celtic into the league, with two up two down between the two leagues there would only be one up from what is left of the Football League. There would be a winter break, which would give time for trips to the Far East, Middle East or anywhere the money is to play frienedlies.

A prominent Championship chairman, whose club has been in the Premier League, said: “Given the severe financial restraints in the Football League it would be madness not to consider the proposals.
“The considerable wealth of Premier League clubs shows no sign of subsiding.
“The Football League clubs are poor by comparison.”

Match Reports - Preston v Cardiff City

Preston revive playoff hopes in six-goal rout – Times Online

On a day when Cardiff hoped to guarantee their place in the playoffs, if not add further momentum to a challenge for automatic promotion, they were hammered out of sight, and left to lick wounds which may yet run deep, by a Preston side that can still sneak into the top six. >>>>> FOLLOW LINK

Sorry Cardiff hit for six after failing to heed Jones warning – Wales on Sunday

SORRY Cardiff City were hit for six in a Lancashire horror show which dealt an all but terminal blow to their automatic promotion hopes.
The Bluebirds’ heaviest league defeat since losing 7-1 to Luton Town in September 1978 leaves them seven points behind second-placed Birmingham with a game in hand, but with surely too much to do to bridge the gap over their three remaining games. >>>>> FOLLOW LINK

Bluebirds get a spanking – Lancashire Evening Post

Preston spanked promotion-chasers Cardiff with six of the best to keep their play-off flame flickering.
North End's biggest win for years pushed them to within one point of Lancashire rivals Burnley who must wait until Monday to play their crunch game with Sheffield United >>>>> FOLLOW LINK

City butchered

It is the Play-off then after today’s rout or massacre which ever because I am still in shock with the result for Deepdale, six BLOODY nil, it just do not feel right say 6-0 inconjunction with a Cardiff City defeat. Some stato will be tracking the last time we lost by that number of goals without scoring I am too depressed to have a look myself.

With three League games left for the Bluebirds all that is need for a playoff place is one win or two points and Cardiff play their game in hand on Tuesday with a trip to London and relegated Charlton.

Manager's reactions - Preston v Cardiff City

Cardiff boss Dave Jones after match comments, "We just didn't turn up today. The only people who turned up were the fans. They were fantastic.
"Maybe it's all caught up with us. I didn't think we did the basics that we have been doing all season.
"We talked of not giving away silly free kicks and then we give away two. All of a sudden you are 3-0 down and trying to chase the game. I don't think that Preston had to work really hard to get the result. In the second half we looked as if we were going through the motions."
"It was a big job for us today. Maybe one or two of the players thought they had already done it and talking of being on the beach in May and all this rubbish. Maybe it's a kick up the backside for one or two of them.
"Nobody saw it coming. We have to dust ourselves down and start again. Mathematically it's still not impossible.
"There are still a lot of twists and turns. It is one defeat in five or six games and maybe it was due to happen.
"I just didn't see it coming and the way that it did come. Maybe we can now turn a negative into a positive and get one or two back down to earth, feet on the ground and get them doing what they were doing for 40-odd games.
"We have done things today we don't do in training. We were so wide open."

Preston boss Alan Irvine after match comments, "Before the game the gist of my talk to them was that it's now or never, that they had to go out and do the job.
"But I certainly didn't see this coming. I don't think anyone would have imagined that happening for a moment.
"I don't think Cardiff deserved that either. They are a terrific team full of really good players. I'm sure they will bounce back in the remaining games to come.
"If they are in the play-offs they will be formidable opponents for anybody. They are in a much better position than we are at the moment.
"We went 2-0 up and I felt that was probably a bit harsh on Cardiff. They were probably the better team in the first half and we got our goals pretty much against the run of play.
"The penalty save by Andy Lonergan I felt was a key moment. Also I had made a decision to put our two wide players on opposite wings, to do something a little bit unexpected perhaps that Cardiff would not be prepared for. It worked, but on another day it might not have.
"I am delighted with the way the lads have responded since the Blackpool game a week ago. That was probably the lowest time here that I have certainly felt."

Wales on Saturday axed

From next season Wales will not have, it own Saturday results show has BBC Wales plan to scrap it a source within the BBC have told the Western Mail. It is very unbelievable that the only weekly programme with any Welsh football featured on it even if it has to share time with other Welsh sports. Love it or hate it, it was Welsh and covered Welsh football the reason given is ‘audience fragmentation’ because the show is switched from BBC1 to BBC2 because of live network broadcasts main for the rugby it has to be said, but the big wigs within the BBC Wales or Rugby HQ

It is hope the BBC will save service costing an estimated £1m, with the saving being focused elsewhere, which means Rugby. We have already lost Soccer Sunday on ITV so the only football coverage will be a few seconds within BBC Wales’s news reports on TV.

Sport Wales on BBC 2Wales disappeared the second Six Nations finish and there is no news of cuts in Rugby, scum5 and all the live rugby is save. They plan to replace the football with the internet, a BBC Wales spokesman said: “We can confirm that Wales on Saturday will come to an end at the close of this season. “However, we will extend coverage of all the latest sporting news – including dedicated football coverage every week – through a longer run of the popular Sport Wales programme on Friday nights.
“From the autumn, football fans will also be able to catch up online with an enhanced website including video highlights from Swansea City and Cardiff City matches in the Coca-Cola Football League.
“Saturday’s sports coverage and results will continue to be available on TV from Wales Today and Newyddion, on BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio Cymru in Sportstime and Camp Lawn, online and on Ceefax.
“BBC Cymru Wales is committed to providing comprehensive sports coverage across radio, TV and online, including hourly bulletins on radio and unrivalled sports online sites in English and in Welsh.”

The only good thing about the demise of Wales on Saturday is Cardiff City fans Leighton James will have more time for his day job as a lollypop man

Next games that matter

We will have to sweat a bit next weekend if the Saturday results go our way Sheffield United play on Monday night for Sky Sports pleasure. Back to Saturday, which again throw’s a good mix of games, looking at them Cardiff again look to have the hardest of the promotion and play-off candidates with a visit to hunting play-off chasing Preston need the win to keep up their hope’s of a play-off place. If Cardiff wins tomorrow, they will be guaranteed a spot in the play-off, which could lead to another trip to Wembley.

Reading have been in freefall for week and only managed one point out of six over the Easter games. They will be meeting a Barnsley side who are fourth from bottom and in need of every point. It should be a hard game for our promotion rivals.

Swansea are only back in the race for a play-off spot along with Preston thanks to Cardiff beating Burnley last Monday they themselves have to face a Severnside derby with Bristol City on Saturday who dropped out of a top six a month or so back. Watford have little to play they look safe from the drop but that could work to Cardiff’s favour as they like to draw games recently while Birmingham are all over the place and have draw three of their last five games.

Wolves only have looked to sow up one of the automatic promotion spots needing just one win out of three remaining games.

Preston v Cardiff, 3pm
Reading v Barnsley, 3pm
Swansea v Bristol City, 3pm
Watford v Birmingham, 3pm
Wolverhampton v QPR, 3pm
Monday, 20 April 2009
Burnley v Sheff Utd, 7.45pm

Farewell to Ninian Park a sell-out

The Ipswich game, the last Cardiff City game to be played at Ninian Park has been confirmed a sell-out with the only space possible left in the away end.

It will be a sad day for many Cardiff fans has the ground might be passed its sell by date, but it was loved by the home fans and many away fan to. However, the old girl will not be going out with a whimper, promotion fever is in the air be it automatic and play-offs a great time to be a Bluebird.

Match Reports - Cardiff City v Burnley

Cardiff push on as McCormack double saves Purse blushes – South Wales Echo

ROSS McCormack struck two late goals to snatch victory for Cardiff City – and his dance of joy was matched by Darren Purse.
Moments earlier Purse had been in the depths of despair as his awful back pass let Robbie Blake in for a Burnley equaliser. >>>>> FOLLOW LINK

Mighty McCormack leaves sweet taste in Cardiff mouths - Western Mail

JUST when you wished you had stayed at home eating your Easter eggs, this game suddenly sprung to life and it was Cardiff City who left with the sweetest taste in their mouths. If we knew already the Bluebirds are a side packed with character and resilience, then that was made all the more apparent here. >>>>> FOLLOW LINK

Burnley fail in Wales – Lancashire Telegraph

BURNLEY'S seven-point advantage over play-off chasers Swansea and Preston was cut to four this afternoon as they were beaten at Cardiff City. >>>>> FOLLOW LINK

McCormack keeps Cardiff in the hunt – The Independent

Birmingham City, four points adrift of the Championship leaders and just one clear of the chasing pack at the start of the day yesterday, were forced to endure a torrid afternoon at St Andrew's against Plymouth Argyle, as Cardiff did best of the pursuers. >>>>> FOLLOW LINK

Match Report Cardiff v Palace Daily Mail >>>>> FOLLOW LINK

Magic Mac On A High – Daily Mirror

Cardiff kept their automatic promotion hopes alive after Ross McCormack's late double gave them a dramatic win over Burnley at Ninian Park. >>>>> FOLLOW LINK

Cardiff march on – The Sun

ROSS McCORMACK hammered out a message to Dave Jones as he continued his one-man mission to send Cardiff up. McCormack has been forced to move to the wing since the return of Michael Chopra. >>>>> FOLLOW LINK

Monday Championship games that matter

Cardiff 3-1 Burnley, It was a long wait for the first goal and it when to Cardiff had to in the 74minute when Jay Bothroyd 9 minutes later the game was all square when a mistake by Darren Purse lead to Burnley drawing level but nearly straight from kick-off Cardiff scored to reinstate their lead when Ross McCormack. Deep into injury time, Cardiff scored a third goal thanks to Ross McCormack. Cardiff only need a point to secure a play-off place and are only four points from an automactic promotion with a game in hand

The Championship should be renamed the crazy league and today’s results just reinforce it. Top of the league had to wait until the last ten minutes of their game at Derby to secure all three points ‘Derby 2-3 Wolverhampton’. If Wolves win at QPR next week, they are in the Premiership next season.

The other midlands club Birmingham shot themselves in the foot today at home to Plymouth who was just above the relegation spots needing points. They could only scrap up a point today having played much of the game with 10 men after having their keeper sent-off. Just after the restart Birmingham, pull a goal back which finish 1-1.

Sheffield United could only manage a 0-0 draw with relegation threatened Nottingham Forest, who had to play 75 minutes with ten men. Reading also lost points after taking a 2-nil lead only for Blackpool to pull two goals back to all square the game. Reading have only had two wins in the last 12 games.

Reading’s draw and Burnley’s defeat at Ninian Park means that Preston and Swansea are back in the play-off hunt

NO takeover

Normal getting a statement out of the club to a news story is like getting blood out of a stone but they reacted in record time to talk of a takeover. The story ran in yesterday's Sunday Times and claimed an American bank was talking to Cardiff City with a two-plan option for the City board.

However, chairman Peter Ridsdale shot the story down and confirmed he has been talking to American and other banks with a view to restructure the club’s debts. The move will make the debt owed to Langston totally transparent, the club still don’t know who Langston are even after a expensive count battle a few season ago. Ex-Cardiff chairman secured the loan and is the only point of contact with Langston other than lawyers

Ridsdale said: “I have been working on restructuring the debt owed so we know exactly who we are paying the money back to.
“At the moment we owe money to people we don’t even know.
“So we need to sort that out and that’s what I’ve been working on for the last year or so. No offer has been made yet.
“It could happen next week, in six months’ time or never – but we must know who we are dealing with.”

Source of information

Monday games

Bang, after a day of rest footy is back with the Bank Holiday Monday games and there is a full fixture of games involving the promotion candidates. If Cardiff were to win and Swansea and Preston lose then City would be guaranteed a play-off spot

Birmingham v Plymouth, 15:00
Blackpool v Reading, 15:00
Cardiff v Burnley, 15:00
Derby v Wolverhampton, 15:00
Sheff Utd v Nottm Forest, 15:00

Swansea, and Preston are waiting in the wind for any slip-up

Managers Reactions - Palace v City

Cardiff manager Dave Jones:

"I was not happy with what happened to one of my players.

"Go and get the video and see it for yourself. I didn't need the video to see what happened. Roger [Johnson] was left spitting blood and he's been sent to hospital.

"It would take a lot to force Roger off. He tried to go back on but he did not know what was happening.

"We have to go and see him in hospital. Roger was distressed at half-time and for him to go off, there must have been something wrong.

"If he went back onto the pitch, he would have looked around and got hold of the person who did it and throttled them."

Crystal Palace manager Neil Warnock:

"I don't really know why I was sent off. The referee said it was to calm things down and make both of us go up there.

"Your reputation goes ahead of you sometimes. But Dave was misinformed. Claude didn't elbow him. If anything, he ran into his arm.

"I don't think Claude will get done for that. There was no arm movement at all.

"Both teams wanted to win, and we didn't throw in the towel. But I like Cardiff. I hope they go up."

Match Reports - Crystal Palace v Cardiff City

Tempers fray as Cardiff City give Crystal Palace the blues –Wales on Sunday

ROSS McCORMACK fired two goals in the battle of Selhurst Park yesterday.
McCormack netted a first-half penalty and then clinched Coca-Cola Championship victory with a late second in a bad tempered and physical clash between two teams going flat out for victory. >>>>> FOLLOW LINK

Cardiff’s costly win – Times Online

SO MALICIOUSLY treated were the Cardiff City players at a rancorous Selhurst Park that they would have been well advised to check their post-match buffet for cyanide. >>>>> FOLLOW LINK

Claude Davis faces ban for X-rated challenge – News of the World

PALACE defender Claude Davis faces an FA ban after a challenge on Roger Johnson which put the Cardiff player in hospital. >>>>> FOLLOW LINK

Warnock and Jones sent-off in heated clash - South London Press

NEIL Warnock and Dave Jones were both sent-off in a bad-tempered match at Selhurst Park which was decided by two goals from Scottish international Ross McCormack. The flashpoint came just before half-time as Palace defender Claude Davis appeared to elbow Roger Johnson in the throat. The City skipper needed lengthy treatment before being substituted. >>>>> FOLLOW LINK

Takeover Chatter

Could Cardiff City be in line for a takeover bid, well there is a small story in the Sunday Times at an American investor thought to be a bank plan to open up talks with the Cardiff City current owners.

An American bank with money is a bit unusual these days but it true the rumor is at, they are considering putting two options table.
• A full takeover of the club for around £35m that would include the Longstone debt.
• Buy up the mysterious Swiss company, Longstone Corporation £15m debt.

The profile of Cardiff City has never been high, over the last year Cardiff been in a FA Cup final and this season at has seen Cardiff within the promotion race all seasonto the Premiership.

Saturday’s Games

Burnley v QPR - Crisis club QPR could not give their new boss player coach Gareth Ainsworth a win, which mean Burnley stay in the play-off at sixth seven points clear of seventh place Swansea.

Charlton v Birmingham – Well done Charlton they did the City a big favour by holding second place Birmingham to a 0-0 draw. Birmingham are second only six points ahead of Cardiff who have a game in hand.

Crystal Palace v Cardiff – The Bluebirds moved up to fourth with today win and depending on results on Monday they could secure a place in the play-offs.

Preston v Blackpool – It was an early kick-off for this North East derby game it was the visitors who claimed the three points with a 1-0 victory today. This could seriously kill off Preston hope’s of a play-off place.

Swansea v Norwich – Win and need other clubs to do them a favour to reach a play-off place but need to keep win. There second goal was a penalty I wonder if Norwich fans will be saying it was never a pen and the ref cheated them out of a point.

Ledley and Purse

Cardiff City boss Dave Jones has brought back City midfielder Joe Ledley after he had to miss the midweek Derby County game after picking up a knock in the Swansea game. Peter Whittingham is making way for Ledley’s return for today’s game and I will be on the bench.

One face missing from the team and bench is Darren Purse who after the Swansea game made some comments about his future, which upset the club. Allow Chairman Peter Ridsdale has said he and the manager will wait until the end of the season before a desisionon is made, some around the club thing he with be going in the summer.

Norwich who he nearly joined in January are still be interested in signing him, but I can see a number of clubs chasing his signature.

Bleating Jacks

With the Jacks game consigned to history they just cannot stop going on and on about the derby game and the late penalty. Jack Tom Butler is reported to be still fuming about the pen, when he should be more worry about the red card he picked up for throwing his dummy out of the pram at Ninian Park last Sunday, after the game, a game the sad git sat on the beach for.

From Swansea Evening Post some of the things he is bleating on about
"Referees are human, they are going to make mistakes. But if they are unsure of something they have to give the benefit of the doubt and let it go.”
REPLY – The ref did not seem to be unsure, I blew straight away

"It would take a panel of three referees watching a video of the game that would take 15 seconds or less to make a decision on a potential penalty"
REPLY – Three referees sitting in a room watching the game, they would need a reserve ref just in case one becomes ill. With a ref on the pitch with his assistants and fourth official, where would it stop?

The Jacks never profit from bad referees decisions, back in March at Plymouth they had a penalty with was describe in a Plymouth match report, “On 78 minutes a breakthrough was made by Scotland after Williamson gave a penalty for a controversial dive by Jordi Gomez – Scotland making no mistake from the spot.”

The same incident reported on a Swansea site “It was debatable who got there first but the result was Gomez lying on the floor and Mr Williamson was in no doubt in awarding the penalty kick.”

28 coins on the pitch

Every coin or anything else throw on any pitch should stay in their owner’s pockets and if caught the persons involved should be banned from EVERY stepping into any sporting stadium in the country.

With numbers of the Jacks squad are still trying to up any punished heading the way of the Bluebirds it the turn of goalkeeper Dorus De Vries to throw some mud round the story. He is claiming six days after the fact that he could have pocketed £250 quid with the coins thrown at him during the game.

Cardiff City have stated that 28 coins were found on the pitch after the game and I not saying some of the 28 were not thrown at the keeper but he spent 45 minutes of the game in front of the family stand. The goalmouth should have been covered with coin and the ref would have stopped the game for them to be cleared away.
“I could have picked £250 up at the end to be honest.
“I spoke to the referee about it and he said the only mistake he had made was not picking up the coin that hit him and putting it in his pocket.
“There was a lot of stuff coming through, but none of it hit me. As a goalkeeper, though, you get used to it, you are a target like that."

We COULD have the reason for him not saving the pen he must have filled his pockets with the missing coins.

See below a picture of what goal mouth should have looked like after the game,

Good Friday games

With the Good Friday, games over I cannot think of many Cardiff City fans who expected Southampton to get anything out of their trip to top of the table Wolves. The game was all but over after 20 some minutes Wolves went 3-0 up if Southampton were up for it they could have got themselves out of the relegation zone with a win.

The other game tonight was a bit of a disaster when Reading took on Sheffield United and after the first half end all square it looked good for the City if the game was to finish a draw. It was not to be when United scored the only goal of the game, the win took them into second place.

Easter Games

It is going to be a busy time with a few juicy fixtures among our promotion rivals hopefully to our/Cardiff advantage.

Good Friday will see three of our rivals play and we need to see some backbone from Southampton where all three points are need at top of the table Wolves. The other game is more important for Cardiff when 3rd and 4th placed Sheffield United and Reading have a evening kick-off, Reading should have the advantage being at home but there recent record has not good but they like to draw a game which would be just right for the Bluebirds.

On Saturday Cardiff will be away at mid table Crystal Palace while all the other promotion contender have a few tough games with teams desperate for points to save themselves from relegation. Birmingham are away at bottom club Charlton who look certainly to go down being eleven points from safety with just six games left for them. Bristol City are in the same boat has Birmingham played away to a team in the battle for Championship survival at Nottingham Forest. Swansea have a home game against Norwich and Preston see Blackpool visit them all four clubs in the hunt points, Burnley have a clash with QPR.

Easter Monday there is a full fixture of game
Barnsley v Swansea, 15:00
Birmingham v Plymouth, 15:00
Blackpool v Reading, 15:00
Bristol City v Ipswich, 15:00
Cardiff v Burnley, 15:00
Derby v Wolverhampton, 15:00
Doncaster v Preston, 15:00
Sheff Utd v Nottm Forest, 15:00

Jones on the game

"We didn't play as well as we are capable of, but our finishing was clinical. That was the highlight of our performance," said Jones
"Derby started well. But the second goal knocked the stuffing out of them, and the third one killed them off.
"It was important to get maximum points because it was one of our games in hand, and it was a great way to sign off our final floodlit game at Ninian Park.
"We're under no illusions we can play a lot better than this - but at this stage of the season, results are all that matter.
"All we can do is keep the pressure on the top two and keep the dream alive."

Clough on the game

“Overall, our performance was very good, generally speaking,” said Clough.
“It seems glaringly obvious, certainly to us, that the main difference between the two sides was the centre-halves – their two centre-halves were outstanding.”
Cardiff’s 16th-minute opener came when defender Roger Johnson rose unchallenged to head past Stephen Bywater after Derby had made a bright start to the game.
“Yes, all the good work is wasted,” said Clough.
"We thought we had a very good shout for a penalty – we will get one one day!
"We had three or four efforts on goal before they even threatened.
"None of those went in and then, as usual, we conceded.
"The second one was poor defending as well – our centre-half had an opportunity to clear the ball.
"Unlike theirs, who cleared the ball 60 yards all night, he cleared it 20 yards, which led to the goal.
"I’m sure Cardiff will be delighted with all four of the goals but all four of them were down the centre of the pitch.
"It is the same problem we have known about, we just can’t do anything about it at the moment.
"On Saturday, we restricted Burnley and kept a clean sheet before that against Barnsley.
"It just seems, at certain times, we are very vulnerable, as we looked tonight, but there is not much we can do.
“We cannot change the personnel because we haven’t got any options, so we’ll try to get through the next six games.”
Derby are still two points short of the 50-mark after a run of one win in eight games and Clough admits they are taking their time getting there.
“Yes we are, if we need to get there,” said the Rams boss.
"But other teams have still got to win games below us and if we have to grind out a couple of nil-nils to get to that point – as highly unlikely as it seems with our defending – then we will do it.
"It is all about staying in the Championship.
"It doesn’t matter whether you reach 50 or 49 if you stay up.
"We think we will need one or two more points and, as long as we play like we did tonight, we will get them.
"We were delighted with some of the football.
"We have come here to one of the best sides in the Championship, similar to Burnley, and played some good stuff again.
"It wasn’t just keeping the ball, it was good penetrative football.
"We were very, very pleased with that aspect of it.
“We have lost 4-1 and people will look and say, ‘well, it’s comprehensive’ but it was not a 4-1.”

Match Reports - Cardiff City v Derby

Bluebirds secure comfortable win against Derby – Wales Online

CARDIFF CITY took a huge step to securing a Championship play-off spot with a comfortable win over Derby County. Bluebirds boss Dave Jones omitted three players from the team that drew 2-2 on Sunday against Swansea City – Darren Purse, Paul Parry, and Joe Ledley. >>>>> FOLLOW LINK

Rams pay a high price as the Bluebirds feed on easy pickings to take honours – The Rams

Derby County marked three months in charge for manager Nigel Clough by crashing to their heaviest League defeat of the season last night. Unfortunate to be trailing to Roger Johnson’s header at the break, the Rams conceded three more goals in the second half to lose 4-1 to promotion hopefuls Cardiff City at Ninian Park. >>>>> FOLLOW LINK

On-song Bluebirds rout Rams – Express Online

CARDIFF served notice of their promotion ambitions as they swept past Derby County at Ninian Park last night. Roger Johnson set the Bluebirds on their way before second-half goals from Gavin Rae, Jay Bothroyd and substitute Eddie Johnson secured the emphatic win to move them up to fifth place. >>>>> FOLLOW LINK

Cardiff close in on Championship leaders – Telegraph Online

Cardiff climbed to fifth place in the Championship after a convincing win over Derby in the last floodlit league match at Ninian Park. Cardiff are leaving their home of 99 years in the summer, but they will be more confident than ever of seeing the lights switched on one more time for a play-off clash in May after goals from Roger Johnson, Gavin Rae, Jay Bothroyd and Eddie Johnson. >>>>> FOLLOW LINK

Cardiff thrash Derby to move into fifth – Guardian Online

Dave Jones hailed Cardiff's firepower after his Coca-Cola Championship promotion contenders tonight recorded their biggest win of the season, 4-1 at home to Derby. Roger Johnson's first-half header set the Bluebirds on their way before strikes from Gavin Rae, Jay Bothroyd and Eddie Johnson sealed the win at Ninian Park. >>>>> FOLLOW LINK

Cardiff cruise forward – Sun Online

NIGEL CLOUGH blasted his defence after Derby crashed to the heaviest defeat of his reign. A second-half Rams horror show saw Cardiff cement their play-off spot at Ninian Park. >>>>> FOLLOW LINK
Cardiff enjoy home comforts in riding luck to brink of play-offs – Times Online

Cardiff City completed an unusual four-in-a-row sequence of home matches with a comfortable win over Derby County at Ninian Park last night. The scoreline flattered the Welsh club, almost embarrassingly, but increased the probability of them securing a place in the Coca-Cola Championship play-offs as they rose above Burnley into fifth position. >>>>> FOLLOW LINK

Purse v Cardiff City

Darren Purse was asking for some respect yesterday through the local print media over his future with the South Wales club. Club captain Purse will be out of contract in July, is staring unemployed in the face, and criticised the Bluebirds’ over delays to a new contract. He was looking for a new club back in January after he was told he could go if he found a new club. He was close to joining Norwich with a two-and-a-half year contract on offer according to some reports but when Cardiff City boss failed to bring in a replace, he was told he had to stay at Ninian Park.

Talking on the subject Purse said, “When I came to the club four years ago it was my dream to lead Cardiff out at the new stadium,” said Purse, 32, who almost joined Norwich during the January transfer window.
“Obviously that will not be the case now as nobody has had the decency to even talk to me about my future.
“I think I have been an excellent ambassador for the club as captain.
“I took it very seriously but I feel let down that nobody has said a word to me. I think I’ve deserved more than that.
“In January I was offered a two-and-a-half year contract with Norwich, but because Cardiff didn’t get another centre-half in I had to stay put.
“But come July I’m unemployed.”
“All I want is a bit of respect and to discuss my future with the club that I’ve given every ounce for.
“I’m proud to have been a Cardiff City player but this has left me in limbo and I don’t think that’s fair.
“Life goes on and I’ve had some great times at the club.
“I hope there are more to come because this season has not finished, but it just leaves a sour taste in your mouth when you’re still the club captain and not a word is said.”

The Cardiff central defender lost his place to Hungarian international Gabor Gyepes at the end of November and since then has only made four appearances since. Gyepes was suspended for the Swansea game, while Purse played in the game produced a fine display in the heart of the Bluebirds defence and making a goal-line clearance from Nathan Dyer with Cardiff 1-0 down in the second half.

Today the club responded to Purse comments in the press and hit back saying they are a “confused” by their captain’s comment that looks likely to be dropped for tonight’s Ninian Park game against Derby.
The Cardiff manager responded by saying “Of course we have talked to Darren. That was done during January and he knows the situation.
“Darren has been spoken to and shown the respect that he says he hasn’t.
“It’s club business and it will be dealt with in the manner we always do here. Darren knows the situation – he’s still here until the end of the season when his contract runs out.”

It looks unlikely Purse will be getting a contract off if the comments from Dave Jones are true with Chairman Ridsdale adding, “I’m confused by what Darren has said because the manager and I sat down with him three days before the end of the transfer window.
“He wanted to sign for Norwich City, but we could not find an adequate replacement and he remained.
“We explained at that meeting if City are still in the Championship we would talk about the possibility of another contract. We also said that if we are promoted to the Premier then we could be looking elsewhere.”

With news of the Hungarian international Gyepes signing a new contract, which will keep him with Cardiff City for the next three seasons and with Roger Johnson is preferred partner with Purse gone it would leave the door, open for Dave Jones to bring in someone new.

Play-off then???????????

Wolves did us no favours tonight losing to second place Birmingham. Cardiff really need top of the table Wolves to win to keep any chance of the Ninian Park club winning automatic promotion.
It now looks like the best Cardiff can do now is the lottery of the Play-off with no guarantees of success. Promotion I believe will come to three of these nine clubs Wolverhampton, Birmingham, Reading, Sheffield Utd, Burnley, Cardiff, Preston, Swansea and Bristol City. The run in for these clubs looks interesting with a few still having to play one another.

Tuesday, 7 April
Sheffield United v Barnsley, 19:45
Wednesday, 8 April
Cardiff v Derby, 19:45
Friday, 10 April 2009
Wolverhampton v Southampton, 15:15
Reading v Sheff Utd, 17:30
Saturday, 11 April 2009
Burnley v QPR, 15:00
Charlton v Birmingham, 15:00
Crystal Palace v Cardiff, 15:00
Nottm Forest v Bristol City, 15:00
Preston v Blackpool, 13:00
Swansea v Norwich, 15:00
Monday, 13 April 2009
Barnsley v Swansea, 15:00
Birmingham v Plymouth, 15:00
Blackpool v Reading, 15:00
Bristol City v Ipswich, 15:00
Cardiff v Burnley, 15:00
Derby v Wolverhampton, 15:00
Doncaster v Preston, 15:00
Sheff Utd v Nottm Forest, 15:00
Saturday, 18 April 2009
Preston v Cardiff, 15:00
Reading v Barnsley, 15:00
Swansea v Bristol City, 15:00
Watford v Birmingham, 15:00
Wolverhampton v QPR, 15:00
Monday, 20 April 2009
Burnley v Sheff Utd, 19:45
Tuesday, 21 April 2009
Charlton v Cardiff, 19:45
Derby v Reading, 19:45
Saturday, 25 April 2009
Barnsley v Wolverhampton, 15:00
Birmingham v Preston, 17:20
Bristol City v Sheff Wed, 15:00
Cardiff v Ipswich, 15:00
Sheff Utd v Swansea, 15:00
Southampton v Burnley, 15:00
Monday, 27 April 2009
Norwich v Reading, 19:45
Sunday, 3 May 2009
Burnley v Bristol City, 13:15
Crystal Palace v Sheff Utd, 13:15
Preston v QPR, 13:15
Reading v Birmingham, 13:15
Sheff Wed v Cardiff, 13:15
Swansea v Blackpool, 13:15
Wolverhampton v Doncaster, 13:15

The ref was right - It was pen live with it

Managers often talk out of their backside now and again but the Swansea boss and some of his players are talking the biscuit by saying the referee Mike Dean some way in oar of the Ninian Park atmosphere and emotion. I thought Dean was one of the best ref’s we have had down Ninian Park him some time he kept his cards in his pocket except for the yellow for the young lads goal from Swansea celebration.

First, if it were the other way around do anyone think Martinez would have been in the press saying it was never a pen, not in a month of Sunday’s would he hell. The pie in the sky suggestion that the ref was caught up in the Ninian Park emotion is just one big joke he hinted according to the press reports that Dean was somehow affected by the coin-throwing incident. If that were true, surely he would be against Cardiff and favour Swansea, so why give Cardiff the chance of drawing level in the last few minutes of the game. It is very simply, HE thought it was worth a penalty

Swansea boss Roberto Martinez said, “I don’t normally like to talk about referees, but it’s hard enough getting a result at Ninian Park as it is, without decisions like that being given against you.
“It was an emotional decision. The referee was affected by the occasion in the last minute.
“Dave Jones and myself have been working the whole week to stop our players being caught up in the emotion of the derby.
“Yet that’s what has happened with the referee. When you have an atmosphere like this one, sometimes you don’t do what you should do. You don’t have coolness and clear thinking.
“My players believe they were robbed. We’ve drawn the match, but what happened was do disappointing it seems like a defeat.”

Match Reports - Cardiff City v Swansea City

Match Report from Daily Mail >>>>> FOLLOW LINK

South Wales derby marred by coin attack on referee – Independent Online

Dave Jones yesterday insisted the Cardiff City supporter who hit referee Mike Dean with a coin ruined a pulsating South Wales derby. Dean drew blood and required medical treatment after he was struck above the right eye in the 42nd minute of the 2-2 Championship draw. >>>>> FOLLOW LINK

MCCORMACK DAY RUINED BY IDIOT – Daily Express Online

Ross McCormack kept his cool in a red-hot atmosphere to rescue a dramatic late point for Cardiff in a South Wales derby marred by a coin-throwing incident. >>>>> FOLLOW LINK

Cardiff 2 Swansea 2 – The Sun Online

CARDIFF say they will hand a lifetime ban to a coin-throwing yob who has left them facing an FA probe. Ref Mike Dean needed attention after being struck by the coin during an explosive Welsh derby. >>>>> FOLLOW LINK

South Wales derby hit by violence once again – Guardian Online

Once again this fixture attracts attention for all the wrong reasons. This should have been about two entertaining teams going head to head in the race for play-off places. Instead a thrilling match was marred by an act of mindless hooliganism, the kind that has so often blighted games between these clubs. >>>>> FOLLOW LINK

Coin throw mars Welsh derby – Telegraph Online

There have been many nasty incidents in what some consider to be the fiercest derby in Britain, since these two Welsh sides first started breathing fire at each other back in 1912. Most have involved clashes between supporters, others have seen players get themselves into scolding water. >>>>> FOLLOW LINK

Dubious last-gasp penalty saves Cardiff a point – Times Online
The two dropped points could prove a bigger blow to both teams’ promotion hopes than was suffered by Mike Dean when he was struck by a coin just before half-time. The referee kept control without being overly officious or resorting to his customary habit of using his notebook, but he seemed to lose his senses when he awarded Cardiff City a dubious penalty in stoppage time. The decision capped a compelling encounter that, for all the hostility between the fans, never threatened to spill on to the pitch. >>>>> FOLLOW LINK

Points shared – BBC Sports

Ross McCormack rescued Cardiff City from the penalty spot in a thrilling south Wales derby with Swansea City. Joe Allen seemed to have given Swansea victory two minutes from time with a snap-shot, but moments later McCormack went down in the box to earn a draw. >>>>> FOLLOW LINK

A point feels good

There is a god and he is a Bluebird

When Swansea scored their second goal I got up out of my chair, kick the cat (WE HAVEN’T GOT ONE) and stormed out of the room fing and blinding shouting sack Jones and what a bunch of mugs we have playing for us. Moments later, I was back in front of the television back into my chair still fing and blinding, but resign to defeat and the loss of three points, but the heavens opened and the ref pointed to the penalty spot. Was it or is it I just do not care it a pen and the ref blow and up stepped Ross McCormack, goal points shared.

The coin incident

Where do people like that come from, the book should be thrown at them. It’s not wanted in the game. I doubt referee Mike Dean was the target but the member of the Spanish Olympic diving team Jordi Gomez but still he should have been the target has well. Everyone in the ground and watching on TV could see he was making a meal out of the Chopra tackle, even the ref was telling to get up.
According to reports, a man has been identified and arrested and if found guilty the Cardiff City will impose a lifetime ban, it’s the least they do and I can hope the court have plenty to say. I hope Mr Dean is ok has I thought he was one of the better ref to have been in charge of a game at Ninian Park for so time.

Cardiff manager Dave Jones:
"Two minutes to go it was a sloppy goal for us to give away, we were pressing to try and get the win and were caught with a sucker-punch.
"But fantastic character from the players, they never gave up and came away with something from the game.
"We deserved something and if we'd come away with nothing I would have been really down-hearted."

Swansea manager Roberto Martinez:
"If that's a penalty you're going to give six or seven penalties (in a game).
"Both players are trying to get into a good position and it's a very, very soft penalty.
"But disappointing because the result doesn't reflect the performance and to come here to Ninian Park is a big ask."

Come on City

Has you can see I have not been update much about the Swansea game, the reason, I just couldn’t my mind has been racing. Hopefully I will be posting later about a great victory.

Summer tournament for City

Cardiff City will heading for the Atlantic islands Madeira for next seasons pre-season tour for a four-team tournament in Funchal in July against hosts Maritimo and yet to be confirmed English and Portuguese opposition. Maritimo stadium (Estádio dos Barreiros) is just under 9,000 capacity with a league attendance average of under 6,000. Like most European clubs they have their Ultras two predominant groups are Esquadrão Maritimista and the Ultras Templários, the bigger and more infamous of the two.

For so small an island there are three team in the Portuguese League with C.D. Nacional the main local rivals, although there is also plenty of ill-felling towards minnows C.F. União who play in the Portuguese Second Division

They have some European cup history mainly being out of the competition after the first round and on their way playing Leeds twice losing on penalties and Rangers 2004/05 and again losing over two legs on penalties.

Cardiff were hoping at they would get the chance to defend the Algarve Cup they won last summer beating Celtic, but the tournament was scrapped by the organizers. Marítimo finished fifth in the Portugal League last season and currently lie seventh and the island’s population is under 300,000 least than the city of Cardiff.

Madeira is geared up for the holiday makers and cruise ships, it’s more of a family destination sun again this summer after accepting an invitation to a pre-season tournament in Madeira.

International duty over ........ BRING on the League

Wales Under-21 v Luxembourg
Darcy Blake and James Bloom did not figure in the 5-1 victory over Luxembourg at Llanelli. Aaron Morris played the full game and Jonathan Brown who has been on loan to Wrexham for most of the season, scored the second goal for Wales.
Hungary 2-0 Malta
Gabor Gyepes did not figure in Hungary’s win over Albania at the weekend and it was the same for the home game against Malta, not even on the beach.
Wales 0-2 Germany
Joe Ledley started the second game in four days with Wales and this time played the full game.
Scotland 2-1 Iceland
Ross McCormack he played the full 90 minutes and got his first goal for Scotland
United States 3-1Trinidad and Tobago
Eddie Johnson did not make the starting line-up or the bench for the last game but was on the bench for this game, but not used.
Northern Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
Warren (ON LOAN) Feeney did it again scored the only goal in the win over Slovenia. What can other managers see in the played that Cardiff City boss Dave Jones could not, oh well he should sign for Dundee United in the summer.