More problems to sort

Just to add a bit of doom and gloom to the day the South Wales Echo is running a story that the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA)have been called in after the club failure to pay the severance pay of players who left the club this summer.

The rumour has there is nothing official on either the Cardiff City website or the PFA so should be taking with a pinch of salt.

It is believed the players Tony Capaldi, Aaron Morris, Warren Feeney, Riccy Scimeca, Peter Enckelman and Mark Kennedy are owe the money a month’s severance pay. It is on known if any of the players contacted to PFA but someone somewhere has asked for advice

A spokesman for the PFA told the Echo:

“We are aware of the issues at Cardiff City Football Club and we will offer guidance, assistance and legal representation to all our members,”

Money, money, money thank god there is a game to look forward win or lose if the team shows signs of life it will lift some of the gloom.

Money is on the agenda again next according to the paper has chief executive Gethin Jenkins has he meets with players to ask them to defer appearance and bonus money until the end of the season.

Bluebird’s chief executive said:

“We have ensured the players and staff have been paid on time as we are committed to do.

“As from now a large majority of scheduled bonus payments have been paid and the remainder will be completed in the early part of next week.

“That includes players who have moved on from the club.”

The queue for money seems to be never ending, The Inland Revenue top the tree follow by in know particularly order – Motherwell, Langston, various board member, Charlton (via some credit broker) and others.

With all this going on there is the transfer embargo crippling Cardiff City boss Dave Jones plans. Even today in the press he (Jones) is saying promotion wasn’t lost against Blackpool in the final, but back in January when the club were under embargo the first time and was unable to bring in some new faces.

I got e-mails from the lottery today Dear Peter, We have some exciting news about the ticket that you bought for the Friday 30 July draw. Before I had opened account, I was a board member with a private box and I still had change from my £37million win........... But when I opened up my account the message read, congratulation you have win £6.20, maybe next time.

McPhail to miss the big kick-off

Last season was brought to a crashing halt for midfielder Stephen McPhail with a cancer scare and he was out for three months receiving treatment. Everyone was happy to see him make such a strong comeback.

However, the midfielder will not be in the squad for the kick-off to the season next Sunday after suffering a knee injury. He could miss out on two or three weeks of the season after pick up a injury against Notts County last weekend. He had minor surgery on his knee.

Cardiff City boss Dave Jones said,

“Unfortunately for us we have some injury news in form of Stephen McPhail missing out after a knock at Notts County.

“He’s had some cartilage shaved and will be out fo two to three weeks, which is a shame so close to the new season.

"He will be out for two to three weeks, which is a shame so close to the new season."

Pub gets the go ahead

So we are to get a pub within spitting distances’ of the Cardiff City Stadium hand for the lazier City supporters. The planners have agreed to the next phase of the Capital Retail Park the and a KFC drive-through and granted for the extension of six months on the new House of Sport community facility.

Marston’s Pub chains policy on football is out of the dark ages fans will have to have a meal to get a pint, which I’m not knock it I like a meal and a pint before a game. The days of me standing at the bar, pint in hand are long gone. However, you can bet when it comes to the knuckle draggers (rugby fans) it will be a different, an all you can drink buffet.

Any new landlord/tenant should know which side his butter is spread it would make better business to align the pub toward the football side of the stadium. Cardiff City has more fans and play more games the stadium, more than the Blues.

The pub should have a connection to Cardiff City maybe Marston’s should have a competition to name it, which would be good PR.

Chopra in the news again

Any picking here lads

Just a sniff of a player reportedly upset with his lot is a sure fire to bring up transfer rumour, and when Cardiff striker Michael Chopra speaking the local press said,

“I’m well hacked off.

“If this club doesn’t bring in new players, I’m off.

you can bet somewhere there is a manger checking his phone book for an agent. Of course his words were refuted later that day, however, it did not stop a few managers rushing to their chairman asking for the cheque book.

Ipswich Town are rumoured to back in the market for the Cardiff striker after a reported knock back earlier in the summer with a rumour £3.75million bid turned away. The Ipswich boss Roy Keane is a long time fan of Chopra having already paid Cardiff £5million to take him to Sunderland when he managed there. He would like to sign him again but the Bluebirds have a valuation

Keane must be hoping all the financial problems surrounding the Bluebirds could loosen their hold on Chopra but Cardiff are in no hurry to sell.

Leeds is the latest to harbour an interest in Dave Jones star striker according to sources but nothing official it is just another rumour. If the reports are true a £3million bid will be laugh right back to Leeds. Someone looking for a bargain, but I cannot see Leeds chairman Ken Bates parting with that sort of cash for a player. He likes buy of the cheap, free is better but looks for top prices when he selling like any good chairman should do.

Linked but didn't sign - Kenny Cooper

I was wondering what had to must have American FC Dallas striker Kenny Cooper after I was told he did finally make it over to play in the League.

Little bit of history

He played college football/soccer and decided to pursue a professional career and end up at Manchester United. While there he was loaned out to Académica de Coimbra of Portugal and Oldham Athletic but having not broken into the first team squad he return to the USA.

He signed up with MLS club FC Dallas and was an immediate hit with the fans and was soon a member of the USA national team. In the summer of 2008 he linked with the Bluebirds and there was a lot of rumour and counter rumour and a £2million offer was made. Buying players in the MLS is nowhere has easy as anywhere else in the world,

The MLS actually owns the rights to the players not the club. So in order to a player to be sold to a club outside of MLS, the buyer needs to get permission from MLS and the MLS team that the player plays for.

It seem the USA international was Wales bound to Cardiff City until Norwegian club Rosenberg barged they way into the deal with a higher bid and the offer of higher wages. In the end MLS wanted to sell but FC Dallas wanted to keep him.

He did move over to Europe in August 2009 joined Bundesliga team 1860 Munich for an undisclosed fee and seem to settle in scoring on is debut. However in January he joined Championship strugglers Plymouth but was only a bit part player in their eventual relegation. He never started a game coming off the bench seven times and scoring no goals. Plymouth declined the chance to make the loan a permanent and return to Germany. A few days after returning to pre-season in a traning indcent he broke his leg and will be out for three months.

Chopra's out burst right

Ex-Bluebirds Mark Kennedy left for Ipswich with a small parting shot over the Michael Chopra article criticising of Cardiff City. In the article Chopra intimated he was willing to leave the club is the ongoing problems at the club where not sorted.


Chopra

I’m well hacked off. If this club doesn’t bring in new players, I’m off.

Kennedy agreed with the issues surrounding the club, transfer embargo, tax debt and the lack of promised investment. The fans can see all this we don't need players getting involed, their mind should be totally tuned into what is happening on the pitch.

There has not been much to shout about since the Blackpool defeat, just one gloomy story Speaking to the Echo the defender said,

“I read the article and agreed with everything he said.

“What Chops did was completely off his own back, but maybe he was only saying what others are thinking.

“I’m a big fan of Chops, I think everyone of us is and fair play to him for speaking out.

“I would not have done it myself, I would probably have aired my comments in private to the manager or the people above him.

“But fair play to Chops, he’s wearing his on his sleeve.

“I think he said it because he thought he was helping the manager, but he had the guts to do it because he is passionate about the club.

“He showed his frustration, how much he cares and how much he wants everybody to be successful.”

Talking about the two years with the Bluebirds which he enjoyed

Jones wants to deal

Cardiff City is embargoed up but boss Dave Jones is still trying to wheel and deal with the restriction that brings. That leaves a lot of hard work talking to agents and players reassuring them the problem will be sorted soon.

With only two signings made only one of which signed up fully and can play in the opening game of the season (Tom Heaton). While the other one Danny Drinkwater on a season-long loan from Manchester United cannot be registered as a Cardiff City player with the league until the little matter of the embargo being lifted. Cardiff play are last pre-season friendly on Saturday, there only home game.

Jones will have to wait on the Malaysians and the board to see what happen over the embargo. The club have to deal with the Inland Revenue tax bill and are in court on Wednesday the 11th August. Then there is monies owed to Charlton and Motherwell at a cost to the club of £600,000

In the South Wales Echo they are reported Jones is busy seeking to strengthen his squad talking about adding between two and four players. He said

“I have loads of signings in mind.

“We are trying to get loan signings in, but clubs won’t let players out until they try to sell them first. That’s the problem.”

The visitors Spanish La Liga club Deportivo La Coruna will be a stern test for the Bluebirds off the back of a mediocre pre-season campaign, victory over Bath City followed be defeat in Portugal and at Notts County last Saturday.

Kennedy signs for Ipswich

Good luck at Ipswich

The deal to take defender Mark Kennedy to Ipswich is completed with the Bluebirds pocketing around £75,000, according to reports.

Kennedy had recently signed a one-year extension with the City but when Roy Keane and Ipswich came a calling offering him a deal with a two-year contract it was a no brainer for , Cardiff City boss Dave Jones decided not to stand in Kennedy’s way. Keane plans to give him a run out in tonights friendly with Bury Town.

The Ipswich boss recently said he was looking for one or two experienced players for his squad in 34-year-old Kennedy he as one and to top it off Kennedy passing his medical on this morning. Kennedy and Keane played together for the Republic of Ireland.

He won’t have to wait long to be reunited with his old team mates, Cardiff are due to travel to Ipswich on the 18th September for a Npower Championship game.

Taking to Wales Online he said,

"I want to keep playing at the highest level possible for as long as I can.

"The Championship is a great league and this move will help me do that.

"I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Cardiff. I would tell any player thinking about joining Cardiff to snap their hand off.

"It's a great club, with fantastic fans and an excellent manager."

Road to Nowhere (The Welsh Cup)

I have always done a ‘Road to Wembley’ on my website/blogs over the years, pre-internet and beyond. Last season I decide to do the same with the Welsh Cup. Really the void between the two competitions is massive, money, TV and fans most Welsh fans could tell you who won the Welsh Cup last season, it happen to be Bangor City.

The prize for winning the Welsh Cup the winner is a crack at the UEFA Europa League. While the 6 who are excludes for playing because they play in the English football league system are outside, it will never be a ture reflection of Welsh football. The 6 are - Cardiff City, Swansea City, Wrexham, Newport County, Merthyr Tydfil and Colwyn Bay.

Last season I kick off the road with Cardiff based club Cardiff Bay Harlequins FC in the Preliminary Round until they lost to Prestatyn Town in the third round. Town went in to the semi-final only to lose 2-0 to Bangor City went on to beat Port Talbot Town 3-2 with an injury time goal. I would have much prefured to support Port Talbot in the game as I no the manager

This Welsh Cup I fancy start my road with Fleur de Lys, it’s an old name I remember from the Pinkie (Football Echo) back in the day. There was a Rugby team of the same name I always thought why was there a team with French name playing in Wales, I was young.

Qualifying Round One - 14 August 2010

Fleur de Lys v Talgarth Town

Qualifying Round Two - 28 August 2010

Penrhiwceiber Constitutional Athletic FC v RTB Ebbw Vale FC v Fleur de Lys FC/Talgarth Town FC

The five - where are they now

,One of the two strikers release by Dave Jones this summer has popped in his first goal for his new club, and in was not Warren Feeney.

Josh Magennis score Aberdeen’s only goal in the 1-1 draw against non-league Conference club Tamworth in the first few minutes into the game.

Press and Journal (Aberdeen)

Recent capture Josh Magennis looks cult status material. The former Cardiff youth player is raw as a pound of mince but has the tools to be a real handful.

When he attacks the ball in the penalty area he causes defenders palpitations. Big, strong and aggressive, once he learns some of the tricks of the trade from McGhee he will no doubt have some fun in the SPL.

The young striker has impress the Aberdeen boss Mark McGhee, he was one of the mangers first signing’s The Northern Irish international turn a number of clubs to move to Scotland

Meanwhile Warren Feeney missed out on some sliver wear at the weekend when his new club Oldham lost 3-0 to Liverpool in Lancashire Senior Cup. While the Liverpool reserves were off in Germany playing a pre-season game all that was left to play the Division One club was a youthful Liverpool XI. The Oldham boss was spitting bricks after the gane because his team were given the run around by such a youthful team

Tony Capaldi looks to have done enough to win a contract at his old club Plymouth he did well on Plymouth’s pre-season tour to the Netherlands. Boss Peter Reid is close to offering the ex-Cardiff City player the deal is right, money could be the only problem because like most club money is tight.

A late update Capaldi is reported to be among the trialists on Crystal Palace's team sheet to face Bromley tonight.

Young defender Aaron Morris is trying to win a permanent deal with Exeter City where he spent three weeks and played in the 2-1 friendly defeat at Weston-super-Mare last week. He is now spending this week on trial with Brighton & Hove Albion.

Morris speaking to This is Devon said:

"I think Exeter would be a great place for me because they play good football and I think it would be a good move. After I was released they were the first club I called to see if I could get involved.

"I'm just floating around and keeping my options open at the moment. I'm in Brighton this week.

"But my preferred option is definitely Exeter. I enjoyed the atmosphere there, training under Paul Tisdale was great and (development coach) Andy (Tillson) has looked after me well. The club's just got a nice vibe.

"At the moment Exeter have got such a big squad that it is hard for me to get involved with regards to signing for them.

"They have got 30-odd players in the first team squad so I am going to see what happens at the start of the season — I will have to see if people go out on loan and I think maybe if that happens then they might get me in. That would definitely be good news for me.

"Brighton asked me to go up there at the end of the season but I couldn't go because Cardiff were in the play-offs, and they asked me to go up again last week but I wanted to see what was happening with Exeter first.

"Exeter have asked me to keep in touch and keep the coaching staff informed with what's happening at my end, so we will see."

Has for goalkeeper Peter Enckelman since leave the Bluebirds he has been linked with no clubs.

New pub plan for near the Stadium

It looks like the Ninian Park pub will not be the closest pub to the Cardiff City Stadium, plans are afoot build a brand new pub near the ground. Proposals for the pub will go before the City planners tomorrow.

The pub will be part of the Marston’s pub group and will be a family orientated pub. If the plans are expected it will be situated alongside the Leckwith Road end of the Stadium. It is hoped it will bring in more family trade on match days severing meals etc.

According to local councillor and Cardiff City fan Richard Cook he believes Marston’s have a policy on match days to only sell if you buy meal.

Also being submitted to the planners is a KFC drive-through on the Capital Retail Park.

Capital Retail Park development and Cardiff City director Paul Guy, told the Echo:

“I think it’s very encouraging in this difficult time that the development is still moving forward.

“It’s a very high quality development and it’s all part of a master plan. It shows how the new stadium has had the effect of rejuvenating that area, and the next stage.”

It will mean more competition for Cardiff City own catering outlets within the Stadium which are already suffering due to the number of outlets outside the ground. There was up-roar over the prices when the Stadium first open, so much so some prices were reduced. This news will not be beneficial to Cardiff City in the way but hit the club in their pockets. The landlady of the Ninian Park, Joanne Robertson, said she had not heard of the plans to open a pub at the stadium site, but added:

“At the moment I’m fuming.”

It would be highly unlikely that the regular drinkers at the Ninian Pub would on mass, up sticks and move on even if the pub is closer to the stadium. Fans have matchday have their traditions and they are hard to break. Before a game if I wanted a pint it it would be off to The Lansdowne Hotel even though the Ninian Park was closer.

Mr Alm, of Cardiff City Supporters, said:

“They are good facilities for fans on the match days; the only downside is that the club isn’t benefiting from the development.

“For the football-going fan it’s a good step, and it’ll definitely attract a family crowd.”

The City fan added that he did not think the new businesses would affect the traditional pre-match venues, such as the Ninian Park pub. He said:

“The majority of football supporters have a routine before matches, and I can’t see that changing.”

Road to Wembley 2010/11

Every season since I was a kid I played a game I called 'follow me' involving the earlier round of the FA Cup to the final these days it called the ‘Road to Wembley’.

I could have picked a Welsh team to kick-start this season's road has Merthyr Town are in the Extra Preliminary Round. However I have only one rule, start with a home team, Merthyr are away pity. so who will it be?

With 201 teams to choose from in the end I plumed for Somerset club Odd Down FC of the Toolstation League Division Premier. So they will start off the long road to the May final and there are only two teams that could see me switch off my route is, Manchester United and Swansea could never follow them or any team that pull Cardiff out of the hat.

Odd Down v Verwood Town

Saturday 14 August 2010, kick-off 3.00 pm with replays on or before Thursday 19 August 2010, kick-off 7.45 pm,

'If I was a richman' would you invest

Michael Moritz, the venture capitalist and reputed to be the richest man Welshman in the world but lives in the USA. His wealth is reported to be close £1billion and he is Cardiff born.

It would be nice if he spent to youth at Ninian Park longing to play or own the club and is looking to recreate his youthful days and invest in the club. I did see a picture of him in the over sized rugby shorts and top, maybe he was also forced to play. Like the English trying to stamp out the Welsh language maybe some rugby gym teacher was doing the same to his love of the round ball game.

He talks lot about helping the underdog, Cardiff City are the ultimate underdogs, in a football league trying to fly the Welsh flag against 90 England based teams. He said about Wales in general,

“If you grow up in Wales, it makes you understands what being a outside means.”

Sir Terry Matthews is the next on the Welsh rich list, Cardiff City fans have often bemoan the fact that he should invest in the Bluebirds. He has spent millions and millions to bring a three day event The ‘Ryder Cup’ to Wales.

High profile yes for two/three days good for Wales yes and there will be a spill off to the surrounding area over both sides of the border.

If Sir Terry is looking for high profile there is nothing bigger than the Premier League maybe the Olympics or World Cup could edge it. Football/soccer is the world’s biggest sport in the world a tie up with say Cardiff City would see his name and hotel would receive worldwide recognition.

He said it is the end of the line for his investments in Newport after city planners forced him to keep a ruined farmhouse next to the prestigious Ryder Cup clubhouse.

“My next project won’t be here.

“Newport no more I will move out. I think they have blown it.

"I will put this energy into Cardiff and Swansea and they will be delighted."

Ok he mentions them up the road but investment in the biggest football club in Wales who are a stone’s throw away from the biggest Football League in the world, is surely worth a punt. He has one of the two things footballer players love at the Celtic Manor Resort, luxury and golf.

There must be one loaded multimillionaire out there somewhere looking for a football club with prospects’. They could join in with the Malaysians or try an outright buy-out. You don't have to be Welsh just have pockets stuff with cash you would be welcomed, however no former chairman/owners need apply.

Phantom transfer and does TG want to get out

The Sunday Mirror has a few rumours surrounding Cardiff City today one involving the club the other about a transfer rumour.

The transfer rumour is that Cardiff City want Stoke City midfielder Michael Tonge, to replace Joe Ledley, who funny enough was wanted by Stoke but he wanted Celtic. The Premiership club had offer Cardiff a two for one player swap but it was rejected. Ok we have a transfer embargo, but then you read on to see it will cost £1.5million to help him escape is nightmare with Stoke.

Some agent somewhere has made a massive mistake in thing there is any money in the coffers to buy players and we are reported to be the favourite to sign him. The only way Cardiff could pay this transfer fee is on the weekly, a £1 a-week over 1,500,000 weeks

The other story is a bit more worrying, from the Sunday Mirror

Cardiff City could be up for sale again – for the second time in three months.

Rumours persist that the Malaysian syndicate who took effective control of the club in may will sell their 38 per cent of shares if they were paid back their £6million investment.

The consortium headed by businessman Dato Chan Tien Ghee, pledged to invest heavily. But Cardiff have been unable to bring in new players this summer and were forced to ask players to defer bonuses and appearance money.

One source at the club said, “It’s like the new people have lost interest. You have to wonder how committed they are.”

I have always said the Malaysians had no idea about the cost of running a football club. Ever in the Championship football has a cost that scares people from investing the love of football has to.

From what I have read about the recent finances the clubs books must read like a horror story. However the Malaysians have looked at the books and still invested in shares and cash if it was the debt this would be a strong club.

Everything is in place now the stadium/training ground and infrastructure, a decent squad more than capable of promotion with some new blood a fanbase of 20,000+ with a reported 16,000+ season ticket holders no mean feat for a club with all our problems.

Cardiff City has always been cash strapped in the nearly 40 years of being a fan the club have lurched from one crisis to another. The arrive of Sam Hammam put us in a different league for all the good there was the Langston loan was the start to the road now. Ex-chairman Peter Ridsdale then push the club further down the line, we have the stadium and the rest but last season he push it too hard to reach the goal of the Premiership.

We need a sugar daddy loaded with cash and a love of Cardiff and football.

Daniel Cousin linked with City again

In a few of the Sunday papers Cardiff are being linked with Hull's out-of-favour striker Daniel Cousin, again. Cousin has been linked with the Bluebirds a number times way back to the players time at Rangers. Back in July 2008 Cardiff City boss Dave Jones was interested in bringing Rangers striker Kris Boyd to Cardiff but when that move failed Jones turned to his team mate Cousin.

His agent confirmed City's interest with Rangers looking for at least £2m for the player but new promoted Hull enter the race. Within a few weeks he signed for an undisclosed fee. At Hull he fell out big time with the then boss Phil Brown and wanted away. Cardiff move in to try for a loan deal by were knocked back then enter Cardiff striker Ross McCormack.

Unhappy at the lack of first team action up front, boss Jones preferred to play Jay Bothroyd and Michael Chopra in attack leaving McCormack in midfield/wide role. Hull showed an interest in signing him but them want him on the cheap but the Scottish striker believe he had a gentleman's agreement with the Bluebirds where he could leave for a Premier League club if a bid is made for his services. The then Chairman Peter Ridsdale said there was no such deal made, Cardiff had a £2million valuation on him.

Cousin agent Willie McKay stepped in suggesting a player plus cash swap with the cash coming Cardiff’s way. It was the Hull’s manager hard ball attitude that finally killed any idea of a deal, topped with Cousin not wanting to drop down to the Championship.

He only played in three games for Hull last season before being loaned out Greek team Larissa. Hull are desperate to lighten their wage bill and a deal could be done there they were willing to pay a substance part of Jimmy Bullard wages to join Celtic. Jones needs to find a striker to cover Bothryod and give him something to think about.

Defeat at County

After all the off the field carp at 3pm it was back to football on the field with Cardiff up at Notts County for a pre-season friendly. All Cardiff City what to know what the starting line up is any new faces. Notts County gained promotion last season to Division 1 as champions.

Two noticeable absentees’ from the squad today were striker Jay Bothroyd and Mark Kennedy. Bothroyd miss-out due to a training ground injury suffering to is arm injury which is not believed to be serious. He should be back in contention for the game against Spanish La Liga club Deportivo next Saturday at the Cardiff City Stadium. The other missing player Kennedy is believed to about to sign for Ipswich if reports in today’s press have got in right. The deal is reported to be worth £75,000 to the hard up Bluebirds and a two-year deal for the player a year better than the one he signed for another season with the City.

Cardiff lost 2-1 at Notts County today from match reports and fans that were at the game it was nothing to write home about. City boss Dave Jones is looking at the positives he saw out of the game, two mistakes two goals. Some fans are talking doom and gloom before a ball as been kicked in anger in the league, the dreaded relegation as been mention. The team we have now was good enough to go all the way to the play-off final, three time lucky. 

The City may have lost this friendly but if you break the game down to halves, County won the first City won the second. City boss Jones made five changes to the team in the second half give young Nathaniel Jarvis a run-out come on for goal scorer Ross McCormack.

A victory over a Bath City plus two defeats, one in Portugal and today is no way to prepare for Saturday and the first chance for many Cardiff City fans to watch their team play.

The team on duly at Notts County

David Marshall (Tom Heaton 45mins), Kevin McNaughton, Gabor Gyepes (Adam Matthews 45mins), Peter Whittingham, Stephen McPhail, Chris Burke (Gavin Rae 60mins), Danny Drinkwater, Anthony Gerrard, Darcy Blake (Mark Hudson 45mins), Ross McCormack (Nathaniel Jarvis 70mins), Michael Chopra,

Subs not used -Jonathan Meades Ibrahim Farah and Paul Quinn

McNaughton to sign new contract

If Bluebirds boss Dave Jones is about to lose one of his defenders another is rumoured to be on the brink of agreeing a new contract (yes good news).

27-year-old defender Kevin McNaughton's representatives are locked in talks with chief executive Gethin Jenkins to hopefully seal a new improved contract offer. Jenkins has a lot of contract negotiating along with McNaughton there are nine players who are out of contract next summer. It is unlikely all nine would be offer new deal but players of value must be sign after Ledley.

Since joining from Aberdeen in the summer of 2006 McNaughton has been a regular in Dave Jones’ defence and has been used in midfield. He played in total 153 games and only four games off the bench. He scored two goals in that time, Hereford in the FA Cup and Barnsley home both in 2008.

Last season is game was racked with injury he missed the start of the season after picking up an ankle injury during a pre-season friendly against Celtic. In was mid October before he was back for the Crystal Palace but he stayed on the bench. A recurrence of his injury delayed his return for a month but early in the game was taking off with a back injury, it was the start of December before he was back and his season got under way.

Foucs on Football- Chopra, Jones and more

Kennedy to Ipswich Town

Off to Ipswich

Yesterday it looked like Ipswich were in the market for a Cardiff City defender and were linked with  Gabor Gyepes but the rumourmongers have got it wrong.

Is it defender Mark Kennedy who is about to make the journey to Ipswich? A story in today’s South Wales Echo is saying he is about to. The Echo have the City defender signing for Roy Keane’s Tractor Boys in a deal worth a reported £75.000 for the 34-year-old Irishman.

City boss Dave Jones handed Kennedy a new one-year contract extension just before the play-offs which surprised a number of fans based mainly on his age. Since joining back in July 2008 he has taken part in 70plus games but never managing to get his name on the score sheet.

Chopra wants to stay

Speaking to Sky Sports News Cardiff striker Michael Chopra has backtracked slightly on the claim he had about want to leave the Bluebirds. He is now more disappointed in the lack of activity in the transfer market like ever Cardiff City fan.

When asked if he would be kicking off the season as a Cardiff City player,

"You'll have to ask the manager that, and the chairman.

"I probably will be, yeah."

The fact that only two new players have been added to the squad, Manchester United duo Tom Heaton and Daniel Drinkwater only goalkeeper Heaton can kick-off the season todate. Midfielder Drinkwater was signed during the transfer embargo and cannot play competitive games until the embargo is lifted.

"It's just disappointing. I got told at the time there'd be players coming in and things like that.

"When things don't happen, it's like every other person, if things don't happen, you get disappointed.

"As a professional footballer and a person that's got high standards, I'm disappointed at what's happened at the minute.

"But I'm still a Cardiff City player and I'll continue to play well for them."

That does not help clear up what the mood of the rest of the squad is like with the season getting ever closer.

Do Fulham want Jones

Have I got the job

The Swede could be ride to the rescue of Cardiff City by prostrating himself naked outside Harrods with the national flower of Egypt a 'water-lily' sticking out of his ass. Beside him is his agent on bended knee kissing Mohamed Al-Fayed shoes telling the world his was the only job he ever wanted this week.

Sven-Goran Eriksson is back on the market after a short stint with Ivory Coast as World Cup manager. He wants back into Premiership football after a brief visit to Division Two has Director of Football with Notts County.

The bookies have now installed the Swede has favourite for the job pushing Cardiff boss Dave Jones back to second place. So far Fulham have yet talk to either one of the front runners as they regroup after the disappointment after Ajax refuse to release Martin Jol.

Chopra wants to see action on the transfer front

Taxi

More bad news to add to the pile, Cardiff City striker Michael Chopra has spoken out about the situation at Cardiff City and has intimated his willingness to seek a transfer it the mass is not sort out.

This is the first sign of frustration from within the squad and show there could be a dark mood in the team. Cardiff City have yet to pay off the transfer fee owed to Sunderland for the striker, the deal he signed with the City last season should have seen his contract renegotiate after scoring 20 goals.

With Chopra talking of wanting a move is could mean Ipswich and other interested parties look again in his direction. Ipswich showed the most interest with reports they were will to go up to £3million to take him to Portman Road. Cardiff.

Chopra saidin todays Echo “I’m well hacked off.

“If this club doesn’t bring in new players, I’m off.

“I’ve had enough. Nothing is moving, with just a couple of weeks until the new season.

“I can see that we will struggle this season if people at board level don’t get real and sort this matter (the financial struggles) out sooner rather than later.

“It’s not good for morale and I’m not the only one fuming about the lack of movement in the camp.

“TG told me that the club would invest, and that we would have new faces to strengthen the team for a charge at the Premiership.

“But I don’t see any investment, I don’t see any new faces at the club to make this team a force next season.

“In fact, if this carries on, I can see us struggling. I am really angry about the whole business.

“I was under the impression that the new board were coming in and spending money to take this club to the next level.

“But I don’t see that in any shape or form and its very frustrating for me and the players who want to do well for this club next season.

“I’m happy playing for Cardiff, but I’ll be off if this continues.

“I’m ambitious and I want this club to meet those ambitions.

“If they can’t, what’s the point?

“I’m not happy seeing embargo headlines in the papers and no movement in the transfer market.

“All the players were looking forward to a big push for promotion, possibly the two automatic places.

“If nobody comes into this squad quickly then we could find ourselves struggling come the middle part of the season when we have to draw on a small squad.

“It’s a ridiculous situation to be in.”

I don’t think there is a Cardiff fan that don’t agree with Chopra and has someone who supported ex-chairman Peter Ridsdale the fault must be laid at his door. The other problem is the lack of football people at the top of the club.

The Malaysians are out of their depth, they were not football fans when they invested in the club and I have a feel they had no real idea of running the club. Expect for Steve Borley the rest of the board are stack-up with rugby fans who have little interest in Cardiff City but hanging in to get their money back.

Cardiff chief executive Gethin Jenkins is also out of rugby having held the same post at Newport Gwent Dargons but there is no comparisons between the to codes. God I can't believe this but even allow I hate him to high heavens, Sam Hammam, if he has money and wants on board, I would welcome him.

Message to Al-Fayed "Hand off he's ours"

Mr Happy off to Fulham?

The club have let it be known that they or the manager Dave Jones have heard or been in contact with anyone from Fulham. They have also issue a ‘hands off’ warning to Fulham and anyone else thinking Jones could be there answer. Today’s morning papers are heavily running the story in it's sports pages so the story will run on until either Fulham appoint a new boss or a really defining official joint statement for the club and Jones puts a end to the speculation. 

However if the call were to come I expect Jones to jump ship so fast 100m world record holder Usain Bolt couldn’t catch him if the rumour become reality.

From what as happen over the last few days off the field it looks next season will be a hard one. If you look at the squad he as now it is basically the same team that took us to a play-off final so on the pitch things should be good. That is if the off the field problems don’t trouble and contract worries.

The delay in lifting the transfer embargo is ominous with the clock ticking to the start of the season, wouldn’t you would think Dave Jones would like to sign some players before the big kick-off, which will be live on Sky Sports.

Cardiff though have denied contact from Fulham and said:

"Neither the club or the manager have received an approach from Fulham football club regarding the vacant managers job at Craven Cottage.

"As ever, he is 100% concentrating on preparing the team for the new season."

It is all rumour and they come and go but if the money should be right why would he want to stay at a club that looks to be in free fall. Going to the London club would see him with no money worries in the transfer market. The Fulham chairman Mohamed Al-Fayed is no Roman Abramovich the Chelsea chairman or the rich owners of Manchester City paying £30million for a player he runs a tight ship but backs his managers and let his managers get on with it.

So it is time to sit back and wait a see what happens

If Cardiff City owes you money please stand-up

With Cardiff City chief executive Gethin Jenkins working away to sort out the transfer embargo more trouble hits his table. The club owe money on the Paul Quinn deal and Motherwell today have issued an official statement with could put pay to them plans.

The Statement

“The Board have been very patient with Cardiff given the financial pressures they have faced and the need for clubs to work together to ensure we can all navigate an extremely testing financial environment for the game.

“However the interests of our shareholders, employees and fans are being jeopardised by the failure of Cardiff City to pay the debt that they have outstanding.

We have made clear to the Board of Cardiff that we are left with no option but to pursue every possible avenue of recourse to secure our own club's interests. We hope that this matter can be resolved in an orderly manner.”

Cardiff are in the dock for owing Charlton £500,000 for Mark Hudson transfer last summer and now fans find out money is owed to Motherwell for Cardiff transfer of Paul Quinn. Fans were hoping to hear good news at the transfer embargo was over and the club could bring in new faces. The fee for the Scottish defender was believed to be a reported £300,000 and he was soon sideline losing his spot and dropping down the pecking order.

Does Roy Keane fancy Gyepes

Could have put a pic of
Gabor .. But his wife takes
a better picture

Is Ipswich returning to have a crack at getting City boss Dave Jones to part with a member of his squad? Today Ipswich Town manager Roy Keane is link with City defender Gabor Gyepes who according to reports is keen to play regular first-team football while at Cardiff this season feels he will be a bit part player.

He was not a regular last season and missed out on the play-off semis or the final. Since joining the Bluebirds in August 2008 he has played a total of 47 games coming off the bench only twice, he was on the bench a lot but was unused more times or not. He scored three goals all of which were away from home.  

With Celtic defender Glenn Loovens expected to rejoin this old club once the transfer embargo lifted on a season long loan, maybe Gabor Gyepes can see the writing on the wall. Cardiff has abundance of centre-halves and with Loovens a possibility Cardiff boss Dave Jones could be spoiled for choice.

Keane was chasing Cardiff striker Michael Chorpa earlier in the summer but the price was just to high for him. He is still watching to see if Cardiff have a change of heart or need to sell but like Peter Whittingham the club want to hold on to him.

Nottingham Forest uping the chase for Whittingham

Whiittingham Forest bound

Press reports are suggesting Cardiff have received a written offer for Peter Whittingham from Nottingham Forest. Reported locally and in the national press a £1.5million offer is on the table, lower than the reported £2millon offer from a few weeks ago.

With the finance position of the club, transfer embargo and the fact Whittingham only has one year left on his contract, could the Nottingham club be chancing their arm. The City has valued their star midfielder over £2million and has not been mined to sell despite all the rumours. The Malaysian backers seem to want to hold the squad together, there was little there could do about Joe Ledley but they are backing manager Dave Jones who wants to add to his squad.

A formal bid will test the determination of the club to withstand it and carry on negotiating a new contract with Whittingham. No-one wants to see another Ledley in the making. City can little afford to see players with a value walk away for nothing.

If Whittingham or any other do not sign new contract soon they agents will be advising their clients to way until the January transfer window. In January players who have not signed a new contract can talk to other clubs.

Forest might not be alone in the chase for Whittingham if City show any interest in parting with him, Burnley are also in the market for him having had a similar offer knocked back.

Jones to Fulham could it be

Could I get the Fulham job

Manager Dave Jones is happy at Cardiff City we are lend to believe, Jones himself has said on a number of occasions how happy he is to stay and finish the job he started at Cardiff. But could temptation be around the corner.

Bookies have had Dave Jones second favourite to land the Fulham job, if the deal to bring Ajax boss Martin Jol to Fulham falls through. Ajax are playing hard ball to keep their manager and have refused to discuss compensation with Fulham, any deal looked to be off yesterday. The two clubs are reported to be talking again today after Jol express an interest in joining the London club.

Where does that leave Cardiff City and Dave Jones? Could there be a story here, bookies don’t offer get it wrong there must be some kind of whispers going round, people are laying hard cash down on his name. Jones was link by rumour to the Hull City job a month or so back, but little came of that.

Cardiff City will surely fight off any interest in there manager. One of the first questions asked of the chairman elect Dato Chan Tien Ghee (TG) after the play-off final defeat would Dave Jones be going, his simply reply was "No". Over the months since then TG has ratified his position over Dave Jones a number of times.

Dave Jones and his family are very settled in South Wales but would a offer from a Premiership club change all that. An offer from the Fulham board would surely give Jones some food for thought with them being an established Premier League team, money in the bank for limited transfer dealing not in the Manchester City bracket. Is he willing to bank on three time lucky with the Bluebirds after being so close in the last two season. We are 17 days from the start of our new season this is not the time for speculation over the manager’s job.

The latest up today news - sources claim Jol has agreed three-year deal with Fulham. Ajax are refusing to negotiate their manager's release.

David Williams of Ladbrokes said: “There has been a lot of interest in Dave Jones taking the Fulham job, particularly in the last 24 hours.

“He might not be as fashionable a name as some in the running, but he is very well respected within the game.

“But the thing we do find with football manager markets is that they can be very volatile.”

William Hill Next Fulham Manager Odds: 1/1 Martin Jol; 5/2 Dave Jones; 3/1 Sven Goran Eriksson; 7/1 Bob Bradley; 9/1 Gianfranco Zola; 10/1Mark Hughes;14/1 Slaven Bilic; 14/1 Ray Lewington; 14/1 Lee Clark; 14/1 Stuart Baxter; 16/1 Bar.

It's never boring being a City fan

I decided not to take part in the McLedley and Ridsdale spat in the papers as I prefer to believe the ex-chairman anyway. Not much in the news today, the identity of Le Roux the trialists who played for Cardiff in Portugal as been revealed.

An early favourite was, Lee Naylor on the messageboards don’t ask me why, However it turned out to be a 25-year-old Auxerre forward Kevin Lejeune. Cardiff boss Dave Jones said after the game,

“Kevin did well. We have to bring new players in and we are working on that.”

It is unsure if there will be any follow up on the French-born striker? The next game after defeat in Portugal at the weekend is on Saturday at Notts County 3pm kick-off. Lejeune decided to link up with the Bluebirds in Portugal ahead of other interests according of to the Echo. Greek club Olympiakos were reported to been keen on signing him or checking him out.

Lejeune has recently finished a loan spell Nantes and has been capped at youth level up to Under-21 level. For a striker he is not prolific in front of goal only seven in 89 games for Auxerre. He can all so play in midfield or out wide giving  options.

The transfer embargo is still in place at time of writing putting a major spanner in Dave Jones plans, but if there is no new blood, Jones believes the squad he has now is ready for the start of the season. He said a few days back,

"Our players are running at around 80% right now but they'll be spot on for the opening league game.

"We are trying different things, different formations.

"There were good moments and there were poor moments but it's best to get it wrong at this time than when the season starts."

Another issue in the press is something is blog as mention before the number of players out of contract next summer. There are some big names Jay Bothroyd, Peter Whittingham, Kevin McNaughton, Gavin Rae, Mark Kennedy, Stephen McPhail, Adam Matthews, Chris Burke and Darcy Blake. The club have opened paramilitary talks with some but serious negotiating needs to happen.

Some of the players can generate a cash price today at just over £10million but when the transfer window closes on August 31 the money tends to drop away as club sit back waiting for a bargain. Take Adam Matthews, today Cardiff could get £3/£4million by the end of this transfer window all that changes. By the next window in January stilly offer will be made, say £1million, known in the summer they could get there target for free 6 months later.The club and the fans will not be happy to see any of them do a Ledley and walk away free.

It kind of started with Peter Whittingham’s agents, Key Sports Management saying at the weekend,

“There is an offer on the table from Cardiff City and it is being looked at.

“The financial situation Cardiff finds themselves in is a concern, naturally.

“Like any player, Peter is very ambitious. With Cardiff unable to bring any new players in because of the embargo, you do start to question things.

“We also know that being unable to bring in new players, Cardiff are not keen on selling any of the players they currently have.

“Peter enjoyed his best season last year with Cardiff and he has options. We do not feel there is any need to rush things.

“Of course, in January he would be free to talk to other clubs, but that is not to say he won’t be committing himself to Cardiff. Peter is happy at Cardiff. He is focused on the start of the new season.”

They all will be able to talk to clubs come January if they have not signed new contracts with the Bluebirds. I would take a punt, Gavin Rae and Mark Kennedy will be allowed to run down their contract along with Stephen McPhail and maybe Darcy Blake. Of the others in particular Jay Bothroyd, Peter Whittingham, Adam Matthews being the most valued transfer fee wise the club need to sign them up, along with Kevin McNaughton and Chris Burke two valued players on the pitch.

An offer of a two-year-contract with an option to go next summer could help with negotiations with the players because without promotion to the Premier League at the end of next season they are all likely to want to walk anyway. Boss David Jones is still planning a push for a top six finish or automatic promotion would see all his problems drift away.

City play tonight

The Bluebirds are in action tonight in Portugal 7pm kick-off, they are playing newly promoted Portimonense in only their second pre-season fixture. They finish second place and  returning it to the topflight of Portuguese football after exactly 20 years of absence.

Cardiff will be looking to carry on their 100% record in friendlies this summer, after a 2-0 win over Bath City under their belts. With only two more planned friendlies to play Notts County (away) and Deportivo (home) it has been a real quiet pre-season for the Cardiff squad.

All the squad at Bath City played some part in the game and it could be the same tonight has Cardiff boss Dave Jones narrows down his squad to the starting eleven for the opening league game of the season Sheffield United game.

New single to rise money for Fred Keenor statue

Cardiff City fans are hitting the air waves in support of the Fred Keenor statue fund. The new song – the full name is When the Coal Comes from the Rhondda is a fans favourite and give a football twist ‘I’ll be There with my little pick and shovel as be laid down at Monnow Valley Studios in Rockfield, Monmouth by a ground for musicians.

The idea was first muted by former Stereophonics drummer and Cardiff City fan Stuart Cable who recently passed away suddenly. However the project moved onwards and now the record will be released some time soon.

The band is made up by Merthyr actor Jonathan Owen, Super Furry Animals guitarist Guto Pryce, Owen Powell of Catatonia fame, and drummers Ryan Richards and Gareth Lawrence, from Welsh bands Funeral for a Friend and Blackout. The members of the band are hoping the club will use the song as the players come on the pitch at the Cardiff City Stadium. The club are running an ‘I’ll be There’ merchandise promotion this season which coincides nicely the song.

Jonathan Owen, 38, said:

“It’s a tragedy Stuart isn’t here with us because he did so much to get it off the ground.

“Initially we all spoke about it and within a few days Stuart was phoning us saying he’d arranged dates and times.

“That was the sort of bloke he was but we decided to plough on and we hope Stuart, who is so missed by all of us, would give his seal of approval to what we eventually come up with.

“We’re all mad City fans and the Fred Keenor statue is something we all passionately believe needs to be put up as soon as possible.

“All great clubs celebrate their history and it gets forgotten that Cardiff City has a great history – not too many clubs have beaten Real Madrid for a start.”

He added: “It would be great if that could happen because the song has been unique to City fans down the years.

“It was a miners’ song, and coal was the link between the Valleys where it was dug out and Cardiff docks where it was shipped.

“One of the verses tells of the coal coming from the Rhondda on the Taff Vale railway line.

“It was therefore a song which linked people from the Valleys and the city and it has stuck ever since.

“It’s no Bohemian Rhapsody, but we’re having fun doing it and the help we’ve had from Monnow Valley Studios, which has given us free time, will ensure it is a proper professional job.”

The Cardiff City Supporters Trust launched the appeal to funding of the £100,000 statue of Fred Keenor and there have been a number of money rising events, the latest will be a football match. The game will be between the two main messageboards CCMB v AAMB on 22nd August (Sunday).

Could Whittingham be another Ledley

Is cash strapped Cardiff City struggling to hold on to a number of there star players like Peter Whittingham. Cardiff will hope to negotiate new contracts with the likes of key players Jay Bothroyd, Stephen McPhail and Kevin McNaughton and Peter Whittingham, or else see them depart as free agents at the end of next season.

An unnamed spokesman (agent) is talking of the Joe Ledley scenario happening again next season with Whittingham. In today’s South Wales Echo there is a report the club have put an offer to the midfielder which is on the table. With this story it looks to be staying on the table has more negotiation take place.

It is the last thing Cardiff fans need more speculation through the season about contracts and players walking away for free. In the case of Whittingham, Cardiff has had an offer over £2million from Nottingham Forest to sign him but they have been knocked back.

The club would not like to lose out again after the Ledley deal and again the club are over a barrel has the price is like to go down went the transfer window closes at the end of August. With a year left clubs tend to wait and put in a crazy offer come the January transfer window, Whittingham can talk to clubs in that period if he is still out of contract to line up a deal himself.

With the clubs present financial situation there will have to be some pretty intensive negotiation and the big worry to fans is the lack of a football present at the top of the club. The new Chief Executive Gethin Jenkins comes from a Rugby background having occupied the same position with Newport rugby club.

The spokesman for Whittingham’s agents, Key Sports Management said,

“There is an offer on the table from Cardiff City and it is being looked at.

“The financial situation Cardiff find themselves in is a concern, naturally.

“Like any player, Peter is very ambitious. With Cardiff unable to bring any new players in because of the embargo, you do start to question things.

“We also know that being unable to bring in new players, Cardiff are not keen on selling any of the players they currently have.

“Peter enjoyed his best season last year with Cardiff and he has options. We do not feel there is any need to rush things.

“Of course, in January he would be free to talk to other clubs, but that is not to say he won’t be committing himself to Cardiff. Peter is happy at Cardiff. He is focused on the start of the new season.”

All this talk of what is going on off the field on if expect for the lost Ledley the Cardiff squad is all but the same as last season. Surely they will be pushing for a top six finish or possible better, third time luckily and all that. Where the team fall short is in cover for certain key players, Bothroyd comes to mine has one of the most important ones. Boss Jones need that transfer embargo lifted has soon as possible.

Charlton want paying

The transfer embargo has been hammered home this morning with reports that Charlton have reported Cardiff to the Football League over the Mark Hudson transfer last summer. According to the Daily Mail Cardiff still owe the London club £500,000 of the transfer fee of £1.075m with an extra £250,000 possible if the Bluebirds reach the Premier League.

If the report is true it is going to hit the plans of City boss Dave Jones re bringing in any new players. The transfer embargo was thought to have to have been lifted after the tax man was pay but it was kept in place because of the club failed to filing their accounts for May 2009.

However the accounts seen to have been paid follow this link now Cardiff will have to come up with the cash to pay Charlton who have their own finance problems and are unlike to do a payment plan but want full payment. There is also another court case hanging over the clubs head for August 11th, over an unpaid PAYE tax debt that is understood to be £1.3m. The club issued a statement clarifying the situation a few weeks ago.

The official statement from the club reads:

"As anticipated at the beginning of the week, Cardiff City Football Club can confirm that we have paid month one of our HMRC tax bill.

"For the avoidance of doubt, the PAYE tax bill is a monthly issue that we continually endeavour to pay on time. HMRC is currently taking a firm stance with several football clubs, not just Cardiff City Football as a consequence of historic issues throughout the industry.

"With regards to the embargo, the HMRC issue is currently resolved, as are several of our issues linked to football creditors, while we are currently working on the final football creditor. The final embargo issue was the failure of the club to lodge year end accounts for May 2009 which the new management team and Directors are endeavouring to get resolved in coming days.

"As stated previously, we remain committed to our overall aim of getting the club back on a solid business and financial footing from which the team can grow, but obviously there are going to be challenges ahead.

"As we are sure it is understood, we are not in a position to comment on every item of speculation, as by its very nature it is just speculation, and can hinder our business operation.

"Please be assured, while we work through these challenges, the management continue to work with Dave Jones on potential recruits."

WalesOnline - FootballNation - Cardiff City - Focus on Football: Hammam still eyeing return

WalesOnline - FootballNation - Cardiff City - Focus on Football: Hammam still eyeing return

Capaldi training with Plymouth

Back to Plymouth

When Tony Capaldi left Plymouth he became a No1 hate figure among a section of Argyle fans. Capaldi had rejected a new contract with Plymouth and on 25 May 2007 he signed a three-year contract with Cardiff City, joining on a Bosman free transfer. The ex-Cardiff defender will be going on Plymouth's pre-season tour of Holland

He is back at Plymouth training with the squad after been invited by boss Peter Reid saying,

"He was a fine player for Plymouth in the past and he's had a decent career.

"He's got good experience and has got that balance on the left side.

"It's a chance for Tony to have a look at us, and me to have a look at him."

Capaldi was release by the Bluebirds after his career nosedive after his first season where he was constantly in the first team. The following season he played only five times for the City and last season he was picking up the odd game but was loaned out to Leeds before Christmas.

It was rumour that Cardiff boss Dave Jones was going to off load him in January, but all the trouble it the fan with the club unable to bring in new faces that Jones decided to keep hold of him. He then went on to help the Bluebirds to the play-off finals although he did not part in either of the semis or final.