Gerrard to Hull for a season

It looks like there has been little business done today by Cardiff City boss Dave Jones if the end of the transfer window has any to do with it. He could have been on the phone all day getting knock back.

The only deal done was between City defender Anthony Gerrard and Championship rivals Hull City which see’ him becoming a Hull player on a season long loan. He signed for the City last summer from Walsall. He as suddenly dropped down the packing order at the Cardiff City Stadium where he was a stalwart of the defence last season.

Cardiff City boss Dave Jones has Darcy Blake, Gabor Gyepes and Mark Hudson vying for the middle of the defence spots. So far Gerrard has not started a league game this season, only turning out twice in the two Carling Cup games.

It won’t be long before Gerrard returns to Cardiff, 11 days actually. He could be making his second debut at the Cardiff City Stadium if picked by his new boss Nigel Pearson. A deal was struck to allow Seyi Olofinjana who is on loan with the Bluebirds from Hull to play in the fixtures between the to clubs.

A Cardiff statement said:

"The agreement includes the ability for Anthony to play against us and for Seyi Olofinjana to play for Cardiff City against Hull City at Cardiff City Stadium at 3pm on Saturday, 11 September.
"The same rule applies for our away fixture in February. All at Cardiff City wish Anthony the best for the rest of the campaign."

I wish him all the best on is loan

All quiet on the transfer front

Not long before the transfer window shuts down until January 2011and I can see it surpassing this one on the movements in and out.

They are still one or two players who could still mover out of the Cardiff City Stadium, Chris Rea still has Leeds United interested and it was revealed yesterday the Stephen McPhail was linked with Ipswich.

Anthony Gerrard and Solomon Taiwo could be on the move, Gerrard was briefly linked with Sheffield Wednesday but with things hotting up some could make an offer. Taiwo looked to be off to join Norwich but the deal fell through and it has been quiet since then.

There is a new name in the melting pot Tunisia international Tijani Belaid who has a number of teams interested in signing him. He players for Czech team Slavia Prague for the last three years and before that the 22 year-old was at Inter Milan.

The Road to Wembley /Road to Nowhere

It was Welsh Cup and FA Cup this weekend and it was some missed fortune but both Odd Down (FA Cup) and Fleur de Lys Welfare (Welsh Cup) are still in the mix for the next round draw.

RTB Ebbw Vale FC 1-4 Fleur dw lys Welfare Att N/A

In the Welsh Cup Fleur de Lys Welfare had to travel to fellow in Gwent County Division 3 club RTB Ebbw Vale FC. The visitors run out 4-1 victors and are through to the 1st round proper.It was the home team who were first on the score sheet but Fleur de Lys soon got into there stride and fired home 4 to move onwards.

The draw for the (1st round) of the Welsh Cup have yet to take place.

In the FA Cup Odd Down playing in the Toolstation League Division Premier (Step 5) had a jolly to Cornwell to face South West Peninsula Premier League club Torpoint Athletic (Step 6). The game end all square and will have to be played again tomorrow night the winners have a home game against Clevedon Town who beat Bridport 6-0 in the Cup at the weekend. Both club have won £750 for winning their Extra Preliminary Round game a there is £1,500 up for grabs for the winners tomorrow night.

Match Report from This is Plymouth

Torpoint Athletic...1 Odd Down...1 Att N/A

HOPEFULLY Torpoint have not missed their chance to claim a home tie against Clevedon Town after a draw at The Mill which means the Tamarsiders will be travelling to Bath tomorrow.
A long journey to the Lew Hill Memorial Ground faces Stuart Dudley's side, but the Tamarsiders' boss will probably be thinking that his side should have made sure of victory on home soil.
The home side had two good chances in the opening seven minutes as Darren Veale's through ball saw Josh Grant's shot saved by goalkeeper Andrew King before Billy Allen's pass put in Brian Stacey to shoot just wide from 10 yards.
Odd Down replied with David Cooper's good run and shot forcing a save from Martin Piper.
But back came Torpoint with Mike Roberts' solo run ending with King saving well from his 10-yard drive.
The visitors were always dangerous on the break and Piper had to rush out of his goal to block Richard Dawley before Torpoint finally opened the scoring on 33 minutes.
The pacy Thornton ran past two defenders before sending an exquisite lob over King from 15 yards.
However, it was a moment of slack marking that allowed Cooper to tap home Dawley's left-wing cross, from four yards, on the stroke of half-time.
The second half saw Roberts shoot over the bar, Thornton shoot wide and Allen's free-kick curl just wide from 25 yards.
But it was not all one way, with Dawley firing over bar from 25 yards before two late chances fell to substitutes Mark Waugh and Justin Pritchard, which failed to find the net.

Keane interested in McPhail

Is Ipswich boss Roy Keane a serial starker of the Cardiff City squad? If he is not, he looks like, so far he has been linked with Michael Chopra, Ross McCormack, Gabor Gyepes and now Stephen McPhail.

He succeeded with Mark Kennedy who has not figured in a game since the opening game of the season. The reports from the Ipswich area have Keane think over a move on the Cardiff midfielder but with the transfer window closes at tea time tomorrow, he better get a move on. According to the rumour Keane has been interested in McPhail for a while, but injury meant thoughts of a deal were placed on the backburner.

McPhail route to fitness has not been easy he started at Peterborough last week but lasted just over 30minites before he came off. He was on the bench Saturday at Portsmouth and with the international break should be 100% fit for the resumption of league fixtures.

Jones has said Given Rea can go and he had talks with Leeds be the deal fell through because the players wanted a two contract while Leeds were offering only a year, so the rumour mill reported.

Defenders linked to Cardiff

Riggott

A private reserve team match is being arranging by Cardiff City boss Dave Jones so he can checkout defender Chris Riggott. Allow the ex-Middlesbrough has been training with the City he feels a game would dispel any worries over his knee problems. Jones is looking for some cover for his defence by all accounts with the transfer window closing in under 24-hours.

Riggott was offered a new contract with Middlesbrough but choose to move on with a number of club interested but he looks to have plumed for Cardiff. The City boss could use the game to look at a few other players that interest him and use it to show off some of the players he would like to loan out.

The South Wales Echo is linking Calum Davenport and his ex West Ham colleague and Cardiff City old boy Danny Gabbidon with Jones.

Davenport

Gabbidon his back in the first team but has a shocking injury history and could be a liability so a move there looks unlikely. Both Riggott and Davenport are free agents so the closing of the transfer window will not affect them. Davenport has been at Nottingham Forest then moved on to Leeds United.

During a family argument Davenport was stabbed in the legs, lost 50% of the blood from his body and underwent emergency surgery for injuries described as serious. There was a much publicized count case, on 1 July, this year Davenport was cleared of all charges in regard of the alleged assault on his sister.

Actor Jonathan Owen and Catatonia guitarist Owen Powell on SoccerAM

Villa have no chance

Can Aston Villa do what Fulham failed to do, make a phone call?

It going to happen when Premier League clubs find themselves manager-less, a link to Cardiff City boss Dave Jones. The capture of Craig Bellamy has had a lot of chairman’s turning head the way of South Wales to see what is happening.

Jones is very unlike to be interested in a new club after the Malaysians backers have coming into the club and backed their manager, why would he want to go anywhere. There was no fire sale of players which like me most Cardiff fans were expecting. This new squad is just too hot to walk away from third time luck, who knows but there is something in the air.

The local Midlands press seem to believe it would be easy to make him jump ship because of his one-year rolling contract. But this is his six season with such a deal and he was only tempered once, when Wolves try to re-sign him.

It would have been the Jacks home

The draw for the third round of the Carling Cup took place today and we were not in it owing to defeat at Peterborough in midweek.

With the so call big boys joining in the fun there was a chance of a big pay day for a lucky club, gate receipts and TV money and there are other money streams to cash in on, if you survive the second round.

We didn’t, Peterborough did but no big payday for them, it would have been if we had won, they have Swansea at home. A home game at the Cardiff City Stadium would have meant a full house and the possibility of Sky Sports picking the game up, a tidy payday.

Cardiff City team v Portsmouth

Marshall

Hudson Gyepes Blake Naylor

Burke Olofinjana Drinkwater Whittingham

Bothroyd Bellamy

Substitutes

Heaton, Gerrard, Rae, McPhail, Koumas, Matthews, Keogh

New signing Keogh is out the bench along with Rea after talks failed with Leeds United

Cardiff are looking to talk contracts

If you believe the South Wales Echo there is movement with contract talks with the players who only have a season left on their present contracts. So far the only player to sign on for next season is defender Kevin McNaughton.

Allow Jay Bothroyd stated before the start of this season he was not interested in contract talks, he was happy and wanted to concentrate on his football, the club are keen to talk. Bothroyd agent is due to call in for some early preliminary talks next week,

“I haven’t been offered a contract nor had talks,” Bothroyd said this week. “I am not thinking about contracts, just playing.”

Cardiff City boss Dave Jones has confirm talks with a number of other player, has he plans for beyond next season. He doesn’t want to lose any he wants like Joe Ledley who walked after running his contract down.

“The process has already started.

“Kevin McNaughton has signed, while we are close too with Peter Whittingham, Darcy Blake and Adam Matthews, while we spoke to Jay’s representatives the other day and they are coming in over the next few days. It’s the same situation with Stephen McPhail. We have spoken to his agent.”

In the same paper they have Peter Whittingham on the brink of signing new deal with a few thing to sort out.

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Malaysians thinking ahead

TG are happy days come back

The Malaysian backers are reported to be looking to the future and the possibility of expanding the stadium. Sam Hammam had imagined a 60,000 seated stadium which I the championship would have been just too much. So a smaller stadium was build with options to expand at a later date.

Cardiff City Chairman Dato Chan Tien Ghee is interested in the plan, cost and time scale to up the capacity to 35,000 if required. That would see a rise of 8,000 on the capacity of the Cardiff City Stadium at a cost of £6million with a three months work time scale, That would mean if Cardiff were to win promotion automatically it would be possible to do the build in the summer shut down. Planning should not be a problem the original application cover a 60,000-seater stadium. The first phase, the present could then be increase over four stages has needed to reach the full capacity.

While the stadium idea is for the future and promotion Tee Ghee and Vincent Tan are still working through the historical debts from previous administration. The biggest left is the £10million Langston but recant talks between TG and Sam Hammam went well with the Malaysians winning his support for the job they were doing. They have now invested over £10million into the club mainly as loans and shares of which they have 30% they could convert the loans into share but according to the report in the South Wales Echo, if their shares were to go above 50% it would trigger a clause which means Langston would have to be paid immediately.

You can’t say they are not in for the long run the Malaysians with the work they are putting in to the club. The future is looking bright with them in control, they are backing their manager and we now have the best team sheet in the Championship for a possible top two finish.

McCormack signs for Leeds

The news was broken of Cardiff City official website under a hour ago it has been on the go for a few days now but with terms now agreed he is a official Leeds United player. He join Cardiff City from Scottish SPL club Motherwell for only £125.000 in June 2008 after Motherwell turning down £1million from Wigan early that season. He quickly won the fans around and was top scorer with 24 goals.


He attracted the intention of then Premier League club Hull City, thinking he had a gentleman’s agreement with Peter Ridsdale to talk with any interested Premiership team. Ridsdale said he didn’t McCormack but it was the valuation that killed any talk of a deal, £5million.

With Jay Bothroyd and Michael Chopra in the saddle up front there were little opportunities for the Scotsman but playing out of position. He was not happy but got on with his job and help Cardiff within one game of the Premier League

The fee is undisclosed rumoured to be between £300,000 to £600,000 he has sign a three year deal. Good luck Ross at Leeds so all but two games

No European trinket for Joe

I couldn’t get over it when the final score from Celtic latest European night flashed up, I had a major bout giggle to myself. In the dash up north for silverware ex-Cardiff City midfielder Joe Ledley or McLedley has he his known on this blog thought the grass would be greener in with Celtic.

A few weeks ago Celtic crashed out of the Champions League Qualifying to the giants of European football Braga, who were in the Champions League for the very first time. There was still a chance via Europa League Qualifying the back-up for losers to secure another chance.

The Europa League is a poor man’s Champions League so Celtic should have a better go is time. A 2-0 home win in the first leg had McLedley down Argos for a new display cabinet who were FC Utrecht anyway. Well they were winners of their home leg 4-0. That’s it Europe over, there is always next year.

Has a footnote Glenn Loovens was on the bench and with is follow defenders letting in four goals stay roots to the bench. He can root there after poo pooing a chance to return to Cardiff.

Quiet day at the CCS in or out

D-day for the transfer window Tuesday and it is more than likely Cardiff City boss Dave Jones has not quite finished with his shopping just yet. On the other side of the table there are players he would be willing to let go or loan out .

Inward traffic could see another centre-half on the way in, Jones was look towards Celtic and  Glenn Loovens with a eye to bring the Dutch defender back to Cardiff. However, it would seem he wants to stay and slug it out at Celtic. Another target was Middlesbroughcentre-half Chris Riggott who  trained at the Vale recently and may be the next option for the Cardiff boss.

Time is running out on players he wants to move out either via loan or sell. So far the only player to be loan out is young defender Jonathan Meades on loan until November with Norwegian side FK Moss. In his first game he picked up a red card after receiving two yellow.

Everyone knows that Ross McCormack can go but after comments made by boss Jones it would seem Chris Rae can leave to find a new club saying he was taking to Leeds as well. McCormack is in talks over personal terms which are normally the delicate part of any deal and with Leeds chairman Ken Bates dislike of agents and the fact he was unhappy that McCormack's leaked the deal to the press, it could be tense.

Leeds is reported to have some competition for McCormack from other Championship clubs. Rea’s agent Blair Morgan, expressed surprise at Jones' comments, saying he had received no contact from either club.

"I'm aware of some interest but Dave Jones hasn't spoken to me and Leeds hasn’t been in touching either.

"It's something we'd look at very seriously, but I can't say any more until things move forward."

Jones could be will to let Anthony Gerrard go, he has been briefly been link with Division One club Sheffield Wednesday and surprising Premiership club West Ham.

Michael Chopra, Jay Bothroyd and Peter Whittingham have all be link with interest from other clubs but the club are sticking to their policy of unless it is a crazy offer, they stay. Both Bothroyd and Whittingham are out of contract at the end of the season leading some clubs to chance they luck.

They are looking at the past finances under Peter Ridsdale all three would have been sold, but not under the new regime. Malaysian backers are a million miles away from our past owners, there are looking to bring some stability back to the club.

‘It's a racing certainty that Andy will be going to Cardiff’ - Mick McCarthy.

Update He as signed and is a Bluebird

It must be true at Wolves striker Andy Keogh is joining Cardiff City, why because his manager as said so forcible following Wolves victory over Southend he said after the match,

“He is going to Cardiff on a season long loan. He was on the squad to play and did not want to be cup tied.
“It wasn’t his decision, it was mine to let him go in the end, because I wanted to be fair to him. He doesn’t want to be fourth choice striker. He has been wonderful for me, he really has, and great for the club.
“He goes with our best wishes and really warmest regards.”

He was not in the squad for last night’s game has Cardiff didn’t want him cup-tied. However with Cardiff losing to Peterborough they are out of the Carling Cup so it won't of matter if he was cup-tied.

Will he find it that easy with the City, he will be fourth choice at Cardiff at least with Bothroyd, Chopra and Bellamy in front of him?

Leeds in a double swoop

While most papers are saying the fee for Ross McCormack is undisclosed the Daily Mirror have put a figure of £600,000 on the deal. Much less than Cardiff were talking about last summer when he was valued at £5million.

McCormack was not in the squad for the defeat a Peterborough in the Carling Cup last night, but was reported to be at the game. With the clubs agreeing a deal it is down to agree personal terms and past the medical however a spanner could be thrown into the deal.

Hull City has renewed their interest in the Cardiff striker with a late bid much to the annoyance of Leeds United.

The Leeds boss Simon Grayson and Chairman Simon Bates are incensed over the leaking of the deal by McCormack’s agent to skysports.com. Ken Bates told Yorkshire Radio

"I'm rather annoyed that the agent told Sky because it's not how we do business.
"We do business then we announce it because sometimes things don't work out for whatever reason.
"I can only say we have agreed a fee with Cardiff and we are meeting the agent this week for discussions.
"I don't know if the agent put it out as a way of putting pressure on us, but it's been made quite clear we are displeased because it's not how we do business.

Well there will not be happy with the news at Dave Jones outed midfielder Gavin Rae has also going for talks with Leeds he said:

"Ross is going up to Leeds to have a talk with Leeds and I think Gavin Rae is as well."

When asked about Rae Leeds stayed tight lipped. Many had expected Rea to be surplus to requirements with the new look team Dave Jones is building and there could be a few more going out the door. He was dropped down the pecking order at the CCS, a move could be the only way to see more first team action. Like McCormack, Rea played no part in the Carling cup defeat last night.

Forest sniffing around Whittingham .... again

Whittingham

Cardiff City midfielder Peter Whittingham is deciding his future today, well according to the ‘This is Nottingham’ website within the next 24hours a source close to Whittingham as revelled?

Whittingham only as a season left on his contract and could do a Ledley if it is left unsigned which would see Cardiff City lose out on a good few millions. The club have said they are in no rush to offer new contracts with some talks. However fans are are starting to worry about the number of players whose contracts are also ending at the same time.

Forest were in trouble with the club a few weeks back when they accused the Forest chief executive Mark Arthur of tapping-up there player. What he said in a radio interview below,

"We've made two bids for Peter Whittingham and both have been turned down.

"They've said publically that they want to keep their best squad together.

"But we are aware he is in his last year of his contract and I'm sure they're not in a financial position where they can afford to let that run down.

"We understand he has rejected a new offer so we have to be a little bit patient and hopefully between now and the end of August we'll be able to bring him in.

"If not, then we'll try to bring him in either in January or at the end of the season when he is out of contract because we know he wants to come to us.

"I don't think anybody knows how much money it will take because Cardiff have said 'we're not selling and not interested in selling.

"And until you get people that are prepared to negotiate you don't know how much extra it is going to take.

If Whittingham was to turn around in the next few days he wants to leave then Cardiff should sell him immediately. Cardiff City boss Dave Jones has said he wants to keep Whittingham and it would take a crazy offer the change the clubs position. The transfer window closes next week.

Keogh to Cardiff

Cardiff loan deal in the offing

Cardiff City are being linked with Wolverhampton Wanderers' forward Andy Keogh news via Sky Sports. With it looking more likely that Ross McCormack will be on the move, if not to Leeds United, he will be off somewhere leaving City boss Dave Jones eyeing a replacement.

It is not the first time Cardiff and Jones have been linked with Keogh, before the start of the season there was paper take about a link but the club were under a transfer embargo at the time.

The rumour is for him to join the Bluebirds on a season long deal with Cardiff have first option to make the deal permanent at the end of the season.

According to the Mirror newspaper Cardiff fancy Keogh ahead of Derby County's striker Rob Hulse who is seen has a cheaper alternative than Hulse.

Cardiff City team v Peterborough Carling Cup 2nd

Heaton

Naylor Hudson Gerrard Matthews

Koumas Whittingham Olofinjana Drinkwater

Burke Bothroyd

Substitutes

Marshall, Gyepes, Quinn, McPhail, Taiwo, Wildig,

Cardiff boss Dave Jones had to make a number of changes to the starting line-up from Saturday game. No Michael Chopra out injured for a few weeks (there is a rumour he could be out for up to 2 months) after picking up an ankle injury Saturday. He will join with Kevin McNaughton with hamstring problems and Darcy Blake an ankle injury he picked up in Saturday’s warm-up.

Another possible player who could miss tonight’s clash is Ross McCormack who is thinking over a move to Championship rivals Leeds, but he is not the squad for tonight’s game. Jason Koumas has is first start, his arrival has been overshadowed with the entire Bellamy thing blowing up. After is surprised call up to the bench on Saturday and even sooner debut Lee Naylor gets a start.

Loovens wants to stay with Celtic

Unlikely to happen?

Cardiff City could be keen on bring defender Glenn Loovens back to Cardiff but the player himself is not to keen form reports out of Scotland. Cardiff City has confirmed some interest but there has been no formal approach.

“There has been no formal approach and, for anything that might happen, we would speak to Celtic first,” Cardiff’s chief executive Gethin Jenkins told the Daily Mail.

This agent Roger Linse has told the press that Loovens is more than happy at Celtic and wants to stay and for his place in the team. Like at Cardiff new signings has made competition for spots more interesting.

“Glenn is happy at Celtic and is under contract there. He doesn't want to leave, ”Loovens agent

Loovens still has two years of his contract left with Celtic, he missed Sundays home win against St Mirren with an injury. Since leaving Cardiff City to join Celtic for £2.5million he has been a first team regular until last season where injury saw him miss a fair chuck of the season.

Story Source

Gerrard a hammer .... (Not that Gerrard)

Could he be on the move

Skysports.com is becoming a mine of information with the Ross McCormack to Leeds story now they are saying a City player could be on their way to the Premier League.

The rumour is that West Ham is interested in signing Cardiff City defender Anthony Gerrard and the East London club are considering a bid. I with be a major turn up in the books if true, over the weekend he was being linked with Division One club Sheffield Wednesday but the manager was quick to denied.

There has been a rumour of a falling out between Gerrard and Jones over is lack of first team football. However City boss Dave Jones was quick to dumpen  that rumour saying:

“There’s all these rumours that I’ve fallen out with him, that he’s done this and done that. It’s just a load of garbage.

“But there will be players who leave this football club, whether that’s now or further down the line, but that I can guarantee.”

McCormack to Leeds

Good Luck Ross

Even before the arrival of Craig Bellamy it was looking likely that Cardiff striker Ross McCormack days with Cardiff City were looking numbered. But if there is a deal in the offing and your agent is Willie McKay you can guarantee everyone will get to know about the news.

The latest team to be link with Cardiff’s Scottish hit man is Leeds United who has been give permission to speak to Leeds according to McKay with another two unnamed clubs in the queue.

For a short time it looked like McCormack would be off to Ipswich but the deal involved a swap with Ipswich strike Jon Stead, however Stead had a number of other clubs interested and the deal talk cooled. Hull City was next but the news soon went cold as Hull looked elsewhere.

"We have been given permission to speak to Leeds as well as two other clubs about Ross. "We'll be holding talks with these clubs later this week.”

Skysports.com has confirmed they have agreed an undisclosed fee with Cardiff for McCormack who is surplus to requirements with Cardiff boss Dave Jones. I would expect a number of fans would be upset with the news but McCormack has made it known he wants first team football.

McCormack is to undertake a medical and has to agree terms with Leeds United.

Some injury problems for Jones

State of the are treatment facilities at the Vale

Cardiff City striker Michael Chopra had to have an x-ray on his ankle injury picked up against Doncaster on Saturday. Allow there has been nothing official from the club the striker could be out for at least two weeks with suspected ankle ligament damage. It comes at a time at Ipswich are believe to be upping their interest in trying secure a transfer deal, but it is highly unlikely City boss Dave Jones would not be interest.

Earlier in the game Jones had lost Kevin McNaughton to a hamstring injury that gave Lee Naylor is debut sooner than expected. He had only signed on Friday as a free agent from Celtic with no game to back him, but for the training. Naylor put in a performance that show why the City boss was so eager to sign him up.

Jones had some bad luck before the game Saturday when in the warm up Darcy Blake rolled is ankle and the damaged forced some late changes. Blake loss was Adam Matthews gain as he moved up from the bench to the starting line-up.

Gary Linker on Bellamy

Mrs Lineker

News of the World columnist Gary Lineker has been put in his place when it comes to Cardiff City and Craig Bellamy, by his Cardiff born wife.

Like everyone else he seems to have a problem with why he took the drop to the Championship. He has not lost out in wages which could have derailed the deal if the two clubs could not sort one out. The money is just on about his pocket he also has his Craig Bellamy Foundation to fund. 

Happy to be at Cardiff City well it is simple all you have to do is watch his after match interview when a reporter tells him he will be home in 30minutes, beaming with a broad smile on his face said:

“Win, lose or draw its going to takes me 10 minutes to get home. Which is the first time I have been able to say that in my career, look I’m home and happy”

I think that tells you a lot about why Cardiff.


'OF COURSE Craig Bellamy wants to go back to Cardiff,' said my wife, Danielle.
She's from the city and tells me how wonderful it is. I bow to her superior knowledge. >>>>>> More

Is Loovens the big mystery signing for next week?

"Hi Dave guess what"
I'm coming home I done my time

Today McLedley will be sitting in the Celtic dressing room preparing to face those giants of Scottish football St Mirren, oh life in the fast lane. However he could be about to lose an old team mate for back in the day has Glenn Loovens is linked with a return to a much changed Cardiff City.

Loovens was link a month or so with a return to Cardiff but the rumour went away, but now it back with news Cardiff have all but sign a new player who has asked for time to think on the deal. Loovens must feel a tad unloved and unwanted up north has he is out of favour with the Celtic manager and he has become a bit of a target for the boo boys.

He left Cardiff in August 2008 in a £2.5million deal which saw the Bluebird pocket a big profit on the £250,000 Cardiff paid Feyenoord for his services. In May Feyenoord were reported be seeking the help of FIFA in a dispute between the two clubs over Feyenoord claim that Cardiff owe them £750,000 as part of a sell-on clause applicable to Glenn Loovens’ move to Celtic.

If he were to join the Cardiff revolution someone could have to go. His (Loovens) best position is at centre-half and Cardiff boss Dave Jones has a lot of cover in that spot. The walesonline.co.uk website has a rumour that Gerrard may be allowed out on loan to Sheffield Wednesday. Cardiff has taken an option one a permanent deal at the end of the season.

Just a footnote to McLedley if Loovens re-signs with the Bluebirds he will be bring his cash of medals and silverware = 1 Scottish League Cup medal.

Keane still after Chopra

Ipswich Town manager Roy Keane confirmed this afternoon that his board had excepted on offer from Bristol City for Jon Stead. The deal should go through early next week and with the lost of Jon Walters to Stoke City Keane is short on experience in attack.

With the arrival of Craig Bellamy at Cardiff City Keane is rumoured to be about to make one last attempt to sign City striker Michael Chopra. The report suggests he will offer £4million to secure his number one target, Keane as been keen to signing Chopra seen January.

Keane was looking at Ross McCormack but it turned out to be a tough deal with it involving a swap deal between McCormack and Stead. The city striker can go out on loan or permanent deal if the price was right.

Some national newspaper match reports

Craig Bellamy applies coup de grâce to fairytale homecoming - by Joe Lovejoy guardian.co.uk

He was in danger of being upstaged on what was an emotional debut, and he was having none of that. Seven minutes from the end of the normal 90, with the crowd singing the praises of others, Craig Bellamy stepped forward and thrashed a 25-yard free-kick in off Neil Sullivan's left-hand post to apply the coup de grâce to the 4-0 drubbing of Doncaster Rovers with which Cardiff City welcomed him home. After assists for two of the other goals, and an unsurprising booking, the Championship's biggest name was the star of the show after all. >>>>>> More

Craig Bellamy enjoys perfect homecoming - By Simon Briggs The Telegraph

Yet despite one goal and two assists, he came off the field saying "I could do miles better – but I haven't played much football." Bellamy capped a memorable day with a sensational free-kick, struck from over 30 yards, that flashed just inside Neil Sullivan's right-hand post. It was the perfect flourish to round off Cardiff's 4-0 win. >>>>>> More

Three B’s....... Bothroyd – Burke – Bellamy

Bothroyd

Well a perfect day for Cardiff City and Craig Bellamy, he score a goal and better still he put in a solid team performance. He did pick up a weak yellow card but for his passion on some foul.

It was all round performance from a team which would please the Cardiff City bosses and the fans.

The game had its cost with both Kevin McNaughton (18min) and Michael Chopra (32min) going off injured, we will have to wait on news of the scale of the injuries. Next Sayurday Cardiff face a trip to Portsmouth. McNaughton misfortune gave Lee Naylor an early than expected debut, he only signed for the club last night and did well in defence. Cardiff City boss Dave Jones had to drop someone to the bench to make room for Bellamy and he decided on Chris Burke. The injury to Chopra in the 32minute saw Burke off the bench and into the action.

Burke

Jay Bothroyd looks to have spent the summer getting his eye in for goals with a total of three in three league games, plus one in the Carling Cup he has not been this prolific for a while. His (Bothroyd) first today was supplied from a beautiful Bellamy cross from out on the left wing, he found Bothroyd who fired home a left-footed shot into the back of the net.

Both teams had chances but it was City going in at half time with a 1-0 lead.

Cardiff were more or least in control for the whole second half and it was to tell on the goal count. Bothroyd got his second of the game on 61minutes with a close range header with the help of a pinpoint cross from Burke.

Bellamy

It was Burke who was next on the score sheet six minutes later. From way back in his own half Bellamy fired the ball up the middle of the field and found a on running Burke who gathered the ball, control it and fired in home from around 12 yards out.

The fans were happy the game was over at 3-0 up, but there was one thing missing to round the game off, with nine minutes to go it came his debut yellow card for dissent for Bellamy. A minute or so later he made another debut goal, and it was a beauty a superb free-kick from 35 yards.

The game ended the way everyone supporting Cardiff City wanted, victory and three points, and no party popers.

Martin John interview with the Ottawa Citizen

Whirlwind changes for former Fury player John - By Richard Starnes, The Ottawa Citizen

Martin John is one cool young customer. Most people would be gasping for breath after what has happened to him in the past month.

In that time, he has gone from an Ottawa Fury training session at Algonquin College to a first-team debut with leading English Championship club Cardiff City -- that's one jump short of the Premier League. >>>>>>  More

Bellamy article for the Indepedent

He's not Mr Nasty, he's 'Bellam' – and Cardiff loves him - By James Corrigan The Independent


If Craig Bellamy requires any gauge of what might be expected on his debut today, the last Welsh superstar who rocked the game when signing for Cardiff City happened to score the winning goal in his first game. From 20 yards inside his own half. >>>>> More

Road to Wembley – Verwood Town v Odd Down FA Cup Replay

With all the Bellamy stuff and news surrounding Cardiff City I forgot about the Odd Down FA Cup Replay Wednesday night.
The game saw Odd Down walking away easy winner at Verwood Town 4-1.

So Odd Down are off to Cornwall for the next rould on there road to Wembley for an away game playing Torpoint Athletic.

Saturday 28th Aug Torpoint Athletic v Odd Down

The Bellamy factor

It has been another brisk day down at the Cardiff City Stadium as the Craig Bellamy factor continues to help fill the clubs tills.

The Craig Bellamy 39 shirts are coming off the rail as fast as they can be stock ahead of his debut tomorrow. The stands at the Cardiff City Stadium will awash with thousands of Craig Bellamy shirts. The pressure must be intense the world football press will be watch and most would love to see him fall on his face. To top it off City boss Dave Jones has made in captain. Doncaster and their small band of supporters will be hoping to be party-pooper’s and heroes to many.

The ticket office has had another good day. The game is nearly a sell-out all the cheap seats have gone with only the more expensive seats around the Grandstand are left.

City pay half the Motherwell debt

Cardiff City has paid half of the money owed to Motherwell according to Cardiff chief executive Gethin Jenkins has confirmed speaking on the official Cardiff City website:

"We can confirm that as a result of the increased cash flow with the interest since Craig Bellamy's arrival we have now paid half of the money owed to Motherwell, a club who themselves were in administration, and we have given our word that the remainder will be paid within the seven-day commitment we have made."

The Motherwell John Boyle interviewed before the Craig Bellamy press conference on Sky Sports News was incensed over the unpaid debt owed to his club. Cardiff missed some staged payments last season and is owed £175,000. Boyle was considering issuing a winding-up order against the Bluebirds are even the bailiffs down on match day to collect his money.

Meades off to Norway

Meades training in the rain
with FK Moss

Cardiff City boss Dave Jones has made the decision to send Cardiff City youngster Jonathan Meades to Norwegian side FK Moss on a short-term loan deal until 15 November. Has of yet the young player has not made the first team but is highly thought as a player of the future at Cardiff City.

FK Moss currently play in the second division in Norway, Adeccoligaen. They are struggling right above the relegation battle with 12 games left in their season.

It is unlikely he would get much if any first team action this season so a loan deal with the intention of gaining first-team experience with be helpful to the player. The 18-year-old defender has just signed his first one-year professional contract on leaving the Bluebirds Academy.

In the official statement on the Cardiff City website:

"We wish Jon all the best for his time in Norway and look forward to him rejoining us in the autumn."

Meades is the first of a few players who are expected to be loaned out by boss Dave Jones in the next coming week.

Will seven turn to eight?

Latest target

From having trouble filling the bench for the opening game of the season against Sheffield United Cardiff City boss Dave Jones is awash with choices. Jones revealed the arrival of left-back Lee Naylor in an interview with a USA radio station making it seven players in.

He could be still in the market for another player as the rumour mill is linking former Middlesbrough defender Chris Riggott. The player is training with the Bluebirds with a goal to earn a contract offer. Riggott is a free agent after being released by Middlesbrough in the summer and since he has attracted interest from several Championship clubs.

In the South Wales Echo Jones said about Riggott:

“Chris was due to join us a week ago, but that was delayed because of a family issue. “
“He has been a stalwart at Middlesbrough and not too far back looked likely to be the subject of a big-money transfer to Liverpool.
“When a player of his quality is available we will always be interested.”

WFD interviews Cardiff's Dave Jones

Is it a case of the magnificent seven?

Cardiff City manager has made his seventh signing with left-back Lee Naylor is the newest face to join the club. Naylor has been a long time summer target of City boss Dave Jones’ but is here the last piece of the jigsaw of the plan for promotion.

Naylor could be in line to play a part in Saturday’s game, he as been reported to have kept fitness by training with Wolves. Jones and Naylor have history together as they were together at Wolves while Jones was manager. The left-back played a lot of games for Jones during is team with Wolves

He was release by Celtic in the summer and as be linked with a number of team in that time, it was reported that he was at the Vale of Glamorgan training centre for a trial a few weeks ago.

 Defender Lee Naylor is a Cardiff City player according to Dave Jones but there is nothing official on the clubs website.

McCormack up for grabs

The Player

According to Ross McCormack agent Willie McKay Cardiff City are looking to put out on loan or secure a transfer for the Scottish striker. Over the last few weeks he has been linked with Ipswich and more recently Hull City.

News of his availability on loan should interest a number of clubs only last season he was valued at £5million by Cardiff, scaring Hull City off. It was reported at the time the then manager Phil Brown had offered Cardiff £3.5million which was turned down out of hand. McCormack has been concerned about the lack of first team football. He has found it nearly impossible to break up the partnership of Jay Bothroyd and Michael Chopra and had to settle on playing wide in midfield.

He cost City £125,000 in the summer of 2008 from Motherwell early that season Premiership club Wigan had offered £1million to sign him.

This agent Willie McKay told skysports.com:

The Agent

"It is amazing how fortunes can change so quickly in football as just 12 months ago Cardiff rejected offers of over £3million for Ross and now they are willing to let him leave on loan.
"Ross had a great first season for Cardiff, but last season was blighted by injuries and the fact that he was played out wide rather than as a central striker.
"Ross is now fully fit and raring to go and Dave Jones has been great as he has allowed us to speak to interested clubs and that is what we are doing now.
"Unfortunately Ross has been messed about by a few interested teams, but Ross just wants to go out and play football whether it is a permanent deal or a loan move.
"Ross is a proven goalscorer for club and country and whoever ends up getting him will be getting a great signing as he will help them challenge for honours."

Cash till in meltdown at the CCS

The money is rolling in at the Cardiff City Stadium, in the ticket office and club shop and under extreme pressure has Bellamy mania hits the club. At the rate tickets for the Cardiff City v Doncaster game on Saturday are flying out the door it should be a sell-out with the only seats left in the away end.

The ticket office is also reported to have sold around 500 season tickets

It is going crazy in the club shop has fans snap-up club shirts but the club was caught on the hop. They might have been on the spot getting in a new delivery of new shirts yesterday but there have run out of the letter Ys and the number 9. Fans will have to wait until next week now.

Allow he admitted to not been match fit that yesterday press conference it is expected he will play some part in Saturday’s game.

Bellamy has a big family to look after

Still on a bit of a high from yesterday and the whole Craig Bellamy bandwagon rolling into town. Some fans are talking about promotion and champions and Bellamy is yet to kick a ball for Cardiff City, time is needed for the dust to settle. IT has to be automatic promotion and no excuses now.

If we don’t make promotion will it be cast as a Bellamy failure or a team failure?

The pressure is squarely on him to show his form of last season but can he? He is playing with a different class of player and that is no disrespect to the Cardiff squad. Take Chelsea in the FA Cup last season even with the Cardiff players up for the game, but a footballing lesson was handed out to the City.

On paper looking at the squad at the disposal Cardiff manager Dave Jones is should send shivers down the back of any of his counterparts in the Championship. Some already question how Cardiff could pull such a deal in their financial position. Yes Manchester are paying a percentage of his wages and the loin share but it is not like it’s not be do before, the differences this time is the amount involved.

On the Cardiff side the Malaysian investors came good, allowing the deal to go through and helping with extra funds being made available. The deal is being kept private but Bellamy told the press conference yesterday he would not lose a penny in wages over the deal. It is not stopping the press making a concerted effort to find out. The range of their guessing what Cardiff could be paying is from £15,000 to £45,000. The Sun are say that Cardiff are paying half of Bellamy reported £90,000 a-week wage packet.

Manchester City have agreed to keep pay his image rights payments which he uses to fund his the press Bellamy speaking on the subject of money said:

“Was I willing to sacrifice money? No.
“You would have to speak to Manchester City about the details.
“It is not true I have given up image rights payments. I have a foundation in Africa and my image rights pay for that. It is very important.
“I have a responsibility to 61 kids who need me day-in and day-out to live basically off that.
“Manchester City understand that completely and that wasn’t a problem.”

Lots of City related rumours

The Craig Bellamy business at Cardiff City as taken up the column inches today but there were a bits and pieces of other news. The Bluebirds have been linked with a number of rumours in the press today involving players coming in or going out.

The Hull Daily Mail has Ross McCormack moving to Hull City in a swap deal for Hull striker Daniel Cousin coming the other way. The paper is reporting that McCormack has agreed terms with the deal now resting on the decision of Cousin.

Middlesbrough are rumoured to be tracking Cardiff City hot shot Peter Whittingham after a poor start of the season. During the summer Middlesbrough were the Championship big spenders in the transfer market. City boss Dave Jones rates Whittingham highly, and has a valuation of £3million on the head, which has seen off  Burnley and Nottingham Forest who have chance there arm.

It just so happens that the Cardiff is linked with one of Middlesbrough boss Gordon Strachan players. The South Wales Echo is linking Jones with Middlesbrough centre-half Chris Riggott who is still a free agent, another swap deal?

Over the last few weeks left-back Lee Naylor has been linked with the Bluebirds and according to reports has train at Cardiff. He was release by Celtic at the end of last season and is keeping fit by training with his old club Wolves.

It can be a funny old world sometimes but the last of the players linked with Cardiff is Wolves striker Andrew Keogh on a possible loan deal, who is also linked with Bristol City.

Bellamy happy to be a Bluebird

A six-month loan deal, balderdash, now a season long loan, oh yes baby - now that was a surprise. No more school runs for Mrs Bellamy, but a nice lie in after Mr Bellamy said he would love to be able to take his kids to school.

It being call a major coup for the Bluebirds, no it is astonishing a players of his quality just don’t drop down to the Championship they head to Scotland or the other side of the world or the new retiement home the USA. The astonishing fact he not past it looking to

He is pencil in making his debut on Saturday, at the Cardiff City Stadium against Doncaster. The club expect to have a full house for Saturday and if not made up by the world’s press descending on Cardiff.

He is not here to Eke out the dreads of a football career I expect him to other go back to Manchester City or in the Premiership next season hopefully still wearing a Cardiff City shirt.

That the press conference their looked to be a forest of microphones on the table, normally you would be lucky to see one or two and a couple digital tape recorders.

Bellamy on Man City

“Nothing’s difficult about this. I had the greatest time at Manchester City, I was brought to take that club on to the next level and I feel I did that.

“The players they are signing are incredible. I am sure they will win the title in the next couple of years and I hope they do.

“I am fine with Roberto Mancini (the City manager) and I hope he does really well. He’s a top manager and he’s brought in top managers and I am sure they are going on to win that title.”

Bellamy on Cardiff City

“I had to look at the options and I have and that’s why I am here. I am here to be home.

“I’ve spent the last six years up and down the road. I left home at 15 and I always had the feeling I wanted to come back, but at the top of my game.

“My family has supported me all my life and I wanted to say thank you and now they’ll get to see me at home and hopefully at a high level.

“At the end of the day we should be happy we are here. I have come down to the Championship, probably the hardest decision in my career I have made.

“I grew up in this league and I now it will be a tough, tough time of my career, but I have the opportunity to get my home town club into the top flight football.”

“I think with the players we have we have got to be looking for promotion.

“I’ve been in the Premier League for 10 years and am at the height of my career, my knee is incredible, I feel in great condition, it will take me a couple of weeks, but wherever I went would have been difficult.

"It will be big for south Wales if we get back to the Premier League. Even if Swansea got up it would be great for us in this country. Young kids would get the chance to see great players."

"Dave (manager, Jones) being here...it will be nice to come home without him being at my doorstep. That will be a relief. I'll get to see him every day now."

“I looked at every option, I’m happy, my family’s very, very happy and now I’m on my own door stop.”

Cardiff and Bellamy thank Manchester City for the help in making the deal work but when asked about is wages all anyone would comfirm is that Bellamy he hasn't taken a paycut.

Motherwell looking to get paid for Quinn

News of the Bellamy deal as reach Scotland and Motherwell are up in arms over the money owed them for the Paul Quinn transfer. It would seem Cardiff were taken to court last Friday be on one from the club attended after the SPL club sort a winding up order.

The Motherwell statement

“It is critical that clubs work constructively with each other to ensure we can manage a very difficult financial climate for the game," the statement read. "We have given Cardiff every chance to do the right thing.

“The board now believe that Cardiff’s position is untenable given their activity in the transfer market acquiring Jason Koumas, Tom Heaton, Danny Drinkwater, Seyi Olofinjana, Martin John and today, the loan signing of Manchester City’s Craig Bellamy.

“Given all these circumstances and with legal and moral weight behind us, Motherwell FC have no option but to immediately pursue all legal routes to ensure this significant sum paid to us as quickly as possible.

“These may include issuing a winding up order, arresting assets or physically sending bailiffs to their ground on match day to take possession of cash. Every option will be fully considered and implemented as soon as possible.

“We want Cardiff fans to know that we appreciate the concerns this will give them. We can only urge them to look to how they would feel in our position and urge them to put pressure on their own Board to ensure the excellent long-term reputation of their club is not diminished by the leadership of one board.

“We have a job to promote and protect the interests of our own employees, fans and shareholders and we will. We would also suggest to the Championship and the English FA that they look with great care at the conduct of Cardiff in handling this matter.

“Even at this very late stage, I would urge Gethin Jenkins of Cardiff to pay this money plus costs and interest by return in order to save his club acute embarrassment and the football community in general unwarranted bad publicity”.

Chris Riggott new target

With Craig Bellamy to add to his squad Cardiff manager Dave Jones is still looking to bring in new blood.

The South Wales Echo is linking Jones with Middlesbrough centre-half Chris Riggott who is still a free agent.

Middlesbrough paid Derby £2million way back January 2003 last season he had only played in a few game and are Jones is still interested in left-back Lee Naylor.

If all those deals were to come off Jones would surely loan some players out. With Bellamy added to the team it how looks more than likely Ross McCormack will be leaving the club. Today he is heavily linked with a swap deal with Hull City for Daniel Cousin making the trip the the Cardiff City Stadium.

It's Official Criag Bluebird

Sky sports presenter Georgie Thompson

Lastest news update

1:20pm Official Bellamy THIS a Bluebird - season long loan

12:50pm Cardiff City to hold press conference today. 3:00pm live on Sky Sports News

Midday ...... Sky reporter talked with someone at Manchester City and said the deal COULD happen  but it's not a done deal yet.

It is still not official from either club but skysports.com has revelled according to a source ‘Craig Bellamy to join Cardiff on loan from Manchester City.’

It is a believable situation one many fans at the end of last season would laugh in your face if you suggested it.

Bellamy has been saying for years he would like to play of his home town club Cardiff City one day. That day has come, and unlike when Robbie Fowler and Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink joined the City both players were seeing out the back ends of their careers, Bellamy still has a lot to give.

He was arguably one of the better players in the Premiership last season and with the number of team wanting to sign him shows he can still do a job in the Premier League.

Swapshop – McCormack to Hull, Cousin to Cardiff

Has the swap deal for Ross McCormack more on and way from Ipswich and boss Roy Keane to Championship rivals Hull City and boss Nigel Pearson. There is nothing offical

The deal again depends on a swap deal with Daniel Cousin reported to be coming the other way. Cousin has been a rumour target of Cardiff City boss Dave Jones before and deal seemed to be on the cards around a year and half ago but he didn’t want to drop into the Championship.

The deal with Ipswich collapsed because Jon Stead who as part of deal coming to Cardiff as a number of other clubs interested.

This is not the first time the Scottish international McCormack has been linked with Hull City last summer the then manager Phil Brown tried to tempt him away from Cardiff but was put off by Cardiff valuation of the player.

Terms between McCormack and Hull have been agreed according to the Hull Daily Hull but Cousin has yet to do the same with Cardiff. The stumbling block will be the Hull players wages which are believed to be in the region of £18,000 a week with the paper saying Cousin as been offered £9,000. Hard-up Hull has been trying to prune their wage bill all summer.

Going to Cardiff a waste - Redknapp

The Spurs boss Harry Redknapp should keep his nose out of Cardiff City business after giving interviews that it would be ‘a waste’ if Craig Bellamy was to join the Bluebirds.

There has been nothing official about the situation regarding Craig Bellamy and Cardiff City.

The Spurs boss is a long time admirer of the Welsh international and would like to sign him but believes Manchester City wouldn’t sell him to a Premiership rival. Another boss in the race like Mark Hughes has a strong personal connection with Bellamy having managed him three times, at Wales, Blackburn Rovers and Manchester City paying out £19million in transfer fees. But Hughes could well find himself in the same boat has Redknapp.

Redknapp said of the prospect of Bellamy joining Cardiff:

"Good luck to Cardiff but it would be a waste of an outstanding player.
"He should stay in the Premier League for sure."
"I think someone's going to have to end up buying him probably.
“Unless Manchester City do decide to end up loaning him to a club like Fulham.
"I couldn't see them loaning him to someone like us."