Terry Venables in the sun about Bellamy

Terry Venables - Columnist

THE jury is still out on Roberto Mancini and I don't know why.

The Manchester City boss has made only ONE mistake this season and that was packing Craig Bellamy off to Cardiff.

Everything else he has got spot on.

Source

Who is top of the league

Npower Championship Table

30th October 2010

Cardiff City are top of the league of the league after a 3-1 victory over Norwich. The last time the Bluebirds were top of the pile was at the beginning of last season.

Bothroyd misses Jacks game

A pointless yellow card for Jay Bothroyd means he will now miss the big Welsh derby, can you believe it. He will miss the Swansea game Sunday week for receiving his fifth yellow card of the season which carries a one-match automatic ban.

He will be a big miss for next week game, he is club/league top scorer and the news will surely put a smile on the face of the Swansea management and fans.

Cardiff City team v Norwich

Heaton

McNaughton Hudson Gyepes Naylor

Whittingham Olofinjana Burke Bellamy

Chopra Bothroyd

Subs: Marshall, Matthews, Blake, Koumas, McPhail, Wildig, Keogh

It’s hard of any manager to consider making changes to a team that had such a comprehensive win, over league rivals as Cardiff had over Leeds on Monday. So it the same starting eleven with Matthews on the bench for Rea.

Cardiff looking for victory No 5

Cardiff City v Norwich City
Today kick-off 3pm

Victory for the Bluebirds today and the right result from the QPR game and Cardiff could be top of the League but later today afternoon.

The early team news is, nothing to worry about so far the main question is will Craig Bellamy be rested or play. The money is on he will start but depending on how the game is going he could be taken off before the end of the game. Everyone want him fit for the Swansea game a week Sunday with will be broadcast live on terrestrial TV the BBC.

Danny Drinkwater is back in training and Cardiff boss Dave Jones would like to through him into the mix for today’s game, but will take advice from the clubs medical staff.

In today’s press he said:

“I’ll have to battle with physio Sean Connelly and the medical people, but Danny is back in full training,” said Jones.
“I would certainly be disappointed if we didn’t have him fit and available for the start of next week – and I’ll try to get him in the squad now.
“He looks fine, striking balls, running, twisting and turning.
“He is doing everything, but I will listen to my medical staff before making a decision.”

Source

He could end up on the bench but when he does return how will he fit into the team, who will Jones drop out of the line-up. With nearly everyone fit Jones will be awash with playing options and good news is that Chris Riggott is also in full training.

Taiwo loaned back to D&R

Cardiff City boss Dave Jones as loaned out another of his squad today, Solomon Taiwo is going back to is old club Dagenham & Redbridge until the end of the season, subject to international clearance which should not be a problem.

Taiwo has had very few chances to shine since joining the Bluebirds at the being of last season. He played for Dagenham & Redbridge against Cardiff last season in the Carling Cup and caught the eye of boss Dave Jones and within a few weeks he was signed. He signed a three-year deal for a fee which could eventually rise to £250,000 depending on appearances and promotion. Very unlikely Cardiff played enough games for the Division One club receive the initial signing on fee.

He made two starts in eight games played and was regular on the bench but unused. He was near on his way to Norwich in the summer for a fee of 150k, however the move later collapsed after he failed a medical.

The Daggers boss John Still said:

"Sol was a terrific player for us here before he was sold and has enjoyed his time at Cardiff, but one or two injuries has left him a touch behind.
"We're hoping he can come back here and perform in the manner that he was and that he can help us push on and collect a few more points.”

Two big games ahead

With 11 days to go the BIG Welsh derby the Cardiff City Stadium is a sell-out, however it is unclear if the Premier seats are included. PMG who provided financial support to Cardiff City to enable the development the stadium have the rights to the Premier seating. The 2,250 seat has its own dedicated hospitality area but is rarely full on sell-out games, something for the Malaysian backers to consider at some stage.

Full house, the game live on f]the BBC and all on a Sunday dinner time and Swansea will take up they full allocation of tickets. The downside to the day, 300 police are need to police the game even with the game being a bubble. So a lot of the profit out of the game will be pocketed by South Wales Police.

Tickets for the Norwich game Saturday are selling well and another 22,000 plus crowd is on the cards. For this second v fourth game Norwich are expected to be well supported which should help with the atmosphere.

Like Cardiff take on Norwich, leaders QPR are also at home and Burnley are the visitors. Burnley are seventh just outside a play-off spot but have yet to win away from this season.

Bothroyd attracting rumours

The January transfer window is a while away but the rumour mill is always open for business. There is a rumour that Fulham and Liverpool are interested in a number of Dave Jones squad.

The interest is said to be in 'man of the moment' Jay Bothroyd, the Cardiff striker as hit a fine vain of form for Jones and he is the club's top scorer and league top score aswell and has won a host of plaudits over his performances.

The source for the rumour is the ‘Metro.co.uk’ the only news outlet carrying the story and I bet even Dave Jones had a chuckle when he heard about it. Bothroyd has been a lynch pin for Dave Jones and is on his best form since joining the Bluebirds from Wolves. He will be out of contract in the summer and could walk out of the club for free. He said at the start of the season he won't talk about a new contract but concentrate on his football. However it is believe his agent is talks with the club and they are hopefull he will sign.

According to the story Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson is preparing a bid January for Bothroyd for an unknown figure and goal shy Fulham are said to be interested. There could be a bit of mileage it the Fulham story, boss Mark Hughes is on the lookout for a striker and has money to spend in January but time will tell where he will look.

Bellamy up for Norwich

After the fantastic win over Leeds on Monday its back to the Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday for the visit fourth placed Norwich City. Cardiff are now joint top of the Championship table after clawing back a six lead that top of the table QPR had over Cardiff. The Bluebirds are six points clear of third place Swansea City.

It is hope Craig Bellamy will be fit to play against Norwich one of his many clubs he as played for. He has played the last two games so will Cardiff boss Dave Jones rest him on Saturday. They (Norwich) were his very first club and there until 2000 when he move on to Coventry.

Bellamy has declare himself fit commenting to the local press,

"I’m feeling good, better than at any stage this season. Last week was the first time after a match I was able to train fully."

"When I first came to Cardiff I had been injured and I was only able to train seven times in two and a half months."

"It’s been tough, but right now everything feels right."

That the end of the day the Cardiff City boss will have the final say if he plays or not. After the Norwich game is the big Welsh derby with Swansea visiting the CCS a week Sunday, fans will  have to wait and see.

At this time City boss Dave Jones has no injury problems running up to the game. On the contrary he as midfielder Danny Drinkwater back in training and fans are still waiting to see the first sign defender Chris Riggott

Play the whistle Leeds

****UPDATE ON BOTHROYD****

A statement issued by the FAW read: "The Football Association of Wales has reviewed the footage of the Jay Bothroyd tackle on Luciano Becchio during the Npower Football League Championship game, Leeds United v Cardiff City, played on 25th October 2010.

"Retrospective action can only be taken where an incident has not been seen by the match officials. If the match officials have seen an incident such as the coming together of two players in a challenge then it is not possible to intervene retrospectively.

"FIFA's clear stance is that incidents seen at the time should not be "re-refereed" – even where it is perceived by others that match officials have made an incorrect judgement of an incident.

"As the result of relevant consultations the Football Association of Wales has decided not to take any further action against Jay Bothroyd."

Leeds United has set the dogs on to Cardiff City and Jay Bothroyd in the shape of the English FA who have passed it on to their colleagues at the Welsh FA. Why, because of the challenge on Leeds striker Luciano Becchio, a challenge missed by the ref Monday night.

It looked a bad tackle on TV and the pundits believe Bothroyd was lucky to stay on the pitch but the ref missed it. Now Leeds boss Simon Grayson wants trail by TV.

Bothroyd could miss the next three games Norwich, Swansea and Reading find found guilty of going over the top on Becchio. Cardiff and Bothroyd himself will put up a vigorous defence if it this needed.

It must be said the attitude for Becchio was excellent he jumped straight up after the tackle and back into the action. He could have done the rolling around the floor which is all but too common in football these days. There was more reaction from the stands than the pitch.

A source within the FAW said:

“Because of the media spotlight put on this particular incident, the FAW will be studying the footage.

“It was shown most of Monday night and on Tuesday and a decision will be made in due course on what action is to be taken – if any.”

If he as to get off the cry of fix will be heard again, why are the Welsh FA is looking into the incident, and not the English FA, the Welsh will never punish a Welsh Club. At is quickly followed be why are a Welsh club playing in the English league anyway, get back to the Welsh League.

Leeds boss Grayson said:

“He (Bothroyd) has clearly gone over the top.

“Jamie Ward (of Sheffield United) got sent off for a lot less than that for a challenge on Neil Kilkenny.

“Looking at replays, it is a dangerous, reckless challenge and it should have been a red card. Luciano was lucky to come through that without injury.

“But it’s gone now and it’s down to other people to decide if anything comes of it.”

Cardiff City team v Leeds United

Heaton

McNaughton Hudson Gyepes Naylor

Whittingham Olofinjana Burke Bellamy

Chopra Bothroyd

Subs: Marshall, Rae, Blake, Koumas, McPhail, Wildig, Keogh

A win tonight and the Bluebirds will go joint top on points with league leaders QPR. At one stage the Londoners were six points ahead of Cardiff has they looked to be running away at the top of the league.

Has expected Dave Jones has made no changes to the starting line that beat Coventry last week.

Jarvis returns to Cardiff

Nathaniel Jarvis is returning to Cardiff after a loan spell with Southend United. Cardiff City boss Dave Jones let the youngest go out on loan to gain some experience.

He has been with the Division Two since the end of September until today but never managed a start but seen action off the bench making seven substitute appearances failing score.

Southend boss Paul Sturrock said before finally making his mind up,

“I will be weighing up my options with Nathaniel.

“He has got something and does get chances when he comes on but not one of them has nestled in the net yet.

“I will think things through and soon be making a decision.”

He made his mind up and it no loan extension for Jarvis who returns to Wales but not for long maybe. It would be likely Dave Jones would want to loan the young strike out again has with no reserve football at Cardiff, a loan out somewhere would be beneficial for the player.

Ridsdale at a match



Nobody loves me but I do care



Ex-Cardiff City chairman Peter Ridsdale was breaking bread in the boardroom at Plymouth Argyle on Saturday. He was holidaying in the area and asked if he could come to the game between Argyle and Huddersfield Town and got an invite.



Looking at the directors’ box on the way in must have given the home fans a shock. Plymouth has been looking for new investment and it is rumour Ridsdale has been looking to get back into football according to reports and has been seen at a number of lower clubs and a few in the Championsihp. There was talk of him being involved with potential American investorment who are looking for a club.

The executive director at Plymouth Keith Todd was quick to dismiss an involvement between the club and Ridsdale. Todd told Herald Sport:

"He is down in the West Country on holiday and asked if he could come along to the game. There is nothing more to it than that."

After Cardiff it would be hard for him to find a club with fans who would welcome him . Allow Cardiff fans were dubious of his involvement with the club after his troubles at Leeds. However at first things looked to be go along well and then cracks began to appeared has the debt began to build-up.

It is rumoured he wanted to go to the Leeds v City game! but it’s unlikely he would get a invite from either clubs, so a night in front of the tele then at Ridsdale manor.

The Road to Wembley 23/10/10

After the FA Cup Third Round Qualifying games I was now tracking Eastleigh of Blue Square Bet South who had seen off Clevedon Town. In the draw for the Fourth Round Eastleigh had to face a trip to fellow Blue Square Bet South team Woking.

Match Report from Woking

So it would be the home team (Woking) that entered the First Round ‘Proper’ and a chance to take on a League team from League One and Two. They beat Eastleigh 3-2.

In today’s draw Woking will be hope for one of the bigger teams from the lower league, Southampton would be a great draw for a home game.

I was awhile before Woking was drawn Helen Chamberlain pull out Brighton much to the joy of Brighton celebrity fan Norman Cook who was picking out the away team. He then picked out Woking, so it is a November trip to the seaside for the Woking fans.

Dave Jones to Middlesborough .... highly unlikely

The News of the World is reporting at manager less Middlesbrough are interested in Cardiff City boss Dave Jones.

Jones is believed to be one of the favourites to take over from Gordon Strachan has Chairman Steve Gibson’s looks for a new boss. The report in the paper is suggesting the Cardiff boss has strong support within the boardroom at the Riverside stadium.

The Middlesbrough as a reported shopping list which includes fellow boss Nigel Pearson at Hull, plus out of work Phil Brown, Paul Ince and Tony Mowbray, however there are a number other unemployed boss dusting off their CV’s.

Gibson is under pressure to get in right this time but will be flogging a dead horse with Jones. Unless they offer some stupid money to Jones why would he want to move on? Is team is second in the League, he as a squad many a chairman, manager and fans would die for. With the north east club in the last year of there parachute payment from the Premier League they need a steady manager.

You can say Jones is steady, a builder and over the six year with Cardiff he as found some gems to sign but had to sell a few good ones to balance the books at the end of the season. However, even with the selling and the lack of cash he has built teams strong enough to complete at the top of the Championship, and just to add a Wembley FA Cup final.

City can go joint top with a win at Leeds

After sending Bristol City back home over the bridge last Saturday pointless, they did us (Cardiff City) a small favour by holding top of the table QPR to a draw last night.

For a while last night  it actually looked like the home team were going to take all three points off top of the table QPR. If they had have lost and Cardiff beat Leeds United on Monday night the Bluebirds would have gone top of the League. A win will still see Cardiff take a share in the top spot with the Londoners who will still be top of the tree with a better goal difference.

Leeds’ home form has not been the best for the last few games lost the last two out of three. It is the same for Cardiff away form, winning two out of the last three.

After today results Cardiff stay in second place with some of this morning team who were up there just below Cardiff slipping up. With the clubs immediate below dropping points it gave rivals Swansea to jump up into third only three points behind. They are joint third with Norwich City who are visitors to the Cardiff City Stadium next Saturday.  

Hopefully Bothroyd will be fit for Leeds

No game this weekend for Cardiff City they will travel to Leeds for Sky Sports Monday live game. The game should be available on the internet at all the usually places for Cardiff fans worldwide's.

Cardiff City boss Dave Jones has clarified the rumours about the possibility of top scorer Jay Bothroyd missing the Leeds game. During the midweek game at Coventry Bothroyd received a nasty cut on his foot in the first half. The injury needed an injection and some dressing for him to return to the field for the second half and to score a late winner.

After the game the wound was still bleeding so the club’s medical team had the wound scan has a precaution but if nothing was found he is likely to be fit for the Leeds

Bothroyd has come out blazing this season, he is normally a strong target going forward for hold and laying off the ball. He has never been prolific in front of goal since joining the City. In this first season in August 2008 he scored a total of 12 goals, his second season a total he managed 13 still respectable has long has others or scoring.

This season after only 12 game he has a total 9 and is top score at Cardiff and second in the Championship.

Leeds have two Cardiff old boys in there squad, Kasper Schmeichel spend a short number of months with the City on loan. He played 14 times while with Cardiff between Oct 07 and Jan 08. Leeds boss Simon Grayson also has Ross McCormack in his squad after the striker completed a transfer to the Elland Road club back in August for an undisclosed fee. His arrival at Leeds has not been as explosive as he would have liked just one start and a few more games off the bench. He has yet to score a goal however early reports suggest both players will miss the game.

City win and consolidate second place

Oh yes, another three points in the bag as Cardiff win 2-1 at Coventry. The only change City boss Dave Jones made was to bench Stephen McPhail and return Craig Bellamy to the starting line-up.

Other results were kind to the Bluebirds tonight with a helping hand from our neighbours and rivals down the road who held to of the table QPR to a 0-0 score line.

At one point the Londoners were six points ahead of the Bluebirds but have of tonight the lead as been reduced to only two. Cardiff, stay in second place and now have a five point lead over third place Watford.

Cardiff opened the scoring when a foul on Michael Chopra was enough for the referee to point to the penalty spot. Peter Whittingham it had been report recently he lost his role as chief penalty taker after missing two with boss Jones saying,

"Whoever takes the next one, it won't be Whitts.

"He struck both penalties well, but it's not like him to be so tense. He just needs a goal.”

However, after the midfielder opened his scoring account against Bristol City with two Dave Jones must have had a change of heart as it was Whittingham who stepped up to take it. Like for him he put the ball into the back of the net, making in three goals in two games for last season top scorer.

Cardiff put on the pressure and came close a few times with Mark Hudson the close with a header going just wide. Bellamy, Chopra, Whittingham and Gyepes all had chances. Coventry were mainly based in there own half for must of the game and on one of their trips into the Cardiff half of the pitch and scored. Just before half time Coventry pouncing on poor pass with lead to the goal so all square going in for half-time.

It was a long wait for Cardiff to get the lead back, there were only three minutes of normal time left. It was top scorer Jay Bothroyd who got the winning goal. A cross Burke, found Bothroyd who darted in from the far post to the front and sending the ball into the back of the net with the outside of his left foot.

Cardiff City team v Coventry

Heaton

McNaughton Hudson Gyepes Naylor

Whittingham  Olofinjana Burke Bellamy

Chopra Bothroyd

Subs: Marshall, Rae, Blake, Koumas, McPhail, Wildig, Keogh

Just one change to the winning team from the weekend game, Craig Bellamy is in for Stephen McPhail who picked up a knock against Bristol City on Saturday. McPhail is on the bench along with Darcy Blake who many expected to get a start at Coventry.

McPhail signed new contract extension?

According to the BBC Sports website Cardiff City have agreed a two-year extension with City midfielder Stephen McPhail, his current contract is due to run out in the summer.

Since joining the Bluebirds back in June 2006 on a free transfer from Barnsley there have been some highs and lows. The FA Cup final would come under the list of highs on the pitch. Not many players get the chance to partake in the build-up to a FA Cup final it must have been something special. The low was personal, his battle with cancer. The news broke towards the end of November 2009 he had been diagnosed with cancer, stage one malt lymphoma. By January the news was good he had won his battle and by the being of was back on the pitch.

It now means the club have tied-up new contracts with McPhail plus Peter Whittingham, Kevin McNaughton and Darcy Blake who have all committed to another two years with the club.

That leaves just Jay Bothroyd, Gavin Rae, Chris Burke and Adam Matthews who are all out of contract in the summer.

Drinkwater getting there slowly

Finally some rumblings of news on loanee Danny Drinkwater, ok it’s not an official Cardiff City statement but from the South Wales Echo, but new is news or another rumour. He could rejoin his team mates at training next week.

He has been back  with his parent club Manchester United receiving treatment for his thigh strain. It is an ongoing injury for the youngester that worry United last season while out on loan with Huddersfield. He still managed to scoring twice in 30 appearances while out on loan.

Cardiff City boss Dave Jones is reported has say in the South Wales Echo:

“Manchester United have far more specialised equipment and are scanning him every few days.

“They will let him go when it’s right. We hope he will be back sometime next week.

“We will be guided by Manchester United’s medical staff. Sean Connelly, our physio, is in regular contact with them.

“Danny has had this injury before and it took a lot longer than it should have to heal. We are still in the early throes of this season and there are a lot of games to go – we must ensure we manager people properly.”

The midfielder has been out for six week and was forging a strong partnership with Jones’ other midfield loanee Seyi Olofinjana signed for the season from Hull City.

Along with the United’s medical team Drinkwater progress will have to be closely checked and possible is weeks away from match fitness. The City squad has been blighted with injuries since the start of the season and Jones having to work hard to keep the momentum going with the team.

Three points again today and manager's reaction

Two goals down with eight minutes gone, who didn’t think here we go again defeat to a bottom crawler. Bristol City before the game was sitting firmly on the foot of the table with Cardiff themselves sitting at the top table in second place.

The team had no Craig Bellamy and he wasn’t on the bench so Vincent Tan who was at the game today as yet to see his star loanee play. On the upside Michael Chopra was back in the starting after eight weeks out injured.

Two, nil down up stepped Jay Bothroyd to add some reality into the game when 12 minutes into the game he clawed one goal back. It was not all good news for the big Cardiff striker, he picked up a yellow card later in the for unsporting behaviour means he is now one yellow from a match ban. It was a long wait for Cardiff to level the score and it came just after the start of the second-half. It was last season top score who found the back of the net, Peter Whittingham. By the same time last season he had score eight but it was good to see him get his goal tally underway for this season.

Cardiff were having far the much better of the second-half and with 12 minutes to go Whittingham was foul but he step up to take the free-kick.

It was all starting to look like last season as Whittingham placed a prefect free-kick into the net, 3-2 to Cardiff. The game ended with Cardiff still second putting pressure on top of the table QPR. Cardiff travel to Coventry for a Tuesday night game and hopefully Craig Bellamy will be fit to play a bit. It was Whittingham 200th career start today

Managers after match comments

Cardiff City boss Dave Jones:

"Peter Whittingham was outstanding and his work rate was superb.

"He's also back to scoring again and both free-kicks were superbly taken. His second was pure quality.

"The first 10 minutes were very sloppy defensively and some of the players looked as though they were still on an international break.

"We had plenty of opportunities to score yet looked a little lazy at the back and perhaps that was because two of our defenders were away on international duty but never played.

"It was hard when we were 2-0 down but we cleared our heads quickly got back in to the game with Jay Bothroyd's goal and I told them at half-time if we could keep a clean sheet in the second half we would go on to win."

Bristol City boss Keith Millen:

"I couldn't have asked for a better start. We wanted commitment from the players to turn around our season and to go two up so early on was a dream start.

"We needed to keep that two goal advantage for as long as possible but when they pulled one back so quickly it got the crowd back on their side.

"I was happy going in at half-time but within 50 seconds of the restart we gave away a very soft free-kick.

"Their winner was a superb strike from Whittingham but I cannot understand why Bothroyd was allowed to stand five yards offside in front David James yet not be pulled up for it.

"David is very disappointed with the way the goals were scored and generally we didn't get any luck at all from the officials.

"We have quality in the squad and I firmly believe we will turn our season around."

Team v Bristol City

Heaton

McNaughton Hudson Gyepes Naylor

Whittingham McPhail Burke Olofinjana

Chopra Bothroyd

Marshall, Rae, Taiwo, Koumas, Matthews, Wildig, Keogh

No Bellamy in the squad

Rhys Weston still employed just

Ex-Cardiff City player Rhys Weston must have ate his cold porridge wondering what the day would hold for the club he joined in the summer. He joined crisis hit Dundee who have according to the clubs administrator has only 50% chance of survival.

Weston was at the City from November 2000 until July 2006 playing just over 200 games, scoring twice before moving on to Norway (Viking FK) for a short while before returning to Notts County. The English born player while at Cardiff become a Welsh international playing under 21’s games before receiving seven senior cups for Wales.

Yesterday manager Gordon Chisholm and his assistant Billy Dodds plus nine players redundant and the future of Chisholm loan players look bleak. The administrator told interested parties the club have only had enough funds to operate until Christmas and would fold unless fresh investment is found.

The Scottish club face a trip to Scottish First Division game with Stirling, the game is still on but only if they turn up with a team. Weston will not have to take a cut

Weston speaking to the Dundee Courier said,

"It has taken me two years to find a club in Scotland and now this is happening.

"My wife Kaye and son Connor have been living here for the past couple of years while I was at Walsall.

"I have been trying to get up the road to be with them and I finally get a club, then this. It is not done and dusted yet, and we will wait and see what happens, but it is not good.

"It is difficult — not just for us as players but the office staff and everyone else as well. We are all in the same boat and the uncertainty is the worst thing. These things happen in life but it is hard when you don't know what is going on.

"When I came here we were promotion favourites and everything was rosy, but next thing you know we are staring down the barrel of a gun.

Waston with loanee Koumas 2005/6 season

"We probably know just as much as you (the media) but the general consensus is it is not good.

"We came close to this sort of thing at Cardiff when I was there between Sam Hamann and Peter Ridsdale, but thankfully it never came to this.

"It is a horrible thing to go through but at least we only have another day to wait before we find out what the future holds."

"The manager and Doddsy have been great.

"They have had an impossible job in the last few weeks but they have kept the boys together.

"They have told us as much as they know and made sure everyone is kept up to date.

"But nobody has really known what's going on, so what they have been able to say has been limited. I feel sorry for them because they have done their best in really difficult circumstances.

"There is a game on Saturday and we have to honour our fixtures. Irrespective of who is still here and who is not, there will be a Dundee team on the pitch.""This club is facing the most difficult fight of its life," said Jackson, who has overseen similar situations at Clydebank and Motherwell.

"We must get money in before Christmas. If I had to guess, I would say there's a 50-50 chance of survival."

League football back on Saturday

Back to real football after the international break with Bristol City making the short trip over the bridge. League football is the bread and butter of football and Cardiff City are on there on going quest for Premiership football. Cardiff manger Dave Jones as had two weeks to plan the next faze of the season leading up to the all important Christmas period.

Some good news is Michael Chopra is all but ready to enter back into to fray with the run-out at Bristol Rovers the final piece of the jigsaw after eight weeks out with rupturing ankle ligaments. He played a competitive 60 minutes yesterday and scoring a goal in the 5-1 win over Rovers. From this news he will definitely but playing his part in the Severnside derby with Bristol City Saturday.

Craig Bellamy has enjoyed a two week break and as been spending the time working on his problem knee and should be in line to start on Saturday. However, in today’s South Wales Echo there is a suggestion that Cardiff manager Dave Jones could rest his star player Saturday. Cardiff has an intensive period of games come up with two games over three days, Saturday Bristol and Coventry away Tuesday night.

The full schedule for the month,

Cardiff v

Bristol City, mid-day kick-off (home) Saturday, 16 Oct

Coventry, 7:45pm kick-off (away) Tuesday, 19 Oct

Leeds United, 7:45pm kick-off (away) Monday, 25 Oct

Norwich, 3pm kickoff (home) Saturday, 30 Oct

Swansea, 1.10pm kick-off (home) Sunday, 7 Nov

Reading, 8pm kick-off (away) Wednesday, 10 Nov

Scunthorpe, 3pm kick-off (away) Saturday, 13 Nov

With his knee trouble Cardiff fans have consigned themselves to the lost of Bellamy for certain games. Jones see’ the importance of rationing his on field time or the striker he could be out for much longer. What why he missed the Wales games, He would have probably started both games but how long before he would break down. He player for Cardiff at Barnsley but he would have probably have missed the next City game if there was no international break.

Jones is using Bellamy as a limited resource with the possibility of him player a game a week. If that was true, and he was to miss the game Saturday he would then under that plan would play Coventry, Norwich, and Reading on one game a week. But has a fan and if fit enough I would rather see him play Saturday mean he would be in contention for Leeds, Swansea and Scunthorpe.

In the championship it’s full on football where you need to plat your best eleven.

Of the other players on the injury list Manchester United loanee Danny Drinkwater is expected to be out for a while. He took no part the reserve game with Bristol Rovers, so it would be unlike to see him back or even on the bench for a while.

What is it with Jones and players from Manchester recently? Last season we had Manchester City midfielder Kelvin Etuhu on a season loan which was wrecked be injury. He played all a handful of game but end is time with the Bluebirds playing at Wembley, coming on for Jay Bothroyd after 15 minutes in the play-off final. How we have Danny Drinkwater out with thigh issues at has kept him out since the end of August just has he been forming a strong partnership in the centre of midfield with Seyi Olofinjana on loan from Hull City.

Then there is new signing Chris Riggott! Not involved in the Rovers game and yet to make is debut on the pitch or even on the bench. He is still out injured or not match fit, but one day we will see him.

Wales never fail to disappoint

Thank god international break has come and gone with the usual disappointment for followers of Wales or well there is the World Cup 2014 in Brazil to look forward to. Three games in, three defeats and rock bottom in the standings and Brian Flynn didn't bring much to the two games, so will he get the job? I hope not. The whole FAW from top to bottom needs a clear-out with a new manager and team around him. 

The next break for the Euro 2012 Qualifier will be in March when Wales take on England somewhere in Wales. There was a friendly pencilled in for November but has been drop but Wales have a game before England. They are playing Republic of Ireland in the new Carling Nations Cup in Dublin in February, and there will also be playing two more games both in Dublin against Scotland Tuesday May 24th and Northern Ireland on Thursday May 26th.

What a week that will be with the locals, Welsh, Scottish and the English sorry Northern Irish all in town for a piss-up and a possibility of a sectarian punch-up. Pity the English turned down the off to join it would be a much bigger problem for the local plod.

The latter two games could lead to league v country has they clash with the play-off finals which are earmarked for a move from Wembley because of the Champions League final is due to be played at Wembley the same weekend.

Blake to get Wales nod

It has been confirmed by the Welsh boss Brian Flynn that Cardiff City defender Darcy Blake will make his debut tonight in Switzerland.

He will replace Nottingham Forest Chris Gunter who received a straight red card last Friday night against Bulgaria at the Cardiff City Stadium. Injury put paid to ex-boss John Toshack attempts to give the versatile City player his debut but now here has a chance to make his mark at an international level

Flynn told the South Wales Echo:

“Darcy gets his chance and he deserves it, although there wasn’t much in it between him and Adam.

“I guess the experience Darcy has gained in the Championship, last season and this, got him the nod.

“He has made huge strides from where he was a year ago and playing for Wales can only help his club career with Cardiff.

“He has got terrific pace, power in the tackle and, for his size, is as good as anyone I’ve seen in the air. He times his jumps to perfection.”

Along with Blake it was revealed Adam Matthews was also under consideration to replace Gunter. Could that mean a spot on the bench for the Cardiff City youngster?

Feyenoord after owed money

Loovens

I wrote about this story in May when Feyenoord previous threaten Cardiff with the FIFA over the Glenn Loovens deal to join Celtic back in 2008 but it quick disappeared has quick has it hit the headlines. I could only hope that it was all sorted out behind the scenes.

The Dutch defender joined Cardiff City in 2006 after a season loan for a fee of £250,000 and sell-on clauses with the deal. When Cardiff sold the Dutchman to Celtic a fee of £2.5million the amount of the fee owed to Feyenoord was a reported £750.000 in May but into today press they are suggesting £350.000.

Back in May a club official for Feyenoord said:

"We have compiled a dossier and begun legal action because Cardiff City has defaulted on their payments.

"FIFA has a good judicial mechanism to take action against clubs who do not pay their transfer fees.

"A deduction of 10 points is one of a number of possibilities open to them.

"Feyenoord have only just now asked FIFA to take action. We have pointed out to them that Cardiff could be promoted.

"If it is down to us their eventual promotion to the Premier League would not be allowed to go through.

"Feyenoord are going to sink their teeth into this case. And we are not going to let go until Cardiff pay up."

Cardiff has been paying of instalment but the Dutchman is reported to be unhappy that the Welsh club can still afford to bring players and not pay them. Feyenoord have lodges a complaint with FIFA, who have told the Welsh FA to look into it.

How ever according to today report Cardiff has been paying off the debt off instalments, a City spokesman said:

“We have agreement on a payment plan with Feyenoord and are working to pay off our historical debts.”

When Loovens signed Feyenoord and Cardiff agreed a deal that the Bluebirds would pay Feyenoord 15 per cent of any profit made if Loovens was sold on. Cardiff would have preferred the money up front but agreed a payment schedule with Celtic. Cardiff have missed a payment to Feyenoord according to reports and are not happy. What I don't get is why if Celtic is such a great club and with massive support worldwide why can't they paid up a £2.5m transfer fee stright up front.

Road to Wembley 9/10/2010

Clevedon Town 0–5 Eastleigh

Clevedon crashed out of the FA Cup when the were turned over by Blue Square Bet South team Eastleigh The last time these teams met was at the same stage of the FA Cup three years ago and history repeated itself on Saturday, with Eastleigh winning by the same score-line, spooky.

The Zamaretto League Division 1 South & West club was well beaten by Eastleigh and by the end of the first half were 2-0 up. A further three goals in the second-half sealed the game up.

Eastleigh win set them up for a road trip the either Brentwood Town or Woking in the Fourth Qualifying Round. They fought out a 1-1 draw on Saturday.

There is a Cardiff connection with Eastleigh via their manager Ian Baird. He joined Cardiff for a short spell form Southampton in season 1983/84 and had a pretty successful loan, scoring 6 league goals in 12 matches. The head coach at Eastleigh is also said to have had a spell Matt Gray with the City, allow I couldn’t find any record of him playing for the club.

The Conference teams enter this round and the low league teams mingle with the winners of the Fourth Qualifying Round next. Reaching the First Round Proper is the goal of all non-league clubs, a chance to pit themselves against league opposition. There is Welsh interest with both Newport and Wrexham looking to make the First Round Proper.

Newport County face Conference and promotion rivals Crawley Town at home while Wrexham also face Conference opposition at home in the shape of Southport.

Roll on Saturday

I can’t wait to see the back of international break football and get back to league football. Wales’ Euro 2012 chances have all but finished and defeat against Switzerland in Basal would be another nail in the coffin of Welsh international football.

My mind is firmly fixed on next Saturday and the mid-day kick-off against our true rivals Bristol City. They will be visiting the Cardiff City Stadium from a position of rock bottom of the league table, but with a better away form. Cardiff City fans no all to well that the team are notorious for losing to teams at the wrong end of the table.

The Cardiff City boss Dave Jones could have an old face and a new one to fans to choose from for the squad against Bristol City. Michael Chopra is back in full training and close to hitting the target he set himself, to return for the sevenside derby. He has six days to get his match fitness to the level at would see him eligible to be picked for the squad Saturday.

Cardiff fans are still waiting to get a view of Chris Riggott who signed on a free transfer after he decided to move on from is old club Middlesbrough who had turned down a new contract offer from him. Since come on trial he has been put through the mill by Dave Jones and before signing was given the mother of all medicals. He could make the game next weekend is the rumour on the bench.

The situation with Danny Drinkwater is not good according to the unofficial rumour mill. It was hope he would be fit for the Bristol game but he could be out for a while longer. The games he as played as shown Cardiff fans why is parent club Manchester United think so highly of him. The injury is the same problem that cut short his loan last season to Huddersfield.

It looks like the six players who are on international duty with but coming home after Tuesday game injury free unless any get some playing time.

Cardiff City players sit out Euro Friday games

None of the six Cardiff City players out on international duty had any pitch time Friday night.

Darcy Blake and Adam Matthews faired little better on duty with Wales who lost 1-0. Blake sat out the game on the bench while Matthews didn’t make the squad. The Welsh boss Brian Flynn has promised changes for the next game against Switzerland in Basel Tuesday night. He will be forced to make two changes at least with Chris Gutter who will miss the game after his straight red card against Bulgaria and Sam Ricketts for picking up his second yellow of the campaign will be sitting out the game.

Cardiff City defender Gabor Gyepes played no part in Hungary’s 8-0 win over San Marino and didn’t even make the bench. Loanee striker Andy Keogh was on the bench for Republic of Ireland in there 2-3 defeat by Russia at home but remained unused.

The Cardiff defender Kevin McNaughton with the Scottish squad failed to make the squad. Czech Republic came out 1-0 winners we will have to way and see if any of Cardiff manager troops are involved in the next round of games.

Wales tonight for those interested

Wales tonight but I can’t say I am overly excited about the game, I’ve just never got into international football. I watch the World Cup and the like with a bit of interest however Wales are never there so over the years I have run a eye over any of the home international that make the grade.


I’m more excited about the Euro lottery and the £112million up for grabs because there is more of a chance of me win the money than Wales qualifying for a major championship.

Will Darcy Blake or Adam Matthews make the starting line up, maybe the bench or they could not figure at all in tonight’s game?

It is hope a good crowd will turn up for the Euro 2012 qualifier clash with Bulgaria to night at the Cardiff City Stadium. The FAW are considering where to England home game next year, the Millennium Stadium is favourite with it’s 74,000 capacity but the players and management are on record has saying they would prefer the smaller Cardiff City Stadium. Midweek it was reported that 11,000 tickets had been sold and were hoping that by today 15,000 tickets would have been shifted.

Matthews in the Welsh squad

Has Cilia would say, surprise, surprise Adam Matthews has got a late, late call-up from Welsh manager Brian Flynn. He is wanted for the Euro 2012 qualifying double header against Bulgaria (home) at the Cardiff City stadium Friday night and (away) at the Basel in Switzerland on Tuesday night.

The 18-year-old defender will be out of contract in the summer and there has been talk since last season Cardiff was in talks over a new one. He was touted has the new great youngster to come out of the youth academy with rumours of interest from Manchester United and Arsenal. News on a new deal has gone very quiet, which seems a bit strange if he was so hot last season that two of the biggest teams in the Premier League were tracking him.

In could walk away free in the summer and line himself a deal in the January transfer window there would be some compensation/development fee if his contract were to run out.

There are rumours and counter rumours that Matthews has been unsettled for a while and the City boss has put a hold new contract talks. The former chairman Peter Ridsdale we are to believe offered a new deal to Matthews when he reached 25 appearances which he duly did. There were some talks before the end of last season but since the departure of Ridsdale the talks have dried-up. Ridsdale could have been seeing lots of possible pound signs in front of his eyes.

Matthews recently came in for some criticism fro City boss Dave Jones over his OWN goal he scored at Ipswich. Since the Ipswich game he has been on the bench and didn’t even make it on the bench for the Barnsley game.

Jones after match comments laid into the young defender,

"There is no hiding place in this world and at this level. It is a good job (Matthews) is a young player and he has a long time to get over it.

"We all score own goals but you are taught as a young boy to head the ball high and wide and away from goal. He has been caught again for the second goal.

Manager Dave Jones told his young defender to show his character over the own goal, he would not ‘molly-coddle’ the player and when on to threaten to banish him to the reserves.

Footballer escapes being sent off after groping female ref Bibiana Steinhaus

Road to Nowhere (the Welsh Cup) 2/10/2010

Fleur de Lys are out of the Welsh Cup after losing 3-1 to last season Welsh League champions Goytre United who were in the pot for the third round yesterday. The four match run lasted until last Saturday the furthest they had reached in the competition.

They will get some prize money for reaching the second round just £750 for losing. Not much in the way of prize money for the little Welsh club but if they had lost in any of the earlier rounds they would have got nothing. If it was the second round in the English FA Cup they would receive £27,000. Has for the prize in Scottish and Northern Irish not even the Google search machine can’t find their prize money payments for them.

The ginat killing of the day came at the expensive of the once might Barry Town who were going to be the Rangers/Celtic of Welsh football, they lost at home in extra time to Corus Steel 2-1.

Goytre United are at home again for the next round and face a toughie against Welsh Premier League Carmarthen Town.

Two-year contract deal for Whittingham

Peter Whittingham might have lost his post as chief penalty taker for Cardiff boss Dave Jones, but he will still be a Bluebird at the end of the season.

The Official Cardiff City website announced this morning at the player had finally put pen-to-paper and signed a new two-year contract. Boss Jones was always confidant he would get his man and means he has signed three of the players whose contracts in the summer.

It will put pay to Nottingham Forest plans to continue the chase for the Cardiff midfielder they were rumour to have pursued hard in the summer. The Nottingham Forest chief executive Mark Arthur was in hot water after on BBC Radio Nottingham he said,

"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 has 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."

Dave Jones was annoyed with the Forest chief executive accusing him of 'tapping-up' his player. Arthur apologises later to both Cardiff. He made it clear that he didn't want to lose any player in the summer but for those he released. It was made clear that if a stupid offer was made then he would be stupid himself in not listen and look at the offer. The rumour in the press was Jones and the club would listen to offers of £3million and above. Forest was thinking around £2million while Burnley also interested was hoping to strike a deal for a miserly £1.75million.

Hopefully with his future secure until 2013 he will find his scoring ways again and that least match his goal scoring-fest of last season.

Darcy Blake and Kevin NcNaughton have late call-ups

Darcy Blake has received a late call-up for the forthcoming Euro 2012 qualifiers against Bulgaria and Switzerland. Many fans were surprise he was not in the original squad he could play in a centre defensive role or in midfield but boss Brian Flynn felt he was covered in them positions.

It came about after ex-Cardiff City defender Danny Gabbidon announced his retirement from international. Since leaving the Bluebirds for West Ham his career with the Londoners has been plagued with injuries and is number of league games have drop away. He continued to play for Wales with some performances below par for him.

Kevin McNaughton has all received a late call-up for Scotland as they face Czech Republic and Spain on Friday night and next Tuesday night respectively. Scotland has been hit with a number of injuries after the weekend games.

That means City boss Dave Jones will have four players away on international duly with defender Gabor Gyepes away with Hungary. Andy Keogh is away with Republic of Ireland's for there Euro 2012 qualifying matches against Russia and Slovakia.

Whittingham put out to grass for penalties

That the start of the 2009/10 season Peter Whittingham took over as chief penalty taker from now Leeds player Ross McCormack after the Scotsman success in scoring dried up. It would same the same fate has befallen Whittingham who has developed the same infliction that his old team mate caught.

The City midfielder has missed two in the last three games where has for last season he was dead eye dick in front of goal. In total 10 penalties were taken and scored last season eight going to Whittingham help him to divisional top scorer. The other two were scored be Jay Bothroyd and Michael Chopra both contenders for Whittingham old job.

City boss Dave Jones taking on the subjuct said earlier today,

“Whoever takes the next one, it won’t be Whitts.

“He struck both penalties well, but it’s not like him to be so tense. He just needs a goal.

“He’s a bit frustrated, but he had the vision to pick out Craig Bellamy for our first goal and he played his part in our second. That’s why he is in the team.”

Three points Cardiff bound

Ten men Cardiff City held on to there win at Barnsley and secured the three points to bring the back to South Wales. Cardiff were down to ten men for the last ten minutes or so after midfielder Darcy Blake was sent-off after receiving is second yellow card of the game.

It was Cardiff who opening the scoring with a well taken goal just before half-time and it had to be Craig Bellamy with the goal. Cardiff fans world wide were happy to see Bellamy back and to start the game was a bonus. It will not go down well with fans of the Welsh national team with two important games coming up. A goal and a full 90 minutes they will be wonder why there captain is sitting out the games.

The lead lasted until the 63 minute when the game was levelled when a weak clearance was jump on Jason Shackell who found the net to square the game up.

It was not long before Cardiff had a chance to take the lead again when from a Peter Whittingham corner the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Whittingham lined up the pen only for the Barnsley goalkeeper to pull off a find save with the ball going out for a corner. The lucky touch from last season seems to have deserted the City midfielder when penalties were going in left, right and centre, as now missed two in a week.

From the corner the ball went out again for another, this time much to the relief of boss Dave Jones he watched has Seyi Olofinjana slotted the ball home to restore the Bluebirds lead in the 67 minute.

Then in a moment of madness Darcy Blake was sent off for a second yellow card in the 81 minute. He had only been booked some 6 minutes earlier for unsporting behaviour. The sending off gave the home team a second wind as there piled on the pressure for an equalizer. Cardiff held out and stay second in the league.

Cardiff City team v Barnsley

Heaton,

McNaughton, Naylor, Gyepes, Hudson,

Whittingham, Olofinjana, Blake, Burke,

Bellamy, Bothroyd.

Substitutes

Marshall, Quinn, McPhail, Rae, Koumas, Keogh, Wildig.

City boss Dave Jones is starting Bellamy which for some could be a surprise some fans felt for sure he would be on the bench. The means Keogh is on the bench is long with Koumas has Jones does the switch reinstating Gyepes to the defence and pushes Blake into the midfield.

Only Keogh and Gyepes get the call

After Cardiff City get the Barnsley game out of the way there will be no exodus of players for international duty as either Wales or Scotland have made the phone call.

Everyone and the monkeys’ uncle know that Craig Bellamy is out but it would seem caretaker boss Brian Flynn no place for Darcy Blake. Has boss of the under 21s Flynn he called on Blake 14 times and under ex-boss John Toshack he was called up for his first senior cap but had to pull out because of injury.

Before the squad was named talking to the South Wales Echo Blake said,

“Brian Flynn is a good manager and he’s done well with the U21 squad over the last few years.

“If he does well over the two European qualifiers he’s in charge of, I don’t see any reason he couldn’t have the Welsh manager’s job on a permanent basis.

“Personally, I’d love to be part of Brian’s team. Let’s wait and see. He sees me as a centre-back or right-back, he’s told me that.

“He has also said that as long as I am playing club football on a regular basis and doing well then I’ll have a chance of being in his squads.”

There is a chance of a late call-up after tomorrows’ league games are out of the way. Wales have been caused over the years with late pull-outs for the squad over injuries.

Scottish boss Craig Levein said he would trawl the league for players eligible to play for Scotland and it looks is task has squeezed out the Cardiff City members of is squad. Keeper David Marshall was a regular in the squad but he has recently been drop to the bench and Levein has turn to Blackpool’s’ English born keeper Matt Gilks who qualifies thanks to his Scottish grandmother

Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni has put Cardiff City loanee striker Andy Keogh is named in the 26 man preliminary list for qualifiers against Russia at home and Slovakia away in the Group B European Championship qualifiers. Also defender Gabor Gyepes who was bench by City boss Jones for the mid-week Crystal Palace game has won a call-up to the Hungary squad to face San Marino and Finland

It looking like Cardiff City boss Jones will have his full squad minus Keogh and Gyepes during the international break which will also give the injury players more time to get match fit.

The Road to Wembley 25th Sept 2010

Second Round Qualifying 25th Sept - Guildford City 1-2 Clevedon Town Att 150

Did it again, I missed the FA Cup Second Round Qualifying last Saturday I put it down all the upheaval around the house. After Clevedon Town dispatch Torpoint Athletic in the previous round I am how tracking the Zamaretto League Division 1 South & West club who hail from just over the Bristol Channel.

There League form his poor but they are hoping for a cup run. A win tomorrow would leave them one game from the ‘First Round Proper’ when the lower league team enter the competition. Victory would also see them pocket £7.500 in prize money not much in a game, overflowing cash at the top end of the game.

Match Report

They face a home game against Eastleigh from the Blue Square Conference South who is just off a play-off.

Third Round Qualifying 9th Oct - Clevedon Town v Eastleigh kick-off 3pm