Will Parkin be the first January signing

Is Cardiff City about to sign ‘the beast’ of Preston in a £100,000 deal, they are according to press reports. Names linked to the Bluebirds are jumping out of the woodwork with one transfer rumour  and the transfer window has not even opened yet.

The Preston forward Jon Parkin was reported to be in Cardiff some time today having a medical. Like Bothroyd he is out of contract in summer which is why Cardiff could be only £100,000 for a striker. He has netted seven Championship goals in 16 appearances so far this season.

In the Preston local press they are suggesting he complete the move over the weekend with a view to making his debut for Cardiff against Leeds United on Tuesday.

Can City afford Routledge

On the radar of Cardiff City boss is Newcastle winger Wayne Routledge a long time target of the City boss. I won’t be cheap Newcastle are after £2million with all the cash up front – no payment plans. The board are willing to back manager Dave Jones in his transfer requests to a point, but two million up front could be to much

Routledge had a brief loan spell at Cardiff in 2008, scoring two goals in nine games, his style of play gained him quick support amoug the Cardiff fan. Cardiff looked to have agreed a price that the time with his then club Aston Villa of £300,000. The deal looked to be done but at the last minute Routledge rejected the deal. He was told of the interest from QPR and while the two clubs were trashing out a deal over the phone Routledge headed for a meeting at the London club. Later the every same day he turned down the Bluebirds he signed for QPR in a £600,000 and rumour better terms offered by Cardiff .

Cardiff is hoping to do some kind of deal that could bring him to South Wales.

Can Cardiff make a top two spot

What does Cardiff need to win an automatic promotion spot at the end of the season? From the previous six seasons Cardiff have been in the Championship the final league tables points count have been anything but constant.

2009/10 1st Newcastle 102 pts - 2nd West Brom 91 pts

2008/09 1st Wolves 90 pts - 2nd Birmingham 83 pts

2007/08 1st West Brom 81 pts – 2nd Stoke City 79 pts

2006/07 1st Sunderland 88 pts – 2nd Birmingham 86 pts

2005/06 1st Reading 106 pts – 2nd Sheffield United 90 pts

2004/05 1st Sunderland 94 pts – 2nd Wigan 87 pts

Based on the last six seasons 90 points could guarantee a top two finish. With Cardiff having played half of their game 46 league games accruing 40 pts from 23 games, Cardiff need to do better with the next 23 games. Can Cardiff win 17 games out of 23 remaining games?

In this crazy division will any club need 90 points to finish in the top two? Could it be lower than 2007/08 when West Brom just scraped into the 80 points bracket. I don’t believe QPR will run away with the league they will be pegged back, this league is wide up at the moment.

España for Bothroyd



Atletico Madrid or  Malaga



The Spanish are coming according to Sky Sports News with the intention of trying to steal away City striker Jay Bothroyd on a free transfer.

The Spanish clubs Atletico Madrid and Malaga are rumour to be interested on talking to him and his agent about the possibility of agreeing a pre-contract deal to tie him up for a summer move. Being out of contract Bothroyd or is representatives can talk to any club and line themselves up a deal.

Bothroyd has stated many times before that he will not talk about his contract until the summer. He could choose to stay with Cardiff but that would only happen if Cardiff were to gain promotion. If Cardiff were to miss out again could would walk away free with no transfer fee coming Cardiff way.

There are other clubs also rumoured to be in the market and would love to sign him up on a pre-contract deal to save money. However Cardiff boss can’t do much but put in an offer to Bothroyd’s agent like the rest.

On the subject of all the transfer speculation he told the Daily Mirror,

"I’m trying to not let all the speculation affect me, the only things on my mind are to get back from this hamstring niggle and help Cardiff try and reach the Premiership.

"I can’t wait for the transfer window to shut so we can all try and get this club to the Premiership.

"I’m concentrating on my football and am letting my agent deal with the other stuff.

"It’s really important for me not to get distracted from the football and make sure I am fully focused on the job in hand.

"My agent has been speaking with the club over the last few months and we are still talking.

"I’ve made over 100 starts since joining here which is the most I’ve ever played in a 2 year period so the odd niggle is gonna happen but I feel good and will be back to help the boys as soon as possible.

"We were so close last year and it hurt, the fans are giving us great support and we have to try our hardest to get over the finishing line this season.

Latest rumour is Andy O'Brien

Cardiff is being linked with another Premier League player Bolton’s centre-back Andy O’Brien.

O’Brien is on loan with Championship rivals Leeds United and his loan period ends on the 4th January the same day Cardiff play Leeds at the Cardiff City stadium. Leeds is very keen to keep him at Elland Road with Leeds United boss Simon Grayson telling the BBC,

"We would like to try and keep Andy if possible, try at least to extend the loan to the 93 days and then the next option is to extend the loan to the end of season.

"Another option is to try and do a permanent deal, but that all depends on what Bolton want to do with Andy.

"We'll be having a conversation with Bolton and Andy over the next few days to see where we can go with it." 

The Republic of Ireland international is understood to have held talks with the Bluebirds in the last few days. Since joining Leeds he has been a permanent fixture in starting line-up and scored a goal.

At the beginning of December O'Brien told BBC Radio Leeds:

"I won't be surprised if they didn't offer me another contract.

"Although I feel I'm playing hard and well here I don't think my progress here will have any bearing on my future at Bolton."

Cardiff would have to pay a fee to grab the centre-back has like most players of his quality I would be surprised if there was no-one else keen to sign him.

Comminges back

Defender Miguel Comminges is back at Cardiff City after his loan spell with Division One Carlisle United failed to produce a permanent deal.

While with Carlisle he only managed 45 minutes of play coming on a half time in the victory of Tamworth in the FA Cup.

Since joining the club in May 20008 now he only managed 31 games in total, must in the early part of his stay in South Wales. It was expected he would have been released in the summer but the club gave him a short team contract has he was recovering from a long term injury. The player will be out of contract in a week or so and has no future with the Bluebirds and will be free to find a new club.

Carlisle boss Greg Abbott said,

 "It was good that we had him for a month and he has been alsolutely terrific. He's a really good person and has worked hard from the moment he got here.
"I spoke to him today and told him that we want to make permanent signings that we think are going to be better than what we already have here, and we didn't think that he quite there at this moment in time.
"He accepted that decision really well and it is not going to put him off trying to do something with another club elsewhere.
"We wish him well and we hope that he does get sorted out because he is a genuinely decent man"

Vaughan not a done deal??

The Liverpool Echo via Everton is denying reports that James Vaughan is on the verge of joining Cardiff City.

Everton are claiming there as be no contract between the two clubs with regards Vaughan although the BBC Wales have them in talks. Everton boss David Moyes wants a new striker and Vaughan is surplus to requirements and with six months left on is contract. On word from the player about his future and the two managers are staying silent. January could be the only chance for Everton to cash in on the 22-year-old. Cardiff would have to pay some compensation to Everton but nowhere near a million.

It is being reported the Premier League club now are looking for a two million paid day for Vaughan. With a number of clubs interested Everton could be clearing the way for an auction.

Jones steals a march or is it just rumours

Cardiff City boss Dave Jones has been quick off the starting line when it comes to the January transfer window according to the latest rumour sweeping the internet. It looks more than likely he got the march on other managers by snapping James Vaughan from Everton. The two clubs have agreed the player is happy to sign a two and a half year contract. So everyone will have to wait until Saturday to see if a done is deal.

Vaughan has been on loan at Crystal Palace and they would have liked to have made his loan deal a permanent deal, but the asking price was too much.

Hull City were thought to be in front runners in Vaughan signature with a rumour they would pay the one million asking price and offer the player £16,000 a week to keep him out of Cardiff hands. In today’s Daily Mirror there had Hull pulling out after it was suggested Everton had put a £2m price-tag on the striker.

Tonight there is nothing official and I don’t expect any until he has signed. City manager Dave Jones will not be happy if the rumour is true they would still be a chance that the whole deal could be gazumped. He will not be a Cardiff player until he signs a contract.

Vaughan the first January signing?

All eyes are now focused on Saturday and the 'Sevenside Derby' with Bristol City with both teams in need of a win. Cardiff City are in the need of a win to keep them at the top end of the table while Bristol are in need of the points to help pull away from the relegated zone.

Cardiff City boss Dave Jones is expecting Jay Bothroyd, Craig Bellamy and Chris Riggott to be available for the clash with Bristol City on New Years Day with the game more than likely a sell-out.

Its only a few days before Dave Jones before he will be getting the clubs cheque out with the transfer window opening and from reports in the market for four or five players, some on free transfer and some could warrant a fee being paid. He was questioned about the rumour surrounding Jonathan Woodgate, only saying,

“I’d like a lot of players and I am sure there will be plenty of clubs wanting Jonathan Woodgate.”

Jones will then start a recruitment drive to strengthen his squad with a centre-back one of his top prioritise. However reports have hit the press that the City boss has started shopping with James Vaughan signing for a million plus. Jay Bothroyd twitted 'Not sure if we have signed James Vaughan hope we have improving the squad is key'. The Everton striker Vaughan spent the first half of the season on loan at Crystal Palace – scoring five goals in 14 appearances. Is name has been link with other clubs and

The rumour-mill has thrown out a few names Glenn Loovens (Celtic) and Danny Shittu (Millwall, Jones would like Loovens on loan for the rest of the season but the Dutchman is reluctant to leave Celtic and has stated his willingness to fight for is place with the SPL club. The defender is sidelined with an injury.

The situation with Danny Shittu different, he is on a short term contract which ends in January and is available to the Cardiff boss if he is a target. Jones told the press,

“I am hoping to take four or five players. If we bring anyone in we are looking at buying one or two to give us an edge and a stronger bench.”

But Shittu will not be an easy deal, Millwall want to sign him to a long deal, and others are queuing up to talk to him. With the rumours about Cardiff reports suggest at Premiership duo Blackpool and Wolves and from the Championship Burnley and Middlesbrough.

Other players in the rumour mix have been winger Wayne Routledge who has had a loan spell at Cardiff a few seasons back. According to reports he turned down a contract offer to sign with the Bluebirds and the same day joined QPR. He is now at Premiership club Newcastle but he sees his opportunities limited this season, but new boss Alan Pardew is confident the winger can have a new lease of life with Newcastle.

Another winger Barnsley Adam Hammill is a player and forward Steven Howard who is becoming a bit of a regular when it comes to Cardiff and transfer rumours.

Dave Jones is the kind of manager who will play his transfer dealings close to his chest which is going to lead to rumour and counter-rumour. There is are only 31 shopping days for a manager in January and the competition will be out there looking in the same shop window.

April opening for new pub near CCS

The new pub near to the Cardiff City Stadium will open April 2011 and has been named ‘The Sand Martin’ much to the outrage of most Cardiff City fans.

The Cardiff City Trust has fired off a letter to the owners of the pub Marston’s Inns & Taverns to reconsider the name of the pub. The Trust and fans are hoping for a more. The pub which is presently under construction is on the corner of Leckwith Road and Ffordd Fred Keenor the main road into the stadium area. The resting place for the new Fred Keenor statue will be at the end of Ffordd Fred Keenor road and the pub bearing his name would be welcomed by fans.

There is little chance of a name change according to a spokesman from Marston's PR company Vital the name had been created by a committee and that it was unlikely the pub would change its name now before it opens in April of next year.

It will be interesting to see how this new pub treats football fans. It is believe that on match day fans will have to buy a meal before you are served a pint has they go for a more family atmosphere.

By the grace of Portmouth, City still second

Can you believe it in the Crazy world of the Championship after losing 4-1 Cardiff City stay second after Leeds shot themselves in both feet at home to Portsmouth.

The day start with top of the table QPR cantering to a win over Coventry in an early kick-off giving them a seven point’s lead over second place Cardiff.

Leeds was 3-1 after 62minutes then an own goal just a minute later put the score put Portsmouth back in the game.. Leeds looked to have done enough jump above Cardiff in second, however the game was not over. The same player score another own goal late into injury time, (90+3minutes) according to the BBC. The game ended all square at 3-3, and is on 40 points the same Cardiff.

Swansea (40 points) and Norwich (39 points) both won and are third and fourth respectively although Cardiff have a game in hand of them.

What it means at the end of the day is with QPR galloping off there are four teams fighting it out for the second automatic promotion spot. No-one wants the booby prize of a play-off spot especially after what happen to Cardiff last season.

Cardiff City team v Watford

Marshall

Naylor Hudson Blake McNaughton

Whittingham McPhail Olofinjana Burke

Chopra Keogh

Substitutes Heaton, Gyepes, Quinn, Rae, Koumas, Matthews, Wildig

Has expected no Craig Bellamy today has he is rested by Cardiff City boss Dave Jones. Chris Riggott is missing from the team that beat Coventry on Boxing Day.

There is no Jay Bothroyd who twitted he had not recovered from his hamstring injury and was still at least a week away.

Blake is off the bench to replace Riggott and Chris Burke has recovered from illness to take the place of Bellamy. Paul Quinn is on the bench for Blake.

Watford today - Three points need

Cardiff City boss Dave Jones was forced to make changes to the squad for the Boxing Day victory over Coventry. According to the official website on the day Jay Bothroyd had not recovered from is injury while midfielders Chris Burke and Danny Drinkwater missed the game due to illness, will the three be available for selection?

With the Watford game later today boss James will have to marshal his troops to see what squad he will have to choose from.

The most doubtful is debutant Chris Riggott who left the field early against Coventry with cramp in both calves he will surely have a fitness test before a decision is made. Speaking in the South Wales Echo Riggott said:

“I will see how I am, but of course I’d want to play.

“I will listen to the physios because it’s been a hard, frustrating road back.”

Craig Bellamy put in a ‘Man of the Match’ performance against Coventry but with the next four games spaced over 12 days, reports in the press today suggest he will miss today’s game to rest his knees.

With a Sevenside derby on Saturday and a top of a table clash with Leeds Untied Tuesday week nursing Bellamy is a must, three games in seven days is a tough schedule.

Up coming fixtures

Tuesday, 28 December 2010 Championship Watford v Cardiff, 3pm

Saturday, 1 January 2011 Championship Bristol City v Cardiff, 3pm

Tuesday, 4 January 2011 Championship Cardiff v Leeds, 7:45pm

Saturday, 8 January 2011 The FA Cup Stoke v Cardiff, R3, 3pm

Sound debut for Riggott

Has Cardiff City boss Dave Jones unearth a gem in defender Chris Riggott, he as been a long time coming with injury and lack of fitness. One game don’t make a hero, in the fickle world of the football terraces a player can go from hero to zero in a matter of minutes.

Riggott made a sterling debut and received praise from all areas the management, fans and the media and came close to scoring. He when off after 68minutes suffering with cramp in both calves. It was his first start since April when he turn-out for is old club Middlesbrough. He could have stay with the North East club but choose to join Dave Jones and Cardiff City.

Talking to the South Wales Echo he said:

“I loved it. It was fantastic to be back playing again.

“It’s taken me time to reach the fitness needed, mainly because I’ve suffered a few niggles,” said Riggott.

“I had a calf strain at the end of last season and didn’t go through a full rehab and get the training I needed.

“There was a lot of scar tissue and it’s been incredibly frustrating.

“Now I’m back playing and I want more. This win against Coventry was massive.

“Their keeper Keiren Westwood made some unbelievable saves, but we saw the game through for the three points.”

City second, back winning roll on Watford

Cardiff City are back to winning away with their first win on Boxing Day in 11 years and there first league since Scunthorpe. Today was there first home win since the end of October the Norwich game.

The win sees Cardiff move back into second place after Leeds United collapsed from a 2-0 lead to a 2-2 draw at Leicester. That the top of the table QPR had a early kick-off at home with fourth place Swansea and annihilated them 4-0, all top four are back in action on Tuesday depending on the weather

Coventry v QPR, kick-off 12:15pm

Leeds v Portsmouth, kick-off 3pm

Swansea v Barnsley, kick-off 3pm

Watford v Cardiff, kick-off 3pm

The Cardiff game at Watford looks the be safe with Watford boss Malky Mackay saying only some kind of “freak weather” could prevent the game going ahead.

“Our pitch is absolutely fine as we have the undersoil heating whereas Portman Road have gone for the balloon with the hot air inside it.

“Our undersoil heating is on and our pitch is fine. So unless we have freak weather between now and Tuesday then the game will be absolutely safe.”

More paper rumours

In the Sunday People there a few more rumours surrounding Cardiff City.

In the ‘Hotline Special’ section of the football pages the suggestion is that Cardiff City boss Dave Jones would be willing to let Mark Hudson and Gabor Gyepes go. It is a well known fact the Jones is in the market for new defensives blood and the right players could see the two mention player sold.

The rumours have it that Cardiff want to sign Danny Shittu who is out of contract with his present club, Millwall in January. Today another Sunday paper has Spurs defender Jonathan Woodgate link with Cardiff.

More rumour has Everton striker James Vaughan linked with the Bluebirds with Championship rivals Hull about to offer a £16,000 a-week contract. Hull the offer will put off Cardiff with Everton looking for a fee of £1million with add-ons.

Cardiff City team v Coventry City

Marshall

McNaughton Naylor Hudson Riggott

Whittingham McPhail Olofinjana Bellamy

Keogh Chopra

Substitutes - Heaton, Gyepes, Rae, Koumas, Blake, Matthews, Wildig

After having the Burnley game called off its game on today against Coventry in icy Cardiff.

Since the Middlesbrough defeat Cardiff City make a number of changes has he looks to get back into win ways. Riggott makes his debut with Gyepes loosing out and makes the bench. There is no Bothroyd who must still be injured. Chopra is back in the starting line-up playing along side Keogh.

Burke and Drinkwater both featured against Middlesbrough or not in the starting line up both believe to have failed a late fitness tests.

Spurs defender linked with the Bluebirds

Cardiff City is being linked with ex-England and Tottenham defender Jonathan Woodgate according to the Sunday Star. The latest rumour is suggesting the Spurs boss Harry Redknapp is interested in finding a club for his defender to help with his return for a long-term injury.

Redknapp is hoping to find a club to help Woodgate to the next level on the road to prove he is fit enough for top-flight football and Cardiff could fit the bill.  Redknapp talking about Woodgate he said,

“Hopefully, in a couple of weeks, Jonathan will be able to play.

“If he had been out for the rest of the season, I don't know if he would have come back from that. At least he is back training, feels good and looks in good shape.

“This is make-or-break really for him, this period. He needs to get out there and show he is ready to get his career going again.”

The Spurs defender has only make three appearances since May last year and is regard to be injury prone with football circles. Even so if the Cardiff City boss Dave Jones was interested he will still find a host of club waiting in the wings to nab him on a loan deal. Papers are taking on interest from Wolves and West Ham ready in the queue.

Shittu on Jones' menu?

Rumour, rumour and more rumour the Daily Mirror is linking Cardiff City with Nigeria born international centre-half Danny Shittu as a January target.

He was released by Bolton at the end of last season after two season with  spent is time twigging his thumbs for two seasons playing a handful of games. Although there were a few clubs rumoured to be interest it pitted out. He then joined Championship rivals Millwall on a short term 3 months contract with is due two run-out in January.

Cardiff City boss Dave Jones is looking to strengthen the defence who has criticized a number of times this season. Chris Riggott could be in line for his Cardiff City debut finally after his long haul to match fitness.

Dave Jones as put the bed the rumour surrounding striker Michael Chopra and Blackburn as nonsense

I hope the Boxing Day game beats the weather

Is there any doubt the Boxing Day fixture could be called off?

The shopping next to the stadium and open, bloody hell the Blues played on the pitch Sunday after the surrounding areas were cleared.

Why couldn’t they do the same for City’s game the previous day?

Cardiff will be home to Coventry City on Boxing Day and after beating them 2-1 early will be looking to do their first double of the season. However just getting back into winning ways would be good.

History is against the City boss David Jones and his team the Boxing Day fixture has been a graveyard for club and fans. The last time Cardiff won this fixture was in 1999 see below

2009 – Plymouth (h) 0-1 (L)

2008 – Reading (a) 1-1 (D)

2007 – Watford (a) 2-2 (D)

2006 – Plymouth (a) 2-2 (D)

2005 – Plymouth (h) 0-2 (L)

2004 – Wolves (h) 1-1 (D)

2003 – Walsall (h) 0-1 (L)

2002 – Luton (a) 2-0 (L)

2001 – Reading (h) 2-2 (D)

2000 – Plymouth (a) 1-2 (L)

1999 – Reading (h) 1-0 (W)

An interesting piece of information for any stats geek, the last time the two met on Boxing Day was 1950. Cardiff travelled to Coventry and suffered 2-1 defeat; however the day before Christmas Day Coventry was at Ninian Park and lost by the same score.

It was the second Christmas Day, Boxing Day double header, back in 1933 it was Cardiff playing Coventry on the 25th and home on Boxing Day. City lost 4-1 at Coventry and draw 3-3 the following day.

Mrs Rhys Weston WAG no 23

I have decided to resuscitate the old WAG’s file. The last time this blog enter the arena of the 'WAG’s' was back in March with Cardiff City defender Gabor Gyepes wife Diana Póth a former Hungarian champion figure skater.

Today it is Mrs Weston wife of ex-City defender Rhys who is plying his trade with Dundee in the Scottish Division One at the moment. Rhys moved up north to be closer to his homesick wife and son have to spent last season travelling between is then club Walsall and Scotland.

Dundee are on their finance uppers and have just been deducted 25 points leaving them one of the favourites for relegation. Fans are trying their best to keep the club a flood and step in some of the players wives with a lingerie catalogue. There could be a few more of the Dundee WAG’s gracing the blog in the coming months. They were hoping to sell 1000 copies at £8 each, so in all, we are hoping to raise around £10,000 for the club.

There could be a few more of the Dundee WAG’s gracing the blog in the coming months.

You support the club by buying a copy of the Catalogue Here
The photo's were taken by Peachfur Website

Chopra and Blackburn

The new Indian owners of Blackburn are in the market for a new manager after sacking Sam Allardyce and are rumoured to be interested in Michael Chopra according to the Sunday People.

The Indian owners are rumoured to see the Cardiff City striker as an asset to help them sell football in cricket crazy India. The Premiership has a foot hold in India with the likes of Manchester United and the usual suspect's

Chopra whose grandparents are Indian was close to playing for India in next months Asia Cup after being invited to talks with the Indian management. However, the lack of an Indian passport was a stumbling block to a deal been stuck. The Indian FA refused to fast track a passport application which is needed to play for the national team. Indian FA General Secretary Kushal Das was dismissive Chopra’s value to the Indian national team saying.

“One player cannot win a football match, it’s a team game and Michael Chopra is no Lionel Messi, though he plays in England."
"Getting Chopra an Indian passport was not a top priority."

The Indian authorities are thought to still be prepared to change their rules so Chopra can play at some point in the future.

Since the arrival of Craig Bellamy Chopra has found himself on the bench more often than not and is rumour to be unhappy. Championship leaders QPR were reported to be interested in signing him. Cardiff are believed to want at least £3million for their striker.

City boss Dave Jones has been link with the job at Blackburn in the press. However Jones seems to be linked with every opening in the Premiership see Jones name mentioned.

Cardiff drop to third

No game for Cardiff but there was still some of the rivals managed to play. Top of the Championship QPR who make the trip to Leeds, and. Swansea game was on at Sheffield United.

If Cardiff recent form has been questionable so has QPR who have not dominated the league even after been given a number of chances to move ahead of the pack. Today they lost 2-0 at Leeds but the defeat meant no game Cardiff dropped a place to third as Leeds up into an automatic promotion spot.

Meanwhile in Sheffield the neighbours from the west Swansea slipped up once again with a 1-0 defeat. Cardiff City old boy John Carver planned the defeat of Swansea after he took over as caretaker at Sheffield United after Gary Speed was given the Welsh job.

Norwich moved within one point off Cardiff and Swansea with now sees five teams at the top of the Championship tree with Coventry closing in. Only a few weeks ago there were only three teams in the chase for the two promotion spots.

City v Burnley OFF

Cardiff City game against Burnley tomorrow is the first Championship game to be hit by the weather. There likely to be more postponements by kick-off tomorrow.

The game was postponed due to safety reasons according to Sky Sports news.

Official Statement

Everton striker a Jones target?

According to the Sunday People Cardiff City and manager Dave Jones has line-up a replacement for Jay Bothroyd in here walks in January.

The rumour is suggesting Jones will make a move on Everton’s 22 year-old striker James Vaughan who is at present on loan at Crystal Palace. He has been on loan with Cardiff Championship rivals since September and returns back to Everton this week. He missed the 0-0 draw between the two club at the end of September has he was red carded in the previous game and has manager to score only five goals on loan.

The paper is suggesting a fee of £500,000 is what Everton are seeking with Palace interested to sign him. Vaughan is likely to go back to Palace in January unless there is interest from elsewhere.

If Bothroyd is the catalyst to this deal/rumour they could be no deal in the offing has the Cardiff striker is insistent he will see out the season with the City. Cardiff are hopeful he will sign a new contract but there rumour to be a number of high profile club in England and Italy interested.

More points dropped

Cardiff has now only one game in out of the last seven has a disastrous November follows boss Dave Jones and his team into December.

Today City lost to Middlesbrough 1-0.

It is a case of another Saturday and another bottom dweller happily collecting three points off a struggling Cardiff City, who still managed to hang on the second place. The defeat means Cardiff remain four points behind top of the table QPR and joint second with Swansea. However the gap between third place and the rest is closing bringing more team into the race for an automatic promotion spot.

Cardiff boss Dave Jones pointed his finger at his leaky defence after a disappointing defeat he said after the game:

"I don't know how often we are going to leave the door open at the back. A bit of fear has crept in there somehow. At the moment that unit isn't working.

"We are the second biggest scorers so there is nothing wrong going forward but if you don't score you have to keep a clean sheet and that isn't happening and too often we end up chasing the game.

"I wouldn't mind if we were beaten by good movement but it was a punt down the middle and a sloppily conceded penalty and that shouldn't happen.

"We have to make sure we don't get carried away and let a blame culture creep in but right now they need a bit of criticism. It is harsh but they have to accept it."

The Middlesbrough boss Tony Mowbray said:

"The players put in an amazing shift of 90 minutes and I am delighted.

"Cardiff are a quality side and with their extra man in midfield and their pace going forward we had to work very hard and we did. We never wavered, especially in the last 20 minutes when they piled on the pressure. Everyone did their jobs.

"It is nice to get the win but it is about fine margins. We have played well in recent games and not got the rewards. Since I came here apart from the 2-0 win at Scunthorpe there's not been a game with more than one goal in it. It's that type of league.

"It was close again today but we got our reward. Now we have to build on it."

Cardiff City team v Middlesbrough

Marshall,

McNaughton, Hudson, Gyepes, Naylor,

Burke, Olofinjana, Drinkwater, Whittingham,

Bellamy, Keogh

Subs: Santiago, Rae, Chopra, McPhail, Blake, Matthews, Riggott

The team is pretty much has expected, with no Heaton or Bothroyd meaning Marshall gets the start and City boss Dave Jones sticks with Keogh up front.

With Drinkwater back in the starting line-up McPhail is relegated to the bench. On the bench is Riggott who looks to have overcome his lack of match fitness and injury to make the squad today.

City stay second

Without kicking a ball in anger tonight, it was a good night for Cardiff City however a win tomorrow at Middlesbrough would make it even better.

Top of the league QPR dropped three points at home with a 3-1 defeat by Watford. QPR stay top but a win tomorrow for the Bluebirds will see them move within one point of the league leaders.

Meanwhile down the round Swansea they could have moved above Cardiff into second if they could beat Millwall. But they could only manage a 1-1 draw, the one point they received saw them draw level on points with Cardiff but they stay in third because of a poorer goal average.

There is now more pressure on getting a win tomorrow.

Bothroyd a Italian target

According to rumours Cardiff City and England striker Jay Bothroyd is being linked to a move back to Italy.

A moved from Coventry saw him spent two years (2003/05) with Italian club Perugia but was unable to settle in Italy. He was loaned during his time in Italy going to Blackburn. It was not great loan period with the Premiership club and was sent back to Italy. He did leave Italy finally to Charlton and with something else, a Italian wife.

The striker is on his best scoring of his career this season as well as being the Bluebirds top scorer, he his also the Championships top scorer.

This has led to a number of rumours of leading Premier League team interested in him. So far to date Liverpool and their neighbours Everton, Aston Villa and Birmingham are said to be watching the situation. However they could have competition from some of the top Italian clubs. Press report a linking Bothroyd with Inter, AC Milan and Juventus but he is set to stay will be Bluebirds and hopefully help them to the Premier League.

Points to play for

This Saturday Cardiff making the long trip to bottom dweller, name Middlesbrough, that if the game beats the weather. The ground itself is Premiership standard so has under soil heating but if the area surrounding the ground is deemed unsafe the game could be called off anyway. They are only two points above last weekend visitors Preston who were seconds away from walking away with all three points. In the end Cardiff salvaged a point with a late injury-time equaliser.

Here are the game to run-up to Christmas and the New Year, there are six league games to play before a break for league football for FA Cup action against Stoke.

Saturday, 11 December 2010 Middlesbrough v Cardiff, 3pm

Saturday, 18 December 2010 Cardiff v Burnley, 3pm

Sunday, 26 December 2010 Cardiff v Coventry, 3pm

Tuesday, 28 December 2010 Watford v Cardiff, 3pm

Saturday, 1 January 2011 Bristol City v Cardiff, 3pm

Tuesday, 4 January 2011 Cardiff v Leeds United, 7:45pm

There is a possible 18points up for grabs but off a shaky November and the Preston game a turnaround on the pitch is paramount in the minds of everyone involved with Cardiff City.

More so Cardiff City manager Dave Jones, his transfer kitty for January is being linked to Cardiff league position by Malaysian backer Vincent Tan. If Cardiff can stay in the top two and there is an upturn in the team’s performances Jones could see a win fall from the clubs Malaysian backer. If will not be millions but he could bring the fire players he is reported to need for the finally push for automatic promotion.

There could be another way to helping out is possible transfer pot, league leaders QPR are rumoured to be link was Bluebirds striker Michael Chopra who are preparing a £3million bid when the January transfer window opens if the story is true. However later in the day QPR were denying the story saying a £3million transfer fee was too rich for them.

Jay Bothroyd, Chris Burke and Adam Matthews could bring in bids in January all are out of contract in the summer and can talk to new clubs in January. Both Bothroyd and Burke have stated at they want to stay until the end of the season before making a decision on thier futures. That could lead to a major pitfall for Dave Jones and the club, if Cardiff failed in gaining promotion they could both walk away free in the summer. So will any suitable offer in January tempt the club to sell. Matthews is in the same boot but the club would be entitled to compensation if he stays in the Premiership/League set-up. He is reported to wanted more first team football which at the moment he is not receiving and with his contract talks reported to have stalled. Last season there were talks of big money transfer for the young defender with Manchester United and Arsenal tracking him?

Keogh the saviour

Cardiff City failed to win at home to bottom club Preston but a very late goal for Andy Keogh salvaged a point. The point means Cardiff City are still second a point ahead of Welsh rivals Swansea. Top of the league QPR are now four points in front of the Bluebirds with a game in head.

The late goal stopped Cardiff from loosing three games in a row as Cardiff move from a disastrous November into the all important December fixtures.

A lot will be made of the early loss of Jay Bothroyd due to injury eight minutes into the game. City never seems to play well if Bothroyd is missing. Cardiff City boss Dave Jones then sent on loanee Andrew Keogh has replacement for Bothroyd with Michael Chopra also on the bench. Is it a case that Craig Bellamy and Chopra are not an option to play together like the latter and McCormack last season?

Keogh has his critics among the Cardiff City fans but the general feeling today was he did aright. It is the second time him has save points for Cardiff, earlier he scored a late winner against Millwall meaning City grabbed three points instead of one. Today he salvaged a point from a game we were looking likely to lose.

Cardiff manager Jones also has other injury worries besides Bothroyd with centre-back Darcy Blake go off injured midway into the first half. Will they be fit for the Middlesbrough game next Saturday?

Cardiff manager Dave Jones insisted "there is nothing wrong at this club.

"Everyone is pulling the same way and will go on doing that as they all want to do well.

"I promise every one of our supporters that there is nothing wrong at this club and we have a great bunch of players.

"We looked very frustrated and had loads of shots on goal but you can't knock the players as they kept going.

"I always believe we can score but sometimes it doesn't come off like today as they defended in numbers.

"You have to stay strong and I have nothing but admiration for all the players."

Preston boss Darren Ferguson said:

"When you get to 94 minutes in the match and are still winning it is very disappointing to concede such a late goal.

"It feels a little bit like a defeat but if we keep up that level of performance then I am sure we are going to be all right.

"We started off well as we were aware that Cardiff have lost their last two home matches and with Jay Bothroyd going off so early it also gave us a lift.

"I really couldn't see them scoring but where the five minutes added time came from I don't know. It seems as though it was plucked out of the air.

"It would have been nice to get the win but we have to take the positives out of it as I still think Cardiff will be promoted."

Swap Shop?

Loovens link with Bluebirds

Could Celtic want Mark Hudson? Press reports are suggesting they are and that they are willing to do a swap for the Cardiff defender. It would mean ex-City player Glenn Loovens making the journey back to Cardiff.

Cardiff was interested in the Celtic defender in the summer but he stated he wanted to stay in Scotland. Celtic paid £2.5million in the summer of 2008 for the player any fee how is unknown. One option open to the Cardiff boss is a loan deal until the end of the season with a option to buy. He is out-of-favour and has not played first team football since the end of October with the Scottish giants and with a section of the fans unhappy with his performances.

Even if the whole swap thing is a rumour Cardiff boss Dave Jones could still be interested in Loovens. He (Jones) would like to see four or five news faces at the club during the January transfer window.