To-date one out, none in

It’s been a very low key last day of the January transfer window so far of Cardiff City and boss Dave Jones.

The first bit of news was that Jones had put in a bid for Preston keeper Andy Lonergan. The Preston Chairman Maurice Lindsay seemed to have a pop at Cardiff for sending a fax, he said,

"We've turned down a bid from Cardiff for Lonergan - they didn't have the confidence to ring us up, we got a fax from them."

The offer was turned down out of hand. Will Jones go back for another try, if he does he had better pick up the phone.

A rumour was doing the rounds of the internet over the weekend that Andy Keogh would be on the move, and it turned out to be true. Keogh may have been on a season long loan with the Bluebirds but a recall back to Wolves  and now he is off to Bristol City until the end of the season.

He as not been able to hold a first team spot and with Jay Bothroyd insisting he would stay unitl the end of the season when he will then consider his future and Jon Parkin’s signing, Keogh could have seen his chances reduced. According to sources in Bristol Keogh trained this morning with his new team mates and could be in the starting line-up to face Swansea City on Tuesday. All Cardiff fans will wish him well and even more so if he helps his new club beat Swansea tomorrow.

Cardiff have been linked with Rotherham United striker Adam Le Fondre, he could cost the Bluebirds around £500,000.

Busy Tuesday night in the Championship

Managers, fans and pundits always saying Christmas/New Year can make or break your season however it looks like February will be Cardiff’s Armageddon with seven important games to be played.

That kick-off tomorrow with Reading the visitors to the Cardiff City stadium (kick-off 7:45pm) who are just outside a play-off and in the chase for a top six finish, six points behind the 3rd placed Bluebirds.  At Reading earlier in the season the both teams fought out a 1-1 draw with Jay Bothroyd scoring the goal for the Bluebirds.

Tomorrow’s fixture at the top end of the Championship show:-

Bristol City (17) v Swansea City (4)

Cardiff City (3) v Reading (9)

Coventry (14) v Nottingham Forest (5)

Hull City (12) v Leeds Utd (6)

Norwich (2) v Millwall (8)

QPR (2) v Portsmouth (18)

Watford (7) v C Palace (22)

() donates league position

There are 21 points for the taking in February and a clean sweep would be great for the promotion push, but 15 plus points are a must. At this time of the season relaying on rivals around you to slip-up is a dangerous game.

Cardiff City make bid for Preston keeper Andy Lonergan - Cardiff City - FootballNation - WalesOnline

Do we need another keeper? I thought it was outfield players on Dave Jones shopping list.
Cardiff City make bid for Preston keeper Andy Lonergan - Cardiff City - FootballNation - WalesOnline

Gabbidon speculation

A return of Gabbidon????

With defender Chris Riggott rumoured to be having his contract terminate (not officially announced) Cardiff boss Dave Jones must be looking to add to his defence.

In midfield he (Jones) has lost Danny Drinkwater along with Solomon Taiwo and Aaron Wildig out on loan with Aaron Ramsey here only he for a month, is a new midfielder a target now.

Papers are reporting the ex-Cardiff defender Danny Gabbidon would welcome a return to Cardiff and Dave Jones would like to help him to his goal.

Jamie Moralee of New Era Global Sports Management who act for him told the South Wales Echo,

“At the moment Danny is concentrating on playing for West Ham.

“But the only club that could take his eyes off that is Cardiff.

“West Ham are reluctant to let him go and they want to keep him. But Cardiff want him, Danny wants to go and we are interested in helping him make his dream come true.”

Gabbidon will be out of contract in the summer however the negotiation between the player and club stalled. He is report to be on high wages at West Ham and the new owners are looking to cut back on the wages bill and see the chance to renegotiate the contract. He is believed to be on a contract of around £25k/pw that kind of wages could be a problem with any deal between the Hammers and the Bluebirds. The West Ham boss is reluctant to let him go even with him dropping down the pecking order at the London club. He (Gabbidon) has repentantly turned down talk of him joining either Rangers or Celtic who were interested in the defender.

With the position West Ham are in, bottom of the Premier League they would surely not loan him or sell him to a rival Premiership club at this delicate time of the season. One newspaper is suggesting Cardiff have made a £250,000 offer half of what Cardiff paid West Brom back in September 2000. Later Cardiff sold him along with James Collins for £3million in July 2005 to West Ham.

If Cardiff City does make a move watch this space because the hours and minutes are slipping away fast the window shuts for transfer on Monday 11pm.

Cardiff ex loanee now with loanee at Watford

Surprise, surprise the midfielder Danny Drinkwater who has only just returned to his parent club Manchester United, after a loan spell with the Bluebirds has joined Championship rivals Watford loan to the end of the season.

Betting among Cardiff fans reckon he would be off to Peterborough with the son, father relationship between Peterborough and Manchester United management.

It looks like the rumour that Sir Alex Ferguson recalled his player due to the lack of game was right. They would have been a bit scarcer with arrival on loan of Jay Emmanuel-Thomas followed by Aaron Ramsey. Emmanuel-Thomas is here until the end of the season but Ramsay is only here for a month and is looking to rejoin the Arsenal squad sooner rather then later, so an extension to the month loan deal is looking unlikely.

Still a few days left before the end of the transfer window shuts and with a weekend free, will have see what City boss Dave Jones planed over the next few days.

Bothroyd in the dock a bit

Cardiff City striker Jay Bothroyd has run into Twitter trouble yesterday after twitting his displeasure of the state of the Cardiff City stadium pitch and the pitches at the Vale training ground.

He tweeted:

Our training pitches are the worst in the country along with our pitch!!!

Our pitch is just mud and sand, just bobbly Great stadium, great fans, great training ground, everything is great except the pitches.

It was quickly taken down but it was too late to stop his tweet hitting the Cardiff City messageboards. The pitch at the CCS has been a major concern with the fans even the club have there concerns. If you compare Cardiff City stadium with the Liberty Stadium, both share with rugby clubs but the condition of the Liberty is miles better.

During the fitting out of the stadium the club omitted to buy in the new specialist lighting system with helps the pitch stay in condition. It costs around £300,000 to buy and the is a 3 month waiting list at least for delivery so even if the club were to invest it wouldn’t help for this season but what about next season.

The Cardiff City chief executive Gethin Jenkins said:

“We are aware of the comments made by one of our players on Thursday.

“As a part of our ongoing pitch maintenance program, we have had turf experts visit the club on several occasions, including a visit this week.

“The reason for the current condition of pitch is partly down to some of the coldest weather in 100 years. We recognise the need for lights to help the growth, but these cost more than £300,000 to purchase, plus considerable running costs. When these lights were needed to be ordered we were under a transfer embargo and our priority at that time was to address some of the fundamental issues concerning the club and the business.

“The ground staff at Cardiff City Stadium have worked tirelessly this year to ensure matches have gone ahead and can’t be praised enough.

“Naturally as we turn the business around we will look again at lights in the close season.

“In the meantime, we will work hard to get the pitch back up to its normal high standards, helped no doubt by the coming spring.”

The conspiracy theories among the supporters believe there is a plan afoot by Bothroyd, his agent or even the club to get a transfer. However Bothroyd has wants to see out the season, Cardiff boss Dave Jones wants him to stay, the Malaysians are happy for him to say so do most of the fans some feel the club should cash in on the player everyone has an idea. I have one to like manager Jones keep him unless there is a crazy bid, there are only two days and a bit left before the transfer window is shut.

Bothroyd signed off is tweeter account yesturday saying,

Think I'm gonna have twitter break... I said I would last time but didn't . I'm gonna stick to it this time .... Speak soon tweetfam

Drinkwater back at United

Sky Sports News is reported that Manchester United have recalled midfielder Danny Drinkwater from is season long loan. They (Sky) are sighting the lack of first team football has the reason.

The midfielder made seven league starts with two appearances from the bench plus three cup starts while with the Bluebirds. Is time at the Cardiff City stadium has been hit by injury and just has he looked to be on the round to fitness, he was hit by illness that stuck a number of Cardiff players.

With the arrival of Jay Emmanuel-Thomas and Aaron Ramsey competition in the middle of the field as hotted up and maybe United didn’t want to see him sideline allow there is a rumour he (Drinkwater) asked for the return to old Trafford.

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson said at the time of the loan deal he wanted to see him playing games not warming the bench. Drinkwater’s return to Manchester could be short lived, if fit he could still go out on loan.

Wildig off to the SPL on loan

With one Cardiff City rumoured to be off to Scotland, another player is off to Scotland, Aaron Wildig.

The young Cardiff midfielder is off to SPL club Hamilton Academicals who are bottom of the league on loan until the end of the season. Hamilton manager Billy Reid said about Wildig,

“As for Aaron, he has been playing at Championship level since he was 17 and that underlines the quality he possesses.

“We hope to have Aaron sign until the end of the campaign on loan”

He is a product of the Bluebirds youth system, English born but is at the moment pursuing his international career in the Welsh set-up. He made is debut start against Bristol City in the FA Cup last season and a few days later made his first league start. He scored his first and only goal so after and Newcastle in a 5-1 defeat. He has had limited chances this season with the influx of midfield plays

According to a report of the official Hamilton website Wildig’s played in a friendly today.

Matthews to Celtic? been here before

Here we go again according to the Scottish newspaper the Daily Record the Celtic boss Neil Lennon is interested in young Cardiff full-back Adam Matthews and could get for nothing.

Matthews last season was link with Manchester United, Arsenal and even AC Milan, that could have brought a rumoured £5million to the table. He has dropped down the pecking order at the Cardiff City stadium and will be out of contract in the summer and like Joe Ledley can walk away without Cardiff receiving a fee. There is a reported offer on the table and the player and his representatives are talking to the club, but he can still listen to other offers. The thought of losing two valued players (Bothroyd) in the summer for nothing must be worrying to everyone at the club.

Matthews has made only 2 league starts this season compared with the 24 league games last season and has made most of his appearances of the bench. Cardiff boss Dave Jones criticised after the 2-0 defeat at Ipswich early in the season for the own-goal he scored.

Like any player he wants first team football but a move can’t give him a guarantee and loan deal could be a better route but it would only work to Cardiff’s favour if he signs a new contract.

Celtic believe the could get Matthews for as little as £500,000 before the transfer window was to close or sign him up on a pre-contract agreement meaning he would join up with the Scottish club. He has still learning his art and in the further could bring in millions like Aaron Ramsay and Chris Gunter,can Cardiff afford to miss-out again.

Back up to second after win

Good win on Saturday and back second if only on goal difference as it gets all tight at the top of the Championship table. Top of the table QPR are now five points ahead of Cardiff in second with 47 points which the share with Norwich and Swansea.

Cardiff City maybe well be without a game until Tuesday week with the visit of Reading who are also vying for an automatic promotion, but will still have to look over they shoulders. A number rivals have games this week, Nottingham Forest have a game tomorrow with a win seeing them a point behind Cardiff, with a game in hand. Then on Saturday both QPR and Norwich have game that could see Cardiff further behind QPR and Norwich leapfrog over the City into second.  On Tuesday 1st Feburay, there will be a full fixture list for the Championship

Upcoming game of interest

Tuesday - Nottingham Forest v Bristol City

Saturday - Crystal Palace v Norwich

Saturday - Hull v QPR

The Cardiff City boss Dave Jones can now concentrate on bring in the two or three players he wants to sign before the January transfer window shuts in eight days time. Any newbie’s will join Aaron Ramsey and Dekel Keinan who still waiting on international clearance before completing their transfers. Jones is hoping the Ramsey loan deal could be extended beyond the original month but the ball is court of Arsenal and Arsene Wenger.

Fans can expect to see a few players going out on loan, some of the fringe players and there is still rumour and counter rumour surrounding striker Jay Bothroyd. The transfer market is starting to heat up with just over a week before it closes until the summer.

Related articles

• Cardiff City 4-2 Watford | Championship match report (guardian.co.uk)

Just get over it

Sunday Mirror columnist Michael Calvin as joined a long list of people in the game who are having a pop at Cardiff City. What it all over, loan signings. Rival fans as well as a good few pundits feel the need to have a pop. Although I am not a fan of Robbie Savage it was good to hear him defend the Bluebirds when someone phone-in to his 606 radio show asking his thought on the subject. After listening about is it unfair that Cardiff have so many, Savage smiply ask the guy phone were Cardiff breaking any rules which he end up say no anyway.

It was all about Craig Bellamy when he signed at the start of the season and the shocking fact that Manchester City is playing a large percentage of his wages. Now it’s ‘boohoo’ they have seven players on loan,  there is not a manager in the Championship who would love to have the same problem as Cardiff boss Dave Jones.

There is no official limit on how many loan signing you can have but there is a limit on the number you can have in your match day squad, the limit is five. Have any rules or laws been broken so why all the gripping. If Bellamy lived just outside Bristol and was a Bristol City fan, with his family there, he would have ended up with them. Would that mean they would have some kind of an unfair advantage? can one player have the power to unlock the key to promotion, I think not.

So what if Manchester City and the other club are chipping in with help with the wages. How the hell can clubs in the low leagues afford the kind of money some of these players are on. There are player just out of youth football who are yet to have a senior starts on £15,000 plus a-week. Managers want to loan out young players them for experience or help with fitness levels for players returning for injury who don't want them going to rivals so its the low leagues. Not many or maybe none can afford those kind of wages Cardiff new owners are bankrolling Cardiff City boss Dave Jones plans. Even Cardiff has helped subsidized wages of players they have sent out on loan.

So what did Calvin say,

Cardiff’s beauty pageant of loan stars is getting ridiculous.
They’ve got the gorgeous, pouting Craig Bellamy. He’s supported by Seyi Olofinjana, Jason Koumas and Andy Keogh. They’re subsidised by Hull, Wigan and Wolves respectively.
Danny Drinkwater is there courtesy of Manchester United. Arsenal have lent Jay Emmanuel Thomas and will allow Aaron Ramsey to help for a month.
The Championship a level playing field?
Don’t make me laugh.

I found out he is a Watford fan and has write a book on Millwall ‘Family: Life, Death and Football’ no conflict of interest there then.

The next grip will be if Cardiff were to make it to the final goal, the Premier League the out cry will be, why is a Welsh team in the premier ‘English League’ why aren’t they playing in the League of Wales.

Cardiff City team v Watford

Heaton
Quinn Naylor Hudson McNaughton

Emmanuel-Thomas Olofinjana Whittingham Bellamy

Chopra Bothroyd

Substitutes - Marshall, Gyepes, Rae, Burke, Blake, Parkin, Keogh

Cardiff City boss Dave Jones has made a large number of changes from the team at play Stoke City in the FA Cup, which was expected.

New signing Jay Emmanuel-Thomas gets the start along with Jay Bothroyd back from injury. Out from the mid-week cup clash are Gyepes, Blake, Rea, Burke, Drinkwater, Parkin some of whom are on the bench and the injured McPhail who went off with a hamstring injury against Stoke.

Keinan nearly a Bluebird

Cardiff City has signed Israeli international centre-back Dekel Keinan from Blackpool for an undisclosed fee on a two-and-a-half year deal with. The official annoucement of his signing as been delayed while the club wait on  his work permit.

According to the Jewish Chronicle the defender will sign a contract for £420,000-a-year which is more than he was on at Blackpool and has a promotion incentive with a £100,000 bonus if Cardiff secures Premier League football.

Talking to the Jewish Chronicle Keinan said,

"The current situation at Blackpool is not good for my career. Cardiff is the best place for me. There is no reason to just carry on sitting on the bench because important for me to play.

“I want to be much more involved on the pitch. Success from my point of view will be getting Cardiff into the Premier League."

Bluebirds boss Jones has not been happy with the mix of defensive options for some time. One of his priorities at the start of the January transfer was a centre-back and after the disappointment of losing out Andy O’Brien to Leeds United. He is available for inclusion in the squad for Watford along with loan signing Jay Emmanuel-Thomas.

The Blackpool boss Ian Holloway confirmed that Keinan is on the verge of signing for Cardiff with.

“Yes, there is a chance.

"My chairman Karl Oyston has been dealing with that, so where that is I don’t know. But, yes, I understand that it is Cardiff.”

However Blackpool fans commenting on the sale and are mostly surprised he is going but he didn't make the grade with Blackpool. Could have Jones saw something Holloway has missed. We will see.

One month, 7 game possible, welcome back Ramsey

Aaron Ramsey has joined the Bluebirds on a one month loan deal until 26^th Feb but will have to wait awhile to make is second debut for the Bluebirds. He will not be available for the top of the table clash with Watford tomorrow with a win for the Londoners would see them jump ahead of Cardiff in the league table. Next weekend is the FA Cup fourth round Cardiff are without a game so he with have to wait for the Reading game at the Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday, 1 February

Ramsey a Bluebirds for a month?

Welcome home sonny - fancy staying a bit longer

Cardiff City have signed there seventh player on loan this season with the shock return of midfield Aaron Ramsey, on loan.

It was rumoured Cardiff were interested a few months back to bring young Ramsey back to South Wales after his return to fitness after recovering from a broken leg. However, Arsenal decided to send him on a short loan spell to Championship rivals Nottingham Forest were he played his part in five games.

There is no official word at the time of posting this story but the story leaked for the Arsenal managers press conference when asked about Ramsey said he would ‘probably go on loan to Cardiff’

The Premiership club boss Arsene Wenger said today:

"I am considering as well giving Ramsey one month out on loan, with a possibility of him to go to Cardiff.

"I don’t want him to go to a Premier League club because I want him to finish the season with us. I just look for competition for him."

That would take the number of loan players at the Cardiff City Stadium to seven with Cardiff City boss Dave Jones restricted to have five in his match day squad.

Official Arsenal website

Ex-boss Lennie at Palace

Ex-Cardiff City boss Lennie Lawrence has moved out of the grandstand back to the dugout after becoming assistant manager at Crystal Palace.

Has a player he never played league football he plied his trade in non-league football until getting a break has caretaker at Plymouth Argyle. He when on to become coach at Lincoln City and after helping them to promotion he moved on to be become boss of Charlton Athletic. He later when on to managed Middlesbrough, Bradford City, Luton Town, Grimsby Town and Cardiff City.

Lawrence came to Cardiff as a consultant to help support the then manager Alan Cork who was under pressure to give the then chairman Sam Hammam back to back promotion. Cork was set a drifted (Feb 2002) after a run of bad results that damage the dream of the promotion a move that gave the dugout to Lawrence. Cardiff did make the play-off that season only to losing to Stoke City in the play-off semi finals.

In his first full season in charge of the Bluebirds he reached the play-offs again and victory over Bristol City in the semis led to a final against QPR at the Millennium Stadium. An extra-time 1-0 victory thanks to Andy Campbell saw Cardiff into the Championship.

After two more season in charge he was side lined back into a consulting role but after a while moved on.

He did have to go far for his next job as he took up the post of Director of Football at Bristol Rovers, working alongside coach Paul Trollop. He remained at Rovers until leaving the club on 12 May 2010. He spent a short time with non-league Carshalton Athletic in a football consultancy role before he was appointed technical director at Hereford United to assist new manager Jamie Pitman.

Now he as was appointed assistant manager at Crystal Palace, to support new manager Dougie Freedman.

Footnote: Alan Cork is now back with old mate Mickey Adams at Sheffield United, as assistant. It’s not the first time these two tandem at manager and assistant they were together at Fulham, Swansea City, Leicester City.

Keinan to sign??

Cardiff City are rumoured to be close to signing Blackpool centre-half Dekel Keinan. Any deal is expected to be a permanent move for the Israeli international, he joined the Premiership club in the summer from Israeli club Maccabi Haifa in a £500,000 deal.

Until his move to Blackpool all his footballing career had been within Israeli football playing for Maccabi Haifa. He had two loan spells with Bnei Sakhnin and Maccabi Netanya.

During his stay so far with Blackpool he has made little impact he has made only three league starts plus a hand full off the bench, they were three other start in cup competitions the normal for a fringe player. The last competitive game was in the FA Cup against Southampton but the last League game was back in early November. He his reported to be one of the highest earners at Blackpool and manager Ian Holloway would be happy to see him go if he can recoup some of the £500,00 he paid out in the summer.

He was rumoured to be at the Vale training ground this morning and as completed a medical so we have to sit back and wait on the official word.

All about promotion now

It's all about promotion NOW!

Ok we are out of the FA Cup and it A case of ‘am I bovvered’ well not really. I would much prefer to be playing Stoke City in the Premiership next season and so would Cardiff City boss Dave Jones and everyone involved with Cardiff City.

Watching the game on FATV I was glad to be sitting at home, it was dyer. The game looked to have extra-time stamped on it the longer the game went on even penalties at the beginning of extra-time. It was not to be with two extra-time goals for the Premier League club, leaving Cardiff to concentrate on the Championship. Watching the game in HD the pitch looked awful.

Boss Jones made wholesale changes from the team that drew with Norwich at the weekend, no McNaughton, Quinn, Whittingham, Olofinjana and Bellamy, were in the squad while Chopra was on the bench. It gave a chance of a number of younger members of the squad and fringe players a full on competitive game, not behind closed door friendlies.

It was good to see Danny Drinkwater back in the starting line-up after his injury problems, he played 75minutes but City boss Jones will have some concerns over McPhail who limped off deep into the first half. He his reported to have picking up a hamstring injury and the club are waiting on a scan to see the full extent.

Overall manager Dave Jones was happy with the performance of the players who succumbed to an extra-time defeat against Stoke City. Cardiff boss Jones said after the game:

"We had a lot of youngsters in there tonight and they haven't let anyone down.
"I can't fault them. We wanted to go through, and the team nearly did it, but we probably lacked a little bit of awareness at the death.
"This has given the youngsters a great taste of FA Cup football. They went out there and gave everything they had and we are disappointed we have gone out.

Cardiff City team v Stoke

Heaton

Naylor Hudson Gyepes Blake

Rae McPhail Burke Drinkwater

Parkin Keogh

Substitutes

Marshall, McNaughton, John, Matthews, Wildig, Chopra, Jarvis

Cardiff City boss Dave Jones has made wholesale changes to the team tonight from the team that faced Norwich Saturday.

Gyepes and Blake and starting in place of McNaughton who is on the Bench and Paul Quinn he doesn’t make the squad. In the middle Whittingham Olofinjana and Bellamy are missing from the squad to be replaced by Rae, Burke and a return from injury for Drinkwater.

Up front no surprise return for Bothroyd and with Chropa on the bench its Parkin and Keogh in attack.

Arsenal striker joins Bluebirds

Welcone newbie

Cardiff City have a new loan signing with City boss Dave Jones swooping for Arsenal striker/winger Jay Emmanuel-Thomas until the end of the season.

Emmanuel-Thomas is a product of the Arsenal youth system. He has been loaned out before with stays at Blackpool and Doncaster. He scored six goals while out on loan last season at the two formation clubs scoring five of them while with Doncaster, playing more games for them as well. While playing in the Championship last season in some 25 games he managed to miss playing against the Bluebirds.

It now means Jones has six loans signing the others been, Andy Keogh, Jason Koumas, Craig Bellamy, Danny Drinkwater and Seyi Olofinjana leaving him with a problem. He can only have five loan players in the matchday squad, someone will miss out unless he plans to send one back to there club.

Of cause fans will be surprised that the City boss has brought in another striker when before the opening of the January transfer window is main concern seemed to be defence. The forward line is getting a bit crowded with Jay Bothroyd Michael Chopra, new signing Jon Parking and youngster Nathaniel Jarvis vying with loan signings Andy Keogh, Jay Emmanuel-Thomas and Craig Bellamy.

Like a lot of young players in the bigger club it is difficult to break into the first team when stepping up for the youth/academy football. He was out on loan last season this season has managed to play four times for Arsenal, all off the bench, all with less than ten minutes to go before full time.

FA Cup night at CCS

FA Cuo

FA Cup night tonight down the Cardiff City stadium with the visit of Premiership club Stoke City for a third round replay.

I always go into every Cardiff game with my mind set on a victory for the Bluebirds but tonight I feel I won’t mind tonight.

The league has to be the priority with automatic promotion a must, not the shoot out of the play-off. After Blackpool last season I don’t think my doggy heart could not withstand another afternoon like that.

If a win tonight would have meant a fourth round game against the like of Manchester United or Arsenal I could have been more excited about tonight but not for Wolves or Doncaster.

City boss Dave Jones has promised total committed to the game and we pick a team to win. There is an outside chance that the much talked about Jay Bothroyd could be part of the squad for the game but unlikely that Craig Bellamy will be part of the squad.

The Neverending story of Jay Bothroyd and rumorville

Playing it all cool over  rumours

Cardiff City fans are happy to hear the club had rejected a bid for top scorer Jay Bothroyd yesterday, but it comes with a risk, he could walk away in the summer of free when his contract runs out. That move could cost the club round £2million but if he helps the Bluebirds to promotion that could generate tens of millions for the club.


Bluebirds boss Dave Jones said yesterday,

"We've had one enquiry for him and Jay knows about the enquiry," said Cardiff boss Dave Jones, who refused to name the club involved.

Although the team was not named, it is believe to have been Newcastle who were heavily rumoured over the weekend to be considering a bid.

News today brings more rumours with Sunderland who are looking to go one step better than North East rivals Newcastle and sign Bothroyd. According to press reports they see the Cardiff striker as a replacement for Darren Bent who is expected to sign Aston Villa in the next few days.

With all the manager rumours and counter rumours West Ham are said to be interested in Bothroyd. However which manager wants him, the present Avram Grant, who by all accounts is living on borrowed time with the Hammers or the manager in waiting Martin O'Neill, who is reported to be having second thoughts about the only West Ham thing.

Dave Jones the Cardiff City boss would be more then happy to keep his star striker and the player himself has constantly said he is happy to stay and make a decision about his future at the end of the season. Jones told the media yesterday,

"I had a long chat with Jay yesterday and I'm sure Jay won't mind me saying: Jay wants to stay at this football club.
"Even the club we spoke about, Jay says he doesn't want to go to.
"We said no [to the approach] and Jay knows about it, because his contract is up in June and people think they can come and take him for a measly amount of money. It's not worth what we are trying to do.
"So keep him and get the best out of him and then if he decides to stay with us or he decides to leave then that's what we will do. He wants to try and sort it out here, but he is entitled to try and get the best deal for him.
"If we want him to go because we have been offered vast amounts of money then Jay can say no because he is under contract," added Jones.
"We are trying to get him to sign here and I even spoke to Jay yesterday in training about trying to get some sort of deal done, and that is ongoing.
"But he is in his rights to do what he is doing and that is the way the football world is at the moment, and they are quite entitled to see out their contract and see what other offers are around. Is there anything wrong with that?
"It's up to us and up to him to come to an agreement that satisfies all parties, and if we can't satisfy all parties and a decision will be made either way."

Scottish player linked with City

The shopping trip to Scotland last week could have paid off for Cardiff City manager Dave Jones with the rumour Dundee United player Craig Conway is to sign this week in a £200,000 deal plus add-ons deal.

The player has been out since October with a knee injury, only returning the first team football last week. He will be out of contract in the summer so Dundee United could be looking for a sale. The United boss would like to keep him but understands he will probably be offer better personal team if he was to move.

As for his on field position, on the official Dundee United website he is down as a midfield player. However, while looking around for some information on Conway I have seen him described as a winger, forward and a defensive midfielder.

He started his career at Ayr United part of there youth development making his in 2002-03. He when on to sign for Dundee United in June 2006 and received his international call up for Scotland’s friendly match against Japan in Yokohama, a match where he won his first cap for his country.

Three tough league games ahead

It was a top of the table clash today but it will not be any easier over the next three league games that would test any club. A clean sweep would be the best outcome, a full nine points  at least six must be a must. While the Bluebirds are trying to feed at the top of the table teams around them are playing teams in the bottom half of the table.  They are all top of the table clashes, they are

Npower Championship Saturday, 22 Jan Cardiff v Watford, 3:00pm

Npower Championship Tuesday, 1 Feb Cardiff v Reading, 7:45pm

Npower Championship Sunday, 6 Feb Swansea v Cardiff, 1:15pm

There is also the little case of the FA Cup third round replay to resolve on Tuesday against Stoke City at the Cardiff City Stadium. If Cardiff beat Stoke the fourth round will take them on to the winners for Wolves v Doncaster replay on the 29 Jan, which could mean a potential four or five games in 16 days.

Parkin scores' and City get a point

Thanks to the wonderful world of the internet I was able to watch most the action from Carrow Road even if there was a short time delay, but it was a miserable afternoon really.

The game started great with an early goal for Jon Parkin, a debut goal as well, putting Cardiff back into second place for the time be. Swansea City’s early kick-off saw them jump above Cardiff but if Cardiff were to win they would go back second, but they didn't so it's history now so bring on Watford next Saturday.

The top of the table is looking a bit clutter these days, but remembering back to happy times it was great when Cardiff and QPR had a nice six point gap between themselves and third place, these were the good old days.

Today’s looked one side but the stats show the game was pretty even at the end of the game. Cardiff had a much second half and could have snatched it but it was not to be another later, later goal was the decider again. Cardiff have a bit of a thing with scoring goals in the last quarter, however today they were up against the master today ten goals in the last five minutes of a game, its eleven now.

The internet feeds were interesting, found one just as City opened the scoring so missed the goal and just a replay was being shown, a message flashed on the screen saying the stream had been closed because of ‘infringement of copyrights’. I may have miss the goal but I found a new stream that only last until the start of the second half, same bloody message found another one but that when its before full time and just before their goal. So I missed out goals while sitting in my armchair.

It was a great good game and although I always want a Cardiff to win and draw was a good result and in the cold light of day would have been happen with that. The only problem is that our rivals from down the road push City out of second spot.

Cardiff City team v Norwich

Heaton

McNaughton Naylor Hudson Quinn

Whittingham Olofinjana McPhail Bellamy

Chopra Parkin

Subs - Marshall, Rae, Gyepes, Burke, Keogh, Drinkwater, Blake

Tom Heaton is back between the posts with David Marshall drop to the bench. Bluebirds boss Dave Jones sticks with the same back for that played against Stoke last weekend.

In midfield Jones drop Gavin Rae and Chris Burke to the bench with Craig Bellamy and Seyi Olofinjana in the starting line-up but no place for Danny Drinkwater to starts the game on the bench. Up front with no Jay Bothroyd new signing Jon Parkin makes is debut alongside Michael Chopra with Andy Keogh relegated to the bench.

Bothroyd happy to stay with Cardiff

If it not the back pages or the gossip pages (more on that later) Jay Bothroyd is in the news.

Some papers are saying an offer of £1.5million has been made others say Newcastle are preparing to make a bid, while the two clubs remain silent. When asked Cardiff City boss Dave Jones refused to shed any light on the subject while Newcastle boss Alan Pardew is looking to bring another striker and said at Jay Bothroyd is a player he had admired.

Bothroyd used Twitter to announce - “Newcastle is a great club but I’m really happy at Cardiff,’’ he went on to tweet. “OK I’m a Cardiff player, I’m focused on getting promotion with the Cardiff faithful.’’

Although getting the cash will not be easy has Chairman Mike Ashley unlikely to back his January transfer moves according to some pundits but the wallet could be open a bit for the right price, cheap.

Road to Wembley 8/1/11

FA Cup time last weekend and on the long and winding road to Wembley and the blogs road was with Brighton while my heart was in Stoke with my team.

The road so far:-

Fourth Round 29 Jan - Watford v Brighton Kick-off 3pm Att

Third Round 8 Jan - Brighton 3-1 Portsmouth Att 7,792

Replay Second Round 7 Dec - FC United of Manchester 0-4 Brighton Att 7,000

Second Round 27 Nov - Brighton 1-1 FC United of Manchester Att 5,362

Replay First Round 'Proper' 16 Nov Woking 2-2 Brighton (Brighton win 3-0 on penalties) Att 4,193

First Round 'Proper' 6 Nov - Brighton 0-0 Woking Att 5868

Fourth Round Qualifying Round 23rd Oct - Woking 3 - 2 Eastleigh Att 1,048

Third Round Qualifying 9th Oct - Clevedon Town 0-5 Eastleigh Att 313

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

First Round Qualifying 11th Sept - Torpoint Athletic 2-4 Clevedon Town Att 258

Reply Preliminary Round 31st Aug - Odd Down 0 - 1 Torpoint Athletic Att N/A

Preliminary Round 28th Aug - Torpoint Athletic 1 - 1 Odd Down Att N/A

Reply Extra Preliminary Round 18th Aug - Verwood Town 1 - 4 Odd Down Att N/A

Extra Preliminary Round 14th Aug - Odd Down 1 - 1 Verwood Town Att N/A

Bothroyd and Newcastle - Fact or Fiction ?

The Northern Echo is linking English international and Cardiff City striker Jay Bothroyd with a move up north to join Newcastle. According to the reports Newcastle officials have had opening talks with Cardiff and are looking to capture the Championship leading scorer in a cut-price deal. They are hoping to take advantage of the fact Bothroyd is out of contract in the summer.

The Newcastle chairman Mike Ashley is notoriously tight when it comes to parting with cash but after a meeting between manager Alan Pardew and his chairman some money is available.

Bothroyd have said he wants to see out the rest of season with Cardiff before making a decision on his future. Bluebirds boss Dave Jones has make it clear he would like to keep his top scorer but realises a cash offer could tempt the club into selling. Cardiff are rumour to be willing to consider a deal for £2million to recoup so cash, no-one wants to see another situation like the Joe Ledley again.

There are a number of clubs linked with Bothroyd and the news of talks between Cardiff and Newcastle could bring others out of the woodwork. That the end of the day the Malaysian owners will have a major say on whether he stays or goes.

Drinkwater in the mix for tomorrow?

Drinkwater

Cardiff City boss Dave Jones could have midfielder Danny Drinkwater back in contention to be in the squad tomorrow at Norwich. The midfielder came through a hard workout with the reserves in mid-week and should find himself utilized in some way or another on Saturday even if he is on the bench.

He had been out with an injury and a bout of illness on top that off, he has not played since Middlesbrough away in early December.

Along with Drinkwater fringe players Adam Matthews and Darcy Blake also had a run out in the mid-week game with the team mainly made up of youth players.

There was no Jay Bothroyd and Chris Riggott, Bothroyd is light training and is hoping to step that up next week to be ready for the Watford game a week Saturday. Riggott season is going from bad to worst, since signing for the Bluebirds in September fitness problems plus injury has seen him play only 84minutes and now could be out for two months with a nasty hamstring tear.

Bargain shopping for Jones

Other managers have the world, the WAGS have Cricket clothing boutique and the like and Cardiff City boss Dave Jones as Scotland and the connection, shopping.

According to the South Wales Echo the City boss Dave Jones as been on a scouting mission watching Hearts v St Johnstone Tuesday night and was at Dundee United v Motherwell last night. He was reported to be checking over a number of players, who could or could not be come to Cardiff.

Hearts Ismael Bouzid - Central defender

Hearts Marius Zaliukas - Centre back/Defensive midfielder

Dundee United Craig Conway - midfielder/winger

Motherwell - Mark Reynolds defender

The Scotsman is suggesting at Jones’ main targets’ he was watching was Bouzid and Reynolds in his seach to strength his defence. There might be bargains to be had up north but they need to be up for the riggers of the Championship. Over the news Jones has had some great buys but there as been some duds.

It would not be easy to do a deal for Reynolds has he plays of Motherwell who had a run-in with Cardiff last summer. It was over payment for another player Cardiff signed from them right-back Paul Quinn the payment was later but the new Malaysians had only just really got their feet under the table.

They were getting to grips with the debts has they need to but the Bellamy deal incensed the Motherwell chairman John Boyle. With the worlds media at the Cardiff City Stadium for the Bellamy conference him pop up on Sky Sports News just before threatening to issue a winding-up order on Cardiff City over the than outstanding debt. He also threatened to sending bailiffs to the ground on match day to take possession of all the day’s takings.

Only one new signing to-date! Players and club could be holding out for the madness of the last few days of the transfer window in hope of a better deal, time will tell.

Will it be Gabbidon?

Ex-City centre half Glenn Loovens doesn't fancy it by all accounts so could Danny Gabbidon make a return to Cardiff City has Cardiff boss Dave Jones searches for a new centre-half. It’s the press again with reports linking him with a rumoured move back to South Wales.

He left the Bluebirds for West Ham in July 2005 along with James Collins in a £3million transfer deal. His time at Upton Park has been plagued injury in 2008/09 he was out for the whole season but recently has made his way back into the first team.

Gabbidon has failed to agree a new contract with West Ham and will be free to find a new club in the summer. Jones already has five loan players at the club and can only pick five loan players to be in his matchday squad. It could be difficult with team selection and would mean player or players missing out depending on if Jones was to bring in loan players. The Premier League club could be willing to sell seeing he can walk away free in the summer, but then there are his wages to consider .

Bellamy arrested on suspicion of assault

'Chippy Lane'

News is breaking at Cardiff City striker Craig Bellamy has been arrested over the incident outside a night club ‘Eden Lounge’ early Sunday morning.

A South Wales Police spokesman said:

"A 31-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of assault and has been bailed pending further inquiries."

The facts of exactly what happen during the incident are sketchy but two men, aged 20 and 26, sustained facial injuries in the fracas.

A club spokesman said:

"We are aware of the reported incident involving one of our players last weekend and feel it would be inappropriate to comment while an ongoing police investigation is under way.

He is expected to be in the squad for the game at Norwich City on Saturday if he is consider to be fit enough

Two more televised game for Bluebirds

It’s been announced today that two Cardiff City games will be should live on TV plus on the internet on the FATV and the S4C website.

The first of these games is the FA Cup 3rd round replay between Cardiff City v Stoke City at the Cardiff City Stadium on S4C the Welsh TV station next Tuesday.

According to a statement on the Welsh language Channel S4C there will be English subtitles

The other game is a Championship encounter between Cardiff City and Ipswich Town on March 5 at the Cardiff City studuim. This game will be show on Sky Sports with the kick-off now at 5:20pm.

Upcoming televised games
FA Cup 3rd  round replay - Tuesday Januray 18th Cardiff City v Stoke City  kick-off 7:45pm  S4C
Npower Championship - Sunday February 6th Swansea City v Cardiff City kick-off 1:15pm Sky Sports
Npower Champoinship - Saturday March 5th Cardiff City v Ipswich Town kick-off 5:20pm Sky Sports

Blackpool defender on Jones wish list??

Another day and another rumour is time Cardiff City are being linked with Israeli international central defender Dekel Keinan who is with Blackpool. Both Cardiff and QPR are said to be interested in a loan deal with Blackpool’s manager Ian Holloway happy to loan him out or sell him.

If Blackpool were to sell him they would want to recoup the £500,000 they paid Maccabi Haifa in the summer for the player. He joined the Seasiders on a one year contract with an option on another year.

Cardiff boss Dave Jones interested or not, the player’s stats show he has played six league games (three off the bench) plus two starts in the Cup with three internationals is he better than what Jones has now. By all accounts Cardiff had him watched Saturday's in Blackpool’s FA Cup defeat at Southampton.

Blackpool is reported to be willing to take a offer of down-payment plus add-ons if it helps sweetens the deal along.

Ex-City Capaldi could be on his way to Scotland

It took a while but Ex-Cardiff City defender Tony Capaldi looks to be a wanted man. After a number of false starts he spent time on trial with Plymouth Argyle, Crystal Palace and SLP club Hearts. He found a both hole signing a short term deal with Morecambe back in September which ends on Monday according to press reports.

He spent two days with Aberdeen on trial last week and is expected to train with the Scottish club again this week. During his trial last week he impressed boss Craig Brown who said,

“I know Sammy McIlroy well and he knows a player when he sees one. Capaldi is highly regarded, so it does not surprise me Sammy wants to keep him.

“It is a reasonable standard there but he is back this week and we will see if the budget can stretch far enough."

Morecambe want to keep their man with manager Sammy McIlroy saying,

“I am trying to persuade Tony to stay with me.

“Tony is a good player. We gave him a chance and he has taken it. I know Tony well from my Northern Ireland days.

“He came here not fully fit but we have worked on him. Tony has worked hard since coming here and I will be talking to him about staying."

Capaldi was release by the Bluebirds in the summer after his career nosedive. It started so well for him went he first signed in 2007/8 he was constantly in the first team. The following season he played only five times for the City. His last season saw him he was picking up the odd game main off the bench he was then loaned out to Leeds before Christmas on a short term loan.

It was rumour that Cardiff boss Dave Jones was going to off load him in January, but all the trouble with the club unable to bring in new faces saw Jones decided to keep hold of him.

Ex-City striker scores' is first SPL goal

Former Cardiff City striker Josh Magennis scored his first goal in Scottish football when Aberdeen beat East Fife 6-0 in the Scottish Cup.

He joined the SPL club in the summer when he was released by Cardiff manager Dave Jones along with Peter Enckelman, Warren Feeney, Aaron Morris and Tony Capaldi who has been on trial with the Scottish club.

His first goal came at a sad time for the young striker owing to a family bereavement that saw him back in Northern Ireland last week. I was back in time to take his place on the bench for the East Fife game. He came on towards the game of the game, scoring in the 90minute what was described as a tidy solo effort.

The young striker has impressed the new management regime at Pittodrie with manager Craig Brown saying,

“Josh has returned home, but he is adamant he wants to come back for the game.

“He is really coming into his own in recent weeks.

“He has played very well and he scored a wonderful goal in our friendly at Peterhead on Tuesday night."

Matthews - will he stay or will he go

He was once hot property, linked to the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal and AC Milan and worth millions in transfer fee all of which has cooled down. Young defender Adam Matthews is thinking over a new contract he has been offer with only months to go before his old contract is up.

Matthews could walk away in the summer allow Cardiff would be entitled to compensation through the training rule if he doesn’t go abroad. Cardiff is now waiting on the young defender to reply to the offer. If he doesn’t sign he will join Jay Bothroyd and Chris Burke who are waiting until the summer to decide on their futures

In an earlier interview he said,

“I’ve played in quite a few matches this season and I’m making progress.

“I have a long way to go to reach my potential and I can’t expect to play every week with quality defenders like Kevin McNaughton and Lee Naylor in front of me.

“They both help me a lot and I am learning all the time.

“Every young player wants to be involved all the time, but the team are winning games and stand second in the table.

“I won’t be moaning about not starting, but I will also be ready if the gaffer needs me. There is a long way to go this season.”

Matthews as only started two games so far this season plus a number off the bench.

Well done Supporters Club

Cardiff Supporters’ Cup is to subsidise the travel to Norwich on Saturday to offset the cost of entering the ground.

Norwich are charging £33 for adults with prices sliding to seniors (60-plus) £27; under-16 £23; under-12 £16; disabled tickets at same prices, carers free of charge.

The Supporters’ Club would normally charge £25 to travel to the game but will only be charging there members a cut price £10. The offer is open to any new members but there is a charge of £7 for adults and £3 for concessions to join the Supporters Club.

Cardiff City Supporters’ Club Travel & Press Officer Vince Alm told the South Wales Echo,

“We have made the offer to ensure there is good support for the Bluebirds at Norwich.

“There are already more than 150 fans travelling and we expect a lot more to book this week.

“If anybody decides to join CCSC they will still be saving money on normal prices.”

Well done the Supporters Club and boo to Norwich more like ‘Let's be 'avin' you cash’.

Still fancy a trip contact Vince Alm on 0781 4779441, with the final bookings being taken on Friday.

Supporters' Club website

Bellamy attacked

According to the Sun newspaper, Cardiff City player Craig Bellamy with attack outside a nightclub early Sunday morning while out with friends.

It is known why the player was attack but an onlooker said he was asked for an autograph then challenged to a bizarre sprint race?

The paper is suggesting he was ambushed by five man on leave the club after trading blows he managed to jump into a near by taxi. A source at Cardiff City confirmed Bellamy was hit in the fracas and is sporting bruising on his forehead.

Friends of Bellamy became involved has they were leaving the nightclub with Police confirming two men were injured Police have appealed for witnesses.

Link ....... The Sun

City boss takes another pop at the fans

I can believe Cardiff City boss Dave Jones is blaming Cardiff fans for the losing out on Bolton defender Andy 0’Brien. There was never anything official from the club but rumours, and there are always lots of rumours.

Dave Jones said, “There are always possibilities, but it is difficult at the moment because what I’m looking at, everyone else is looking at.

“That is why we moved so quickly for big Parky, because there was a lot of interest.

“I probably lost Andy O’Brien because the famous message boards and everything else alerted Leeds that we were talking to him. We probably could have signed him on the day, but they stepped in and took him away from us. But we’ll just keep looking.”

O’Brien was at Leeds on loan at the time and Leeds wanted to extend the loan to the end of the season anyway. Bolton would have told Leeds of the interest from Cardiff. Jones himself said there were our clubs interested and they would have talking to Bolton probably. O’Brien must be about the only player at the top end of the football tree without an agent.

Far from the being outed by Cardiff City fans on message boards maybe the Cardiff boss should look to the player maybe. From a interview he gave to Sky,

"I got the impression Cardiff liked that I had the guts to do everything myself without an agent.

"What I wanted to do was be up front all the way through and not mess about behind anyone's back. I like to think I did that.

"Cardiff came in with an offer and the first thing I did was ring Leeds and telling them exactly what the deal was.

"There was a bit of to-ing and fro-ing and then I said to Ken Bates 'If you offer me what Cardiff have offered then I'll sign.'

"That is what happened. Personally, it's a relief to have sorted things out. Two months ago, I was scratching my head as to where my future would lie.”

 It looks like the deal was never going to be an exclusive, Leeds were always going to be in there with a shout.

Beat Stoke City and it's Doncaster or Wolves away FA Cup

A win over Stoke City will see a fourth round tie with Doncaster or Wolves not the most exciting of ties. However, I have had a change of heart from yesterday were I was thing along the lines of concentrate on the league.

Stoke City at home is winnable and could see Cardiff into the last sixteen to face championship rivals Doncaster or Premiership bottom dwellers Wolves. We beat Doncaster 4-0 earlier in the season at the CCS and with Wolves scraping for every point, they are like to put out there under 10's.

A victory on the 29/30 January would mean a Quarter Final spot, worth a push I reckon. If it was to go along those lines City would be close to another Wembley shot.

Three members of the Armed Forces made the draw today.

Rifleman David Etale pull the balls in and his a Manchester United fan Manchester
Senior Aircraftsman (SAC) Neil Thomas was drawing the home teams and is a Cardiff City fan
Ableseaman Leon Cashman drew the away games and is an Arsenal.

Parkin looking to make his debut

The Beast in all his glory

Cardiff City new boy Jon Parkin has a dream that day he will watch himself on Match of the Day and he join Cardiff because it was his best chance of achieving his ambition. Speaking to the Sunday Mirror he said,

“I want to watch myself on Match of the Day.
“I watch it every Saturday night and think: ‘I’d love to be on there’. I feel I could do it in the Premier League.
“Defenders there haven’t seen to many strikers like me. They might scratch their heads a little bit!”

Cardiff fans have yet to see the striker known has ‘The Beast’ in action he missed yesterdays FA Cup clash with Stoke because of injury, however he is expected for Norwich. Manager Dave Jones reckons Parkin’s has a lot to offer on just is size, he can move about and with ball at feet hard to stop.

He has been close to his goal of Premiership football he was with Hull City but sold before they reached the Premier League. He help Stoke City to promotion to the Premiership only to be sold to Preston and missing out again.

“I’ve seen the facilities here and I feel this club is better equipped to get up than Stoke were. It’s a good career move for me.
“I’m under no illusions it will be tough for me. Cardiff home some great strikers – the likes of Craig Bellamy, Jay Bothroyd and Michael Chopra.”

He could get his chance next Saturday at Norwich with Bothroyd expected to miss the game and Michael Chopra picked up is fifth yellow card against Bristol City, played against Leeds a few days later and is yet to serve his mandatory one match ban. Hell of a game for a debut, a top of the table clash with the possibility of the two top strikers out will put a lot of pressure on the new signing.

If they are both out that would only leave Parkin and Andy Keogh with youngest Nathaniel Jarvis for the game. Craig Bellamy can play in a central role but he has been playing his best football out on the wing.

He is not fazed is nickname ‘The Beast’ explaining it came out of him scoring goals not out of looks or size.

“I got my nickname from my time at Macclesfield when I scored 26 goals in one season. The manager Brian Horton said I was like a beast devouring the opposition. It just stuck with me.
“It doesn’t bother me- I’ve got used to it now and I could be call a lot worse! But just because you’re a big lad doesn’t mean you can’t add more to your game.
“Look at Grant Holt at Norwich. He’s built like me and doing a hell of a job.”

A replay for Cardiff

Cardiff City will be in the draw for the fourth round of the FA Cup by default after a 1-1 draw at Stoke City.

So it a replay, an extra game I would think most managers could do without. Why can the game be finish on the day? Today it could have got to extra-time and penalties if need be, time to end replays.

After the win over Leeds mid-week the Cardiff team showed fortitude up against Premiership Stoke City. Cardiff were without key players again but the Stoke boss Tony Pulis made seven changes to his team for the team that lost to Manchester United mid-week.

It was Cardiff striker Michael Chopra who opened the scoring with an early goal. From a dangerous cross into the box Chopra who had found space against a post, but Chopra was alert enough put the rebound in the back of the net.

The Cardiff defence stood up to firm under pressure for the rest of the half as the Premier League club looked to get beck into the game. They say the worst time to concede a goal is just before half-time, and low and behold Blackpool levelled the game. All square at half time sounded to be a fair outcome over the 45minutes

Stoke came out for the second-half with a vengeance and proceeded to lay siege to the Cardiff half for the rest of the game. They (Stoke) could have run away with the game with there in ability to score. So it’s back to the Cardiff City Stadium for a rerun soon.

After the match the Cardiff boss Dave Jones was a draw was a fair result, "I think so” and when on to say,

"We fell asleep in the first half (for Stoke's goal) with the long ball down the middle and got caught, but we stood and had to be counted today.
"There were a lot of balls into our box from all over the place and I thought we stood up to it, and when we could get out and play, we tried to do that.
"I've got nothing but praise for the lads, certainly when you look at our bench, which was full of kids.
"They have come here and earned it. I'm disappointed we didn't win it having got our noses in front, but this is a hard place to come."

Dave Jones was asked the call for in to go,

"Everyone has an opinion - everyone wants you out of a job because you lose a couple of games," Jones said.
"I think a lot of them who have been talking have probably got another agenda somewhere along the line.
"It's the people that seem to know a lot about it, but let's talk about today's performance.
"That is all history at the end of the day. We just get on with trying to do what we do best, which is playing football and trying to get the results.
"The fans demand a performance and I think they got that from the lads today."

Stoke manager Tony Pulis said after the game,

"We started the first half very tepid and gave them a goal," Pulis said.
"Then we stepped it up a little bit and Tunny scores a good goal just before half-time.
"I felt as though that was coming and then in the second half it was just wave after wave after wave, but we couldn't score.
"But there we are - you can't fault the players for their effort and commitment.

"It's not ideal for us because the replay falls between two tough Premier League matcges, but we can't blame anyone but ourselves for that."

Bothroyd wanted at Cardiff

A wanted man??

Cardiff City striker Jay Bothroyd has express his desire to stay with the Bluebirds until the summer. That should close a few cheque books and make manager Dave Jones happy has he sees Bothroyd as an integral part of his promotion push.

So the die is cast, Bothroyd will go free if Cardiff fail to win promotion. Dave Jones would like to resign him but I don’t thing there is a Cardiff fan who expects him to sign for another season if it happens to be the Championship again. It has been his goals that have help Cardiff stay at the top of the table. There would be no guarantee he would sign anyway if Cardiff were to win promotion. It could be the last chance for the 28-year-old striker  Bothroyd to play in the Premiership and have one last big payday.

A lot of teams will be knocking at his door for sure in the summer, that is if no-one puts a bid in over the next few weeks at tempts the Cardiff board into a sale. A club interested in the City striker could try to agree a pre-contract deal which could be beneficial to Cardiff City because it would put an end to all the speculation there is bound to be until the end of the season.

Bothroyd is rumoured not to be fit to return to the starting line-up for the visit to Stoke on Saturday in the FA Cup 3rd round fixture. The next league game is the foollowing Saturday Norwich away, a massive game with second place (Cardiff) v Third place (Norwich) and it is hoped Bothroyd will be fit for that game.