Looking forward to next season

I am now excited about next season that's now quick I have forgotten about today. We are not in the Premiership so I have no interest in it. I am ready for the new era without ex-Cardiff City boss Dave Jones and excited over whom will be the new boss.

Whoever comes in they will have to hit floor running with little time to catch his breath. There is a rumour that the new manager could come via a promotion from the present coaching staff with the possibility of Craig Bellamy coming in as coach pending on talks with Manchester City. There is an urgency to replenish the squad with new players after 12 players left at the end of the season.

I feel in my bones next season will be no push over in the Championship but one thing any new boss must do is secure automatic promotion no messing with the play-offs. There are six new teams in the Championship next season Birmingham, Blackpool and West Ham relegated from the Premier League with their parachute players looking for an instant return to the top table.

Has for last season teams Reading and Nottingham Forest will be a danger and will be hoping to go one better than a play-off place. As for the rest they will all be looking to do better and while Cardiff stall they are strengthening their squads. Leeds, Burnley, Millwall, Leicester, Hull, Middlesbrough, Ipswich, Watford, Bristol City, Portsmouth, Barnsley, Coventry, Derby, Crystal Palace and Doncaster will be looking for a more fruitful 2011/12 season.

Then there are the three who won promotion from Division One Brighton, Southampton and Peterborough they will be hoping to emulate promoted Norwich and gain a double promotion.

Congrats to the men from the West

So it's a muted well done from a Cardiff City fan to Swansea and that really hurts. They should enjoy their season in the sun of the Premier League because without even a kick of a ball the bookies have them favourites for relegation back to the Championship. I lived with Swansea in the top league before no problem doing it again.

I hope the chairman who runners a tight ship is ready for all the wage demands and agents looking to make a quick buck of his club for their players and themselves. Seeing as Swansea have renamed themselves Swanselona I was wondering if Manchester United is quaking in their boot at playing you next season.

Nice to see our old Alan Tate could not find a flag for the cameras this time and it was nice to see the players pay tribute to there ex teammate Besian Idrizaj who died last May.

Only a little bit of banter get a life

My caravan banter has gone down like a lead balloon with our friends from the West. Well toughen up and grow up and get some balls. I don't give a shit about this Welsh crap and the good of Wales, for the good of Swansea yes, but I will still be hoping for a Reading win.

Like Swansea fans were rooting for Cardiff against Blackpool last season. I bet few Jacks would be sitting thinking it would be good for Welsh football if Cardiff City were to win and have been promoted to the Premiership.

Jealousy has been mentioned in some of the printable comments. Can I simply ask how jealousy you were last season to the run up to kick off. If you win today good luck for next season, but remember all those Blackpool fans jumping for joy talking it big just a year ago, where are they next season.

Another caravan crack at Swansea



Townhill area of Swansea deserted as the game kick-off at Wembley

Bye Dave ... Welcome WHO

Yes he has gone and I can stay I'm unhappy with the news. I was only writing this morning how his report card from last season was an F- for failure. To win around the fans he would need an A+ for next season if he were to stay.

Cardiff's chief executive Gethin Jenkins, said of the official website,

"We would like to thank Dave Jones for his considerable efforts with the club over the past six seasons. He leaves his post in the knowledge that he has left the club in a far better position than when he arrived. Dave's tenure has seen Cardiff City Football Club develop from a standpoint of Championship stability through to becoming regular promotion contenders, while also having taken the team to an FA Cup Final.

"His efforts in the recruitment and development of players also meant that the sale of these players at times enabled the club to survive. He has also had a significant contribution in the development of training facilities and the stadium during his Cardiff City career. We thank him for all that he has done and achieved with the club and wish him well for the future."

There have been plenty of good times with Jones, but the failure to make it great was one of his problems. FA Cup final against Portsmouth were one, but we ended up losers the same with the play- off final losers again. This season we had automatic promotion in our grasp, but it slipped through the fingers of Cardiff and there was this season play-off disaster. Six years was enough, we have been the bridesmaid far too often and not the bride. I wish Dave Jones all the best with is next venture as I don't see him on the beach for too long.

So the speculation over the next manager begins and there will be a host full getting their CV out and giving it a dusting. Some of the likely and unlikely

Craig Bellamy
Chris Hughton
Roberto Di Matteo
Gary Megson
Gordon Strachan
Paul Ince
Aidy Boothroyd
Gianfranco Zola
Alan Curbishley
Hope Powell
John Toshack
Ray Wilkins
Roy Keane
Sam Allardyce
Ryan Giggs

Who would I go for, I would like Bellamy because of his passion you would expect no team of his to sit back and kick the ball around aimlessly, but he has no managerial experience could do the job has coach with an experience boss to learn off. I like the idea of Ray Wilkins who was No 2 at Chelsea for years and has a black book loaned with footballing contacts.

At the end of the day it will be down to Gethin Jenkins and the club's director Alan Whiteley who the club confirmed as leading the search for a new manager. I think a panel of ex-Cardiff City players and one or two members of the supporter's club should do the searching.

Dave Jones sacked

Dave Jones gone …. Yes gone

**** MORE LATER ****

Club Statment

Tail end charlie of the Jack convoy

Jack straggler tearing up the M4 to make the kick off at Wembley

Jones report card, must do better

According to the South Wales Echo manager Dave Jones has been asked to draw up his plans for next season, but that doesn't mean he's got the job. His report card for last season would be an F- for a failure because automatic promotion was his for the taking, but it slip way embarrassingly. For his mock exam this week he will be hoping for an A+ and hope for the same result at the end of next season if he can sell it to the board.

The decision will hopefully happen by the end of the week with the paper suggesting the club is eyeing former Newcastle boss Chris Hughton and ex-Charlton chief Alan Curbishley among others has possible replacements.

He has been asked to give the Malaysians an outline budget on players he would like to bring in along with the possible costs fee and wages. It would be interesting to see if Jones plans will depend heavily on loan signings next season if caused some problems last season because of the numbers mainly. He will probably go for free signings and maybe a few transfers that will involve fees.

Cardiff City' chief executive Gethin Jenkins has been in talks with Dave Jones reviewing what many regard has the failure of last season and the plans for next season before the Malaysians and the board decide on their plans. By the end of the week in will be nearly three since the end of the season for Cardiff, but nearly four weeks for our rivals in the Championship next season. While at Cardiff time is standing still other clubs are in the transfer market doing deals that might have interested Dave Jones or any new boss.

One thing for sure if Dave Jones does stay boss he will have a hard time winning around the majority of fans at the club.

Swansea City supporters coach



Jack's travel in style to Wembley when the tow turns up

Mixed fortunes Down-Under for the Cardiff's

South Cardiff came off second best when they made the trip to top of the table Broadmeadow Magic. The home team were 3-0 winners.

Fans comments on the game ..... First half was a dour affair with magic missing a couple of opportunities including an open goal. Second half magic just took complete control and ran riot. There passing and build up play is easily the best in the league and was truly on display yesterday. Southy never truly got their foot in the game and I can't remember them really even testing Carter bar long range shots. It seems when Southy go down a couple of goals they continue to resort to long ball tactics, frustrating to watch, but I still think magic would have won regardless.

Cardiff City FC continued form see them stay top of the Northern NSW Zone Premier League. They beat third place Newcastle University FC 2-0. Next weekend the will be another top of the table clash when Cooks Hill UFC travel to Cardiff City FC ground Cardiff Oval No2.

Something I like about the league set-up you have among in these leagues is the whole match day. They don't just play the senior game they also play Under 23' and reserves the same day making it a grand day out for a football fan. Is it something that could look into over here? Next season when Cardiff play Barnsley away why can the academy and reserves also travel and the same when teams travel to Cardiff.

Tate's Crib



Alan Tate invited Sports Wales to check out his luxurious crib at Swansea Caravan Park.

Decision wanted and soon

Has the board at Cardiff City sit back unable to make a decision or even make a statement on when they will make a decision the fans sit back left to stew. Will it be tomorrow, this week or next or never? Time is ticking and before long it will be pre-season. I find it incredible the lack speed in dealing with last season failed to win promotion?

With the Malaysians are on the other side of the world, but video conferencing is popular so there is no real excuse for not getting a meeting together. It opens the door for loads of speculation and if you read the messageboard just about everything has been covered.

So why after three weeks do fans still don't know if Cardiff City boss Dave Jones will be going or staying. Another clubs can sack a manager within hours of the end of the game, at half time or even on the coach on the way home? Word on the street is it could be something to do with money these days in football it's nearly always about money. Hanging round can be just has costly with players the club might want to sign are probably being snapped up by other clubs.

The club as just two pre-season games lined up so after and no conformation if there will be the big end of pre-season game against top European opposition. Will there be a tour after the Malaysian trip was cancelled? They are leaving late for fans who would like to go on the tour.

The draw for the first round of the Carling Cup will take place on the 16 June followed the next day with the league fixtures. It's only 73 day to the start of the new Championship season.

Bothroyd and Whittingham rumour

Sunday rumours involving Cardiff City have the rumour mill turning a bit faster. In the News of the world they have Jay Bothroyd on the verge of signing for Everton while in the Sunday Mirror he has agreed terms. It would be a good move for the striker if the story is true better than Celtic who ex-City star Joe Ledley has been plugging in the press.

Everton boss David Moyes is reported to be his offer in first with Sunderland, Fulham and Celtic in the wings also interested if paper reports are to believe. With a small transfer budget the Everton can snap up the 28-year-old striker on a free transfer after he failed to agree a new contract with Cardiff.

While Bothroyd who is an ex-Cardiff player is constantly in the rumour mill today there is a report that newly promoted Norwich are interested in Cardiff's midfielder Peter Whittingham. The Sunday People are suggesting they are set to make a £1 million bid for the player. Whittingham is a stalwart of the Cardiff City midfield signed a two-year contract extension in the summer of 2010 keeping him with the Bluebirds until summer of 2013.

After loosing out on receiving transfer fees for Ledley, Bothroyd, Matthews and Burke would the club be tempted to sell and actually bank some money.

Norwich's local rivals Ipswich Town were linked with Michael Chopra only yesterday and in the Metro they had Tottenham interested in Craig Bellamy.

The exodus is underway

The first Jack to hit the road on his way to Wembley

Chopra linked to Ipswich

Ipswich Town are being linked with Cardiff City striker Michael Chopra in some of the press today. Ipswich boss Paul Jewell is in the market to increase his striker force and has already seen a £1.75m bid for Doncaster hotshot Billy Sharp rejected.

It the first time Ipswich have chased the Cardiff striker the previous Ipswich boss Roy Keane was scared off when he tried to sign Chopra. Cardiff at the time placed a £4 million pound price on his head. Last season Chopra scored 11 goals after is season was bleated with a mixture of injuries and had to settle for a spot on the bench behind Craig Bellamy and Jay Bothroyd during the season.

Ipswich think Cardiff could be happy to see him go just to release him from the club hefty wage bill which has been reduced or about to be with players leaving the club. Cardiff would be looking for at least the same amount that was offered to Doncaster for Sharp if not more. If he was to leave that would leave Cardiff with only two strikers, Jon Parking and Nathaniel Jarvis who has just received his first professional contract by Cardiff. He had a short loan with Southend last season.

Soon as the issue of the manager is finalized Cardiff will also be in the market to strengthen their front line. Will Bellamy be back yesterday it was reported he would play for free to stay with the Bluebirds.

Bluebirds board to make decision

The South Wales Echo believes the long away meeting over the future will happen over this weekend after all the initial talk the decision will hopefully come. Fans have been left in limb waiting on a decision on the future direction the club will be taking for next season.

The Malaysians are reported to be unhappy with last season after backing the manager Dave Jones to bring promotion to the club. After six years, a majority of the clubs fans want to see an end of the Jones era and start afresh start with a new boss at the helm. There is also the budget which it's rumoured will be slash back heavily after back some highly paid loan signings last season.

The squad will need some rebuilding there are three goalkeeper one is still to have any first team experience and of the seventeen outfielder players four have yet to make their debuts. There could be a few more leaving the club yet, but who will be in charge of the team. He (Jones) has said a few times 'judge me at the end of the season' well I think he has been judged. If he was to stay his first mistake would bring howls of disapproval and calls for him to go greater than anything the board have heard before.

Of the field Cardiff have yet to make much in the way of preparations for next season we know the reason for the lack of movement in the transfer market. There are only two season fixture announced with the Bluebirds travel Yeovil Town on Saturday July 26 3pm kick-off and a trip to Weston-Super-Mare the following Saturday another 3pm kick-off. The planned tour for Malaysia has not come to fruition again, but the Academy youngest are going to tour there.

Bellamy playing for free??

Big Cardiff City story in the South Wales Echo today gives it away in the front-page headlines

'GRAIG READY TO PLAY FOR FREE NEXT SEASON'

There is no official word from the play himself, but a confidant and sources. He is according to the paper desperate to help Cardiff into the Premier league and wants to stay at the Cardiff City Stadium. It's well-known he has enjoy family life since joining Cardiff and is on record as only interested in playing for his present club Manchester City or Cardiff City where he spent last season on loan.

If he was to forgo his wages that would possible be a first for a footballer, at present he receives £90,000 a-week, £360,000 a-month and a massive £4,320,000 a year who would chuck that kind of money away. He might have a health bank balance, but with a reported two years left on his Manchester City contract that's £8,640,000.

Best option would be all parties to do some kind of a deal with Manchester City on his wages and take a massive cut to play for Cardiff it would be an option. He has no future with the Manchester club and with him adamant he will play nowhere else it's a deal that could be done. They should be more on the story later in the day.

Technically not Cardiff, but it is technically

With the UK football done and dusted I always look for a team to follow out of season. This year the plan was the follow Club Deportivo Alfonso Ugarte a Peruvian football club, located in the city of Puno. With the surname Ugarte I thought they would be interesting to follow. However, results are hard to come by and the language was a problem so I had another look around.

Australia was an obvious place to look, but I wanted to look for a team off the beaten track. Over the years I have followed a number of different teams in the summer shut down over here, but I came up trumps after a short search, South Cardiff FC also known as the Gunners who play in the NBN State League.

They are based in the Northern area of New South Wales and their ground is the Jack Neave Oval, which is located at Cross Street South Cardiff and as a 1000 capacity. That was not the end I spotted all an earlier cup fixture against a Cardiff City FC, yes jackpot. The game in the Solo Cup ended with a win for South Cardiff 3-0. Most of the Cardiff FC team are ex South Cardiff players, but there was a good crowd at the game and a cracking atmosphere it was reported with both sets of supporters mixing.

I have now found two teams carrying the name of the greatest football team in the world two for the price of one deal. Into research mode to find some information on both which again wasn't easy even with the worldwide web to help. There is not much out there neither club has a website nor much of a presents on the internet. South Cardiff are also known as Gunners or Southy to their fans they were formed as early as 1989. Their home team colours are red and white with black shorts. There has been some movement on the playing front with Rob Ambrogetti rumoured to have joined Southy from Valentine Phoenix. In a division below are is a team calling themselves Belmont Swansea United

The other Cardiff play in the Northern NSW Zone Premier League their home ground is Cardiff No2 Oval and their nickname the Tigers. At the moment they are top of the League and this weekend they face an away game to University. Also, in the same Division wait for it there is a Swansea FC. They recently fought out a 2-2 draw and will face each other again in July.

This weekend results

NBN State League

South Cardiff 1-0 Weston Bears

South Cardiff continued their good run against Weston defeating them 1-0 at Ulinga Park on Sunday.

Daniel Johnson claimed the only goal of the match as he headed home at the back post in the second half following the sides entering the half time break with the scores locked at 0-0.

Both teams battled it out in a scrappy and physical affair at Ulinga Park in a result that puts South Cardiff back in touching distance of the top four as they remain the only side to have beaten Weston this season, and to do it twice at that.

Weston coach, Darren Elkin, said “it’s always a hard game to look forward to, they adapted better under the conditions and it’s a timely reminder for us not to get complacent.”

South Cardiff coach, Steve Piggot, said “it was one of those battles we always have against them”, and was pleased to get the win after having a number of poor results in recent weeks.

Weston will look to regroup towards their catch up match against top of the table Broadmeadow Magic on Friday night with the chance to go on top themselves; while South Cardiff also face Broadmeadow on Sunday in Round 10 of the competition.

Inter district Division One

Cardiff City FC 5-0 Kahibah FC

Gerrard back for good?

Player of the season Anthony Gerrard is looking to battle his way back into the Cardiff City into contention for next season with the Bluebirds. Voted player of the season at Hull City where he spent the whole of last season on loan putting in the kind of performance sometimes missing in the heart of the Cardiff back four. Hull would like to sign him on a permanent deal for next season

This season at times the back four have been sublimed other times they looked like a bunch of third rate amateurs. The stats show Cardiff had the seventh best defensive record with 28% of the 46 league games played clean sheets in the Championship last season. Why Cardiff boss Dave Jones drop Gerrard like a hot stone has never been made clear.

If the rumours are right and the budget will be tight next season the club would be unlikely Gerrard or many of the under contract players leave this summer. While the club is in limb business in and out is at a standstill.

No West Ham talks for Jones

                                        

According to the East London Advertiser Cardiff manager Dave Jones has denied he has spoken to anyone at West Ham about becoming the club’s new manager.
The 54-year-old is the bookies’ favourite to succeed Avram Grant at the helm, but today told the East London Advertiser that neither he nor the club have contacted each other.

“I have not had any contact with them over the job,” Jones said.
“I’m not prepared to say anything about the vacancy. I’m still employed by Cardiff City Football Club and only thinking of them.”

Later David Gold said on Twitter: "Despite what you may have read in the papers, we have not spoken to Dave Jones."

Link Here 

Gvain Rae

Cardiff City manager Dave Jones got another blast from a departing player this time Gavin Rae. Since the New Year he has only played minutes while having to watch the failed match to the end of the season from the bench or stand. Dave Jones made a number of options in midfield, but favoured the same old faces making hard for anyone trying to break-in.

The midfielder was released by the club on Monday and is now looking for a new club on his return from his holiday. Talking about his frustrations of being overlooked this season he said,

"I am gutted to be leaving and it was a frustrating season for me personally. I felt there were times when I could have played, even if it was to give others a rest.

"I was ready to play at any moment and in my heart I believe I might just have made a difference in some matches.

"One of my biggest regrets will be that I did not play a part in helping City earn promotion.

"We went so close over the last couple of seasons, but it wasn't to be.

"It was an up-and-down season in many ways.

"There were times when we looked really good as a team and then hit a bad patch.

"We were so close to automatic promotion, but in the end we didn't play well enough against Reading."

Since joining the club in the summer of 2007 he was more or less a regular in the starting line, but was only seemed to be fit to be a bench warmer last season. He made only two starts and handful for game from the bench and he made three starts in cup games with one goal to his name.

More from Rae Walesonline

Sunderland chase two ex-Cardiff players

It's the turn of Sunderland manager Steve Bruce to express an interest in soon to be next Cardiff City striker Jay Bothroyd. Bruce is also interested in Craig Bellamy both were main assets for Cardiff City last season.

Bothroyd already is rumoured to have a number club waiting to open talks with him about his future. With no transfer fee to worry about clubs have only his wages to consider with Steve Bruce rumour to be offering around £30,000 pre-week to the striker, a considerable increase on his wage packet with Cardiff.

Everton, Fulham or Celtic are looking for a striker to boost their attacking options for next season.

Has for Craig Bellamy he has made plenty of noise about wanting to stay at Cardiff, but can the club afford him? Last week there was talk of a player/coach role being offered to Bellamy, but with a transfer fee plus his wages to find it could be a case of 'a bridge too far' for the Bluebirds. Bolton are said to want him and today Sunderland are ready to enter any race if he becomes available.

His career is over at Manchester City and they are reported to want £4 million for him when they paid £14 million in January 2009

Favourite with the Bookies, but fans unsure

Yesterday Sky Sports News has been speculating that Cardiff boss Dave Jones was in talks about taking over as boss of West Ham. Today there rumour is still there, but is not the first time Jones and West Ham have been linked. It when from just talks to agreeing terms, but there is no official word on this story only rumour.

The reason I am giving this story any credence is the well-known fact that the Eastenders find it near on impossible to keep a secret. News always seems to leak out of the porous club. The bookies have to Cardiff boss favourite for the job, but owner David Gold speaking on Sky would not be drawn on the Jones speculation, but did say they were talking to a number of interested parties.

Cardiff is planning a meeting this week to discuss last season failure and what's next for next season. The big unanswered question is the future of present manager Dave Jones will he still be at the club. If he does go there is the question of who would replace him and how long would it take to in stall a new boss. New players are needed to add to the squad has there is a shortage across the board. Any new boss would have his own ideas about players and style of play so there could be more upheaval to what's left of the present squad.

So what next for the release

So what the future of the Cardiff players release today some will struggle while some will have the door opened for them.

Gavin Rae – there are a number of teams rumoured to be interested in signing the midfielder. Aberdeen has ready said they want him so a return to the SPL is on the cards.
Chris Burke – Should attract interest from both sides of the border he was reported to be happy to stay with Cardiff. However, he is surplus to requirements and could well join Rae with an offer to go back to Scotland.
Martin John – there was talk of a MSL club sniffing around the midfielder or maybe a lower league club or non league club could give him a break.
Jay Bothroyd – Everton and Fulham are just a few clubs linked with the former Cardiff City striker and should be fixed up pretty soon with a lower end of the Premier League  table club.
Adam Matthews - Fixed himself up in January with a move to Celtic.
Sameth Al-Basith – Hard for a youngest when they find themselves released. He will probably end up playing in the Welsh League.
Stefan Jones – Another young player who could end up in Welsh league football, maybe Welsh Premier League if he stays in football.

There is a likelihood a few more of the present squad could leave. Defender Gabor Gyepes has expressed an interest in leaving if Dave Jones was to stay on has manager. Midfielder Solomon Taiwo back from a loan deal has he got a future with the club?

The squad now consists of 3 keepers and 17 out players of which 5 players have next to no first team experience so new players will be need by hopefully there will not be so many loan signings next season.

Martin John and Chris Rae released

Cardiff are letting four players from the first team squad go Midfielder Gavin Rae, Chris Burke and Martin John plus striker Jay Bothroyd will not be offered new contracts and are released to find new clubs. Adam Matthews sorted out a move to Celtic back in January after the club showed next to no interest in offering the young defender a new contract. Youth players Sameth Al-Basith and Steffan Jones have also been released.

Bothroyd was expected to be leaving the club after the failure of securing promotion to the Premier League and there has been a long-term rumour Burke would also be on his way out if there was no promotion. Midfielder John only player one game for the Bluebirds and had a loan spell with Newport County. Gavin Rae has found himself out in the cold for much of this season and it was expected he would be going. He near went in January with Leeds and Aberdeen interested in taking him away from Cardiff, but manager decided to keep him. Aberdeen still interest in signing him, but he is rumour to have offers.

 

All the loan players are officially back with their clubs its unknown if any will be returning next season. The club has given six young players new contract Jordan Santigo, Alex Evans, Jonathan Meades, Ibrahim Farah and Nathaniel Jarvis has the club looks to the future.

 

Cardiff have welcomed back there three loan players Anthony Gerrard, Aaron Wildig and Solomon but will all three be here for the start of the season? Everyone is waiting and the budget for next season and the future of Dave Jones.

 

The Malaysians are reported to want to concentrate on youth development and then relaying least on transfers and loan players. The remaining squad him are not set in stone there could be some offers and Cardiff if interested might be will to let them. Then again some could want to leave.

THE CARDIFF CITY SQUAD 2011/12

Goalkeepers:

David Marshall, Tom Heaton, Jordan Santigo

Defenders

Dekel Keinan, Kevin McNaughton, Gabor Gyepes, Mark Hudson, Alex Evans, Anthony Gerrard, Paul Quinn, Jonathan Meades

Midfield

Darcy Blake, Stephen McPhail, Peter Whittingham, Aaron Wildig, Solomon Taiwo, Ibrahim Farah

Strikers

Michael Chopra, Jon Parking, Nathaniel Jarvis

I will never play for Dave Jones again - Gabor Gyepes

Mrs Gyepes

If Cardiff City manager does pull off what many would regard has a miracle and stay Bluebird boss one there is player who will be looking for a new club. Hungarian international Gabor Gyepes as made his feelings known speaking to a Hungarian sports magazine the Cardiff defender vowed never to play for Bluebirds boss Dave Jones ever again.

Since joining the club in 2008 in a £200,000 deal he has failed to command a regular spot in the centre of the Cardiff defence. He has found himself dropped a number of time over the years with injuries not helping the situation. This season he has been further out in the cold not helped with the arrival of Dekel Keinan in January. Many fans expected he would be on the end of the season release list, but who knows with a new boss he could stay he only has a year left on his contract.

"If our manager stays it is very likely I will leave.
"After our defeat against Swansea in November our manager always blamed me for everything.
"I have to accept his decision because he is the manager and I can't do anything.
"I haven't played since March and at the end of the season I was out of the squad.
"I have waited for the end of the season because I can't work with him.
"I have to think about my future and prepare for everything.
"I have a contract for one more year but I won't be at Cardiff if the manager stays.
"The purposes and the coaching staff at Cardiff didn't change this season.
"But after the arrival of the new Malaysian investors we signed loan players from the Premier League.
"Craig Bellamy played a big role in our good performance but we couldn't have reinforced the squad without the stable financial background."

His fate could be sealed anyway with the return of Anthony Gerrard from a successful loan spell with Hull City. The on loan defender could well have done enough to see him stay with the Bluebirds next season. Whoever is manager will have Dekel Keinan and Kevin McNaughton who can operate in the same position has Gyepes. There is also Darcy Blake who has on a number of occasions shown he could slip into central defence.

Old sad eyes Dave Jones

In Karren Brady’s football diary in today’s Sun she heaps some praise on Cardiff City manager Dave Jones. So its official the West Ham bosses know who Dave Jones is and with out-of-work managers running a mile when linked to the job could Dave Jones be the answer?

He has worked with Sam Hammam how hard could it be to work with her and David Sullivan.

Tuesday, May 17

OUR frustrations at Upton Park find an echo in Cardiff where the home team lose in the play-off semi-final to Reading.

Dave Jones has been manager-in-waiting for the Premier League for two consecutive seasons and those sad eyes of his tell more of a story than words ever could.

He's considering his future. But not really. At his age, successful managers don't quit although they do fade away. I hope Dave will have another go with Cardiff next season.

Obviously, we are looking for a new manager and Steve McClaren and Gus Poyet have said they don't want the job. But as they haven't been offered it and weren't about to be, it doesn't mean a lot.

Karren Bradys football diary

Hammam wants back in

According to the local press and Sam Hammam wants to come in from the cold and be welcome back into his Cardiff City family. If the Malaysians want to split the club into two all they have to do is invite him back it certainly will happen.

Front page of the South Wales Echo … Feel afraid, maybe we should

I'm not a fan never have been since day one and he never managed to change my mind, but do acknowledge he did push the club forward. However, it was the showman side of is personality which let him down and the constantly made stupid statements which made Cardiff City a laughing stock among other football fans. Remember 'Bigger than Barcelona' his 100% assurances that the 'Crown Jewel's would not be sold were broken as Earnshaw departed to West Brom, but before that he was sprout from the rooftops Cardiff were ' A buying club not a selling one'. So what is the lateness word from high?

"We cannot waste time.

"We should agree now and take our football club forward together.

"The club does not have a football leader to steady the ship. Richard Branson has a sign on his desk saying Lead, follow or Get Out of The Way,' while my message is slightly different.

"I say 'Lead, follow or share' - and I am more than willing to work alongside the Malaysian investors."

"Decisions must be made - and fast.

"We must not let this drag on through the summer. Everybody who loves Cardiff City wants to see this situation sorted out and then the football club can look to the future.

"They should either pay Langston what is owed or let me back on board.

"I have football knowledge and I can contribute to the football side."

If he was to come back and the Langston debt is written off I like anyone else I can see the benefits of that, but he still brings a lot of crap with him. If the debt are cleared it must be done openly and the money clearly shown to be off Cardiff City balance books. No come back or putting the debt to sleep until a future date.

Hammam is offering to work on the football side of the club and leave the financial side to the Malaysians. If present boss Dave Jones was to stay would he be happy to work with him. How about a new boss with Hammam's reputation would they look forward to working with him?

Sometime ago in an open letter to Echo sports writer Terry Phillips published in the paper Hammam said:

“I want to stress that I never want the football club back. I want to move on with my life and the decision has been made to leave the United Kingdom for good. I am never coming back. I am drained and I am hurting. I have lost my power. My wings have been taken away from me.

All I want now is for everyone to get their money. I say again, I just want to get on with my life and be with my family. I am not Langston and I cannot tell it what to do. Langston got fed up with me long ago. I have no power over it.

I never want to hurt Cardiff City and never would. I love the club, I love the fans and hopefully this will be sorted in the New Year. All I want is a future for Cardiff City Football Club, but I won’t be a part of it. I love the club and want the fans to remember me and love me.”

Dooms Day Pod (Podcast)

Listen the the great podcast 'View from the Ninian' from Cardiff City from Cardiff City fans Adam and Ben. Some fruity language at times but great chat about Cardiff City with some catchy jingles.

We need some movement on the future

The future of Cardiff City is firmly in the hand of the clubs Malaysian backers. They pushed the boat out for manager Dave Jones to secure promotion last season maybe not in big transfer fees, but with wages to bring in a number of highly paid players.

We have the debts still hanging around the club neck, some have been paid, but the bigger ones are queuing up waiting to be paid. Who knows when they will be cleared. The biggest of them being Langston debt from the Sam Hammam days and after all these years we are still in the dark about who are Langston. Most fans believe Sam Hammam is Langston, but the man himself insists he is only the go between both parties.

There are suggestions/rumours that Hammam is looking to rejoin the club in a 50-50 partnership with the Malaysians in return for the Langston being writing off. How can he wipe out other people's money? Is he paying of the debt?

His return could start a cavil war among the fans there is already talking about fans planning to return season tickets. He has been romancing the Malaysians lately who themselves in the past have professed their lack of knowledge of the football business. They should have had the 'world of football according to Sam' speech that suckered in so many Cardiff City fans back in 2001 when he arrived that the club. With months legions of fans deserted him with his crazy plans to change the name of the club to Cardiff Celts, also the badge and team colours and waffling on about all of Wales supporting Cardiff. From north, south, east and west he was expecting them to come when most Welsh people hate anything Cardiff because it's the capital and gets the lot.

Hammam when on achieve a level of notoriety while in charge going on an away trip with the Soul Crew, the BBC programme of the Soul Crew and the Leeds FA Cup with his after match reaction, his walks around around the pitch side during game was all about him.

Hopefully next week's meeting will sort out a budget for next season which is a priority follow closely by the future of manager Dave Jones. Until these two pieces of business are completed the whole club is in a state of limbo. It means no new signings while our Championship rivals are preparing for next season. The there are the Malaysians are they will to be up for another season? The plans for a tour to Malaysia has got very quiet? Season tickets have sold well and the crowds the club shop is bring in some funds have been good, but will the money go on players or debts.

Rae off to bonny Scotland

Cardiff City midfielder Gavin Rae could be on the way to Scotland after SLP club Aberdeen have confirmed their interest in the player. Rae is out of contract and this season has been frozen out of the match day line-up with only two season start five from the bench with one goal. He also stared three cup game.

Aberdeen manager Craig Brown want him back in January on loan, but owing to injury problems Cardiff manager Dave Jones decided keep him, Leeds were also interested. Now Brown see Rae has perfect to bring some experienced to his squad and join up with ex-Cardiff City striker Josh Magennis. Aberdeen have launched a late bid to hijack Dundee United's move for Middlesbrough midfielder Willo Flood an ex-Cardiff City player.

Speaking about Rae the Aberdeen boss Brown said.

"We have expressed an interest in Gavin and have already spoken to his agent because we need some more experienced players and he fits the bill.

"He is a player I have admired for a number of years and I gave him his first Scotland cap in 2001 when he was still with Dundee.

"I also attempted to get him on loan to Aberdeen from Cardiff in January but that fell through because their manager, Dave Jones, felt he was needed for their bid to gain promotion.

"However, he is leaving Cardiff now so we have to look at getting him.

"If there are offers from other Championship clubs then there is no way we will be able to compete.

"We must show ambition and he is not the only player from that league we have expressed interest in."

Player/Coach role for Bellamy?

So Craig Bellamy player/coach with or without present boss Dave Jones there are a lot of opinions out there in the press and among the fans, but my first thoughts are simply, interesting. If he does take the role he would be a ticking bomb just over the shoulder of manager Dave Jones or any new manager as a new boss in waiting.

The striker has stated he is only interested in playing for two team Manchester City and Cardiff City with the latter reported to have opened provisional talks with the Premiership club. They look set to grant his wish and let him go, but it could cost the Bluebirds around £4 million in a transfer fee according to the South Wales Echo. It would have to be a transfer? Can you have a player on loan and having him has a coach as well?

The major stumbling block over any move would be is wages at Manchester City he is on £90,000-per-week of which they were paying a reported £70,000 of his wages during his loan spell at Cardiff. He still has two years left with the Premiership club worth over £9 million in wages to the player.

Bothroyd transfer speculation

Like Cardiff City relegated West Ham are looking to rebuild their squad and could turn to Cardiff striker Jay Bothroyd. The managerless East End club are expecting to lose a number of their top players during the summer after the drop to the Championship and on top of that the club is carrying heavy debts.

Bothroyd is out of contract and expected to be leaving the club and with no transfer fee he could well receive and number of offers over the summer. Manager Dave Jones has been linked with West Ham the manager job, but there are a number of options thought to be ahead of him. Owners David Sullivan and David Gold may see Bothroyd as an interesting target, but would the new manager feel the same. It could well scare off some as it looks like interference any new boss would have is own ideas about the players he wants.

Bothroyd has on a number of occasions said he wanted a move into the Premier League would he be will to stay in the Championship with West Ham or another team in the second tier of football. Already in the press the striker has been linked with Sunderland, Celtic, Everton and a Serie A club Lazio.

Time to ponder and take stock

I woke up this morning feeling exactly the way I did when to bed this morning well and truly pissed off big time. I should have known not to get my hopes up after my negative feels towards the game only to be sucked in has the kick off grow closer and closer. By kick-off I was a raving nutcase high on expectation planning next season in the Premiership telling twitter and facebook pals the future is blue, but forgetting Reading home strip is also blue.

If you were a Cardiff fan your game lasted around 25 minutes it would have been nice if a few goals had been scored it could have had a major leaning towards the outcome to the game. Oh there I go again fantasy dreaming again. Once they score I just knew that was it and when the second when in right on half-time I official announced game over.

I was never comfortable with the play-off has people who have read some of my entries on this blog. I was always about automatic promotion and was dismayed at the inability of Cardiff boss Dave Jones and players to secure it especially only a few games before the end of the season it was in our hand to win.

The future now is a total rebuild when the loan, out of contract and unwanted players leave the club there will not be much left, but what of boss Dave Jones future with Cardiff City will he be around to be in charge of the rebuild? Most fans would want to see him go he was back by the Malaysians who help build a squad many outside Cardiff rate for promotion. He has said a few times 'judge me at the end of the season' well I think he has been judged. There are rumours doing the round that he has put his house in the Vale of Glamorgan up for sale or sold it, but he refuted the rumour when asked during an interview.

Chief Executive Gethin Jenkins was on a BBC Wales radio phone-on this afternoon and was asked a number of times about the future of Dave Jones, but he was very non committal leaving the door wide out for speculation. Jones told the press,

"I have to take stock of my career and my life and what I do.

"It might not be a decision by the owners. It might be my decision.

"I will assess it and if anything is to be done it will be done in the cold light of day. It will be a calculated decision I will make. They might say yes and I might say no - or vice versa.

"I don't know what's in the heads of Vincent Tan and the chairman. It's time for me to take stock as well as them."

Like most fans I am calling for new blood at the manager's desk, but what concerns me at the top table of the club there is a lack of football knowledge. The Malaysians have no football experience and admitted themselves they are on a steep learning curve in running a football team. The rest of the board a dominated by Rugby people even the Chief Executive Gethin Jenkins is from the world of the egg shaped ball. Can the fans relay on them to get it right or will they stick with the man already in place for another season.

An assortment of Match Reports

Two from Reading's Shane Long helps land winning odds at Cardiff City

Joe Lovejoy at Cardiff City Stadium guardian.co.uk

No all-Welsh play-off final then, Reading instead going to Wembley on 30 May to take on Swansea, emboldened by a handsome win on a night when Cardiff never looked like Premier League candidates. READ MORE

Cardiff crushed by Long double as Reading head for Wembley

The Independent Phil Cadden at Cardiff City Stadium

Brian McDermott says he has been Wembley's nearly man in the past, but the Reading manager is intent on consigning those disappointments to history in 12 days' time following his side's semi-final victory over Cardiff City last night. READ MORE

Long the hero as Royals spoil Welsh party

The Mail online Sami Mokbel

Reading have a Royal appointment at Wembley but the future is not so clear for Cardiff or manager Dave Jones after yet another play-off choke. READ MORE

Reading thump Cardiff 3-0 away to reach playoff final

The Daily Mirror Mike Walters

So, the only Harlech globetrotters heading to Wembley will be Swans after Shane Long basted Cardiff's ugly ducklings. READ MORE

Cardiff City 0 Reading 3

The Telegraph Graham Clutton

Two goals from leading scorer Shane Long took Reading to Wembley and left Cardiff City to lament another night of missed opportunities.  READ MORE

Gutless Cardiff miss out on final

I just can't figure out Cardiff City after nearly 40 years of supporting them they have given me more pain than joy. They had one simply task tonight that was to win, but once again they utterly failed the fans and me. All the talk of some all Wales Play-Off final was a joke as the game just drain away in the first 45 minutes, did they want it more, maybe they did. That least we did not lose the final again or lose to our rivals up the road Swansea. I won't be wishing them well for the final just because they are Welsh I can be a hypocrite I will be hoping for a Reading win.

Bye Stephen Bywater, Jason Brown, Jlloyd Samuel, Seyi Olofinjana Jason Koumas, Jay Emmanuel-Thomas and Craig Bellamy enjoy life back with your clubs.

Adam Matthews your new manager was in the crowd enjoy life in sunny Scotland with Celtic who knows you could be joined by Jay Bothroyd. The Celtic boss Neil Lennon was at the game checking out Reading striker Shane Long and Jay Bothroyd, but he could get Bothroyd for free, but I would rather pay cash money for Long, also Chris Burke is reported to be looking towards his future and could be on the way out.

Then there are the players who will be released by the club if they can afford to get in replacements. My list would see Jordan Santigo, Gabor Gyepes, Gavin Rae, Solomon Taiwo and Martin John out and might even strech to first team players Paul Quinn and Michael Chopra . We will have to wait on boss Jones if he is still here?

Saving it until last 'DAVE JONES OUT' I have full joined the club I just can see him taking us over the final hurdle. I have my fingers crossed he is being call into a room at the Cardiff City Stadium to see TG, VT, VC, MC, OBE, sitting around a table and he sees' his P45 on the table. I have a feel it won't be happening.

American Cardiff City fan Rex The Yank (video)

His view of Cardiff's  3-0 defeat to Reading

Cardiff City team v Reading play-off semi final 2nd leg

Bywater

McNaughton Keinan Blake Samuel

Burke Olofinjana Whittingham Emmanuel Thomas

Chopra Bothroyd

Bench: Heaton, Naylor, Matthews, Hudson, Gav Rae, Koumas and Parkin

Not much at stake tonight only a chance of winning £80 million Premier League cash pot. Swansea made it to the play-off final last night now it’s the chance of Cardiff City to make it an all Wales final. If that was to happen it would be the biggest riches sporting fixture in the history of Welsh sport.

Cardiff City boss Dave Jones has made chances to the team from the 1st Leg with defender Paul Quinn and striker Craig Bellamy both with hamstring problems. Michael Chopra who came on for Bellamy keeps his place while Dave Jones turns to defender and Jlloyd Samuel in place of Quinn.

Looking for a Forest win tonight

I could just about stand loosing out on promotion to anyone, but Swansea City if I was truthful. It would being back all those bad feelings from last season. I poo-poo all the talk of a Welsh play-off final if it did happen. I have listen to pundits waffle on about it would be good for Welsh football to have a team in the Premier League well it better be Cardiff City that's all I will say.

I have no reason to support any another club, but for Cardiff City the only football team I support. I could never understand fans who have a second team, why for fuck sake.

So tonight from my armchair I will be rooting for Nottingham Forest for one game only they have not got my support, but I'm looking for them to do City a favour and do a favour for themselves tonight. You can bet tomorrow night most Swansea fans will be doing the same for Reading and holding out for them to win.

Non-City - The road to Wembley 2010/11

So the FA Cup is over for another year only to start all over again in August. This blog has followed a trail of team from the Extra Preliminary Round when the name Odd Down FC caught my eye. It turn out they were from the Bristol area and took two games overcome rivals Verwood Town.

Stoke knocked out Cardiff City in the fourth round but it took a reply to progress for the Premier League team. On the way to the final Stoke had to see off Brighton, West Ham and Bolton.

Final 14 May – Manchester City 1-0 Stoke City Att 88,643

Semi-Final 17 April - Bolton Wanderers 0-5 Stoke City Att 75,064

Sixth Round 12 Mar - Stoke City 2-1 West Ham Att 24,550

Fifth Round 19 Feb - Stoke City 3-0 Brighton Att 21,312

Fourth Round 28 Jan - Watford 0-1 Brighton Att 14,519

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

The Road to Nowhere - The Welsh Cup 2010/11

It could be all change for the Wales Cup with the reported return of the outcasts Cardiff City among them after a 16-year absence. Football Association of Wales agreed to the dramatic U-turn at a meeting a number of weeks ago and they are also hoping the return will give a boost to the profile of the Welsh Cup.

The FAW are to hold talks with the UEFA and the English FA but they are expected to give the plans the green light. European night to come back to Cardiff which would be great and Cardiff boss Dave Jones said he would welcome it and admitted he would play his strongest possible team. The winners have a chance to play in the Europa League.

Has for this season in the opening qualifying round I plumed to start the trail with Fleur de Lys FC a name I remembered from the old Football Echo it was the name of a rugby club. The trail ended with Bangor City who surprisingly lost to Llanelli in the final. I call this ‘The Road to Nowhere’ because basically it barely registers with football fans anywhere.

Final – Saturday 8 May 2011 Bangor City 1-4 Llanelli Att 1,719

Semi-Final -Saturday 9 April 2011 Bangor City 1-0 Gap Connah's Quay Att 877

Quarter-final - Saturday 26 February 2011 Gap Connah's Quay 3-0 UWIC Att 227

Fourth Round - Saturday 29th January 2011 Carmarthen Town 2-2 (AET 2-3) GAP Connah’s Quay Att N/A

Third Round - Saturday 6th November 2010 Goytre United 2-3 Carmarthen Town Att N/A

Second Round - Oct 2nd 2010 Goytre United FC 3-1 Fleur de Lys FC Att N/A

First Round - 11th September 2010 - Fleur de Lys FC 1-0 Ely Rangers FC - Att 200

Qualifying Round Two - 28th August 2010 - RTB Ebbw Vale FC 1-4 Fleur de Lys FC Att N/A

Qualifying Round One - 14th August 2010 - Talgarth Town FC 0-5 Fleur de Lys FC Att N/A

Non-City - West Ham relegated

Relegation couldn’t happen to a loving man than David Sullivan the ‘die in the wood’ East End boy and West Ham fan and owner or so we are lend to believe. Born just out Cardiff in a sleepy seaside town of  Penarth and once claiming to be a boyhood Cardiff City fan and according to his bio in the Times he said,

"Every single night as a child before I went to bed I would pray for three things. I wanted to be the captain of Cardiff City and Wales, I wanted to be a world champion boxer and I wanted to be a millionaire.” 

Well one out of three isn’t bad. Over the years he as constantly turn is nose up at involvement in Cardiff City, is beloved Cardiff City. My hope is Cardiff replace them in the Premier League and he could is beloved Cardiff week in week out of Sky Sports.

Rumour Mill ticking over

The season is not yet over with a one game to play and the possiblity of another to play, but the rumour mill keeps going on. There are a few rumour surrounding Cardiff players with free agent Jay Bothroyd sparking the most interest. He is after Premiership football but will he get the chance with Cardiff.

The Scottish press revealed that the Celtic boss Neil Lennon was at Reading with a striker in mind and watched Reading striker Shane Long and Jay Bothroyd. There seems to be nothing better for the Celtic boss then a freebie for out of the Cardiff City squad. He has already snapped up Joe Ledley and added young defender Adam Matthews who heads north at the end of the season, could Bothroyd be next. The under pressure Sunderland boss is also keen for the Cardiff striker it was reported early in the week and it article also mentioned wages of round £30,000 a week. He is now being linked with Serie A club Lazio for a summer move and not unknown territory for Bothroyd have spent a few seasons at Perugia earlier in his career.

Another player who could be moving again is loan midfielder Jason Koumas. His future with is parent club Wigan is unclear with his future with Cardiff also up in the air. Division One club Sheffield Wednesday are keen to sign him according to the South Wales Echo. His chances while with Cardiff have been limited due to a combination of fitness/sickness/injury and the number of loan players Cardiff City boss Dave Jones had to jiggle. The Cardiff boss can't really make decision about players until he knows which division they will be playing in.

Rumour and counter rumour is also surrounding the future of Cardiff City manager Dave Jones. he is again being linked with West Ham if the Eastenders are relegated it could be the end of present boss Avram Grant who it rumoured would be shown the door. The hierarchy at West Ham are under pressure with an enormous debt round their necks and see Jones has a boss who can build a team on a limited budget. He is nearly aways linked to vacant jobs that come up with teams in the lower reaches of the Premier League

Still everything to play for

GUTTED yes it would have been nice for Cardiff to come away with a win last night, but it was not to a draw was always the next best outcome. We are still in it with the second half to be played. Besides the score the loss of Craig Bellamy is a major hiccup in managers Dave Jones plans.

On the Bellamy front Jones is hopeful he will shake off his injury and be fit to take part in the second leg on Tuesday, but will have to wait on a scam before he will know if he will. After the game the Cardiff boss said,



Dave Jones

"Craig is a quality player so he would make a big difference for us, but we will have to wait and see how he is in the morning.

"He came off straight away, but he is an experienced player who knows his body.

"He has missed games during the season and we have players who can replace him if needs be.

"It's a shame he came off, but we haven't given up hope that he can play again for us yet."

Has for the game it was patchy and over the 90 minutes Reading just edging the game overall. The defence was the savoir of the day for Cardiff, but they still managed to give their fans some sneaky bum moments. There were few chances in the game with Reading have the better of what was going both Jay Bothroyd and Michael Chopra who came on for Bellamy seemed to miss firing in front of goal, but overall give good performances. The team had to work hard with the stand out players that caught my eye McNaughton, Keinan and Olofinjana.

The Cardiff fans at the game gave fantastic support to the team now let’s hope for the same atmosphere at the Cardiff City Stadium. The club are expecting a sell out crowd for the return game which will be shown live on Sky Sports on Tuesday

So the all Welsh day trip to Wembley is still on the cards both Welsh clubs are playing at home which gives them an advantage. Whatever happens there will be a winner on the night ever if it goes the full 90minute, extra-time and penalties.

Cardiff City team v Reading

Bywater

McNaughton Keinan Quinn Blake

Burke Olofinjana Whittingham Emmanuel Thomas

Bellamy Bothroyd

Bench – Heaton, Hudson, Naylor, Rae, Koumas, Chopra Parkin.

This is the eleven who Cardiff manager Dave Jones believes will do the business for the fans and the club tonight. Really no surprise in the team goalkeeper Bywater keeps is spot between the posts with Heaton on the bench. The only changes from the Burnley game is Emmanuel Thomas is starting in place of Koumas and Blake instead of Hudson

Hyperbole and vomit: the play-offs are here! (Podcast)

Listen the the great podcast 'View from the Ninian' from Cardiff City from Cardiff City Adam and Ben. Some fruity language at times but great chat about Cardiff City with some catchy jingles.

Middleman sorted of semis

German ref Bibiana Steinhaus

The referee for the first leg at Reading will be Mark Halsey who has refereed three Cardiff City games this season. He was in the middle for both Cardiff/Swansea derbies dishing out nine yellow cards in total. He was also was in charge of Cardiff’s FA Cup game at Stoke City but gave no cards out on that occasion. Of the 32 game he has officiated on he gave out 65 yellow and only one red card.

Howard Webb will be in the middle for the return leg at the Cardiff City Stadium like did last season for the Cardiff/Leicester play-off game. This season he has not ref a Cardiff game but in the 45 he has officiated he seem a bit card happy showing 117 yellow cards with a modest five reds.

Thinking beyond the play-offs

The season is now quite over but next season is only around the corner especially if Cardiff does make the play-off final at the end of May. What will happen on the players’ front, who will stay and who will go?

Cardiff City defender Anthony Gerrard is back at Cardiff City after a season loan with Championship rivals Hull City with the Player of the Season tucked under his arm. It will have to be seen if he is in the plans of Cardiff boss Dave Jones for next season. If he is allowed to leave Hull would be interested and probably a few others, also returning are midfielders Solomon Taiwo from Dagenham & Redbridge and Aaron Wildig at Hamilton.

Cardiff will be losing a number of players who will return to their clubs are after their loan period with Cardiff, goalkeepers Stephen Bywater and Jason Brown will heading back to their respective club when the play-offs are over. Defender Jlloyd Samuel will be going back to Bolton while midfielders Seyi Olofinjana and Jason Koumas will be hitting the road back to their clubs. Jay Emmanuel-Thomas will head back to Arsenal with a big question over Craig Bellamy. He has expressed a wish to stay with Cardiff for next season, promotion or not, but his club Manchester City will have something to say about his future plans.

City boss Dave Jones may well like to keep one or two for the loan signings, but will need to wait until the club and manager nowhere they will be playing next season, Premier League or Championship. For now it's a case of seven out and three back in.

Another player on his travels is young defender Adam Matthews who is off to join Joe Ledley at Celtic on a free transfer? He could be joined by striker Jay Bothroyd who is out of contract this summer and available if he decides to move on? He is hoping for a move to the Premiership and maybe he will get his wish with the Bluebirds and a new contract to boot. Along with Bothroyd midfielder Chris Burke is believed to be out of contract in the summer has well.

There is also Dave Jones release list to add to the outgoing players, but who would be likely to see their names on the list. I have a feeling Gabor Gyepes, Martin John, Jonathan Meades, Gavin Rae, Aaron Wildig and Solomon Taiwo could all feature on the list, but that is just a guess until the published the list.

I hate the Play-off's

I was so glad to find the Burnley/Cardiff game on the internet, but I wished I didn't until the last minute of full-time. After the Middlesbrough game, everyone was expecting a better display from the Cardiff City players, but I was wrong. It was another disappointing display by the players who must have shut their ears to the criticise heaped on them after Mondays game. Cardiff City boss Dave Jones tried to put a positive spin on the afternoon, but fans being fans will see it slightly different light. So it's the play-offs then and Reading on Friday over two games and if the league season games are anything to go by it would go all the ways to penalties. The two league game this season ended in draws. Play-offs are Purgatory while the final is hell last season is now downgraded to a nightmare.

Last season it was Leicester City and the lottery of the play-off's where form is thrown out of the window because each semi final is like a cup finial. After 180 minutes it's all square so an extra 30 minutes just to see if you can sort it out or it's penalties. Still no breakthrough goal so add another lottery of penalties just another nail biter no one really needs. Off to Wembley where Blackpool was advised it would be a waste of time getting off the coach as Cardiff would walk the game. How wrong could everyone be as Cardiff were mugged and miss out on promotion I can see why than one would look forward to the play-off's.

The draw at Burnley allowed our deadly local rivals Swansea City to end the season above Cardiff on goal difference who will be facing Nottingham Forest in their semi-final. If the gods of football favour the Welsh team to overcome there English opposition come 30 May at Wembley the riches sporting fixture in the history of Welsh sport will take back at Wembley in the capital of England.

The game would be worth anything up to a £100million with parachute payments allow the police bill could be close to that jokingly. The two sets of fans have to travel under police escort to each other's ground with no independent travel so what for Wembley two massive convey of 60,000 fans snaking along the M4. However, there are two games to win for both teams and fans to get their heads around that thought and you can bet Reading and Nottingham Forest will have a say on that scenario.

The omens doesn't bode well for the Bluebirds who finish 4th in the league table no team in the last ten years who have finished in that position and gone on to win the play-off final. In the last ten years the team that end the season at 3rd have four won promotion and 5th and 6th three each not happy reading for the more suspicious Cardiff fans.