Cardiff linked with James Perch

According to The Evening Chronicle Cardiff City are keen on taking Newcastle United defender James Perch on a season long loan with a possible option on a permanent deal according to the article. Cardiff's Championship rivals Leicester City are also keen on the defender.

Cardiff City boss Malky Mackay is in the market for a defender, but said a few days ago, there was no rush and he did not expect to sign anyone before the start of the season.

Perch missed Newcastle's tour of America he instead toured with the reserves in Holland with it looking odds on he is not in the Newcastle bosses plans for next season. He joined the North East club in July last year from Nottingham Forest coming through their youth system signing for an undisclosed fee, on a 4-year deal.

His season with Newcastle has not been spectacular only starting 11 games in total and off the bench four times. He did break one Premier League record last season, the first player ever to receive five yellow cards in his first five games in the league.

Goodwillie off the radar

Cardiff City boss has now brought in nine new players since he became manager and is still in the market for a few more. A host of teams are chasing Cardiff City target Dundee United striker David Goodwillie who has been given a £2 million price tag on his head.

Cardiff has had an offer accepted over a month ago according to press reports with them waiting on the outcome of a court case. While Cardiff are in pole position, it has not stopped other from testing United's resolve over the £2m price tag. However, the Dundee United boss speaking on Sky Sports News backs the Scottish club owners not to sell for any offer under the £2m they want. Rangers have had two bids rejected and are now hoping the sale of some players could fund a third bid. Blackpool is the latest club to have a bid turn down of a reported £1.6 million bid.

Premiership club Wigan are in the background keeping an eye on the situation along will Rangers rivals Celtic whose manager Neil Lennon has asked that he wants to be kept informed of any developments about in-demand Goodwillie.

Since Cardiff, first offer Cardiff has signed a number of strikers Rob Earnshaw and Kenny Miller being the most prominent. I there a place with Cardiff for Goodwillie or has he become surplus to requirements, the latter I would have thought. There is the Craig Bellamy question for the club to settle. The Welsh striker is having a meeting sometime today with Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini according to reports. The rumourmongers have Bellamy telling whoever at Manchester City he wants to rejoin Cardiff City. If it was up to Mancini, he would probably pay the taxi fare back to Cardiff to rid himself of Bellamy, but the money wants some of their cash back.

Rudy makes it nine - who next?

The signing of Rudy Gestede made it Cardiff City manager Malky Mackay ninth signing since his arrival.

The 22 year-old striker was released by his former club FC Metz earlier this summer and signs for the Bluebirds after a short trial with Cardiff while they were in pre-season camp in Spain.

To date after three pre-season friendlies he is the only striker to have scored a goal that was against Charlton in Spain. Along with fellow new signing Kenny Miller they should both get a run out tonight at Yeovil.

Miller a Bluebird

Kenny Miller official named as a Cardiff City player it took awhile to complete.

Fagan on trial

It leaked yesterday that former Hull City midfielder Craig Fagan was at the Vale training ground when a sharp-eyed Cardiff City fan spotted him. The South Wales Echo has now confirmed he is on trial for a week.

The paper also reported he would get a chance to impress Cardiff City boss Malky Mackay and his staff with a run out at tonight's pre-season friendly at Yeovil. The midfielder missed most of last season through injury taking no part in Hull's season the end of September.

He joined Hull City on loan in 2008 before joining them on a permanent deal. In his time with Hull he played a total of 52 games with five goals, but he has suffered a few injuries during his time with Hull.

Goodwillie cleared

Is Dundee United striker David Goodwillie back on the menu now the serious sexual assault has been dropped? Cardiff Malaysian owners have been rumour to be waiting on the outcome of the court case before finalising any deal. Cardiff are reported to have had a bid for the player accepted weeks ago beating off Rangers who failed to match Dundee United's asking price. United Chairman Steven Thompson said that the club would not sell the striker for anything less than £2 million.

The police received a complaint back in January when a woman contracted them over an incident involving the player. He was arrested, but today the case was dropped for 'insufficient evidence' meaning the case is now closed.

A spokesman said: "The Procurator Fiscal at Livingston received a report concerning a 21-year-old male, in connection with an alleged incident on January 2 2011.

"After full and careful consideration of all the facts, Crown Counsel has instructed no proceedings on the basis that there is insufficient evidence in law.

"The case is now closed."

How it is a case of wait and see if the player is still in the sight of Cardiff City manager Malky Mackay. However, there is still another court case hanging over Goodwillie. He is due at Glasgow Sheriff Court on 18th August to face a charge of assaulting a man in Glasgow city centre last year.

Derby Days: Cardiff City v Swansea City

I am looking forward to this new book coming out at the end of September.

Book Synopsis

Cardiff Swansea Derby Days celebrates 100 years of this marvellous fixture, warts and all, and tips its hat to unforgettable players and matches. Palmer provides a nostalgic journey through the decades of the derby, evoking memories of players such as Mel Nurse, Phil Dwyer, Leighton James, and Darcy Blake who were cheered and booed over the years by fans. Interviews with legendary players vividly illustrate some classic Swansea-Cardiff games and provide a glimpse of the action from both sides of the fence.

Particularly striking is how the life of a professional footballer has changed (for the better) in recent times and how the game itself has evolved. The book records the massive crowds of the fifties, sixties, and seventies as well as the dark, violent strewn days of the eighties and nineties through to the present day where the derby match had a rebirth at Swansea City's new Liberty Stadium.

The teams had not met for nine years and a crowd of over 17,000 put the fixture back in the forefront of national exposure for all the right reasons. Whether a Swan or a Bluebird, you will love - or sometimes hate - this celebration of the Cardiff-Swansea derby. In the words of John Toshack, 'Up the city!' and 'Come on you Swans

Can be pre-ordered at a number of outlets

Two lined up to sign tomorrow

CARDIFF City are hoping that the drawn out transfer of Scottish striker Kenny Miller will be over tomorrow as the Bluebirds wait for a piece of paper from Bursaspor to complete the deal. Also keyed up to sign tomorrow is Rudy Gestede the young striker who had a trial while Cardiff was on pre-season training in Spain.

The young Frenchman must have impressed the Cardiff manager Malky Mackay and his staff because they asked him to come back to Cardiff at the end of the Spain trip. However, the player decided to go back to France think things over. He was in Cardiff yesterday according to reports for a medical and will sign tomorrow. Mackay said about the youngest,

“He is joining us on a permanent basis. Rudy is 6ft 3ins tall, he has pace and has an aerial presence. It’s a learning process because he is, at 22, still young, but he has a lot of potential.”

As for the Miller deal, it was completed Thursday with an announcement expected on Friday, but without the necessary paperwork Cardiff were left in limbo until tomorrow anyway when it should all be finalised. City boss Malky Mackay said,

“We are just waiting for an international document – and that’s on the way.
“We have agreed the fee and personal terms, while Kenny has taken and passed his medical. He trained at the Vale of Glamorgan yesterday while we were at Bournemouth for our match.
"Then he went to bring his family down to South Wales.”

If they both sign they should play some part in the Yeovil friendly Tuesday night with only the Parma friendly on Saturday left before the new season kicks off for Cardiff the following Sunday. With the least signings were will that leave the proposed signing of Dundee United striker David Goodwillie. Cardiff are rumoured to have had an offer excepted for the striker and are waiting on the outcome of a court involved the striker.

Then there is Craig Bellamy who is looking for a permanent move with his preferred destination, Cardiff City. His wages are putting the frighteners on clubs interested in signing him and the fact Manchester City want a £4 million-transfer fee. There are not many options left for the Welshman if he stays with the premiership club it will be a season in City’s reserves or a new club. With a season left on his contract, he is hoping Manchester City will do some kind of deal, pay-off his wages, and tearing up what is left of his contract allowing him to move on.
Speaking to Sky Sports, he said,

"To be honest, I don't want to go on loan again because where would I go after that?"
"A permanent move would be the best option for me.
"If not, I expect to stay the whole year at City.
"I'll obviously do very little. I won't be involved with the manager and the first-team."

Cardiff City manager Malky Mackay as refuse to talk about Bellamy say he is a Manchester City player remained tight-lipped. It is not sure if Mackay wants Bellamy back. Will he fit into his game plan? One thing is for sure he will not be playing the Dave Jones way.

Last season loan signings - What happened next? Update

The Question is what happened to all those loan signings who spent time at the Cardiff City Stadium last season. They all went back to their clubs what is next for them.

Jason Brown – was with Blackburn last season as well has a short loan spell with the Bluebirds. He has move on to the SPL and Aberdeen.

Stephen Bywater - Derby County have released their list of squad numbers for the new season and Bywater was left without a shirt number. The future is not looking too bright for the keeper with Derby he needs a move.

Jason Koumas - Still with Wigan, but not with much of a future he was not in the latest first team photo. The only club to show any interest in him since the end of the season has been Sheffield Wednesday.

Seyi Olofinjana – Was reported injured a week or so ago still with Hull will miss the start of the season. Hull would like to see him off their wage bill with a year left on his contract.

Jay Emmanuel Thomas - Arsenal are ready to sell young striker Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, but he want £1million for him it is rumoured. Ipswich has been linked with the striker.

Craig Bellamy – is in limbo, that Manchester City playing in the reserves wanted by a load of clubs, but nothing brewing on the transfer front yet.

Aaron Ramsey – solidly in Arsenal plans for the upcoming season.

Danny Drinkwater – He is highly through of at Manchester United, but chance of braking in the first team. He could go out on loan again.

Andrew Keogh – Still with Wolves.

Jlloyd Samuel – He was released by Bolton and now is a trialist at Leeds United.

More waiting time for Miller deal

The Miller deal is still on but Cardiff are still waiting on some documents coming through from his club Bursaspor. Cardiff are hoping to deal will go through sometime today after he passed his medical and personal terms have been agreed.

At the Cardiff City press conference this morning manager Malky Mackay said about the striker playing in tomorrow’s friendly if he feels fit enough to play then I will take some part in the game. The City boss has been eyeing Filip Kiss for a year or so and as even been out to Slovakia to watch him play while manager of Watford he relieved to the press conference this morning. He will hopeful part some part of tomorrows trip to Bournemouth.

The trialist who has scored Cardiff only goal in pre-season after two games Rudy Gestade is coming back for talks with Cardiff today, but will not play tomorrow. Mackay is still in the market for players and the search will continue and could go beyond the transfer window.

Kiss signs for City

Defensive midfielder Filip Kiss has beaten Kenny Miller to the accolade of becoming the seventh signing since Malky Mackay became manager at Cardiff City. Miller will be official announced a City player sometime today.

The young Slovakian under-21 international was official declared a Bluebird late last night on the official Cardiff City website after signing on a season-long loan deal and should feature in the Bluebirds next friendly against Bournemouth tomorrow.

The young 20-year-old signing is eager to get involved and play some Championship football, he told the South Wales Echo,

“I will do everything I can to succeed with Cardiff City,
“I can play a defensive midfield role, but I don’t have a problem attacking and getting forward.
“I want to play Championship matches.
“I want to grow as a football. This is a big challenge for me.
“I have agreed a 12 month loan deal and want to make the most of that.
“Personally, I want to stay longer with Cardiff City, well beyond the end of this loan.”

The article it is suggesting Cardiff were interested in sign Kiss on a permanent deal, but his club Slovan Bratislava were keener on a loan deal.

The Cardiff manager believes Kiss along with striker Joe Mason signed from Plymouth could have a big further with the Bluebirds with the young bloods already with the club.

Official Statement

South Wales Echo article

Two new signings on the way

Cardiff City could be announcing a couple of new signing before the weekend with reports that Kenny Miller is all but signed u to join the Welsh club.

It looks like Cardiff have beaten Rangers to another one of their targets after is club Bursaspor booted up there offer and accepting a bid from Cardiff. Miller was in Cardiff last night having talks and watched the Celtic game.

Cardiff City talking about the Miller situation he said,

“We have had a bid accepted by Bursaspor and have been talking with the player.

“He is a top drawer footballer who I think is getting better with age as we have seen year-on-year. As he gets more experience his overall game looks better.”

"He's had a chat with me and we're still talking but he's had a look at our place and I've given him my thoughts on where I see the club going with him on our side.

Rangers need to at least match or better Cardiff’s offer to have a chance to steal the Cardiff bid and attempt was made leaving the field open to the Cardiff boss. It’s now the second time that Cardiff have beaten Rangers to a player sign Dundee United midfielder/winger Craig Conway. There could be more to come, as the two clubs are locking horns over Dundee United striker David Goodwillie. If you believe the Rumour Mill Cardiff, have the best offer on the table and are waiting on the outcome of a court case involving Goodwillie before progressing with the deal.

The second player joining the Bluebirds is Slovakian under-21 international Filip Kiss who outed the deal on the Slovan Bratislava official website. He will be joining Cardiff on a one-year loan deal. Mackay talking of the youngest said,

“He is joining us on a one-year loan. He is captain of the Slovakian under-21 team and is a player of great potential.”

Kiss on loan

Cardiff City are to take young Slovakian under-21 international Filip Kiss on a season loan according to the player himself.

Midfielder told the Slovan Bratislava  website he was off to Cardiff and that things were happening very fast. He has according to the article on the website a verbal agreement  until he arrives in Cardiff for a medical and contract negotiations. He is hopeful to be at the stadium for the Celtic game tonight.

He has play a part in 29 game since joining Slovan Bratislava in 2010, scoring six goals. Kiss told the club’s website:

“It all happened very quickly.
"I can honestly say that I did not expect things would go so fast.
“Cardiff have interested me for a while. I learned three days ago I would come, but did not want to talk about it until the transfer had been resolved.”

Miller to become a Bluebird

According to Scottish website stv.tv Cardiff City have beaten Rangers to the signing of Bursaspor striker Kenny Miller after the Scottish club put in a “ridiculously low” offer.

The report has the striker on his way to Cardiff for a medical after the Turkish club accepted a one million euro (£888,000) offer from Cardiff. The Ibrox director of football Gordon Smith had warned Miller he would have to agree to a significant drop in wages to facilitate a return to Rangers. Cardiff’s wage structure could seal any deal then has they are likely to pay more than Rangers.

The Scotland international joined the Turkish club back in January from Rangers but has found it hard to settle with his family.

Bursaspor’s director of transfers, Erkan Kamat said,

“The policy of Rangers is not good.

“I don't like it. It is a ridiculously low offer.

“As far as we are concerned, Kenny Miller has been sold to Cardiff City. He is going to be their player and he is not going to Rangers.

“We are in a very bad position now.

“We have a Europa League match next week, Kenny is going, and we need another striker.

“We want one million euro to buy another player and we told Kenny’s agent this. I told also Andrew Dickson [Rangers' head of football administration] this.”

The Rangers boss Ally McCoist confirmed this morning here wanted Miller and they had put a bid in for the player and was hoping to here if they had been successful this morning. He told the Daily Record in Scotland,

"We have bid for Kenny and we hope to hear from Bursaspor in the morning (Tuesday).

"We hope to hear from Bursaspor in the morning.

"My reading of the situation is Kenny is bursting to get away but I'm not so sure any deal would be straightforward.

"I'm not sure if Bursa would let him go."

There has been no official statement from Cardiff City at the time of publishing this article.

STV.TV Report

Aussie plod couring a bit of a storm

Will the South Wales Police follow their Australian counter parts Victoria Police and use Twitter to broadcast evictions from tonight’s fixture against Celtic.

During Celtic’s game against Melbourne Victory police coursed outraged by tweeting a score of fans been evicted during the game one read “Game about to start with one person already evicted from the ground. What a waste of ticket money!” another “Score still nil nil. Evictions four,” read another.

At the end of the game someone from Victoria Police tweeted a final score for the game “Game over. Celtics 1 – Police 14”.

The problem was that fans were reading the updates and were not happy even after it was revealed the tweets were not authorised by senior police. Fans were urged to make official complaints to Victoria Police about the five tweets..

“Massive PR fail for @VictoriaPolice tonight - doing their image no favors whatsoever,” @DejanKalinic said.

“Wonder which genius at @VictoriaPolice media authorized tonight's eviction tweets. Community policing it ain't,” @reynoldsgf tweeted.

Inspector Mick Beattie apologised to fans saying,

"It casts soccer supporters in a negative light when in fact last nights game went extremely well last night.

“There was no checking between media and the operations arm as to what was going out was suitable. This was not suitable.”

Non City - South Cardiff reach the final

It was Solo Cup football for South Cardiff last weekend two games over two days. It all kicked off on Saturday with a Q/final fixture against Byron Bay. Cardiff secured a comfortable 4-2 win over Byron Bay Rams scoring two goals either side of the break.

On progressing to the Semi-finals South Cardiff were handed the test of beating local rivals Lake Macquarie that they did with an emphatic 3-0 victory and ease into the Solo Cup Final. The final will be between South Cardiff and Edgeworth FC who claimed the other final places in the Solo Cup Final.

The route to the Final

Cardiff have opened the scoring already by winning the draw for venue has Northern NSW Football announced the 2011 Solo Cup Grand Final will be played at Ulinga Oval the home ground South Cardiff home pitch on Wednesday 10th August, with kick-off at 7pm.

In the Zone Premier League, there was disappointment for Cardiff City FC and were roundly beaten by Swansea City FC 5-3. Cardiff remain fourth, but just a point ahead of Swansea in fifth.

Weekend fixtures

Northern NSW State League

Edgeworth Eagles v South Cardiff

Northern NSW Zone Premier League

Kahibah v Cardiff City

Another Scot link with McBluebirds

Cardiff City and manager Malky Mackay is being linked with Scottish international striker Kenny Miller. The 31-year-old striker has been with Turkish club Bursaspor in a £500,000 deal from Rangers.

Reported have him unsettled in Turkey and wants a route back to the UK and Bursaspor are will to let him go. The Turkish club will want at least their money back on any deal. Cardiff will have to go head-to head with Rangers to get his signature as his former club wanting back. Rumours from Scotland are suggesting the striker is more than happy to return to back to the Glasgow club.

Cardiff and Rangers have been battling it out for another Scottish striker David Goodwillie, an offer was made for Goodwillie by Rangers, but his club Dundee United turned it down. Cardiff has a deal on the table, but are waiting on the outcome of a court case on Thursday.

Over the weekend boss Mackay is in no rush to fill the two or three place he believes he needs to complete his squad.

Mentioned in Dispatches

On Channel 4 Despatches programme ‘How To Buy A Football Club’ tonight at 8pm (9pm+) is set to wake up football before the new league season as got underway. A team from Channel 4's Dispatches posed as representatives of Chinese and Indian businessmen looking to buy two team, which is against FA and League rules. The show links  former player and manager Bryan Robson.

Meetings that took place in Thailand were Bryan Robson was manager of the  national side until recently. Also involved was London Nominees Ltd, a company that runs a football investment fund. Robson is listed on its website as an adviser to the fund. A spokesman for London Nominees said: "Any suggestion Bryan Robson would participate in any breach of League rules is strongly denied."

On the programme you can hear some after about buying Sheffield Wednesday and another team Cardiff City,

Reporter: We want to buy Sheffield Wednesday.

Reporter: We also want to buy another.

Reporter: My people were mentioning Cardiff, if it’s available.

Andrew Leppard: Cardiff is available

Bryan Robson: It’ll not be cheap.

Not sure, of the time line of this programme but Cardiff City has not been for sale since the Malaysians come bought into the club. I for one will be watching.

See the Sun newspaper with short vidoe of tonight's programme

Bellamy in limbo

Craig Bellamy will stay with Manchester City if he cannot secure a deal to move away according to press reports. Clubs and fall over themselves to sign the Welshman to the miles of news print surrounding him. However, there is a major obstacle is his wages at £90,000-a-week wages beyond most clubs even those in the Premiership.

Manchester City wanted £4m transfer deal and seem to be holding out for it and they do not want to be stuck paying some of his wages. Bellamy wants Cardiff, but he is miles out of reach of the club, e.g. wages. Cardiff Malaysians owners have stated they could only offer £30-a-week in the way of wages. Cardiff City boss Malky Mackay is keep very much tight lipped on the subject of Bellamy and Cardiff City. 

Bellamy faces a season in limbo with Manchester City, simply shown yesterday while City manager Roberto Mancini and his squad were on their pre-season tour of North America playing Mexican side Club America. Craig Bellamy was playing in a City XI team against non-league Altrincham, and when he was replaced early in the second half he left the field to a 'mixture of cheers and boos, ( Manchester Evening Post ) allow the Altrincham official match report said 'City faithful rapturously applauded their favourite as he left the pitch, having been City's best player to this point'. He was the most senior player on show was not made captain that honour went to an unknown 20-year-old.

At reserve level Manchester City are represented by the Elite Development Squad who play in the Premier Reserve League is that the future for Bellamy? With a year left on his contract worth, £4m + he would be crazy to jeopardize that kind of payday. It looks likely him will get his wages so the only way out really is to pay him off and let him find a club it is not as if they cannot afford it. Bellamy has never said he doesn't want to play for Man City it is the management at has frozen him out.

City only a few players short

According to press reports, Cardiff City boss Malky Mackay wants two or three playing to complete is squad in time for the 2011.

"There were 12 players who left the squad over the close season and we still need to strengthen. We really need another two or three bodies."
"But there is no need to rush. The transfer window is open and stays that way until September 1. We have that time to make sure we bring in the right players. No door is closed, none at all.
"We will take our time, talk things through, and if it takes a little longer than ideally we would have wanted, and we get the players we want, then so be it.
"I know this division and I know the type of players we want. Everyone goes into the race to win it and we will be one of the clubs trying to win it."

So far only drafted in six new players and there is only three weeks until the start of the season. I like the way City boss Mackay his doing business not one loan signing so far and I have a feel there won't be unless something happens on the Craig Bellamy front.

Cardiff are reported to have an offer on the table for Dundee striker David Goodwillie while there are a few other names linked. The rumour in Scotland is suggesting Goodwillie want to go to Rangers who unlike Cardiff are will to play the £2m asking price.

Mackay wants to see more of Gestede

Cardiff City boss Malky Mackay has stated public via the South Wales Echo he would like trialist Rudy Gestede to stay on will the Bluebirds. If he did here could well feature in Wednesday game against Celtic at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Mackay and is backroom staff have been happy with his contribution at the Spanish training club but it is up to the player and his advisors is next move. The Cardiff boss picked out his performance as one of the highlights of the game. He played a full 45 minutes scoring the only goal of the night.

After the match Mackay said,

“I’d love you to stay.

“Rudy is a young striker who has thrown himself into it this week.

“He’s a lovely lad, he worked really hard and there was good interplay with Robert Earnshaw at times.

“There is a rawness about him, but he did well and I will talk to Rudy and his advisors about staying with us longer. I would love him to agree.”

I am saw the Cardiff fans would love to see him play on Wednesday night.

Non-City Interesting fixture Down Under tomorrow

A distance of 41 odd miles separates two of the biggest football rivals in Welsh football and one of the top UK derbies to boot Cardiff City v Swansea City. The temperature of this game means fans of both clubs have to be bussed to each other’s grounds on match days and the games are all ticket. There is always a

heavy police presents even if these days there is little chance of the two sets of fans clashing these days.

While some 10.650 miles away across the over side of world in New South Wales Australia another footballing derby takes place tomorrow. Two clubs involed bear the names of their Welsh cousins taking the field will be Cardiff City and Swansea City clash.

Only a matter 14 odd miles (22.6 km) separate the two clubs play in the Northern NSW Zone Premier League and at the time of writing. Cardiff City FC will travel to Swansea City’s Chapman Oval ground and you can bet the game will not be an earlier in the season battled out a 2-2 draw. Cardiff are fourth while Swansea are sixth.

I am not sure if there is any great rival between the two clubs Cardiff same to have a strong dislike to the other (South) Cardiff. One thing for sure you can bet there will be no ‘bubble’ for the Cardiff fans travelling to Swansea.

Take your pick for starting 11 for tonight in Spain

Cardiff City will kick the ball in anger for the first time later tonight. Normally by now, we would have had a few pre-season games out of the way, but with the whole manager, upheaval pre-season was arranged without much input from new boss Malky Mackay.

Squad for tonight’s game take your pick

Goalkeepers:

David Marshall - Tom Heaton - Jordan Santigo

Defenders

Dekel Keinan - Kevin McNaughton - Gabor Gyepes - Alex Evans - Mark Hudson - Anthony Gerrard - Paul Quinn - Jonathan Meades - Graig Conway - Andrew Taylor

Midfield

Darcy Blake - Stephen McPhail - Peter Whittingham - Aaron Wildig - Solomon Taiwo - Ibrahim Farah - Don Cowie - Aron Gunnarsson

Strikers

Jon Parking - Nathaniel Jarvis - Rob Earnshaw - Joe Mason - Rudy Gestede

French striker gets chance to impress

CARDIFF city will have a trialist on show against Charlton in Spain, French striker Rudy Gestede who is spending time training with the Bluebirds in Spain.

Manager Malky Mackay told the South Wales Echo,

“Rudy has been with us this week and he’ll play a part against Charlton.

“No decisions have been made, but he’s a young player we wanted to take a close look at”

Gestede currently plays for Ligue 2 club FC Metz come through their youth system. At FC Metz he is debut in 2005 for their ‘B’ team making his first team debut in 2007 and today has played 32 games scoring five goals. According to Wikipedia in 2009 he spent time on loan at another French club AS Cannes

Cardiff City (Podcast) SUPER SUMMER TRANSFER BONANZA BUMPER POD!!

Check out a great podcast from 'View from the Ninian' from Cardiff City fans Adam and Ben. There is some fruity language at times, but great chat about Cardiff City with some catchy jingles.

What do you get if you cross six signings, two idiots, and one football club? That's right folks - you get the View From The Ninian's super summer transfer bonanza bumper pod! So pop those earphones in and turn the volume up to 11 as we bring you our verdict on Malky's purchases, the startling truth behind McPhail and Quinn's disappearing act, and even more Malky chants. Enjoyatollah!

Pre-season kicks-off Friday

Cardiff City kick-off their Pre-season game on Friday when they face Division 1 club Charlton in Spain in the Seville area. The Londoners already saw off Championship opposition beating Bristol City also in Spain. There are no reports of any injuries so Cardiff manager Malky Mackay will have a full squad to choose from with most players expect to play some part in the game.

Next Wednesday Celtic will be visiting the Cardiff City Stadium (kick-off 7.45pm) which will give the home fans a chance to eye up the new players and management team. They could well be a few more faces that are new for the Bluebirds before the game with the opening to the new season closing in. It should be a good night out of the fans and Celtic will bring a load of fans to help up the atmosphere in the ground.

Cardiff City played Celtic has recently 2009 in a pre-season fixture a game that ended goalless 2009. There will be a few players recognizable to Cardiff City fan Joe Ledley could be on show along with Adam Matthews who join Ledley is summer at Celtic. The Scottish club have been on tour Down Under playing three games, winning two out of three.

Cardiff pre-season fixture schedule

Fri 15/7 - Charlton Athletic (in Seville) 7:30pm

Wed 20/7 - Celtic (h) 7:45pm

Sat 23/7 - Bournemouth (a) 1:00pm

Tue 26/7 - Yeovil (a) 7:45pm

Sat 30/7 - Parma (h) 3:00pm

Eremenko on the radar

Cardiff City target Alexei Eremenko has confirmed Cardiff boss Malky Mackay is interested in signing him, but has a decision to make about his future.

The 28-year-old Finnish international midfield player has a number of clubs on both side of the border interested, but there is also a big money offer from Dubai. Along with Cardiff both Glasgow clubs Rangers and Celtic would like to sign him again rumour based and the newest club with a rumour link is new promoted Brighton.

Dubai club Al Ahli are keen revealed by Eremenko were he would receive tax-free wages something he needs to consider with a family to support. If it comes down to wages I can see Rangers of Celtic being in the mix Cardiff have already chase off Rangers in a deal for a players they both wanted.

“I know Brighton coach Gus Poyet is interested, while there has also been interest from Cardiff,” said Eremenko. “I don’t want to rush and regret my decision. We will see.”

He spent last season with in the SPL with Kilmarnock on loan from his Ukrainian club Metalist Kharkiv he is Russian born but moved to Finland as a youngest and has won 52 caps for Finland.

New Cardiff away top

The new white away top - I have to say I am not feeling the love for it all I can think about is the pie/curry and beer stains.

See Official Cardiff City Website

Blue is the colour well for the home kit top anyway but a white away top just seems wrong. I cannot remember if there has been a while away kit other the 1995 – 1996 Brains Beer top. Thinking back it was never overly popular with the fans and standing on the terrace Ninian Park in the middle of winter in white just does not seem right at the time. Over the years, Cardiff second kit has been yellow or black with a sprinkling of odd colours and third kits.

A quick internet search show-up a white Cardiff City 1960's away top see below

Remembering past away tops remind me of what I consider the worst, the South Wales Echo one (See below) loved the sponsor name, but the top.was just all wrong. The home top was not much to write home about either.

An old face linked with Cardiff

A Bluebird again?

Another day and another player linked to the Cardiff City revealed today as Newcastle United player Wayne Routledge. It could cost anyone £1.5m to sign him with our with a number teams also interested in the midfielder.

He must go down as one of the most linked player to the club. Nearly any transfer window his named pops up in one newspaper or another with some connection with Bluebirds. Once the rumour panned out and he joined Cardiff on loan from his then club Aston Villa on a two-month deal back in Nov 2008.

He was an instant hit with the fans and David Jones who set about trying to make the loan a permanent deal. Villa was happy to let him go and the two clubs struck a deal, but Routledge rejected it. He was recalled by Villa but instead of return to the Midlands he turn up in London put pen to paper with QPR on a deal. Have to wait and see if there is any truth in the story or a fishing trip by an agent.

Mackay said:

“We are still looking to bring more players in – and that work won’t stop while we are away.”

Joe Mason to his squad on the weekend fans a still waiting on the outcome of the free-agent Alexei Eremenko rumour. Cardiff and Dundee United have agreed a fee for striker David Goodwillie, but Cardiff are waiting to hear the outcome of a court case involving him. If nothing happens over the next few day the striker will be part of the squad for the Europa League qualifier away to Slask Wroclaw on Thursday night.

Non City - Hit and miss day DownUnder

It was a good afternoon for South Cardiff the home victory 3-1 one over West Wallsend maintained the position in the top four in the league.

SOUTH Cardiff coach Steve Piggott had no doubts his young Gunners outfit had the ability to be a force in the Northern NSW State League.

It was just a matter of convincing his players. The self-belief was never more evident than when South Cardiff came from behind to beat West Wallsend 3-1 at Ulinga Oval yesterday. The win was the Gunners' fourth straight and third in a week and shot them into outright third place on 25 points.

"The boys are finally starting to believe in themselves.
"We were stunned early, but were able to come back and probably should have won by more.
"We created a lot of chances and played some good football.
"At the start of the year there was a bit of negativity in the way we played. Gradually we have been able to change that and are reaping the rewards.
"We are third now and our [finals] destiny is in our own hands."

Nick Russell was the hero yesterday. The attacking midfielder scored a brace and supplied the corner that resulted in a West Wallsend own goal. The Gunners had a goal disallowed, Daniel Johnson hit the crossbar in the first half and his brother Jarryd did likewise in the second.

No league game for Southy next weekend they take on Solo Cup duty with a Q/Final against Byron Bay Rams who play in the Football Far North Coast Premier League. The Q/Finals are due to be played on Saturday with the Semi-Finals played the following day. The Grand Final will take place on August 6th.

Meanwhile in the Zone Premier League Cardiff City FC (Tigers) lost again to New Lambton Eagles 3-1 on the road. They were riding high at the top of the league a few weeks ago they have now dropped down too fourth.

Mason signings

Cardiff City boss Malky Mackay has made his sixth signing since taking over at Cardiff City. Today young striker Joe Mason put pen to paper, sign for the Bluebirds after his old club Plymouth and Cardiff had agreed terms, and the player accepted personal terms.

Reports in the press suggest the deal was worth £250,000 to Plymouth but the Official Cardiff City website have announced the deal as ‘undisclosed’. Mason has signed a three-year contract and is now travelling to join up with the squad at Spain.

Mason came through the youth system at Plymouth making his first-team debut in December 2009. In total, Mason made 55 appearances for the Pilgrims with 24 of those as a substitute and scored 10 goals.

Mason next? and player linked with City

Cardiff City have their fifth player in and still room for more as manager Malky Mackay waits on news on Plymouth striker Joe Mason who is expected to join the Bluebirds? In today's South Wales Echo, they are linking midfielder Alexei Eremenko to the club. If true, the midfield at the Cardiff City Stadium is becoming very crowded.

Cardiff and Plymouth are reported to have agreed a fee for Mason of £250,000 he is reported to have rejected a £300,000 transfer to Swindon Town in the January transfer window. He was a rumour to have been seen at the Vale training centre along with new signing Icelandic midfielder Aron Gunnarsson and another unknown player (who could have been Eremenko?) awaiting medical's.

Peter Ridsdale owner of Plymouth said,

"Regrettably, if we have players of value, we are using that to get from where we are now to getting the new company formed.

"This football club has not had any money to fund the administration process and ensure we make the last leap to getting the league share.

"We need to make sure we have cash for staff and to get new players in.

"When I spoke to Joe, he made it absolutely clear he wanted to pursue this opportunity."

Quote source

The 20-year-old, who was is discussing personal terms and is expected to be a three-year deal.

Alexei Eremenko was on loan with Kilmarnock last season and has been release from is club Metalist Kharkiv on a free transfer. Earlier in the week, the Sun newspaper was suggesting a move to Celtic, Rangers, or a move to an unnamed La Liga club for the midfielder.

Cardiff make fifth signing

Cardiff City have signed Coventry's Icelandic midfielder Aron Gunnarsson making him the fifth signing under manager Malky Mackay. The clubs are in talks to agree a compensation package has Aron is under 24 they are entitled to a training fee payment. If they fail to agree on a suitable compensation package for the player, it would have to go to a tribunal to decide the fee involved.

Gunnarsson on board, but still Mackay is still in squad building mode. He will be travelling with the squad to their Spanish training club.

He began his career with local side Akureyri before spending a season with AZ in the Netherlands. He signed for Coventry in June 2008 on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee and was immediately utilised straight in the first team squad. Since joining Coventry over the years he has amassed an impressive 121 starts in total was only 13 off the bench scoring seven goals.

Next up is rumoured to be Plymouth Argyle striker Joe Mason after his club and Cardiff agreed to a £250,000 fee.

NO Welsh Cup for Cardiff

Only this morning I was writing about the whole Welsh Cup and would the Bluebirds enter this year, but with the announcement in the last hour of the first fixture and the teams that have byes until later rounds Cardiff City was not among them.

Therefore, no Welsh Cup for Cardiff City they have decided not to enter along with Swansea City and Colwyn Bay, but Merthyr Town have and they have a bye until the qualifying second round. Wrexham and Newport County have also accepted places and will enter the competition in Round 3.

Every season for my own amusement I pick a team and follow a route to the final but for this season, I am going to follow one from the North section and the south. From the north it will be Llanberis and the southern section it is Splott Albion the ties to be played Saturday, 13th August and Sunday, 14th August.

FULL LIST HERE

Are Cardiff in this years Welsh Cup

What happened to all the talk of a return to the Welsh Cup for Cardiff City and the other clubs who play on the English side of the border? The FA of Wales seems to believe it was the only way to revitalize the competition, which lacks credibility, fans, and a sponsorship deal.

Last season final came and when and you would be hard press to find someone who would know who was playing and who won the Welsh Cup. For the record, Llanelli ended Bangor's run of three straight victories in the final. The crowd was just over 1,700 a pitifully turnout, but has it ever been any different. For the record crowd for the final you have to go back a long way, but the smallest is more recent.

1948-49 Merthyr Tydfil 2-0 Swansea Town Ninian Park, Cardiff 35,000

2002-03 Barry Town 2-2 Cwmbarn Town Stebonheath Park, Llanelli 852 (Barry won on Penalties)

The competition needs an influx of fresh blood and with a European spot up for grabs, no club will be taking it lightly. If you can make it to the Third round, you could be playing the likes of Liverpool, Juventus, and Galatasaray if you are lucky. Cannot see the Welsh Premier teams being happy having competition for one of the only four routes into Europe. What about the other ended of the pecking order the Welsh League club they are in the same boat now looking up with little hope of winning it. They have an uphill battle against the likes of Bangor, Port Talbot, and Llanelli.

The realistic aim for most Welsh sides that enter either of the European competitions is at least reaching a first round tie in the Europa Cup, while the group stage for the Champions League would be the best outcome for today's entrants. If Cardiff and Swansea were to play in the Europa Cup making, the first round would be a realistic goal it would help restore European credibility to Welsh club football, and would help the Welsh national teams FIFA ranking.

The FAW were planning to speak with UEFA and the English FA about their plans, but there has been no news on any meeting-taking place. Therefore, can we expect an announcement soon this season next season or never? On the downside of enter into the Europa Cup if Cardiff in the competition this season our season would have started already depending on which round they were placed. The sad attempt a number of years ago to get a competition between the Welsh Premier League club and the top club based in England was never going to work. The whole reason the FAW Premier Cup failed was there is no European prize at the end of it.

Two names linked with Cardiff

Cardiff City is linked to two players this morning one the Rumour Mill has linked to the Bluebirds before and young Plymouth Argyle striker Joe Mason.

Mason began his career as a youth player with hometown club Plymouth Argyle at the age of 10 and via an Irish born mother is a Republic of Ireland U21 international. He played in 35 games in total for Plymouth scoring seven. It's now up to the player and Cardiff to agree terms, but after all the money problems at Plymouth last season with players not receiving their wages a regular wage at Cardiff could be a deal maker.

He could be in a race to be Cardiff managers Malky Mackey fifth signing has the Icelandic midfielder Aron Gunnarsson is also a target according to rumours doing the rounds on the internet. With his contract at Coventry now expired he is a free agent the rumours have a deal is sown up only waiting on the outcome of a medical sometime today.

It these rumours are true it could be a bit late for them to leave on the week training warm weather training.

There is a distant lack of strikers at Cardiff City nowhere near enough at so there is still some shopping for Mackay in the transfer market. All the rumours surrounding David Goodwillie have died down from the start of start of the week he was flying in for a medical.

Earnshaw is a Bluebird

It is official Robert Earnshaw is a Cardiff City player again and will be managers Malky Mackay fourth new signing on a two-year contract.

In a short statement from Cardiff City,

"Cardiff City can today confirm that Robert Earnshaw has returned to the Club as a free agent from Nottingham Forest. The paperwork has been completed and is subject to Football League approval after being signed last night."

With only Jon Parkin and first year professional Nathaniel Jarvis on the books, it is finally good to have a new striker in the squad. The last time Earnshaw played for Cardiff was back in August 2004 in the Carling Cup against Kidderminster he also score is last goal for the Bluebirds.

The squad that night

T. Warner,

R. Weston , D. Gabbidon, J. Collins, T. Vidmar,

J. McAnuff, W. Boland , L. Bullock, P. Parry

A. Campbell R. Earnshaw

Subs: N. Alexander, B. Anthony J. Robinson, G. Kavanagh, S. Fleetwood,

After the Kidderminster game, he was next off on international duty with Wales and his next league game saw him make a second half debut at Anfield for West Brom in a 3-0 defeat. It took six more league games before he opened his scoring account.

He is coming to Cardiff and there will be a lot of pressure to live up to the past Earnie from before is move to West Brom. At is recent club Nottingham Forest where he has spent the last three years he has started in 79 league and cup games and 30 games off the bench. He has scored 45 goals with only nine goals last season.

Can little Earnie be on his way back

Soon to be seen at the CCS

The return of the prodigal son is on the cards as the local Rumour Mill goes into overdrive. If you believe, Mr exclusive Carl on the AAMB (Annis Abraham Message Board) there will be an official announcement tomorrow and Wales online are reporting a dramatic return for the former cult hero.

He is out of contract and has early as today reports from Nottingham suggested he was locked in talk with Forest’s new boss Steve McClaren about resigning for Nottingham Forest. He left Cardiff under a cloud, not of his own making it was the than Chairman Sam Hammam who sold him after making stupid comments like those below.

Thanks to the ‘The Lone Gunman’ for these quotes from his blog - The Lone Gunman - Shooting From The Lip - Click link here for more words of wisdom for the mouth of Sam Hammam.

“I will bet anyone that we won’t sell Robert Earnshaw. The bet can be £50 or it can be £100,000. My message to anyone who thinks we will sell Earnie is this – put up or shut up.” (June 2004)

“I pour scorn on suggestions that Robert Earnshaw will be leaving. West Brom is a club I admire. It’s a well-run club and a good club, but in future years it’s the sort of club we are looking at to become one of our nursery clubs. When we get to where we want to be we’ll need a nursery club in the Midlands.” (July 2004)

“Robert Earnshaw will be leaving Cardiff City, but not for ten years at least. We are hell-bent on keeping Earnie and all of our other leading players.” (August 2004)

“Considering our financial situation, something had to give. That’s why we sold Robert Earnshaw to West Brom. We need to strengthen in a number of positions and we now have the funds to do that.” (September 2004)

It has been over seven-years seen he donned a Cardiff City shirt in anger and if the stories are true he still has the magic to do the business on the pitch. Since leaving Cardiff his travels have taken him to West Bromwich Albion, Norwich City, Derby County, and Nottingham Forest playing making just over 200 appearances both starts or from the bench, scoring 80 goals.

Fixtures from Down Under

South Cardiff ran out winners at the weekend with a 1-0 over bottom of the league West Wallsend in the NBN State League. The game was described as scrappy but it helped South Cardiff into the all-important fourth spot in the league. It also help to have a mid-week win over Lake Macquarie 3-1 with six league games to go before the end of their season.

Meanwhile in the Zone Premier League Cardiff City FC game at Morisset SC was a late postponement, but with Uni Mens FC winning they drop to second in the league table.

Gunnarsson linked to City

There is a new rumour splash on the back page of the local paper this morning linking Cardiff City with Coventry's Icelandic international midfielder Aron Gunnarsson the name in the mix.

His present club want to keep and have offered the out of contract player a new deal, but there are a number of offers from other club to think over. The story in the South Wales Echo has been generated from Gunnarsson's agent Jerry de Koning, who said,

"There are many clubs who want to sign Aron and Cardiff City are among the favourites.
"Nothing has been finalised yet, but a deal should be completed within the next 24 to 48 hours. The main factor to be finalised is a compensation payment to Coventry City.
"Cardiff City have a good chance of signing Aron."

If Cardiff were to be interested and were to win his signature, they would have to pay some compensation for the 22-year-old. He is a first team regular at Coventry more or less since he joined the club. Could it be the case of an agent touting is player around to drum up interest? Is time I doubt it the youngest has the ability and still time to develop another case of watch this space and see what happens next.

Margetson off to West Ham

Cardiff City boss Malky Mackay is in the market for a new goalkeeping coach after Martyn Margetson decided to join West Ham to take up the same position with the London club. He survived the cull of ex-managers Dave Jones backroom staff on the arrival of new boss Mackay, but sees his future elsewhere.

The former Cardiff City player and then goalkeeper coach joined the Bluebirds in July 2002 and ended his playing at the end of 2005/2006 season, but following the departure of then goalkeeping coach departure George Wood he took over the role.

Now Mackey will need a replacement will he now see Watford's Alec Chamberlain has an ideal replacement having stripped them of three members of his old backroom staff. Watford along with their manager has lost four members of staff to the Bluebirds.

The mad,mad, mad world of Craig Bellamy



Things just get stranger and stranger in the rumours surrounding Craig Bellamy today he has been heavily link with Celtic who have come up with a plan according to newspaper reports.

To overcome Bellamy yearning for family life Celtic are suggesting he could train with Cardiff City and fly up to Scotland for games! That is if the Cardiff boss Malky Mackay does not mind. Another newspaper reported Cardiff were will to pay Manchester City £3 million for the Welshman, but could only afford to pay him £30,000 a-week. A nice chunk of cash, but Celtic are willing to pay up to 75% of his £90,000 a-week to take him on loan with the Manchester City making up the rest of his wages. There want a £4 million transfer fee for the striker and might not be will to loan him out.

Bellamy in the past has said he only wants to play for Cardiff City or Manchester City, but Cardiff City manager has remained tight lipped on the subject while the fans and press do all the talking. While at Manchester City he is one of the unclean and has been frozen out of pre-season along with a number other unwanted players. So is he on gardening duties or traning with the U10's.

Bellamy is not hard up for suitors many a clubs would like to sign him as well as Celtic. Another club in the press today was West Ham, their new boss Sam Allardyce is a long time admirer of the Welshman, but with them in the Championship he said before he would only drop out of the Premiership for Cardiff.

Taylor a Bluebird

Andrew Taylor is a Bluebird and is Malky Mackay third signing.

Rutland Weekend Television - Football

Will Taylor be a Bluebird at the end of the day?

Cardiff City boss Malky Mackay should have his signing number three by the end of the date hopefully with defender Andrew Taylor on board with the Bluebirds. He is expected to walk last hurdle the medical he will be having some time today.

With the Cardiff squad due to fly out to Spain for pre-season in a few days time the manager would like to have Taylor in the party, the deal all tied up so he could travel with his new teammates. Cardiff saw off Middlesbrough who desperately wanted to re-sign him before his contract run out and manager Tony Mowbray worked hard up until the last minute to keep him. Other than them Bristol City were hoping to be in the race, but it was Cardiff he wanted and having Mackay has boss helped.

Taylor said about choosing Cardiff said,

"I chose Cardiff because of the manager and the fact I believed this was the best move for my football.
"People are going to think it's because of money that I signed for Cardiff, but it's not.
"It has never been about money. I've been at Middlesbrough for many years and it's probably the right time to move on.
"It's the hardest decision I've had to make in my life.
"It's an upsetting thing to leave my home club. I've been here since I was nine.
"But I feel this is the time to move on and look to progress my career.
"I worked for Malky at Watford and really enjoyed my time there. I'm looking forward to playing for him again."

With former Dundee United winger Craig Conway and Watford midfielder Don Cowie already on the books Mackay's plans for his squad is taking shape. However, he needs to sort out is strikers option has the fans wait on the outcome of the David Goodwillie transfer chatter. Rumour has him in Cardiff for a medical today as well.

Bellamy and Welshness

The Sunday Mirror is suggesting that Cardiff City are willing to pay Manchester City £3 million for Craig Bellamy and would offer the Welsh striker a two year contract at £30,000 a week.

That would make the highest paid player at the club, but it would be a massive reduction in his reported £90,000 a week he his get at Manchester City. It could be the price he will have to pay for the family he was enjoying last season. If not, he will be moving not from Manchester anyway.

A host of clubs are interested in signing him, but I will mean live away from his Cardiff based family. Everton up to Celtic and some in-between are rumoured to be interested in signing him and will probably offer move in wages.

The end is nigh, wait a minute there is no little Welsh flag on the new Cardiff City shirt is the world coming to an end. In today's Sunday Mirror, the back page headline screams out 'Dragon Slayer' over the dropping of the symbol with a nice picture of TG and a nice front shot of the new shirt with the word Malaysia blazed across it.

The Mirror is using the dropping of the flag to show the club full under the control of the Malaysian owners and have some fans up in arms over the whole issue. Do you they think the players sit in the dressing room looking at the flag shout in 'for Wales'. There is very little Welshness in the sqaud anyway. One fans said,

"I think it's sad. We're the capital city of Wales and we should have a Welsh identity. I don't mind them having Malaysia on the shirt - if it helps to bring in extra revenue, that would be great. But don't try to throw away our Welshness"

I have a problem with unnamed Cardiff City fan how will losing a tiny Welsh flag be throwing away our Welshness? The whole flag thing come in after his Welshness Sam Hammam was going through is Cardiff City = Wales which was a joke and slapped that awful St David's badge on the shirt. Most Cardiff City fans and fans from other clubs will in the most put their club before country, I do.

See Link - Headline

Bikini football

A Russia women football team plan to play in bikini for an upcoming match. FC Rossiyanka is a top woman’s team winners of many a titles in Russia, and have represent Russia in the UEFA Women’s Champion League will don there bikini’s for the love of there football.

The bizarre decision came about because of the lack of spectators at their games so they hope playing a one off game in bikini’s will attract spectators back to their games and heighten their profile.

Tatyana Egorova, the team’s coach said, that although they have won many championships, only a few people have heard of the team.

“We are the best woman’s team in Russia and have won many championships, even representing our country in the UEFA Champions League.”

Svetlana Zhuravleva, the club’s chief executive said

“I think that our football players are beautiful and attractive women and they virtuously master the ball and do not yield to famous tennis player and gymnasts.”

“In the whole world this sport is located on the first roles and is in rapid progress, largely due to government support and the help of national associations.”

“The main is that our sportswomen understand and appreciate our ideas. Together we achieve the desired because Russian women football is bound to succeed,”

Woman’s football is just as poorly supported in the UK but somehow I cannot see players donning bikini to bring in the fans. In America they tried lingerie American Football even setting up a league but it did not catch on with sporting public, man, they had the internet.