Bellamy and Cardiff .... OVER

Same club, different boss – groundhog day

After all the rumours and counter rumours surrounding former Cardiff City loan signing Craig Bellamy he has decided to rejoin one of his former clubs - Liverpool. He left the Welsh training camp where he is preparing for Wales Euro 2012 qualifier against Montenegro to dart up to Liverpool for talks, which would mainly be about wages which were supposed to be a problem.

If they were a problem they have been sorted to a satisfactory conclusion to all involved now. Former Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez signed the Welshman in 2006/7.

Without Manchester City playing ball it was always going to be unlikely he would return to the Cardiff City Stadium, as a Cardiff player anyway.

He did say at the end of last season, “They know I only want to play for them in the Premier League I don’t want to play for anyone else.  

“They are my club and if I can’t play for them I won’t play for anyone else apart from Cardiff.”

Some fans will knock him for making the above comment and ending up at Liverpool. At the end of the day, if the best situation of him is Liverpool it is his choice. He signed a two year deal and this Cardiff City wishes him all the best.

Turner a Bluebird

CARDIFF City have signed Coventry defender Ben Turner and he will be the only business boss Malky Mackay has planned for today. The last day of the transfer window that is until the loans window ends next week .

The fee is believed to be £750,000 without Parkin who could not agree terms over a deal to sign for Coventry has part of the deal.

His hometown team Birmingham City were rumoured to be interested, but was it just a rumour or he decided to join the Bluebirds. Turner out injured since November last year with a knee injury, but is fit now and ready for first team action.

He will now have to compete with Cardiff existing defenders for a berth in the starting line-up and has signed a three-year-deal with Championship rivals Cardiff City.

Parkin staying

Parkin still a Bluebird

Looks like the deal between Cardiff City and Coventry City to take striker Jon Parkin's as part of a cash/player deal for Ben Turner is off after the Cardiff striker failed to agree terms.

The striker passed a medical, but as reported yesterday the deal was likely to fall through over his wages demands. He is believed to be on £8,000 a-week which was too high for Coventry to match.

Parkin will now stay with the Bluebirds but it will be interesting to see if he is loaned out or the possibility of a transfer out come January. He looks to be surplus to requirements in Mackay squad a is expected to be a bit part player unless a drastic u-turn in Mackay’s plans.

If Cardiff boss Malky Mackay wants Turner it will have to be a cash deal now.

Parkin on the move

Coventry next for Parkin

The possible transfer deal that would bring Coventry City defender Ben Turner took a step closer with news the Cardiff City striker Parkin has arrived at Coventry for a medical. It was rumored there was a problem with the financial aspect of any deal his wages. Now he is having a medical and entering talks about personal terms the deal looks to be going along nicely, but is Turner ready to sign for Cardiff.

With only around 31 hours before the transfer window shuts (11pm tomorrow) his signature is not guaranteed with Birmingham believed to be in the chase. Others seeing Coventry's willingness to sell could show an interest in the defender as well .

It must be said Parkin was a surprise purchase by former manager Dave Jones back in January paying Preston £100,000 for his services. He found it difficult at Cardiff to break the Michael Chopra and Jay Bothroyd partnership making only three starts out of 13 games. He scored only one goal in a 1-1 draw against Norwich. This season he has Rob Earnshaw and Kenny Miller in front of him along with some exciting new young striker . He played in both Carling Cup games with tells you his prospects for this season are not rosy a move could be what he needs.

Turner passed medical claim

According the Coventry Telegraph Cardiff City target Ben Turner has passed a medical with the Bluebirds but his hold out to see if a bid comes in from his boyhood team Birmingham City. The transfer window shuts at 11pm tomorrow and again this time local press is suggesting Cardiff City boss is probably going to do his business when the loan window opens a week or so later.

The Midlands club is reported to be close to losing Scott Dann and see Turner has a likely replacement. Press reports suggest Dann is off to Blackburn in a £5m deal.

It is rumoured a cash plus player offered has been made by Cardiff with Jon ‘The Beast’ Parkin going the opposite way to the Ricoh Arena.

Mexican defender on trial

Cardiff City are reported to be checking out Mexican defender Rodrigo Inigo Del Hoyo during the international break period.

Defender Del Hoyo was with Club America in Mexico and according to stats from the Soccerway website last season he was unused on the bench three times. Cannot be sure about the accuracy of the stat, but it does not look healthy.

“We want to work with Rodrigo for a week or so and we can do that because he is a free agent,” said Mackay

He has spent his career in Mexico playing and is a free agent since being released earlier in the summer and has two weeks in which to impress manager Malky Mackay and is backroom staff.

Two horse race for Turner

CARDIFF City boss Malky Mackay has confirmed Cardiff is talking to Coventry over a possible deal that would bring in defender Ben Turner to his squad.

According to the Coventry Telegraph the negotiations are at an advanced on a £750,000 deal with Cardiff City striker making up the deal in the cash plus player.

"It is something we are trying to get done and we are in talks with Coventry City." Mackay confirmed.

There could be an obstacle on the player swap part of the deal and that is Parkin wage demands. Parkin his believed to be on £9,000 a-week at Cardiff a figure Coventry are unwilling to match according to the same newspaper.

Turner missed the majority of last season after suffering knee ligament damage, which required an operation he has yet to start this season.

Elsewhere in the press, they have Turner close to signing for his hometown club Birmingham City in a £1 million deal with add-ons, which could gazump the deal a Cardiff deal. Chris Hughton the Birmingham boss is looking for a replacement for the defender Scott Dann who looks set to depart.

Malky chasing Turner

The skysports.com website is reporting Cardiff City is interested in signing Coventry defender Ben Turner that can be filed under rumour for the time being.

He was out for most of last season through injury and has yet to play this season. The 23-year-old is regarded and a product of Coventry's youth system who has spent time on loan with Peterborough and Oldham.

Cardiff will have competition for his signature according to the website who also claims he is close to signing for the Bluebirds. The suggested is that Cardiff boss Malky Mackay wants' to tie-up the deal before the transfer window shuts last Wednesday night.

Cardiff are prepared to offer a cash plus player deal with Jon Parkin going in the opposite direction. Allow he is a former England U19 international he is eligible to play for Wales according to information found on the internet.

Cardiff City team v Portsmouth

Cardiff City boss Malky Mackey will be making changes for the team that played in the mid-week Carling Cup game. The team will look more like the team that face Burnley more than Huddersfield.

Mackay made one change from the Burnley starting line up dropping Mason to the bench with Blake starting. On the bench, there is no place for Keinan who is replaced on the beach by Kiss.

Marshall

McNaughton Taylor Hudson Gerrard

Whittingham Cowie Blake Conway

Miller Earnshaw

Bench Heaton, Quinn, Kiss, Gestede, Mason

Leicester City in the Carling Cup

The club draw took its time in coming because of the boarding chat among the Soccer Saturday pundits waffling on about Premiership football while most people waiting on the Carling Cup draw.

The Football League need to look into this the draw should have been the first item on the show. Most fans waiting for the draw have no interest in the Premier League sort it out.

There is no chance of a South Wales derby with Swansea getting batter in the week at Shrewsbury 3-1 with the home team scoring all four goals, but they are concentrating on the Premier League.

Finally 50 minutes into the show we have the draw first out Cardiff..... Manchester United, Manchester United but on Leicester City an all Championship 3rd round tie, but least it is a home game. The games take place week commencing 19th September.

The game is likely to be player on the Tuesday 20th and the following Sunday Leicester will again be visitors to the Cardiff City Stadium for a league game which is live on Sky Sports.

Malaysian international linked with City trial

THE Malaysian connection will see Safiq Rahim join Cardiff City on a two-week according to Cardiff City Chairman Tien Ghee speaking to the Malaysian newspaper the 'New Straits Times'.

Rahim is captain of the Malaysian national team and plays for Selangor FA in the Malaysian Super League and is midfielder. It was expected the player would be joining during the international break, but owing to is clubs involvement in the Malaysia Cup it could be has late as November before he can travel to Cardiff. The tournament runs from the 6 Sept to the 29th Oct.

"We had put it to Safiq to have a trial with us during the international break on Sept 8 when we will be holding a game for several others on trial. We are hoping he can play a part in that match. "We watched him during (Malaysia's) matches against the English teams and we think he is a fine player. When we spoke to him about it, he seemed really excited about the prospect," said Chan in a telephone interview from Cardiff yesterday.

The player himself is looking forward to the experience of coming to Cardiff

"I am very excited. With an open heart, I will take this offer, give it my best, and do Malaysia proud. It's not every day an opportunity like this comes knocking on your door, especially for a Malaysian. So, I'm fully intent on seizing this chance and making the most of what will be offered to me," said Safiq.

If he were successful in his trail, it would not guarantee him being able to join the Bluebirds, e.g a work permit could be an obstacle. Being a non-European Union player the FIFA rule to obtain a work permit to work in Britain is you have to be ranked in the top-70 international teams, Malaysia are current 146 in the FIFA rankings.

The Cardiff Chairman also revealed at during the international break there will be a game for several other players on trial with the club. With days to go before the end of the transfer window and Cardiff City boss Malky Mackey still in the market for player's time is ticking on.

Goods news about Whittingham

Cardiff City midfielder Peter Whittingham is a Bluebird until at least 2014 signing a three-year contract extension to his present contact. Great news for the fans as it will end speculation over his future. Whittingham talking to the official Cardiff City website said,

"There has been speculation about my future but hopefully today's news can put all that to bed. 

"I'm delighted to have signed an extension with the club - it's something I've wanted to do for some time as I've never had the desire to go elsewhere. 

"To know that the gaffer sees me as an important part of his squad is obviously pleasing. 

"I enjoy working for him and look forward to my future here at Cardiff City."

The midfielder cost the Bluebirds a measly £250,000 for Aston Villa back in 2007. Since signing, he has been a first team regular scoring 55 goals helped along with his trademark free kicks.

Unlike the likes of Joe Ledley and Jay Bothroyd who ran out their contracts, Whittingham can see his future with the Bluebirds and has not played the wait and see policy employed be Ledley and Bothroyd. During the summer Nottingham Forest and Burnley were rumoured to have made enquires about him, but Cardiff were not interested in selling. City boss Mackay said

"I'll certainly make commitments to him in terms of how much I'm going to be driving him and pushing him every day in training and in games to get the most out of him. 

"I think he's a top, top player and I'm delighted that he's here."

City away to Portsmouth

Cardiff are back on the road Saturday for the trip to Portsmouth with the Cardiff City boss Malky Mackay looking to return to winning ways in the league.

Last season under Dave Jones, the Bluebirds did the double over the South Coast club winning both at home (3-0) and away (2-0) present boss Malky Mackay would be happy with a 2-0 score line tomorrow. Portsmouth's start to the season have has not set the Championship alight nor as Cardiff it must be said with only four games into the season.

They have won once drawn twice and lost one game that also beat Cardiff, Brighton. The Portsmouth game will be the last game for a while has international football will take centre stage with Cardiff have a two-week break Fans will again see clear out could be has many as nine who started against Huddersfield in the Carling Cup with only two players likely to start from that starting line up Craig Conway and Don Cowie.

Someone who is hoping to be involved in the game is Slovakian international Filip Kiss. If he does, it will be his début having picked up an injury in pre-season. It was also rumoured the Aron Gunnarson could make the squad, but will need a late fitness test before a decision to see if he is fit enough. It is very likely Mackay will stick with Kenny Millar and Rob Earnshaw in attack in a normally highly intimidating Fratton Park with round 2000 Cardiff fans in attendance.

Little Joey Ralls, showed a lot of balls. (Podcast)

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





This week's pod is mostly about our 8-goal thriller against Huddersfield and our one-all draw at Turf Moor. BUT THAT'S NOT ALL!!! No siree.

Ben battles to the death in optimism/pessimism corner, we respond to YOUR tweets and View From The NiniFAN goes tits up.

PLUS! Our usual nauseating blend of nonsense, rubbish and drivel.

Diolch! (Thanks!)

Cardiff win finally

It is hard, god it is hard being a Cardiff City fan when you throw away a two goal lead and the game goes tits up and get beaten 3-2, but wait a minute a later goal you jump for joy a late goal, its 3-3 here comes extra time.

Cardiff were 2-0 up within 17 minutes was a walkover on the cards by the end of the first half it was looking like Huddersfield were out of it, but it is never that easy and by the 70 minute, the visitors had squared the game at 2-2. With two minutes of normal time left Huddersfield took the lead while Cardiff fans were celebrating archrivals Swansea being thrashed. In injury time a lifeline was thrown in the direction of the Bluebirds and Don Cowie was on hand to score the equalizer full-time score 3-3.

I hate extra time as a rule, but when it saves Cardiff City bacon, it is a godsend. Cardiff could not secure a win after 90 minute how would they do with only 30 minute to get a win or it would be the lottery of a penalty shootout.

The jittery Cardiff City fans did not have to wait long with Craig Conway firing Cardiff into a lead and the night was finished off when Don Cowie sealed it in the 117 minute. So Cardiff are in the 3rd round draw with top of the wish list Manchester United the draw will take place on Soccer Saturday.

Cardiff City team v Huddersfield

Carling Cup and in come the changes and Cardiff City boss Malky Mackay has made some tonight. Big shock trainee Joe Ralls gets the nod to start who came on in the second half in the 1st round clash at Oxford. Also getting a start is midfielder Darcy Blake with Mackay have a very strong bench at his disposal.

Heaton

Quinn (c) Gyepes Keinan Naylor

Cowie, Conway, Blake Ralls

Gestede Parkin

Cardiff subs - Marshall (gk), Taylor, Whittingham, Miller, Earnshaw, Mason, Evans

Mackay with strikers on his mind

Are Cardiff City back in the market for a new striker? Well according to the South Wales Echo they could well be, but it sounds like it will not be Craig Bellamy with a cryptic comment in the article 'he said it may not be the target man many believe he needs'.

Questions have arisen over the newly formed partnership between Robert Earnshaw and Kenny Miller is it working, will it work or their style of play too similar. It's not the local press discussing the issue but fan have also been debating the subject. If Cardiff City boss Malky Mackay is missing so high up front he as it with Jon Parkin (6'4") and Rudy Gestede (6'4"). They both started in the Oxford United Carling Cup game neither scoring.

"I can understand it. But I believe the dynamics of two good players playing together is not a problem," said Mackay.  

"At my last club we certainly did not have a target man, but we had a striker who scored 26 goals. 

"It's about having the quality. We are going to look for one who has the quality as good as you can get within the finances available and from who is available.  

"There's only so many out there who can play Championship football. It is a small pond you are fishing in."

Gestede and Parkin could both start tonight against Huddersfield with Nat Jarvis on the bench he scored after coming on for Gestede. The Cardiff boss is looking to progress in the competition and by resting some of his squad members, it will not dent the Bluebirds chances.

“We do need to guard a few players ahead of Saturday’s trip to Portsmouth,” said Mackay.  

“We’ve had a fair amount of games now. With the size of the squad we have it has taken a fair toll on them.  

“But we are approaching the competition with full respect as I always have done in previous years. We want to win as many games as we can and we are expecting a tough game against Huddersfield.  

“We want to go as far as we can in both cups this season.  

“If we can get past Huddersfield we might pull one of the big clubs or even pull one of the very small clubs and try to go on as far as we can.  

“That’s our aim, I’d love to go as far as we can in this competition.”

Carling Cup and Huddersfield tomorrow night

Cardiff boss Malky Mackay can take his mind off league matters for a day or was so with the next game tomorrow has it's a Carling Cup fixture. Well maybe not because he is likely to use the game against Division 1 club Huddersfield with one eye on the league trip to Portsmouth on Saturday.

In the win over Oxford United in the last round, Mackay made wholesale changes to the team that opened the league season at West Ham on the previous Sunday, but he is unlikely to do the same for the Huddersfield game. With the number of injuries mainly in the midfield, he would be hard pushed to make too many changes anyway. Talking in the press on the subject Mackay said,

"There's not a huge change-around to happen, we've got another four or five players that can come in. "But that apart, we're playing against a good team on Tuesday night and we've got to try and get through the tie."

So what can we expect? Tom Heaton in goal should be on the cards with a sprinkling of fringe players up front Miller and Earnshaw have not come out all guns blazing so would he give them the start or plum for Parkin and Gestede maybe. It will be the first time Cardiff and Huddersfield would have met in a cup competition and in the league, it is 2002/2003 when Cardiff won 4-0 at the old Ninian Park.

In the league, they have yet to taste defeat and beat Notts County away to face the trip to the Cardiff City stadium. If Cardiff City goes through to the next round, the draw for the Round three will take place Saturday on Sky Sports Soccer Saturday.

Cardiff City team v Burnley

Cardiff City boss Malky Mackay has not been panicked into making in changes after the Brighton mid-week defeat in fact he has made no changes. It is the same with the bench kicking off with the same five.

Marshall

McNaughton Taylor Hudson Gerrard

WhittinghamCowie ConwayMason

Miller Earnshaw

Substitutes Heaton, Keinan, Quinn, Blake, Gestede

City in need of three points

Cardiff City will want to see winning ways back for Burnley today after the mid-week upset and defeat to Brighton. The Welshman's record at Burnley's Turf Moor over the last few seasons as seen three games drawn 1-1 last season and the two previous games 2-2 and 3-3 what is the betting on 0-0 today.


On the team front, it will be interesting to see how manager Malky Mackay reacts to the Brighton defeat does he have scope for changes with the lacked depth and numbers he has been talking about. His midfield options are reduced with the injuries at the club he is hopeful Aron Gunnarsson who picked up an injury early in the Bristol City game and missed Brighton could be in contention along with Filip Kiss who is on the mend according to reports and his yet to make his debut for Cardiff.


The makeup of the bench will be just as important with a number of fans feeling Mackey got it wrong against Brighton with it being too defensive with not enough attacking options. It has not helped with the return to five substitutes instead of the seven last season making a major difference to the balance of the bench. Most managers have a goalkeeper on the bench, which leaves just four outfield spots for the manager to full. If the football governing bodies and club chairman wanted to make such a change they should have made it five or seven players on the bench leaving it up to the manager to decide still only using three.


In the press today, Mackey said there is no rush rushed into making any new signings and it could take until September for the right players. Any strengthening of his present squad could see two or four players coming in and if you look to the top end of that figure, he would have brought in 13 new players since taking over. There are only 11 days before the transfer window closes at 11pm on 31st of August and seven days later, the emergency loan window opens. He told the press,

“We need more. 

“We’re enquiring about players and are talking to clubs. It’s something we keep forging on with and, whether it becomes the loan market or not, we’ll have to wait and see.

“But it has to be the right type of player and person. 

“Two players would be great and four would be fantastic, but they have got to be either as good or better than we already have or potential players we can develop. 

“I could have a late night on deadline day, but it won’t be a knee-jerk reaction on a player I haven’t looked at.  

“If it happens late it will be a player I have watched closely and the deal just takes that long. 

“When players come up late there may be a reason for it and they often come back to haunt you.”

Pete Whittingham is hoping to make his 300th club career appearance today at Burnley.

FA Cup kicks off this weekend

It was the Welsh Cup last weekend or the 'The Road to Nowhere' I have labelled the competition sarcastically. This weekend it is the turn of the Budweiser FA Cup and the long and widening 'Road to Wembley' and it is some road.

I had decided to follow the route of Dunkirk, but changed my mind and plumed to go Welsh and start the road with Merthyr Town who emerged from the death of Merthyr Tydfil. They have a home fixture against fellow Toolstation Western Premier League club Bitton AFC in the Extra Preliminary Round at Penydarren Park.

If Merthyr win, in the Preliminary Round they will be home again with the winners of the Bristol Manor Farm or Longwell Green Sports Extra Preliminary Round game visiting Penydarren Park. Not quiet finished with the future fixture because if Merthyr win their way through those two rounds in the First Round Qualifying they will take on one of these three Fairford Town or Wellington or Cinderford Town.

If they do win all three games they will trouser £5,250 in winnings.

The goal must be to reach the First Round Proper when the lower league clubs enter the competition with their Wembley being the Third Round if they can reach it and a hopeful big Premiership name or a valleys/capital city.

However, there is a long way for them to go before that could be a possibility. With the demise of Merthyr Tydfil the made the temporary move to Taffs Well ground, but for this season they are back in their hometown of Merthyr.

We won/lost 3-1! (please delete as appropriate) (Podcast)

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.





Ahoy Bluebirds! And congratulations/commiserations on beating/losing to Bristol City/Brighton and Hove Albion this week. Jolly good effort/better luck next time. Two games, one week, four-all on agg. Not brilliant, not rubbish but certainly Cardiff City. Join us on the pod as we discuss the week's goal-fests, introduce our debut View From The NiniFAN and deal with siege on optimism corner from a guest pessimist. All this and not much more awaits...

Luke Chambers on the radar?

Cardiff City are rumoured to be interested in Nottingham Forest defender Luke Chambers according to skysports.com. They are reporting Cardiff are keen and are considering making an approach to Nottingham Forest for the player who has a year left on his contract and his yet to commit to a new deal with Forest.

That puts them in an awkward place if the Welshman push forward with an offer. Do they consider it or possibility of letting his contract run out and see him walk for free next season. It is a position Cardiff have found themselves in over the last few season.

Money has been tight at Forest could they be tempered for the right offer one thing for sure Forest boss Steve McClaren would not be happy to lose his captain who their Player of the Year last season.

Road to Nowhere - The Welsh Cup

The Welsh Cup kick-off last weekend 128 teams were involved in the opening first round qualifying. No Cardiff City in the Welsh Cup this season after they were invited back in but after not receiving certain information declined the offer.

In the early rounds, the competition is split into North and South so I decided to follow one team from each. From the southern section I went for local Cardiff team Splott Albion who beat Trethomas Bluebirds away 1-0 in extra time. The second draw round will see them at home up against AFC Llwydcoed

In the northern section, it was Llanberis because my wife carer comes from there. They were also playing away from home at Builth Wells were they lost 3-2 on the day. In the next round Builth Walls, face a trip to Brickfield Rangers.

Gunnarsson out for a week

No resting on their laurels for Cardiff City because tomorrow they have a mid-week fixture at the Cardiff City Stadium. Brighton are the visitor who themselves have started the season with a 100% record.

Cardiff City manager Malky Mackay will have to make one change to the starting line up from the Bristol City game. The Cardiff boss confirmed that at this morning press conformance that midfielder Aron Gunnarsson twisted his ankle early in the first half in the win over Bristol City on Sunday and will be out for a week. 

That could leave the door open for Joe Mason who pulled in a sterling performance on Sunday coming on for the injured Gunnarsson. He was Man of the Match and I cannot see many Cardiff City not expecting him to start tomorrow night.

That the press conformance Mackay talked about bringing in new players and the fact that some of his targets especially free transfers have moved on and found other clubs. He is still on the lookout for new blood be it players on free transfers, loans and if the price is right cash transfers has he feels his squad are way down on numbers to mount a challenge.

Three points stay this side of the seven

There were always going to be a large number changes from the team that played at Oxford United in the Carling cup midweek. Therefore, when the team was announced it was no surprise to anyone it was a carbon copy of the winning West Ham starting line up. Even down to the bench.

Marshall

McNaughton Hudson Gerrard Taylor

Whittingham Cowie Conway Gunnarsson

Miller Earnshaw

Bench - Heaton Quinn Gestede Parkin Mason

In the Cardiff sunshine, the home fans were hoping for a win and the newest manager was hoping for a display to cement a bound with the fans. Everyone got what they wanted, but for the poor Bristol City fan who got on their tractors and headed home pointless and frustrated.

What can one say 3-0 at halftime top of the league with the chanting, "we are top of the league" doing the rounds of the stadium albeit it is August, but it is a fact. Poor David James ex-England number one had to put up with a stream of taunting David James with "England's number one".

Mackay was forced to make an early change when midfielder Gunnarsson picked up an injury and sent on Mason who can play midfield or up front. Soon after the home team were one up, thanks to defender Hudson who from close in headed the ball into the net and sent Cardiff fans wild. It could have been the smell of blood, but the Bluebirds began to pile on the pressure and it was soon to pay off.

Cardiff soon found themselves two goals up when midfielder/winger Craig Conway fired home the ball from just outside the area into the bottom right corner of the visitors' goal Cardiff 2-0 up. The goal instigated mass celebrations in the stadium expect for one small part.

The score line was moving along nicely when up step returning hero Earnshaw to score is first Cardiff City goal since leaving the club back in August 2004 in the Carling Cup against Kidderminster with his last league goal a few weeks earlier. It was a trademark Earnie goal from close in to make it 3-0 and the fans saw his trademark somersault celebration.

Cardiff started of the second were they left the first put on the pressure, but slowly Bristol City were trying to coming back into the game. With around 20 minutes to go in the game Cardiff made a change with goal scorer Earnshaw making way for Gestede. The fans give the striker a rousing send off.

I would say against the run of play Bristol was lucky to pull one back, but Cardiff was nearly restore the three-goal lead only for the goal to be called offside. Cardiff played attractive football pasting the ball around Mason was winning the plaudits of the fans and was right made 'Man of the Match'.

After three goals in the first half, the second felt like a bit of a dump squib. The crowd at the CCS today was a healthy 22,639.

Sevenside derby day

Cardiff City manager Malky Mackay little face is first league home game later today and will be look to make if mark on the fans. After a good start opening the league campaign with a win over promotion favourites West Ham, it is the Sevenside derby at the Cardiff City stadium.

He will want a victory and carry on the winning start to the season with another tough home game Wednesday against Brighton who have open their season with two wins. Bristol lost their opening game 3-0 and had their mid-week Carling Cup game called off.

Mackay told the Western Mail, "I want to make a big impression.  

"It was great to get the Celtic and Parma games at the stadium during pre-season and it was a good opening at Upton Park, where teams will find it hard this year. But we want to get in our own stadium in front of our own fans.  

"I know there's a passionate support for this team and I know it to my cost historically, but our support will back us and I want to make sure our team match that passion.  

"Fans can expect to see a hard-working, organised and competitive team. The application and hard work will always be there. Fans won't accept a lack of effort."

With no injuries, worries after the international break and the mid-week game at Oxford the likelihood is Mackey could play the starting eleven from the West Ham game.

Wurzels on the away

Sevenside derby Sunday

A season is always spiced up by a bit of local rivalry and I class Bristol City as local rivals and they visit Sunday should crate a good atmosphere. Over the past six seasons, we had a manager in Dave Jones who constantly played these games down as just other game. Along with a large number of Cardiff City fans, his attitude irritated me when you are looking for some passion on show. 

I read something the other day about rivalry being good for sport and I have to agree. Rivalry over the years has become synonyms with hooliganism, which is not true always true. Back in the 70’s/80’s yes, but since the introduction of CCTV cameras and better policing trouble is becoming less of a problem. Every football fan will tell you his club has a local rival, a local derby down to non-league foot down to parks football they exist. 

The local rivals at Cardiff City are Swansea, Bristol City and to some extent Bristol Rovers. The closest club to Cardiff when they were in the Football League was Newport County, but from the Cardiff side there has been no great rivalry between the club with a good few Cardiff fans would go to their games if Cardiff were playing away. 

There are other rivalries has well like Leeds United that go back to the early70's, you can add Chelsea, Birmingham City and Millwall plus others. They tend to have risen via hooliganism or a gripe over a game, but can be intensive as local rivalry. Back to the Sevenside derby in my book always been the biggest Cardiff City derby game more than them up the road that it is more about pure hatred than rivalry with them. 

The Cardiff City boss Malky Mackay is up for the intensity of the Bristol City game, but is somewhat disappointed there is no South Wales derby game. Has a Scot he knows all about derby games have played for Celtic and in the Norwich and Ipswich. Former boss Dave Jones would drone on about three points and yes at the end of the day three points are the most important issue. However, derbies are important to the fans out of all the games in a season. The manager and players owe us fans a victory. Bragging rights are important to a fan of any club, but when it is your local rivals, it is just a bit better.

Mackay commenting on derbies said,

“I do love being involved in derbies. It’s just the passion of them really. In the Championship it’s great, you are at some great stadiums and they are rocking, but I think in a derby that little bit more intensity and edge helps.

“Certainly it’s something as a player you love being involved in and now as a manager too. 

“I recognise derbies, after all I come from a city where one of those small derbies happens. 

“I do realise that there’s those bragging rights on Sunday’s game. 

“Bristol is going to be one to savour, but you never know with Swansea, there’s always the cups coming along.”

I tend to think about derby games all the more as the kick-off gets closer. I get myself so wound up by obsessing over it I can be a real pain to be around.

Carling Cup draw - Home to Huddersfield

The draw for the second round of the Carling Cup will see Cardiff City face a home game against Huddersfield Town, no excitement there and not much of a crowd.

However, it is a winnable game on paper and there will be no international friendly to hamper team selection. The game will take place the week commencing 22 August. It will be the first time the two clubs have faced each other in a Cup game. 

Carling Cup who's next

CARDIFF City moved on to the Second Round of the Carling City tonight after beat Second Division Oxford United 1 - 3, but need extra time to do it. There is already a cry from some fans to bring on Swansea who will be in the pot for tonight's draw which is live . Only two players who started at West Ham started tonight Andrew Taylor and Craig Conway.

Heaton 

Naylor Evans Gyepes Quinn 

Taylor Conway Taiwo Farah 

Gestede Parkin 

Bench Marshall, Hudson, Gerrard, Oshilaja, Whittingham, Ralls, Jarvis


Cardiff opened the scoring in the first 12 minutes when Craig Conway somewhat against the run of play putting City in front. Minutes later the Cardiff boss Malky Mackay took Taiwo off replacing him with Whittingham. On the half hour, the home team pulled one back.


Towards the end of the game Cardiff were coming more and more into the game, but falling short in attack. With time ticked away and extra time looming Cardiff near took the game ball appeared to cross the line after a goalmouth scramble. However, the official decides it did not cross the line. Extra time it was and hopefully there would be no need for the dreaded penalty shoot out.


That was eased when Whittingham restore Cardiff lead in the 94 minute. A throw-in found Whittingham, who cut inside and unleashed a left-foot drive from 25-yards out which the Oxford goalkeeper had no chance with.

Bluebirds boss Mackay said, "It's the first time they have dipped in and played against league opposition. "I'm delighted for them as long as they learn from this. "Nat scored his goal and I have told him the more he runs the more chances he will get. "Alex was outstanding as the game wore on and Ibby has great energy. "He lacks a little in direction and knowing about the game, but those "Joe is another one coming through and now it's about ensuring they all get the right education."

All Cardiff players on international duly seem to have coming through their games and should all be available for the Sevenside derby against Bristol City on Sunday at the Cardiff City stadium.

West Hammered and #optimismcorner (Podcast)

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.




Good evening. You may find this hard to believe but WE BLOODY BEAT WEST BLOODY HAM. Mugged them off good and proper. We discuss everything West Ham related in this weeks pod and we welcome the triumphant return of Champ and Chump of the week. We take your Twitter questions and laugh in the face of Keith Millen.

  Love, The View from the Ninian

Cardiff check out 2 trialists at Port Talbot

CARDIFF City are eying former Spanish under-17 international Adam Smith, who was born in Andorra, to an English father and Spanish mother. He played in Cardiff's friendly against Welsh Premier League Port Talbot Town Monday night, the game ended with a 2-2 score line.


According to an article in the South Wales Echo he impressed, but Malky Mackay and his staff really needs to see more of the 20-year-old player. If they were to offer him a contract it would be on professional terms.


In the same article he nearly joined the Bluebirds a few season back, but that move got caught up in international red tape. He came through the Espanyol youth system before moving on to Toulouse where all seemed to be going well.


However, there was a falling out over him declaring his loyalty to Spain nationality joining the Under 17 squad. For some reason Toulouse were unhappy and he dropped down the picking out at the club.


Cardiff also gave a trial to young Luke Prosser who plays for Welsh League team AFC Goytre after joining from Mangotsfield United. The striker was recommended to Cardiff's youth academy manager Neal Ardley according to the press report in the South Wales Echo.

Cardiff face Oxford Utd tomorrow

TEN players are unavailable to Cardiff City manager Malky Mackay for the Carling Cup fixture against Oxford United. A mix of international call-ups and injuries mean Mackay will be taking three young youth players to Oxford and two at least will be on the bench.

That will give those playing tomorrow a chance to impress their manager The Cardiff boss bemoaned the fact that Carling Cup and the international friendlies were clashing when in Scotland their League Cup kicks-off before their season starts. It did happen back in the 70's.

Defender Paul Quinn is in according to the manager speaking at this morning's press conference, but Steve McPhail is still not quite there with his fitness. With Kenny Miller and Rob Earnshaw international duty, it will give a chance to Cardiff other strikers to show off their wares.

 The young French striker Rudy Gestede is likely to lead the attack for the Bluebirds at Oxford he impressed when he came on for Rob Earnshaw at West Ham on the weekend.

Some owners, managers, players, and fans kind of see the League Cup has a waste of space, but the winners get a place in Europe, a tasty prize.

Carling Cup next up for City

Next up for Cardiff City is a Carling Cup fixture away against Division 2 club Oxford United on Wednesday night. It should give Cardiff City boss Malky Mackay a chance to give a run out for some of the players not involved in the West Ham Sunday. There are a number of City players hoping for a chance by Mackay on Wednesday with goalkeeper Tom Heaton hoping to get the nod to play.

Defensively there are a number of options Dekel Keinan, Gabor Gyepes, Alex Evans, Paul Quinn, Jonathan Meades miss out on the first game of the season and will be hoping for a start or some playing times. Others hoping to see their names on the team sheet for Oxford will be Stephen McPhail, Aaron Wildig, Solomon Taiwo, and Ibrahim Farah and Filip Kiss will have to wait on the manager’s decision. Strikers Jon Parking, Nathaniel Jarvis have yet to have some pitch time since pre-season while both Joe Mason and Rudy Gestede came off the bench at West Ham.

Most teams in the Championship and some other play relatively weaken teams in the early rounds of the competition hoping to make it through until the Premiership teams enter at the Third round It has been awhile since Cardiff and Oxford played back in the days of the Manor Ground before they moved to their present ground the all-seater stadium Kassam Stadium. Back in 1999/2000 when they meet in the Division 2 with Cardiff, draw 1-1 at home and winning 3-2 away.

However, Oxford was to have the last laugh over Cardiff at season piping the Welsh to safety while Cardiff had to injure relegation.

The two have met before in the League Cup

The team Cardiff City for the 1978/1979 League Cup fixture, Home Leg 1-2 (Buchanan)

Ron Healey, Rod Thomas, Freddie Pethard, Alan Campbell, Phil Dwyer, Albert Larmour (Steve Grapes), Micky Burns, David Giles, Paul Went, Ray Bishop, John Buchanan.

Away Leg 2-1 (Bishop)

Ron Healey, Brian Attley, Rod Thomas, Alan Campbell, Phil Dwyer (Ray Bishop), Freddie Pethard Steve Grapes, Micky Burns, Paul Went, John Buchanan.

Texaco Fantasy League table week 1

First Texaco Fantasy League points have been give and you cans see this Blog league below. Blog owner and manager of Blue Madness FC I have made a fair start,  but made a couple of moves in the transfer market already. One of those was to snap up Michael Chopra.

International call-ups for five

The Cardiff contingent called up the Scottish squad for the friendly against Denmark has shot up to three after withdrawals. Striker Kenny Miller was already in the squad and defender Kevin McNaughton and midfielder Don Cowie have now joined him.

McNaughton has had a number of call-ups but the last time played was back match against Czech Republic in May 2008 while Cowie last played for Scotland against Wales at the Cardiff City stadium in 2009.

While three players had a call-up to the Scottish squad two Cardiff City players are in the Welsh squad Darcy Blake and Robert Earnshaw. They will both be hoping to play some part in the first ever game between Wales and Australia

Non City - Hottie in a football shirt 1

Below you will find Paraguayan model Jeve posing with fans at the recent Copa America Cup

Could there guys be the luckiest football fans in the world? Never at the Cardiff City Stadium

Miller time in London Town

POOR Harry the hammer

I was going to say that a draw would be a good start to the season when you are away for home because the game was looking to go that way. When the fourth official held the board up to announced three minutes of extra time I felt sure that was it.

Until the game turned on its head in stoppage time when up stepped Miller to send Cardiff City fans worldwide into raptures. Yes the Bluebirds did steal the game, but three points are three points no matter how they came even with West Ham  the better team over the 90 minute they ended the game pointless.

Cardiff held their own and in last 20 minutes sensed some panic on the Londoners their fans were getting frustrated. A major catalyst to the change in Cardiff performance was the substitution of Rob Earnshaw with the young French striker Rudy Gestede.

There were a few misplaced passes for the Cardiff City, which heighten the tension, and some rash tackles especially in the first half. Peter Whittingham had about the best chance from a free kick towards the end of the first half.

On the re-start, it was more of the same from the Londoners pressure on the Cardiff goal while the visitors kept the best to their passing game with only a few ventures into the long ball game. Marshall in goals making some fine saves and he was my 'Man of the Match' and there was the passion from manager Malky Mackay for all to see on the line. Every time the camra major difference over former boss Dave Jones and him.

Cardiff City manager named his first team league team today and I do not think there were any surprises with

Marshall

McNaughton Hudson (c) Gerrard Taylor

Cowie Whittingham Gunnarsson Conway

Earnshaw Miller

The starting 11 with a bench made up of Heaton (gk) Quinn Gestede Parkin Mason

 

With only five subs on the bench now, there was no place for Keinan or Gyepes with Mackay going for the attacking option on the bench.

City on the BBC

Cardiff City's opening game of the season will be live on terrestrial TV tomorrow. It will be screen on BBC1 and BBC1 HD with the program starting 15minutes before the 1pm Kick off. The game could be shown live on some sports channel worldwide if not there are likely to be internet streams of the game for oversea fans.

The BBC show will be fronted by Gaby Logan and in the studio former Arsenal defender Lee Dixon and sitting next to him will be former manager of Cardiff Dave Jones which should make his comments interesting.

Only a few days ago Jones broke his silence Jones has warned new boss Malky Mackay about the sky-high expectations of the Cardiff fans. However, Mackay hit back saying he is his own man and will not be measuring his success against predecessor Dave Jones

I do miss away days old style

I woke up this morning all excited, but came down with a bump when I realised Cardiff kick-off their season tomorrow. The Championship did kick-off last night with a win for Blackpool1-0 over Hull City and were temporally on top of the league until today’s games.

My mind slipped back to a time before the wife, kids and bills to living with mum/dad and Cardiff City with next to no worries, but finding work. I have not been active with away trips in some time, but in the 1970's until the wife come along 1985 it was what Saturdays were about for me those days. I would climb aboard some kind of transport to cross over the English border to support Cardiff City through thick and thin. Works vans, over load cars who can forgot the British Rail football specials and the rickety old coaches. I have always enjoyed away days and prefer to miss a home game than an away trip so I would be well up for the first away trip of the season or would I?

The fact is I have never been to West Ham and for the life of me I cannot remember why. It cannot be because of hooliganism I was travelling when at kind of thing was at its worse. I had been to some of the scariest grounds at the time Leeds, Chelsea, Birmingham and the daddy of them all, Millwall without a qualm.

I was reminded recently about the time three friends and I found us on a train platform with the ICF and in the words of Danny Dyer 'they looked very naughty' and more intimating than the plod (police officer) on duly. That the time I remember being grateful to the copper (police officer) who took time out to give us the heads up on the situation also tell us a large group of Cardiff fans had just pasted through the station. Maybe one day I will get to go to West Ham ground and maybe do a full season but that will need an improvement in my heath first, who knows.

During my youth and early manhood, I was somewhat a hardcore away tripper but I have only done one complete season home/away/cups and even the Welsh Cup and that was in 1983/1984. The season before it was promotion to the Second Division with the Bennett brothers, Hemmerman, Mullen, and Gibbins, but the following season was not as exciting.

Away trips to Chelsea, Newcastle, Leeds, Manchester City and Portsmouth and there was my only every trip to Carlisle very early start from Ninian Park. There was also a South Wales derby game back on the menu with the Jacks in freefall after their little dalliances with the First Division.

I loved all the fans milling around the services but sometimes it could be hairy like that the last game of that season. We were off to Blackburn the coach was just about three quarters full, but when we hit the M5. We then surrounded by coach after coach loaded down with British City fans on the road to Chester City for a promotion part. We were like the cream in the middle of a cake with the Welsh dragon in the back window They would drive past us to give us the finger or the cut throat sign slow down for us to overtake us and they overtake us again just to remind us what they would like to do to us. Wisely, those in control decided to miss out the normal service stop just outside Birmingham.

On the way home the road seem to have a lack of Bristol City coaches so a quick stop at Frankley Services was agreed. In the upper car park, area there was not a sign of Wurzels, but as we pulled up above the lower car park, it was full of them. It did not take them long to spotted us and all hell broke out as they tried to force their way on to our coach. The plod saved the day by telling drive to get us out of there.

Unfortunately, it would not be the last promotion party I would have witness when the following week promotion Sheffield Wednesday held a promotion party at Ninian Park. The only reason I complete season was that all the Welsh Cup games were at home. I can count the number of away games in the Welsh Cup on one hand.

Wright keeping fit with the Bluebirds

According to Ipswich Town boss Paul Jewell ex-England keeper Richard Wright is training at Cardiff City keeping himself fit. He spent last season at Sheffield United where he made only two starts, both times being withdrawn midway through the game due to further injuries. I fact he spent most of last season out injured.

He had trained at Ipswich working on his fitness has he looking to his future as a free agent the Town boss Jewell said,

"I think Richard's gone to train with Cardiff. He's been here, he's a good character Richard, he lives locally and he's been training here with us doing him a favour, keeping him fit. He's been impressive in training."

He was training under the eye of then Ipswich goalkeeping coach James Hollman who is reported to be the new goalkeeping coach at Cardiff City, but I have not hear anything official. It suggested in the article that he impressed Jewel l, but he did have a vacancy in the goalkeeping squad.

Cardiff boss Malky Mackay was rumoured to be interested in a new keeper, but looks happy with what he has for now.

Fantasy League Football

Just hours away from the start of the nPower Championship League and there is still time to enter a team in the Texaco Fantasy League 2011/2012. If you are inclined to have a go you could join the Blogs league pin 12966 see link below.

This is my team hopefully they will do the buissness and I will not have to dip into the transfer market.

You did not have to be a Cardiff City fan to join it's a bit of fun.

Join Here

Championship kick's off tonight

The Championship will kick off tonight with the first game Hull City v Blackpool with the main body of games kicking off at the traditional time for football 3pm on a Saturday afternoon.

However, Cardiff fans will have to sit back and watch because City have to travel to West Ham for a 1pm kick-off on Sunday for the purpose of screening the game live on TV. Off the field the game has been surrounded in controversy after the trip was made a full 'bubbly' with restrictions on the number of tickets available to the travel Cardiff fans. The club and supports even the South Wales police were unhappy with all the restriction and did their best against the Metropolitan police, West Ham and the Ground Safety people.

The compromise trashed out between all parties has done nothing to calm the fans down. They simply refused to allocate more ticket meaning Cardiff fans only got just over half of the normal 2,200 tickets for the away end. Away fans sit in the Sir Trevor Brooking Stand, but if required, the away end can hold up to 3,600 but that would never happen for Cardiff fans. Leeds are due in a few weeks it will be interesting to see what their allocation will be.

A limited number of supporters can travel to South Mimms services by car where a voucher/ticket exchange will take place same with the Official Supporters travel groups. I am not sure if they will have to leave their cars to travel to the ground or in convoy with the coaches. Again, a limited number of exiled fans living near the ground can make their own way to the ground.

Some fans have called for a boycott has many are now sick and tired of the 'Bubbly games' especially with the improvement in the of Cardiff fans at home and away the only real blip was the Chelsea game. The only winner from the any boycott is the Metropolitan police, but then the game is televised I wonder if any kind of a boycott would have worked if the game were not on the BBC Sunday.

Tickets for this game have been selling slowly, but an expected sell-out. If the game was not a 'Bubbly' the whole away end would have sold-out in days.

Season Pre View From The Ninian! (Podcast)

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.

Here we stand then. On the verge of a new season, a new era, a new beginning. And what better way to celebrate teetering on the verge of the unknown than an hour with The View From The Ninian ladies as we preview the future, the yet to be lived, the 2011/12 season.

We mull over the pre-season, pick our players to watch, make predictions, bestow an impressive nickname on Joe Mason, insist on calling the Burly Scotsman Craig Conway by his full title and hidden somewhere inside is a song for Filip Kiss!

So all aboard as we set sail on the good ship Malkaysia on another adventure towards 'the promised land'.

Cheap day out a the CCS

Cardiff City looks a cheap day according to the list below and there is no suprise West Ham top the list. According to figures from the Premier League list, it is £42.60p for a match day at Swansea City.  On the pie front the Arsenal pie will cost you £4, while in the Championship the Crystal Palace's pie is only 40p cheaper.

Bellamy to Celtic maybe



Looks like Craig Bellamy could be crossing the border again, but not the Welsh/English, but the Scottish/English border too Celtic.

The rumour today is that Manchester City are open to talks with Celtic over a deal with the blessing of City boss Roberto Mancini. It looks like they are talking about a season long loan deal with Celtic paying a size able percentage of his £90,000-a-week wages.

Mancini is eager by all accounts to see Bellamy go north of the border then to a Premier league club where there is a chance he could back and haunt him. Bellamy would then be a free agent at the end of next season, but I think is days of such high wages would have gone then.

Any hope of him coming back to Cardiff where he spent last season on loan look dead in the water. The only hope for his return to the Cardiff City Stadium would be if Manchester City bosses paid up the final year of his contract and let him go. Mancini said,

"It is possible there have been conversations about Craig Bellamy between us and Celtic.

"I met Craig two days ago at Carrington. He told me something I want to keep to myself. What I said two days ago was that if Celtic want Craig, he is a good player, and I think he can go."

Non-City - Hotting up for the Cardiff's down under

It was a washout for the two Cardiff's Down Under the previous weekend, but this weekend they had to be on top form as they were taking on the league leaders of their respective leagues.

In the Northern NSW State League South Cardiff took on runway leaders Broadmeadow Magic at home. After a hard-fought 1-1 draw, Southy dropped from third place in the league to fourth after a win for Edgeworth Eagles. Southy goal with three league games left to stay in the top fourth to qualify for Finals Series.

South Cardiff 1 - 1 Broadmeadow Magic
South Cardiff and Broadmeadow Magic played out a 1-1 draw at Ulinga Park with the Gunners almost getting their first win over the front runners this season.
With 5-1 and 3-0 defeats to Magic this season, South Cardiff were eager to get a different outcome in this encounter as they came out very strong and in the end were very unfortunate not to walk away with the three points in front of their home crowd.
South Cardiff took the lead on 34 minutes through Jarryd Johnson who struck a well timed shot from the edge of the area which deflected into the back of the net to open the scoring.
Murray Fletcher started the match with Shane Paul ruled out and he got the equaliser midway through the second half after a nice passing exchange on the edge of the area and finished well.
Keegan Wolfendan was also a late inclusion to the starting line up with Josh Birch ruled out, his first match back since very early in the competition.
South Cardiff had a chance to win the match in the final seconds with an entertaining finish to the match but couldn’t convert and only walked away with a point.
Broadmeadow Magic Coach Damien Smith said he was “happy to take the point in the end, Southy did really well, especially in defence.”
The result keeps South Cardiff in the top four, two points clear of Weston Workers in 5th spot as they go on to face Hamilton Olympic in Round 19 and a big match coming into Semi Finals, while Broadmeadow Magic will face Weston Workers at Wanderers Oval.

Next Sunday South Cardiff take on Hamilton Olympic at home and will need to return to winning ways to keep up the pressure for a top four finish to end the season.

Cardiff City FC (Gunners) had a good 1-0 win over top of the table University at home Saturday in the Northern NSW Zone Premier League.

Cardiff City FC (Gunners) fan messageboard report of the game

It was a very good result for Cardiff after some lacklustre displays recently needed to turn around their form. Although still missing 3-4 players Cardiff kept the league leaders scoreless and limited their chances. Cardiff had plenty of chances to increase their lead after scoring midway in the 1st half, but wanted to keep the healthy and vocal Cardiff crowd on their toes and proceeded to squander opportunity after opportunity, but a win is a win and Cardiff take the three points to get back on track.

On a different side thou, everybody has been whining about ref's and the bloke we had yesterday was poor as a linesman with some baffling decisions I think University will agree, some of his calls were out of left field, his use of the advantage rule was confusing at all times. I know this young bloke has refereed at a higher and he should have been a lot better than what he was.

Next weekend the Gunners take on third place Cooks Hill United and with the season ending at the end of the month. Along with the Cooks Hill, and two other scheduled games they have to fit in three postponed games.