Gerrard goes back to Hull a Cardiff player

Gerrard on holiday last season

How much are the Hull City fans looking forward to seeing their 'Player of the Season' from last season, not a lot now he is back in a Cardiff City shirt.

The player in question defender Anthony Gerrard spent the whole of last season on loan with the Humberside club after he losing the faith of then manager Dave Jones.

During his time on loan surprisingly featuring in both games against the Bluebirds when Cardiff who had Hull midfielder Seyi Olofinjana on loan come to a deal to play in the games. Gerrard played 44 games, scoring 5 goals.

He returned to Cardiff to an uncertain future, Hull would have like to sign him, but with the aftermath of the play-off failure the club was waiting on the much-fabled Dave Jones report of the next step. It came to pass Jones was sacked and in came a new boy giving everyone a fresh start to prove themselves which Gerrard did.

While Gerrard will be one of the lynch pin of the Cardiff City defence while tomorrow former loan player Seyi Olofinjana, will be out recovering from knee surgery and out for some time. I hope the Hull fans give Gerrard a good reception tomorrow.

Road on the Welsh and English Cups

Weekend for Cup games for lower league teams in the England and Wales for the teams this blog is following.

In the FA Cup Merthyr Town were the chosen team mainly because of the Welsh connection. For some reason or another I missed the last round were they took on Cinderford Town at home. The game ended all square at 1-1 so on to a reply and all things come to an end eventually. The Welsh club surcome to a 2-0 defeat so end their FA Cup dreams.

So now, Cinderford lead the way to Wembley in May with a tough trip to Eastleigh.

The route so far

Second Round Qualifying Sat 1 Oct 2011 Eastleigh v Cinderford Town
(Reply) First Round Qualifying Tues 20 Sept 2011 Cinderford Town 2-0 Merthyr Town Att N/A
First Round Qualifying Sat 17 Sept 2011 Merthyr Town 1-1 Cinderford Town Att 309
Preliminary Round Sat, 3 Sept 2011 Merthyr Town 1-0 Longwell Green Sports Att 345
(Reply) Extra Preliminary Round Wed, 24 August 2011 AFC Bitton 1- 2 Merthyr Town Att 248
Extra Preliminary Round Sat, 20 August 2011 Merthyr Town 2-2 AFC Bitton Att 323

Tomorrow it is also Round 1 of the Welsh Cup and the competition is no longer regionalised. This blog started of following one team from the Northern section and one the Southern. After two rounds local Cardiff team Splott Albion and still in but the original north team Llanberis were knock out by Builth Wells who are face Dinas Powys is weekend.

The route so far

Round One Sat Oct 1 2011 Dinas Powys v Builth Wells
Round One Sat 1 Oct Bridgend v Splott Albion

Southern Section 2nd Qualifying Round Sat, 3 Sept 2011 Splott Albion 1-0 AFC Llwydcoed Att N/A
1st Qualifying Round Sat, 26 Aug 2011 Trethomas Bluebirds 0-1 Splott Albion (AET) Att N/A

Northern Section 2nd Qualifying Round Sat, 3 Sept 2011 Brickfield Rangers 1-4 Builth Wells Att N/A
1st Qualifying Round Sat, 26 Aug 2011 Builth Wells 3-2 Llanberis Att N/A

International break up and coming

CARDIFF CITY boss Malky Mackay will be looking to get Saturday's trip to Hull City over so he can nurcher his wound troops during the two-week international break fresh for the return of league football with a home game against Ipswich Saturday 15 Oct .

However, he will have to wait on international managers to have their pick from his squad with Scottish boss Craig Levein first in for three. The chosen Don Cowie, Kenny Miller and David Marshall all expected to be in the squad for the away trips to Liechtenstein and Spain.

Others way with their national team Darcy Blake with the Welsh squad, but without injured Rob Earnshaw, Aron Einar Gunnarsson with Iceland. Each of the countries will be hoping they get through the weekend and are fit to join up with their squads. All five are key to Mackay plans and he will be hoping they all come through with any injuries.

Don’t worry be happy

It is a loving morning and I'm happy to have seen my team bag three points last night at the Cardiff City Stadium not just the points, but the manner they achieved it.

They were plenty of guts on show last night for the fan at the game and those listening on the radio. Maybe the manager/players and fans put up a circle for protection around the stadium expecting the worst form a free scoring top of the table Southampton. I know many fans who when to the game thinking a point would be a good outcome.

Everyone at the game and listeners around the world would have noticed the atmosphere a 100% better than recent game something we need to hear at every game. Last night was also helped along by a great turnout from Southampton (2,000).

The doom and gloom surrounding the game, injuries and all that was washed away with a brace of goals from Kenny Miller. The Cardiff City striker has come in for some stick over his lack of goals, but tonight even any doubters have to stand up a give him a chap. His first goal of two come via the old route-one style of football with goalkeeper David Marshall credited with the assist with Miller on handed to head the ball over the Southampton keeper into the back of net. Aron Gunnarsson provided the assist for his second goal it was a close range effort into the bottom right corner of the Southampton goal.

About last night he said,

“I always want to score goals, but chances have been few and far between. I was fortunate to get on the end of a couple tonight."

It was a pity Cardiff could not keep a clean sheet keeper Marshall deserved one along with the back four who could a useful visitors attack. Warning lights were flash when Cardiff lost Kevin McNaughton and Filip Kiss both nursing knocks but hopefully both will make the trip to Hull City Saturday.

Cardiff City boss Malky Mackay said after the game,

"We were looking to try and make sure we even had a bench tonight. The options were probably not what we'd have hoped for, but, in terms of positions, it was what we had left fit in the building.

"It was a test for us but we had to be brave and believe in the players and tactics we had to beat Southampton.

"There is a togetherness in the squad and that has grown as the weeks have gone along, and everyone wants to do well for each other. There are no fractures in our team and that is paying off.

"I'm delighted for Kenny. He has been a proven goalscorer throughout his career and his hard work has finally paid off with goals.

"The first goal was a really good counter-attack as David (Marshall) kicks it early to Kenny and he's been ever so brave because the goalkeeper can easily smash him in that situation.

"Then he took his second goal incredibly well. It was a lovely finish. But he also put in a lot of work off the ball and channel runs that he deserved those two goals."

Southampton boss Nigel Adkins who was doing some punditry at the Leicester game Sunday must have had jumped up and down watching Mackay injury problems mount.However, he was truly mugged last night and told the press after the game,

"I counted that we had six real good chances in the latter part of the game. Rickie Lambert had two headers which you would put your mortgage on him to score.

"Richard Chaplow has shaved the post and de Ridder also missed before he scored. But we're still top and that is a positive for us."

Cardiff City team v Southampton

The main topic of conversation before the game was the team with so many injuries what would it look like.

Changes from the Leicester game there had to be but there will be no new faces has Cardiff City boss Malky Mackay has been turn down more than the ‘The Hoff’ David Hasselhoff in the search loan signings.

To be honest even bring in new blood would not have made much of a changes so close after the Leicester game.

Marshall

McNaughton Blake Gerrard Quinn

Whittingham Gunnarson Kiss Cowie

Miller Mason

Subs: Parish, Keinan, Quinn, Taiwo, Turner

The team is as expected, but the bench as no striker.

Another day another player linked

Manchester United and Liverpool have lots in common and now the other Manchester club has joined the other two with having one of their players linked with the Bluebirds.

The press has Manchester City defender Reece Wabara link with Cardiff City and a host of other Championship club. The 19-year-old captained England at last summer's U20 World Cup and signed a three-year contract with the Premier League club.

He is a centre-half a position City manager Malky Mackay seems to have in abundance in his present squad.

La, La, La, La, La, La, BAMBA (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.



Hello there everyone.
It's been a while. Do you have new hair? It suits you very nicely.
It's a bumper pod this week with THREE GAMES to discuss plus TWO MORE to preview.
We also have brother v brother in optimism v pessimism. We also welcome a YAM-YAM into View From the NiniFan; he then quizzes us on our knowledge.
We have a million TWITTER questions to go through and we also LAUNCH a View From the Ninian competition.
Love,
Ben and Adam

They seek him here, they seek him there.

Cardiff City manager Malky Mackay is hitting a brick wall in search of players to add to his squad has he looks to strength it.

According to the local press, he as failed in six attempts to sign loan players in recent days has he continue to look. The need to find players is empathise by the number of player in the treatment room out at the Vale training centre. After Saturday and the Hull City game, there is a two week international break that will help heal the wounded, but a number of the squad could find themselves still playing on international duty.

Mackay said, "It's immediately trying to get a couple of bodies in the door to help the short term.  

"[We were] waiting on the Premiership clubs, on their thoughts on what they were going to do with their squads and when they were going to let that player out... but the last two days has changed that focus. 

"Please believe me there's an awful lot of 'phone calls gone in the last 10 days about players coming to the club. 

"It's something we're working on hard and it's not always about us not willing to pay money, there is a lot of factors involved in it. 

"It's quite a small market we're fishing in right now, along with a lot of other clubs."

A newbie now with two games left before the international break, would it worth it. Any player would have little time to settle in. Rushing to put a bum on the bench a false dawn when there are a number of young players who would love the chance to be part of match day at Cardiff.

It will not be too easy next week and the week after with players on international duty along with the seniors the under 21’s have fixtures as well. That could lead to managers keeping hold of players just in case of injuries.

The injury problems of Malky

CARIDFF CITY boss Malky Mackay is waiting on reports on his injury legions before considering his options ahead of the clash with top of the table Southampton tomorrow.

So far, definitely out are both strikers Rob Earnshaw and Rudy Gestede who will miss tomorrow night’s game and the trip to Hull City and it looks unlike Earnshaw will be joining up with the Welsh squad during international break. Another player out is defender Lee Naylor who as picked up a calf injury he was in the team against Leicester in place of the injured Andrew Taylor.

Others from the Leicester game on the treatment table Mark Hudson and Craig Conway who have both rolled their ankles are to have scans. However, they are expected to miss the Saints game, but could be back for the Hull trip to take some pressure off Mackay.

With goalkeeper Tom Heaton out and with defender Ben Turner yet to make his debut since joining at the end of August, think are not looking good for Mackay. Stephen McPhail received a groin strain in the Leicester Carling Cup game last week and there is suggestion he could be there or there about fitness wise, the possibility more likely for Saturday. Dekel Keinan is reported to be edging towards fitness, but doubtful for tomorrow.

It should be an interesting team section tomorrow ...... If Malky wants to know here is my starting eleven.

Marshall

McNaughton Blake Gerrard Quinn

Whittingham Gunnarson Kiss Cowie

Miller Mason

Malaysian Beckham flies home

THE ‘Malaysian David Beckham’ has returned to Malaysia with a taste of UK football and a taste for more, and would like to return to Cardiff.

Malaysia striker Safee Sali has been on trial with Cardiff City for two week but his dream could end before they ever got started over visa issue. He said,

Sali at the Cardiff City Stadium

"I have really had a good experience here, one that is beneficial for my football career, and also one that will benefit the national team.

"The training here is indeed more professional and there is much to learn from them; full concentration, speed and fast and decisive actions. Their standards are really high," he said.

"Football is a team game and I know what I bring back with me will benefit my team. This kind of opportunity is indeed very valuable and I hope many more will have the chance to train here and together, we can form a top team for the country."

Official Cardiff City website see what Mackay has to say 

Shelvey linked to the Bluebirds

THIS morning Cardiff City are again linked with an up and coming young Premiership star of the future. A few days ago it was Manchester United striker Federico Macheda today a number of newspapers have Liverpool midfielder Jonjo Shelvey as a target.

 

 

Another rumour that could be shot down in flames, but the story it is out there. Cardiff City boss Malky Mackay is in the market to sign some loan players, but with an already packed midfield is there a place for him. That the moment it must be yes, with all the injuries picked up in the two games with Leicester City. With tomorrow’s, game against Southampton and then a trip to Hull City on Saturday there is an international break give the injured players a chance to regain their fitness.

 

 

Has for Shelvey he joined Liverpool from Charlton in April 2010, for an initial fee of £1.7m, raising to £3.4m with add-ons. He has started just four of his 22 games for Liverpool and also an England U21 player. Mackay stated a few days ago that the pool of loan players is small so expects plenty of competition players.

Cardiff City Team v Leicester City (League)

One thing for sure there will be no extra-time or penalties today at the CCS, but just 90 minutes with some injury time.

I expected both managers to play around with the starting line-up for today’s game from that teams they played Wednesday for the nights Carling Cup fixture and they did.

So who have the Cardiff boss Malky Mackay dropped from Wednesday night. Out goes the back four to be replaced by McNaughton Hudson Gerrard and Naylor keeps his place after coming on Wednesday night. In midfield out goes McPhail and Mason with Whittingham, Conway, Gunnarsson in with Kiss and Cowie has Malky plays five in midfield with Miller up front as the lone striker.

Marshall 

McNaughton Hudson Gerrard Naylor  

Kiss Whittingham Cowie Conway Gunnarsson  

Miller

Substitutes Parish, Blake, Earnshaw, Gestede, Mason,

United striker loosely linked to Cardiff

CARDIFF CITY are being linked to Manchester United striker Federico Macheda according to the Sunday Star with the paper suggesting that Bluebirds boss Malky Mackay has not refused to rule out a loan move for the players.

If United boss Sir Alex Ferguson was to single a willingness to loan out 20, Macheda the competition would be intense to sign him up from the Premier League and Championship.

Mackay said, “United, like many others, are a club who are still in the Carling Cup and you saw the other night that they are playing a lot of their talented youngsters”.

The Cardiff management have a good relationship with they counter parts at United through from former boss Dave Jones who brought in Tom Heaton and Danny Drinkwater. While present boss Malky MacKay when he was at Watford where he nurtured United midfield Tom Cleverley.

It is just a rumour with the loan window expect to take off next week as clubs take full advantage of the 93 day rule on loan deals. The rule gives clubs the option to resign players after the 93 days so extending any deals until the end of the season if so desiered.

Home to Burnley next round of the Carling Cup

We miss the might Aldershot in the fourth round draw of the Carling Cup they got a home game against Manchester United. As for Cardiff City, we also have a home tie against Championship rivals Burnley.

While Aldershot fans are dancing in the streets it is a bit of a dump squid for some Cardiff City fans, but not me. Home advantage and a beatable opponent who we have already taken a point of in the league with a 1-1 draw a few weeks back.

Cardiff and Burnley have some Carling/League Cup history going back a few years but the competition has total changed now with managers being so tactical with their players.

Full draw  

Wolves v Manchester City 

Cardiff v Burnley 

Blackburn v Newcastle United 

Arsenal v Bolton 

Stoke v Liverpool  

Aldershot v Manchester United 

Crystal Palace v Southampton

Everton v Chelsea

City loan keeper as cover for Heaton

CARDIFF CITY boss Malky Mackay as moved into the loan market to bring in cover for goalkeeper Tom Heaton who has a calf injury. Aston Villa keeper Elliott Parish has joined on a loan that will expire on the 13th November 2011 according to sources.

The 21-year-old keeper is yet to feature for the Premiership club having come through the Aston Villa's Academy. He had a short loan period with League 2 club Lincoln City until the end of the season. He has a disaster debut losing 6-0 to Rotherham United.

Official Cardiff City Website 

Cardiff suffered some casualties from the Carling Cup clash with Leicester City with both Stephen McPhail and Andrew Taylor in the treatment room.

It is bad news for McPhail who had only just come back from injury to only last 30 minutes in his comeback game. He limped off with what the club describe has a minor groin injury and could be out for up to two weeks.

It was also a bad night Taylor who also had to leave the pitch with a hamstring injury. His injury was later diagnosed to be a tear of his hamstring that will also keep him out for up to two weeks.

On Taylor the Cardiff City boss Malky Mackay said, “It is not as bad as it could have been. He could have been out of six weeks but he could be back within a fortnight. “We do have options within the squad to deal with it.”

A long with goalkeeper Heaton, Ben Turner is out with a groin injury.

The Carling Cup always the bridesmaid never the bride

Cardiff City ended up 9-8 winners at the Cardiff City Stadium last night, but you have to factor into score line a 7-6 penalty shootout into that score.

Therefore, we are in the draw for the fourth Round which we take place on Saturday lunchtime on Sky Sports show Soccer Saturday. We will have to wait until after presenter Jeff Stelling and his pundits of the day finish there usually, homage/love-in with all things Premier League before they get around to the draw round 'something to one' I suppose.

There are some really interesting names in the pot for the next round, 

Liverpool, Cardiff, Chelsea, Everton, Man City, Southampton, Aldershot, Arsenal, Bolton, Blackburn, Burnley, C Palace, Man Utd, Newcastle, Stoke, and Wolves

The games kick-off the week starting Oct 24th and with Sky offering a free pass to its Sports Channels, you could watch the draw and the Cardiff City v Leicester City league game on Sunday. If you are not a Sky subscribers just check the channel this weekend (Virgin subscribers etc).

One team stands out from the rest! No it not Manchester United, but Aldershot who I class has the most beatable team left in the competition, no disrespect to them, but there are a lot of fans thinking that today. I suppose it is disrespecting Aldershot classed them has beatable. They themselves will have their fingers crossed for a big payday with one of the top Premiership clubs. So does that make them disrespectful to us?

Fans are already talking about Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester City and of course, Liverpool and Bellamy while I would like to see them play each other while we progress quietly through the back door. Any of those teams in the final would suit me fine knowing that losing we could still be winners. They should all gain qualification for Europe via the Premier League mean the Carling Cup loser could be a winner with a spot in Europe.

We are three games from another trip to Wembley and a possibility of European football. Without some kind of a deal on entry back into the Welsh Cup the best route for the Bluebirds to bring back European football nights back to Cardiff.

The game last night saw a measly 8,000+ turnout with some fans demanding where the 13,000+ that disappeared from the last home game went. Most should make reappearance on Sunday for the League game. An even bigger crowd is on the cards for the top of the table clash with Southampton next Wednesday night. Why because it has always been like that since the beginning of the competition back in 1960? Fans just do not dig the League/Carling Cup.

A simply stat from history

• Average attendance in the League before Cardiff first ever game in the League Cup in 1960, 30.000+
• The first home game in the League Cup was only 12,000 for the newly launched competition and in the FA Cup that season 25.000+.

It has always been the same, the League Cup has always been the poor relation to the FA Cup and the League.

The big question should be with 17,000 plus season ticket holders these uber or ultimate fans to be found? A lot were not in the ground. Some of them are quick to have a bash at non-season ticket holders or part time support they like to label them has. Are they waiting on some kind of a freebie or something, you can bet they will be flashing their season tickets if we pull Manchester United out of the draw Sunday. I hope the club would give priority to fans who watch the previous Carling Cup game in that case.

Managers, players and fans all put down the Carling Cup even me calling in the ‘Reserves Cup’, but I would still like to see the Bluebirds win it and see the trophy in the trophy cabinet at the Cardiff City Stadium. The fourth round might be too early for some of the managers to think about first team squad again it will be down to whom they are playing. Domestic Cups are taking a back sit to Champions League football, promotion and general league survive a point in case is what happen to the three promoted to the Premiership last season, they all crash out in embarrassing results with the mind set on ‘must not get relegated’ even this early into the season. The words of the QPR boss Neil Warnock just about sums it up,

"I'm not disappointed to be out. "If I can't get motivated for the competition I can't blame the players if they can't."

I am thinking you cannot get your players motivated for a chance at European football because if they are dream on about Champions League football dream on and they also have little chance of qualifying via a league place either. I said it before the only thing on the mind of managers in the bottom half of the league is preserve their Premier League status.

Cardiff City team v Leicester City (Carling Cup)

Its Carling Cup night so it all changed on the squad front for Cardiff City boss Malky Mackay. It was expected and well signed posted he would be making changes the same with the Leicester City boss choices for tonight.

Marshall,

Quinn (c), Keinan, Blake, Taylor

McPhail, Kiss, Cowie, Mason,

Gestede, Earnie

Bench: - Santiago, Gerrard, Naylor, Evans, Whittingham, Conway, Gunnarsson

Only four in the starting line-up from the draw at Blackpool at the weekend surprisingly no Heaton in goals or on the bench.

The Beast out on loan

When Cardiff City striker Jon Parkin was link to a move to Coventry City has part of the deal to bring Ben Turner to the Cardiff City stadium, it look as Parkin was becoming surplus to requirements that the Bluebirds.

Allow there has been no official statement for either club he his strongly tipped to be going out on loan to bottom club Doncaster Rovers for a month. The player himself confirmed the news on Twitter

@Parky08 - Jon Parkin It's true people. Just signed for donny for a month. Looking forward to playing some games thanks for all your well wishes.

Since he surprisingly joined the Bluebirds back in January he has been more and less a bit part player starting just five games and a handful of substitute appearances. He has become a favorite of Cardiff fans and has a large following among City fans on twitter.

Carling Cup = Reserve Cup

SVEN-GORAN ERIKSSON boss at Leicester City is under pressure after a fairly poor start to the season, a league there was slated to dominate after their big summer spending spree. There have been talks in the press of replacement being lined-up, job on the line and all that. Cardiff next two games are against Leicester in the Carling Cup tomorrow night and Sunday in the league games, that will be live on Sky Sports.

Back to the Carling Cup it will be interesting the kind of team both managers to start with. Cardiff City boss Malky Mackey has been playing fringe players and the returning wound will he continue or throw in the same line-up that drew with Blackpool last Saturday.

It has been confirmed defender Ben Turner misses the Leicester game tomorrow after he pick-up a strain in training. If Malky does rest player Rob Earnshaw who was in the bench Saturday would be hoping for a start with Jon Parking and Rudy Gestede hoping to get the nod to start alongside him if Mackay plays two up front. Midfielder Stephen McPhail will be hoping to kick start his season by playing some part in the game after a long come back from injury.

Eriksson is buoyant after a win over top of the table Brighton on the weekend and said he does not see the Carling Cup as a distraction and would like to see his team go as far as impossible in the competition. Unbeaten over our last five games in all competitions and we want to keep that form going but even he plans to rest players.

The winner team tomorrow will be four game away from a Wembley final and a possible place in the UEFA Europa League. Unlike the FA Cup, where 825 clubs apply to enter with 763 clubs had been accepted the League Cup is made up of 92 clubs can enter the League Cup – the 20 Premier League clubs, and the 72 clubs of The Football League.

Malaysian national coach City bound?

A report in the Malay Mail is suggesting at Malaysian national coach K Rajagobal heading Cardiff City way, but boss Malky Mackay need not worry it is believed to be a learning visit for the Malaysian.

The details are very sketchy, but the story seems to have come out of a conversation between Rajagobal and Cardiff City chairman Datuk Chan Tien Ghee at a recent function.

There is also the suggesting that Mackey could go the other way and pass on his training tactics. The Malaysian owners seem intent on creating strong links between Malaysia and Cardiff City be it senior level or youth level. It will be interesting to see if the on off tour out to Malaysia will happen next summer.

For the link to the story, (Click Here)

Dumbaya my lord, Dumbaya... (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.

While you're here we may as well tell you about this week's pod. It's called "Dumbaya my lord, Dumbaya" and it contains discourse on Filip Kiss's tackle, Kevin McNaughton's runs and Don Cowie's suppleness.

It also features our first ever View From The NiniFEM and a new feature catchily entitled Pre-View From The Nini-Enemy.

Now, don't you think you'd better come on inside, wipe that smile off your face and prepare for an hour of drudgery?

DIOLCH

'We're certainly going to be looking' - Mackay on loan players

Still no news on any loan players coming in, as it looks more than likely that Cardiff City manager Malky Mackay will wait and make full use of the 93-day loan rule.

During the Emergency loan period players can only be loaned out for 28-day to a maximum of 93-days although free agents can be signed by a club at any time in the season, if they had been released by their previous club before the end of the transfer window.

By waiting before moving into the loan market early it gives Mackay the ability to extending any loan signings that end in December/January until the end of the season without much disruption to his squad. It could also give an option for him to loan out a few fringe players himself.

The scuttle bug/rumour mill whatever is suggesting he has players in mind and line up and seeing the lack of movement among the Championship teams in the loan market so far Mackay is unlikely to be alone next week in the search for new blood. He said earlier in the week,

"We're certainly going to be looking.  

"It is a small pool you have to fish in of who the Premier League clubs would like to loan out.  

"Even among that there is criteria like wages that are astronomical or youngsters who are not ready to play in the Championship yet. 

"So there's a small band and I would imagine about 15 clubs in this league are looking for them - and we're one of them. 

"We certainly need a little bit of strength in depth if we are going to make it through a 46-game league season. 

"We need strengthening in every area."

Looks like he will be checking out players who have missed the Premiership 25 players squad rule have are many good young players who could be available or experience he wants. There is a busy programme of games coming up Cardiff starting with a tough away trip to Blackpool on Saturday followed by a home double header with Leicester City both at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Next Wednesday the face each other in the third round of the Carling Cup and a televised League game the following Sunday.

Ex Cardiff defender to the MLS

Mark Gower and Miguel Comminges
battle it out South Wales derby

FORMER Cardiff City defender and Guadeloupe international Miguel Comminges has joined MLS club Colorado Rapids.

He joined the Bluebirds in 2008 on a free transfer from Swindon signing a two-year deal but was only ever a bit part player with the club is time was also blighted by injury.

He saw his contract out playing just over 30 games in two years, but he was surprisingly given a six months extension by former manager Dave Jones to help him regain his fitness due to a other injury.

In November 2010, he when on a short-term loan deal to Carlisle United with an option for the deal to become permanent, should the loan be a success. He only played one game while at Carlisle a FA Cup win over Tamworth and return to Cardiff at the end of December.

He was soon off on his travels after the club gave him a free transfer to Southend United in January. He was released in the summer and has now remerged in America. Now at Colorado Rapids he is eligible for Tuesday night's CONCACAF Champions League match against Mexican Santos Laguna. Rapids coach Gary Smith said,

“Miguel is a talented, versatile defender, and will give our squad even better depth by providing another option at left or right back. “He has trained with the club a good deal in the last month, and we’re excited to officially welcome him into the team.”

Smith has revealed he has been tracking Comminges for a while through links with Cardiff City Good luck in the MLS to Comminges

All nice to win and bank three points

Good to his word Cardiff City striker Rob Earnshaw did not take long to get back into scoring ways after the nightmare miss against England mid-week with a goal at the Cardiff City Stadium this afternoon.

Before the game fans gave, a tremendous minute’s applause to fan Mike Dye, which many felt, was better than a minute silence and I believe his family specifically asked for. Players for both teams wore black armbands in the memory of Mr Dye.

The Bluebirds run out 2-0 winners against lowly Doncaster (bottom of the table) with the goals coming in the second half with defender Anthony Gerrard who opened the scoring followed by Earnshaw. The goal came from a classic Peter Whittingham free kick that found the head of Gerrard who guided the ball into the net.

Whittingham opened the up the way for Earnshaw goal when his shot was deflected into the path of the goal hungry striker to fire home from close range. A good win in a scrape game for Cardiff City boss Malky Mackay who kept faith was the team that draw 1-1 with Portsmouth two weeks ago. That means three points in the bag and Cardiff back into the top six in the league.

Midfielder Filip Kiss made his debut today coming off the bench with around 10 minutes to go and we now have Blackpool away to look forward to next Saturday. After Wembley, we owe then a good spanking. Cardiff manager Malky Mackay praised his players after the 2-0 home win over Doncaster.

"I'm satisfied with the performance and the result. We were playing a difficult customer because of the way Doncaster play.  

"I've known how they play for a long time and Sean is the longest serving manager in the league. 

"They are always a threat going forward with nimble, nifty players who create chances and play off lines. They always threaten your goal so I'm delighted with the clean sheet. 

"But we started on fire and we came close to scoring twice in the first minute. 

"We did the same in the first minute of the second half as well so I was delighted with the way we set to our task in both halves. 

"It took time but I thought our fitness, particularly in the second half, showed. There was a frustration with a few of our final passes and we gave away some decent possession. 

"But, overall, we lifted the tempo, showed we had learnt from our mistakes in the first half, and did more than enough to earn the points - which you have to do to get anything in this division - to win the game. 

"Good players and good guys at their sport have an inner self-belief that they keep doing the right thing. Eventually you succeed. "I had no doubts about Robert Earnshaw scoring goals at this level and for Wales."

Football is back and Jarvis on loan to Newport

Goodbye to the international break only until the start of next month, but league football is back and Cardiff face bottom of the table Doncaster at the Cardiff City stadium.

Yesterday the transfer loans window opens up and it is known Cardiff City boss Malky Mackay plans to dip is toe into it for two or three players. Rumour has it he is on the lookout for possible a midfielder, striker, a wide player who only Mackay knows and he will be playing close to his chest.

With the Premiership clubs fixed to their 25 player squads there should be some good 'pickings', but there is bound to be competition from other club. Cardiff only has one loan played at the moment midfielder Filip Kiss whose yet to make his debut for the club.

Will the Cardiff boss be loan out any of this squad rumour, there is always a rumour striker Jon Parkin could if a new striker was to come in?There was a willingness of the club to let the big man go to Coventry as part of the Ben Turner deal that part of the deal flew through over wages repentantly.

The young striker Nat Jarvis confirmed this morning on Twitter he was going on a month's loan to Newport County in search of first team football. There has been no confirmation from either club at the time of publishing this article.

Craig Bellamy. Signed Liverpool free. Cardiff City no. (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.





We're back! After our very own international break Ben and Adam have returned to weep over Craig Bellamy's decision to join Liverpool, to ponder Malky's capture of the Turner-nator, and to vaguely reminisce about the Pompey game. PLUS! View From The NiniFAN returns, Optimism/Guestimism corner continues and Ben swears. A lot. Buh bye. x

Caribbean sun for Jarvis internationally

Wales seemed to have turned up their nose on the ability of Cardiff City striker Nat Jarvis but Antigua and Barbuda and keen for him to join their international squad. Along with a number of other eligible UK base players he was invited to play in a couple of friendlies before the World Cup qualifiers against Curacao last weekend a game they win 5-2.

The young striker has not played at any level for Wales and the product of the Cardiff City youth system is a bit frustrated with the situation, but he is eligible via his grandfather to turn out for the Caribbean team. He was unable to join up with the Antigua and Barbuda squad this time. He is however considering his future options and could take up the offer for the next round of games in their World Cup qualifiers next month or could Wales finally step in.

In the craziness of the FIFA world rankings Antigua are placed at 106 while Wales a 117. Tony Rees, of Blue Chip London, who represent Jarvis, told the South Wales Echo,

“Nat has been bitterly disappointed to be overlooked by Wales at all levels. 

“I have written to Wales manager Gary Speed and copied in age level coach Brian Flynn. But nothing has been resolved and Antigua, who are above Wales in the world rankings, are keen for him to be in their squad. 

“We will check the Antigua fixture schedule and talk things through with Cardiff before making a final decision. 

“But Nat is keen to play for a country playing World Cup qualifying matches now and keen to qualify for the Olympic Games next year.”

He is a first year professional, he will need to concentrate on his future with Cardiff City more than anything else it is his bread and butter job. If Jarvis was to play in the Olympics, the schedule runs from 26 July 2012 until 10 August when the final takes place. If Cardiff extends his one-year contract, his decision will mean him missing most if not all of pre-season.

Road to Wenbley - Merthyr Town

It was  FA Cup time last the weekend, Merthyr Town continued their winning ways and moved on to the First Qualifying Round of the FA Cup after beating Longwell Green Sports 1-0 at home. They will face Cinderford Town in the next round on the 27 Sept at Penydarren Park.

Match Report

The route so far

Preliminary Round Sat, 3 Sept 2011 Merthyr Town v Longwell Green Sports Att 345  

(Reply) Extra Preliminary Round Wed, 24 August 2011 AFC Bitton 1- 2 Merthyr Town Att 248  

Extra Preliminary Round Sat, 20 August 2011 Merthyr Town 2-2 AFC Bitton Att 323

The Road to Nowhere (Welsh Cup)

It was Welsh Cup weekend again so how did the teams this blog is following get on. Local Cardiff team Splott Albion progressed to the next round beating AFC Llwydcoed 1-0 at home. For there troubles they face a trip to Bridgend in the next round.

In the northern section after beating Brickfield Rangers, 1-4 Builth Wells will be travelling to the outskirts of Cardiff to play Dinas Powys v Builth Wells.

The draw was drawn this morning for the Round 1 games which are to be played over the weekend of 1/2 October 2011 with the draw competition no longer regionalised.

Round One Dinas Powys v Builth Wells  

Round One Bridgend v Splott Albion

The route so far

Southern Section  

2nd Qualifying Round Sat, 3 Aug 2011 Splott Albion 1-0 AFC Llwydcoed Att  

1st Qualifying Round Sat, 26 Aug 2011 Trethomas Bluebirds 0-1 Splott Albion (AET) Att  

Northern Section 

2nd Qualifying Round Sat, 3 Sept 2011 Brickfield Rangers 1-4 Builth Wells Att  

1st Qualifying Round Sat, 26 Aug 2011 Builth Wells 3-2 Llanberis Att

Something the FAW should look into is attendances or the lack of information surrounding them or are they a state secret our something. They must have been some fans at the above games even their individual websites are of little use. The only hope you have is if a ground hopper makes the game and does a quick estimate.

"You always have regrets in football." - Dave Jones

The former Cardiff City manager Dave Jones was on the Sky Goals on Sunday this morning, talked about his failure to win promotion, and is rocky relationship with the local newspaper.

"You always have regrets in football. 

"Mine's not being able to go that one step and give them what everybody wanted, which was the Premier League.

"You can look for many excuses, you can look for the reasons why it didn't happen and I'm pretty comfortable with the time I had. "I had six good years, I was the fourth longest serving [manager in English football], which is crazy because six years isn't a great deal of time - certainly for what Cardiff wanted to do.

We were always servicing debt. If they'd kept the players we brought through - Roger Johnson, Cameron Jerome Aaron Ramsey and all these players - there were so fantastic players, but each year we had to sell.

"I knew the circumstances I was going into at Cardiff, that they were always going to have to sell to survive. But you sell your best players and for some reason you should be better the next season? 

"To be fair, with the help of some fantastic staff, we did a really good job there and I'm very proud of what I achieved. "My only regret is I couldn't take them that one step. People have asked me: 'Why didn't it happen?' I've looked at every reason and every excuse and we just fell short. "We just weren't good enough to achieve it."

Love him or loath him you have to agree with Jones we are a selling club and are like to be the same in the near future as well. Without the cash generated by the likes Ramsey and Johnson, where would the club be today? He tried keeping players to help gain a chance of the promise land like Joe Ledley, but that failed Cardif should have sold him when he  did not sign an extension on his contract.

When he did not sign alarm bell should have rung somewhere in the boardroom and sell because he was always going to go. Any player with a year left on his contract who could generate a transfer fee and  does not extend their contract should be sold in my book. Staying with Cardiff did not bring about the desired result and he walks on a free transfer at the end of the season the same with Jay Bothroyd last season who walk mean the loss millions.

Has a Cardiff City fan you can say old Jones has not given us fans an exciting time FA Cup Final, Play-off Final/Semi-Final and promotion battles to spice it up, but never gave us the final spot. He also talked of his problems with the local press namely the South Wales Echo and their sister papers. He branded local journalists who criticised his role in the 1-0 defeat against Swansea City as ‘buffoons and fools who know nothing about football’ at the time he said,

“I’ve been character assassinated, but they didn’t character assassinate me when I won the previous six games,” he ranted at his pre-match media briefing ahead of tonight’s clash at Reading.  

You lose one against local rivals and you are the worst. 

“We lost a football match and we are gutted. We know we didn’t play particularly well, but there was hardly anything between the teams.

“There were no clear cut chances. That’s my opinion. Unfortunately we couldn’t make it seven wins on the trot.”

Today on Goals on Sunday, he said the treatment Stephen McPhail received in a Swansea game that was the cause of their disagreements. but did not play in the last seasons games he was unused on the bench. The season before that he played, he played in the win over our West Wales rivals, but not in the return game. In the 2009/10 season Cardiff played them three times with a Carling Cup fixture and McPhail was shown the red card in two of those games. Jones said today,

"Where did it originally come from? They character assassinated Stephen McPhail in a game against Swansea and continued to do that.  

"I wasn't happy with that and actually spoke to one of the reporters and asked him why - and because they are supporters as well as reporters it's very difficult to give an unbiased opinion. There's a boy who's fighting cancer and I wasn't happy with the character assassination.  

"It didn't matter about me because you get that all the time, but somewhere along the line we lost touch with each other and as long as I kept getting results it was always going to be about results.  

"But when one of them says his ambition is to get me out of my job then why should I speak to them?  

"I never had a problem with any of the nationals and I should have been bigger and probably repaired some of the damage, but once it's done it's very hard to go back. It does upset you when things are said and I don't think they went about it in the right way. 

"If you're talking about regrets then yes, maybe I should have repaired that rapport with them, but sometimes you get stubborn as well."

International football for some

Cardiff City will have a number of players scattered around the world of international duty with Cardiff boss clearly hoping all this players come back fit and well.

City has two players in the Welsh squad Darcy Blake and Rob Earnshaw both likely to play some part in either of the two games due to played Montenegro tomorrow at the CCS and away to England on Wednesday. No Cardiff players are in the Welsh under 21s squad but have Alex Evans, Jon Meades and Ibrahim Farrar on standby.

There was a later call-up to the Scottish squad when Cardiff City keeper David Marshall was call-up joining Don Cowie and Kenny Miller in the squad. Filip Kiss has reported to the Slovakia under 21 squad according to the Slovakia FA website to play Kazakhstan on 6 September and must be a concern to the Cardiff City manager have just returned to fitness after a injury.

Icelandic international Aron Gunnarsson was original in the Iceland's European Championship Qualifying squad but was release due to his injury allow he is expect to be fit for Cardiff next league game.

Non City - technically not free then

Found this on the internet and it gave me a bit of a chuckle.


TODAY has tested my positive attitude to the limit!

It started oh so well!

I won a Clark's Pie last week from their twitter feed >>>>>> SEE LINK to article