Well we can't be relegated

That’s it for me no more take of the play-off, if Cardiff City end up in one of those four spots, then it will be time to get all excited. At the start of the season, I wrote I would be happy with a mid-season finish, maybe a bit of a charge at the play-offs. To date we have spent most of the season in the top six or just outside and been on another Cup run to Wembley, this season as far from been a failure. Maybe the step up to the top table will past us by again, who knows.

I do find it incredible that City boss Malky Mackay has stuck with this 4-5-1 it just don’t seem to work it did to some extent in the first half of the season, now it just doesn’t work now. I feel every manager in the league have worked Mackay’s game plan and can pick the team weeks in advance. Next Saturday he with face fellow manager Tony Mowbray has Cardiff make the long journey to Middlesbrough. What homework will he have to do? 'Next Saturday we face Cardiff City, they will play 4-5-1 and the team will be …... Mackay might has well name is team now, I just hope there will be a surprise or two for Mowbray. We have drawn 16 games from 40 games, last season at the same point of games played we had drawn 9 and 11 for the whole season.

Cardiff briefly moved up a place to seventh thanks to today’s draw until the late kick-off and Blackpool’s 3-0 win over top of the table Southampton. Still the Welshman are only two points off fourth place in the table with Birmingham, Blackpool, Brighton and Middlesbrough above the Bluebirds. Birmingham play their game in hand on Tuesday and a win could see them move five points clear of Cardiff.

Seven games to

The few games played in midweek end favourable for the Bluebirds and they remain in eighth place mainly due to bottom club Portsmouth beating ninth place Hull City

In other games relevant to the play-off chase West Ham won and consolidated, the third place 10 points ahead of the rest of the teams looking for an end of the season play-off spot. Middlesbrough could only manage a 1-1 draw away at Ipswich Town.

The top three places look to be more or less sorted it only left to see which two will go up automatically leaving one to go into the lottery of the play-off. There are six or seven teams chasing the final three play-off places. It’s all equal with every with seven games to play expect for Birmingham who have a game in hand it could be vital for them. Every fan of these clubs knows one thing that to be in it you have to win your games.

The weekend fixtures relevant to Cardiff City promotion aspirations

Fri - Doncaster Rovers v Birmingham City 

Sat - Cardiff City v Millwall

Sat - Brighton and Hove Albion v Middlesbrough 

Sat - Hull City v Coventry  

Sat - Leeds United v Watford 

Sat - West Ham United v Reading 

Sat - Blackpool v Southampton

Some good deeds could come Cardiff’s way if fixtures go their way. Wins for bottom club Doncaster plus Coventry, West Ham, and Southampton could revival the Welshman play-off chances. A nice boring draw between Brighton and Middlesbrough but that’s only relevant if we win.

Seven games to go or could it be ten there was to be another Play-off final all I know it's going to be a nail biting finish to the season. 

What the papers are saying

There were a few snippets of news in some of the press today plus some summer transfer rumour. I will get the transfer rumour out of the way first. It involves Sheffield United defender Matt Lowton according to the Sun apparently, he is a £3m target. Has well as Cardiff City other interested are Ipswich and Burnley according to the Rumour Mill. Lowton has scored five goals for the League 1 club and only signed a contract extension last summer.

In other news, reports have Cardiff offering academy player Theo Wharton a two-year professional contract with the Bluebirds. The 17-year-old made his first team debut from the bench for the Bluebirds in January’s FA Cup defeat at West Bromwich Albion. There is no official word from the club on this story on the time of publishing this article.

The Daily Star is reporting Paul Quinn is out for the rest of the season with an ankle problem. Quinn has been out of favour at the Cardiff City Stadium and but for run outs in the early rounds of the Carling Cup and a FA Cup game against West Bromwich. He has only had 30 minutes or so of league time this season. Quinn will be out of contract in June and with no talk of contract discussions, he could be leaving the club in June.

Keinan crosses the Seven on loan

Out of favour defender, Dekel Keinan has joined Bristol City on loan from until the end of the season according to the Official Cardiff City website. It did not help that he incurred a number of injuries.

He joined Cardiff City, for an undisclosed fee, in January 2011 from Blackpool and to regular used by former manager Dave Jones, but on the . Keinan made his debut for Cardiff in a 1-0 away win against local rivals Swansea City.

If fact this season he as only had, a minute or so league time and beside to run outs in the early round of the Carling Cup and a start against Wet Brom in the FA Cup he could not make the bench. He had a loan spell with Crystal Palace in November. Cardiff was reported to have turned down a £500,000 offer from Palace in January and a move to take him back on loan and it was turned down by the Welsh club.

The chase is on

Could three points be more called for tonight than at the Cardiff City Stadium, with Cardiff City, needing the points to shoot up the table from eighth to fourth depending on results. While the visitors Coventry City, are desperate for the points to help them pull out of the bottom three. Mackay will not be taking them for granted just before they have yet to win an away game this season.

“It’s another team who are absolutely desperate for points.
“It’s not that different because most teams in the division are desperate for points. They are a team fighting for their lives.
“But we see things all the time like last weekend Doncaster going to Upton Park and getting a point and Coventry themselves nearly nicked a win at Watford.
“No games are easy in this division. There’s always something to fight for. “We will need to be patient as teams away from home can set up quite conservatively and the home team does need to be patient. “You have to probe and solve the fact that teams are trying to thwart your attacking nature.
“We have to be conscious of that and be brave.
“We need to be calm and, if it takes until the last five minutes, I think during the next five games that is something we are going to have to be conscious of.”

For Cardiff City fans one big question is who will be on the team sheet and will Cardiff boss Malky Mackay make any changes to the starting eleven. Rudy Gestede has recovered from injury and is libel to be back in contention to be in tonight’s squad. He is like to be on the bench if fit enough so who will be pushed off to make way, Rob Earnshaw. Stephen McPhail back for illness and made an appearance off the bench on Sunday will he get a promotion to the starting line-up.

Last night game could have gone better for the Welshman with a number of team around them dropping points. Birmingham, Reading, Hull and Leeds all lost, with Leeds spectacular losing 7-3 to Nottingham Forest. West Ham and Middlesbrough fought out 1-1 draw, Brighton and Southampton winners on the night. Play-off rivals Blackpool have a home game tonight against Leicester City, an away win would be helpful.

The Cardiff boss has call the rest of the season a nine game season starting tonight, fight talk from the manager, but will the players respond to the call. The visitors tonight on their league travels have earned just four points with a measly seven goals to their name. Although goals have kind of dried up for the Bluebirds who have failed to score in their last three home games and main striker Kenny Miller hasn’t scored in the last twelve games.

Again in the South Wales Echo Mackay said  

“We look at things in the cold light of day and the fact we didn’t score is something obviously we are disappointed with. 

“But goals in general have not proved too hard to come by. 

“Things are obviously pinpointed more when you are not winning. 

“You look to who you can shine the light on. 

“I saw a stat that we have scored the most goals from, set-pieces and that is one I have to be delighted with. 

“But it’s something we keep looking at and keep finding ways of dealing with. 

“I was delighted with the clean sheet against Burnley though. 

“For the last hour of the game there was not one shot on our goal.”

Three points please

CARDIFF CITY faces lowly Coventry City tomorrow in the battle of the CCFC’s the last of a three-run of home game for the Welshman. Everyone was banking on these games for a good points haul, but only a point out of a possible six is not a good return.

Coventry has yet to win a league game away from home this season, but has my dad reminded me ‘there is always a first time’ and with Cardiff luck, they could break their duck tomorrow night. It’s been awhile since us fans have tasted the sweet smell of victory at home, you have to go back to Valentine Night for last the time Cardiff won a game a 3-1 win over Peterborough.

That night we were third in the league and were only four points from then top of the table West Ham, today we are 14 points off leaders Southampton looking at the play-off if Cardiff boss Malky Mackay and the squad can turn the recent form in wins. Only the victory since the Peterborough game was the Sevenside derby game away at Bristol City to give us any joy.

No need to panic has we are still in the mix for a play-off finish, but it is getting a bit crowd so the need to get back into winning ways are great. Boss Mackay looks to have a full squad with Rudy Gestede set to be available and Stephen McPhail back in contention after illness while fans look for changes to the starting line-up, Mackay recently sticks close to the same eleven. The return of Gestede could see Rob Earnshaw loses his place on the bench, which will irate some supporters so everyone will be eager to eye the team sheet Wednesday. The local press and the majority of fan want to see Mackay fresh up is match day squad.

It is a busy mid-week fixture list for the Championship - () denotes league position as of today

Tue 20 Mar Brighton (9) V Derby (11) 

Tue 20 Mar Hull (7) V Southampton (1) 

Tue 20 Mar Leeds United (10) V Nottingham Forest (20) 

Tue 20 Mar Peterborough (18) V Reading (2) 

Tue 20 Mar Portsmouth (24) V Birmingham (4) 

Tue 20 Mar West Ham (3) V Middlesbrough (6) 

Wed 21 Mar Cardiff (8) V Coventry (22) 

Wed 21 Mar Blackpool (5) V Leicester (12)

Time is running if Cardiff boss Mackay wants to dip is toe in the loan transfer window it shuts on Thursday are we going to see a new face or two to bolster our final promotion push.

Cardiff in talks with Heaton

MIGHT seem a bit late but Cardiff City are reported to be talking to goalkeeper Tom Heaton whose contract runs out in the summer.

Second choice when it comes to the League at Cardiff his exploits in the Carling Cup has caught the attention of a number of clubs. Without the prospect of first team football, he could leave to club in the summer on a free, which is also a plus for any interested teams.

Cardiff City manager Malky Mackay has current number one David Marshall under contract along with 21-year-old Elliot Parish who after a loan spell with the Bluebirds he signed a one and a half year contract in January.

The Cardiff boss would like to keep all his goalkeepers tell the BBC website, “Tom is absolutely a Championship goalkeeper and has proved that this season.

“To have them pushing each other this season has certainly helped us.

“I would love Tom to stay. He is a top professional who is good among the lads. He is good company.

“He is also one of those who, when he is among the subs, is making sure everybody else on the bench is focused on the game. Tom is, like David Marshall, a model of consistency.

“I understand the amount of football he wants to play. I will be having the conversation with Tom on his future.”

Welsh Cup on the cards again

Phil Stant lifting the last time Cardiff won the
Welsh City 5-0 against Rhyl 1993

ON the BBC Sports page, that old chestnut of Cardiff City playing in the Welsh Cup has raised its head again. Cardiff, Swansea City, Newport and Merthyr Tydfil were invited play in the Welsh Cup but the two league teams declined while the latter two accepted the Football Association of Wales invitation.

Lack of information was one of the reasons Cardiff declined the offer. The club and then manager Dave Jones were reported to be excited with the proposal at the outset but there was just not enough time to progress.

The FAW are talking with the European body in charge of football in Europe, UEFA, to allow the Premier clubs in Welsh football a route back into Europe. No competitive European football for the Bluebirds since 1993 and a few seasons later they were barred from Europe with the rest Welsh clubs playing over the border in England.

That was nearly two decades ago and since then Cardiff has only had two chances to win a place in Europe from the two recent Cup Finals. If Cardiff were to enter the Welsh Cup the compromise would be mean them pulling out of the FA Cup and the League Cup finals. If Cardiff were to pull out of the competition, would the possibility of European football satisfy the fans? A definite decision will be made soon and then it will be up to the exiled clubs if it goes the way of FAW.

FAW chief Jonathan Ford: "There's going to have to be some compromise. 

"If the decision goes through it will mean those clubs that are in exile at the moment that play in the Welsh Cup, should they choose, ultimately would have a guaranteed route in to Europe. 

"I've had several meeting with UEFA on this. 

"We have been working very hard with UEFA to find solutions here. 

"It's something we've been debating for quite a while and something's that's going to their executive committee meeting in a couple of weeks from now. 

"Last year we invited the exiles back in but of course their route into Europe was always going to be complicated. 

"UEFA rulings state that you can't participate in two competitions in two different countries and a successful route in one or the other through to Europe. 

"If the decision goes through it will mean those clubs that are in exile at the moment that play in the Welsh Cup, should they choose, ultimately would have a guaranteed route in to Europe. "[It would be] a fantastic opportunity for Newport, Colwyn Bay even Swansea and Cardiff. Let's hope they may play in the Welsh Cup soon as well. 

"Ultimately they would have choices to make. I don't think they would be allowed to play in both competitions. I think they may have to make a decision. 

"But if they came back into the Welsh Cup they would have a guaranteed place should they win the competition."

My thoughts on the subject are simply, I have always wanted Cardiff to have a route back into Europe and the Welsh Cup was the best way. Up until a few years ago, the idea Cardiff would get a chance via the FA Cup and the League Cup would have set the average Cardiff City fans into fits of laughter.

However, he Welsh City v FA Cup/League Cup there is no contest bye, bye Welsh Cup before City even consider the notion. If a deal could be struck whereby Cardiff can enter all three I would be happy with that. If you look back to earlier in the season Newport and Wrexham were bounced out of, the Welsh Cup in the early round after they had to play weaken team.

Wrexham had to play a league game and the Welsh Cup fixture on the same day. They were both in the FA Cup, ok with little chance of winning it, but they were still in it.

Vuckic back to Newcastle

ACCORDING to the BBC Sports website, Newcastle has recalled midfielder Haris Vuckic after spending a month on loan with Cardiff City. It was being reported a week or so ago Cardiff had struck a deal with the St James Park club to extender the deal until the end of the season.

Cardiff City manager Malky Mackay his hopeful Vuckic could return on loan and play out the reminder of season with the Bluebirds has confirmed midfielder Haris Vuckic has returned to Newcastle after a one-month loan spell.

Speaking to the BBC manager Mackey said, "He's going to be involved in their game against Arsenal and then it will be re-assessed.

"It's something we definitely want to happen. It's something I know Haris wants to happen.

"And I also know Alan [Pardew, Newcastle manager] wants it to happen as well.

"It will just be dependent on the health of his squad in the next few days."

That time of publish they was no official word from either club.

Loan window ticking down

WITH ten days to go before the loan window shuts its god to hear at Cardiff City boss Malky Mackay is still on the search for talent to add to his squad has the season draws to an end. The season ends 28th April, only 11 games left unless Cardiff is in the play-offs, which has to be the main target for the club.

According to the South Wales Echo, he is looking to bring in Premiership players and again according to the paper he has contacted five Premier League club to see if they have any available players. A striker is supposed to be top of his list but unlike past regimes, Mackay keeps information about targets close to his chest

Shopping in the Premier League is fraught with danger has soon a club make known their intention to allowed some player out on loan, suitors are soon queuing at the door. Some clubs now demand a ‘loan fee’ and you have agents who are sure to make sure if the press or club haven’t it widely known a player could go on loan, the agent will. Players in the Premier League are on high wages so wheeling and dealing is away going to be difficult. Both side will want to paid has little of their part of the wages has possible most League club struggle to pay Premiership wages.

The parent club might demand a fee and/or that the loaning club pays some or all of the player's wages during the loan period He has full back-up team to help with his search, but at the end, its contacts pay dividends. However, even with a black book full of top names in football cannot guarantee you get your target. He could be happy sitting on the bench or playing reserve football then join a club in a lower League and a better chance of first team football.

I cannot see Mackay rushing in just to get a player just for the sake of it. Last season the then boss Dave Jones brought in ten loan players, Mackay has only brought in there only one at the start of the season midfielder Filip Kiss who’s loan has been made permanent. Haris Vuckic joins in January and the lateness loan signing was Liam Lawrence a few weeks ago. Will he succeed in his goal? Will we get some new blood in the next 10 days to add a bit of spice to his squad time will tell, tick tock.

Gyepse grabs a trial

FORMER Cardiff City defender Gabor Gyepes has a trial with Preston North End after his contract was cancelled by mutual consent at the end of January freeing him to pursue his career elsewhere.

A few days ago in the Hungarians press, his agent was talking of interest from a number of clubs, naming Sheffield United as one or a possible return to Hungary in the summer. He will see a familiar face around the club with former Cardiff City chairman Peter Ridsdale walking the corridors of power at Preston as chief executive.

In the South Wales Echo he said, “The opportunity to join Preston on trial came up quickly and I jumped at the chance.
“I have been training alone for five weeks, either running or in the gym. I will be back in the right condition to play within a week or so.”

Good luck to him I hope he can pull of a deal for himself

City looking for three points

Brighton's all new Falmer Stadium

CARDIFF CITY stayed 8th in the Championship after Tuesday fixture after Hull City the only team that could have jumped ahead of the Bluebirds after they failed to beat Leeds. The point they collected put Hull level on points with the Welshman.

Reading and Middlesbrough both extended their points lead over the Bluebirds after both gained victories, but Blackpool lost 2-1 at Derby. Cardiff need to get back to winning ways tonight at Brighton to reduce the points lead to Reading in third and fourth place Middlesbrough who are six points ahead. Back in August Cardiff were hammered 3-1 by Brighton at the Cardiff City Stadium and will be hoping for some revenge tonight. A win will see City jump two places and back into the play-off zone .

After the Brighton trip tonight and Bristol City Saturday, Cardiff has a run of three home games. It looks like Liam Lawrence will start tonight will that be the only change on the cards as fans give him a shed load of advice on who should play and who shouldn’t, I myself have no advice to give.

Could be the play-offs again

If what is being reported on the BBC website is true that Cardiff City boss Malky Mackay is concedes automatic promotion, I have to agree. Eleven points off second spot, twelve of the top of the table is just too big of a mountain to climb.

There would have to be a catastrophic failed in the way of results from the teams above Cardiff for them to claim one of the two automatic promotion spots.

Now eight points separate seven teams vying for the four play-off places, which can change before the end of the season. Luckily, Cardiff are still in the mix after a number of setbacks over the last month are so.

Not surprisingly, the three relegated team for the Premier League are in the mix, two are presently in play-off spots along with Middlesbrough and our play-off heartbreakers form last season Reading. All of whom have had taste of Premiership football over the years with top of the table Southampton looking to emulate last season promotion into the Championship to the Premier League this season.

There is a near enough full midweek fixture list in the Championship starting tonight with Brighton and us along with West Ham playing tomorrow. The only play-off rivals not playing this midweek is Birmingham who have a FA Cup reply so they will have a game in hand which could be helpful towards Cardiff with the crowd fixture list towards the end of the season.

The midweek fixtures of interest to Cardiff fans

• Derby County v Blackpool
• Hull City v Leeds United
• Middlesbrough v Barnsley
• Southampton v Ipswich Town
• Reading v Portsmouth
• Brighton v Cardiff - Wednesday kick-off
• West Ham United v Watford - Wednesday kick-off

Vuckic loan extended

CARDIFF CITY has agreed with Newcastle to extend Haris Vuckic loan stay with the Welshman until the end of the season.

The highly rated Vuckic, 19, would return to his parent club after the Bristol City on Saturday. The youngest has featured in four games for the City since his arrival at the Cardiff City Stadium he has scored once.

After scoring his first senior goal, he was open to extending his stay at Cardiff City until the end of season.

"I really want to play. I know Newcastle is my first team but if I get chance to play for Cardiff on loan until the end of the season that would be great,"

On the international front Vuckic, received his second senior call up against Scotland last week and made his debut coming on mid-way through the second half.

Not the best day at the office for Malky

Defeat against West Ham means The Bluebirds are 11 points off automatic promotion and looking  like the Welshman will be consign to a play-offs fight, if they can get back into winning ways. I think we will make the play-off again and leave our recent history in the play-offs at the back door beacuse this time we will be going out the front door next time.

Just one look that the league table show how hard it is going to be there are so big names in the mix . There are 13 games until the end of the season, starting with a tough away trip Wednesday to Brighton a game we will need points from, preferably all three points. Another TV game next Saturday the Sevenside Derby away at Bristol City.

Today’s game is history now, but one think to come out of the game was that we were poor today in all departments. Marshall in goal was the only difference from the team that started the Carling Cup last Sunday, battles to bottles today. Maybe bottler is too harsh, could West Ham manager Sam Allardyce just out though his opposite number at Cardiff Malky Mackay. Did Allardyce changing the style of play of his team to suit today’s opposition with is fondness stats, video and just about anything to get an edge in the game.

Bluebird’s boss Malky Mackay speaking after the game said, "I'm disappointed with the goals we lost today. 

"I'm taking nothing away from the finishes from them obviously, but the first goal was incredibly sloppy. 

"Everything was very nip and tuck, it was quite tight and both teams were canceling each other out. But we lost possession in a poor area and gave away a sloppy goal and that certainly knocked our confidence at that point. 

"In the second period [Peter] Whittingham hits the post and if that goes in it would change the game. 

"But we tried to chase it and we lost, for us, a really uncharacteristic second goal in terms of allowing the player to come so far and be unchallenged. 

"So you're up against it against a really experienced team of men, who have got a huge wage bill and can afford to bring on Carlton Cole and Gary O'Neil. 

"To gift them things doesn't help, and it certainly gives you a mountain to climb."

Fans expect changes for Brighton, but will Mackay feel an overhaul is needed one thing is for sure one place today will be taken. New loan signing Liam Lawrence should start if fit and the word out of the club is he will be.

Back to the bench for Heaton?

From the all-new Sunday Sun (information sourced freely from the internet) they are reporting Tom Heaton could be on his way when is contract runs out in the summer.

It would seem according to the paper Cardiff are not pursuing a new contract offer and later today fans expect to see David Marshall between the posts for the West Ham game. The player himself said much the same in the week, seeming resigned to be back on the bench. He will not be short of suitors if he indicates is willing us to secure a move. He can talk to clubs about a move, which I am sure his agent is doing at present.

His Carling Cup heroics would have help with his saleability, but Cardiff will make nothing when he moves on, another player who could have brought a few quid in walking away free. The rumour Mill has in the past linked him with a move, recently Burnley were link and Ipswich Town in the past.

Tenuous link Sondgrass to Cardiff City

I would not want to be in the same room has Leeds chairman Ken Bates when he sits down to breakfast and a bowl of Cornflakes and the papers and sees his star midfielder Robert Snodgrass linked to Cardiff City.

The air will be turned blue in his Monte Carlo home and you can soon expect comments like ‘who are Cardiff City’ and ‘£8millon he’s worth double that’.

The paper rumour is in the Sunday Star suggesting Cardiff boss Malky Mackay is completing a £8millon raid on Leeds in the summer. It would be a massive return on the £150,000 they paid Scottish club Livingston for him four years ago and being halfway through a four-year contract Leeds have no need to sell Snodgrass.

If they were willing to part with the player Cardiff would not be alone in showing interest in him and an auction would soon be under way. Believability of this rumour is zero, we would have to be a Premier League club and pay leeds more cash to have a chance of pulling is move off and then there is Ken Bates to deal with.

Sunday Star story

Parkin loaned until the end of the season

BYE bye Parkin never to be seen
in a City shirt again

SCUNTHORPE UNITED have agreed an extension of Cardiff City striker Jon Parkin loan deal until the end of the season according to Sky Sports News.

It was expected has he seems to have no part in Cardiff boss Malky Mackay plans. Since the arrival of Mackay in the summer, Parkin has only played twice for Cardiff both in the early rounds of the Carling Cup, scoring a single goal.

Towards the end of September, Parkin held talks with Doncaster Rovers over a possible month loan deal, which the player confirmed, on Twitter.

A few days later, he made his debut playing five times with no goals. Doncaster wanted to extend the deal, but it was rejected so the returned to Cardiff when a second attempt was made to resign him also rejected

A month or so after the Doncaster loan he was off to Huddersfield Town who had a striker crisis. The deal was until 23 January 20012. In the two-month stay, he featured in only three games, again without scoring.

Back at Cardiff, he was resigned to reserve football until on the last day of the transfer window an offer was received from Scunthorpe for a loan deal. To date he has made five starts with one goal to his name.

Speaking on the Scunthorpe website he said,

"I have signed until the end of the season.

"Beyond there it is a case of wait and see what happens with Cardiff.

"I haven't spoken to the gaffer here about anything after that. For now, I am delighted to be here."

See official Scunthorpe United website

Welcome Mr Lawrence

CARDIFF CITY have signed Portsmouth winger Liam Lawrence on loan until the end of the season as Pompey look to reduce their wage bill.

Previously the Rumour mill has linked Lawrence with Cardiff over a number of season, however such a move near materialised. He is join the Bluebirds as his club Portsmouth implode in the mire of a financial crisis, in administration with ten points deduct and the possibility them going busted within two weeks according to some reports.

Administrator Trevor Birch said: “It’s very tough to lose Liam but the club is in a grave situation and we have to do everything we can to stay afloat.

‘We are receiving a loan fee from Cardiff, who are paying Liam all his wages, so it’s a deal that is going to make a significant difference to us over the coming weeks.

Republic of Ireland international midfielder Lawrence, 30, who was captain that Portsmouth, scoring eight goals (seven coming during in loan spell) made 56 appearances for Pompey since initially signing on loan from Stoke in September 2010 before the move was made permanent the following January.

The loan deal is for the reminder of the season covering the play-off games if needed. I hope that it will not be needed has Cardiff will win automatic promotion so not.

Lawrence said, ‘Despite all the off-the-pitch difficulties I’ve had some fantastic times here, playing for the most amazing set of supporters in the country.

“I’ll miss everyone at Pompey, and just hope that under the leadership of Michael Appleton the boys can pull through and stay in the Championship."

He played in both fixtures against Cardiff this season picking up a yellow card in the home game at the Cardiff City stadium. He could well be incontention for the West Ham on Sunday.

Will Pompey finish the season

There has been a lot of talk over the last 24-hours about the possibility that Portsmouth could not finish the season.

Portsmouth administrator Trevor Birch has warned the club are in "real danger" of running out of cash before the Championship season ends in May. Pompey were deducted ten points last month after going into administration, but if they were to go out of business one of the biggest losers could be my team Cardiff City who would lose four points.

To the left you can see what the table if they were to go bust to day. The catalyst to this story comes after meets between our Championship rivals and the Premier League and Football League. Its being reported the parachute payments due to Portsmouth will be going to former owner Sasha Gaydamak not the club and neither of the football governing bodies will be offering other league funding.

Will football allowed a team has big as Portsmouth go to the wall. If they were what would happen to a team like Port Vale who hours/days from going into administation.

Not a new signing - kind of one

CARDIFF CITY have made a signing, but not new blood joining the squad has midfielder Filip Kiss has agreed a long-term contract with the Welshman.

There is no official word from the club upon publishing this article.

Kiss joined the City on a season long loan in the summer with an option for it to become permanent tying up the 21 –year-old to the club until 2016. He has been on the radar of Cardiff City boss Malky Mackay for some time, first at his previous club Watford and on becoming Cardiff boss took to opportunity to bring him to Cardiff.

On signing the player said, “I want to stay well beyond the end of this season.”

Mackay’s view was clear, saying, “We would like to make this signing permanent if Filip enjoys it here and things progress.”

He flew in to the UK for talks from Kazakhstan where he was on duty with Slovan Bratislava for a European Champions League fixture. The South Wales Echo are reporting a fee of around £500,000 to his club Slovan Bratislava. The midfielder has featured in 28 games for the Bluebirds, scoring one goal in the 3-0 win at Derby. He is also captain of Slovakia’s under-21 team and is on the cusp of a senior call-up.