Cardiff City - Clarks Pie's and Curry

Cardiff sign Harris

2012-01-30T16:39:00.000Z

He looks about ten
in this picture

Update .... Cardiff have signed the youngest for a fee of around £150,000

According to the South Wales Echo Cardiff City manager Malky Mackay is also interested in bring 18-year-old wide man Kadeem Harris from Wycombe Wanderers. Although the possibility of the move broke on Twitter suggesting, he would be having a medical at Cardiff today. The youngest was handed professional deal just before the end of last season.

He made his debut for Wycombe Boxing Day 2009 come off the bench towards the end of the game. He made his first start for Wycombe this season in the Carling Cup and his league debut a few weeks later. In the summer, he was the subject of an unsuccessful £50,000 bid from Premiership side Fulham confirmed by the Wycombe manager, there was also rumours Chelsea were also taking an interest in the young player.

Malky after Scottish striker

2012-01-30T14:30:00.000Z

A report out of Scotland is suggesting that Cardiff City are in a race to sign Dundee United 20-year-old striker Johnny Russell and that they could make a move in the next 24 hours.

The Welshman are in competition for his signature if the rumour is true with Celtic who have had two offer turned away Russell is out of contract in May. United are rumoured to want £1.5 million for their player a lot of money fr a player who could walk for free in just over four months.

He has been with Dundee United since 2003 working his way through the youth system making his first team debut 2007. He has had two loan spells both with Scottish clubs in 2008 and 2009. He has played a total of 27 times this season scoring 10 and is a Scotland U21 international.

Tom Heaton on SoccerAM

2012-01-28T21:44:00.005Z

The fans are fantastic, there's a new ground, a new training ground and everything's going the right way, so it is a great club to be at.Tom Heaton says he has no intentions of leaving Cardiff with a Wembley final on the horizon.

The Bluebirds goalkeeper has been left frustrated after making only two league appearances this season, with team-mate David Marshall currently occupying the number-one spot. >>>>> More plus Video

One game away from European football

2012-01-28T19:06:00.001Z

One of the bonuses of being in the Carling Cup Final a chance of European football if we were to win, wouldn’t that be great. The Welsh FA and English FA are to hold talks with UEFA to confirm Cardiff City could take the Europa League spot offered to the winner. The three came to an agreement when the Bluebirds reached the 2008 FA Cup Final, at the time it was reported the Welshman would have a wild card to play in the same competition.

To bring European night back to Cardiff they need to beat Liverpool, if Liverpool were to win and somehow finish in the top four of the Premier League they would forfeit their place in the Europa League which then passes on to the highest-placed team from the Premier League not already qualified for Europe, not the Carling Cup runners up.Thinking about European nights at the old Ninian Park was there that many.

After the Real Madrid game in 1971, they were few and far between with a series of failures to qualify for Europe via the Welsh Cup and early exits’ if City did qualify.The Cardiff boss has yet to taste European football as a player or manager and surely, an incentive for everyone involved in the club.

The last European night at Ninian Park was in September 1993 in the First Round Cup Winners Cup with City lost 3-1 to Standard Liege after losing 5-2 away from home. The away fixture was marred by some trouble with a number of arrests.

Some stats of Cardiff in Europe

Top scorer

John Toshack (11)

Most Appearances

Don Murray (33)

Biggest Attendance

47,500 (v Real Madrid 1971/72)

Biggest win

PO Larnaca 8-0 (1971/72)

Biggest aggregate win

Mjoendalen 7-1 home 5-1 away (12/2) (1969/70)

There are a lot of Cardiff fans who have never had the chance to follow City into Europe who would jump at the chance. I reckon we can beat Liverpool and get the Cardiff City Stadium rocking to someEuropean football.

Noone still a Malky target

2012-01-28T12:48:00.000Z

Will he be a Bluebird come
February

ACCORDING to the local press Cardiff City boss, Malky Mackay is about to up his offer in an attempt to landed Craig Noone. It has been reported that the Welshman had a previous offer of £400,000/£500,000 turned down by his club Brighton, but with the January transfer window closing on Tuesday a new bid is rumoured to been needed to push the deal along.

Another target who was in the headlights of the Cardiff boss was Blackpool’s Matt Phillips. He looks to be heading for the Premier League and Bolton, with his valuation now reaching £1million.Brighton are eager to hang on to Noone, but the Albion manager Gus Poyet warned he will have a fight to his top players, with much bigger wage packets on offer elsewhere.

A winger is a top priority for the Cardiff boss during the transfer window and with the Malaysian backers of the club insuring fans there is money available for new players.

Could it go down to the wire in the chase for two or three new players Mackay, could he be doing business on the touchline at Southampton Tuesday, I believe the window his staying open until 11pm.

Former City midfielder Rae is wanted

2012-01-28T00:05:00.000Z

FORMER Cardiff City defender Gavin Rae, released in the summer before the arrival of Malky Mackey was struggling to find a club although there was some interest no deals materialized.He was allow to train with Cardiff to keep is fitness up and at one point there was talk of him heading over to Australia in the search for football.

It was not until October he fixed himself up with club when he signed a short-term deal until January with his former club Dundee. He joined former Cardiff defender Rhys Weston who is with the Scottish club.

He is a wanted man north of the border now with Hibernian and Aberdeen linked to the midfielder. The Hibernian manager Pat Fenlon “I watched Gavin play in Dundee’s Scottish Cup replay [against Kilmarnock] and he did quite well. “There are players we are still talking to, and he is one who fits the bill in relation to experience and his know-how and his knowledge of the league.”

However, the 34-year-old is understood to have a gentlemen’s agreement allowing him to leave Dens Park if he receives an offer from elsewhere.

Aberdeen boss Craig Brown tried to sign Rea in the summer according to the rumour mill, but the local Scottish press are reported Brown he is ready to launch a bid to sign Dundee’s Gavin Rae.

Cardiff City Supporters Wembley travel info

2012-01-27T12:38:00.001Z

Cardiff City Supporters have release travel details for the trip to Carling Cup Final.

Cardiff City Supporters Club will be running coaches to Wembley for the Carling Cup Final on Sunday 26th February and have now finalised travel arrangements as follows:

Supporters' Website

Coach PricesExisting Members:

Adults £25OAP's
(60 & over) £20
Children & Young Adults (20 & under)£20
Accompanied Children (Under 16) £15

New Members:

Adults £30OAP's
(60 & over) £25
Children & Young Adults (20 & under) £25
Accompanied Children (Under 16) £18

Coach travel is available to members only - non-members MUST join the Supporters Club to travel. Membership runs until the end of the 2011/12 season the non members price above includes the joining fee.

A £1 donation has been added to all coach fares, to raise funds towards the Fred Keenor Statue Fund.

Ticket Prices

Category A - Adults £90 / OAP's & Under 16's £45
Category B - Adults £72 / OAP's & Under 16's £36
Category C - Adults £56 / OAP's & Under 16's £28
Category D - Adults £40 / OAP's & Under 16's £20

The Supporters Club can arrange match tickets for fans travelling on our coaches only (normal ticket qualification rules apply), providing tickets are paid for in full at time of booking.

Travel Times(Pick-up time)

9.00am Bridgend - Talbot Green - Llantwit Major - Barry
9.15am Church Village - Merrie Harrier
9.30am CCFC Stadium - Pontypridd
9.40am Nantgarw
9.45am Cardiff Int Hotel - Gabalfa
9.55am High Cross - Pentwyn
10.00am Malpas

How To BookThe Supporters Club shop at the Cardiff City Stadium will be open as follows for coach & ticket bookings:

Wed 1st Feb 10am to 2pm & 5pm to 7pm
Thu 2nd Feb 10am to 2pm & 5pm to 7pm
Fri 3rd Feb 10am to 2pm & 5pm to 7pm
Sat 4th Feb 12pm to 2.30pm
Mon 6th Feb 10am to 2pm & 5pm to 7pm
Tue 7th Feb 10am to 2pm & 5pm to 7pm
Wed 8th Feb 10am to 2pm & 5pm to 7pm
Thu 9th Feb 10am to 2pm & 5pm to 7pm
Fri 10th Feb 10am to 2pm & 5pm to 7pm

All bookings must be paid in full at least 7 days prior to travelling or your booking will be cancelled

Taiwo on loan to the O's

2012-01-26T17:30:00.001Z

AFTER trials with Chesterfield and Yeovil Town Cardiff City midfielder Solomon Taiwo has fixed himself up a loan deal with Division 1 club Leyton Orient.

He has signed until the end of the season when his contract with the Bluebirds will end. He failed to make an impact while with Cardiff and was loan out to Dagenham and Redbridge the club he joined the Welshman from signing a three-year deal in August 2009.In that time he has only made three league and Cup start the rest of his nine other appearances were from the bench.

In fact, in his 7-month loan spell with Dagenham and Redbridge he played more games for them than three years at Cardiff.

Tickets - I no my place

2012-01-26T17:00:00.000Z

I have noted on the fans messageboards and on social network sites that ticket wars have open up between Cardiff City fans again over Wembley ticket.

Last season each side finalist got 31,000 tickets from a stadium at hold’s 90,000 with the other 28,000 disappear to sponsors and other football fans around the country. At the time of writing there has been on official word on ticket allocation but news is expected tomorrow.

Has normal the season ticket holders take the moral high ground because most believe if you have a season ticket you are a better fan than the rest who they joyfully call part time supporter, cherry pickers and armchair supporters. I personal have no problem in season ticket holders getting priority but stop knock other fans, they are just as passionate about the Bluebirds has you. There are lot’s of reasons for not having season ticket holders, but to the chosen, it doesn’t matter so there is really know reason in going over it again.

Last time Cardiff reached a Cup Final a friend mine told me he and people like him (season ticket holders) pumped the most money into the club and should get there two tickets offer at the time. Today some fans are talking again about 2 tickets but with 18,000 plus ticket holders, the maths just don’t stack-up.

Even at will not stop the battle for the golden ticket because even among the season ticket holder there is a pecking order with some better than others who feel they should get two tickets by right while the others would get one. What happens to a second ticket where does it go, who gets it? It can’t be a fellow season ticket holder so it must go to a part time supporter, cherry pickers, armchair supporters or the wife/husband/girlfriend/boyfriend.

Therefore, until the tickets have sold out we will see a lot of bitching, sniping and name-calling it’s like being back in the playground 'my dad is harder than yours'. It never ceases to amaze me how quick one fan will turn on another at time like these what happens to the Cardiff City family/brotherhood of fans, in the bin that is where.

If you do get a ticket just be happy a support the boys

I love penalties ....NOT

2012-01-25T19:39:00.000Z

I woke up this morning feeling like I was a kid again and it was Christmas Day I was so excited, Cardiff City in the Carling (League) Cup Final who would have though that. Has a somewhat old fan I remember those two-legged first round games to the likes of Exeter City, which more often than not we lost.

It was a nail biting night for Cardiff City fans worldwide as the two games plus extra time the Carling Cup Semi-Final was finally decided with the lottery of penalties. An Anthony Gardner own-goal squared the game 1-1 on aggregate who had the fortune and misfortune to score both goals. In both games, Cardiff dominated and that is not coming from a Cardiff City fan but the pundits from both games.

Cardiff did enough last night beat Crystal Palace but for their goalkeeper who made a number of saves to deny the Bluebirds who was help along by various goalposts/crossbars. Has for the visitor according to the BBC match stats didn’t have one shot on target.Putting one over the Palace boss Dougie Freeman brought me just has much has winning the game because his pre-game mind game really irritated me.

The ‘scared’ tag he placed on the club backfired big time right into his face his players looked like a bunch of rabbits caught in the lights of a car. In fact they were a bit forceful after they when down to 10 man, but with nothing up front to threaten the Cardiff goal.Therefore, after 210 plus minutes, it was down to penalties and I don’t think anyone likes to go down to penalties to decide a game because it’s a lottery.

Cardiff won the toss to decide who would go first and captain Peter Whittingham decide Cardiff would go first. The first pen was hand to top scorer Kenny Miller who ran forcibly up to the penalty spot ball in hand. Did the occasion get to him because the ball flew over the crossbar into the crowd, a miss to a hushed stadium expect for the celebrating Palace fans. The away end was soon turned to silence as they watch Cardiff goalkeeper Tom Heaton pull off a great save and square up the pens 0-0, queue mass celebration of the home fans.

Next up for the City was Craig Conway I was nervy but Conway looked positive as he placed the ball on the spot. No problem this time he fired the ball straight down the middle into the back of the net, more joy for the Cardiff fans. It was again down to Heaton to pull off some more heroics and he dually step up to the challenge and it was 1-0 to the Bluebirds.

Third round of penalties saw Cardiff‘s French connection step up to the plate we had just witnessed a 20-year-old Palace player have a pen saved could same happen young Rudy Gestede. Simply answer, no, he sent the keeper the wrong way and slipped in a sweet ball to the back of the net.

Could Heaton in goal make it three out of three penalties? It was close he got his hand to the ball but the shot was too strong for him, 2-1 advantage still with Cardiff.Next up Peter Whittingham and if he was to score and the next Palace player miss it would be all over for the London’s, the Welshman, and their foreign legion would be off to Wembley. Whittingham was cool as he prepare to take is pen and slammed the ball home. The Palace player looked confident enough however it didn’t help the ball flew over the crossbar, queue mass celebration, a pitch invasion as Cardiff City are Wembley.

Cardiff have a date with Wembley

2012-01-24T23:22:00.000Z

SUNDAY 26 February 2012

Cardiff City v Manchester City or Liverpool

City linked with Blackpool winger

2012-01-23T16:32:00.001Z

WITH talk of a possible three players coming in this week the South Wales Echo have this afternoon name one of the targets has Blackpool winger Matt Phillips.

Cardiff City is reported to have had one bid turned down and have gone back with a better offer. The rumour of the interest is coming out of the North West according to the paper.

A number of clubs have been linked with the 20-year-old who has played 25 games this season including seven games on loan with Sheffield United scoring seven. For Blackpool, he has played 18 games with a goal tally of seven of which he scored two hat-tricks.

Phillips start is career with Wycombe Wanderers at the age of eight working his way to a league debut in April 2008. He went on to feature in a total of 87 games score just nine goals. He joined Blackpool last season for initial £350,000 that with add-ons rising to £700,000.

Malky up beat about Tuesday

2012-01-22T22:35:00.001Z

In Malky we believe

CARDIFF CITY boss Malky Mackay has hit back at his opposite number at Crystal Palace Dougie Freedman after he said Mackay’s his team were ‘scared to death’ over the return semi-final leg on Tuesday at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Asked after Cardiff’s 3-2 victory over Portsmouth he rapped the Palace boss declaring he had just given his team talk in preparation for the game.

He (Freedman) seems to be banking on Cardiff past failures in his words ‘to get over the hurdle’ maybe he has not noticed, but we have a new manager and players and the past is history now. It is now Mackay turn to carve out his history with the Bluebirds.

Mackay said in the Sunday Mirror (Welsh Edition), “I won’t be losing any sleep. I suppose he’s just trying to lift his players.

“But I can tell you that our players are all looking forward to it.

“It’s a huge game for both clubs.”

Just who is running scared ahead of the game? Did Mackey rest his players from the Portsmouth game yesterday, no? Cardiff fans are expecting to see the starting eleven all to be in contention for a Carling Cup semi-final spot. While Freedman did rest players, nine to be exact showing this game is more and less his season throwing in the towel on the league which didn’t help losing 2-1 at Blackpool. Freedman is quoted has saying,

“I had my mind on Tuesday’s big game. The game at Cardiff is a huge game for us and the club deserves it.”

Nice three points

2012-01-21T17:42:00.000Z

CARDIFF CITY salvaged two points with a late, late, goal at the Cardiff City Stadium this afternoon against Portsmouth. The Bluebirds stay in third place in the Championship league table after Kenny Miller opened the scoring.

The visitors then squared the game just before half time against the run of play with Cardiff missing a number of chances. Cardiff were to find themselves a goal behind not long after the kick-off which the managed to keep for around 20 minute under pressure for the home side.

However, the goal had to come and defender Mark Hudson was on hand to head home at close range.Chances slipped the Bluebirds by as the clock ticked down to full time; the home team was creating most of the pressure. The ref then singled three minutes of injury time, but a lot can happen in three minutes.

You can score a goal and today Cardiff did just that when Craig Conway fired home the ball from inside the penalty area into the bottom right corner of the goal, 3-2 Cardiff. So Cardiff bank three points, stay third and wait on the outcome of the Monday night game when Leicester travel to second place Southampton.

Saturday job for Dave

2012-01-21T15:38:00.001Z

Fromer Cardiff City boss Dave Jones has a new Saturday job has you can't see, but not on the touchline.

Looking cold at Coventry Dave ... Oh look Dave Cardiff City are beating Portmouth 1-0

Rumour, rumour, rumour

2012-01-21T14:56:00.001Z

The internet is awash with the rumour that Queens Park Rangers striker Jamie Mackie is about to join the Scottish foreign legion at Cardiff City on loan with an option to buy. On signing from Plymouth In May 2010, Mackie signed a four–year contract with the London club for an undisclosed fee.

A deal should be completed early next week and he will be on the bench today was the rumour, however he his starting this afternoon against Wigan Athletic which seems strange because an injury would possible kill off a deal.

So far this season Mackie has play 18 games 15 of which have been in the league has scored two in those games plus one on international goal. Reported suggest that West Ham made a bid for Mackie but was way off the mark QPR chairman Tony Fernandes wanted which is report to be £1.5m be interested to see what City paid if this latest rumour pans out.

Scared of what Dougie

2012-01-21T11:53:00.000Z

I would hope the players didn’t need geeing up for the semi-final return fixture at the Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday night. However, if I was Cardiff City boss Malky Mackay I would enlarge the below headline in today’s South Wales Echo and plaster in all over the training ground and the home dressing room because it go my blood boiling.

Is reason for making such is simple in the mind of Crystal Palace boss Dougie Freedman, the Bluebirds tending to fall at the last hurdle. This is a Malky Mackay team not Dave Jones team and any Cardiff City fan can see the different style of play between the two squad and Malky has yet to fail.

Speaking in the Croydon Advertiser Freedman said, “However, while it is only natural our players will be nervous before the game, I'm sure it will be worse for the home team who know only too well what it is like to fall at the last hurdle.

“I’ve seen Cardiff fall just short so many times over the past few seasons that they and their supporters must be scared stiff of failure.

“When you get in stressful situations it is difficult not to think of the past, and when you have their recent history of being beaten in the play-offs so often, they must have some very unhappy memories.

“In fact the last time they got over the line was when Lennie Lawrence was their manager, but unfortunately for them he is sitting in our dugout.”

Get a bit personal, what has Dougie done …. He only broke into management last season has a player was part of the Palace team that bottled it against Bristol City in the 2007/08 play-off semi-final. Since then the Londoners have been more or less bottom dwellers in the league table.

Freedman continued: “One of the hardest things to do in football is to come from behind in a semi-final and I think the win at Selhurst Park last week gives us a massive advantage going into the game.”

He must check is facts before going off on one because last season both first leg home round games were win only to be overturn in the second leg. The season before Aston Villa lost both legs while Manchester City won their home game only for their Neighbours Manchester United to win the second leg and progress on to the final.I could go on but it dosen't same much of an advange going into the second leg of a semi-final in the Carling Cup with a lead.

The rumour mill lobs out a new name

2012-01-21T00:00:00.000Z

It is a tenuous link to Cardiff City, but the Daily Mirror has a tiny sentence on its ‘Football Spy’ paper linking the Bluebirds to Doncaster winger Kyle Bennett.

The winger all joined our Championship rivals only last season from Bury signing a one-year deal after his release from Wolverhampton Wanderers. Bury offer a new deal last summer, but choose to move on to Doncaster Rovers, and as the clubs could not agree on a transfer fee that it would go to a transfer tribunal to determine a transfer fee.

Doncaster pay a total of £180,000 to Bury for the transfer of Kyle Bennett after a tribunal was settled, an initial £80,000 was to paid in two separate sums, one being immediately and another in January 2012 with a further £25,000 being paid for every 15 appearances he makes.

Source

The 21-one-year old player has played 25 league/cup games far and away the majority coming from the bench scoring a total of three goals this season.

Remember Martin John

2012-01-18T21:10:00.000Z

Remember defender Martin John? He is getting a chance to kick-start his career with FC Dallas in the MLS. Reports today have the young defender included in Dallas’ pre-season roster.

John released along with Chris Rae back in May after just one game for the Bluebirds and a loan spell with neighbours Newport County. After leaving the Bluebirds, he went back to the States and was offered a contract by Colorado last season, but could not come to acceptable terms.

He was spotted playing non-league football in the UK and was recommend to former boss Dave Jones who gave him a trial and impressed both the manager and his staff and was handed a one-year contract. The same day he signed, he made his debut against Burton Albion in the Carling Cup. He also impressed, the fans after Jones used all three subs in the Albion game for then John to pick up an injury and play the rest of the game plus extra-time carrying the injury.

Mackie the latest rumour

2012-01-18T11:45:00.001Z

Another day another rumour, but this one has a lot more credibility than some later as will are talking of an experience player.

The player in question is QPR striker Jamie Mackie who could be surplus to requirements with new QPR boss Mark Hughes look to stamp his style into his new squad of players.

Pressure will be up a level or two among Hughes strikers has Rangers are reported to have reach an agreement with Sao Paulo over signing Brazilian striker Henrique, subject to a work permit. He is joining on a reported 18-month loan deal, including the option of a permanent transfer.

This season Mackie has scored two goals in 15 league games plus one on international goal.

According the press and internet talk West Ham had an offer for the striker turned down it is also out there on the net is a suggestion Cardiff City boss Malky Mackay table an offer as well to former Rangers boss Neil Warnock which was also turn down. It is widely believed that £1.5m could be deemed as acceptable to Hughes and chairman Tony Fernandes.

A fee of £1.5m could be too much for the Bluebirds when you also take into account he is on high wages at Rangers. With Mackay out in Malaysia he will be able to press his case for funding for new signings with the Malaysian owners.

Dunk linked and Wildig stays out on loan

2012-01-17T20:43:00.002Z

CARDIFF CITY has agreed to extended midfielder Aaron Wildig loan with Shrewsbury Town until the end of the season. The 19-year-old scored on his league debut in a 7-2 win over Northampton, but an injury picked up against Morecambe has kept him sideline for most of his loan.

The league 2 outfit Shrewsbury Town are currently riding high in the table in a play-off place.Talking of the player the Shrewsbury boss Graham Turner said, “He’s got good ability, good appreciation of the game of football, sees a pass and generally executes it quite well.

“He started at Newport in the FA Cup victory there and in the side that beat Northampton 7-2 and the side that beat Morecambe.

“But he picked up an injury towards the end of the Morecambe game and has not had much of a look-in since for whatever reason.

“We’ve had Lionel Ainsworth on the right of midfield and Jon Taylor more recently, but Aaron is a different sort of player and one who can add something between now and the end of the season.”

Also today, Cardiff City has been linked to Cambridge United midfielder/winger Harrison Dunk who also has Southampton interested in his signature if the rumour is on the mark.

The 20-year-old only joined Blue Square Bet Conference Premier club Cambridge United form Bromley in June last year signing a two-year contract.He has scored eight goals so far this season in 18 league and cup starts plus four from the bench.

This rumour is off the mark I would think the Cardiff City boss Mackay is surely interested in experience for the push for the best finish to the season since 1960 the last time we were promoted to the top division.

Ex- Bluebirds Fowler on the move

2012-01-17T19:08:00.000Z

Former Cardiff City player Robbie Fowler is on the move again in his twilight of his playing career he must have ants in his pants he is one of a host of players to have signed up for a new Indian football league.

After his stint with the Bluebirds he moved on for a short swansong in the Premier League with Blackburn Rovers. He then surfaced in Queensland Australia playing for North Queensland Fury in the A-League as their marquee player.

'The marquee system was designed to enable clubs to attract well-known, skillful and exciting players without threatening the financial viability of clubs and the League.'

The following season he popped up in Perth where he gave a season to Perth Glory helping them to a lowly tenth in the League.

Those itchy pants soon seen him jump out of Australia turning down along the way some coaching offer in the UK and playing offers from the Mid-East to head for Thailand.

He joined Muangthong United in July 2011 signing a one-year contract ending up as acting Head Coach on the sacking of United’s Portuguese boss Henrique Calisto.

The Indian backers of this new competition are hoping replicate the success of cricket's Indian Premier League with football.

Tournament kicks off on February 25 and lasts six weeks with six teams, each team will comprise of 30 players with the number of overseas players not exceeding four. Each franchise will have to pick six players from their own catchment area and the same number from the Under-21 category. That leaves every franchise in the hunt for 14 players from the all over the country. Each team will have the right to bid for one icon player, who will be within the four overseas.

Each team will have a USD 2.5 million as maximum spending budget.

"We have signed seven icon players for the auction and each of the six teams will have one such player with a $600,000 salary cap," said Bhaswar Goswami, the executive director of Celebrity Management Group.

The icon players plus six coaches from around the world will be auctioned off in the eastern Indian city of Kolkata with the six teams starting the bidding on January 22. Other players involved along with Fowler are former Arsenal Robert Pires Portuguese midfielder Maniche, the former Argentina international Juan Pablo Sorín, the former Spain striker Fernando Morientes and the Argentinian Hernán Crespo. More are expected over the next week or some until the quote is full.

Pires told L'Equipe.

"I am proud to be the first Frenchman to go and play there. And eight weeks is nothing.

"Pires said he would at least be paid €395,000 [£326,000] for seven weeks.

"If my [club] president likes me, it could be €790,000 [£652,000].

"It is a lot of money. I'm not going to complain about that am I? However, I'm not going there as a tourist."

It's a new adventureCelebrity Management Group hope to add other franchises over the next few season and has the league grows the season will to. The league is modelled on Major League and looking to the further they hope the formation of the league will help with the dismal Fifa's rankings of the international team at 162 place.

The Wacky World of Cardiff City 1

2012-01-17T13:39:00.000Z

In today’s South Wales Echo there a couple of obscure articles on the Bluebirds in the ‘looking back what was in the news’ page. I do enjoy reading this kind of stuff I offen go to the Central Library in town and delve into old papers

First up was a plan for mass bingo sessions at Ninian Park during the summer of 1965, which must have meant to be staged outside in the stadium. What a crazy idea.

Click to enlarge

The second concerned Cardiff City fans that had their trip back for Spain delayed because of a prison break.

Malky in Malaysia

2012-01-17T12:24:00.000Z

CARDIFF CITY manager Malky Mackay is on a quick trip to Malaysia where he will officially launch of the 1Malaysia project a youth academy supported by Cardiff City and passionately back by the clubs Malaysian owners.

The Bluebirds boss and other club officals are due back on Thursday and hopefully he will have time to sit down with financially backer Vincent Tan and Chairmen Chan Tien Ghee and nail down what funds are available for new signings. Mackey his likely to know who his targets are the cost involved.Two areas have been mark out by the manager for strengthening, namely a new winger and striker are the main targets if you believe the press.

To date Cardiff are believed to have made a £400.000/£500,000 bid for Brighton’s Craig Noone which was knocked back by the East Coast club. There are only 13/12 days left of the transfer window shuts on his return but is hoping to bring in new faces before the trip to Southampton at the end of the month.

City game moved for TV

2012-01-16T17:15:00.001Z

CARDIFF CITY'S fixture against Bristol City has ben moved from Saturday March 10th at 3pm to a 5:20pm kick-off and the game will be shown live on Sky Sports.

That will mean Cardiff will be featured twice in seven days on TV with Cardiff's home game with West Ham will be screened on the BBC the Sunday before. That game with kick-off at 1pm, also that week the Bluebirds face a trip to Brighton Tuesday night and busy time.

Sandaza refused to sign Rangers prenup

2012-01-15T10:56:00.001Z

CARDIFF CITY were rumoured to be link with St Johnstone striker Francisco Sandaza, but that was poo-poo by Cardiff City boss Malky MacKay who said recently all rumour about interest in players way off the mark, but for Craig Noone.

Sandaza was expected to signing a pre-contract offer from Rangers but he rejected it leaving the field open to any other offer. It is reported north of the border that the rumoured interest from Cardiff and West Brom has drailed the deal.The 27-year-old striker has scored 13 goals in a total of 18 League/Cup games so far this season.

St Johnstone boss Steve Lomas said“Fran has told me he won’t be signing a pre-contract agreement with Rangers and I think that is the right call. I take the lad at face value. He isn’t stupid.”

He will be a free agent come the summer.

Ralls rumour in the Sunday People

2012-01-15T09:58:00.002Z

In the People they have a story that the Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp is checking out Cardiff City youngest Joe Ralls.

The report suggests the Spurs boss sent his No.2 Kevin Bond to check him out at Crystal Palace mid-week. The short article goes on to say a number of other top Premiership clubs are interested, naming Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal the others.

English born midfielder Ralls joined the Bluebird from Farnborough along with Jordan Carter and when straight into the clubs academy. A small compensation fee was paid to bring the player.Ralls made his first team debut against Oxford United in the Carling Cup in August 2011 is first start was in the same competition in the following game against Huddersfield.

He then signed his first professional contract at the end of September making his league debut from the bench days later against Hull City, where he also scored a stunning volley for his debut goal. He had to wait awhile for his first league start at happened against Millwall in early December.

Good luck to the Bluebirds

2012-01-14T12:36:00.002Z

All roads lead to Doncaster’s Keepmoat Stadium has Cardiff City return to league football after a mid-week dabble with Cup football. Cardiff played well against Crystal Palace but suffered a 1-0 defeat.

It will be Cardiff first league game since the 3-1 win over Reading having lost their last two both Cup games. Everyone will hope they keep the form that has seen them stay in contention at the top of the league table. Doncaster have being struggling and rooted in the bottom three for most of the season.

Their recent home form has helped lift them off the bottom of the table winning the last three and beating top of the table Southampton and Leicester City along the way. The bookies fancy and Cardiff win, but nothing should be taken for granted.

Hudson tied to the Bluebirds until 2014

2012-01-13T23:24:00.000Z

Cardiff City got a bit of business sorted today with captain Mark Hudson signing a new two-year deal with the club. The Cardiff defender joined the Bluebirds back in July 2009 in a £1.075 deal from Crystal Palace.

Since signing, he has been near ever present in the starting line-up playing just over a 100 league and cup games with four goals. During that time, he has only made three starts from the bench. He became captain after then manager Dave Jones striped Joe Ledley of the captaincy because the well documented contract dispute at the time. He lost the captaincy on the arrival of Craig Bellamy, but new manager Malky MacKay reinstated it at the start of this season.

Cardiff linked to Scottish winger

2012-01-12T16:12:00.000Z

News from Scotland is that Cardiff City and manager Malky MacKay are eying Hearts winger David Templeton. News on MacKay interest in Brighton’s Craig Noone has drifted off the back pages into the twilight zone so it is about time a new name was thrown into the transfer rumour mill.

The article in the Scottish Sun (why no Wales edition) suggest the Welshman plan to take advantage of the SPL clubs financial position. Cardiff have had the player watched for a while if the reports are correct and will have someone watch on Saturday up in Scotland. Cardiff is not the only club showing interest in the player a host of other club and watching the situation.

Hearts are adamant they want to keep all their players while wanting to reduce their wage bill a bit of a contradiction, can both be facilitated something will have to give.Templeton is under contract until the summer of 2013 meaning any transfer fee would be more than if his contract was running out.

Hearts have made it clear there will be no fire sale or cheap deals if any player goes. As for the Hearts winger, he is a key member of the team that they don’t want to sell.If MacKay were to praise him from Hearts, he would not be short of Scottish company at McCardiff with Kenny Miller, David Marshall, Don Cowie, Craig Conway, Kevin McNaughton and Paul Quinn members of the growing Socttish connection at the club.

Must do better in the Second Half

2012-01-11T11:00:00.001Z

Very disappointed with Cardiff City last night they failed to open up the Crystal Palace defence, but the game should have finish 1-1 after a prefect goal disallowed. It only the first half of this two legged semi-final so the game is still all to play for, Wembley.

Disappointment might be too strong of a word, frustrated could be better word, going into the game I feel Cardiff had more than enough to win the game and watching the first 15/20 minute my positive mood from before kick-off looked to be on the right track. Credit to the home team they soaked up the pressure and turning my positive mood towards negativity.

Come up to half time going in all square looked to be fair, but then the Cardiff City keeper gifted Palace a goal meaning Cardiff would start the second half a goal behind.It was a howler of a mistake by the 25-year-old keeper. He came way to far off his line to clear the ball, but failed to beat Mile Jedinak to the ball, the ball when on to find Anthony Gardner on the far post who fired the ball home.

If a Cardiff player had been on the far post then maybe it could have been saved, who knows. The second half was more on the same tight with visitors Cardiff trying to break down the Palace defence while the home team were dangerous on the break. The game should have been levelled in the second half when Kenny Miller had the ball in net but the goal was disallowed for a foul on the Palace goalkeeper.

To my eye, the keeper was barely touched and after seeing umpteen times I still believe it was a goal. I could gripe on about the referee, but I’m not one for ref bashing I leave to manager, players and pundits.

You have to take your hat off to City boss MacKay he could have set up his team to be more defensive has the game went on, but continued with more attacking option has they push on looking of a equaliser. That sometimes left Cardiff light in defence, which was exploited on a number of occasions.

Cardiff laid siege to the Palace goal in the dying minutes of the game but couldn’t eke out a leveller meaning they will have to do better in the second half of the semi-final.Roll on Tuesday week and the return game at the Cardiff City Stadium it would have been great to go into that game with some kind of advantage. Who knows MacKay could draft in a few new faces before the next tie.

Good Luck City at Palace Tonight

2012-01-10T16:59:00.002Z

Waking up this morning was in a very positive mood about tonight’s game and still am so much so I have been told I am overconfident and should take a step back just in case things go awry.Well my answer to that is simply,

Sgt Oddball

Why don't you knock it off with them negative waves?

Why don't you dig how beautiful it is out here?

Why don't you say something righteous and hopeful for a change?

Quote from Kelly’s Heroes

News from the Cardiff camp is that boss Malky MacKay has no restrictions on team selection with ten first team regulars fresh and eager to go. Not much to say with that knowledge I feel confident that Malky will put out a team capable of winning tonight.

In the other camp it is all doom a gloom with talk of a virus and illness hitting the Crystal Palace squad with their manager Dougie Freedman hoping not to lose any more players overnight for tonight’s Carling Cup semi-final first leg with Cardiff at Selhurst Park.

If we win tonight, it will only be half time in the game with the second leg in Cardiff in a few weeks’ time. If will were to win tonight I kind of wish the game was not over the two legs just for peace of mind.

Another bid for Whittingham

2012-01-10T09:42:00.001Z

The Daily Mirror is carrying a story at Cardiff City have or is about to have a new offer for star midfielder Peter Whittingham. Can’t say I am surprised he is a popular target, but Cardiff is determined to keep their man.

During the reign of the former Chairman and manager, Peter Ridsdale and Dave Jones were forever telling anyone who would listen at every player had a price.

Today’s entrants into the race and to test the resolve of the Bluebirds top brass is West Brom Albion with an improved offer to the reported £3 million mention during a phone conversation between Cardiff and West Ham. They have step in with a £4 million bid according to the Mirror, but likely to be turned down out of hand.

Bluebird’s boss Malky MacKay has stated on numerous occasions at Whittingham is a major part of his plans and the player himself said he would not be seeking a transfer any time soon. To cement his position he signed a contract extension back in October keeping him at the Cardiff City Stadium until 2013.

Is Noone the one

2012-01-09T11:49:00.000Z

The South Wales Echo splashed the story that Cardiff City was interested in Brighton winger Craig Noone and today they are back with the story. According to press, reports the Welshman have had an offer of £400,000/£500,000 turned down with Brighton looking for a least a million for the players. Suprisingly the Cardiff boss confirmed an offer had been made telling the BBC,

"We've made a bid and it has been turned down."

The Brighton manager Gus Poyet could be willing to sale but at the right price. The player took no part in Saturday 1-1 draw against Wrexham in the FA Cup having just returned from seeing a specialist in Germany for treatment on a hamstring injury.Therefore, the ball looks to be firmly in Cardiff court if they want Noone they will have to stump up more cash so a chat with the Malaysians on the cards.

Rumour mill linky

2012-01-08T20:19:00.000Z

According to the ‘Mail on Sunday’ Cardiff City are keen on St Johnstone striker Francisco Sandaza although I cannot find one word linking them both together other than the piece in the Mail.

The main part of this story is that Rangers are close to tying up a possible pre-contract agreement with the player who is out of contract in the summer. Along with the Bluebirds, West Brom is another club said to be interested in the Spainish striker. The has talked with Rangers and everything like wages have been agreed, however until he signing a contract it is open season for those interested.

Sandaza agent has had conversations with clubs in Scotland, England, Spain and the United States according to him, but anticipates a move at the end of the season is more likely than a transfer during the current winter window.

A striker is top of Cardiff City boss Malky MacKay who has players in mind saying before new year

“January is a sellers market and there will be players moving for astronomical sums.

“We have to do our business prudently and we know exactly what we want to do. “If our targets become available, we will move quickly.”

A reported £300,000 price tag on Sandaza seems cheap for a player who has scored 12 goals in 18 games.

City linked to Brighton winger

2012-01-07T11:10:00.000Z

After saying yesterday there was a distinct lack of transfer chatter surrounding Cardiff boss Malky MacKay targets and low and behold up pops a name in the South Wales Echo linking the Bluebirds with Brighton winger Craig Noone in a £500,000 deal.

Ater a Google search no one else are running the story and when contacted by the paper neither club would confirm the interest in Noone. Brighton boss Gus Poyet has sent Noone Hamburg to seek a quick recovery to his hamstring injury doesn’t sound like a player there are willing to sell.

Cardiff manager Malky MacKay as for some time revealed he would wanted winger out of this transfer window, but will not chase just anyone.

Cardiff tight lipped on transfer targets

2012-01-06T12:53:00.001Z

The transfer window is open, but there is little news or rumour of any players coming in its rumoured the Cardiff City boss Malky MacKay is waiting on Premiership managers to finalize their unveiled of their maximum 25-man squads they must select from for league games between now and the January transfer window.

Cardiff have signed goalkeeper Elliot Parish on a permanent deal from Aston Villa, but his signing must be one for the further with David Marshall and Ton Heaton in front of him.

Most of the movement at the club is surrounding loans out. Recently Nat Jarvis re-joined Newport County until the rest of the season while Joe Parkin and Ibrahim Farah are still on loan both due with Cardiff sometime in January unless their deals are extended. Solomon Taiwo is at Chesterfield in the search for first team football. Young midfielder Aaron Wildig is at Shrewsbury who recently expressed any interesting in extending his present until the end of the season.

Centre-back Dekel Keinan has returned to Cardiff following the end of his six-week loan spell with Crystal Palace. He only managed three appearances for the Eagles after suffering an ankle injury in training there was gossip of a possible present deal. I expect to see boss MacKay to be willing to loan out any of the loanies who

Cardiff players in the rumour mill are Peter Whittingham and Darcy Blake both of whom are going nowhere according to the Cardiff City manager. It has been revelled Cardiff received a phone call last week reported to by West Ham and £3million was mentioned.So it is a waiting game to see what happens with MacKay already have players in mind.

Malky makes first signing

2012-01-03T17:49:00.000Z

Malky's first signing

On the official, Aston Villa website they have announced that goalkeeper Elliot Parish has completed a permanent deal to join the Bluebirds. According to the Villa site the player himself decided to join Cardiff.

The keeper has been on loan with the Bluebirds on loan after signing had cover on a loan deal and Bluebirds first signing of the January transfer window.

Parish joined Villa in 2006 and was part of the U18 team that won the Barclays Premier Academy League as well as reaching FA Youth Cup semi-final. He never made a first time appearance or Cardiff since joining on loan his only appearance between the posts was while on loan at Lincoln City and on his debut letting six.

The keeper as also represented England at the U20 World Cup in 2009 playing in three games.He will now join David Marshall, Tom Heaton and Jordan Santiago in the Cardiff City keeper pool with is chances of first team football now are next to nil. With Marshall being so dominant between the post and Heaton showing great form when given the chance where will that leave Canadian Santiago?

Aston Villa official website ... Latest News

Cardiff close in on top two

2012-01-02T20:48:00.000Z

CARDIFF CITY move up to third in the league after beating Reading 3-1 with a brilliant result at the CCS and are now only two points behind Southampton and West Brom who are on 47 points.

All the goal action happen in the first half with Cardiff opening up with the first goal from Joe Mason and you can bet Reading boss Brian McDermott will have plenty to say about it. There is some question of handball by Mason before the goal that the officials missed, until I see it on TV, it is hard for me to comment. the word ‘blatant’ was used on the Reading side of the fence.

It was not long before Cardiff got there second and with no controversy, just a goal from an in-swinging corner from Peter Whittingham headed home at close range by Aron Gunnarsson. City 2-0 up after 20 minutes the afternoon was starting to feel good and with results around falling into place at one point it looked like City would end up level or in an automatic promotion place until West Ham went on to beat Coventry.

Roll up, roll up, it Miller time for the third of goal for Cardiff yes Kenny Miller his second in two games. Whittingham provide the ball for the Scottish man giving me more points for my fantasy league team. The ball found the grateful who put the ball into the net, 3-0 and the stadium roof lifted off its fixings.Most of the 23,655 crowd were there for that 3-0 play-off massacre back in May of last year killing off a Cardiff City v Swansea City play-off final at Wembley much to the relief of the police. The only good thing to come out of the game was the end of then manager Dave Jones time at the club.

Pity Reading had to pull one back it is always nice to keep a clean sheet, but it was not to be. It was down to former Cardiff City player Jobi McAnuff to firer home just on half time to give them some hope for the second half.

The second half was a lot quieter than the first, but Cardiff had it under control for the most part with a Reading keeper tested. Cardiff midfielder Gunnarsson and goal scored said that they ground out the win in the second half.

MATCH STATS

Cardiff ..................... Reading

11.... Shots On Target ....4

3..... Shots Off Target ....6

8..... Fouls (Conceded)....9

4......... Corners .............10

0....... Yellow Cards .......2

0........ Red Cards ...........0

Team USA being Europeanize

2012-01-02T16:17:00.001Z

Cardiff City striker France Rudy Gestede desire to play for the USA national team has come at the time of a backlash from American born players as highlighted by one player on Twitter.

The suggestion is that Coach Jürgen Klinsmann trying too hard to Europeanize U.S. team with players born anywhere but the USA and European based players. Most of the recent call-ups by the coach have been European based players. Recently American born professional player Preston Zimmerman currently playing for SV Darmstadt 98 in Germany's 3rd Liga said via Twitter,

Click on picture to enlarge

It is something national teams around the world practise at the moment closer to home the suggest is that English born Cardiff City defender Ben Turner throw is lot in with Wales. He is believed to have Welsh grandparents, which is the basic requirement you need.

I suppose Zimmerman is talking about a player like Fabian Johnson born in Germany and play for them u18, u19 and u21 before switching to the USA squad.

Technically if you were born in Wales and your Mother were Scottish, Father English, and grandparents French, Germany, Spain and Canadian you could play for any of those counties.If Klinsmann is looking to Europe maybe Gestede could catch, his eye I am sure new of the young Frenchman interest has been notice by someone USA set-up.

Before the 1-0 defeat France in November said,

“It’s a different part of American culture. America represents the global picture. Those are kids who came through military families or for whatever reasons, working reasons of their parents, then they grow up with a different educational system, which gives them in soccer terms an edge ahead of American kids growing up in the U.S. They go through thousands more hours of playing the game than the American kid because the American kid only plays organized [soccer]. They come through different systems that gave them, especially, a technical advantage, and an advantage in terms of how they read the game, anticipate the game, because the more you play the more you read things ahead.”

“Now you live in this dual-citizenship world that is normal. It’s globalization. It’s just the way it is.”

There are fans who stay were your born is the country you play for and I kind of fell into that ground with the little interest in international football ball I have.

Back to County for Jarvis

2011-12-30T21:03:00.000Z

County for the rest off the season

Cardiff City striker Nat Jarvis has signed an extension to his contract today he announced the deal on Twitter. He also announced he would be re-joining Newport County on loan for the rest of the season from Monday.

It will be is second stint with the Blue Square Bet Premier club he was previous loaned to them earlier in the season and the deal was to be extended. However, Newport failed to register an extension to the deal before the emergency window so it was back to the City with him.

Since signing his first professional contract by Cardiff City in 2010 he has make only appearance for the City that was in the Carling Cup. He came on early into the second half in the first round game at Oxford United. He scoring Cardiff’s third goal well into extra time.

Cardiff turn down bid for Whittingham claim

2011-12-30T10:33:00.002Z

The Hammers want Whitts

Reports in the press are suggesting Cardiff City have turned down a £3.25 million offer for Peter Whittingham from West Ham.

The Cardiff boss Malky MacKay has sent out a warning via the press a number of weeks ago that his star player was not for sale and a major part of his and Cardiff City future. They [Cardiff] intend to buy not sell in the January transfer window fans have been told.

Only a week or so ago Whittingham committed himself to Cardiff saying he would have no complaints if Cardiff were to turn away offers from Premier League clubs. While the Eastenders are not in the Premier League, they are one of the favourites to gain promotion back into the Premiership at the end of the season.In August Whittingham put is commitment to the club on paper in the process tying himself to the club until 2014 after signing a new contract.

He said recently

"You're always going to get flattered.
"It means you're doing something right if you are being linked with clubs.
"But I've said all along that I want to be with Cardiff and I want to get into the Premiership with Cardiff and nothing's changed."

It is a lot of money to turn down if the story is true, but it shows Cardiff City board and management are serious in there push for Premier League status.

Manager on rumour Official Cardiff City website

End of the line for the Football League Show

2011-12-29T22:41:00.003Z

The end of the road

The Football League Show is to be axe has the BBC turn their backs on live League football and that was just 10 games and season.Next season they could be no football at all on the BBC, but for Match of the Day and two Carling Cup semi-final with those rights due to end.

Given the opportunity, I always prefer the BBC coverage of sport including Sky.The BBC share the rights to the Football League in a deal worth £264million with Sky who made the bigger contribute to the figure, but with no free-to-air TV rights sold to date it is left to Sky who have secured a three-year deal for £195million.

If looks as if the BBC are more interested in tying up the future of Match of the Day, which is up for tender next year.With the BBC, pulling out that only leaves ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 to pick up the free-to-air rights. However, there has been no rush to beat the doors down at the Football League offices for talks. The Football League are hopeful of a deal with the BBC that will keep the football League Show on the air next season. Their is talk of a deal over highlights without the 10 live game which could then be offer to other broadcasters.

Maybe they are waiting to see if they can get the rights on the cheap or something, which will not help the league club with less money to go around.It is sure to hit Cardiff City balance sheet with less money coming in while at the top table of the Premier League pockets are over flowing with TV cash.

The Football League Show is on far too late just before midnight and unlike Match of the Day don’t have a second screening on TV. You have to watch via the red button or Iplayer someone like my ageing dad don’t want to play around with remote controls.

Forest a must win

2011-12-29T17:26:00.000Z

CARDIFF CITY will be looking heap more misery on Nottingham Forest on New Year’s Eve and get back to winning ways themselves. It will be Cardiff’s second festive fixture on the road.

In fact, Forest have not won a game since the back end of November when they lost at Cardiff only picking up a single league point in the progress.Cardiff have a new November it is called December must Bluebird fans will understand my little joke. In the previous month, the Bluebirds only dropped 2 points out of a possible 15 while in December it is 7 points out of a possible 12 with Saturday’s game to go.

Cardiff City boss Malky Mackay is waiting on fitness reports on Kevin McNaughton who limped off at Watford with a tight calf muscle. Former Forest player Rob Earnshaw will hope start the game on the bench after he failed to make the bench at Watford.

Blake staying put

2011-12-28T17:55:00.000Z

Cardiff City manager Malky Mackay has been quick to dismiss any suggestion that versatile Darcy Blake could be on his way out of Cardiff.The rumours mainly coming from internet chatter reasoning that because he is not getting first team football he could well leave in search of regular football.

The Blake has talked before about his need for regular football to maintain to current statues in the Welsh national team. However, the Cardiff manager is adamant he is part of his plans at the Bluebirds.

Mackay told BBC Sport,"No, it's not talk from within the club [about Blake leaving].

"It might be on websites, but certainly there's no talk from within the club.

"I thought Darcy did well when he came on."He wants to play like every player at the club and you never know when you get your opportunity and that being the case you've got to be right and ready for that opportunity.

"And I think Darcy will be the first to admit that he's not been right and ready for that opportunity arising."

Some managers could test Cardiff resolve to keep the players but there interest if any could be ignored. Under Dave Jones and previous boards the policy was to sell if crazy offer were made. Cardiff do not need to sell has Blake signed a two year extension in October 2010 which would keep him at the club until 2013.

Former Wales striker Iwan Roberts suggested a month or so ago that Darcy Blake should consider leaving Cardiff City to further his career.

Taiwo to train with Chesterfield

2011-12-27T20:34:00.000Z

It was reported early in December that Chesterfield were interested in Cardiff's 26-year-old midfielder Solomon Taiwo and now reports have him set to train with the Division One club.

He joined the Bluebirds in late August 2009 after a Man of the Match performance against the City in the Carling Cup. He was handed a three-year deal by then manager Dave Jones which runs out in the summer.

He is set to spend a week training with Chesterfield and if him has a successful stay he will join they on loan for the rest of the season. Chesterfield are in a battle to pull themselves off the bottom for Division One.

The Cardiff midfielder has found himself way out of the mix at Cardiff even failing to make the subs bench with is only start this season was against Oxford in the Carling Cup, but he only lasted 15 minutes before picking up an injury and had to come off.

He also came off the bench for the final minutes of the 2-1 win over Southampton back in September. Since joining the Bluebirds in 2009/10 from Dagenham & Redbridge he has more or less been at the fringes of the first team, but on signing he was described by Cardiff manager Dave Jones as "a good prospect, a strong player, a good athlete and comfortable on the ball".

Last, season when out on loan to his old club, Dagenham & Redbridge.

Few names linked to the City

2011-12-26T09:58:00.001Z

CARDIFF CITY have been linked to a couple players over Christmas today there are press reports the Bluebirds looking at Nottingham Forest centre half Wes Morgan has a possible target. The player is out of contract in the summer and is refusing to extend his contract.

Forest are looking in the region of £250.000 for the player and Cardiff has competition for his signature with Championship rivals Reading interested in Morgan.City has also been liked with Celtic youngster striker Omar Bogle who is being release. The youngster only moved north of the border in the summer from Birmingham and reports suggest he settle well that Celtic. Again Cardiff will have to share their interest with a host of club including Rangers are on the track of the youngster.

A week or so before Christmas Cardiff were being linked with Shamrock Rovers striker Karl Sheppard

The opening of the January transfer window is days away for opening, but some clubs have already tied up players and are awaiting the opening of the window to complete deals. Cardiff City boss Malky Mackay is believed to have players in mind and in to local paper he his saying he wants at least two new signings.The main areas for strengthening are in attack and he as a need for a wingers which have been mentions for a while now.

He failed or was unable to being in any new faces during the loan period and after loaning out a number of players still managed to keep the Bluebirds in contention at the top of the league table.

Bluebirds on Christmas Day

2011-12-25T04:00:00.000Z

You awaken Christmas morning on a mission running downstairs you bypass your stack of presents under the tree and head straight out the front door to stand on some roadside early o’clock waiting to catch the Cardiff City supporters coach to Newcastle. If there were such a fixture today, would you make the trip? Part of me would love to, but the pull of a family Christmas would keep me home today.

Cardiff fans have gripped over a Tuesday night fixture up north, but a trip on Christmas day would there be many takers. Back in the 20’s,30 and ever up to the early 50’s it was the normal for such fixtures and ever more has well has playing on Christmas Day, there was a return fixture on Boxing Day, yes two game over two days and they were not always derbies.

Cardiff City did play Newcastle in 1926 Christmas Day and for all their trouble lost 5-0 that year Cardiff had no Boxing Day fixture, but on the 27th beat Arsenal 2-0 at Ninian Park. They played each other again in 1952, but I'm not sure Cardiff City Supporters club were running buses to either game.

A delve into The Definitive Cardiff City F.C by Richard Shepherd (ISBN 1-899-46817-X) showed the Christmas Day fixture was very were much regular fixture until the last game was 1954 at Ninian Park. West Brom was the visitors with the ending in a 3-2, a win for the City with Trevor Ford (2) and Stan Montgomery. The crowd that day was 22,000+ somehow these days cannot see that kind of attendance or would there be a rush to the stadium. Boxing Day fixtures have always been a crowd pull so could football come back to Christmas day one day in the future.

The first reference to a Christmas Day game I could find was against Croydon Common, 1911, a game the Welshman won 4-0 with a reported crowd of 8,000 a figure sounds estimated. It was not just at they were playing football on Christmas day, but the following day (Boxing Day) the fixture would reversed especially in the early years. Both clubs were in the Southern League Division Two at the time and the Boxing Day fixture saw the Bluebirds travel to their London ground Croydon Common Athletic Stadium that they shared with Crystal Palace at the time

The Church owned their ground and the lease prohibited its use for any purposes on Good Friday and Christmas Day.

Who the hell were Croydon Common, a quick internet search came up with not much but they begun life in 1897 as an amateur church team competing in local leagues they turned professional in 1907 on joining the Southern League but disbanded in 1917.

On 1916, Cardiff played a friendly on Christmas day away Merthyr Town and won 2-0. It was not unheard of for teams to play three games in five days. One game that caught my eye was the 1926 Christmas Day trip to Newcastle lucky for the players there was no Boxing Day fixture mean they didn’t have rush back. It world have been a hard slog to get to Newcastle even with a Christmas Day train service. Out of interest, the following day 27th Cardiff played Arsenal winning 2-0 at Ninian Park a few days later (New Year Day) Cardiff travelled to London and lost.

The most famous Christmas Day football match not even played on a football pitch, but a battlefield during the First World War. The game took place Christmas Day 1914 during the first Christmas of World War 1. By mutual consent an estimated 100,000 British and German troops along the Western Front declared a truce, and those near to Armentieres in France sang Christmas carols before leaving their respective trenches to play a football match in sub-zero temperatures in no-man's land. Before the match - between the 2nd Battalion the Royal Welch Fusiliers, the Saxons of 133 Infantry Regiment, and the Prussians of 6 Jäger Battalion gifts were exchanged - the Germans giving two barrels of beer and the British a plum pudding. The Germans won - differing reports give the score as 2-1 or 3-2 - and the following day hostilities resumed, by mutual consent.

Below there is a list of games played on Christmas Day followed by a Boxing Day fixtures

1911 25th Cardiff City 4-0 Croydon Common Southern League Division 2
1911 26th Croydon 2-0 Cardiff City

1912 25th Cardiff City 1-1 Pontypridd Southern League Division 2
1912 26th Luton Town 2-0 Cardiff City

1913 25th Cardiff City 1-1 Merthyr Town Southern League Division 1
1913 26th Merthyr Town 2-2 Cardiff City

1914 25th Plymouth Argyle 2-0 Cardiff City Southern League Division 1
1914 26th Cardiff City 2-0 Plymouth Argyle

1919 25th Merthyr Town 1-1 Cardiff City Southern League Division 1
1919 26th Cardiff City 1-1 Merthyr Town

1920 25th Coventry City 2-4 Cardiff City Division 2
1923 25th Sheffield United 1-1 Cardiff City Division 1

1923 26th Cardiff City 3-1 Sheffield United

1924 25th West Ham United 3-2 Cardiff City Division 1
1924 26th Cardiff City 2-1 West Ham United1925

25th Cardiff City 3-2 West Bromwich Albion Division 11925
26th West Bromwich Albion 3-0 Cardiff City

1926 25th Newcastle United 5-0 Cardiff City Division 1

1928 25th Leeds United 3-0 Cardiff City Division 1
1928 26th Cardiff City 2-1 Leeds United1929

25th Bristol City 2-0 Cardiff City Division 21929
26th Cardiff City 1-1 Bristol City

1931 25th Luton Town 2-1 Cardiff City Division 3 (South)
1931 26th Cardiff City 4-1 Luton Town

1933 25th Coventry City 4-1 Cardiff City Division 3 (South)
1933 26th Cardiff City 3-3 Coventry City

1935 25th Southend United 3-1 Cardiff City Division 3 (South)
1935 26th Cardiff City 1-1 Southend United

1936 25th Torquay United 1-0 Cardiff City Division 3 (South)
1936 26th Cardiff City 1-1 Walsall

1937 25th Mansfield Town 3-0 Cardiff City Division 3 (South)
1937 26th Cardiff City 4-1 Mansfield Town

1940 25th Swansea Town 1-3 Cardiff City War League

1941 25th Cardiff City 1-2 Swansea Town War League

1942 25th Swansea Town 3-1 Cardiff City War League
26th Cardiff City 2-2 Swansea Town

1943 25th Cardiff City 5-1 Lovell’s Athletic War League
26th Bath City 3-2 Cardiff City

1944 25th Cardiff City 3-1 Swansea Town War League

1945 25th Bristol Rovers 2-2 Cardiff City War League
1945 26th Cardiff City 4-2 Bristol Rovers

1946 25th Leyton Orient 1-0 Cardiff City Division 3 (South)

1948 25th Brentford 1-1 Cardiff City Division 2

1950 25th Cardiff City 2-1 Coventry City Division 2
26th Coventry City 1-2 Cardiff City

1951 25th Swansea Town 1-1 Cardiff City Division 2
26th Cardiff City 3-0 Swansea City

1952 25th Newcastle United 0-0 Cardiff City Division 1

1954 25th Cardiff City 3-2 West Bromwich Albion Division 1

Busy, busy, busy

2011-12-24T12:59:00.000Z

CARDIFF CITY fans will have to dig deep into their pockets if they want to see the Bluebirds in live action has the Welshman are nearly solidly on the road until the end of January. There are unexpected Cup Semi-finals which makes the next somewhat more hectic.

Monday, 26 December Watford away, k/o 12
Saturday, 31 December Nott'm Forest away k/o 3pm
Monday, 2 January Reading home k/o 3pm
Saturday, 7 January FA Cup West Brom away k/o 3pm
Tuesday, 10 January Carling Cup Crystal Palace away SF, L1, k/o 8pm
Saturday, 14 January Doncaster away k/o 3pm
Saturday, 21 January Cardiff home k/o 3pm
Tuesday, 24 January Carling Cup Crystal Palace home SF, L2, k/o 7:45pm
Tuesday, 31 January Southampton away k/o 7:45pm

That’s nine game and a possible tenth if Cardiff were to beat West Brom and eleven if a win against West Brom took a replay, great for the fans has we loved our football, but managers and players would see it has a nightmare.If there were a mid-winter break say in January where would all these game go? It a lot of game with a small squad, but hopefully there will be a few new face coming during the January transfer window

Over 1500 fans are off to spend Boxing Day travelling to Watford, but less are expected to hit the road on New Year’s Eve trip to Nott’m Forest before City start the New Year off with a home game against Reading.

The Rumour Mills latest

2011-12-18T21:21:00.000Z

The Sunday Mirror have come up with the weakest of links to Cardiff City and a new possible signing with an interest in acquiring Doncaster’s star striker Billy Sharp, it would seem they have just chucked the Bluebirds name into the mix.

The Doncaster player has been strongly rumoured to be top of Leicester City in a deal worth £2m plus somewhat rich for the Bluebirds now. They have a host of other club interested, but funny enough not Leicester, but Southampton, Burnley and Ipswich.

The striker has scored nine goals in 15 games this season.

Sharp signed for Doncaster Rovers on 7 July 2010 for £1.15 million, with a three-year contract, which keeps him at Doncaster until the summer of 2013. The paper is suggesting Sharp has a £1.75millon buyout clause written into his contract, however Doncaster are rumoured to have turned done a £2.3milliom offer from Ipswich and a massive £3.25m rejected by the player himself.

I am sure the Cardiff City boss Malky MacKay who is in the market for a new striker would love to add a player of such calibre to his squad, but there is like to be a auction if Doncaster are willing to sell.

City drop two places

2011-12-18T11:05:00.000Z

It was a bit of a groundhog day yesterday for Cardiff City with the visit of Middlesbrough at the Cardiff City Stadium, close to being a re-run of the last game between the two teams.Last season the Bluebirds were on an eight game run of game without defeat and on course for an automatic promotion finish, until the arrival of the North East club.

They process to kill off the party mood for the home fans scoring three goals and consigning the Welshman to another lottery that is the play-offs.Today fans were looking for some revenge even the few players in the today’s squad from last season were talking of unfinished business with Middlesbrough.

Cardiff headed into the game off the back of nine league games undefeated, but the big difference being that this time it was third v fourth in the league. Last season the visitors were struggling at the wrong end of the league table.

Has for today it looked like the day was going to be a toughie when Cardiff had a stonewall penalty call turned down after around 13 minutes. The Cardiff boss was not happy with the ref decision nor was the Cardiff City fans, but for everyone else there in the ground it was a relief. Minutes later Cardiff was a goal down when Nigerian Bart Ogbeche scored his first goal in English football.

It was not long before the home crowd had something to cheer about when an in swinging corner from Peter Whittingham was flicked on by Miller for defender Ben Turner to head the ball into the net, game all square again. It was Turner first goal for the Bluebirds and it was against a team he played for and supported since childhood. With minutes to go Cardiff took the lead with an assist from striker Kenny Miller for Aron Gunnarsson slot the ball into the goal.

With the game at 2-1 at the start of the second half, you can never feel safe, but within 15 minute of the second half restart, the visitor had levelled to game again. They had been piling on the pressure and with their nose back into the game the home team up their game making the run up to the final whistle.The goal saw the Cardiff City boss Malky MacKay make a double substitute with Craig Conway off for Joe Mason and Don Cowie for Rudy Gestede giving MacKay more options up front.

However, the visitors took the lead in the 75minute leading to a win has Cardiff failed to square the game or push for a win. They were chances but that final ball just wouldn’t cross the line so Cardiff dropped to fifth in the league table while the visitors moved up to third.

When Millwall was a nightmare

2011-12-10T13:27:00.000Z

THINKING about Millwall today got me reminiscing about my travels to the old Den back in the later 70’s and early 80’s and the sense of foreboding everytime you would had to climbing on a coach or train.

Of every ground I have ever visited, the ‘Old Den’ was by far the scariest and didn’t help with the number of fans willing to travelling. My first trip was December 1978 just a year after the infamous Panorama programme 'F Troop, Treatment and the Half-Way Line' and of eight who said they were going only two of us boarded the coach for the trip.

The coach was not full of harden hooligans, but old faces we would see week in week out and a few curious who had seen the broadcast, a bit like me I suppose.When the programme seller offers you violence you just know you are in another world. A veteran told us to stay away from the toilets and stick together, don’t wander off unless you have a death wish. The afternoon was somewhat defused with the home team winning and the quietness of the Cardiff fans, any show of support would result in the mass turning of Millwall fans heads watching you. It was like they were waiting for you to over step the mark, and if you did, they would be having you.

It was only third win of the season with them going into the game with the home team bottom of the table. The win didn’t lift them off the bottom and found themselves relegated at the end of the season.

Panorama 1977 Part 1F Troop, Treatment and the Half-Way Line

Panorama 1977 Part 2

Panorama 1977 Part 3

Panorama 1977 Part 4

Manager of the Month a well iffy award

2011-12-09T19:12:00.001Z

Congratulationsto Cardiff City's manager Malky MacKay on winning Championship Manager of the Monthfor November! I hope he beats the curse that surrounded this piece of news as this month could be a nightmare. Luckily MacKay has one game under his belt already, a win over Birmingham so things have started well.

Wehave all since it before, a sudden drop on form straight after this announcementand cries of ‘We’re doomed’. I wish some other manager picked the damn award, anyone than MacKay, but thinking about it, he deserves the recognition for the sterling work he is doing at the club.

Beenof the nerdy kind I felt an urge to seek stats and see if the curse has aneffect on previous City managers. Surprisingly back in 2003-04 the then bossLennie Lawrence won the January award off the back of two league wins and adraw. The following month it was two defeats a draw and one win, not a goodmonth.

Nextup the era of Dave Jones who won five times while with the Bluebirds and a quick glance it doesn’t look every good,but here goes

August2006 – W D W W W
September– L D W W W

Nota bad set of stats that left Cardiff tip of the league back then and more importantlyno sign of the annoying curse. The next time Jones was top manager was in January2008 this time the curse bit hard.

January2008 – W W D W
February– L L D L

Thatthe end of January Cardiff were in 7^th place and by the end of Februarydrooped to 13^th. Next up for Jones was October of the same year withmore or less the same outcome.

October2008 – D W D W W
November– L L W L D D

AllowCardiff managed only a merger five points in November they did manage to keepthey league position nearly dropping down three places. Beside Cardiff, anumber of other top teams in the Championship had awful months.

October2009 – W D W W
November– D L L L

Anothernightmare November for Jones to suffer and the fans this cures looks to be the propertyof our former manager.

October2010 – W W W W W
November– L D W L L

Whatis it with Dave Jones and October, for three seasons on the trot, he has wonthe October Manager of the Month award only to have a diabolic November. There are fans out there at believethe myth of the 'curse' comes from DaveJones’s record at Cardiff City.

Last seasonthe present boss at Cardiff Malky MacKay also won the Manager of the Month withWatford in March. So was his stats any better the following month, nope.

March 2011 –W D W W L
April – L LD D L L

Oh well itis not looking to good against Millwall tomorrow for the superstitious fanshowever

January is going to be mad

2011-12-08T12:33:00.001Z

January is going to a mad time for Cardiff City and its fan with four league games, two Carling Cup semis and a FA Cup fixture, which could rise to eight if Cardiff beat West Brom. I hope Santa doesn’t cost you the earth with three away trips in seven days one being the semi trip to Crystal Palace.

On top of all those games the City boss Malky Mackay plans to be active in the January transfer window hopefully adding to his squad for the final push for promotion. Speaking with the local paper the South Wales Echo he talking of two or three with a striker and winger in mind, but things can change so quickly in football.

The Cardiff manager is insisting he has the backing of the clubs Malaysian owners and there are funds available. He has been in the market for a while looking for a new striker to sign-up on loan. During the emergency transfer window, but according to the article in the paper just missed out on bringing someone in.

Bluebirds boss Mackay said in the paper,“We do need to bring in players and the board will back me in that,” said Mackay, who has steered Cardiff to third place in the Championship – five points behind leaders Southampton.

“But we will go about our business prudently and aim to get value for money.

“I want players who will integrate into the team.

“During January, and in the transfer window next summer, we need a gradual build-up of players into the squad.

“But first we will look at the league table and what we are able to do in January.

“The board have been very good in allowing me access to knowing what the financial situation is. This is a business and the financial situation now makes us a club going forward, rather than teetering on the brink of administration. Where I have asked the directors to back me they have, and we want to add to our squad in the right way.”

It would be interesting to see what money is there it should wake up agents on the search for a payday. From what I have read about Mackay, he is not one to rest in so any player he picks his target and then goes about building a dossier on the player.

He has five strikers at present Kenny Miller, Rudy Gestede, Earnshaw Rob, Nathaniel Jarvis who is like to go out on loan again in January, and Jon Parkin who has been on loan at Doncaster and now in on a short-term loan at Huddersfield.He as played for three teams including Cardiff so his he bared for another loan deal or playing for another club unless he stays with Huddersfield until the end of the season. I found this below on the internet

Are there any rules in place, which limit how many clubs a player can play for in one season?

Currently under the FIFA Transfer Regulations, a football player is unable to play for more than three teams in one season. This applies whether the player has been transferred or simply is on loan with that club.

This also applies regardless of what country that player has plied his trade in, whether that is in Europe, Africa, or South America. As long as a player has represented a club in a league under the adjudication of a FIFA Member Association, they will only be able to play for three different clubs.

However, this does mean that a football player is free to represent a total of three different clubs in any league in the world over the course of one season.

Parkin’s time with the club would surely be over if Mackay was to bring in a new striker even if, it was a loan.

Taiwo linked with move

2011-12-07T13:08:00.001Z

Reports on Sky Sport are suggesting Chesterfield will make a move to sign Cardiff City midfielder Solomon Taiwo in January. A number of clubs are rumoured to the interested in the player one being Oxford United.

His only start of the season was against Oxford in the Carling Cup, but he only lasted 15 minutes before picking up an injury and had to come off. He also came off the bench for the final minutes of the 2-1 win over Southampton back in September.

Since joining the Bluebirds in 2009/10 from Dagenham & Redbridge he has more or less been at the fringes of the first team, but on signing he was described by Cardiff manager Dave Jones as "a good prospect, a strong player, a good athlete and comfortable on the ball".

Last, season when out on loan to his old club, Dagenham & Redbridge.On joining the Welshman in August 2009 he signed a three-year deal which runs out in the summer. It’s unsure if the rumored deal is a loan or permanent but he looks to be on his way out anyway.

Cardiff hit the Road to Wembley

2011-12-04T15:06:00.001Z

The day of the Third Round, draw of the FA Cup and it was a long wait for Cardiff to be drawn with only three balls left in the pot. In the end it was Premier League West Brom away, it would have been better if it was a home tie.

It will be interesting how Cardiff City boss Malky Mackay will play this game. I take it the game will be on Saturday 7th Jan with the Carling Cup semi-final the following Tuesday and our in the semi clash Crystal Palace travel to Derby County.

Will Mackay yield to the option of holding back his first team and save their powder for the Palace fixture

City take all three points

2011-12-04T14:37:00.001Z

Great win at the Cardiff City stadium over Birmingham and continue their unbeaten run in the league to 10 mean they also move back to third in the league table. The Midlands club when down to 10 man when Curtis Davis was sent-off.It was not long after that the Bluebirds took the lead when Kenny Miller fired home, scoring his seven of the season.

With three of the remaining, four league game in December away from home it will be important to keep the run of games going. Cardiff are now three points off West Ham who are in second in the table.

Sat, 10 December 2011 Millwall v Cardiff, 15:00

Sat, 17 December 2011 Cardiff v Middlesbrough, 15:00

Mon, 26 December 2011 Watford v Cardiff, 12:00

Sat, 31 December 2011 Nott'm Forest v Cardiff, 15:00

The December fixture that stands out is the Middlesbrough home game, which based on today’s table would be a third v fourth fixture.

Maybe the Welsh Cup was wrong for Cardiff

2011-12-03T19:59:00.001Z

Wrexham had two Cup games today something Cardiff City could have faced if they had entered the Welsh Cup, because it was reality for Wrexham. They had a FA Cup second round fixture and a third round Welsh Cup tie to play. So if Cardiff were in the Welsh Cup they would have to play in the Welsh Cup today as well as a league fixture tomorrow.

I have always been in favour of Cardiff playing in the Welsh Cup mainly because of the chance of European football. Even now I would still like to see Cardiff City back in, but somehow my feeling is it just won't happen.

I believe Wrexham opponents in the Welsh Cup Airbus UK, refused to rearrange the fixture and why should they. Because the likes of Wrexham and Cardiff play in the English setup, their fixtures take priority over Welsh fixtures.

It was a mixed bag for the North Walians with a win in the FA Cup against high flying Division One Club Brentford and a chance to test themselves against higher opposition, with the Premier League and Championship clubs entering the arena. Meanwhile back in Wrexham the reserves were taken to extra time only to lose 2-1 in a competition they were expected to reach the finals.

Hate the fact we are playing Sunday

2011-12-03T16:00:00.001Z

I woke up this morning all excited it was Saturday and football then I remember Cardiff City were playing Sunday because the knuckle draggers (rugby fans) were in town sending me into a raged of hatred. Another nail in the coffin of the of the Welsh egg chasing hierarchy why can’t they play Sunday. It's not like the Cardiff v Biringham game is being moved because the game is on TV

While most fans have voiced concern of the return of strikers Michael Chopra and Ross McCormack to their form club, but it is the return of Chris Burke that occupies my mind. He is the only player who left in the summer I wanted to see stay with Cardiff even before Craig Bellamy. Burke is the kind of player who can open up a game with a simply pass of the ball or one of his darting runs down the right flank.

Burke signed a pre-contract agreement Birmingham joining official on a two-year deal on at the beginning of July, having left Cardiff on a free transfer under the Bosman ruling. Speaking this week in the build up to tomorrow’s game he said the move from Cardiff happen at the right time going on to say,

"This season, I have never felt better fitness-wise and strength-wise. I think I am playing my best football.

"I am playing week in, week out and not getting subbed in the 70th minute or whatever.

"Sometimes it is best to have a fresh start and a new manager - you don't want to get too comfortable at a club.

"I felt it was the right time and knew if Cardiff didn't go up there would be drastic changes."

Was there a thin veiled pop at former boss Dave Jones there? He did seem to be the one subbed for technical reason. You can bet he will be get a warm welcome at the Cardiff City Stadium, but hoping he as an awful game.

Terry Burton off West Brom

2011-12-01T15:43:00.001Z

FORMER Cardiff City coach Terry Burton is reported to be in line to become first-team coach at West Brom. Burton has been out of work since the summer and the arrival of Malky Mackay and his new backroom staff.

It was reported he was on ‘garden leave’ running out what was left of his contract at Cardiff.Burton joined Cardiff as assistant manager during the 2004–2005 season, with Lennie Lawrence's was manager at the club.

Changes are rumoured at the Black Country club with currnet coach Keith Downing promoted to assistant head coach and Burton joining Roy Hodgson’s staff as the club’s new first-team coach.

Looking forward to Jan

2011-12-01T11:39:00.001Z

I am surprised that some fans are disappointed we didn’t end up with Manchester City in the draw for the semi-final of the Carling Cup. I am happy to wait until the final to play them or Liverpool and I'm sure the Crystal Palace fans feel the same this morning.

I slighted Crystal Palace by suggesting they had no chance against the mighty Manchester Untied and oh boy did I get that wrong On seeing the team United boss Alex Ferguson picked last night I was unsure with my previous thoughts. I don’t really care, but playing a team of benchwarmers and reserve players is never a good option the Palace team are first team veterans who play together week in week out in the cut and thrust of league football.

Back to the draw last night wasn’t it exciting I had everything crossed for Palace to be drawn against the Blubirds from what looked like a ice bucket with Carling written on it. It's was the best result for Cardiff City in what both sets of fans would agree is a winnable game. If you are looking at it from today, Cardiff has a slight advantage base on league form, but who knows what the form will be come January.Cardiff have drawn first blood between the two clubs this season with a Bonfire Night victory at the Cardiff City Stadium. The 2-0 win ended Palace's run of more than 10 hours of football without conceding a goal.

The first leg of the semi-final the week commencing Jan 9th will see Cardiff City making the trip to London before the return fixture on the week commencing Jan 23rd. Well are wait on dates but on semi will be on the Tuesday the other on Wednesday of that week with both games being televised with Sky and the BBC are sharing the games.

If the goal now is to reach another Wembley, final looking beyond that European could be back on the menu for the Welshman in the Europa League. It would be the first European nights for Cardiff since Standard Liege in 1993, now that’s what I call an incentive because win, lose in the final the door could be open to Europe.

From the Premier League official website

If the winner of either cup gains European qualification through their league place, the runner-up of that cup competition will then qualify for the Europa League.

If both the cup winner and the runner-up are already qualified through their league positions, the sixth place team will qualify (and seventh if this occurs in both cups).

There is a lot at stake for both clubs, but I am blinker to Cardiff you can guarantee both club will make money on the game. You cannot factor in when working out clubs revenue stream a cup run, but both clubs will see sell-out crowds and TV money that’s were the big money will come from. The prize money will see the losing semi-finalists will each take home £25,000 if Cardiff were to make the final the winners of the Carling Cup win £100,000 and the runners-up £50,000. Not a great deal of monies compared to the FA Cup.

Mackay chased the November blues away

2011-11-30T20:38:00.001Z

Who said November was Cardiff’s Achilles' heel it may have been under former manager Dave Jones, but new boss Malky Mackay has well and truly kill that off the November blues.

Cardiff fans have looked on the arrivel of Novembers in the past with dread. This month can be soul destroying in the race for the end of season league position and the quest for automatic promotion. However, if it has to be the play-off I don't think you would find a Cardiff fan who would turn it down if that was all that was on offer. The belief in the Cardiff boss is so strong.

This November Cardiff have only dropped two measly points unlike the

2008/09 - Six games for only 5 points
2009/10 - Four games for only 1 point
2010/11 – Five games for only 4 points
2011/12 – Five games for 13 points plus on Cup victory

Lets hope November’s form carries on into December, January and so on until the end of the season.

Whom do you want in the Semi-Final?

2011-11-30T17:40:00.001Z

Being disrespectful to Palace I expect Man Utd to join the other Manchester and Liverpool long with us in the draw tonight. I would like to overlook Liverpool and see one of the Manchester clubs, as our opponents in the semis of the Carling Cup my reason being both managers would probably play weaken teams.

The first leg is scheduled to be played the week commencing 9th Jan. The Saturday before (7th) is FA Cup time with the Third round kicking off so potluck who everyone will be playing. The following Saturday United are home to Bolton while City face a trip Wigan has for Cardiff they are away to Doncaster.

The league games before the second leg on the week commencing 23rd will see the both Manchester clubs have take tough games which will see United take on Arsenal away and City face Tottenham at home. They will be out in full strength for those games without a doubt Cardiff have a home game with Portsmouth that weekend. The following weekend its back to the Cup with the Fourth round of the FA Cup.

Ok it could be Liverpool in the draw and their two league games around the time of the semi-finals legs are Stoke and Bolton. Cardiff will face a possible eight games in January if they progress on to the fourth round of the FA Cup, plus four league games and of course the two semi-finals.

So onward to the Semi-Final

2011-11-29T22:19:00.001Z

Oh yes Cardiff City going the pot for the semi- final draw which will take place tomorrow night after the Manchester United v Crystal Palace. In with Cardiff goes Liverpool and Manchester City after tonight’s results. The semi-finals are played over two legs and the games will be televised, two will go to the BBC and the other two will be on Sky Sports.

Cardiff boss Malky Mackay made two changes to the squad from Saturday dropping keeper Marshall and McPhail to the bench in favour of Heaton and Kiss. Blackburn boss Steve Kean made numerous changes to the team that was battered on Saturday 3-1 to Stoke City.

Goals from Kenny Miller quite early into to the first half saw the home to go in at half time with a slender lead. A 1-0 lead is not good for the nerves so it was most welcome when not long into the second half when Antony Gerrard increased the lead calming the nerves of many a Cardiff fan.

The crowd was a disappointing 19,436, but now there will be a rush for tickets because whatever name comes out of the hat now the game will be a sell-out.

Could this game be the final nail in the coffin of Blackburn manager Steve Kean, fans will be shouting even louder for him to go with Cardiff fans chipping their five pence worth chanting ‘you’re getting sacked in the morning’. Maybe the Indian Chicken millionaires who own Blackburn have another job in mind for Kean.

Lifted off the internet

Cardiff looking to go the next step

2011-11-29T16:16:00.001Z

The last time a Cardiff City fan could say ‘Cardiff have a Carling (League) Cup game tonight’ was way back in November 1965 the last time the Bluebirds reach this kind of high in this competition. Fellow Division 2 club Ipswich Town the visitors then and game City won 2-1 a score line Cardiff fans would be happy to see repeated tonight against visiting Blackburn Rovers.

Mackay said, "I have looked at them three or four times and they have had some really poor decisions against them.

"A few decisions the other way and they are out of that bottom three.

"They play decent football and they have not been out of the Premier League for a number of years, they have a sizeable squad and have plenty of Premier League experience."

Blackburn may be bottom of the Premier League, but you can guarantee the Cardiff boss will not be underestimating tonight opposition. They have not won an away game this season in league or cup having played they previous Carling game at home also they have only won a single league game.

On the other hand, Cardiff are on an excellent unbeaten run of games leading to upbeat talk of progressing onward to the semi-finals.Cardiff manager Malky Mackay as stated he would play his best possible team out tonight so we are likely to be a different team on display. That will mean some of younger members of Mackay squad will have to take a back sit after serving the club well in previous rounds.

Mackay admitted, “When you reach the quarter-finals of the Carling Cup it’s not something you dismiss lightly.

“It’s the first time we’ve been there in 46 years, so we will try to do everything we can to win that game.

“We are playing against a team who have been in the Premier League for a long time.

“We’re not talking about a yo-yo team here. They’ve been right up there and had massive investment in them.

“The first couple of rounds is normally an area that because of the timing you play youngsters.

“At Oxford, for example, we had a lot of youngsters involved, but the further you get in the competition then obviously it becomes more tasty.

“There’s a lot more interest and it becomes one you really want to make sure you can go at as fast as you can.

“We are confident, we have had a good run recently, and we have nothing to lose,” he said.

“It will be a great occasion and I am sure the fans will turn out in numbers and get behind us.”

While Mackay is, ride the crust of the wave with the Bluebirds fans while his opposite number at Blackburn Steve Kean is under the cosh with the majority of their fan base. There has been protest outside Blackburn’s Ewood Park ground, inside the ground, in the skies and on phone-ins around the country and newsprint. However, the club owners Venky’s are backing their man and there has been talk of a new contract for Kean.

Fixtures

Carling Cup Quarter-Final Match Dates

Tuesday 29th November:

Arsenal v Manchester City - 8pm – Live on SKY.

Chelsea v Liverpool - 7.45pm.

Cardiff City v Blackburn Rovers - 7pm.

Wednesday 30th November:

Man Utd v Crystal Palace - 7.45pm – Live on SKY.

If Cardiff make it through to the Semi-Final the draw will take place at Old Trafford following the quarter-final tie between Manchester United and Crystal Palace on Wednesday night.

RIP Gary Speed

2011-11-27T13:26:00.001Z

FAW statement said: "The Football Association of Wales are sad to announce the death of the national team manager Gary Speed. We extend our sympathies and condolences to the family. We ask that everyone respects the family's privacy at this very sad time."

Jarvis back with City

2011-11-26T14:47:00.001Z

Cardiff City striker Nat Jarvis has returned to Cardiff after his loan to Newport County failed after they didn't submit the paper work on his extended deal in time. Cardiff were happy to see the young striker stay on loan with the Conference club but what County are calling a “communication breakdown” between them and the Conference League scuppered the deal.

Newport manager Justin Edinburgh told the local paper ‘The Argus’ on Thursday before the mix-up,

“Nat is staying until January.

“He’s up there with the leading scorers for the club. He’s made a good impact and deserves his place in the starting line-up.”

The player was unhappy with the situation and used his Twitter account to vent his fury saying,

Newport County messed my loan up, it didn’t go through in time, really p****d off, was hitting form as well.”

He had previous twitted,

“Signed at #NewportCountyFC until the New Year!"

Jarvis who was enjoying playing regular with Newport will now find himself dropping down the pecking order at the Cardiff City Stadium with his chances for a start or even the bench unlikely. It is highly likely the County boss could try and resign him on loan in January has it would be beneficial to Cardiff to have the young striker playing regular football.

Another City tweets a possible loan deal

2011-11-23T23:31:00.000Z

LOOKS like Northampton Town have missed taking Cardiff City youngest Ibrahim Farah on loan after he tweeted, ‘Looks like im going tamworth for a month!!’, but it was late removed so we will have to wait and see tomorrow

There is no official word from either club and it will be unlikely Cardiff City boss Malky Mackay will be happy with yet another one of his players using the social media to relay this kind of information.

He played a reserve game for the Division 2 club scoring two goals in a 2-2 draw against Tamworth and they play in Blue Square Premier league and are currently in a mid-table position.

Tenuous link to Blake

2011-11-23T19:39:00.001Z

Ipswich manager Paul Jewell is looking to add to his squad before the loan window shuts and there is a tiny rumour on the internet that he would like to get his hand on Welsh international and Cardiff player Darcy Blake.Blake might be the chosen one when it comes to Gary Speed the Welsh manager, but under Cardiff City boss Malky Mackay, he is struggling to get a game.

There is a cats hell chance that Blake will be going out on loan he will just have to wait for his chance to get back in the starting line-up.

He has not started for Cardiff since the defeat at Hull City (Oct 1st) and came off the bench last night at Coventry has a time wasting sub with three minutes of normal time. In between those to fixtures, he has start three games for Wales.

That the moment he is keeping Aston Villa’s James Collins, but He has been talk of Blake having to look to his future now he has broken into the Welsh squad which could mean leaving Cardiff. Former Wales striker Iwan Roberts said Blake should consider a Cardiff City exit, has he is failing to win a regular place for the Bluebirds.

"If Darcy isn't going to get his chance at Cardiff it might be time for him to move on," said Roberts.

The local press has Blake looking for showdown talks with Cardiff City boss Malky Mackay.

Wales World Cup fixtures out

2011-11-23T17:31:00.001Z

WALES' 2014 WORLD CUP FIXTURES

2012 7 September: Belgium (h)
11 September: Serbia (a)
12 October: Scotland (h)
16 October: Croatia (a)
2013 22 March: Scotland (a)
26 March: Croatia (h)
6 September: Macedonia (a)
10 September: Serbia (h)
11 October: Macedonia (h)
15 October: Belgium (a)

The fixtures are out for Wales's next campagin and all I can see is international breaks. I see Wales play Scotland on my Wedding Annieversary and on my Birthday.

Hit the road Jon

2011-11-23T16:48:00.001Z

A rare outing for Parkin in this
seasons kit

CARDIFF City striker Jon Parkin has hit the road again in the search for first team football. This time his travels will take him Huddersfield Town on a short-term deal announced on the official Cardiff website up until January23rd.

It was always on the cards that Parkin would be loaned out again. His future is looking more and more likely to be away from Cardiff

Since his surprise signing in January he started a hand full of games last season most of his other appearances were from the bench. This season he has been limited to two Carling Cup game one of which was against Huddersfield a game he scored in and a loan spell with Doncaster.

Good luck to the 'Beast'

Former Cardiff defender on the move

2011-11-22T20:19:00.001Z

CHAIRMAN of football operation at Plymouth Peter Ridsdale has used his old Cardiff City connections to sign former Cardiff and these days Millwall defender Darren Purse on an emergency loan until January.

He will join another former Cardiff City player Warren Feeney a bit part player during his long association with the Bluebirds.I missed the fact that Purse spent time out on loan already this season to Yeovil Town with opportunities at Millwall to play unlikely to materialize. In fact, he has only made one appearance for the London club that was against Plymouth in the Carling Cup earlier in the season.

Plymouth’s caretaker boss Carl Fletcher will throw Purse right into the deep end come Saturday against fellow League Two strugglers Northampton Town.

In Malky we Trust

2011-11-22T19:45:00.000Z

BLUEBIRDS’ boss Malky Mackay has now three of his small squad out on loan with Nat Jarvis is currently playing for Newport County, while Aaron Wildig has joined Shrewsbury Town on loan. Now Dekel Keinan has join Palace and there is no news on Ibrahim Farah heading to Northampton which would make it four. Is there room for any more to go out on loan before anyone comes in the other way.

In Malky we trust

There are reports in the press that Mackay was unhappy that Keinan announcing the pending deal with Palace via his Twitter account before any official announced. The Cardiff boss has also made in clear no big name arrivals will join in January transfer window so that ends the speculation of Carlos Tevez coming out of retirement and joining the Bluebirds.

Reading between the lines of his big interview with the South Wales Echo he would rather buy than loan, but the loan options will not be closed.Mackay said he expects to have money to spend, but that will depend on the club’s billionaire backer, Malaysian businessman Vincent Tan. I hope we do go along the line of buying it is the best way of building a squad than have a team of loan players, two or three is a good number. So far Mackay has brought in one season long loan signing Filip Kiss, but with an option to make it a permanent deal and he drafted in Aston Villa keeper Elliot Parish has an emergency deal to cover keepers David Marshall and Tom Heaton.

The squad is a still bit on the thin side and the emergency loan window closes on November 24 so he must be happy with what he has got until January at less.

Jon Parkin who has already enjoyed a spell at Doncaster and defender Gabor Gyepes will both have to settle for loan deals if they want a chance of first team football and most likely if they do go, it will be until the end of the season. The Keinan deal could well end up going that way if he is a hit at the London club.

Who will come in? Well to be honest it has been quiet on the transfer talk. There was a number of players rumour to be link to the club at the beginning of the emergency loan period. Will boss Mackay plum for another player he has connections to like a former Watford player or another Scot to add to the squad.

Looking for a three point outcome tonight

2011-11-22T14:38:00.001Z

Cardiff City are back in action tonight a face a lowly Coventry City who are keep off the bottom of the pile only by goal difference. A win or a draw we see the Welshman move up a place to third, the win would leave them a single point behind second place West Ham.

The City have in the past come undone when facing lower opposition while riding high in the league so let’s hope that is behind us and three points are taken tonight. Only one player reported to be out of contention for tonight striker Rudy Gestede, but chances are the Cardiff boss Malky Mackay will stick with the same line up has Saturday.

Two Coventry old boys should be facing their old team mates with Aron Gunnarsson and Ben Turner.My prediction for the game 3-1 to the Bluebirds I am thinking of this game extremely positively.

Keinan off to Palace

2011-11-21T14:36:00.001Z

CARDIFF City defender Dekel Keinan has twitted he is going out on loan to Championship Crystal Palace for six weeks. He tweeted,

‘Yeh! On loan to crystal palace for 6 weeks. Can't wait for the first game!!!’

Since the arrival of boss Malky Mackay, his position in the Cardiff squad has dwindled with Mackey pluming for Anthony Gerrard in the starting line up. He has only managed two starts this season both in the League Cup is only league action was a few minutes at the end of the Southampton game. His chances to sit on the bench have even been limited.

Former manager Dave Jones signed Keinan from Blackpool in January for an undisclosed fee. He carved out a spot in the heart of Jones defence playing most of the second half of the season and was a regular in the Israeli international squad.

Farah to Northampton

2011-11-15T21:06:00.001Z

Looks like the Cardiff boss Malky Mackay policy of loan out young squad members for experience will continue with academy product Ibrahim Farah heading for Northampton Town on a loan spell.

Farah outed himself the possible deal on Twitter when he tweeted ‘On the way to Northampton, hope 2day goes well!’ He played in Northampton reserves against Tamworth this afternoon and help his chances of cementing a deal by scoring two goals in a 2-2 draw.

It would caretaker manager David Lee first signing if the deal was to go through after taking over from Gary Johnson, sacked at weekend, following a weekend defeat at Luton Town.

The 19-year-old Cardiff academy product is well thought of by the staff at Cardiff City and made his debut earlier in the season in the Carling Cup fixture against Oxford United.

A Tom Heaton linked in the Rumour Mill

2011-11-14T14:40:00.001Z

The Daily Mirror are link Cardiff keeper Tom Heaton with interest from Ipswich Town. They are rumoured to be watching the keeper along with suggests Brighton are interested in the Cardiff keeper.

Heaton has been playing a secondary role to David Marshall at Cardiff City and still has around 18 months on his contract. Would be unlikely that Cardiff boss Malky Mackay would be interested seeing Heaton go with only untried youngest Jordan Santigo, plus Elliot Parish on loan from Aston Villa on the books.

It was rumoured at the time of all the loan signing talk at Mackay was possible in the market for a goalkeeper. Parish joined Cardiff as cover for Marshall and Heaton with his loan stay due to end on the 10 November it is clear if the deal as been extended.

The internationals come home

2011-11-14T10:29:00.001Z

LOOKS like the Cardiff City players who were on international duty having come through without picking up injuries. Cardiff only has to wait on midfielder Filip Kiss who plays for Slovakia in a European Under-21 Championship qualifier against France tomorrow night.

The players in the Scotland squad all played some part in the game away to Cyprus. Kenny Miller scored the opening goal in the 2-1 win for Scotland, subbed 63 minutes into the game for technical reason. Don Cowie played the full game with Craig Conway coming off the bench for the last 10 minutes.

With the Welsh squad again looked to Darcy Blake in defence who can’t get a game at the moment, since he last played for his club Cardiff he has made three appearance for Wales The Welsh boss has hailed the Cardiff player has the most consistent player over the last five games. Has for Rob Earnshaw he sit out the game on the bench.

Now, back to league football and a trip along the M4 to Reading Saturday with tickets for the travelling Bluebirds selling out quick. It being reported nearly 3,500 tickets have been snaped up so far.

The Road to Wembley (First Round Proper)

2011-11-13T20:51:00.001Z

Oxford City for the Evo-Stik League Southern - Premier Division still has a chance to progress in the FA Cup after securing a replay. Isthmian Division One North Redbridge will now have to travel to Oxford a week Tuesday for the pleasure of facing an away fixture Crawley Town in the Second Round.

There is a connection between Cardiff City and Oxford City with their manager Mike Ford being a former Bluebirds player, signed by to club on two separate occasions.

Cardiff City boss Jimmy Goodfellow signed him from non-league side Devizes Town in 1984, but a few days later, there was another someone else in change at Ninian Park, Alan Durban. In his first stint with the club, he played just under 300 times for Cardiff scoring 13 times.Sold to Oxford United for a £150.000 before the 1988/89 season by Frank Burrows where he stayed for the next 10 years.

He was resigned by Cardiff upon his release from Oxford when Burrows came back for his second stinted with the Bluebirds. Helped Cardiff to promotion however, during the 1999-2000 season he developed a problem with a disc in his back and was forced to retire

Redbridge, are the lowest ranked side left in the competition, and they nearly won the game when went a potential last-minute winner was ruled out.

(Reply) First Round Proper Tues 22 Nov Oxford City v Redbridge Att
First Round Proper Sat 12 Nov 2011 Redbridge 0-0 Oxford City Att 465
Fourth Round Qualifying Sat 29 Oct 2011 Weston Super Mare 2-3 Oxford City Att 351
Third Round Qualifying Sat 15 Oct 2011 Eastleigh 1-3 Oxford City Att 325
(Reply) Second Round Qualifying Sat 1 Oct 2011 Eastleigh 3-1 Cinderford Town Att 279
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
(Reply) Preliminary Round Sat, 3 Sept 2011 Merthyr Town 1-0 Longwell Green Sports Att 345 Extra Preliminary Round Wed, 24 August 2011 AFC Bitton 1- 2 Merthyr Town Att 248Extra Preliminary Round Sat, 20 August 2011 Merthyr Town 2-2 AFC Bitton Att 323

Six away on international duties

2011-11-11T17:13:00.001Z

Only six Cardiff City players are on international duty with five called up for what I would call meaningless friendlies.

Only Slovakia Under-21 international midfield Filip Kiss will be playing a competitive game when he takes to the field against France in a European Under-21 Championship qualifier next Tuesday.
The Bluebirds have two players in the Welsh squad, Darcy Blake and Robert Earnshaw both of whom have been warming up the bench for Malky Mackay. Blake has been on sparking form for the Welsh boss Gary Speed and will probably start while Earnshaw could be on the bench.
While the other three who are on duty with the Scottish squad. Kenny Miller, Don Cowie has been name as starting while Craig Conway is among the substitutes.

The roads to the Cup finals

2011-11-11T11:45:00.001Z

The road to the Welsh and English cup finals has moved up a step closer to the finals in May of next year.

Last weekend, it was the ‘Road to Llanelli’ with the Welsh Cup final in the mind of some fans around Wales, not to many. This blog is now on the trail with Bridgend Town and Builth Wells and the first game up was a Friday night home fixture with footballing giants of Tata Steel for Bridgend. The home team won, but looking on the club website there was no result you would be hard pressed to find any other information. There was also no match report or attendance figures, which is a bit of bugbear with me, it was just the same with the Steel website. Victory for the Welsh League Division One club saw them draw Carmarthen Town of the Welsh Premier League out of the hat.

I picked two teams on the outset of the competition one from the Northern section and the other from the Southern and Builth Wells are the other team. They made the trip to just outside Cardiff were they took on Taffs Well. It was just has hard to find information on Taff Wells website at the time of looking (Wednesday) win over Builth Wells. The last result updated was back in May 2011, not very helpful the Builth Wells was a bit more up to date have yet publish anything on the weekends Welsh Cup game. They now have a trip to Buckley Town and a quick Google search told me they play in the Cymru Alliance League so a long trip up north for Taffs Well.

Next Games

Round Three - Carmarthen Town v Bridgend Town

Round Three - Buckley Town v Taffs Well

The route so far

Round Two Fri Nov 4 Bridgend Town 5-2 Tata Steel Att N/A
Round Two Sat Nov 5 Builth Wells v Taffs Well Att N/A
Round One Sat Oct 1 2011 Dinas Powys 0-2 Builth Wells Att N/A
Round One Sat 1 Oct Bridgend 2-0 Splott Albion Att N/A

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

First Qualifying Round Sat, 26 Aug 2011 Builth Wells 3-2 Llanberis Att N/A

Over the border, the fight was on to enter the First round (proper) of the FA Cup when the lower league teams enter the competition with the non-leaguers hope for a good payday.

Out of the Qualifying rounds, the blog ended up t following Oxford City who progress on to the First Round Proper after a hard fought win over Weston Super Mare. In the next round (tomorrow) it will be an all non-league clash with Oxford travelling to Redbridge

The route so far

First Round Proper Sat 12 Nov 2011 Redbridge v Oxford City Att
Fourth Round Qualifying Sat 29 Oct 2011 Weston Super Mare 2-3 Oxford City Att 351
Third Round Qualifying Sat 15 Oct 2011 Eastleigh 1-3 Oxford City Att 325
Second Round Qualifying Sat 1 Oct 2011 Eastleigh 3-1 Cinderford Town Att 279 (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

There will Welsh interest that this stage of the competition with Newport County and Wrexham joining the route and like everyone else eyeing the Third Round and a tie with one of the big boys of the Premiership.

Wildig loaned out

2011-11-08T16:12:00.000Z

Cardiff City boss Malky Mackay has allowed young midfielder Aaron Wildig joined Shrewsbury Town on a month-long loan deal. Cardiff has granted permission for him to be available for the Division 3 teams FA Cup fixture Saturday.

They face a trip to Spytty Park home of Newport County in F.A. Cup 1st Round tie where Wildig could face team mate Nat Jarvis who is currently on loan at Newport The game will be televised live on ESPN from 12.30pm.

Since turning pro in 2009 is will be his second loan spell out he spent January until the end of the season with SPL club Hamilton who were relegated. He has to-date made seven starts for the Bluebirds and 14 from the bench for one goal. He is yet to feature for Malky Mackey.

A name linked with City

2011-11-06T23:28:00.000Z

THE old rumour mill is linking Cardiff City with Peterborough goalkeeper Joe Lewis according to the Sunday People newspaper. The Former England under-21 keeper is out of contract in the summer with Ipswich also reported to be monitoring the situation with the player.

It has been very quiet on the rumour front regarding new blood for Cardiff boss Malky Mackay squad. There has been some reports of knock backs on Mackay on targets he was chasing and unless something major happens between now and the opening of the January transfer window it looks like the City boss will stick with want he has got for the time being.

That the moment there are only two loan players at Cardiff goalkeeper Elliot Parish from Aston Villa and Midfielder Filip Kiss Slovenian club S. Bratislava, but unlike previous Dave Jones, Mackay is reluctant to go too far down the loan route. There were too many loan signings last season I hope he goes for signings that are more permanent in January with the option of loan deals.

The Cardiff City boss said this week,

"What I'm trying to do is build here and build people that are going to be here and make Cardiff a better club over the next couple of years and make the club stronger.

"And have youth coming through; there is a production line coming through that no matter what first-team players you've got, you've got this underbelly of youngsters as well.

"We're here to win games... not only focus on that but have... young players coming through that end up taking their place in a natural progression as opposed to forcing a 17-year-old into a team because he has to play every week.

"Adapt and blend that player into the first-team environment so that when he does go in, he stays in.

"[That is] something I'm well used to in terms of my previous club [Watford] where we probably had to throw them in far too early, knowing that in a couple of years' time it'll have benefits but at that point you get huge peaks and troughs.

If you've got that as well as a nucleus of experienced or good Championship players, then you've got a proper club and that's certainly what I'm trying to do here."

You can’t build a team with loan signing in my book and like most fans I expect some movement in the January transfer window with a few new faces added to the squad. The Malaysians owners have stated their willingness to back Mackay with his plans, so we will see.

Nat Jarvis plums for Antigua and Barbuda

2011-11-02T21:57:00.000Z

Nathaniel Jarvis is set to join up with Antigua and Barbuda, who he qualifies to play for because of his grandfather. He made the announcement of his intention to play international for the Caribbean island via his Facebook status earlier today. The Cardiff City youngest is on loan with Newport County after having his initial one month loan extended

He was asked back in September to join their squad, but he declined the offer owing to limited time to make travel arrangement for the games against Curacao and U.S. Virgin Islands. They have two World Cup Qualifiers home and away against Haiti who are two points behind Antigua and Barbuda who top of the table looking to qualifier for the third round. If they do finish top they will come up against the USA, Jamaica and Guatemala.

Jarvis could clash with Cardiff City manager Malky Mackay if they qualifier for the Olympics via Pre-Olympic Tournament qualification after Mackay said he wouldn’t want any of this players involved in the Olympics.

Former City player moves up to management

2011-11-01T13:12:00.000Z

FORMER Cardiff City player Darren Williams, has entered management with Whitby Town

He is how player manager with the Northern Premier League club a club he joined in the summer. He linked up with former Cardiff teammate striker Andy Campbell on joining Town. No Bluebird fan will Campbell for that play-off final against QPR.

His connection to the Bluebirds goes back to the end September 2004, when he joined on a month-long loan with a view to a permanent deal. He made his debut in Cardiff’s 1-0 away defeat at Burnley that season and was ever present in the team during his loan spell.

Cardiff and Sunderland agreed to extension his loan deal for a further two months. He was very much a first team player and was offered a permanent at the end of the second loan period. He made move to Ninian Park permanent in December 2004 on a free transfer but then is appearances just dried up playing just five further games until the end of season.

That the end of the season he moved on to Hartlepool United after he was offered a new contract by Cardiff manager Lennie Lawrence, but when he was replaced by Dave Jones, the offer was withdrawn manager. He made 22 league appearances with no goals while with Cardiff.

Sunday dinner and footy

2011-10-30T11:01:00.000Z

Sunday footy today with Cardiff City on their travels to Leeds for a lunchtime kick-off to will be sitting at home with a full Sunday cooked dinner having a nosh.

I official don’t like Sunday kick-off but I am something you just have to get use to when television rules the game. This will be the last game scheduled on TV until the new year anyway

There will be a smaller than usual presents of Cardiff City fans at Elland Road has a large number of regular travelers are boycotting the game. A ticket for the game cost a staggering £36 for an adult and if you were to travel with the supporters coach, the total cost would be £61 pounds. That is before you add a few pints, something to eat, a programme you would barely see any change out of £80 quid.

It doesn’t end there because come Wednesday if you have any money left you could be doing all over again has Cardiff hit the road again to Derby. I might be a bit cheaper to get in, but it would still burn a big hole in your pocket.

It Rovers and I'm happy

2011-10-29T15:22:00.000+01:00

Sitting waiting for the draw my brain is telling me it must be Crystal Palace home as the best option of progressing on to the semi-finals, but the rest of me is shouting out Manchester United home or away I don’t care just bring in on.

The draw was advertised for noon, but once again, we had to sit through the normal Premiership drivel. I have no interest in John Terry and Chelsea, Arsenal or any of the others unless we draw them in the Carling Cup. Why do we have to wait until Saturday for the draw? I personally would prefer the draw was Wednesday night after the games.

The master of ceremonies was on hand to guide Charlie Nicholas and Phil Thompson who were on hand to plucking the balls out on the thingy. The former Arsenal playerwould draw the home teams while Thompson was picking the away teams.

First team out was Arsenal who play the resurgent Manchester City making it a tough home game for the Londoners. It was another all Premiership tie next with Chelsea v Liverpool leaving two Premiership teams and two Championship teams left to complete the fixture list.Therefore, when Manchester United came out the hat next I shouted ‘Us’, but it was Palace fans who travel to Manchester . Cardiff were left with the less glamorous of the Premeir League club that wre on offer before the draw, a tie against Blackburn. We did win the draw for the game to be played home.

Blackburn are the most beatable of the Premiership clubs left in the competition and their fans are problem thinking the same about Cardiff. That the time of writing they are bottom of the Premier League table without an away win in the league or cup this season. We have not played them in the League Cup before but in 2005 both club meet in the FA Cup. After a 1-1 draw at Cardiff in the replay, Cardiff lost 3-2 while in the league you have to go back to the 1984/85 season when the Englishman won both games that season.

The expected clamour for tickets may cool a bit but I still think the game will be a sell-out.

Onward- but can we take the next step

2011-10-26T17:28:00.000+01:00

CARDIFF CITY moved on to the least eight last night in the Carling Cup after a tense 1-0 over Burnley at the Cardiff City Stadium. Cardiff has not reached the dizzy heights of the quarterfinals in this competition in 46 years and when on to reach the semi-finals they lost 10-3 to West Ham over two legs.

The much-maligned Carling Cup by chairman, managers and fans alike will hot up now with Wembley Way a tad closer. Managers who treat the games as a chance to play fringe players may have to rethink the policy.

Therefore, we know three of the teams that will be in the draw for the draw Saturday during Sky sports Soccer Saturday day show. Manchester United, Chelsea and Championship rivals Crystal Palace another four will come from the winners of

Blackburn v Newcastle

Everton v Chelsea

Stoke v Liverpool

Wolves v Man City

Of them, I expect Newcastle, Chelsea, Stoke and Manchester City to go through would be nice if Liverpool could make it more likely of one of the bigger teams pulling Cardiff. Yes disrespectful the Stoke, but it's simple numbers they would create a bigger payday for the club.

Most fans want Manchester United, but thinking about I would like an all Championship fixture. Palace may be three points and four places above the Bluebirds it would be more of an even playing field. Not a big name are game by a long way however I could lead to a semi-final spot who knows that is the beauty of the Cup.

Which would be better a home or away draw? I would plum for an home game which will bring problems if it was United, Chelsea and one of the other top teams. Not that Cardiff couldn’t stage the game but the demand for tickets. Cardiff City v Manchester United fixture could fill the Millennium Stadium let alone the CCS with its 26,828 capacity.

Come Saturday we will know and then it will start. There will be a clamour for tickets who ever Cardiff draws. It will be the biggest crowd for a League Cup game in a long while. Even if the game is away from home, I can see the away allocation selling out.

Loose link to City

2011-10-25T21:34:00.001+01:00

A host of club from the Premier League, Championship and the SPL are rumoured to be keeping a watching brief on Partick Thistle’s left-sided defender Aaron Sinclair.

Only this summer he moved from Montrose to Partick signing a two-year contract for an undisclosed fee. Cardiff City was linked to the player back in September be skysports.comThistle manager Jackie McNamara said,

“This is I feel a great signing for the Club and Aaron is exactly the kind of player that we should be bringing here. He has a lot of really positive attributes and has the potential to have a really bright future in the game.”

Like most rumours, there is little connecting the Bluebirds and the Scottish lad but someone from the club as watched the game. Tonight Cardiff like most clubs will have scouts out watch games or reserve game looking for the next target.

Andy McCulloch 1972-1974

2011-10-25T17:31:00.002+01:00

IN the South Wales Echo’s ‘looking back’ features page beside the picture of rugby fans celebrating Llanelli beating the All Blacks there is a small football story of note.

On this day (1972), Cardiff City paid a then record transfer fee believed to be between £45,000 and £50,000 for striker Andrew (Andy) McCulloch from Queens Park Rangers. That was a lot of money them days for a player who was not a first team regular. The two years he was with the London club, he played 41 games with ten goals to his name.

Manager Jimmy Scoular said,“McCulloch is just the type of player I have been looking for. He’s big and brave and I think he can score goals.”

Scoular was hoping to recreate a JohnToshack/Brain Clark, Clark/Alan Warboys partnership bring in McCulloch and was looking to Bob Woodruff to make duo.

Both previous duos had brought in the goals, but Cardiff were in decline. At the start of the 72/73 Cardiff and Sheffield United entered a swap deal that saw Warboys head to Sheffield and Gil Reece and Dave Powell move the other way to Ninian Park. Not long after that it was Clark turn to leave along with Ian Gibson to Bournemouth for a combined fee of £100,000.

The newly enquired 22-year-old striker was thrown straight into the action against Preston scoring on his debut. He was subbed during the game with Woodruff coming on and scoring two with the game ending 3-0 to the Bluebirds. Have joined Cardiff at the end of Oct and by the end of the season this top score with 14 league goals and 5 goals in all other competitions.

The following season the Bluebirds were struggling again he only managed 10 league goals in 32 appearances and another 4-cup goals. At summer, Cardiff expected a £70,000 offer from Oxford United for the player giving the Welshman a profit on the deal that brought him to Ninian Park.

Go for it Malky

2011-10-24T18:40:00.002+01:00

A short break form league football tomorrow night with follow Championship rivals Burnley the visitors to the Cardiff City Stadium for a Fifth Round Carling Cup clash. Cardiff and Burnley have already clashed in the League be it an away fixture at Burnley with the game ending all square at 1-1.

There is some history between the two in the Carling Cup (League Cup) but not relevant to today football it was way back in the 60’s/70’s the two tangled. In fact, Cardiff’s very first game in the League Cup at Ninian Park was back in 1960/61 a game Cardiff lost 4-0 in front of 8,110 fans. It just goes to show the attendances for the League Cup have always been poor. The previous Saturday Cardiff played Bolton at home with nearly 23,000 watching.

History lesson over and back to the present day I hoping Cardiff City boss Malky Mackey goes for it playing his best starting eleven available on the night. If nothing else, a win could see City pulled top team in the final eight, which would bring a good payday and the possibility of a TV appearance if the right name were to come out of the draw.

The Cardiff boss is talking positive about the encounter but he is hoping the game will not go in the extra time and penalties. In the previous three rounds both Oxford City and Huddersfield took the Bluebirds into extra time while in the last round Leicester took the Welshman all the way to penalties a long night out for the fans. The Carling Cup maybe the poor relation up against the FA Cup, but who would throw it out of there trophy cabinet if they were win it. Mackay said

"It's great to be through to this stage of the Cup, I want to go as far as I can.

"Every game we've played the priority is to win the game in the Carling Cup.

"Be it Oxford, Huddersfield or Leicester the priority was to win the game and I think you saw that, in terms of it going to extra time and penalties.

"Players have been throwing bodies on the line and it'll be no different [on Tuesday]... I'll pick a team that I think can go and beat Burnley.

"You don't want extra time, you don't want extra minutes with players on the pitch like we've had, but at the same time I certainly don't want to dilute the competition in any shape or form."

Both Cardiff and Burnley go into the game off the back of good wins and they drew 1-1 at Burnley in August meaning everything to play for. How bad would most Cardiff City fans fell if City was to lose and Burnley were to pull Manchester United home or away, that's if they over come Alershot and go through to the last eight.

Mackay will be going into the game with some problems up front and without strikers Rudy Gestede (hamstring) and Kenny Miller after he received 20 stitches in a facial wound.

That will leave Rob Earnshaw and Jon Parkin who is available after his loan spell at Doncaster as the only two out and out striker options for Mackay. There is youngest Nathaniel Jarvis and Joe Mason the Cardiff boss could call on, the latter opening his goal account on Saturday, his first since joining in the summer.

Striker linked with Bluebirds

2011-10-22T11:46:00.000+01:00

THIS morning Cardiff City is being linked with Manchester United striker Mame Biram Diouf in a loan deal.

According to the rumour United are will to let their player out one loan if half of Diouf’s £14,000-a-week wages are paid. If the loan was to turn into something, more permanent they want £6million for the 23-year-old.

The Senegalese born footballer joined United from Norwegian side Molde in 2009 in a £3.75million deal. He was loaned back to Norwegian club for the remainder of the 2009 season. He is a Senegal international playing ten times and scoring two goals.

Since joining the United he has managed a meager five Premier League appearances all from the bench his only start was this season in the Carling Cup against Leeds, he made one other appearance in the Carling Cup off the bench. He spent last season on loan at Blackburn where he played in 30 league and cup games, scoring six times.

Road to Wembley and we move on

2011-10-21T11:54:00.000+01:00

LAST weekend it was the ‘Road to Wembley’ time with a Third Round Qualifying fixtures taking place. This blog started the long and winding road to Wembley with Merthyr Town in the Extra Preliminary Round until they lost to Cinderford and they fell to Eastliegh.

Eastliegh who are managed by former Cardiff City player Ian Baird had a home fixture against Oxford City and were turned over losing 3-1 missing a £7,500 payday. So it Oxford City in the next round and they travel to just across the Bristol Channel to play Weston Super Mare Saturday week.

The route so far Fourth Round

Qualifying Sat 29 Oct 2011 Weston Super Mare v Oxford CityAtt

Third Round Qualifying Sat 15 Oct 2011 Eastleigh 1-3 Oxford City Att 325

Second Round Qualifying Sat 1 Oct 2011 Eastleigh 3-1 Cinderford Town Att 279

(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

A interesting stat

2011-10-20T16:13:00.000+01:00

IT had to happen one day and it did when Leicester City run out 2-0 win last night that dropped the Bluebirds into the bottom half of the league table.

Why I hope you are asking is this interesting because it is the first time, Cardiff have been in the bottom half of the league table since 26 April 2008 when Cardiff drew 3-3 at Burnley. That is an impressive record under the reign of former boss Dave Jones.

That’s the kind of form that saw Cardiff just missed out on a play-off spot in 2008/9, reach Wembley the following season and last season another play-off spot finish last season. Will we get another chance of the play-offs this season, who knows but we need to win a few games to be in it.

Games coming thick and fast

2011-10-20T14:04:00.001+01:00

WITH another international break starting after the 5 November for the Euro 2012 play-off Cardiff are going to have a busy time on the pitch leading up to it. Between now and then there are four League games plus a Carling Cup game to fit in

Upcoming games

Saturday, 22 Oct Cardiff v Barnsley, 3pm
Tuesday, 25 Oct Carling Cup Cardiff v Burnley, R4, 7:45pm
Sunday, 30 Oct Leeds v Cardiff, 1:15pm Wednesday,
2 Nov Derby v Cardiff, 7:45pm Saturday,
5 Nov Cardiff v Crystal Palace, 3pm

The weekends game is very important everyone needs to get over the last two games and put the club on track with a win, better still lets see it has a start to a winning run of games. So it’s Barnsley Saturday whose away record this season so far is littered with drawn game expect a win at Reading earlier in the season. Last season it ended all square, 2-2 at the Cardiff City Stadium, another draw or will the three points be banked by the Welshman.

The following Tuesdays’ a Carling Cup fixture against Championship rivals Burnley at home a win for the Bluebirds would see them in the Quarter Finals, closer to a return to Wembley and the possibility of European Football. The big question is how will Cardiff City manager play the game? Will he go all out a play his best possible team or will he rest key players the same with is Burnley counterpart which way will he turn.

I want Malky to go for it put out the best team and get stuck in and go through to the next round where at least six Premier League teams if Man Utd over come Aldershot will go on to the next round with two Championship teams.

Tuesday, 25 October 2011
Aldershot v Man Utd

Arsenal v Bolton

Cardiff v Burnley

Crystal Palace v Southampton

Wednesday, 26 October 2011
Stoke v Liverpool,

Wolverhampton v Man City

Blackburn v Newcastle

Everton v Chelsea

There league game will see Cardiff up to the international break start with two tough away games against Derby County and Leeds United. Both teams are particularly hot at home on their form right now so by time the games come around they have both have a hiccup in form.

Again going on the form of today Palace are in the top six making home fixture on Bonfire Night another toughie.

The melancholy of mediocrity: The mid-table is where Cardiff City live now (Podcast)

2011-10-19T23:21:00.000+01:00

The melancholy of mediocrity: The mid-table is where Cardiff City live now by ViewFromTheNinian

Taiwo loan rumour

2011-10-19T21:50:00.000+01:00

LOOKS like Cardiff City manager Malky Mackay has a option to loan out midfielder Solomon Taiwo after skysports.com suggested two League One clubs are interested in the player.

Taiwo is very much a bit part player in the Cardiff City squad and has on started a League game since May 2010 and spent most of last season on loan at Dagenham & Redbridge the club brought him from in a for a £250,000 deal which depend on appearances and was also tied in with promotion. Since he joined in August 2009, he as only played in nine League games plus three Cup for the Bluebirds. His agent Simon Dent said:

"We have had two enquires from clubs that we will discuss with Cardiff in the next few days."

If the rumour is true, I think the City boss would let him go his contract ends in the summer and I can’t see him receiving a offered to extension or new one. Mackay would be unlike to step in his way if a loan deal was on the cards.

There are a number of options open to the Cardiff boss in his present squad and he himself is in the market for a loan player or two.

Cardiff already have two plays on loan young striker Nat Jarvis who signed for Newport County in a month loan deal at the beginning of September, but he is still with Newport so the initial report could have been wrong or it’s been extended.

In addition, out on loan is striker Jon ‘The Beast’ Parkin who joined Championship rivals Doncaster Rover for an initial month loan. He is due back at Cardiff next week if Doncaster doesn’t extend the deal.

Wales game for CCS

2011-10-19T16:40:00.001+01:00

Wales who have shoot up up 45 places in rankings Fifa world rankings to 45th place following back-to-back wins have a arranged a friendly against Norway for Saturday, 12 November, which will be played at the Cardiff City Stadium with a 3pm kick-off.

Norway just missed out on a Euro 2012 spot.

Euro 2012 play-off games take place that weekend and on the following Wednesday so Cardiff have no game.

Fowler interested in Northern Irish job

2011-10-19T16:25:00.000+01:00

Former Cardiff City and Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler is eyeing the Northern Ireland job when the present boss Nigel Worthington, steeped down as expected. It was another former Cardiff City player and Northern Irish striker Warren Feeney, who is credited with the rumour when he was quoted as saying,

‘I’ve been speaking to Robbie and he is very keen on the Northern Ireland job.

‘He’s an ambitious young manager who believes he has the ability to turn around Northern Ireland’s fortunes and he’ll be applying.

‘He’s doing well in Thailand but sees the Northern Ireland job as a wonderful opportunity.’

The former English international is head coach with Muangthong United a Thai Premier League team since becoming player coach his record is two wins from two games. There are some interesting team in the same league, Siam Navy FC, Royal Thai Army and Police United FC.

City drop to 12th

2011-10-19T15:34:00.001+01:00

IT was nearly a case of da ja vue at London Road last night has Cardiff took on Peterborough. Cardiff last visit ended all square at 4-4, tonight it was 4-3 and unfortunately, it was the home team walking away with the three points. The ground has not been a happy hunting ground for the Bluebirds in fact the last time they had win there was a Division 4 game back in 1986.

The defeat was not help by the young French striker Rudy Gestede limped out of the game after only 15 minutes but Cardiff were 1-0 up at the time. Hopefully he will be fit for the Barnsley game along with striker Kenny Miller. Then in a crazy 5 minutes, it was all change and the home team had, a 2-1 lead and you just knew this night was not going to go to plan.

That was the score at half time, but there was still 45-minute of the game to play so I dump the negative waves and pull out some positive ones instead. It seemed to work as about midway through the second half Cardiff, pull a goal back thanks to Peter Whittingham. Cardiff made it 3-2 with 11 minutes of normal time left when summer signing Aron Gunnarsson scored his first goal for the Bluebirds.

Peterborough equalizer came with minutes to go before full time and surrounded in controversy over a penalty decision again. Unlike Saturday when it went a decision when the way of the Welshman this one didn’t and like Saturday, both managers saw the pen through different eyes.

So it was Squeaky bum time with minutes to go plus what the ref would add for stoppages which turn out to be long enough for someone to score a winner. Pity that would go to the home team making the final score 4-3 leaving the Cardiff side of the game gutted and pointless.

Roll on Saturday and the upcoming Barnsley game where hopefully City fans will get this bitter taste of defeat out of the system with a victory at the CCS.