Hull Hath No Fury

Let's face it….this game didn't really live up to it's billing. The visitors, ex Premier League and managed by one of the division's best managers, were quite frankly….crap. An expectant crowd waiting for the Bellamy and Bothroyd show instead got a solo performance by new boy Andy Keogh. No big deal everyone said, we've got strength in depth now with plenty of options. No Plan B, this is Plan D

So after I'd scanned the pitch to see who wasn't playing, the next thing to catch my eye was the holiday weight Anthony Gerrard seemed to be carrying. Looked like he was wearing a shirt two sizes too big also. Maybe his soft spot for too many Clarks pies way why he was loaned out. But his presence on the field meant that our big midfield enforcer 'Elephants Jamas' could play. And he soon made his presence felt. 

Hull, by this stage were showing all the hallmarks of back to back relegations, while City we strangely passing the ball around beautifully whilst never really wanting to score. The five man midfield looked a bit lopsided at times. Koumas on the left?? The onus seemed to be on Burke, who again was lively with his mazy runs and quick feet.  

As Seyi left the pitch I did have a mini panic attack. Which then got even more acute as I saw Gavin Rae trot on. Who'd have thought a week ago that Rae would still be featuring in a Cardiff shirt. It wasn't long before he was up to his old tricks again. A loose back pass meant Hudson had to be on his toes to deal with it. 

Hull suddenly started to play, passing the ball around neatly and they looked threatening. Jay Simpson's introduction was looking to be a good one. 

Koumas was doing his bit to get that two girl cushion we so desperately needed, but then the cavalry turned up in the form of Wildig and Rae. A neat little reverse pass from the energetic Wildig fed Rae whose finish between Duke's legs was to die for. 

Praise must go to Keogh also. He's not cut out to be the lone man up front (certainly when up against big centre halves) but he ran his Irish socks off out there and his efforts didn't go unnoticed. I think he's a great signing, and could prove to be very useful this season if played alongside Bothroyd or Chopra. 

Where's Riggott by the way? What's taken them so long to sign him?

Pompey Down

So by all accounts Saturday's performance on the south coast was a stroll in the Fratton Park. The pre match build up talked of two clubs with financial difficulties and the fact that this was a repeat of the 2008 FA Cup Final. Personally, I thought what better time to play Portsmouth. They may still be a big club with a threadbare squad, but they're there for the taking. And take we did.

I listened to the second half with a small radio pressed firmly against my ear, and it was all City. It sounded like Portsmouth could barely muster a collective fart, as opposed to a serious attempt at getting back in the game. So when QPR went 2 nil down at Derby, things we looking rosy. We were on course for taking top spot in the league and it was very much 'Catch Us If You Can'. But QPR struck twice in injury time to claim a point. Judging by the jubilant scenes from the QPR players at Pride Park, anyone would've thought they'd just won the Champions League Final. 

It still very early doors with only 4 games played. Two clean sheets, a new formation, Danny and Ol marshalling midfield and even Hudson puts in a commanding performance. Nathan Blake has boldly put his money where his mouth is. His prediction over the weekend is that "Cardiff City will go up to the Premier League this season as champions." What more of a ringing endorsement do you need at a time like this.

The Bellamy Effect

After a hiatus, what better time to resurrect a Cardiff City blog than now. The arrival of Craig Bellamy has no doubt created a buzz around the club, on and off the pitch, so without getting too carried away, Cardiff City are going places.

His arrival at the CCS is undoubtedly one of the transfer coups of the year, even topping Calamity James's move to Bristol City. If I'm honest I never ever thought the club would get their man, but as the weeks went by and Man City announced their Premier League squad, the rumour mill whirred back into action and the 'Bellamy rumour' had gained a few more legs. The talk of the town last Tuesday was that 'he's signed on a season long loan', so the message boards stepped up a gear, text messages flew back and forth, and if I'm honest, I never got much work done that day.

So to the much anticipated debut against Doncaster Rovers. I generally look forward to all Cardiff City home games, but with this one, I couldn't wait. A bumper crowd, and unforgettable atmosphere, the local boy coming home and a potent attacking line up. These were the ingredients of Bellamy's Cardiff City fairytale being told in front of us. The fitting tribute to Brian Clark justifiably added to the poignancy of the occasion too.

Doncaster started brightly with Brian Stock pulling the strings for them. He was linking up well with Simon Gillett and both were soon carving out some nice chances. The threat of Doncaster gatecrashing the party looked palpable. But Bellamy was showing his class on the left wing. Linking up nicely on a few occasions with Drinkwater and Olofinjana, it was inevitable that goals were on their way. And they were. Bothroyd's goal sealed an even first half. Even Lee Naylor's reluctance to do the Ayatollah added some humour to the proceedings. After someone showed him what to do, Naylor obliged with a brief rendition to the cheers of the crowd.

It's safe to say that we ran away with the second half. Apart from a Doncaster effort skirting our cross bar, I can't really remember a threatening shot on goal. When they brought on ex Bristol City man Steve Brooker with ten minutes to go, they'd basically thrown in the towel.

Just after the hour mark it was all the B's. Burke, Bothroyd and Bellamy. Bothroyd's comfortable header for the 2nd, Burke slotting away a 60 yard Bellamy assist for 3, and then the icing on the cake. Bellamy's own contribution to his party - a 30 yard Premier League class free kick that had Neil Sullivan scrambling - was pure Roy Of The Rovers.

Not even the walk home in the pouring rain dampened any spirits. A dream debut, a clean sheet, a party unspoiled, and some passing neat.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. The Championship is just three weeks old, so it's time to stay grounded. But I don't blame anybody who wants to tip us for promotion. Good times are ahead.

Another Horror Show

I am now convinced that City have to be the most inconsistent Championship team of the season. Fellow fans of other Championship clubs who avidly follow this league, must be pondering our mercurial results along with the poor bedraggled and bemused Cardiff fans who now have to put up with this detritus every week. You simply do not know what to expect when the team steps foot on the pitch anymore. 2009/2010 is already turning into a season of extremes : Spanking Bristol City at home in spectacular fashion, walloping Watford away, winning out at Bramhall Lane, the double horror of Ipswich and Plymouth, and now the capitulation at London Road.

I seriously believe that Dave Jones needs to take his players to see a top sports psychologist, because some, if not all the players have issues with their mental game. How can a team of 11 professionals simply fold like a pack of cards. The team already lacks a physical leader of such, someone who can lead by example, pick his troops up and drive them on, and now it seems there's no mental strength either. Are players still haunted by the demons of last season? If so, perhaps they need an exorcist.

I'm giving Soccer Special a miss from now on when City are away !!

You've gotta laugh

When the final whistle went, I didn't have my head my hands like those around me, I wasn't looking on in abject despair. I was quietly laughing, chuckling away to the boys, thinking 'they've only gone and done it again'. Forget McIntyre or Brydon. This was the biggest belly laugh this Christmas.

Mind you the signs were there and slowly building up during the game. Misses in the first half, Chopra and Bothroyd wasting good chances, these now are tell tale signs that 'it's not gonna be our day'. That early nerve settling goal didn't come today, so it was inevitable that the panic was going to build until a mistake was made. Quinn's pitiful clearance let in Sawyer with a deflected shot. I don't know who it was (possibly Hudson or Gerrard), but one of them was flat out face down in the 6 yard box in utter disbelief that Plymouth who posed absolutely no attacking threat whatsoever managed to put the ball in the back of Marshall's net.

Then the real, bonafide, material panic sets in, as the players realise they've got 6+ minutes to try and save their blushes once again. But it didn't happen, and the bumper Boxing Day crowd left shaking their heads. What a time to serve up a Christmas turd.

The Jekyl & Hide character once again reared it's ugly head. After away wins against the Baggies and the Boro (which quite frankly stunned every supporter) something had to give. I thought that something would be home to Leicester, but the pitchgate debacle put pay to that. Losing at home to Leicester wouldn't have been so bad as they are a good side. No, what the players were really waiting for was to serve up their Christmas turkey against lowly Plymouth.

Speaking of turkey, it looked like referee Phil Gibbs had tucked into one too many Christmas dinners over the festive period.

Roll on Monday against the Posh. A win there, and we'll all forget that Boxing Day 2009 ever happened. Lose, and we've lost to all four of the bottom clubs. Just how big can that weight of expectation get.

Chin up

Merry Christmas Plymouth

What a Carry On

So yesterdays game against Leicester was postponed because it was 'a bit cold', and the pitch at our state of the art new stadium was frozen. Add this debacle to recent others and your nothing short of a Carry On film (Carry On Cardiff City, if you like) with Ridsdale as Sid James, the biggest joker of the lot.

We've already had the embarrassment with the 777 ball shirt sponsorship where seemingly no-one deemed it important enough to obtain a license.

Then came the brush with the tax man with the threat of a winding up order from the heavy handed HMRC that saw Ridsdale on the back foot yet again

Last week we had the enterprising scheme of fans becoming public benefactors effectively paying for new players in the January transfer window with the 'incentive' of watching free Premiership football 'if' promoted.

And now 'pitchgate'. The official line is that the final commissioning of the undersoil heating system was incomplete and not fully operational, but rumours abound that they can't afford to switch it on. I can't believe the club is so naive to go into the winter without the undersoil heating in place. I can imagine Ridsdale watching the weather forecast each night and praying for temperatures above freezing. I'm not having a pop at the groundstaff, but how difficult was it to get this game on. Newport County's game went ahead !!!

It all smacks of penny pinching, and just what exactly is going on with the Malaysians. Are they putting their hands in their pockets or not and why is the Cardiff City Marketing Department having to dream up elaborate ways to entice fans to buy new season tickets before Xmas. We'll all be tempted by another carrot in the new year.

So keep a close watch on the ground now as when the lights go out Ridsdale will be looking for some schmuck with 50p for the meter.

Unbelievable

Back on Track ?

Let's hope so. Didn't go to the game personally (I found something less boring to do instead) but by all accounts it was an 'ugly win'.

Our next 3 games involve top 6 opposition and are basically massive games. Next up is West Brom tonight. I think we can really get something out of this game. If the Jacks can win there then why can't we.

Middlesbrough away on Sunday is also a crucial game with the Boro buoyed by their away thrashing of QPR.

Leicester on the 19th completes the sequence, and if they win I'll see it as a Xmas pressie from the club to me. I'll take 5 points from these 3 games quite happily. Anything more would be superb.

It's like watching your team slowly descending into hell

Things are so atrocious I simply cannot be motivated (just like the players) to type many words into my computer, apart from

WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON ?

We're all saying the same thing (Rae is crap, Ledley needs to move on, Bothroyd's lazy) so something needs to be done about it. Something's gotta give. The creaking ship must creak no more., and I for one am starting to agree with the 'DJ out' brigade.

Done, Field or Andrews

The maquettes are in, and its now down to 'us' to decide. I like Done's and Andrews' ideas, and if I were to stick my neck out I'd say Done wins it for me. I like the context of Trixie the cat, and along with Roger Andrews' statue, they both have character with their faces having expression. I'm afraid Field's idea wouldn't look out of place on the back cover of the Mail on Sunday magazine.

There isn't really an iconic image of Keenor that we all know and love, so I think Done's idea may go some of the way towards this.

I think either 1 or 3 would look great outside the CCS, and judging by early poll results, it might just.

Brian Sewell

Swansea 3 Cardiff 2

Taiwo....the new Comminges ?

Poor Solomon. His contribution Saturday lunchtime was nothing short of calamitous. The poor lad is going to take a lot of stick over his performance at the Liberty and will no doubt see himself slip down the midfield pecking order. I sat and watched from the comfort of my armchair as he lost possession a few times, and then began giving the ball to Swansea as if he was on their side. Some Swansea fans must've thought we'd dragged him off Caedelyn Park that morning.

I for one was quite eager to see this guy in action when he signed as I thought he was the midfield muscle we needed in the middle of the park. But it's looking like he can't fight his way out of the preverbial paper bag. I'd rather see Old Man Scimeca on the park instead.

1 out of 3 ain't so bad for DJ

So he's lost out on the South Wales footballing bragging rights (for the time being), and the Bluebirds have been beaten in what turned out to be mixed affair at the Liberty, but at least Dave Jones goes home down the M4 not totally empty handed. He's picked up another Championship manager of the month award. Taking 10 out of a possible 12 in October, he's got one over on the sharply dressed Senhor Sousa (who looked more like the man from C&A) who was also up for the award. Let's hope the manager of the month curse doesn't strike again.

Cardiff 1 Notts Forest 1

Pre match mood : Fairly confident. Had the QPR game in the back of my mind

Prediction : 0-0

First half : Took us some time to find a rhythm and get in the game. Forest started brighter, and with a 5 man midfield it was going to be difficult to dominate. The TV cameras had obviously given Ledley something to play for. Let's make it clear, IT WAS NOT A STONEWALL PENALTY BILLY DAVIES. Matthews unintentionally and accidently clips the Forest players heels. Mind you Forest were playing some tidy neat football at this point and my memories of the QPR were rearing their ugly head. Lee Camp made two good saves to deny Whitts and Ledley, but I thought if we scored things would settle down. We didn't, and Forest went in at half time the better of the two. The 10 man melee as a result of Whitts v Gunter was good fun. It was just as well Gunter stayed out of it because it looked like he wanted to thump someone.

Second half : We had Forest on the back foot for most of this half. Matthews and Burke were again linking up nicely and our goal was inevitable. It was a shame we couldn't turn the screw and finish them off, but then Cardiff did what Cardiff do very well - go one up and then sit back and let visiting teams come straight back at them.

Thumbs Up : Ledley putting in a good performance for a change - made the assist for Bothroyd's goal.

Thumbs Down : Sitting back and inviting Forest to come at us with 10 minutes to go. Chopra stupidly getting booked to miss the Swansea game. Hudson still looks like a carthorse.

Crowd highlight(s) : "Oh scabby scabby. Scabby scabby scabby scabby Nottingham" Wasn't the best of nights.

Man of the Match : Big Both. Things just seemed to click for him, and he spent far less time on his arse than usual

CCFC Verdict : Disappointing to concede in injury time, but that's what you get when you sit far too deep. And we're far too slow reacting to anything. We have the reactions of a large government department. Form now goes out the window for Saturday's derby day. I'm just glad McPhail is not playing. Missing out on top spot is no big deal in my opinion. We're still way up there in the mix in what is turning out to be a wide open Championship. When you're at the top of the pile, the only way is down.

Watching back some of the game later that evening, the BBC seemed to make the half time analysis feel like an advert for Cardiff City : Roll up roll up, successful South Wales team seeking investment at Championship level. Worth a punt before they possibly make it into the Premier League. Team, manager, stadium and infrastructure already in place, you'd be mad to miss out. It's a football match, not Exchange & Mart.

Visitors Verdict : I've got a lot of time for Forest and was quietly impressed with them. I can see why they're unbeaten on their travels. WIlson and HMS Wes Morgan look a bit suspect at the back, but the midfield stand out. They look hard to beat....don't concede many, but don't score many. Maybe their undoing but I'd expect to see them in the play off spots or very close by come May 2010.

Sheff Utd 3 Cardiff 4

Prediction : 1-0

Thumbs up : The boy Whittingham. He's become a real match winner now. He hasn't scored so many since the under 8s. He's ghosting in and popping up all over the place. The way City are attacking at present and the way defenders are getting dragged out of position with our myriad of attacking options, clearly suits him.

Thumbs down : Defending. Hudson's back header was poor to let in Henderson. But then again when you score 4 away from home and win, these things tend to get overlooked.

In Conclusion : I hope it was one of those results that now has the other Championship contenders sit up and raise an eyebrow. A crazy game...even the brief highlights on the City website looked manic. The way the ball fell at Bothroyd's feet for the opener (Chris Morgan smacking the ball at James Harper's arse) was comedy gold. I'm sure Forest at home on Sunday will be an altogether different prospect.

Cardiff 2 Coventry 0

Pre match mood - Assured that 3 points were on the cards. Even the light rain couldn't dampen spirits.

Prediction - 3-0

First half - Started very lively, and the perfect start came in the 5th minute when Gerrard headed in from close range. City found their stride and played some lovely football, the ball fizzing around on the wet surface. Bothroyd had decided to take part tonight and was soon hunting down clearances. Chances came aplenty and more goals looked certain

Second half - Stepped up a gear which was good to see. Coventry just couldn't seem to put any passage of play together, and when they did, Morrison and Best looked lame upfront. Burke was skinning anything in front of him, and Matthews ventured forward assuringly. The penalty was just desserts for the consistent pressure we were piling on. Should really have been 4 or 5 at the end of the night.

Thumbs up - The way Matthews and Burke were linking up was excellent. The boy Matthews had another fine performance and seems to get better every time I see him. It was nice to see the ball on the deck for most of the game for a change. When City kept it simple they were far more direct and were running rings around the Coventry defence. Must mention Marshall too. He too is looking like a good signing. He goes about his business with minimal fuss, is a good shot stopper and can kick a ball too. We may finally have sorted out the goalkeeping headache of recent seasons.

Thumbs down - Free kicks. I can't remember a decent free kick so far this season. There's no middle ground, it's either blasted straight at the wall, or troubling the fans at the back of the stands. Midfield could've got stuck in a bit more earlier on. Ledley could've been more effective.

Crowd highlight(s) - The second half ribbing of poor Hussey desperately wanting the ball out on the left. "Do the Hussey Hussey", and strangely cheering him on when he attacked Stan down the left. I laughed so much I genuinely had tears in my eyes. Crowd improv at its best.

Man of the Match - Quite a few contenders for a change, but I'd go with Gerrard. He looked solid and commanding at the back. He's developing a good partnership with Hudson, but lets keep things in perspective here....it was only Coventry

CCFC verdict - Professional and business like. No frills, got into a stride early on, pushed on, stepped up through the gears and finished the job.

Visitor's verdict - Poor. Just a bad away trip. I don't think they'll go down but they may find themselves caught up in the relegation dogfight come the end of the season.

Cardiff 1 Crystal Palace 1

Pre match mood : Really upbeat, 3 points in the bag

Prediction : 2-0

First half : Palace were certainly the better team in the first 15. They looked quick and sharp. After Hudson's blunder I really thought Palace could capitalise on this and have us in real trouble. But we looked threatening going forward also and I never for a minute thought we weren't going to score. Chopra's first touch had deserted him today. Two weeks ago he would've been putting those chances away. Bothroyd was in bone idle mode again !!! and our midfield was AWOL again.

Second half : Soon became flat, turgid, lifeless and scrappy. It really reminded me of many of their home performances last season where they looked busy but nothing was happening. Ledley again was anonymous and really starting to piss me off. Begs the question, how much we were missing McPhail (now there's something I never thought I'd write). By the hour mark, Palace looked like they had settled for the point (and who can blame them, the way they play). Burke was the only one again who looked like he wanted the ball, and when he had it he was prepared to run at the Palace defence. McCormack's appearance looked hopeful, but after 10/15 mins he was trying to hard, and sitting on the shoulder of the Palace centre halves waiting in vain for a cleverly dinked ball over the top which quite frankly was never going to happen.

Thumbs Up : Coming back from a goal down I suppose. Again Burke looked sharp with his unrelenting desire to run at the defence. Why can't some of the others take a leaf out of his book?

Thumbs Down : Jay 'Bone Idle' Bothroyd. I honestly don't like slagging our players off, but the massively inconsistent way he's playing at the moment is a real concern. His absence on Tuesday against Coventry may be a godsend. And crap refereeing.

Crowd highlight(s ) : The lone voice who tried in vain to start up 'I'd rather wear a turban than a rose'. It was never going to work but it was a good laugh watching him try.

Man of the Match : Purely based on his first half performance, Whittingham. Second highest goal scorer who seems to think he's a centre forward.

CCFC Verdict : We never play well against the uglier teams in the league. They get stuck in, but we never do. We should've and could've won that game fairly comfortably. Yes, N'Diaye should've been sent off, but I'd rather see City play against 11 than 10 (remember Reading at home last season). After scoring 10 in the previous two, something was going to give. A good City performance seems to hinge on so many different variables all coming together at the right time. It's like the planets realigning to create something celestil. When we're crap, we're all crap. When we're good, we're all good. There's pressure on for Tuesday's game. Another draw will be disappointing.

Visitors Verdict : A typical Neil Warnock team. Hard, gritty, unpopular, and totally lacking in any skill. Palace have no money to make any big signings, they make do and mend with what they've got. They're ugly and uncompromising and they know it. and take pleasure in it. Their big amateurish lump N'Diaye personified the team. They're not going up and they're not going down, but they revel in the ability to put a few noses out of joint week in week out. Nobody stood out. I thought Freddie Sears was distinctly average, and Neil Danns couldn't hit the preverbial barn door. Unfortunately Palace are one of those Championship teams we all have to put with.

We must be paying Burke too much !!

If Chris Burke is driving around in one of these, then we are paying him too much money. This is supercar territory of around 75-80k. A good player though he is, I didn't picture him driving an overrated Audi. I would've thought he was more of an SUV man myself.

The love affair between footballers and cars has always fascinated me. I think you can tell a lot by the cars players choose. Sportscars = flash, SUVs = road safety/have children, Exec cars = style/luxury. Then again, some players earn so much they can go out and buy one of each.

I also read that Burke has split from his partner (sorry to hear that Burkey) so perhaps it's his way of getting through the pain and he's looking for something flash for the lay-deees. It must be kind of odd to pull alongside an Audi R8 at the lights, look across and see the diminutive Scot peering over the steering wheel. I wonder if Gavin Rae still has his Q7.

Watford 0 Cardiff 4

Prediction : 1-1

Thumbs up : Continuing the goalfest (10 in 2 games). First win at Watford in 39 years. Bothroyd ending his barren spell. McCormack on the pitch albeit for a minute or so, and chomping at the bit to be playing. I was on a stag do in Amsterdam so this result made the taste of victory even sweeter Saturday night.

Thumbs down : Nothing related to the performance. I hope the international break hasn't come at the wrong time with City flying and on a roll.

In Conclusion : After a crap spell, things are on the up again. Players are back from injury, so the squad is looking healthy and competitive. Back in the play off spots and on the up.

Cardiff 6 Derby 1

Pre match mood : To be honest I was dreading it. I was expectiing a limo wreck of a game....Derby scoring first and then City panicking and chasing the game

Prediction : 1-1

First half : Very sound. Fairly solid at the back, never really troubled. It was good to see Bothroyd up for it for a change. He was chasing down defenders, applying pressure from the off

Second half : The goals just kept coming. Nobody there Tuesday night would've expected to see City score six in light of their recent performances. Just a shame Bothroyd couldn't get himself on the scoresheet.

Thumbs Up : A good game from McPhail. He got stuck in, broke up play and turned provider for Chopra.

Thumbs Down : Letting Rob Hulse score. It was a soft goal in reply and caught City's defence napping at the start the second half. In light of the fact that Derby were so poor, they shouldn't have scored it at all.

Crowd highlight(s) : Mostly the banter aimed at Robbie 'Lily' Savage.

Man of the Match : Has to be Chopra. You can't deny a MOM to a player who puts away 4 goals with clinical ease.

CCFC Verdict : A good night out. Six goals to the good and a drubbing that I wished I'd put a bet on.

Visitors Verdict : Very poor. Hapless up front, created little, Robbie Savage was awful....spent much of the 90 minutes just shuffling the ball from side to side. Simply had a bad night. Wrong time, wrong place.