Post 19 - An England call up for Jay Bothroyd

Early Saturday evening, just hours after scoring his 14th and 15th goals of the season helping Cardiff to another 3 points and back to the top of the Championship it was announced Jay Bothroyd was selected for the England squad to face France in Wednesday night’s friendly at Wembley.

Later that evening Bothroyd, a regular ‘tweeter’ on social website Twitter, tweeted (sorry for the tongue twister – totally unintentional) that Saturday had been the best day of his career and rightly so.

Until he came to Cardiff just two seasons ago Bothroyd’s career seemed to be going nowhere. He had played at various clubs in England as well as having a short spell at Perugia in Italy and although he had showed the public glimpses of his talent he possesses his career had so far been a series of false starts and disappointments.

Fast forward 2 and a half years and in getting a call up to the England squad Bothroyd has achieved what had looked impossible when Dave Jones brought him to South Wales from Wolves for £350k. That price seems a snip now but when Jones signed him there were question marks surrounding it, was this too much to pay for petulant 26 year old who had played for 6 clubs in the 8 years that followed his acrimonious split from Arsenal, his boyhood club?

Over the last 2 and a half years Bothroyd has answered that question and with interest.  He has improved every season and this season has showed he can be prolific in front of goal, to go with his pace, strength, skill and general build up play.  In a team that includes Craig Bellamy he is the most complete player in the Cardiff team.

If Bothroyd does make an appearance on Wednesday night he will become the first player in the Championship since David Nugent in 2007 to play for England and remarkably the first ever current Cardiff City player to be capped by them.

So where does this leave Cardiff?  It is well known that Bothroyd’s contract runs out at the end of the season.  Even before the call up there - due to his form - there was always a chance that when the transfer window re-opens in January there would be interest from clubs in the Premier League.  If he does get an England cap - and impress in doing so - it will only attract interest from other clubs, but an England cap will also mean Cardiff would demand more money for him.  However Cardiff will want to do as much as they can to keep their star man, for the price of him helping the club get to the Premier League is more than any club will offer for him in January.

The other option - and the more likely one - is for him to wait until the summer and assess his options.  If he was to stay for the remainder of the season and Cardiff were to gain promotion there would be a good chance he would sign a contract with Cardiff.  He has often stated in recent months he is happy in his surroundings and has also gone as far to say he feels like a Cardiff boy, okay I know footballers are prone to making such outrageous statements, but he does appear to be happy.  As previously mentioned he has also settled at this club like no other.

However if Cardiff fail to reach the Premier League then there will be no doubt he would leave for nothing - and who can blame him?  At 28 he is hardly an elder statesman of the game but he's no spring chicken either.  Bothroyd is probably capable of playing at the top level of the English League for the next 4 or 5 years and will be keen not to waste any more time.

Of course I would love Bothroyd to stay and although my heart is saying he will, my head is telling me Cardiff will either accept a bid in the summer or he will be offered the kind of contract in the summer from another club that he won't be able to refuse.  If he does go I won't begrudge him one bit, he has been a fantastic player to watch over the past few seasons and his all round play will be remembered by Cardiff fans for years to come.  Let's hope he does stay though.

Post 18 - Championship match day 17 - Scunthorpe United v Cardiff City

Cardiff returned to the top of the Championship as they convincingly unconvincingly beat Scunthorpe by four goals to two at Glandord park yesterday afternoon.

Cardiff made 2 changes from the team that drew with Reading mid-week, fit again Bellamy came in for McPhail, with Whittingham slotting into the centre and Kevin McNaughton came in for Adam Matthews.  Gabor Gypes also made a return to the squad but could only make the bench, with Darcy Blake keeping his place in the team for the second consecutive game.

Pre-match I felt confident Cardiff would put a difficult week behind them and take the 3 points back to South Wales and knew that - with league leaders QPR playing Nottingham Forest away - there was a fair chance it would be enough to take us back to top spot.

The game itself was preceded with an immaculately observed minute silence in memory of those who have lost their life and suffered injury in war, something that always manages to put the game of football into perspective.

Cardiff got off to the start that justified my pre match confidence and by the 10th minute they had taken a 2 goal lead.  The first came in the 2nd minute after Scunny keeper Murphy could only manage to parry a right footed Chopra shot to the feet of Bothroyd, who tapped in from 2 yards to put Cardiff ahead after a flowing move.

Cardiff came close to doubling their lead just seconds later when McNaughton shot just wide from 12 yards after a mazy run, but the travelling Cardiff fans only had a wait few more minutes to celebrate again.  It was Chopra's turn to tap in this time, finishing from Bothroyds cross after a move to surpass the quality of the build up to the first goal.

It was the perfect start, spoiled only by the sight of Chris Burke hobbling off with the injured winger being replaced by Jason Koumas.  As well as Koumas had done the previous Wednesday at Reading he doesn't offer the same natural width as Burke and Cardiff's shape was slightly affected by this forced change.

Cardiff continued to dominate for much of the first half and although Scunthorpe had their chances through some slack Cardiff defending it was they who increased their lead 11 minutes before the break when Bothroyd scored his 2nd of the day and 15th of the season with a glanced header from a Bellamy free kick.

Cardiff were cruising and the game looked as good as over and in all honestly probably would have been had Kevin McDonald not given Scunthorpe a glimmer of hope on the stroke of half time with a well placed volley on the edge of the area.  Although conceding that goal was disappointing, Cardiff fans still had a lot to be happy with going into the break, however Scunthorpe thoroughly deserved that goal and in reality should have scored 10 minutes earlier when Sears somehow put wide from 8 yards with just Heaton to beat.

Had Scunthorpe not got one back when they did Cardiff - attacking in front of their fans in the second half - would almost certainly have increased their lead.  But that goal gave the home side renewed belief and they started the second half looking to put the Bluebirds on the back foot.

With 10 minutes gone of the second half, most of which Cardiff were under pressure, Bothroyd was denied his first ever hat-trick when Irons keeper Murphy made a fantastic close range double save, firstly from the head and then from the left foot of the Cardiff striker.

Scunthorpe, seeing most of the ball and by now winning the battle in the centre of the park, piled the pressure on and in the 73rd minute were rewarded when N'Guessan headed home a Forte cross.  It wasn't as if the goal wasn't coming and I'm sure I wasn't the only one who was thinking back to Peterborough last season.  Could this happen again? Probably.

It seemed inevitable that Scunthorpe would get an equaliser, however Cardiff seem to be made of sterner stuff this season and proved this with a decisive, albeit lucky,goal with 12 minutes remaining when Olofinjana deflected in a long distance Koumas strike for his 3rd of the season.

This 4th goal seemed to knock the wind out of the home side, they had done brilliantly to get within one of goal of their visitors and to see the deficit go back to 2 in such fashion must've knocked the stuffing out of them.  Cardiff held on to take all 3 points and with it re-gained top spot in the league as QPR could, yet again, only manage a draw.  It was a long but happy journey home for the 700 plus travelling Cardiff fans, 4 goals, 3 points and what more a call-up to the England squad for their star striker Bothroyd.  Worth the trip? definitely.


Result - Scunthorpe United 2 Cardiff City 4

Scorers - City:  Bothroyd (2,34), Chopra (9), Olofinjana (79), Scunthorpe: McDonald (45) N'Guessan (73)

Attendance - 5,333

My man of the match:  Heaton! Had Bothroyd got that hat-trick then I probably would've given it to him, but Heaton was superb for the second consecutive game, had he not been on top form then Cardiff may not have come away with the 3 points.

Post 17 - Championship match day 15 - Cardiff City v Swansea City

Cardiff City lost their first home game of the season as they were humbled at the hands of their bitter rivals Swansea City in front of a Cardiff City Stadium record crowd.

Jones got it wrong. I know it's easy to say that in hindsight, but he did, there are no 2 ways about it, he cocked up big style. As soon as the team was named it baffled the Cardiff faithful and I would expect both the Caridff and Swansea players too. Why was Burke on the bench? With your top goalscorer injured surely you want the rest of your attacking unit playing and Burke has unquestionably been a key part of this.

It wasn't a surprise that Keogh was selected and I don't think it was necessarily a bad selection had we stuck with the 4-4-2 formation. But to play him on his own up from was, again, wrong. Chopra is an out and out striker, he thrives on playing on the shoulder of the last man, he is by no means a wide player and it was obvious from the start he didn't want to be in that position. Finally, Drinkwater's inclusion was a bit of a shock, okay I half expected it, but is this really the kind of game a young central midfielder should be playing in his first game after a 10 week lay off from injury? Evidently not.

That's my rant over, Jones obviously got it wrong, but it doesn't necessarily make him a bad manager. I still believe he is the man to take us to the Premier League, I just hope that he has learnt something from the defeat.

The atmosphere before the game was fantastic as the Welsh Guards marched around the stadium, led by a goat to the sound of 'Men of Harlech'. It was well applauded by both sets of fans, who embraced a rare moment of togetherness in showing their Welsh pride. However, that brief moment of solidarity was soon over as the players took to the pitch. The name of each Bluebird -announced by Ali - was greeted with huge cheers whilst the Jacks were booed in equal measure - nothing wrong with that.

The game itself started evenly enough with Swansea seeing a fair bit of possession, albeit largely in their own half. Cardiff could have easily been awarded a penalty in the 14th minute when Swansea keeper de Vries looked to have held back Chopra, however a free kick was bizarrely awarded against the Cardiff striker when the keeper fumbled the ball, highlighting just how much keepers are 'protected' in the modern game. Heaton then saved comfortably at the near post from Dyer 5 minutes later before Whittingham's cleanly hit shot from 25 yards just went over with De Vries rooted.

The next 20 minutes went by with little incident until Cardiff had another penalty appeal turned down with 5 minutes left of the first half, however it was turned down by the referee, who got this decision correct. The sides went into the break level after a half which neither team really showed its potential apart from the odd semi flowing move.

After the break I was hoping Cardiff would play more positively and maybe even revert back to their usual 4-4-2, something they could have done without changing personnel. But it wasn't too be and Cardiff continued to look uncomfortable on the ball, particularly in the centre of the park. Just 3 minutes after the re-start the Swans came within a few inches of breaking the deadlock when Sinclair - kept quiet by McNaughton for long periods in the first half - struck the post after a shot just outside the 18 yard box. Heaton got a touch, but it didn't look the most comfortable of saves.

This seemed to inspire the away team and they started to get a grip on the game, Dyer was a constant live wire and Cardiff seemed a pace behind the Swansea midfield in particular Joe Allen, who forced a decent save out of Heaton from long range.

With more than 30 minutes remaining Keogh was replaced with Burke. Keogh had actually done ok, but the main problem is that he isn't Bothroyd and it is unfair to compare him to one of the stand out players of the Championship so far this season, someone who's form has lead for calls for them to be included in the next England squad.

For all their possession, Swansea never really created any clear cut chances but did look much more likely to make a break throug, however as they were beginning to stamp their authority on the game Cardiff had a great chance to take the lead. With 65 minutes on the clock Heaton cleared the ball down the field, a Swansea defender slipped and Bellamy was gifted with a glorious chance to give his side the lead, but scuffed his shot and his lines as his left footed shot was easily saved by De Vries.

The next talking point came 5 minutes later when Chopra went in high against Allen, luckily for Allen his momentum made sure he rode the challenge, but had Chopra caught him a serious injury could have been caused. Chopra somehow survived without a booking but in reality he could easily have been shown a red card.

Despite Bellamy's earlier chance it was Swansea who were to deservedley take the lead. With 72 minutes on the clock Emnes shrugged off the challenge of Gypes to fire home from outside the box. Having seen it again keeper Heaton could and probably should have made a better attempt to stop the ball from hitting the back of the net. Although Gypes was easily beaten in the lead up to the goal he and Hudson had been solid for most of the match and kept Swansea to shooting from long range.

Cardiff never really looked like getting an equaliser, but in the very last minute of injury time Bellamy was again given the perfect chance to score in his first South Wales derby. Substitute Blake crossed from the right and Bellamy had the goal at his mercy, but he mis-timed his header and the ball came off his left shoulder with the ball trickled wide. Had he put it away it would've earned a point Cardiff's performance didn't deserve. Swansea were good value for their win and with it moved to within 3 points of Cardiff in 2nd spot. From the perspective of the home team it will be a day the fans will like to forget about as soon as possible, but one the Jacks will embrace.

But all is not bad, Cardiff are still in a very enviable situation and as I write this have a chance to regain top spot tomorrow night at Reading with QPR only managing a draw away to Portsmouth. There's expected to be changes, but whoever plays, it is important Cardiff put in a good performance and get their season back on track and there is no reason why they can't do just that.


Result - Cardiff City 0 Swansea City 1
Scorers - Swansea: Emnes 75
Attendance - 26,049

Fans man of the match - Didn't hear one announced.

My man of the match - Not many contenders here. Hudson was solid at the back and McNaughton was decent until he went off injured but erm, that's it.  Hudson.

Post 16 - Championship match day 14, Cardiff City v Norwich City

Cardiff City leapfrogged QPR to move to the top of the Championship with a 3-1 victory over fellow promotion rivals Norwich City at the Cardiff City Stadium.  Norwich, who came into the game unbeaten in their last 3 away games and hadn't conceded in those matches were looking to put pressure on the team just two places above them in table and a win for them would close the gap between the teams to 3 points.

Cardiff, unchanged from the side that hammered Leeds 4-0 last Monday night, started where they had left off and were in the lead after just 9 minutes when Bothroyd headed in from inside the 6 yard box after Gypes had won the initial header from a Whttingham corner.

That lead was doubled just three minutes later when goalscorer Bothroyd turned provider as he flicked on a Heaton goal kick into the path of Chopra, who neatly finished with his right foot from 12 yards for his second in as many games.  For all the intricate football Cardiff have played in recent weeks it's good to see they can also score in the old fashioned route one style.

It looked as though Cardiff would dish out their second consecutive stuffing, but after the early set backs Norwich seemed to galvanise rather than crumble away.  And it was the visitors who had the better of the next 20 minutes and deservedly got their reward when Wes Hoolahan met Steven Smiths left footed cross with a diving header, beating Heaton and delighting the travelling support in the process.

A quick word for the travelling fans who were tremendous in their support, with well over 1000 making the 5 hour trip from Norfolk.  They also gave ex player Bellamy a decent round of applause, something the Cardiff and Wales captain didn't quite get away at Coventry 2 weeks ago.

In the time leading up to the Norwich goal, there was a large part of the City crowd who were getting agitated at the lack of possession the Bluebirds were having and started to get on the teams back.  I honestly can't understand this frustration, if the score was 0-0 and we were mid table under performers then I could understand, but we were 2-0 up and went into the match second in the league only on goal difference.  Do these fans really think Norwich were going to lay down and let us score 5 or more past them?  True, there may be times when City do score 5 this season, but there will also be times when teams will show resolve and make it hard for us and the fans - like the players - will need to show their patience.  Mini rant over.

Back to the game and it didn't take long for the home side to re-gain their 2 goal advantage when they were awarded a penalty.  Although slightly fortuitous - the ball seemed to just hit the hand of the Norwich defender from a clearance - Whittingham took full advantage and coolly slotted home for his 4th in as many matches and City went into the break 3-1 ahead.

Unlike large parts of the first half, Cardiff controlled most of the 2nd period, keeping the ball a lot better and looking more likely to score than their opponents.  Bothroyd had a shot well saved by keeper Ruddy and was later denied by the woodwork when a thunderous 20 yard volley crashed against the bar, which later denied Seyi Olofinjana from close range.  

With a 2 goal cushion the win never really looked in doubt and Jones was able to give Bellamy and Chopra a rest, with Koumas and McPhail their respective replacements.  Bellamy wasn't firing on all cylinders today, but his sheer presence is enough to strike fear into his opponents and boost the confidence of his team mates.  Cardiff have won all 6 games he has featured in this season and although he hasn't been the sole star performer, this 100% record isn't a coincidence and shows evidence of the effect he has had on the rest of the players.

Despite not being Cardiff's best performance of the season, it was professional and convincing enough after the 3rd goal went in.  None of Cardiff's attacking players excelled, but it was as good a defensive performance as I have seen from the centre back pairing of Hudson and Gypes, making many vital blocks and clearances particularly during Norwich's spell on top in the first half.

The only disappointment of the game was the inevitable booking of Jay Bothroyd in the second half after an innocuous looking challenge on the Norwich left back, meaning the the leagues top scorer will miss the South Wales derby next Sunday.  Bothroyd was visibly disappointment and undoubtedly be missed against our most rivalled opponents, a fixture he has admitted himself he looks forward to more than any, but in the grand scheme of things it is just one game and he was going to pick up another booking sooner or later.  

It will be interesting to see who manager David Jones will pick to replace Bothroyd next week, but with Keogh, Koumas and McPhail all waiting to fill in, he isn't short of options in both replacements and formations.  But that's for Jones to decide and until that game I'm sure Cardiff fans will enjoy the current league position, for as much as we hope to stay in that position for the rest of the season we know only too well from past experiences how quickly things can change, just ask Caldicot Bluebirds 'Evo' and 'Tarquin'.

Result - Cardiff City 3 Norwich City 1

Scorers - City:  Bothroyd (9), Chopra (12), Whittingham (pen 37), Norwich: Hoolahan (34)

Attendance - 24,634

Fans man of the match: Kevin McNaughton

My man of the match:  Super Kev for me too.  Played an absolute blinder at right back.  Sound defensively and threatening as ever going forward, again working magnificently with Burke ahead of him.  As quick a full back/wing partnership you are likely to see outside of the Premier League.

Post 15 - Past memories, Cardiff City v Maidstone United 01/01/92

Cardiff City 0 Maidstone United 5 - 1st January 1992

I don't have a particularly good memory when it comes to remembering football matches, I wish I did, but I don't.  I don't know why I haven't, perhaps it's because I've been going to watch Cardiff City now for over 20 years and having seen them hundreds of times a lot of the matches have gotten mixed up in my brain and are lost, they are there somewhere but will never be pieced back together.  I wish it was different, I wish I could remember each and every match, who scored in each game and who got sent off and how many corners there were etc.  It doesn't seem a problem for some people, I have friends who seem to be a walking 'soccerbase' who are seemingly able to remember almost anything from any match they have been to -and how I envy them.

But there are some matches that will stick with me forever and for different reasons, some stick due to a particularly good or bad City performance, some because of a memorable goal or sending off or some simply because I sat somewhere different in the ground, giving the game a unique feel.  Some, however are awful, so awful in fact that they just will not budge from my memory.  The particular match I'm referring to on this occasion is - as you already know from the title in bold above - Cardiff City v Maidstone United, a division 4 league match in 1992.  I had been a Cardiff fan for less than two years when I went to see this match on a cold (probably, it always seemed freezing as a kid didn't it?) New Years Day and as far as I can think back, it is my first memory of an actual match.

I don't remember it all, of course I don't, I was only 7 and more to the point I had been drinking cans of lager since 10am.  But I remember it being cold; I remember being sat in the Lower Grandstand family enclosure with my dad, granddad and uncle; I remember it being the home début for our new centre half hard man John Williams; I remember him hand balling on the line and giving away a penalty resulting in him being sent off and most of all I remembering them hammering us by 5 goals to 0.  Williams only ever played for us on two more occasions after this match and a total of six times in all, but at least he embedded himself in the memory of all who were there that day, well, in mine anyway.

I also remember leaving the game early that day, something that I had never done before and haven't done since at a home game.  In fact it was to be another 17 years until I would leave a game early again, when Cardiff got stuffed 6-0 away at Preston during the 2008-2009 season, another game that for all the wrong reasons, will stay in my memory as long as it is in tact.

This was to be the last time we were to ever play Maidstone United, for the Kent club were to go into liquidation before the start of the following season after being declared bankrupt, but every time I see or hear the place of Maidstone being mentioned I always think about that match.  Days after going into liquidation 'The Stones' reformed, however they were forced to start again not only financially but on the pitch too as they were forced to play at the bottom of the English football league pyramid system.  Despite the  goalscoring exploits of Carl Dale and Chris Pike that season Cardiff only managed to finish 9th, however they were promoted as champions the following season.

So there it is, my first memory of an actual match at Ninian Park, I have seen many more since, some I can remember, some I can't, but that one, for sure, will stick.

City team that day:

Gavin Ward, Neil Matthews, Damon Searle, Roger Gibbons (captain), John Williams, Jason Perry, Paul Ramsey, Cohen Griffiths, Chris Pike, Carl Dale, Nathan Blake

Attendance:  8,023

Post 14 - Championship match day 12, Coventry City v Cardiff City

Cardiff City cut the lead of league leaders QPR down to two points as they took advantage of the Londoners scoreless draw away to Swansea with a gritty win away to Coventry.

The Bluebirds travelled to Coventry in confident mood having won 3 out of 4 matches since first tasting defeat this season in mid September.  They also arrived with a good recent record at the Ricoh Stadium and would have quite rightly fancied their chances of coming back to South Wales with all 3 points.

Cardiff made just the one change to the side that prevailed victorious on the weekend, with Craig Bellamy coming in for Stephen McPhail.  Bellamy played on the left wing and Whittingham moving into the central role occupied by McPhail on Saturday.

After their dreadful start against Bristol City on Saturday the Bluebirds would've been keen to get off to a better one against Coventry and when they were awarded a penalty with less than 4 minutes on the clock, after Ben Turner was adjudged to have brought down Michael Chopra inside the 6 yard box, they had the perfect chance to do just that.  Turner escaped with a yellow card and Peter Whittingham stepped up to coolly slot home into the bottom right hand corner for his 3rd goal in two matches.  It was an important penalty for Whittingham, who had missed his previous two this season.  A third successive miss from the spot would have probably seen the role taken away from him, but his two goals on the weekend would have given him his confidence back in front of goal and he sent 'keeper Westwood the wrong way to give City the early lead.

Many of the 1300 or so Cardiff fans who made the trip to the Midlands (admittedly myself included) probably thought that a rout could well be on, but Coventry themselves have made a good start to the season and prior to the game were sitting just below the play off positions and unbeaten in their last three games.

But it was Cardiff who looked more threatening, Bothroyd had a decent looking penalty shout turned down and Gypes turned and shot from inside the area only to be denied by Westwood.  Meanwhile Heaton, when called into action was at the top of his game and made a decent save low to his left after a decent strike by Cranie from outside the area.

And so the half proceeded.  Cardiff were unable to find any real fluency, although in truth Coventry never really allowed them to play as they wished.  Bothroyd -booed by the home fans at every chance - didn't seem his usual self (turned out his foot had been stamped on) and Bellamy - also booed enthusiastically by his ex club's supporters - and Burke were being well marshalled by their respective markers.

It looked as though Cardiff would go into the break a goal to the good and it would have been a lead they'd deserved.  But with just 2 minutes remaining of the first 45, Hudson gave the ball away on the half way line, the ball was played forward to Gary McSheffrey, who cut inside easily evading McNaughton and Gypes and curled the ball into the right corner from 12 yards to level the score.  It was a decent enough goal, but one that could've been prevented nevertheless.

Coventry started the second half the brighter of the two and initially looked more likely to get a second goal, but City held firm and as the game grew older the more it looked as though one more goal could win it.  From a Cardiff point of view though, a draw would've been a respectable enough result, despite having had such a promising start.

Jones replaced the tiring Chopra with Koumas with 20 minutes remaining and then 10 minutes later Keough came on for Bellamy.  It was a good run out for the returning captain, but I'm sure the Cardiff fans will see more inspiring performances from him in the season to come, he is, after all, new to the team and probably still adjusting to the type of football being played in a division lower than he has become accustomed  to.

The defining moment of the game came with just 3 minutes of normal time remaining.  Burke, who had worked tirelessly all game but yet to any avail finally got past the Sky Blues left back and from the byline picked out Bothroyd with a low cross who neatly flicked the ball into the net from inside the 6 yard box in front of the Bluebirds fans.  Up until that moment it was hard to see where the goal may come from, but there are plenty of goals in this team, even when not playing to its full potential.

Moments later Burke again beat his man but instead of passing to the impressive Koumas kept going alone.  Although he should have passed to Koumas, who had the goal at his mercy, it was a fantastic run and if he had managed to finished it, it would have been a fine goal.  Cardiff held onto their slender lead for the remainder of the game and picked up all three points for the 3rd season in a row at this ground, no mean feat.

City travel to Leeds next Monday evening to face a team who although have had a solid start to their campaign, have leaked enough goals to suggest there is no reason the Bluebirds can't take as many points away from Elland Road as they did last night.

Result - Coventry City 1 Cardiff City 2

Scorers - City: Whittingham (pen 5) Bothroyd (87), Coventry: McSheffrey (44)

Attendance - 14,604

My man of the match:  Gypes was solid and Seyi was his usual robust self, but Burke gets my vote.  He didn't have his best game in a City shirt, but then again no one did. but he kept going, kept trying to beat his man and eventually wore him down, got past him and set up the winner.  His performance typified the type of never say die attitude City are showing so far this season.

Post 13 - Championship match day 11, Cardiff City v Bristol City

After another break for international football and another disastrous one for Wales (despite a more encouraging display in attack) it was back to league football this weekend as Cardiff played host to Severnside rivals Bristol City.

Bristol City haven't had it easy against Cardiff City of late, last season they were defeated both home and away in the league (including a 6-0 thrashing at Ashton gate) and were also defeated in an FA Cup replay, having taken the lead in the original tie on their own patch.

Before Saturday's game you could have forgiven Cardiff fans for expecting similar looking scoreline's this time around, a thought which could have been backed up by taking a quick look at the the two clubs current league positions.  The Bluebirds occupied the 2nd automatic promotions spot, six points behind leaders QPR, whilst the Robins found themselves at the very bottom of the league having won just one game out of their first ten.

But the opening 10 minutes was anything but what could have possibly been predicted.  By the time Cardiff had their first shot on goal (a Bothroyd header from a Burke cross) they found themselves a goal down and by the 8th minute their Severnside rivals had doubled their lead.  Both goals were as a result of sloppy defending by the home side, the first coming from defender Steven Chaulker, who headed home inside the 6 yard box from a free kick by the left hand touchline and the second by the recently Cardiff linked Jon Stead, who hooked in again inside the 6 yard box after a knock down from a corner from the right.

Aside from the noise from the travelling section, the rest of the ground was in complete silence and in a state of shock, but if you are going to go 2-0 down then sometimes it is good to do it early on for at least there is plenty of time to recover the deficit.  

And it didn't take long for the home side to go some way towards recovering from the awful start.  Just four minutes after the Robins second, Jay Bothroyd swivelled and fired home with his left foot from 8 yards after a pass from the returning Michael Chopra.  It was Jay Bothroyd's 8th goal of the season and he is now just 6 goals away from beating last season's tally of 13, a feat he is sure to accomplish providing he stays injury free.  

Bothroyd was again excellent on Saturday and it is imperative he stays fit if Cardiff are to mount a decent charge for promotion (I'm pretty sure it's not the first time I've typed these words this season).  His performances this term have prompted manager Dave Jones to call for England coach Fabio Capello to consider the striker for an England call and for most people who have seen him play on a regular basis over the past year or so it is hard to disagree with him.  

Cardiff proceeded to dominate the rest of the first half, with McNaughtan and Burke combining well on the right hand side and McPhail and Seyi linking well in midfield.  McPhail went close from 8 yards after a Burke cross and Bothroyd was again denied by James after combining well with Whittingham.  However Bristol City always looked dangerous from set pieces and looked likely to score every time the ball was put high in the box.

Half time came and there were no further goals, but after a discussion over a pint it was agreed the three points were still up for grabs providing the City got off to a good start in the second period.

And a good start they got.  Less than a minute after the re-start Cardiff were awarded a free kick on the right hand side after a foul on McPhail.  Peter Whittingham took the free kick, which evaded everyone, including keeper James and landed in the bottom left hand corner of the net.  After scoring 25 goals last season Whittingham's first goal this season was well overdue and although it wouldn't have been how he would have envisaged opening his account, it was graciously accepted by Whittingham and the team alike and was celebrated enthusiastically by the home supporters. 

Cardiff sniffed a win and although Bristol City still looked dangerous from set pieces it was the home side who appeared the more likely to snatch the victory.  Burke had a shot deflected onto the crossbar after a run from Bothroyd, who himself, as well as Chopra had attempts saved by James.

It was then Cardiff keeper Heaton who was called into action as he saved down to his left from a decent 35 yard drive from McAllister.  But it was Cardiff who were to score the deciding goal and take all 3 points.  Whittingham was taken down 7 yards outside the area in a central position and it was he who sublimely put the ball into the net past the despairing dive of James to score his 2nd of the match and season.

Cardiff had further chances to increase their lead as Burke was denied by James and substitute Koumas had an attempt blocked by a defender.  Bristol City searched for an equaliser but the Bluebirds, not for the first time this season held firm for the win, a win which would subsequently take them to within 4 points of the league leaders after they drew at home with Norwich.

All in all it was a fantastic last 84 minutes and as unhappy as Jones will be with the defending at the start he will be equally pleased with the fire power and resolve his side showed.  City travel to Coventry this Tuesday night, a place they have good memories of in recent times and with Bellamy set to come back things really are looking promising.

As for Bristol City, they have only one objective this season and that is to keep their place in the division.  It won't be easy, but it's far from being impossible, but if they are to avoid relegation you feel ex England keeper David James is going to need a lot more help from his team mates.

Result - Cardiff City 3 Bristol City 2

Scorers - City: Bothroyd (12), Whittingham (46, 78) Bristol City: Caulker (6), Stead (8)

Attendance - 22,244.

Fans man of the match - Seyi Olofinjana

My man of the Match - A few candidates, Seyi was worthy of his award and Bothroyd, as mentioned, put in another cracking performance.  But I will give it to Whits, he scored his first 2 goals of the season - the second a stunning free kick - as well as having a hand in the first and putting in a top all round performance.  Nice to have his name back on the score sheet.

Post 12 - Championship match day 6, Leicester City v Cardiff City

Welsh international Andy King scored a second half double as Leicester City posted their first win of the season and in doing so put an end to Cardiff's unbeaten start as they came from behind to win 2-1 on a wet night at the Walkers Stadium.

For the second time within four days Cardiff were without the injured quartet of Bellamy, Bothroyd, Drinkwater and Chopra, but Seyi Olofinjana, who has been as important a player as any during Cardiff's impressive start to the season, joined them on the injured list.

Cardiff, starting in a 4-4-1-1 formation, with Koumas supporting loan striker Keogh, started well enough and although not exactly on top, were seeing as much as the ball as the home side and it was the visitors who had the first shot of the game when Koumas forced Ikeme to save down to his right after an effort from the edge of the area.

There was little much to report on in the next 15 minutes or so, Marshall comfortably saved from Howard and the pacey Dyer threatened down the left without yet creating anything clear cut, but Cardiff looked strong at the back with Gypes and Hudson winning pretty much everything both on the ground and aerial.

But things were to change in the 26th minute.  Koumas spread the ball out left from a central position with a sweeping pass and Naylor picked it up, carried the ball a few yards forward and smashed it in from all of 40 yards over the head of the helpless Ikeme.  Did he mean it? I'm not so sure - I would guess not - the way he shaped it, a cross would be the best bet but as soon as it became apparent it wasn't going anywhere near a City player there was only one place it was going and that was the back of the net.  I know it's a clichéd thing to say, but it just looked in as soon as he hit it.  The City fans went mad, it was a screamer whether it was intentional or not. 1-0.

The goal seemed to perk City up, although they hadn't been playing badly before the goal, at the same time they hadn't really threatened, but Koumas and Burke started to get more involved and City looked as likely to score during this 10 minute spell as they did in the whole match.  Koumas shot wide and Keogh had a decent effort stopped by Ikeme.

But that was as good as it got for Cardiff as Leicester began to take a stranglehold on the game.  With 10 minutes to the break Leicester threatened the Cardiff goal for the first time in the night.  Howard had a goal bound shot blocked (by his own player) and Keogh cleared off the line in the space of seconds. 

Cardiff's thoughts would have been solely on getting to the break with a clean sheet and would've failed in doing so if Martyn Waghorn had successfully have finished from 3 yards after Dyer had broken and crossed down the left hand side.

Despite the pressure and the chances, the Bluebirds did manage to hang on to their lead until the break, but there was still a sense that a draw would still be a decent result against a Leicester team not too dissimilar to the side that they played in the play-off semi-finals just a few months ago.

Leicester started the second half as they finished the first and it didn't take them long to draw level as Wellens  crossed for the unmarked King to head home just 6 minutes after the re-start.  Leicester continued to press and if Cardiff were going to leave with anything tonight they needed to weather the storm.  

Leicester looked likely to take the lead at any time and with 68 minutes on the clock - after a few decent saves from Marshall - managed this, as King, finding himself unmarked on the edge of the area fired into the top left hand corner.  It was a quality strike and capped off a fine display by the Welshman.

Cardiff, looking fatigued, made substitutions, with Wildig and Blake coming on for Koumas and McPhail respectively, both replacements are decent enough players, but neither were likely to get Cardiff back in the gane.

With 15 minutes left on the clock, Dyer was given the perfect chance to seal the win as Marshall inexplicably passed the ball to him straight from a goal kick, the winger dribbled into the box and hit the post, but he really should have scored and put any comeback by Cardiff out of the question.  Marshall's distribution was terrible all night and he was extremely lucky to have gotten away with this.

Just minutes later Cardiff could and maybe should have been awarded a penalty when a Foxes defender clearly pulled on the shirt of Keogh.  It wasn't the worst foul in the world, but a clear one all the same.

Despite 5 minutes of injury time Leicester easily held on for their win and it was thoroughly deserved.  Two games within four days was too much for a depleted Cardiff team stricken with injury's, however I'm sure any City fan would've taken 2nd spot with 13 points after 6 games if offered at the start of the season.  It's a long season and even if we are to have a successful campaign, there are bound to be blips on the way.  I left Leicester feeling obvious disappointment, but confident we can and will bounce back on Saturday against Ipswich.  

As for me, that's it for a few weeks, I've decided against making the long, expensive trip to Suffolk on Saturday and I will more than likely miss the next 2 home games as I will more than likely be taking some time off to recover from a nephrectomy, all sympathy gratefully accepted and appreciated.

Result - Leicester City 2 Cardiff City 1

Scorers - City: Naylor (26) Leicester: King (51, 68)

Attendance - 20,510

My Man of the Match - Gabor Gypes.  Solid throughout, won everything in the air and was solid on the ground.

Post 11 - Championship match day 5 Cardiff City v Hull City

Cardiff kept up their unbeaten league run and stayed in second spot as they beat Hull City 2-0 at the Cardiff City Stadium.  The home side were without key players Bothroyd, Bellamy and Drinkwater, as well as the still sidelined Chopra but showed that even when missing players with injury they have the strength in depth to cope.  Despite the pre match rumours of the aforementioned injury's, spirit's were still high, which I will put down to the free ice cream pots being given away outside the ground, 4 for me, thanks.

As their record suggests, Hull are a poor team on the road, having not won on their travels in a league match since March 2009 and aside from that they haven't won at all since beating Swansea on the opening day of the season.  But still, the job needed to be done and Cardiff turned out a very professional, if not thrilling, performance in doing so.

The Bluebirds started with the same 4-5-1 formation that had seen them win their 3 previous league games, with new loan signing Andy Keogh making his debut up front in place of Bothroyd.  Keogh had a decent game today and although he is a different type of player to Jay, he showed enough to suggest he may be a valuable signing for the season to come.  He didn't stop working and got a good going over by the Hull centre backs, getting very little from the referee in the process.

City started the better of the teams and the excellent Stephen Mcphail went close with a side footed shot from 12 yards, but it was his centre midfield partner Seyi Olifinjara who broke the deadlock on the 20 minute mark, when he headed home an in-swinging Whttingham free kick from 6 yards - his first for Cardiff and against the team he is being loaned from.  Seyi had started the game in fine form, playing once again in front of the back 4 and the goal was no less than what his performances so far this season had deserved.

Cardiff continued to look the better team and went close to doubling their lead 6 minutes later when Kevin McNaughton hit the post from outside the box after a run.  McNaughton had an uncharacteristically poor first half looking unsteady at times, but improved as the game went on.

Cardiff went into the break 1 0 up and although it wasn't pretty, it was effective and grinding out results isn't something they have always managed in the past, however the job was only half done,  too many times last seasons they were unable to complete the job.

The second half got under way and although Hull had a couple of shots they were restricted to shooting from distance.  The Bluebirds looked more likely to stretch their lead than the visitors did to equalising with Jason Koumas - making his first league start of the season - twice coming close with decent right footed efforts.  Koumas still looks like he could do with a few more games under his belt before he finds his best form, his touch let him down on a few occasions and he got caught out a few times too.  But everyone knows the class he possesses and with injury's already seemingly coming thick and fast he may get his chance to get the run that he needs to regain full fitness and form.

By now the the injured Seyi had been replaced by Gavin Rae.  A few weeks ago, after a string of poor performances and the signing of plenty of new midfielders, it was widely thought Rae had played his final game for Cardiff, but apart from him first touch - when he shockingly put a Hull striker through - he was both solid and creative and this was without doubt his best performance for some time.  It was the the ex Scottish international Rae who sealed the win with a rare goal after 81 minutes, after being expertly set up by fellow sub Wildig following good work by the once again influential Whittingham.  It wasn't the most stylish of finishes - it somehow slowly crept through the keepers legs - but it was a goal nonetheless and a valuable one all the same.  

All in all it was a much deserved victory and City put in a professional performance against what has to be said, a poor Hull team.  Special mention is deserved for the centre back pairing of Hudson and Gypes who seem to be building a stable partnership together, they have both taken some stick in the past but apart from a misguided header by Hudson, letting Simpson through, they were solid today.

Cardiff go to Leicester on Tuesday night, the scene of a memorable play off victory last season, they should have players back from injury, but will be confident of getting a positive result regardless of what team they field and rightly so.

Result - Cardiff City 2 Hull City 0

Scorers - City: Olofinjana (20), Rae (81)

Attendance - 24,083

Fans man of the match - Seyi Olofinjana

My man of the match - Peter Whittingham. There were a few candidates today, Seyi was once again fantastic when he was on, Stephen McPhail was excellent and the centre back pairing were solid.  However my MOTM goes to Whits; he set up the first, had a hand in the second and showed some sublime pieces of skill.  He may not be getting the goals he got last season, but arguably has a more influential role to play this term.  It  seems that he is thriving in a 3 man midfield and long may it continue.

Post 10 - Cardiff City v Hull City, a preamble

For the past two weeks Championship football has taken a back seat as qualification for the European Championships 2012, to be co hosted by Poland and the Ukraine, got under way.  After just one match, qualification is already looking like an uphill struggle for Wales as they somewhat embarrassingly lost to Montenegro by one goal to nil in Podgorica.

As disappointing as it was, a surprise it wasn't, this is, after all, Wales we are talking about.  Since the defeat the national football team has been in disarray with coach John Toshack announcing his imminent resignation from his role.  As bad as Tosh has been - and there is no denying that - there is no obvious choice to succeed him, I, personally, would be happy for a foreign manager to take over the reins, I really don't know who, but thankfully it's not my job to pick one.

As much as I would love Wales to qualify for a major competition, I know that there is little to no chance of this happening and this lack of expectation at least partially contributes to my lack of enthusiasm, I also don't feel the same despair when they lose as I do when Cardiff lose.

After a decent start last season Cardiff came back from the September international break only to lose 4 of their next 5 games, and although 2 of those matches were against a Newcastle team who ended up winning the league at a stroll and Villa (away) in the league cup, it is something they will be keen not to repeat.  City are visited tomorrow by Hull City, who - after a 2 year stint in the Premier League - will be keen to defy the odds and get back amongst the Premier elite.  However after a poor start to the season, Championship consolidation is likely to be a more realistic objective.

But whatever does happen tomorrow and indeed during the course of the season it is important not to forget just how far the two teams have come since the turn of the last decade.  Since locking horns in the basement division just 10 seasons ago the Bluebirds have celebrated 2 promotions, made 3 Wembley appearances and 1 at the Millennium stadium.  In the same time the Tigers have been promoted 3 times, been to Wembley once and enjoyed 2 season in the Premier League.  Not bad really, is it?

Post 9 - Carling Cup round 2 - Peterborough United v Cardiff City

Cardiff City were brought back down to earth with a thud as they were dumped out of the Carling Cup by first division Peterborough.*

After the 4-0 thumping of Doncaster and triumphant homecoming for Craig Bellamy at the Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday it was back to the road for the bluebirds as they made the trip to Peterborough, followed by a 300 strong away crowd, not bad at all for a Tuesday night league cup match 3 1/2 hours away at £20 a pop.

London Road hasn’t been the kindest of places for the Bluebirds over recent years, their most recent visit resulting in an unforgettable 4 all draw. Ok it’s one that City fans probably would rather forget, having been 4 nil up at half time, but it’s imbedded in our memories, however, this was a great chance to exorcise those ghosts.

For the first half hour Cardiff were firmly on top and it looked as though they would finally put those demons to rest and when Bothroyd headed in a Koumas cross after 31 minutes for his 5th of the season you would expect a team as confident as Cardiff are at the moment to go on and kill the game.  But they didn't, in fact as soon a they took the lead the Posh started to get themselves back into the game, a game which they should have been well out of by now.

It was no surprise that the moment Cardiff began to lose their way coincided with them losing Seyi with an eye infection just after the goal.  Although only starting his third game for the bluebirds he has already become an integral part to the side.  He was replaced by Stephen McPhail, who although a quality player in his own right doesn't quite possess the same presence as Seyi, plus he hasn't played a game for 3 months.  Cardiff went into the break ahead, probably thinking they should have been more than just the one goal clear after a glut of decent chances.  

Peterborough came out for the second half in similar fashion to the aforementioned league game last December, putting Cardiff on the back foot straight away and it looked inevitable that the equaliser would come.  The equaliser eventually came in the 74th minute and the only surprise was that it didn't come earlier and but for a string of decent saves from Heaton it would've done.  I couldn't see what happened really, because for the 10th time in a row at that ground the goal was scored about 120 yards away, but I will presume there was a defensive cock up somewhere.  Names need not be mentioned. 

By now, the Cardiff fans had continued their love/hate relationship from last season with Posh keeper Joe Lewis, the lad took some stick last night and to be fair to him he took it really well, just like his mother does (according to one or two city fans).  I know very well that 200 odd fans teaming up on one defenceless goalkeeper is quite a cowardice thing to do, but most of it was good natured anyway and he had the last laugh again anyway, see, easily justified. 

Boyd got the winner in the 88th minute with a cracking strike from outside the city area leaving City hardly any time to get back into the game and not even the late introduction of Paul Quinn (all paid for) could force extra time.  Peterborough were good money for the win and if they can sort out a leaky defence must be one of the favourites to go straight back up to the Championship.

As for Cardiff, not a great night, but it needs to be quickly forgotten about as more important fixtures lie ahead, starting with a trip to Portsmouth on Saturday.  It's never good to see your team lose, but I've had worse experiences at that ground and the 'banter' with Lewis sort of made up for it, not big, not clever, not even witty, but funny all the same.

Result - Peterborough United 2 Cardiff City 1

Scorers - City: Bothroyd (31) Posh: Mackail-Smith (74), Boyd (88)

Attendance - 3,806

Man of the match - No-one really stood out for city, Seyi was probably our best player when he was on, but I can't really give the MOTM award to someone who only played half an hour can I?  Actually stuff it, my blog, my report, my rules.  Well done Seyi if your reading.

Villain of the day - Peterborough chairman Darragh MacAnthony.  £20 for a standing ticket and £25 for seated ticket on a Tuesday night in the league cup second round?  Probably something to do with the Bellamy factor, which left me feeling slightly smug when I found out he wouldn't feature.

* I’ve since read the BBC news report and notice my first paragraph is, purely by coincidence, practically the same, but I’m keeping it, thud is a better word than bump anyway.yway.

Post 8 - Championship match day 3, Cardiff City v Doncaster Rovers

Craig Bellamy scored a sensational 30 yard free kick to top off a memorable debut for the Welsh and now Cardiff City captain.

On the day the Cardiff City faithful welcomed a new hero, the club said their goodbyes to a hero of yesteryear.  Brian Clark, who sadly passed away 2 weeks ago was remembered before the match with a minutes round of applause.  As I've mentioned previously on this blog I much prefer a minutes silence but nonetheless it was a fantastic send off for him and wonderful to hear 'There's only one Brian Clark' being echoed around the stadium.  The current players were joined on the pitch by past Cardiff City legends Gary Bell, Steve Derrett, Don Murray and Bobby Woodruff who had earlier shared their memories of 'Clarky' with the rest of the supporters, it was a nice touch for who so many people have described as the perfect gentleman.

Cardiff started the game in nervous fashion.  It took about 2 minutes for the ball to get to Bellamy and when it finally did it was greeted with huge cheers, however his first touch in a Cardiff shirt was slightly anti-climatic as he over hit a long pass somewhere in the direction of Jay Bothroyd.  The Cardiff players tried to get the ball to Bellamy as much as possible - arguably a little too much - in the opening 20 minutes and he gave the fans an early taste of his blistering pace that will give many a defence no end of problems in the season to come.

Doncaster weren't over-awed by this and started the game brightly, having as much of the early possession as Cardiff in the opening half an hour, but it was Cardiff who nearly had the perfect start when a Chopra chip was expertly saved by Donny keeper Neil Sullivan after 15 minutes.

The home side were forced to make 2 early substitutions in the first half with McNaughton pulling up with what looked like a torn hamstring in the 17th minute and striker Chopra going off after 32 minutes, having struggled for 10 minutes after a nasty looking challenge by a Doncaster defender, which seemed to go unseen by the referee and his official. 

McNaughton was replacement by the 2nd City debutant of the day Lee Naylor before Burke replaced Chopra, and as personnel changed so did the formation.  Cardiff had started their usual 4-4-2 with Bellamy playing wide left, Whittingham on the right and Bothroyd and Chopra filling the usual striker spots.  But when Chopra came off they changed to 4-5-1 with Burke and Bellamy supporting Bothroyd from wide positions and Whittingham joining Drinkwater and Seyi in the centre, into a playmaker role he has thrived on so far this season.

It took just four minutes of the new formation for Cardiff to break the deadlock.  Bellamy passed to Bothroyd, who, after miss controlling the ball somehow found himself one on one with the keeper, before calmly finishing with his left foot for the opener.  The goal came just after some fans around me had started to get a bit frustrated.  I honestly don't know what they expect, did they expect a hat-trick from Bellamy in the first half hour? for Doncaster to roll over and die and let us have our party? The said thing is the answer is probably yes.  How little some people know.

The second half did see Cardiff start to take control of the game with the midfield 3 keeping possession well and Bellamy and Burke starting to run the Doncaster full backs ragged.  Burke will have felt hard done by to be dropped and he looked like a man who had a point to prove and in the 62nd minute it was he who crossed for Bothroyd to head home his second of the match and 4th of the season.  Six minutes later the lead was increased furthermore when Bellamy played a long ball from deep inside his own half for Burke.  He still had a lot to do and shrugged off the challenge of two defenders before scoring his second of the season.

By now Cardiff were playing as well as I had ever seen them play with the midfield and forwards seemingly interchanging positions and playing keep ball.  I don't want to use the term 'total football' but, well I have now, but that's what is was like, sort of.  It's a way I've never seen us play before and as Dave Jones explained in his post match interview he's never previously had the players to play this way and it will be interesting how he starts the next league cgame.

With six minutes left on the clock Bellamy put the finishing touches to a fantastic day with his sublime free kick.  He left the pitch minutes later to a standing ovation and another roar went up as it was announced his replacement was another hero Jason Koumas.  Koumas, although only on for a cameo showed the fans some lovely touches, showing he will play an important part this season himself.

So, a perfect day for all involved (Donny fans excluded) and an anti-climax it wasn't.  It was a fine performance against a decent Doncaster side, who will probably be in the top half of the league come May.  Cardiff were simply awesome today and will face much weaker teams than Doncaster in the season to come, there is still room for improvement and as they gel together I'm sure they will just get better, and that's the scary part. 

Result - Cardiff City 4 Doncaster Rovers 0

Scorers - City: Bothroyd (36, 62) Burke (68) Bellamy (84)

Attendance - 24,027

Fans man of the match - Jay Bothroyd 

My man of the match - Jay Bothroyd.  Like the Derby game last week any number of players could have won  this.  Bellamy capped a fine debut with a stunning free kick, Burke set up one and scored another and the midfield 3 bossed the second half.  But Jay Bothroyd was superb today, leading the line and scoring 2 and with a bit more luck could've got a hat trick.

Villain of the day - Villain? On a day like this? No chance.  Ok then we'll say Craig Bellamy for getting needlessly booked for throwing the ball away, pure Premier League petulance, tut tut.

Post 7 - Home is the hero, Craig Bellamy signs

So, Craig Bellamy has signed for Cardiff then, he’s actually signed for Cardiff City, ok it’s a loan deal so he’s not actually ours, but still, he will be playing for Cardiff City for the rest of the season.  Wow.

It seems as though everyone has had something to say about the controversial Bellamy signing and I’m struggling to think of any other loan signing in the history of the game to have prompted such media attention.  Cardiff as a club has taken a hammering from a large section of the media over the last week or so, I’d write a response but ‘Cardiff City Mad’ main man Mike Morris (enough Ms?) has spoken for every bluebird fan in his much lauded, perfectly written and soon to become legendary (at least on the message board) ‘People in stone houses’ defence of our club.  If you haven’t already read it please click on the link at the bottom of the blog, it’s well worth the read.

As I’m typing this, three days after it was confirmed, the signing still sounds too good to be true and I will concede that in the days leading up to the signing I was a bit sceptical about it all.  I didn’t want to look foolish in case he didn’t sign, in fear of being mocked for thinking such a player would dream of playing for us, but now he has put pen to paper (and the football league have verified it's validity) I can admit I’m absolutely thrilled, excited even, and why not?

Ok so there are plenty of reasons as to why this may not turn out to be the fairytale it looks, none more so than his history of causing un-rest at nearly every club he has been to (and there have been a few), but it is a gamble that is certainly worth taking, one that could help take an already recently strengthened squad to the promised land that is the Premier League.  The other reason is that this is Cardiff City we are talking about, not Manchester United, or Chelsea, but Cardiff City, so don’t worry Swansea, Bristol (City and Rovers) and every other club who dislikes (or hates) us, I’m sure it will go tits up soon.

How will Bellamy fit into the team then?  Obviously he will start, it’s a no brainer, but in what position remains to be seen.  The likelihood is that he will play either wide left or right, meaning either Whittingham or Burke will lose their place (probably the latter) or up front, meaning Chopra will be demoted to the subs bench.  It’s a problem that Dave Jones will have to deal with, but nonetheless a problem most managers in the Premier League would like to have, let alone the Championship.

Regardless of who is dropped, they will still have a massive part to play in Cardiff’s promotion campaign, no matter who you have in the first 11, strength in depth is imperative, no team has ever won anything without a strong squad (please note this is probably untrue, it’s just the kind of thing ‘they’ say, whoever ‘they’ are).  So whoever does make way for Bellamy and Koumas (let us not forger Koumas), it is important they are kept happy, because they will no doubt have a big part to play this season.  Is there any defence in the Championship who won’t shudder at the sight of Burke warming up with 30 minutes to go after spending an hour running after Bellamy, Chopra and Bothroyd? I think not.

Anyway, back to Bellamy and what us Cardiff fans can expect to see from him this season.  Well for a start devastating pace and 100% effort, something which - love or hate him - he always gives.  Something else we will hope to see is some of the sublime finishing he produced for Man City when playing their red rivals last season.  Anyone who watched the game at the City of Manchester Stadium can probably recall him curling in from 20 yards before skinning Rio Ferdinand and finishing from an acute angle for his second.  Bellamy was on the losing side that day, but he showed what a class act he is and consequently became a fan favourite with the Citizen faithful.

Bellamy makes his debut for Cardiff at home to Doncaster Rovers tomorrow and I, as well as approximatley 26000 other Cardiff fans simply can’t wait for it.  The atmosphere promises to be electric and everyone (apart from a few hundred Doncaster fan) will be hoping for a home win to complete what could be a special day.  But anti-climaxes have been a regular occurrence for Cardiff City fans of late, the FA cup final, play off final and the last ever game at Ninian Park to name but a few and no-one would be surprised if the day went oh so familiarly wrong.  So, who’s got their money on 1-0 Donny then?

‘People in stone houses’

http://www.ccmb.co.uk/fudforum/index.php?t=msg&goto=2061574&rid=0&S=b582b25e5a955c901d9e9996908a3cdf&srch=glass+houses#msg_2061574