Saturday, November 21, 2009
Friday, November 20, 2009
Jacks pass Bluebirds with Friday night win
Swansea City beat Derby County 1-0 at Liberty Stadium this evening with a late but reportedly deserved winner to jump over Cardiff City into 3rd spot of the Championship, their highest league placing for 26 years.
Cardiff City get their show back on the road after THAT defeat at Swansea a fortnight ago with a tricky trip to Barnsley tomorrow but are boosted by the return of the Championship's joint leading scorers Peter Whittingham and Michael Chopra who missed that game due to injury and suspension respectively. Kevin McNaughton should belatedly start his season which is timely as Adam Matthews is definitely out after a midweek foot injury with Wales Under 21's.
C'MON CITY.
1. Newcastle P 16 PTS 33
2. West Brom P 16 PTS 31
3. Swansea P 17 PTS 28
4. CARDIFF P 16 PTS 27
5. QPR P 16 PTS 27
6. Blackpool P 16 PTS 27
7. Leicester P 16 PTS 27
Cardiff City get their show back on the road after THAT defeat at Swansea a fortnight ago with a tricky trip to Barnsley tomorrow but are boosted by the return of the Championship's joint leading scorers Peter Whittingham and Michael Chopra who missed that game due to injury and suspension respectively. Kevin McNaughton should belatedly start his season which is timely as Adam Matthews is definitely out after a midweek foot injury with Wales Under 21's.
C'MON CITY.
1. Newcastle P 16 PTS 33
2. West Brom P 16 PTS 31
3. Swansea P 17 PTS 28
4. CARDIFF P 16 PTS 27
5. QPR P 16 PTS 27
6. Blackpool P 16 PTS 27
7. Leicester P 16 PTS 27
McPhail diagnosed with cancer
CARDIFF CITY this evening issued a club statement that midfield playmaker Steven McPhail has been diagnosed with Stage One Malt Lymphona, a form of cancer.
The player has been in prime form for The Bluebirds but recently had an operation to remove a growth from his neck and he is out of action anyway at present following an operation to re-attach muscle to his thigh.
McPhail has won back the support of Bluebirds worldwide for his performances on the field this season after suffering poor form for some time and instantly had their total support to overcome this battle off the pitch too. I can only wish him and his family well.
The player has been in prime form for The Bluebirds but recently had an operation to remove a growth from his neck and he is out of action anyway at present following an operation to re-attach muscle to his thigh.
McPhail has won back the support of Bluebirds worldwide for his performances on the field this season after suffering poor form for some time and instantly had their total support to overcome this battle off the pitch too. I can only wish him and his family well.
STEPHEN McPHAIL: CLUB STATEMENT
Cardiff City midfielder Stephen McPhail has been diagnosed with a stage one malt lymphoma, previously known as a pseudo lymphoma.
Treatment is expected to last for three weeks with a return to playing football by January, 2010.
The club requests that the privacy of Stephen, his wife and young family be respected during his recovery.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Video of the Week - SUPER FURRY ANIMALS, God Show Me Magic
A 2 minute slice of SFA pop rock ... just before they play a "Best of" Creation set featuring their first 3 albums at the Coal Exchange tomorrow night.
Lovely aye
Lovely aye
City want Garvan but there's a problem - money
National newspapers hinted Cardiff City were tracking Ipswich's out of favour Owen Garvan last week and now the local press confirm there is some truth to the story but the current cashflow appears to be dictating they cannot bring him on loan to cover the injured Steve McPhail - which is a blow - and they won't be get him in the January transfer window either until players are moved out.
However at least 3 other Championship clubs are tracking the talented midfielder so watch this space.
However at least 3 other Championship clubs are tracking the talented midfielder so watch this space.
Matthews a doubt for Barnsley afterc Wales injury
CARDIFF CITY 17 year old starlet Adam Matthews made his Welsh Under 21 bow in a 2-1 deafeat at Bosnia-Hercegovina last night.
Starting the game however, Matthews was withdrawn at the interval with a foot injury. I have wondered whether Dave Jones would start him in Saturday's trip to Barnsley and this midweek jaunt but I suspect the injury news now makes it a racing certainty that Kevin McNaughton will return to action at right back this weekend while the recent struggling Mark Kennedy will continue on the left, hopefully refresheed by a 2 week break.
Starting the game however, Matthews was withdrawn at the interval with a foot injury. I have wondered whether Dave Jones would start him in Saturday's trip to Barnsley and this midweek jaunt but I suspect the injury news now makes it a racing certainty that Kevin McNaughton will return to action at right back this weekend while the recent struggling Mark Kennedy will continue on the left, hopefully refresheed by a 2 week break.
Someone's In Hot Water for this
Ingenious how they do it - watch how these Japanese punters get dropped into scalding hot water ... at least there's a block of ice on hand to cool them down!
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Tonight's Cardiff City Phone In with PETER RIDSDALE
The blog covered a summary of Publicity Pete being uupbeat earlier this evening but now you can listen in, or download, the show and hear for yourself.
Go on ... you know you want to.
Link to listen/download >>>
Go on ... you know you want to.
Link to listen/download >>>
City, Ridsdale and Langston/Hammam ready to sign off deal?
Messageboards and forums have gone into overload about the precarious state of Cardiff City's finances in recent days, some wild gossip suggesting a meltdown was imminent, speculation that the potential Malaysian investment was in jeopardy and that Sam Hammam is stalling on a deal to restructure the debts owed to him ... sorry Langston Corporation.
Oh yes, it's been a barrel of fun but the question is, is there fire to go with the smoke.
In separate meetings today, the answer from Peter Ridsdale is yes to a point but not really.
This afternoon, he met Cardiff City Supporters Trust and tonight, he was studio guest on the Cardiff City phone-in and his polished politician style message was the same both times.
Yes;
- Cashflow is a problem at Cardiff City but it laywas has been in his time and now is no worse at all.
- Hammam did stll returning papers and being in contact with the club but they have now resumed in the past couple of days to the extent that Peter Ridsdale believes the paperwork could be concluded and signed off by this weekend.
- With these matters resolved, new investement and changes could quickly roll in. Publicity Pete confirmed he is in discussions with two potential investors and believes they could reach fruition quite quickly.
Hopefully they will allay recent fears but clearly, these problems have prevented Cardiff City getting new loan players to cover the loss of Steve McPhail or a further striker behind Jay Bothroyd so these matters cannot be concluded quickly enough.
Oh yes, it's been a barrel of fun but the question is, is there fire to go with the smoke.
In separate meetings today, the answer from Peter Ridsdale is yes to a point but not really.
This afternoon, he met Cardiff City Supporters Trust and tonight, he was studio guest on the Cardiff City phone-in and his polished politician style message was the same both times.
Yes;
- Cashflow is a problem at Cardiff City but it laywas has been in his time and now is no worse at all.
- Hammam did stll returning papers and being in contact with the club but they have now resumed in the past couple of days to the extent that Peter Ridsdale believes the paperwork could be concluded and signed off by this weekend.
- With these matters resolved, new investement and changes could quickly roll in. Publicity Pete confirmed he is in discussions with two potential investors and believes they could reach fruition quite quickly.
Hopefully they will allay recent fears but clearly, these problems have prevented Cardiff City getting new loan players to cover the loss of Steve McPhail or a further striker behind Jay Bothroyd so these matters cannot be concluded quickly enough.
Feeney to flee on a free
Feeney has had more games for Swansea than Cardiff in 3 years as a Bluebird!
CARDIFF CITY striker Warren Feeney has joined Tony Capaldi in publicly declaring he wants away from Cardiff City in the January transfer window. With few exceptions and without malice, most supporters hope they leave as well as they are surplus to requirements, a fair cost on the playing budget and it may enable frsh faces for the second half of the season.
Feeney is a trier but despite his international successes with Northern Ireland, he has never looked a Championship standard striker managing just 5 starts and 7 subs outings in over 2 and a half years with The Bluebirds. City followers have always been bewildered why he was brought to the club on a lucrative 3.5 year deal which expires next summer, those fears have been proven. Always overshadowed completely by other strikers at the club, he has also been affected by injuries.
It was ironic that his only successful times since joining the club has been loan periods elsewhere. However a permanent move to Swansea City after loan success was scuppered by injury, last season at Dundee United was curtailed by more injury and a possible permanent summer to Leeds United failed for the same reason. Now fit again, Feeney has managed one fleeting outing off the bench this term.
Talking to Irish press at the weekend, the likeable Feeney said, “The window is coming up in January and we'll see what happens there and take things on in the New Year. I want to get out there and I need to get playing to feel good about myself again. I've another six weeks to go and then I'll be looking to get something sorted out. The move to Leeds fell through because of the problem with the hip but that's sorted now … … I'm not one who is going to sit there and pick up the money, I wouldn't do that because I want to play."
The Pier Kite Surfers
The storms that battered Britain over the weekend at least made these kite surfers happy as it fulfilled their ambition to clear their local Sussex pier ... check this footage.
It's Grim at Grimsby
Football fans are an impassioned and fickle bunch at the best of times but those who follow struggling Grimsby Town have experienced more lows and woe than most.
Therefore, this open letter to the players of Grimsby Town which appeared on one of their messageboards (www.thefishy.co.uk) sums up how much the game affects us all when our team are just garbage. Very funny too.
Dear Players of Grimsby Town FC
I am writing with regard to my absolute astonishment and disbelief as to the sheer magnitude of your complete lack of talent and failure to carry out the job for which you are paid to do. I am not aware of any swear word or other derogatory phrase in my current vocabulary which comes close to a description of your ‘performance’ (and I use that term loosely) this afternoon, but let me just say that you have collectively reached a level of inadequacy and ineptitude that neither I nor modern science had previously considered possible.
In fact I recall a time, in my youth, when I decided to call in sick at work and instead spent the entire day in my one bedroom flat wearing nothing but my underpants, eating toast and wánking furiously over second-rate Scandinavian porn. Yet somehow, I still managed to contribute more to my employer in that one Andrex-filled day than you complete bunch of toss-baskets have contributed to this club in your entire time here.
I would genuinely like to know how you pathetic little píssflaps sleep at night, knowing full well that you have taken my money and that of several thousand others and delivered precisely fúck all in return. I run a business myself, and I believe I could take any 4,000 of my customers at random; burn down their houses, impregnate their wives and then dismember their children before systematically sending them back in the post, limb-by-limb, and still ensure a level of customer satisfaction which exceeds that which I have experienced at Blundell Park at any time so far this season.
You are a total disgrace, not only to your profession, not only to the human race, but to nature itself. This may sound like an exaggeration, but believe me when I say that I have passed kidney stones which have brought me a greater level of pleasure and entertainment than watching each of you worthless excuses for professional footballers attempt to play a game you are clearly incapable of playing, week-in, week-out.
I considered, for a second, that I was perhaps being a little too harsh. But then I recalled that I have blindly given you all the benefit of the doubt for too long now. Yes, for too long you have failed to earn the air you’ve been breathing by offering any kind of tangible quality either as footballers or as people in general. As such, I feel it’s only fair that your supply runs out forthwith.
I trust, at this precise moment in time, that Mr Fenty is in his office tapping away on the Easyjet web site booking you all one-way flights to Zurich, complete with an overnight stay with our cheese eating friends at Dignitas. Don’t bother packing your toothbrush – you won’t need it.
In the event that our beloved chairman can’t afford the expense (understandable given that he’s soon going to have to assemble a new squad from scratch), then I am prepared to sell my family (including my unborn child) to a dubious consortium of Middle Eastern businessmen in order to pay for the flights. Christ, I’ll drive you there myself, one-by one, without sleep, if I have to.
Failing that, understanding that most dubious Middle Eastern businessmen are tied-up purchasing Premier League football clubs, I ask you to please take matters into your hands. Use your imagination, guys – strangle yourselves or cover yourself in tinfoil and take a fork to a nearby plug socket, or something. Just put yourselves and us fans out of our collective misery.
So, in summary, you pack of repugnant, sputum-filled, invertebrate bástards; leave this club now and don’t you fúcking dare look back. You’ve consistently demonstrated less passion and desire than can commonly be found within the contents of a sloth’s scrótum, so frankly you can just all fúck off – don’t pass go, don’t collect your wages, don’t ever come back to this town again.
I look forward to you serving me at my local McDonald’s drive-thru in the near future.
Yours sincerely
A very disillusioned Mariner
Therefore, this open letter to the players of Grimsby Town which appeared on one of their messageboards (www.thefishy.co.uk) sums up how much the game affects us all when our team are just garbage. Very funny too.
Dear Players of Grimsby Town FC
I am writing with regard to my absolute astonishment and disbelief as to the sheer magnitude of your complete lack of talent and failure to carry out the job for which you are paid to do. I am not aware of any swear word or other derogatory phrase in my current vocabulary which comes close to a description of your ‘performance’ (and I use that term loosely) this afternoon, but let me just say that you have collectively reached a level of inadequacy and ineptitude that neither I nor modern science had previously considered possible.
In fact I recall a time, in my youth, when I decided to call in sick at work and instead spent the entire day in my one bedroom flat wearing nothing but my underpants, eating toast and wánking furiously over second-rate Scandinavian porn. Yet somehow, I still managed to contribute more to my employer in that one Andrex-filled day than you complete bunch of toss-baskets have contributed to this club in your entire time here.
I would genuinely like to know how you pathetic little píssflaps sleep at night, knowing full well that you have taken my money and that of several thousand others and delivered precisely fúck all in return. I run a business myself, and I believe I could take any 4,000 of my customers at random; burn down their houses, impregnate their wives and then dismember their children before systematically sending them back in the post, limb-by-limb, and still ensure a level of customer satisfaction which exceeds that which I have experienced at Blundell Park at any time so far this season.
You are a total disgrace, not only to your profession, not only to the human race, but to nature itself. This may sound like an exaggeration, but believe me when I say that I have passed kidney stones which have brought me a greater level of pleasure and entertainment than watching each of you worthless excuses for professional footballers attempt to play a game you are clearly incapable of playing, week-in, week-out.
I considered, for a second, that I was perhaps being a little too harsh. But then I recalled that I have blindly given you all the benefit of the doubt for too long now. Yes, for too long you have failed to earn the air you’ve been breathing by offering any kind of tangible quality either as footballers or as people in general. As such, I feel it’s only fair that your supply runs out forthwith.
I trust, at this precise moment in time, that Mr Fenty is in his office tapping away on the Easyjet web site booking you all one-way flights to Zurich, complete with an overnight stay with our cheese eating friends at Dignitas. Don’t bother packing your toothbrush – you won’t need it.
In the event that our beloved chairman can’t afford the expense (understandable given that he’s soon going to have to assemble a new squad from scratch), then I am prepared to sell my family (including my unborn child) to a dubious consortium of Middle Eastern businessmen in order to pay for the flights. Christ, I’ll drive you there myself, one-by one, without sleep, if I have to.
Failing that, understanding that most dubious Middle Eastern businessmen are tied-up purchasing Premier League football clubs, I ask you to please take matters into your hands. Use your imagination, guys – strangle yourselves or cover yourself in tinfoil and take a fork to a nearby plug socket, or something. Just put yourselves and us fans out of our collective misery.
So, in summary, you pack of repugnant, sputum-filled, invertebrate bástards; leave this club now and don’t you fúcking dare look back. You’ve consistently demonstrated less passion and desire than can commonly be found within the contents of a sloth’s scrótum, so frankly you can just all fúck off – don’t pass go, don’t collect your wages, don’t ever come back to this town again.
I look forward to you serving me at my local McDonald’s drive-thru in the near future.
Yours sincerely
A very disillusioned Mariner
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
SuperKev ready to start the season for Cardiff City
Cardiff City's defence have lacked pace, cover and composure a feww too many times this season and a significant reason for that has been the absence of Kevin McNuaghton who tore ankle ligaments in a pre-season home friendly against Celtic.
Today, he played 45 minutes against Hereford United reserves and although City lost 2-0, McNaughton was in fine form and withdrawn after 45 minutes to save himself for Saturday's trip to Barnsley.
There's a strong probability he will start that game but will it be right or left back? Mark Kennedy has looked jaded and vulnerable recently but a fortnight's break should have recharged his batteries but Kev is destined to play on the left this season. On the right side, Adam Matthews has stamped his mark but he may be rested from time to time and considering he is in Bosnia tomorrow playing for Wales Under 21's, Dave Jones may decide to rest him after getting back.
Either way, Cardiff City followers will be delighted to see SuperKev back in the blue colours at last.
Today, he played 45 minutes against Hereford United reserves and although City lost 2-0, McNaughton was in fine form and withdrawn after 45 minutes to save himself for Saturday's trip to Barnsley.
There's a strong probability he will start that game but will it be right or left back? Mark Kennedy has looked jaded and vulnerable recently but a fortnight's break should have recharged his batteries but Kev is destined to play on the left this season. On the right side, Adam Matthews has stamped his mark but he may be rested from time to time and considering he is in Bosnia tomorrow playing for Wales Under 21's, Dave Jones may decide to rest him after getting back.
Either way, Cardiff City followers will be delighted to see SuperKev back in the blue colours at last.
Cardiff City 0 Hereford United 2 reserves friendly
CARDIFF CITY's second string and youngsters surprisingly came off second best against The Bulls, losing 2-0 at the Vale Training Complex.
City included Kevein McNaughton, Riccy Scimeca, Solomon Taiwo, Warren Feeney,Tony Capaldi and Miguel Comminges but it was Hereford who fairly dominated the encounter going ahead in the first 15 minutes and sealing victory with a late goal. In between, there was not a great deal going on for City but with McNuaghton back, it was a worthy run out.
City included Kevein McNaughton, Riccy Scimeca, Solomon Taiwo, Warren Feeney,Tony Capaldi and Miguel Comminges but it was Hereford who fairly dominated the encounter going ahead in the first 15 minutes and sealing victory with a late goal. In between, there was not a great deal going on for City but with McNuaghton back, it was a worthy run out.
Cardiff City: Santiago, Meades, McNaughgton, Scimeca, Comminges, Last, Wildig, Taiwo, Feeney, Bichard, Capaldi.
Matthews on Gunners radar
Not content with prising Aaron Ramsey away from the club before he'd played a season's football - with Cardiff City's hierarchy accepting a ridiculous £4.8M fee and no sell on clauses for a player whose worth looks many time more that already - it is being reported that Arsenal are preparing for a similar bid for Adam Matthews in the forthcoming January transfer window.
The 17 year old has had an astonishing rise after not even having a first team squad number last term. He has now completed 12 Championship games, is keeping established players out of the team, has scored from the halfway line, has a long throw that causes problems and is exciting when he joins attacks, is regarded as a key member of our defence and linked up with the Wales full squad for the 3-0 weekend bashing of Scotland to acclimatise him for the future even though he is yet to feature for the Under 21's.
It's therefore inevitable that he will catch the eye. He certainly has the potential and ability to join a top Premiership outfit although Cardiff City fans will hope, for once, we get to enjoy some time with one of our Academy boys instead of lsoing one again at the first signs of interest.
The 17 year old has had an astonishing rise after not even having a first team squad number last term. He has now completed 12 Championship games, is keeping established players out of the team, has scored from the halfway line, has a long throw that causes problems and is exciting when he joins attacks, is regarded as a key member of our defence and linked up with the Wales full squad for the 3-0 weekend bashing of Scotland to acclimatise him for the future even though he is yet to feature for the Under 21's.
It's therefore inevitable that he will catch the eye. He certainly has the potential and ability to join a top Premiership outfit although Cardiff City fans will hope, for once, we get to enjoy some time with one of our Academy boys instead of lsoing one again at the first signs of interest.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Tonight's Cardiff City Phone-in Show
You can listen in, or download, this evening's show via the link below for the latest news and views on the club. The show ended early due to a studio fire alarm.
Burley Hurled
With a sense of déjà vu, Scotland boss George Burley was dismissed after a hammering in Wales. Four years ago, he took the job replacing Berti Vogts who was also dismissed after a similar pasting in Cardiff.
It’s a decision that will be celebrated by the Kilted Hoardes who demanded nothing less after travelling to South Wales with many exiting long before the game ended. Scotland’s only problem now is can take over and restore their fortunes? Unlike Wales who have also been poor, they don’t seem to have the talent coming through to make the job one to savour.
Still, that’s their problem, Wales suddenly seem to have a bit of a future.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
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