Dave Jones rules himself out of the West Brom job

Hard Luck City Fans
You're Stuck With me

Dave Jones has turned down West Brom despite neither Cardiff City or himself being approached for the role!

Newspapers have speculated that Jones was on a shortlist of two for the vacancy at The Hawthorns but with Preston's Alan Irvine believed to be the clear favourite, maybe that convinced Jones not to even think about it.

When approached by the media about it over the weekend, Jones commented, "The only place I am moving to is a new stadium with Cardiff. "You can never say never in football but as far as the West Brom job is concerned - no."

Slovakian trialist set for City

With a deal for Mark Hudson in the bag, Cardiff City tonight stand on the verge of possibly getting a second centre half with Maros Klimpa set to join the Bluebirds, initially on a trial basis.

The 28 year old impressed in 20 games on loan to SPL side Motherwell and had been tipped to join Aberdeen where his Motherwell boss Mark McGhee now resides. However it appears Cardiff may be winning a battle to get him as the player buys his way out of his contract with Danish outfit FC Midtjylland to spend a week with City after apparently previously agreeing to do likewise with Championship rivals Plymouth Argyle.

I know little about him expect he played against Wales last year in a friendly and had the proverbial 'mare as Wales stuffed his country 5-2 ina friendly. No wonder we want to take a look first.

Mr. Hudson set for Cardiff gig

CARDIFF CITY have confirmed they have had a bid accepted for an unnamed defender but it is supposedly someone other than Motherwell's captain and right back Paul Quinn and believed to be Charlton Athletic skipper and centre half Mark Hudson, the deal reportedly worth what strikes me as a rather inflated £700,000. Surely not that much?

Hudson "proud" wears a Charlton scarf last summer
Bet he'll soon "proudly" be wearing a Cardiff one

At 27, Hudson doesn't fit the vastly experienced category with just 170 league outings under his belt, the majority with Crystal Palace where he made his name before switching to Charlton last summer on a free transfer and managing 43 starts and 3 goals as The Addicks finished bottom of the Championship and were relegated to League One.

However Cardiff badly need two centre halves with Darren Purse departed and Roger Johnson sold so reinforcements are urgently required. He is also a known Cardiff City target as manager Dave Jones tried but narrowly failed to bring him to the club in the January transfer window.

The player was reportedly engaged in talks with Cardiff City today but there is no more news as yet.

Glastonbury'09 - BLUR

A newly re-formed Blur brought the festival house down with the closing show on Sunday night. When BritPop was alive, I was an Oasis man but I've really got to appreciate Blur ever since. Great show.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/glastonbury/2009/artists/blur/

Feeney set for Leeds

Feeney - The Bluebird Turned Jack

Misfit Cardiff City forward WARREN FEENEY is set for a medical to rejoin one of his former clubs, Leeds United, at Elland Road tomorrow and bring an end to his unremarkable Bluebirds career.


When Feeney joined Cardiff in January 2007 - after failing in the Championship with Luton - eyebrows were raised. As news emerged, he was given a 3.5 year contract, jaws dropped to the floor too.

It proved to be a rotten signing. Feeney, a genuine nice guy who did try, started just 3 league games and City have spent the past 2 seasons loaning him out but still having to contrbute to his wages on a lucrative deal.

In 2007/08, he spent 5 months at local rivals Swansea City but that loan, and a potential transfer, ended when a horrific injury ended the season. Last term, h played at Dundee United in the SPL scoring 6 times in 18 starts.

He has however been more successful in the international arena being a key figure and scoring vital goals for his country.

With 12 months remaining on his Cardiff contract, it remains to be seen whether there is any cash involved with the deal and whether Leeds will take on his current wages.

Good Luck Warren.

Motherwell accept Cardiff City bid for Quinn

Although there is no official statement form either club, it is being reported this evening that SPL club Motherwell have accepted a £300,000 bid from Cardiff City for their captain and right back Paul Quinn (a link first reported on this blog on Friday).

A mystery midfielder set to join Cardiff City

There's been speculation that Cardiff City are close to signing a "mystery midfielder" - so called becuase the club don't want other clubs to be alerted.

It sounds exciting but I'm sure it's not a household name player.


In fact, speculation is that it could be Doncaster Rovers Martin Woods but he's a bit part player which would seem unlikely.

Copuld it possibly be Doncaster's goal scopring midfielder Brian Stocks instead?

I'm getting as bad as newspapers speculating bow so I'll give it a rest.

Glasonbury '09 - DIZZEE RASCAL, BONKERS

Glastonbury'09 - TOM JONES

Not much Welsh presence at this year's Glasto and when it comes, it's in the shape of Tom Jones. What are the odds of that eh?

Tom filled the traditional Sunday afternoon vintage slot.

Video highlights here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/glastonbury/2009/artists/tomjones/

Glastonbury'09 - BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN

The Boss headlined tonight and put on a stupendous show. I'm far from a big fan of his but have to admire the show he put on for the crowd.

Half-hour edited highlights are here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/glastonbury/2009/artists/brucespringsteen/video1.shtml#emp

Glastonbury'09 - KASABIAN

This group were always going to put on a huge Glastonbury show and they sure did.

Half-hour edited highlights can be found here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/glastonbury/2009/artists/kasabian/

Glastonbury'09 - CROSBY, STILLS & NASH

This is geriatric rock but it still sounds refreshingly good.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/glastonbury/2009/artists/crosbystillsandnash/

Cardiff City and Puma agree 5 year deal

A couple of years of the distinctively average Joma branded kit is over and Cardiff City have announced a new partnership deal with major brand Puma for the next 5 seasons.


The deal will take in first team kit as well as training and leisurewear. It's not yet known whether Puma will operate the club shop as a franchaise, as Joma did, but it wouldn't surprise me.


Cardiff fans are waiting to see the new season kit. The design is agreed, the shirts have been registered with the Football League but City are apparently 1 of 18 Championship clubs still trying to find a club sponsor in the recession so have held back its release.

One day, we may just get a new shirt to wear while we're on summer holidays ... at Cardiff City, it;'s a novelty if you can get one before the season starts though so perhaps I'm expecting too much!

Cardiff City's pre-season affect as Madeira tournament cancelled

Shock news has been confirmed as Cardiff City's pre-season tournament in Madeira has been pulled by organisers. Cardiff were due to set up pre-season camp there and play two games against Portguese side FC Nacional and Maritimo but organisers pulled the plug out of the blue, no doubt the finances didn't add up.

The Bluebirds have switched pre-season camp to Portugal and will play Vitoria Setubal and either Benfica or Belenses instead in friendly matches.

However the biggest blow will be for supporters as many had booked holidays there and paid high expense. Ah well, nice place to visit I'm sure.

Jones believed in be on final shortlist for WBA but going nowhere claims the Riddler

A couple of seasons ago, Dave Jones declined the opportunity to go to West Brom - the temptation of a wage increase and shares at Cardiff City did the trick - but you did get the impression he had his regrets about that as Cardiff floundered in the Championship while West Brom went to the Premiership.

Two years on, Tony Mowray who got the job instead has gone to Celtic so the position is open again and with West Brom having more finances than Cardiff, it's an attractive option.


If news reports are to be believed, Dave Jones' name still figures very highly with some suggesting it may be between Alan Irvine (Preston) and himself for the role with Irvine favourite as he is a younger manager who has made an instant name for himself.


With suggestions of an imminent approach, Peter Ridsdale is in fighting and bullish mood -“Dave Jones is staying with Cardiff City – I have no doubts about that.”


However Irvine is the favourite and their Chairman is making the same noises - "I want to assure supporters that as I give this interview we have not had any contact from West Bromwich Albion over the services of Alan Irvine – and we do not want any. If any calls came in then the decision would be down to the manager himself, if the terms of his contract were met, but this is something we would vehemently oppose."

Quinn set for Bluebirds??

It is being reported North of the Border that Cardiff City have made a £300,000 bid for Motherwell's right back and captain Paul Quinn which looks set to be accepted. The news has been leaked by a Motherwell insider, possibly an attempt, to see if any better bids arrive, the only other to date being a £100,000 offer by Hearts.

Quinn, 23, has started 150 SPL for Motherwell when he has been since a junior. 38 of those games came last season, 2 ending early with red cards. Quinn is an ex-team mate of Ross McCormack and would certainly feel at home in Cardiff with Cardiff 's squad already containing 5 Scotsmen ... and there's every chance 1 or 2 more will be added before August.

If the bid is successful, suspicions are that Kevin McNaughton would switch to his preferred left back side making an already surplus to requirements Tony Capaldi surely facing the exit door.

Player links to Cardiff City hot up

With Roger Johnson gone, more players set to go and 7 new faces promised, paper talk is hotting up. Here's a quick round up of the latest mutterings for what it's worth since newspaper gossip very rarely equals reality.


OUTGOING
Rumours are circulating that left back Tony Capaldi with link with his ex-Plymouth boss Ian Holloway at Blackpool if they can find the package to match his handsome City package. Holloway briefly tried to take him for Leciester City when he was their manager too.

Premiership suitors are playing a waiting game for Joe Ledley, obviously hoping to get him for a last minute cut price deal after City declined £6M bids for him in January and now find they have a player who can leave for nothing out of contract next season. Arsenal, who have watched him many times, are being linked to him but there's a queue including Spurs, Everton, Stoke, West Ham who have expressed interest but have done nothing to date.

Dave Jones is also willing to offload Paul Parry, Miguel Comminges, Warren Feeney (forgot we still had him after his 2 seasons in Scotland but Norwich are rumoured to be in for him) and maybe Peter Whittingham too while they are willing to listen t offersd for Ross McCormack to raise more funds even though he is set to sign an extended deal.

THOSE LINKED TO CITY
An ever lengthening list includes defenders Paul Quinn (Motherwell), Damien Delaney of QPR who we are rumoured to be competing with Ipswich at around £1M package deal (a price that would seem to rule out any move by City) and another QPR man in Latvian defender Kaspar Gorkss. Another paper link is Millwall defender Zak Whitbread.


With two centre halves required, the names mentioned in dispatches to date are ex-City man James Collins (I don't see him dropping out of the Premiership), a loan move for Manchester United's promising Craig Cathcart who spent time last season at Plymouth and Birmingham City's Liam Ridgewell whose place there is in jeorpardy with the arrival of three new centre halves including Roger Johnson of course.


Cardiff City's midfield engine room has misfired and lack goals for a couple of years and, to me, seem an important area of the side to get right. Links so far are uninspriring. Misfit Liam Miller, a player of talent but who throws it away with poor attitude, is linked but if he wasn't afraid of Roy Keane at Sunderland (who threw him out of the club after continally being late), what chance has Dave Jones got with the 27 year old? Others have been mentioned in dispatches, all with unremarkable goal contributions to the cause. Mayeb it's just me but I thought Charlton's Nicky Bailey or Chinese midfielder could do tremendous jobs for us.


Up front, it's hard to remember Michael Chopra becomes a permanent signing next week for £4M from Sunderland. Fans hold their breath he can rediscover his form, fitness and goals which were all missing in his end of last season loan with us. Eddie Johnson has returned, Ross McCormack appears set to stay but another forward is needed regardless yet the only name linked to date, Motherwell's Dave Clarkson, appears to be on his way Bristol City with Cardiff reportedly declining to follow up initial interest as his price tag has increased to circa £750,000.


More of this silliness over the next few days but, hopefully, we will finally see activity in Cardiff's Arrivals Lounge.

Glastonbury'09 - THE SPECIALS

30 years ago, I saw Specials sweat out Cardiff's Top Rank as they started out on the road to glory. The Specials, Madness and Selecter all for £3 - it will be one of the greatest gigs of my life.

It's fantastic to see them reformed - albeit minus Jerry Dammers - and still entertaining.

Here's Too Much Too Young from tonight at Glastonbury.

The link here is for a half hour highlights video of their set if you want more:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/glastonbury/2009/artists/specials/

Glastonbury'09 - DOVES

Now here's a group suited to festival environment and in this half hour edited set, they certainly showcase that.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/glastonbury/2009/artists/doves/

Glastonbury'09 - SPINAL TAP

Summer's here - bizarre gardening accidents take place and Spinal Tap are back!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/glastonbury/2009/artists/spinaltap/

Glastonbury'09 - LITTLE BOOTS

I shouldn't like her but I do. Sparkly catchy pop, Kylie Minoguesque but it works for me.

A throughly enjoyable set do as the highlights video shows.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/glastonbury/2009/artists/littleboots/

Glastonbury'09 - TING TINGS

lET'S FACE IT, GREAT SONGS BUT THEY ARE A NOVELTY ACT. I think they're starting to wear on me but a decent sert nevertheless.


Here's selected highlights
http://www.bbc.co.uk/glastonbury/2009/artists/tingtings/

Glastonbury'09 - neil young, rocking in a free world

A brilliant show by Neil and his band tonight and there's a video here of his performance of KEEP ON ROCKING IN A FREE WORLD - what a great tune.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/glastonbury/2009/artists/neilyoung/

GLASTONBURY'09 - THE MACCABEES

The Maccabees have been one of my favourite new bands in the past couple of years and they put on a great show at Glastonbury.

Link here includes half hour highlights of their set.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/glastonbury/2009/artists/maccabees/

GLASTONBURY'09 - FRIENDLY FIRES

Lovely!

GLASTONBURY'09 - LILY ALLEN

Something about her - not pretty but a minx. Cheeky, dirty songs and good pop.

Hardly my idea of Glastonbury but welcome all the same for diversity.

Play the 1 song video below or use the link to see half hour highlights of her set
http://www.bbc.co.uk/glastonbury/2009/artists/lilyallen/

Glastonbury'09 - WHITE LIES

I like them, don't quite yet love them but they continue to grow on me ... especially after this impressive Glasto set.

Link includes 30 minutes highlights

http://www.bbc.co.uk/glastonbury/2009/artists/whitelies/

BBC declare Glastonbury will be shite

Who can argue with that??

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8119664.stm

Roger's Over and Out ... Johnson heads to Premiership for "*£5 Million" (*maybe)

Angst ran amongst Cardiff City's support today as worst fears were finally confirmed ... as if it was ever in doubt ... ROGER JOHNSON - centre half talisman and Cardiff's player of the year for the past 2 seasons - has finally departed for Premiership new boys Birmingham City.


The headline figure is £5M but it is believed the components are just £2M now, 2 x £1M in annual payments over the next 2 years and £1M if Birmingham survive the Premiership this coming season. The deal seems little better than the offers the club were declining a week or two ago but clearly Roger wants to leave and good luck to him while the club need player movement to allow them to move for new faces.


With Darren Purse also having left, Dave Jones now needs to secure two centre halves but Roger's contribution is at both ends of the field and he will be a big miss for the club.

Changing Rooms ... ... Cardiff City style

Not sure why WalesOnline popped this in their egg chasing section but here's a video of the completed Cardiff City dressing rooms at the new stadium fitted out by fans and sponsors.

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/rugbynation/2009/06/24/cardiff-city-stadium-changing-rooms-91466-23969626//

Cardiff fans shocked as Stuart Taylor announced as key Man City signing

When Stuart Taylor became Cardiff City's 5th goalkeeper and 4th loan keeper last season putting in a promising debut shift at Bristol City, Bluebird followers thought we had finally found the answer to a long-standing problem.


That turned out to be as good as it got as he remained a regular for some time but rarely convinced then was 'bombed' from the side after that 6-0 drubbing at Preston. Few would argue that his time at Cardiff was poor at best, failure at worst which summed up why he has spent a career as a benchwarmer rather than player of note.

It is with some surprise, shock even, that he was today unveiled as a noteworthy signing for Manchester City and expected to be number 2 to Shay Given. For someone not considered good enough to be with Cardiff a few short weeks ago to go to this is incredible.

Good Luck to him and them ... suspect both will need it.

Ninian Park Stadium Sale is an online action success

GOING GOING GONE - BLESS YOU ALL

It has emerged that the the Ninian Park online auction received 97,000 website hits and over 500 active bidders for items of memorabilia from Cardiff City Football Club’s Ninian Park.

The funds rasied have yet to be revealed but several items weren't sold, others were taken by fans at the last games so had to be withdrawn and many went for fees below expected prices so it perhaps wasn't the raging success once envisaged.

Roger Johnson - now Cardiff say sell, sell, sell !!!

Dave Jones and Peter Ridsdale back from holiday, players back for pre-season but still nobody sold to enable the club to introduce fresh faces ... and it looks as if Cardiff City are now being forced to show their hand.


Of the 3 "stars" the club would like to sell to raise funds, interest so far has only been shown in Roger Johnson, probably the player the club would most like to keep.

Joe Ledley, his contract in its final 12 months, must move but it appears his suitors - and there are several Premiership clubs in that category- are waiting until to last minute to make their move, no doubt designed to get him at a cut price way way below the £6M declined bid from Stoke in January. Private hints in May were that his transfer to Everton were a near formality but nothing since. Wonder what's happened?

Ross McCormack is about to sign a new 4 year long-term deal but still looks set to play second fiddle to Michael Chopra or pushed wide. Is it healthy for player or club?

That brings us back to Roger Johnson. Cardiff has declined 2 offers of £5M from Birmingham City after the Midlanders offered a derisory amount up front and the rest in performance-related stages over 4 years. Cardiff apparently, had indicated they wished to have £4M up front and that seemed to be the end of that especially when Birmingham signed Scott Dann from Coventry City.

However news emerged late last week that Birmingham were retaining interest and now, despite further offers, Peter Ridsdale and The Bluebirds are indicating a willingness to do business in the media and dropping the upfront fee to £2.5M hinting they wish the deal to be completed this week.

Johnson - the new captain in waiting - would be a big loss but at 26, he deserves his chance in the Premiership as much as Cardiff City need the money his sale would provide.

More developments are likely through the week.

Ninian Park is falling down

The day had to come but after 99 years and my spiritual home since I was a kid, still a sad sight to see.

Ninian Park - closed for good today (BBC photoset)

Ninian Park shut its office doors for the final time. The last remianing function at the ground closed for bsiness and will re-open at the new Cartdiff City Stadium next Tuesday.

The club shop remains open for a further week but is a separate building from the stadium itself.


It's probably coincidence but BBC website published a Ninian Park photoset today which is worth a look.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/wales/8010144.stm

RIP Ninian Park

Supporters Trust Meet The Club

On Tuesday, Cardiff City Supporters Trust held a meeting with the club, this is now a regular get together and is working well.

Dave Sugarman shared some interesting snippets with CardiffCity.com messageboard users which are repeated here:

The following information was gleaned from club officials during yesterday's meeting at Ninian Park:

ON FINANCES

1) The prospect of new owners or significant new investment in the club is remote at present. The current economic climate, coupled with the continuing mystery surrounding the Langston Corporation, is deterring any potential major investors from getting involved in CCFC at this point in time.

2) Langston have recently indicated they are willing to accept reduced terms in return for an early settlement of the loan notes debt.

3) Given the present economic situation, the prospect of finding a sponsor for the new stadium is even more remote than the likelihood of any significant new investment in the club.

4) The club has managed to fill most of the corporate boxes at the new stadium, but finding companies who are willing to provide sponsorship and pay for advertising within the ground is proving very difficult.

5) City are one of eighteen Championship clubs who are currently without a shirt sponsor for next season, although there may be some positive news on this front soon.

ON OTHER SUPPORTER-RELATED MATTERS

1) The new season ticket cards are due to be delivered to the club on 22nd June, and the ticket office is aiming to get them all to our doorsteps by 1st July.

2) Fans are being encouraged to buy the £3-50 match cards for the forthcoming friendlies. These can then be used for the rest of the season. Paper tickets are only likely to be available on the day for these fixtures.

3) A total of eighteen Championship clubs are currently without shirt sponsors for next season. Vans Direct have not taken up the option of renewing their sponsorship for next season, and another potential sponsor has decided against the idea. However, City hope to have a new sponsor in place very soon and there could be positive news in this respect by the end of the week.

4) All of the bars inside the ground should be open for the friendlies, although some bars and restaurants in the Premier Club seating area are unlikely to finshed in time.

5) The club's new high-tech video screen will be in place for the Celtic game.

6) Tickets for the forthcoming League Cup tie against Dagenham and Redbridge are likely to be as cheap as the club can make them.

7) Unfortunately, the new club shop may not be open in time for the first couple of friendlies, although everything is being geared towards the Celtic game, so it should be open by then.

Videos of the Week - EELS, Fresh Blood & The Look That You Give That Guy

Got to admit I'm totally loving The Eels latest offering, Hombre Lobo. I'm a self-confessed Mark E/Eels fan but, even so, there's some excellent offerings on here. He always delivers.

These two songs at opposite ends of the spectrum are both great listening.


Fresh Blood



The Look That You Give That Guy

RJ set to go away?

A week ago, Bluebird followers breathed a sigh of relief as Birmingham City signed Coventry's Scott Dann for a package fee of £4M which appeared to end their interest in Cardiff City's talisman centre-half Roger Johnson after the club had declined bids of £3.5M & £5M with only a small portion of that money offered upfront.


However it emerged earlier this week that The Brummies had maintained their interest in Johnson and now City fans are worrying again as national papers claim the clubs have now agreed that £5M fee (with Birmingham now doubling their upfront payment to £4M) and that the player wishes to leave for his chance in the Premiership as well.


It has been clear that Cardiff's end game has been to sell Joe Ledley and cash in on Ross McCormack this summer (and there's every chance of those deals taking place) but that they wished to retain Johnson who is tied to a long-term contract and promote him to Captain as a sweetener. Now the club are faced with the prospect of losing all three stars.


It would signal a huge influx of cash - how much of that would be reinvested in the team is anyone's guess but nobody believes Ridsdale's claim that it will be every penny. However can we ever hope to push on if we lose our star players year after year and gamble of free transfer/low fee replacements hoping for one or two to be jewels?


Neither Birmingham or Cardiff have commented on any development so we will just have to wait and see but this does sounds ominous I'm afraid.

Cardiff City start new season home to a Swear Filter

The new season's fixture list was published and saw Cardiff City at home on 2009/10 Championship opening day to S****horpe United.


The consequences of their awful play-off collapse and ruin of Premiership Dreams are now abundantly clear. A few weeks ago, we were dreaming of Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea visiting the new Cardiff City Stadium ... instead we open up to Scunthorpe and Dagenham & Redbridge!!!!


The fixtures offer Cardiff a chance of the flying start to the season as first away is Blackpool (can't believe we're going there in the main August holiday season) followed by Bristol City at home and Plymouth away. A good haul of points looks possible.


Newcastle is the keynote fixture as they visit Cardiff on September 12 with City heading to Geordie-land in February. Meantime, Swansea games correspond to last season with Cardiff off to Jacksville in late November with the return fixture at Easter.


One pleasing aspect is that there are 5 midweek away fixtures but all are close journeys meaning all can be made with an early finish rather than time off work when we visit West Brom, Bristol City, Coventry, Reading and Plymouth.


Cardiff City and all clubs are arsey about fixtures lists being published (citing copyright and similar crap) so I can't publish them here. However you can view them at this link (I'm being just as arsey as not directing you to the official site which also has them!).

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/cardiff_city/fixtures/default.stm

President Obhama Turns Killer

And I thought he was a man of peace

Behind The Scenes at New Cardiff City Stadium

Last Wednesday, I was kindly invited by Wayne Nash, Cardiff City Stadium Manager, to visit the new ground and was taken on a top to tail tour with others.

I left very impressed, far more impressed by the interior than exterior, even if I remain unsure the place could ever have the same atmosphere as Ninian Park. In terms of facilities and view however, it is light years ahead. There is a big fitting out job reamining however but the club are very confident it will be ready for the big kick-off next month.

Here's my photos of the occasion.

Cardiff City to cross swords with Daggers

The draw for the Carling Cup First Round, which is regionalised, was made this morning and given The Bluebirds a home time and first ever fixture against League Two side Dagenham & Redbridge.

Subject to tv wanting the game (as if!), the clash will be at the new Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday 11^th August, kick off 7.45pm and unless City get a home league game to start the Championship when the fixture list is revealed tomorrow, this will be the first competitive fixture at the new ground.

The Essex opponents are about to start their third season in league football and have adjusted well. Despite crowds of 1,500 most home games, they finished 8th last term missing the play-offs only due to a last day home defeat.

Unless there are any changes to the schedule, we will the match at Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday 11^th August, kick off 7.45pm.

The draw for Round 1 of the 2009/10 Carling Cup:

Accrington Stanley v Walsall
Huddersfield Town v Stockport County
Rotherham United v Derby County
Tranmere Rovers v Grimsby Town
Sheffield Wednesday v Rochdale
Bury v West Bromwich Albion
Notts County v Doncaster Rovers
Lincoln City v Barnsley
Scunthorpe United v Chesterfield
Coventry City v Hartlepool United
Darlington v Leeds United
Preston North End v Morecambe
Crewe Alexandra v Blackpool
Carlisle United v Oldham Athletic
Nottingham Forest v Bradford City
Macclesfield Town v Leicester City
Sheffield United v Port Vale
Cardiff City v Dagenham & Redbridge
Wycombe Wanderers v Peterborough United
Southampton v Northampton Town
Barnet v Watford
Hereford United v Charlton Athletic
Bristol Rovers v Aldershot Town
Millwall v AFC Bournemouth
Gillingham v Plymouth Argyle
Colchester United v Leyton Orient
Reading v Burton Albion
Exeter City v Queens Park Rangers
Cheltenham Town v Southend United
Brentford v Bristol City
Yeovil Town v Norwich City
Crystal Palace v Torquay United
Milton Keynes Dons v Swindon Town
Swansea City v Brighton & Hove Albion
Shrewsbury Town v Ipswich Town

Cardiff linked with Quashie-modo (his name rings a bell)

According to speculation in a couple of national newspapers, West Ham's Scottish international midfielder Nigel Quashie is due to join Cardiff City shortly ... or may be choosing between Sheffield United and ourselves ... or it may just be complete gibberish, who knows?


Quashie fits the bill that Dave Jones has with some signings. Injury problems, ageing with his best days behind him, a midfielder with an unimpressive scoring record and a player at last chance saloon.


The player, who will be 31 before the season starts, was loaned out to Wolves and Birmingham last season having managed just 7 starts in 2.5 years with West Ham United. At those Championship clubs, he had 11 outings but neither wanted to take him for this term as they start life in the Premiership.


I honestly didn't know he was still around and I guess you can tell that I'm distinctly unimpressed by him being linked to City but if he does come, here's hoping he flies.

Why no Cardiff City news lately? There is none

With players and management sunning themselves, contracts not expiring uuntil the end of the month and everything low key, the only news is gossip and speculation just lately. It is domestic football's downtime.


Things will pick up this week with the Carling Cup draw due tomorrow, new season fixture lists available from Thursday, players due back for pre-season training next week and then expect movement on the player front.


As soon as there is significant news, rest assurred, I'll cover it here. Until then, keep checking this out and enjoy the sun and break from football.

Fatherly Advice

Loved this effort stopping South Africa getting a last minute winner in the opening Confederates Cup game against Iraq, a dress rehearsal for next year's World Cup.

Great work!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/8099 735.stm

Enjoy Your Savouries

Once upon a time, this bloke burst onto the punk scene as the comical Jilted John. 30 years on, he's still perfoming excellent parodies. Enjoy.




And here, as bonus, is the magnificent Jilted John!

Jeremy Kyle can only aspire to this

ECONOMIC MODELS MADE SIMPLE

SOCIALISM
You have 2 cows.
You give one to your neighbour.

COMMUNISM
You have 2 cows.
The State takes both and gives you some milk.

FASCISM
You have 2 cows.
The State takes both and sells you some milk.

NAZISM
You have 2 cows.
The State takes both and shoots you.

BUREAUCRATISM
You have 2 cows.
The State takes both, shoots one, milks the other, and then throws the milk away.

TRADITIONAL CAPITALISM
You have two cows.
You sell one and buy a bull.
Your herd multiplies, and the economy grows.
You sell them and retire on the income.

SURREALISM
You have two giraffes.
The government requires you to take harmonica lessons.

AN AMERICAN CORPORATION
You have two cows.
You sell one, and force the other to produce the milk of four cows.
Later, you hire a consultant to analyze why the cow has dropped dead.

ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND VENTURE CAPITALISM
You have two cows.
You sell three of them to your publicly listed company, using letters of credit opened by your brother-in-law at the bank, then execute a debt/equity swap with an associated general offer so that you get all four cows back, with a tax exemption for five cows.
The milk rights of the six cows are transferred via an intermediary to a Cayman Island Company secretly owned by the majority shareholder who sells the rights to all seven cows back to your listed company.
The annual report says the company owns eight cows, with an option on one more.
You sell one cow to buy a new president of the United States, leaving you with nine cows.
No balance sheet provided with the release.
The public then buys your bull.

A FRENCH CORPORATION
You have two cows.
You go on strike, organize a riot, and block the roads, because you want three cows.

A JAPANESE CORPORATION
You have two cows.
You redesign them so they are one-tenth the size of an ordinary cow and produce twenty times the milk.
You then create a clever cow cartoon image called 'Cowkimon' and market it worldwide.

A GERMAN CORPORATION
You have two cows.
You re-engineer them so they live for 100 years, eat once a month, and milk themselves.

AN ITALIAN CORPORATION
You have two cows, but you don't know where they are.
You decide to have lunch.

A RUSSIAN CORPORATION
You have two cows.
You count them and learn you have five cows.
You count them again and learn you have 42 cows.
You count them again and learn you have 2 cows.
You stop counting cows and open another bottle of vodka.

A SWISS CORPORATION
You have 5000 cows. None of them belong to you.
You charge the owners for storing them.

A CHINESE CORPORATION
You have two cows.
You have 300 people milking them.
You claim that you have full employment, and high bovine productivity.
You arrest the newsman who reported the real situation.

AN INDIAN CORPORATION
You have two cows.
You worship them.

A BRITISH CORPORATION
You have two cows.
Both are mad.

AN IRAQI CORPORATION
Everyone thinks you have lots of cows.
You tell them that you have none.
No-one believes you, so they bomb the crap out of you and invade your country.
You still have no cows, but at least you are now a Democracy.

AN AUSTRALIAN CORPORATION
You have two cows.
Business seems pretty good.
You close the office and go for a few beers to celebrate.

A NEW ZEALAND CORPORATION
You have two cows.
The one on the left looks very attractive