An edited photoset of a miserable day for Cardiff City and its fans. (see previous post for full photoset which contains more than double the pics in this slideshow)
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Championship Game 32: SOTHAMPTON 1 CARDIFF CITY 0
Full Photoset
http://nigelblues.blogspot.com/2009/03/southampton-1-cardiff-city-0.html
Slideshow (with half the pics)
http://nigelblues.blogspot.com/2009/03/southampton-1-ccfc-0-edited-slideshow.html
http://nigelblues.blogspot.com/2009/03/southampton-1-cardiff-city-0.html
Slideshow (with half the pics)
http://nigelblues.blogspot.com/2009/03/southampton-1-ccfc-0-edited-slideshow.html
Eve of St David’s Day at St Mary’s and The Saints made Cardiff City learn some hard home truths playing away. The Welshmen (ok 2 Welshmen and a Greek, Ghanaian, Hungarian, West Indian, American and some English, Scots and Irishmen) were “Dai”-abolical and got what they deserved – nothing.
You know how dreadful it was when the number of fans as I walked away told me to write a match report just saying “That was ******* ****” . That was the calmest quote too! Losing is bad enough; the manner of it was upsetting and hard to stomach.
Southampton are fighting for their lives currently residing in the drop zone and full of enthusiasm but were nothing special in a game that lacked any real quality and was as bare as Mother Hubbard’s cupboard with thrills yet City still contrived to make The Saints look World-Beaters as they crumbled in alarming fashion before our eyes. Southampton scored early, a gift of a penalty, and City had no answer at all.
Just as last Wednesday against QPR, they looked a million miles away from Premiership challengers as, shorn of a couple of star men, they were bereft of quality, ideas and belief as established first teamers, except one or two, failed to perform and those getting a chance due to injuries of others didn’t step up. The worst fears of City fans – that the squad doesn’t have the quality some would suggest and the backlog of games would take their toll – are currently being realised.
The only positive was that the Top 4 all lost and those below failed to take advantage. A wonderful opportunity to catch up tossed away yet no major harm as it turned out but Cardiff cannot afford anymore slip ups like this.
With railworks on the South Coast, I took to the roads and a pleasant, straightforward trip it was. Out of Barry by 9, M4 to Newbury/A34 & M3, parked and in a Southampton waterside pub – away from the city centre crew – before midday. The pub soon filled and other City fans found it too with talk on who was out – Chopra, McNaughton, Bothroyd definites, even Gavin Rae and Roger Johnson were doubts apparently.
St. Mary’s is a 10-15 minute walk from the City Centre or waterside, a stadium that resembles the new City ground but bigger and has been shoe-horned into the middle of an industrial estate. I’ve now been here a few times but with the home side struggling and the current economic mess, I’ve never seen it so empty yet it was 18,526 inside a 33,000 stadium including almost 2,500 from Cardiff but it does produce swathes of “empty seats” for everyone to sing about..
CITY were forced into changes through injuries and made another (Gyepes for Purse as the former was available again). One of the consequences of the fixture backlog means injured players get no time to recover from knocks and miss two or 3 games, instead of 1, due to the pile-up, City have to deal with it and fast.
City’s side today read: Dimi; Comminges-Gyepes-Johnson-Kennedy; Whittingham-Rae-Ledley-Burke; Parry-McCormack. Subs: Capaldi-Johnson(Eddie)-Owusu-Purse-Scimeca.
Southampton have looked nailed on certainties for a visit to League One but with the drop staring them in the face and their manager walking out, they’ve finally decided it’s time to fight under Mark Wotte who also looks after their reserves and academy. Their last two home games saw them fight back to draw with Swansea and last week hammer Preston for their first home victory in almost 5 months and now we get done too!
Southampton: Davis; James-Saeijs-Perry-Skacel; Lallana-McGoldrick-Gillett,-Surman; Saganowski-Euell.
Suiting their performance, Cardiff City played in all yellow. What the hell not our blue and whatever happened to the second kit that was mulberry which only seems to appear in the club shop???
The game opened brightly, although hardly thrilling, City won the first corner which Gyepes tamely headed nowhere near goal - a sign of things to come. Then the game was decided in the only telling moment of the game on 11 minutes. A Southampton hit and hope cross saw Mark Kennedy jump with both arms raised high in the air (why???), I’ve still not seen it on TV but the ball appeared to hit his side first and then his arms as it flew up. The ref wasn’t going to do anything but the lino flagged and penalty it was. Arguably a bit harsh but someone explain to me why Kennedy had his arms up in the air anyway?
McGoldrick looked confident and, after the week he’s had debuting for City, I’m sure few expected Dimi to save us – sure enough, he dived to his right, McGOLDRICK sent it the other way, 1-0 and, as it turned out, game over.
The rest of the half, and the match itself, was more depressing than a recession. City had few ideas, no cohesion and were bankrupt of quality, Southampton just about the same but with a little more energy and enthusiasm. The dull-athon produced little to write home about, the home side almost doubling their lead as a near post header saw City’s defence nowhere but it went wide while Cardiff’s response were a couple of half-hearted Paul Parry penalty appeals and, in their only real efforts on goal all game, Roger Johnson’s shot and then Ross McCormack’s header moments apart were both well saved by Davis. City had corners, none came to anything.
Instead, City fans had to endure the lack of passion, basic passing and movement as understandable moans, turned to groans and then some howls and anguished shouts at what was going on. “Jonesy do the ayatollah” which was being sung after we were behind turned to “Jonesy, Jonesy sort it out before the interval”, it was that bad.
It was easier to name the exceptions than the culprits. Roger Johnson was fantastic, City’s best defender and best forward and, yet, nobody else seemed to be getting inspired by him. Chris Burke tried. I’ve idea where to start with the rest but particularly awful were Kennedy (normally reliable but not today), Whittingham (did he make a tackle? did he beat anyone? did he find anyone in the same colour shirt?) and McCormack. Paul Parry offered nothing up front except arm waving in the vain hope of winning set pieces and why our central midfield pair of Rae and Ledley dramatically gone to pot? They’ve both way down on what they can, and should, be.
Half-time: SAINTS 1 SINNERS 0
City re-emerged with Quincy replacing the completely ineffective Whittingham. Huge cheers and applause greeted Quincy, 45 minutes later, we wondered why we had bothered. It soon became apparent why Jones hasn’t been picking him or starting him? Has he really spent a month training with City as he looked a stranger out there, both linking with his team-mates and in terms of his positional play. He entertained just once as his fast feet went at 100 miles an hour while he never moved the ball at all but what was use was that? If Michael Flatley is ill for Riverdance, he’s the perfect replacement but an end product is needed and quick.
On the hour, City came closest to levelling the game. In a match where their open play was more limited than the average X-Factor contestant, it predictably came from a set piece. I honestly thought McCormack’s effort curled over a wall from 25 yards had squeezed in the corner for a moment but it was inches wide with Davis sprawled.
The game became open and stretched. To their credit, the home side didn’t exactly shut up shop and defend for their lives, they tied for another which was a telling comment on City’s display. They almost got it as well as City’s defence were shred in the best move of the match by either side (come to think of it, the only move of the match by either side) which ended with Saganowski clipping the top of the bar.
Cardiff tried to pressure and won a number of corners but, minus Bothroyd, there’s an air of predictability that any set piece ball in the middle is looking only for the head of Roger Johnson and the Saints were more than capable of dealing with that.
10 minutes remained as Cardiff City finally surrendered and gave up all hope – they brought on Eddie Johnson! Funny thing is, as painfully limited and well … absolutely bloody useless and waste of time … that he is, there’s an argument for trying him because he at least can win flick ons which no other forward player in the QPR or Southampton games could do.
Eddie replaced Comminges and had a chance near the death as the ever willing Chris Burke sent a low ball over, Eddie took aim, pun and shot … 20 yards into the air to give catching practise to City fans. Before that, another penalty appeal for what may have been a helping hand sending a ball back to the keeper. Roger Johnson closed the game out playing as a third striker but nothing came his way.
A truly desperate afternoon which produced discontent as a small handful of City fans argued and fought amongst themselves, stewards and police getting involved on two occasions and then at final whistle, as the players led by Roger Johnson came to acknowledge us, a few gave him abuse which, Roger being Roger reacted to.
City fell to 6th but it could have been so much worse. 2 points out of 9 and two successive poor displays is worrying as is the realisation that a couple of players missing makes us look painfully ordinary and limited. Yet, for all that, they remain in a string position.
Upto 3 games in hand on everyone, a winning run could take them to the summit and 14 games to go with 8 of them at home. They need to wake up fast though and show more power, belief, application as this type of display makes you wonder, rightly or wrongly, if they really want it.
You know how dreadful it was when the number of fans as I walked away told me to write a match report just saying “That was ******* ****” . That was the calmest quote too! Losing is bad enough; the manner of it was upsetting and hard to stomach.
Southampton are fighting for their lives currently residing in the drop zone and full of enthusiasm but were nothing special in a game that lacked any real quality and was as bare as Mother Hubbard’s cupboard with thrills yet City still contrived to make The Saints look World-Beaters as they crumbled in alarming fashion before our eyes. Southampton scored early, a gift of a penalty, and City had no answer at all.
Just as last Wednesday against QPR, they looked a million miles away from Premiership challengers as, shorn of a couple of star men, they were bereft of quality, ideas and belief as established first teamers, except one or two, failed to perform and those getting a chance due to injuries of others didn’t step up. The worst fears of City fans – that the squad doesn’t have the quality some would suggest and the backlog of games would take their toll – are currently being realised.
The only positive was that the Top 4 all lost and those below failed to take advantage. A wonderful opportunity to catch up tossed away yet no major harm as it turned out but Cardiff cannot afford anymore slip ups like this.
With railworks on the South Coast, I took to the roads and a pleasant, straightforward trip it was. Out of Barry by 9, M4 to Newbury/A34 & M3, parked and in a Southampton waterside pub – away from the city centre crew – before midday. The pub soon filled and other City fans found it too with talk on who was out – Chopra, McNaughton, Bothroyd definites, even Gavin Rae and Roger Johnson were doubts apparently.
St. Mary’s is a 10-15 minute walk from the City Centre or waterside, a stadium that resembles the new City ground but bigger and has been shoe-horned into the middle of an industrial estate. I’ve now been here a few times but with the home side struggling and the current economic mess, I’ve never seen it so empty yet it was 18,526 inside a 33,000 stadium including almost 2,500 from Cardiff but it does produce swathes of “empty seats” for everyone to sing about..
CITY were forced into changes through injuries and made another (Gyepes for Purse as the former was available again). One of the consequences of the fixture backlog means injured players get no time to recover from knocks and miss two or 3 games, instead of 1, due to the pile-up, City have to deal with it and fast.
City’s side today read: Dimi; Comminges-Gyepes-Johnson-Kennedy; Whittingham-Rae-Ledley-Burke; Parry-McCormack. Subs: Capaldi-Johnson(Eddie)-Owusu-Purse-Scimeca.
Southampton have looked nailed on certainties for a visit to League One but with the drop staring them in the face and their manager walking out, they’ve finally decided it’s time to fight under Mark Wotte who also looks after their reserves and academy. Their last two home games saw them fight back to draw with Swansea and last week hammer Preston for their first home victory in almost 5 months and now we get done too!
Southampton: Davis; James-Saeijs-Perry-Skacel; Lallana-McGoldrick-Gillett,-Surman; Saganowski-Euell.
Suiting their performance, Cardiff City played in all yellow. What the hell not our blue and whatever happened to the second kit that was mulberry which only seems to appear in the club shop???
The game opened brightly, although hardly thrilling, City won the first corner which Gyepes tamely headed nowhere near goal - a sign of things to come. Then the game was decided in the only telling moment of the game on 11 minutes. A Southampton hit and hope cross saw Mark Kennedy jump with both arms raised high in the air (why???), I’ve still not seen it on TV but the ball appeared to hit his side first and then his arms as it flew up. The ref wasn’t going to do anything but the lino flagged and penalty it was. Arguably a bit harsh but someone explain to me why Kennedy had his arms up in the air anyway?
McGoldrick looked confident and, after the week he’s had debuting for City, I’m sure few expected Dimi to save us – sure enough, he dived to his right, McGOLDRICK sent it the other way, 1-0 and, as it turned out, game over.
The rest of the half, and the match itself, was more depressing than a recession. City had few ideas, no cohesion and were bankrupt of quality, Southampton just about the same but with a little more energy and enthusiasm. The dull-athon produced little to write home about, the home side almost doubling their lead as a near post header saw City’s defence nowhere but it went wide while Cardiff’s response were a couple of half-hearted Paul Parry penalty appeals and, in their only real efforts on goal all game, Roger Johnson’s shot and then Ross McCormack’s header moments apart were both well saved by Davis. City had corners, none came to anything.
Instead, City fans had to endure the lack of passion, basic passing and movement as understandable moans, turned to groans and then some howls and anguished shouts at what was going on. “Jonesy do the ayatollah” which was being sung after we were behind turned to “Jonesy, Jonesy sort it out before the interval”, it was that bad.
It was easier to name the exceptions than the culprits. Roger Johnson was fantastic, City’s best defender and best forward and, yet, nobody else seemed to be getting inspired by him. Chris Burke tried. I’ve idea where to start with the rest but particularly awful were Kennedy (normally reliable but not today), Whittingham (did he make a tackle? did he beat anyone? did he find anyone in the same colour shirt?) and McCormack. Paul Parry offered nothing up front except arm waving in the vain hope of winning set pieces and why our central midfield pair of Rae and Ledley dramatically gone to pot? They’ve both way down on what they can, and should, be.
Half-time: SAINTS 1 SINNERS 0
City re-emerged with Quincy replacing the completely ineffective Whittingham. Huge cheers and applause greeted Quincy, 45 minutes later, we wondered why we had bothered. It soon became apparent why Jones hasn’t been picking him or starting him? Has he really spent a month training with City as he looked a stranger out there, both linking with his team-mates and in terms of his positional play. He entertained just once as his fast feet went at 100 miles an hour while he never moved the ball at all but what was use was that? If Michael Flatley is ill for Riverdance, he’s the perfect replacement but an end product is needed and quick.
On the hour, City came closest to levelling the game. In a match where their open play was more limited than the average X-Factor contestant, it predictably came from a set piece. I honestly thought McCormack’s effort curled over a wall from 25 yards had squeezed in the corner for a moment but it was inches wide with Davis sprawled.
The game became open and stretched. To their credit, the home side didn’t exactly shut up shop and defend for their lives, they tied for another which was a telling comment on City’s display. They almost got it as well as City’s defence were shred in the best move of the match by either side (come to think of it, the only move of the match by either side) which ended with Saganowski clipping the top of the bar.
Cardiff tried to pressure and won a number of corners but, minus Bothroyd, there’s an air of predictability that any set piece ball in the middle is looking only for the head of Roger Johnson and the Saints were more than capable of dealing with that.
10 minutes remained as Cardiff City finally surrendered and gave up all hope – they brought on Eddie Johnson! Funny thing is, as painfully limited and well … absolutely bloody useless and waste of time … that he is, there’s an argument for trying him because he at least can win flick ons which no other forward player in the QPR or Southampton games could do.
Eddie replaced Comminges and had a chance near the death as the ever willing Chris Burke sent a low ball over, Eddie took aim, pun and shot … 20 yards into the air to give catching practise to City fans. Before that, another penalty appeal for what may have been a helping hand sending a ball back to the keeper. Roger Johnson closed the game out playing as a third striker but nothing came his way.
A truly desperate afternoon which produced discontent as a small handful of City fans argued and fought amongst themselves, stewards and police getting involved on two occasions and then at final whistle, as the players led by Roger Johnson came to acknowledge us, a few gave him abuse which, Roger being Roger reacted to.
City fell to 6th but it could have been so much worse. 2 points out of 9 and two successive poor displays is worrying as is the realisation that a couple of players missing makes us look painfully ordinary and limited. Yet, for all that, they remain in a string position.
Upto 3 games in hand on everyone, a winning run could take them to the summit and 14 games to go with 8 of them at home. They need to wake up fast though and show more power, belief, application as this type of display makes you wonder, rightly or wrongly, if they really want it.
Two winnable but tough home games this week against Barnsley (Tuesday) and Doncaster (Saturday) – they just have to make them count.
Friday, February 27, 2009
City head to Southampton with injury nightmares
Dave Jones interview on BBC Wales confirms Bothroyd is out tomorrow and almost certainly joined by McCormack. Huge doubts over Chopra and even Rae is struggling.
Listen to Dave Jones thoughts and his look back at the hard earned midweek draw with QPR.
Listen to Dave Jones thoughts and his look back at the hard earned midweek draw with QPR.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/cardiff_city/7915324.stm
The Point, Cardiff Bay is no more
I have been truly devastated today to learn the shock news that, without any warning or hint, The Point closed today and entered insolvency blaming problems with funding in the current climate and the extensive costs to refurbish the venue caused by one person who moved into a flat close by long after the venue had opened.
A Gothic Church built in 1900, it was converted to a music and entertainments venue 7 years ago and had worked hard to win the affections of locals, music fans and groups alike. The venue never fails to be anything other than intimate with th audience in close proximity with the groups in such an inspiring setting. It is, by far, my favourite music venue in Wales - every gig I've attended there has never been anything less than a fantastic experience.
Groups I've seen - and loved - there included Athlete, Mike Peters & The Alarm, Glenn Tillbrook, Joe Jackson, The Tubes (my favourite night bar none), Stiff Little Fingers, Feeder and Super Furry Animals to name just a few. Was going to see Maccabees there very soon too.
Some of my colleagues around the country have travelled down here to see gigs and fell in love with the venue too.
It sounds a desperate sitation but I do hope that, somehow, it can be resurrected. Cardiff and Live Music just can't do without this venue - there is nowhere else and nothing else even close to it. Losing The Point is like losing a close friend.
My thoughts and best wishes go to its staff and directors. What terrible, terrible news.
THE STATEMENT THAT HAS TAKEN OVER THE POINT'S WEBSITE
To all customers, promoters, fans, bands and supporters of The Point Cardiff Bay
It is with deep regret that we announce the closure of the venue today. On 27th February 2009 the Director of the Point Cardiff Bay Limited signed the appropriate notices to call a meeting of creditors pursuant to S98 Insolvency Act 1986.
A number of factors have contributed to this situation. Many of you will be aware that during 2008 we began receiving noise complaints from one or two neighbours 
that had moved into the new apartments that have been built next to the venue. After some difficult negotiations with the Cardiff City Council we undertook a huge amount of work to soundproof the venue in an attempt to secure its future. While that has largely been successful, the burden of the debt that we took on, together with greater restrictions in our banking facilities and more difficult trading conditions in the last few months, as well as the loss of revenue whilst the refurbishment works were undertaken, has meant we are unable to meet our current liabilities and have been left with no option but to seek voluntary liquidation.
Many people have put their heart and soul in turning the Point into the magical venue that it is and we have received huge and loyal support over the years from fans and bands alike. We would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for that support. It is a very sad day for us and for the live music scene in Cardiff.
If you have bought tickets for shows in advance, we must advise you to seek compensation from your credit card company. If you are a supplier to the Point, there will be further news about a creditors meeting in due course.
Please forward any enquiries to Lisa Alford at Purnells Insolvency Practitioners on 01633 214712.
Video of the Week - SKIDS, THE SAINTS ARE COMING
As Cardiff City head to Southampton tomorrow, it seems to appropriate for me to remember The Skids and this punk/new classic.
I loved The Skids - great guitars and tunes combined with lyrics you couldn't decipher on listening and couldn't understand on reading - but what a band. Charismatic frontman Richard Jobson, a failed Dunfermline footballer turned vocalist and the world's worst dancer, was great to watch. He later found more fame as a movie critic. Guitarist, the late Stuart Adamson, found greater success post-Skids with Scottish rockers Big Country but sadly took his life a few years ago.
The legacy and memories are always there however. I fondly recall one Cardiff gig in which they kept playing through a power cut and then gave up on that to put on an acapella show getting a Top Rank packed with punks to singalong to "Oh I do like to be beside the seaside". Their image was bizarre at times, wearing cricket whites, but I loved it all.
30 years later, U2 and Green Day combined to re-record The Saints Are Coming but it doesn't match up to the original. Enjoy!
I loved The Skids - great guitars and tunes combined with lyrics you couldn't decipher on listening and couldn't understand on reading - but what a band. Charismatic frontman Richard Jobson, a failed Dunfermline footballer turned vocalist and the world's worst dancer, was great to watch. He later found more fame as a movie critic. Guitarist, the late Stuart Adamson, found greater success post-Skids with Scottish rockers Big Country but sadly took his life a few years ago.
The legacy and memories are always there however. I fondly recall one Cardiff gig in which they kept playing through a power cut and then gave up on that to put on an acapella show getting a Top Rank packed with punks to singalong to "Oh I do like to be beside the seaside". Their image was bizarre at times, wearing cricket whites, but I loved it all.
30 years later, U2 and Green Day combined to re-record The Saints Are Coming but it doesn't match up to the original. Enjoy!
The Saints Are Coming, Soton v City preview
CARDIFF CITY continue their quest for promotion or play-off honours on the South Coast tomorrow with a visit to Southampton at St Mary's.
It's a good trip and shorter than most and it would appear than in excess of 2,500 Bluebirds will be having the awayday but they await to see how decimated their side could be with half of the regulars possibly absent.
Regular keeper Enckleman so Dimi and his worrying kicking will continue, defensively news is awaited on Kevin McNaughton and Gabor Gyepes (who played one half and missed the QPR game respectively) while, in attack, fingers will be crossed that Chops is over the heel problem that forced him off in midweek and that Jay Bothroyd is over the claf strain that took him off after half-hour at Wolves and kept him out on Wednesday.
Visiting Southampton was, perhaps, viewed as a 3 point banker a short time ago but, as always happens, Southampton, fighting for their lives, have suddenly become a different proposition. Their last 5 outings have seen improvements with the Saints fighting back for draws with Norwich and Swansea, unlucky to lose against fellow chasers Sheffield United and Bristol City but, last Staurday, they rhumped Preston 3-1 for their first home win in almost 5 months.
The game should be open and exciting and that may well suit City as Southampton remain stranded in the drop zone and have to win again, draws do them no favours at this stage of the season. They will be without influential veteran centre-half Paul Wotton who picked up a training ground injury.
It's a good trip and shorter than most and it would appear than in excess of 2,500 Bluebirds will be having the awayday but they await to see how decimated their side could be with half of the regulars possibly absent.
Regular keeper Enckleman so Dimi and his worrying kicking will continue, defensively news is awaited on Kevin McNaughton and Gabor Gyepes (who played one half and missed the QPR game respectively) while, in attack, fingers will be crossed that Chops is over the heel problem that forced him off in midweek and that Jay Bothroyd is over the claf strain that took him off after half-hour at Wolves and kept him out on Wednesday.
Visiting Southampton was, perhaps, viewed as a 3 point banker a short time ago but, as always happens, Southampton, fighting for their lives, have suddenly become a different proposition. Their last 5 outings have seen improvements with the Saints fighting back for draws with Norwich and Swansea, unlucky to lose against fellow chasers Sheffield United and Bristol City but, last Staurday, they rhumped Preston 3-1 for their first home win in almost 5 months.
The game should be open and exciting and that may well suit City as Southampton remain stranded in the drop zone and have to win again, draws do them no favours at this stage of the season. They will be without influential veteran centre-half Paul Wotton who picked up a training ground injury.
Inside Cardiff City's New Stadium
We continually see its outside but this brief WalesOnline vid shows how it looks the other side of the ... err ... cladding. Quite impressive too.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Cardiff City 0 QPR 0 - the media view
Draw eases Cardiff City into fourth in Championship
WalesOnline
Kennedy upbeat about promotion hopes after goalless draw
WalesOnline
Draw eases Cardiff City into fourth in Championship
WalesOnline
Cardiff City dig deep to bank a crucial point
WalesOnline
Cardiff rue missed chances against QPR
Telegraph.co.uk
Jones frustrated by stalemate
SkySports
Bluebirds go fourth with draw
SkySports
Dave Jones praises Mark Kennedy for QPR performance
WalesOnline
Bluebirds rise after draw
Virgin Media Sport
Championship: Cardiff City 0-0 QPR
Mirror.co.uk
Cardiff are not getting ‘twitchy’...yet
GiveMeFootball.com
Cardiff 0 QPR 0
The Sun
Cardiff held at home
Setanta Sports
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Championship Game 31: CARDIFF CITY 0 QPR 0
The point was enough to move City up two places top 4th with more games in hand on everyone around them but although failing to get victory and the performance alike were hugely disappointing, this was unquestionably one point gained rather than two lost. Yet, even if QPR was miles more effective, the only real chances of the night fell City’s way as Darren Purse had an early effort cleared off the line while Michael Chopra fluffed two outstanding second half chances.
This was, however, an encounter that was tougher to look at than Pat Butcher’s face in EastEnders. QPR came with a gameplan of 5 strung across the middle and working hard to close us down allied to City’s problems of no height up front – and nobody hold the ball up either – with Jay Bothroyd missing plus sub-standard passing, movement and distribution, City didn’t just struggle to comes to terms with all of this, they just never did. However, you also have to give the visitors a fair amount of credit for that.
Bothroyd was always going to be absent but City fans were shocked to see Gabor Gyepes also absent, presumably injured or unwell, with Darren Purse standing in although Joe Ledley remained Captain. McCormack was chosen to partner Chops as City lined up with Dimi; McNaughton-Purse-Johnson-Kennedy; Burke-Rae-Ledley-Parry; McCormack-Chopra. Subs – again with no keeper – were Comminges-Johnson(Eddie)-Quincy-Scimeca-Whittingham
Dave Jones, in a bid to delay undue pressure, declared it wasn't a must-win game for City (any Bluebird verbally nodding at that would have had fingers crossed or were muttering 'no' under their breath). I thought it was ‘must win’ for cash rich QPR who need to catch up the top 6 but their approach until late 2nd half was as negative as any side to visit Ninian Park this season which was a surprise.
Their winless run now extends to 4 and they headed to South Wales (minus any reasonable support from their fans – less than 250 of them, Torquay used to bring more!!!) on the back of a crushing weekend home defeat to
They haven’t spent wildly but arguably brought in quantity without a corresponding uplift in quality and team ethics, a policy that has seen boss Paolo Sousa (their third of the season) dabble in rotation. Maybe it's understandable for leading Premiership sides with European attentions too but it borders somewhere between silly and stupid for clubs at this level.
Sousa, thanks to injuries, has to make do without the likes of regular skipper Martin Rowlands, fellow midfielder Buzsaky and strikers Vine and Agyemang but that still gave him room for 3 changes in his bloated squad of 33. Playing 4-5-1 and with Gavin Mahon staying in a pivotal central role despite being booed and abused by his own fans last weekend, QPR were Cerny; Delaney-Gorkss-Stewart-Connolly-Mahon—Miller-Leigertwood-Cook-Routledge-Helguson.
No surprises for guessing the jeers this time went to Wayne Routledge who had it with both barrels. Serenaded from the outset with a chant of “there’s only one greedy b*****d” and others even more abusive, he delighted City fans with frequent errors, slips and falls as he was generally well patrolled by Mark Kennedy, occasionally needing help, but Routs still showed a pace and directness that City fans would still love to have here given half the chance. The boy is a serious talent.
City almost scored inside the first 4 minutes, a corner producing the game’s first shot, that was blocked but the rebound fell to Darren Purse who beat Cerny but had his effort scrambled off the line. That was as good as it got for City in the opening half as Rangers set about smothering them.
Chances for either side were at a complete premium. City’s only classy move of the half saw Chops and Ledley link superbly, the latter got beyond the last defender but a superb intervention blocked his chipped effort. Another smart move sent Gavin Rae clear by McCormack but his blazed effort from an angle only troubled kids and their hot dogs in the Family Stand.
If QPR had any strikers or anyone looking for City’s goal, other than Routledge, it may have been a different story but as it was, they rarely offered much work for Dimi in City’s goal. Their first half attacks consisted of Routledge putting in Miller put Dimi got there, Routledge appealing for a penalty after a collision with Kennedy and Routledge putting a couple of balls over but nobody was there for them.
H/T: CITY 0 QPR 0
City restarted with Comminges replacing McNaughton, the Scotsman not recovering from a first half knock as The R’s had the first chance, Miller hitting a poor free kick straight into the wall summed up the quality of the night – both sides close to the play-off/promotion race but looking a million miles away from the Premiership … well, not even that close really … based on this evidence.
Chopra, who had looked the liveliest player on the pitch, tried his luck from distance having found some rare space but his low dipping effort was at Cerny, McCormack fired from similar 25 yard distance but his effort from wide went wide but almost broke the deadlock as he superbly evaded two challenges, got into firing position but hit aimlessly over the top after the hard work had been done.
Finally, City had clear chances but both fell to Michael Chopra just as he felt the pain of a tough challenge he made for the ball and changed his boots … not once but twice. The first chance saw Paul Parry win a flick on which sent Chops racing away but instead of taking the last defender, he opted to smash the ball from wide 20 yards out, the result was as ugly as the game.
Better still, a deflection off a QPR defender had him staring full on at goal but, after exemplary touches all night, it deserted him when he needed it. His effort screwed and miscued was pitiful and going very wide of goal but hit Stewart and almost flew in off him. Moments later, Chops signalled to the bench and off he went limping away with ankle/foot problems … that looked worrying to me.
Whitts replaced him and now it was Parry and McCormack up front, City’s 3rd pairing of the night and just as ineffective as the other two were.
As the game entered the last 20 minutes, Rangers finally woke up and sensed Cardiff were there to be beaten and pushed up on us, their dangerous right back Delaney virtually camped in our half as play was spread to Routs one side and Delaney on the other. R’s problem was, for all their pressure and crosses, they never had anyone in the middle who carried a threat or who looked interested in scoring.
City fans got very jittery as it became apparent City were never going to win this but, thanks to Rangers impotency, they never looked like losing it either. Indeed, their greatest threat came from a night of hapless kicking by Dimi in goals for City. His distribution was rubbish, his kicking was even worse than that. Taking a touch to control the ball first, he would still miskick and looked so vulnerable on his left foot. How can someone be a pro and look as if they don’t know how to kick a ball??
His worst moment came as, under no pressure, he fired the ball straight to Wayne Routledge but a combo of luck and smart closing down, saw him fire wide in return. Simply shocking.
Paul Parry had a late penalty claim denied then, as the game entered the final minute with City desperately hanging on, Sousa finally threw on two strikers. A better manager than him would have done something like that far earlier given the balance of the game. It still almost paid dividends as Routledge finally got around Kennedy and sent a superb ball across the face of goal but two lunging Rangers men both failed to connect with the goal at their mercy.
Final whistle produced a few boos but, mostly, a muted response. The players knew they hadn’t performed, many stood still for a few seconds reflecting on that. City’s defence, aided by QPR’s lack of ambition, did reasonably well. Roger Johnson, his passing aside, stood out but Mark Kennedy should also be satisfied with how he largely coped with Routledge.
The rest of City’s side were poor. Joe worked hard and Gavin had a poor night but they often found themselves outnumbered which didn’t help. The less said about City going forward, the better.
Maybe the worst performer on show though was a rookie ref who allowed a few QPR challenges go unpunished, denied a couple of seemingly worthy penalty appeals, didn’t speak to Routledge when he lashed the ball 50 yards away (McPhail got sent off for far less at Swansea) but even if we had the best ref on the planet, I’m sure it would still have ended 0-0 so forget those grumbles.
Not a great night but hey, we’re 4th with 2 or 3 games in hand on everyone, that was the first time we’ve failed to score since losing at QPR in early November, the unbeaten league run extends to 12 and clean sheets have been kept in 4 of the last 6 games. If this is a crisis, long may it continue!
Nessa, Bryn, Robin Gibbb, Tom Jones and Barry Island all star for Comic Relief
Robin Gibb at Barry Island, who'd have thought it eh?
Cardiff Street Legend Shaky Hand Man is Dead
Any City Centre Reveller will know, have met and shaken hands with the cult that is Shaky Hands Man.
Whatever pub or club you'd be in, Shaky would somehow get in, shake your hands and befriend you for some cash or your dregs. On the streets, he's be at it again, hoping to scav a chip or two. At times scray as if you said hi to him, it was tough to rid yourself of him, he was harmless and became loved in his own way.
A Facebook Tribute group has over 2,500 members. You can see it here with some great pics.
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2402015858#/group.php?gid=2402015858
Funny enough, I last saw him at Heath Hospital last month where he was admitted to A&E, I assumed he'd had a fall as he was outside X-Ray.
True to form, even then, lying back on a stretcher as I said hi to him, he was trying to shake my hand!!!
RIP Fella.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Good Result for City as Birmingham fail to win (or score) again
In the night's only Championship game, Birmingham City failed to cement their position with a tedious 0-0 draw at Crystal Palace. The Brummies even had the advantage of playing 10 men for the final 15 minutes + 5 minutes added time after Palace's Nick Carle was red carded for a foul on ex-City man Cameron Jerome.
Birmingham have collected just 10 points from their last 8 games and although 9 points in front of City, Cardiff now have 4 games in hand giving a great opportunity to catch them up. Their is discontent amongst their support for both their results and sterile performances ... long may it contine!!
The Table Tonight:
Birmingham have collected just 10 points from their last 8 games and although 9 points in front of City, Cardiff now have 4 games in hand giving a great opportunity to catch them up. Their is discontent amongst their support for both their results and sterile performances ... long may it contine!!
The Table Tonight:
| Team | P | GD | PTS | |
| 1st | Wolverhampton | 34 | 21 | 64 |
| 2nd | Birmingham | 34 | 11 | 61 |
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ||||
| 3rd | Reading | 32 | 30 | 59 |
| 4th | Bristol City | 34 | 7 | 53 |
| 5th | Preston | 34 | 3 | 53 |
| 6th | Cardiff | 30 | 15 | 52 |
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ||||
| 7th | Sheff Utd | 33 | 14 | 52 |
| 8th | Burnley | 34 | 1 | 52 |
| 9th | Swansea | 33 | 13 | 51 |
| 10th | Ipswich | 34 | 11 | 50 |
| 11th | Q.P.R. | 32 | 2 | 47 |
The Price is Right with DEVO's Josh
Josh's Website (worth a look) is www.joshfreese.com
There's all sorts of gimmicks and incentives to obtain albums these days but a new approach has been adopted by awesome U.S. Drummer Josh Freese. The stickman, a boyhood DEVO fan and now their drummer, has played with endless noted groups including DEVO, Nine Inch Nails, Sting, A Perfect Circle, The Vandals, Good Charlotte, Guns N' Roses, The Offspring, The Lost Prophets, The Replacements and more.
But it's time for a sole album which is out next month which you can purchase one of 11 packages ranging $7 to $75,000 - you got to laugh at some of them.
$7
Digital download of Since 1972, including three videos.
$15
CD/DVD double-disc set and digital download.
$50
CD/DVD double-disc set; T-shirt; and a "'Thank you' phone call from Freese for buying Since 1972. You can tell him what you like about the record that you purchased, or what you thought sucked.
"You can ask whatever you want, like, 'Is Maynard really that weird?' or 'Which one of Sting's mansions has the comfiest beds?' or 'Are Devo really suburban robots that monitor reality or just a bunch of dads from Ohio?' or 'Why don't the Vandals play more stuff off the first record?' It's your five minutes to yack it up. Talk about whatever you want."
$250 (limited edition of 25)
Signed CD/DVD and digital download; T-shirt; signed drum head and drumsticks; and "go on a lunch date with Freese to PF Changs or The Cheesecake Factory (whatever you're into)."
$500 (limited edition of 15)
Signed CD/DVD and digital download; T-shirt; signed cymbal and sticks; meet Freese in Venice, Calif. and "go floating together in a sensory-deprivation tank (to be filmed and posted on YouTube)" and "dinner at Sizzler (get your $8.99 steak and 'all you can eat' shrimp on)."
$1,000 (limited edition of 10)
Signed CD/DVD and digital download; T-shirt; signed cymbal, drum head and drumsticks; Freese "washes your car OR does your laundry... or you can wash his car;" have dinner with Freese aboard the Queen Mary in Long Beach, Calif; "get drunk and cut each other’s hair in the parking lot of the Long Beach courthouse (filmed and posted on YouTube, of course)."
$2,500 (limited edition of five)
Signed CD/DVD and digital download; "get a private drum lesson with Josh, or for all you non-drummers, have him give you a back and foot massage (couples welcome);" "pick any member of the Vandals or Devo (subject to availability) to accompany you and Josh to either the Hollywood Wax Museum or the lunch buffet at the Spearmint Rhino;" signed DW snare drum; "take three items of your choice out of his closet (first come, first serve);" "change diapers and make bottles with him for an afternoon (after hitting the strip club)."
$5,000 (limited edition of three)
Signed CD/DVD and digital download; T-shirt; "Josh writes a song about you and makes it available on iTunes;" "co-direct a video with him for the song about you and throw it up on the YouTubes;" "Josh gives you and a friend a private tour of Disneyland;" "get drunk together. If you don't drink, we can go to my dad's place and hang out under the 'Tuba tree';" "Stone Gossard from Pearl Jam will send you a letter telling you about his favourite song on Since 1972."
$10,000 (limited edition of one)
Signed CD/DVD and digital download; T-shirt; signed DW snare drum from A Perfect Circle's 2003 tour; "Josh gives you a private drum lesson OR his and hers foot/back massage (couples welcome, discreet parking);" "Twiggy [Ramirez] from Marilyn Manson's band and Josh take you and a guest to Roscoe's Chicken 'N' Waffles in Long Beach, Calif. for dinner.
"Josh takes you and a guest to Club 33 (the super-duper exclusive and private restaurant at Disneyland located above Pirates Of The Caribbean) and then hit a couple rides afterward (preferably the Tiki Room, the Haunted Mansion and Tower Of Terror); at the end of the day at Disneyland, drive away in Josh's Volvo station wagon. It's all yours... take it. Just drop him off on your way home, though, please."
$20,000 (limited edition of one)
Signed CD/DVD and digital download; T-shirt; signed drum from the 2008 Nine Inch Nails tour; "Maynard James Keenan, Mark Mothersbaugh from Devo and Josh take you miniature golfing and then drop you off on the side of the freeway (all filmed and posted on YouTube).
"Josh gives you a tour of Long Beach. See his first apartment, the coffee shop on 2nd Street where his buddy paid Dave Grohl $40 to rip up tile just weeks before joining Nirvana. See the old Vandals rehearsal spot, the liquor store he got busted at using a fake ID when he was 17 (it was Dave from the Vandals' old ID). Go check out Snoop Dogg's high school. For an extra 50 bucks see where Tom and Adrian from No Doubt live. For another $25 he'll show ya where Eric from NOFX and Brooks from Bad Religion get their hair cut.
"Spend the night aboard the Queen Mary and take the 'Ghosts And Legends' tour (separate rooms... no spooning); Josh writes two songs about you and both are made available on iTunes and appear on his next record (you can sing back up on 'em, clap, play the drums, triangle, whatever); drum lesson OR foot and back massage (once again… couples welcome and discreet parking available); pick any three items out of Josh's closet."
$75,000 (limited edition of one)
Signed CD/DVD and digital download; T-shirt; go on tour with Freese for a few days; "have Josh write, record and release a five-song EP about you and your life story; take home any of his drum sets (only one, but you can choose which one); take shrooms and cruise Hollywood in Danny [Carey] from Tool's Lamborghini OR play quarters and then hop on the Ouija board for a while.
"Josh will join your band for a month... play shows, record, party with groupies, etc.; if you don't have a band he'll be your personal assistant for a month (four-day work weeks, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.).
"Take a limo down to Tijuana and he'll show you how it's done (what that means exactly we can't legally get into here); if you don't live in southern California (but are a U.S. resident), he'll come to you and be your personal assistant/cabana boy for two weeks; take a flying trapeze lesson with Josh and Robin [Finck] from NIN, go back to Robin's place afterwards and his wife will make you raw lasagna."
City's Dilemma facing QPR
Cardiff City fans are checking out Google Maps tonight to find their way back to Ninian Park as City play only their second home Championship game in eight and a hlaf week tomorrow against QPR.
QPR are one of only 4 sides to have defeated Cardiff this season (City avoided Wolves, Birmingham and Plymouth recording a double) but their recent rise towards the play-offs has stuttered with 2 points in their last 3 games including a poor display as they crashed 3-1 to Ipswich in front of tv cameras last Saturday evening. They have good individuals but don't seem to be blending as a team, they made a few changes last Saturday and are expected to repeat that at Ninian Park. Has squad rotation worked well for any club?
Cardiff are a settled unit by anyone's standards but Jay Bothroyd is ruled out tomorrow, the result of a calf injury which also caused him to limp off after 30 minutes at Wolves on Sunday. Paul Parry was pressed alongside Chops but it is rumoured that loan man Quincy will be unleashed.
He has pace and skills galore as this video shows. The prospect of Chops and himself fed by Parry, Burke and co is mouth-watering. It may even distract us from abusing Wayne Routledge for a short time! :>)
The aim has to be 3 points but City boss Dave Jones will take any result declaring it as not a "must win" game by saying, " "Tomorrow doesn't decide anything because there's so many points still up for grabs. In one month's time, at the end of March, we will have a clearer picture of where everybody is."
Game On!
QUINCY IN ACTION
QPR are one of only 4 sides to have defeated Cardiff this season (City avoided Wolves, Birmingham and Plymouth recording a double) but their recent rise towards the play-offs has stuttered with 2 points in their last 3 games including a poor display as they crashed 3-1 to Ipswich in front of tv cameras last Saturday evening. They have good individuals but don't seem to be blending as a team, they made a few changes last Saturday and are expected to repeat that at Ninian Park. Has squad rotation worked well for any club?
Cardiff are a settled unit by anyone's standards but Jay Bothroyd is ruled out tomorrow, the result of a calf injury which also caused him to limp off after 30 minutes at Wolves on Sunday. Paul Parry was pressed alongside Chops but it is rumoured that loan man Quincy will be unleashed.
He has pace and skills galore as this video shows. The prospect of Chops and himself fed by Parry, Burke and co is mouth-watering. It may even distract us from abusing Wayne Routledge for a short time! :>)
The aim has to be 3 points but City boss Dave Jones will take any result declaring it as not a "must win" game by saying, " "Tomorrow doesn't decide anything because there's so many points still up for grabs. In one month's time, at the end of March, we will have a clearer picture of where everybody is."
Game On!
QUINCY IN ACTION
Monday, February 23, 2009
The Cardiff City Phone-In
The Cardiff City phone-in was on air tonight reviewing yesterday's drama against Wolves at Molineux and looking ahead to QPR's visit to Ninian Park this Wednesday night.
Click this link to listen online or download the show
http://www.mediafire.com/?znmdjdzego5
Celebrate St. David's Day this Sunday
It's St. David's Day, the national patron Saint of Wales, this Sunday (March 1st) and it's heartening that a St. David's Day Parade has started in Cardiff for an event the country talks about but pays scant attention to in general.
Why not watch it from Cardiff City Hall to the Welsh Assembly from midday this Sunday?
More details here: >>>
Excellent Wolves v Cardiff City photoset
Courtesy of the Wolverhampton Star newspaper website - includes a superb pic of Roger Johnson heading City into a 2-1 lead and Ebanks-Blake trying, but failing miserably, to intimidate him.
http://www.expressandstar.com/2009/02/23/wolves-2-cardiff-2-in-pictures/
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