SHEFFIELD UNITED AWAY PICS - VOLUME 1

Kevin (Bluebirds Over Canada) flies in and joins us on the bus

A Rest Stop (don't know where but it's got beer!)

Somwhere in The Midlands

Rog, Lloyd, Kev Canada, Carl and Karaoke Pete are happy about that!

Rog and Pete never spit out their dummies

The youthful Darren Purse lookalike lasts the pace with the boys ....

The youthful Joe Ledley lookalike doesn't !

CARDIFF CITY'S NEW TEAM COACH LEFT UNATTENDED IN SHEFFIELD

.... NOT A CLEVER THING TO DO REALLY!

SHEFFIELD UNITED AWAY PICS - VOLUME 2

I TAKE THE RAILWAY (sort of!) - SHEFFIELD UNITED's home pub

(it helps that the game is half hour old and everyone else is in the ground!)

An action shot of the game (blurry, like my eyes were)

Hands up if you're happy with the City!

The Railway Landlay and her daughters (wisely, I get between the daughters!)

Yahay, punk is back - Lloydey meets one coming home at a services somewhere near Brum.

CITY MAKE THEIR POINT AT BRAMMALL LANE

SHEFFIELD UNITED 0 CARDIFF CITY 0

Attendance: 25,311
City support: 1,100
Weather: Cloudy but so mild still

Atmosphere:
Sheffield - were you there?
Cardiff - magnificent ... and then some

CARDIFF CITY put on a show of resilience, spirit, determination backed with 110% conviction and passion by the magnificent travelling support to earn a fantastic 0-0 draw at Championship leaders Sheffield United, denting their 100% home record. A superb occasion, one to make you feel so proud and happy about the team we support.

Sheffield fans will be disappointed by their side's display but it was all about Cardiff rising to the occasion. Not only did City comprehensively blunt the Blades, they easily finished the stronger and were denied a stonewall last minute penalty after a handball went unpunished.

It was a team effort, the team including the non-stop vocal backing and domination of Cardiff's 1,100 fans over Sheffield's 24000. Neil Alexander had only one shot to save in the 90 minutes, it was brilliant. Defence were heroic, Darren Purse quite inspirational but so were Loovens, Barker and the often criticised Rhys Weston who put in a storming display. Midfield, lead by the outstanding Jeff Whitley, competed and matched their opponents. It wasn't a day for strikers but Jerome and, to a lesser extent, Ricketts were all part of the effort as was Alan Lee showing what an impact player he can be appearing late on.

Mill Lane to Bramall Lane is a 400 mile round trip. Gathering at The Lansdowne in Canton before 7:30am, you always question your sanity and why we do this, the day proved why. We joined the Barry and Dinas Powys boys, picked up from The Duke of Clarence, another Canton City stronghold and were soon away.

There was a good mix on the bus including Bluebirdette81 trying her first taste of life on the buses with City, a few returning faces having their first away of the season (welcome back Peter Karaoke, Darren and Amanda) and a youth section too with teenage lookalikes of Darren Purse and Joe Ledley ... well they looked like them to us after a couple of bevvies anyway..

A novelty was that the coach - the one that broke down going to Stoke and didn't get out of Cardiff - had a dvd player and it worked too. I doubt, "Felony Fighting" - a dvd of organised unofficial street fights will feature on many Christmas present lists and, if it is, I'm sure nobody would watch it before breakfast time like we did for a while. Sanity prevailed and music went on.
The trip went well and coming upto 11am, we were only half hour from Sheffield so the scavenge started for a pub and yet again we came up trumps. The pub didn't normally open until 12 but 50 thirsty City fans willing to spend more in 90 minutes than they'd take all day was enough to open their doors at 11am with 'chef' press-ganged into bar work.

Chef had an extra job, he was also a washer upper and tumble drier as the Joe Ledley lookalike was suffering with travel sickness. Unable to get to the toilet, he puked up over Lloydey's back, t-shirt and jeans. How funny is it when it happens to someone else? Very very funny. By the time we left, I was still unbeaten at pool for the season and Lloydey t-shirt was warm and crisp.
Brammall Lane is an imposing sight. About 1 mile from the City Centre and in a residential area, it's not the easiest place to get to from the motorway with surrounding roads clogged up. More so today as it was Blades Day - one of four designated games over the season where United fans can access any part of the ground for a tenner. For City, it was £21 however, a few managed to be closet Blades for the day.





Now comes the difficult bit of the match report for me. I didn't actually get into the ground until the 2nd half, well I did after taking the home end and being thrown out and then we took the home pub too before being thrown out of there as well. I'd better explain.

A load of post from Ninian Park, including match tickets for Lloydey and myself, got lost somewhere between Ninian Park and the Post Office. City told us we had to collect replacements from the ticket office at Bramall Lane. Only with it being Blades Day, the queues were ridiculous, we joined it at 20 to 3 and made the window at quarter past only to be told, "one of our stewards, Andrew, has your tickets and you can take a short cut by turning right at the end of this stand".

We did that, turned right and walked straight into the ground, sat in the Sheffield end and admired the sight of 1,100+ City fans going mental with their backing for the lads. A Senior Steward saw us, we asked to be transferred to the away stand to get our tickets from Andrew and he promptly marched us back to the ticket office, not believing of us. Another 10 minutes went by before we were told the mythical Andrew would be outside the away end. Of course, when we got there, the game was now half hour old, every gate and door was locked up and stewards showed no interest in us banging on the doors. It was hopeless.

We then noticed The Railway Inn, United's pub with "home fans only" signs emblazoned everywhere. Our Welsh accents were quickly sussed. "Have one and then go" said the landlady who then liked us so much that she introduced us to her niece, her young and very tempting daughters and posed for pictures with us. It was annoying but we saw the humour in it as well.
At half-time, we returned to the away end, caught the attention of police who finally summonsed the away end stewards but, problem, they'd never heard of Andrew. It took a couple more minutes to sort out, everyone telling us it had been boring and we hadn't missed much but Andrew was found on the stewards tannoy and in we went at last.

What we missed hadn't been a great deal at all. City absorbed and quelled with Sheffield attack with some applomb and even found time to get forward and have a go themselves with Michael Ricketts through on goal but being stopped by others coming back in offside positions but not interfering, they type many refs allow. Jeff Whitley tested Kenny too. For Sheffield, their only shout was a half-hearted but 24,000 strong cry for a penalty from a ball that hit Barker and flew unintentionally to his arm.

The Blades were being frustrated already, the only side in the country with a 100% home record having previously disposed of challenges from Leicester, Preston, Coventry, Ipswich, Derby, Plymouth and Wolves with 15 goals banged past them. The had failed to score home or away in the Championship and only dropped 8 points on the road with defeats at Luton and Reading and a draw with Leeds last weekend.

They had a full strength side on show as well with Paddy Kenny in goals, a back four of Kozluk, Chris Morgan, David Unsworth and Bromby, midfield contained the mercurial Keith Gillespie-Quinn-the highly rated Phil Jagielka and Nick Montgomery and a forward pairing to be feared with Neil Shipperley and Steve Kabba but they have been matched goal for goal by Ricketts and Jerome.

Dave Jones, for the 8th time in 9 games was able to name the same starting eleven with Alexander, Weston-Purse-Loovens-Barker, Cooper-Whitley-Ledley-Koumas, Ricketts-Jerome. The bench were a familiar five too with Margetson-Ardley-Cox-Lee-Parry. The were fears with Glen Loovens, Kevin Cooper and Cameron Jerome suffering with various knocks and ailments but all came through. City were to start the second half attacking towards us and, better still, I was finally in the ground to witness it.


Half-time: SHEFF UNITED 0 CARDIFF CITY 0


My arrival almost coincided with an opening goal for City. A Koumas slide rule pass sent Jerome behind the Sheffield defence but his attempted chip of Kenny was mistimed, the ball flying into his arms instead. Moments later, City's scariest moment of the entire game. A lucky deflection sent the ball loose to Montgomery 10 yards out. With time and space, a goal looked certain but Neil Alexander stood tall and produced a tremendous parried stop. He deserved fortune as the ball returned to Montgomery but was put high and wide. .

What followed was Cardiff looking determined and disciplined, proving why their unexpectedly high Championship placing and having just 1 defeat in 11 league games are just no fluke at all. Belief on the pitch, belief in the away end

Sheffield were looking frustrated, they couldn't get through City as Loovens and Purse were first to everything,. they couldn't get around us as Barker and Weston stood firm and won every tackle. They were struggling to assert themselves in midfield where Jeff Whitley was the main man and City didn't just seem to be the first to every loose ball, they were the first. Ahead of them, Cameron Jerome was working hard without joy but was an essential part of the team effort, Michael Ricketts it has to be said was much quieter, he's a player who wants the ball but just won't work for it, his work ethic out of tune with everyone else out there but that's how he is.

It was a monumental effort and City's support recognised it, their backing was incredible and, if anything, just got louder and louder. You name the chant and it was sung but the main ones were the 'pride' chants with Men of Harlech getting repeated airings. You felt they were going to get a result but were hoping nothing went wrong.

It was time for Warnock to try and change things, undoubtedly one of the reasons why Sheffield are flying is that their sub's bench contain players who would be in the first team elsewhere. Between minutes 55 and 75, on came £800,000 Paul Ifill, hot striking prospect Danny Webber and committed attacking defender Derek Geary for Kosluk, Keith Gillespie who was snubbed out of the game by City and Neil Shipperley who got no change at all out of Glen Loovens. Sheffield thought it would probably put more pressure on City but Cardiff, by far, finished the stronger and were taking the game to the home side and leaders.

Kevin Cooper wasn't too far away with a 20 yarder and when Alan Lee came on for the again disappointing Michael Ricketts for the final 15, it was all about Cardiff. There were a couple of agonisingly close moments.

Instead the final 10 minutes, Rhys Weston broke out of defence, comprehensively dummied a defender on the outside, sent over a great far post ball which Alan Lee directed across the face of goal and which missed Cameron Jerome's boot by the tiniest of fractions, any tough would have scored.

In added time, came a moment of controversy. Joe Ledley won a free-kick running at the Blades
defence with options either side. The City end were on high octane sensing we were going for the kill and could do it.

Koumas' free-kick went around the wall low, Kenny got down to beat it out. Joe Ledley got it wide and turned it back from the touchline, a combination of Kenny and goalpost almost turned the cross into a goal, the ball coming off the outside of the woodwork, the pinball effect continued as Lee and defenders got touches but as the ball was coming out with Koumas charging in, a defender clearly handled, Koumas got a shot in but it went wide.

City's fans were furious, City's players were furious, the ref was surrounded. I can only think he missed it. Had he saw the handball, it could only have been a penalty but why didn't the linesman help him out? It was a poor decision but as the goalkick was taken, the final whistle blew.

The players came to the fans, the fans were bouncing and deliriously happy. Chants of "we're going up as ****ing Champions" reverberating to the players and Sheffield fans, those who had stayed on anyway. Many home fans starting disappearing with 15-20 minutes to go, all being waved on their way and bid cheerio by us of course. It was a major performance and result, no disguising that. The pride, passion and joyful happiness in City fans so evident in every song, every emotion. What a great day.

On a weekend when 7 of the Championship's fixtures ended in draws, I guess it was sod's law a couple of the winners were directly below us so, after such a great performance and result, City fell two places to 9th spot. However, win that game in hand and we go 4th. Sheffield stayed 3 points clear of Reading in 2nd, 10 points clear of third and 15 points ahead of City. There was no gulf between the teams today, City arguably the better and you cannot praise Dave Jones and the players highly enough for that.

The journey back was joyful too. Hicksie offered to give Lloydey and myself a lift in his car so we missed the bus. I think he may have regretted it as we were on such a high. His route was a little strange, through countryside and over hills all the way to Birmingham cutting out the M1 and M42. The coach got back at the same time by all accounts. I think he may have regretted it as we were on such a high. It was a long way to travel to watch 45 minutes but I wouldn't have swapped it for anything. Fabulous, just fabulous.

The Cost of Being A City fan:
Tickets: £21
Programme: £ 3
Food/drink: £24
Coach: £15
Travel to/from home & coach: £3
Total £66

Total for season: £1,233 *Total includes buying a City shirt (£20 with Ambassador discount & other City merchandise £15 the day before game)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CITY of CARDIFF, 100 TODAY!!!


Happy Centenary my hometown - it's 100 years today City status was ganted to Cardiff.

I don't know if they get a telegram off The Queen but the total non-publicity and lack of awareness surrounding it is quite incredible. In fact, I didn't even realise myself until I drove along Eastern Avenue earlier and noticed the roadside display signs displaying the message. The Echo, in fairness, have devoted a couple of pages to it and BBC Wales have mentioned it. Other than that, blink and you'd miss it. Half the city doesn't even know.
Cardiff likes to regard itself as a major city and wants to become an outstanding European capital yet passes up an opportunity like this to promote itself.
If this was anywhere else, I get the feeling there'd be parties and all sorts of events going on. What a shame we do nothing.
Ah well, PENBLWYDD HAPUS CAERDYDD

CARDIFF CITY (0) 0 LEICESTER CITY (1) 1 Johansson 10

CARLING CUP ROUND THREE @ Ninian Park


Attendance: 8,727
Foxes support: 250
Weather: Summer feel in the Autumn time
Atmosphere: Good backing from both sides


CARDIFF CITY missed out on the last 16 of the Carling Cup and the chance of a glamour tie in disappointing style following a 1-0 home defeat to Leicester City courtesy.

The Foxes scored early on through Johansson and never had another shot on goal all night but few will doubt they deserved their win as they played the more open and controlled football. As for The Bluebirds, they only had efforts on goals in a frantic final 5 minutes, the 85 beforehand were distinctly average at best and, often, poor.

I've never heard the phrase "After The Lord Mayor's Show" uttered so many times in my life by fans coming to terms with how their side could be so cutting and lethal at the weekend and produce so little tonight. The truth was though that Leicester are a far better side from Crewe and City just never got going until it was far too late with a couple of players off key and a couple given a rare starting opportunity failing to grasp it.

For all the talk of much-changed sides, both Cardiff and Leicester weren't far away from full strength and changes tended to be enforced rather than tactical or resting players. The game had a serious edge to it, both sides realising the potential prize on offer.

Cardiff made three changes, at least two were enforced as Alan Lee replaced the cup-tied Michael Ricketts whilst Martin Margetson started in goals with Neil Alexander apparently ill but he was on the bench. One other swap saw Paul Parry start in place of Kevin Cooper, not sure if there was a reason for that but few would have felt that would weaken City.

The starting eleven were therefore Margetson, Weston-Purse-Loovens-Barker, Koumas-Whitley-Ledley-Parry, Jerome-Lee. Subs were Alexander-Ardley-Cox-Darlington-Ferretti.

As for Craig Levein''s Foxes, they started with Henderson, Maybury-McCarthy-Gerrbrand- Johansson, Gudjonsson-Williams-Hamill-Tiatto. Dublin-Hammond. Subs included leading scorer Mark DeVries (known as Deep Freeze by some Leicester fans for his immobility). Again, changes were largely enforced ones and they came to Ninian in good heart following a home win over Coventry at the weekend taking them to 12th spot, 4 points behind Cardiff.

There were price promotions of £12/(£6 for kids/oaps) in the Grandstand, £10/£5 elsewhere and just £1 for kids in the Family Stand. The Bob Bank terrace was shut but the crowd was much better than expected with 8,727 including 250 or so from the Midlands watching on a balmy evening that felt more like summer than almost November.

Cut to the game and the first half was poor from a City viewpoint. In all honesty. they didn't put a single move of substance together and even though there were two sides, at times they didn't even seem to be second best going for the ball.

Cardiff usually start well, nearly always score first this term and often get an early goal. Tonight, it was their turn to be behind after just 10 minutes. It came from a sharp move and a ball was played just outside the area to Elvis Hammond who, for the first of several times, found it embarrassingly easy to turn Rhys Weston on his outside and get past him. His snapshot was denied a goal only by smart reactions of Martin Margetson who got down quickly to fingertip it wide. However it meant little as the resulting corner saw NILS-ERIC JOHANNSON rise above everyone almost unchallenged to get the slightest tough but enough to divert it home right in front of the gleeful visiting fans.

City got forward straight from the restart and a buzz went up as Jerome won a free-kick on the edge of the box and Jason Koumas marched up. It was a sure sign it wasn't our night as he pout it straight into the wall and before the interval, he did it again. Other than that, City looked lethargic and Leicester were keener.

Crucially, we just weren't contesting midfield well enough, Danny Tiatto was stamping his presence there. The Foxes defence found life surprisingly comfortable whilst. at the other end, Glen Loovens was learning a great lesson about the physical side of the game with Dion Dublin using his presence and physique to muscle him and win touches and flicks everywhere. One telling moment to me was when Paul Parry signalled to Jeff Whitley to knock a ball over the Leicester defence, Whitley did it perfectly but Parry did the exact opposite, checked out and ran back instead. The crowd booed Whitley for that one.

Exit to the bar to listen to every City fan there mutter something about "After the Lord Mayor's Show", "I hope he (Dave Jones) gives out the same half-time rollicking", and the timeless classic, "mine's a bitter please"".

Half-time: CARDIFF 0 LEICESTER 1

Dave Jones obviously did administer another rollicking as City really should have equalised within the first 10 seconds of the restart. Leicester kicked-off but Jerome flew into them, won the ball and found Alan Lee. Lee, despite being tugged, shot down the channel and squared the ball slightly behind Jerome 10 yards out. It looked for all the world that Jerome would turn it home but the ball stuck under his boot and the chance went begging.

To their credit, City were now applying some pressure, condensing play and winning corners but, tonight, there was just no end product to it. There were less than 25 minutes remaining before City had their first real effort at goal and until the final flurry, that was their sum total for 85 minutes. Paul Parry got into a good position, his low goalbound effort was tipped away for another fruitless corner by Aussie stopper Henderson.

For the final 15 minutes, Dave Jones changed personnel and formations. Rhys Weston was replaced by Neil Ardley and City went 3-4-3 and Ferretti was last throw of the dice coming on for Paul Parry inside the last 10 minutes.

Then came the final barrage of attacks all inside the last 5 minutes plus three minutes of added time. All the chances came from excellent Neil Ardley crosses as Leicester were 'doing a Cardiff' by falling back and trying to hold onto their lead, City taking up the invitation to flood men forward. Unfortunately, the keeper Henderson denied extra-time and, possibly, City winning in normal time with some excellent stops.

Two of the saves were quite brilliant. Alan Lee's far post downward header meeting an Ardley ball looked a goal all the way but Henderson got down to push it away. Bang on 90 minutes and Jason Koumas' vision and skill picked out Ferretti behind Leicester's back line, his first time left footed volley was superb skill but Henderson was again its equal by getting down to turn it wide. Then Lee was denied by a shot whilst a Jerome header in the final action went straight into Henderson's arms, maybe the keeper deserved that luck and, tonight, City didn't deserve it.

It was disappointing to go out at this stage and with a below par performance. A few players were off key. A big draw could have given the club a real buzz but, as it is, the weekend game at Sheffield United is more important to our season. Maybe, with hindsight, it's not a bad thing that we didn't take it to extra-time with that game coming within little more 60 hours afterwards. The hope is nobody got injured but a couple of players, the excellent Darren Purse in particular, appear to walk off with knocks.

At the back, I've avoided being critical of Rhys Weston but if the club are to sustain any play-off challenge, you get the feeling he is the first player who has to be replaced. One City fan was sitting next to Harry Bassett (Sheff United's assistant in the Grandstand) who was writing copious notes.. "I bet most of them say just attack Rhys Weston, don't they Harry", he said. Bassett smiled and winked back.

We lost the central midfield battle again overall, the need to reinforce that area simply has to be high on Dave Jones' agenda as well. Whitley and Ledley always give everything but, as a combo, they're not the long term answer. I was particularly disappointed however that Paul Parry did not take his chance at all. He blows hot and cold in recent appearances, far too often it's cold. He can't complain if Kevin Cooper resumes action in front of him this weekend.

Likewise up front, Cameron Jerome possibly had his quietest appearance ever in a City shirt but, even so, Alan Lee didn't really stake his claim for a start either, it made you appreciate what Michael Ricketts offers the side. Lee has worked hard to get fit, runs the channels but is all over the place and doesn't hold the line or play like Ricketts can. Lee remains very much an impact player coming off the bench based on this display.

It was one of those nights but I think it's now fairly well established that unless Cardiff find a good tempo and intensity to their game, they can look an ordinary side. Tonight happened to be one of those occasions when it just wasn't there.

The Cost of Being A City fan:
2 x Tickets: £24
Programme: £ 2.50
Food/drink: £20
Badges: £ 6 (nephew's birthday prezzies!)
Total £52.50

Total for season: £1,132

ALAN LEE REVEALS DRESSING ROOM MUSIC TASTES

Alan Lee, Cardiff City's version of the 5th Beatle, told local media that the lads celebrate a win by playing The Stereophonics Local Boy In The Photograph and Maybe Tomorrow after matches.

Not sure it's the greates taste but it's reassuring it's not the usual claptrap of Phil Collins, Kylie and some boy band who disappeared quicker they they became known.

I'd like to ask him what was played when Lennie Lawrence was in charge. If it was Stereophonics, all I can think of are More Life in a Tramp's Vest and Deadhead.

CARDIFF CITY 6 CREWE ALEXANDRA 1

Dave Jones' Bluebird flew to a new high on a glorious day. In a season greatly surpassing expectations, Crewe Alexandra's Railwaymen were duly shunted into the sidings 6-1 by six different goalscorers. Five of those goals came in 26 second half minutes to make it City's best win at this level for 34 years, almost to the day, matching a same score demolition of Charlton Athletic on October 23rd, 1971.

DJ, as the old age goes, could do with dispensing his half-time rollicking before kick off. Yet again, his team started well and scored early only to, yet again, lose their pace and intensity somehow allowing Crewe to equalise before the interval and take over the game for a spell despite their glaring inadequacies. How much paint peeled off City's dressing room walls, how many cups were smashed, we can only guess but it was worth every penny.

It's been a big week for the club. News that the new stadium may finally be reality (but don't get carried away yet) followed by this win lifting City to 7th spot with a game in hand that could take them to 4th. These are heady days, near fairytale stuff considering the black summer that enveloped Ninian Park.

DJ is certainly earning his money but one area where he doesn't spend much time is current team selection. For the 7th time in 8 games, City started with the same eleven of Alexander, Weston-Purse-Loovens-Barker, Cooper-Whitley-Ledley-Koumas, Ricketts-Jerome. The bench were Margetson-Ardley-Cox-Lee-Parry.

As mentioned before, the only time the mould was broken - Jeff Whitley's one game suspension - was the only game City have lost in 12 matches. His line-up staying fit and available is crucial, City have a small squad with barely adequate cover. The biggest concern pre-game was Cameron Jerome who departed early with back injury from the midweek Preston draw. Fortunately, a scan gave him the 'all clear'.

Dario Gradi MBE seems to have been at Crewe longer than their train station.63 years old, an amazing 22 years in charge of the club this week and 1,148 Railwaymen games under the belt, he will need every ounce of his experience plus, it would seem, a fair bit of luck besides to retain Championship status.

Crewe's most loyal fan probably wouldn't argue that they are a small club, a talent breeder who should view just being able to compete in the Championship as a great achievement. However, no matter where you are and who you support, it's always a results business and Crewe's are just not good. They had a miracle escape against relegation on last season's final day managing to win for the first time in 4 months and 22 games to send Gillingham down instead. It's now "improved" to 3 wins in 37 Championship games, this season's tally of 12 points from 15 games leaves only Millwall below them.

They are taking sound beatings - 6 of the season's league games have been lost by 2 more goals. The Railwaymen will also prefer to forget a 5-1 thrashing at Lincoln in the Carling Cup too. It's therefore easy to understand why their normally placid support are unhappy and why many are actively considering that it's time for a change.

Gradi's lot isn't helped by injuries to his meagre squad. After a 2-0 midweek loss to neighbours Stoke, he was also keen to make changes. Another midweek decision was for the club to send Juan Ugarte back to Wrexham, albeit on loan, having made just one start and not looking fit. To think, Ugarte was Lennie Lawrence's major target for City. Where would we be now if we'd not made managerial change? I dread to think.

Gradi's lambs for the Crewe-l sheepsh*gger's slaughter were Williams, Moss-Foster-McCready-Tonkin, Jones-Roberts-Lunt-Varney, Rivers-Suhaj. Keeper Williams is on loan from Man United whilst every other player came through their youth academy or were bought from lower division clubs apart from Slovakian striker Pavol Suhaj who was getting his first starting appearance. Surprisingly, the highly promising Welsh international David Vaughan was on the bench having been rested for last weekend's big win over Luton and then taken off against Stoke in midweek.

After a stormy Friday, it was a mild Autumnal day with the sun shining most of the afternoon. The shame was despite the good stadium news, despite the unbeaten run and despite the league position, fans still aren't returning to Ninian Park, just 10,815 handed over their hard-earned. There are good reasons for this disappointing crowd, there are understandable justifications and there certainly are poor excuses too.

Surely, though, there can't be too much argument that this manager and this team deserve better support? It amazes me to think that at least three thousand more of us watched the safety first, tactically limited, mind numbing, under-performing excuse ridden football that Lennie Lawrence provided. In fact, it defies belief fans committed to that but won't watch this.

City started on the front foot, full of intent and purpose and went for Crewe's back four already looking uneasy and decidedly dodgy. In the first quarter of an hour, Jerome (twice), Ricketts, Ledley all went narrowly wide while Jason Koumas tested Willaims with a 30 yard free-kick, the keeper spilling it but recovering before Jerome got to the rebound. Other crosses and passes pinged in and around the Crewe box and they couldn't get over halfway.

Red shirted Crewe were red faced as well by the way they conceded the opener. Joe Ledley threaded a ball from halfway that Foster and McCready both went for it but bumped into each other and leave MICHAEL RICKETTS clear on goal with the sort of chance he loves - one where he doesn't have to move that much. His finish was excellent though, firing low around Williams from just inside the box for his 4th goal in 8 appearances, all netted at Ninian Park.

Suhaj the Slovakian had some introduction to British football. Having just got back on the pitch taking a knock as City started the move for their opener, he took a powerful Cooper follow up drive after Koumas' free-kick where it makes your eyes water. It took him and Crewe's physio a long time to count that he still had two.

The goal should have set up City but inexplicably, they stopped pushing on, took their foot of the pedal and went flat, it is annoying when they do this. Suddenly, Crewe were able to play around and through City as we fell deep and stopped putting in the challenges. Why do they do this to themselves?

Their lackadaisical ways cost them. Varney put one header over, made Alexander save another, Purse was booked and then they levelled on half hour. A soft goal as Loovens fouled out wide, a free kick was sent into the box which centre-half FOSTER helped on almost unchallenged and the ball flew in off the underside of the bar.

The rest of the half belonged to Crewe. You could see they were limited but as City fell further into their shell, they clearly fancied their chances. However City still made tow good chances as Jerome headed a fraction wide and Ricketts had an effort blocked. Overall, however, the interval score was about right but Cardiff had only themselves to blame and would have deserved every single rocket of the half-time volley Dave Jones must have unleashed on them.

Half-time: CARDIFF CITY 1 CREWE ALEXANDRA 1

The half-time entertainment again saw everyone miss. The biggest laugh was one 'fan' in a Chelsea shirt hopelessly kick the ball. Am I still the only one to do it? How do they make it look so difficult?

As the teams came back out, there were two sights to worry all City fans. Neil Cox was coming on for City, Glen Loovens having suffered an early knock whilst David Vaughan was stepping out as a sub for Crewe.

However minutes 47 to 72 were Cardiff City football heaven as everything they did came off and Crewe were exposed for what they were as City hit top gear and in such impressive fashion.

47 minutes 2-1
Cameron Jerome burst down the right and evaded three defenders before slipping the ball wide to Michael Ricketts. Ricketts has time and space but his cross was fantastic but just as great was JOE LEDLEY meeting it and sending a rising header towards the top corner, Williams got a hand to it but could not prevent Ledley's third goal of the season and his second in successive matches.

58 minutes - the let off
After Jerome sent a couple of efforts narrowly wide with Crewe unable to contain him, Mark Rivers beat the offside trap because he was well offside but the officials let it go. Alexander was slow to come out and it looked a certain goal but Alexander got down to save well and got the lucky break as Suhaj's follow up header flew into his grateful arms while still on the floor.

60 minutes 3-1
Perhaps the assist of the season as Jason Koumas dissected three Crewe defenders with a perfectly weighted sublime flick off the outside of his right boot which KEVIN COOPER latched onto and flicked the ball over the advancing Williams, it rolled over the line despite a Crewe defender's attempt to stop it. It was his first goal for City rounding off a good individual performance.

65 minutes 4-1
Alan Lee came on for a lively half hour after Cooper's goal replacing Ricketts and made an immediate impact as he turned Foster inside the area meeting the impressive Jeff Whitley's through ball and was clumsily challenged and brought down. The wait for the penalty took an eternity, Crewe trying to disrupt DARREN PURSE but it made no impact as he blasted low to the right, Williams went left. That was Purse's 5th of the season, four coming from the penalty spot.

67 minutes 5-1
Another City goal straight from the restart as CAMERON JEROME finally got the goal he deserved. Again, Whitley was the provider with a flicked ball sending Jerome away, he charged into the area, side stepped one challenge and then either mishit his shot over Williams or it took a deflection. Who cared what it was? Jerome's 9th of the season but his first for 4 games makes him joint leading scorer at this level.

72 minutes 6-1
Another outstanding JASON KOUMAS goal, his fifth of the season, everyone brilliant and his third in successive matches. This was all about Koumas as he took the ball 10 yards inside City's half, Crewe stood off him as they had no answer to his skills which yet again were shown to be far too good for this level. As he got closer, he went outside of tow defenders on the left and then switched feet to fire high and home across goal, Williams again getting a hand to it and being unable to keep it out.

How City never scored goals 7, 8 and even 9, I still don't know. Parry was blocked, Lee was just over, Jerome headed just wide and shot just wide, both times I initially though he had scored.

To their credit, Crewe weren't good enough but their heads never dropped. They got forward late on and had half chances but it's going to be a very long season for them. It probably doesn't help them or their fans when they got mocked either. 10,000 fans standing and handclapping 'easy,easy,easy' when it was that can't be nice, hearing City chant 'we want 7' must be tough to take and can they smile when the Grange End jokingly sing, "one all, then you ****ed it up" to them?

Cardiff went off to a standing ovation and rightly so. There were no bad performers today and some - Whitley, Koumas, Jerome in particular in my view - were exceptional. Alan Lee ran Crewe scared in his cameo appearance as well. That's not to say City were perfect by a long way but when you have days like this, you just have to enjoy it all and I certainly did.

Credit to Crewe, their management, players and fans. After such a terrible afternoon when they were comprehensively outplayed and thrashed, they still acknowledged and applauded each other. A club which behaves like that deserves their breaks.

22 points may mean 7th but it also means we are 10 points away from the bottom. It took Lennie, Kav, Gabbs, Ginge and co until Boxing Day last season and 10 games more to replicate that.

The pubs of Canton were singing and buzzing post-game. For all the progress and success this season, it strangely hasn't quite had that feelgood factor about it for many supporters. Today changed all that. And for those of us celebrating away, how funny was it watching the bus and the people carrier man with the whale of a wife have a stand off in the middle of Cowbridge Road bringing it to a complete standstill with a City steward trying to sort out the traffic whilst we chanted at them all?

A wonderful, wonderful day or as Lord Lou Reed would say;

Just a perfect day
Problems all left alone
Weekenders on our own
It's such fun

Oh it's such a perfect day
I'm glad I spent it with you
Oh such a perfect day
You just keep me hanging on


The Cost of Being A City fan:
Ticket: £20
Prog: £ 3
Food/drink £20
Petrol: £ 3
Total £46

Total for season: £1,077

OH NO!! IT'S MORE LAST MINUTE AGONY

Why, why, why, why WHY??

Championship at Ninian Park

CARDIFF CITY (1) 2 Ledley 29, Koumas 83
PRESTON NORTH END (0) 2 Mears 62, Sedgwick 90

Attendance: 9,574
PNE support: Less than 100, probably nearer 75
Weather: Wet'n'Wild
Atmosphere: Great backing by those present


On a bittersweet night, Cardiff City, for the third time this season, conceded a 90th minute equaliser to lose two points in a 2-2 draw with Preston North End and a wet and windy Ninian Park.

The sweet moments were City's goals both from outstanding Jason Koumas free-kicks, the first hitting the bar but turned home on the rebound by Joe Ledley, the second with 7 minutes remaining could not be bettered by Zidane, Beckham and co. The bitter moments, allowing Preston to fightback twice - largely because City had a poor second half defending deep being overrun and with a midfield that went AWOL - controversial refereeing where some very big decisions all went against City.

However, despite the topsy turvy nature of the game and the agony of more points dropped late on, I doubt any City fan could say Preston didn't deserve a point, it was the manner of how it was achieved that sticks in the throat.

For City, the task this week was simple ... on paper. They have a great opportunity to build on their excellent 9th spot this home game followed by another (Crewe on Saturday) and they would have been keen to show that two excellent away showings (producing wins at Stoke and Brighton) could be replicated at Ninian Park.

There are no surprises in team news these days. Dave Jones picking the same starting eleven of Alexander, Weston-Purse-Loovens-Barker, Cooper-Ledley-Whitley-Koumas, Ricketts-Jerome for the 7th time in 8 games.

The only time DJ wasn't able to pick this side - Luton at home last game due to Jeff Whitley's suspension - is the only time City have lost in their last 11 matches. With some supporters secretly or openly wondering about a determined play-off challenge, they should be mindful of this. Injuries and suspensions have to come sometime,. the squad is threadbare, it will be hard to maintain. But that's not for now.

As for Preston, they stormed into the Championship play-off final last season, losing out to West Ham at Millennium Stadium and haven't so far managed to reproduce that form this term. A couple of other 'stars' were lost over the summer to Leeds United - Eddie Lewis and Richard Cresswell - and start of term injuries have not helped.

Their biggest problem though has been home form. They have yet to win at Deepdale in 7 Championship attempts, 5 games being draws. On the road, they are a different animal with 3 away wins at Watford, Millwall and Ipswich. It leaves them currently 8 places behind City but only 3 points away emphasising the tightness of the Championship this term where anyone can beat anyone - except Sheffield United it would appear.

The buzz caused by City's excellent weekend win didn't convert into the sort of crowd everyone had hope for. Just 9,574 populated Ninian Park, fewer than 100 making the journey from Lancashire. It was not a good night for watching, swirling winds and continual rain affected the game as well as those who made the effort to see it.

This is when I would normally tell you about the first half and how it was but there's a small problem, I wasn't there to see it. As the game started, I was at an early evening business lunch sitting with, of all people, ex-council leader and now Cardiff Chamber of Commerce Head Russell Goodway and ex-Wales rugby coach Alan Davies. It was more enjoyable than I thought and lasted longer than it should have so instead of missing just the first 20 minutes, I got to Ninian Park just as the half-time whistle blew.

Getting in was fun. With all gates and doors locked, I had to bang on them to get attention from inside. They looked puzzled, they're used only to letting City fans out by half-time, not letting them in. (Thanks Matt for that gag).

Those who were there say it was a bit of a 'nothing' half. Preston never got at City, we were better but not overly so. Alexander had nothing to do, Carlo Nash forced into saves from Jerome and Cooper but City led at the interval with an excellent goal from Joe Ledley.

It came on 29 minutes as Davis went though Jerome 30 yards out. Koumas hit a fierce effort that deflected en route and smacked off the bar, the rebound returned with interest by LEDLEY and that flew in partly assisted by another deflection. Fans say if Koumas' shot hadn't deflected, the quality and pace of it was such that it would have flown in.

Half-time and can I come in now please? CITY 1 PNE 0

The half-time entertainment proved only how difficult conditions were as none of the City fans were able to welly the ball at goal on the slippery turf, keeping control and balance was difficult. That was a taster of what was to come.

The second half saw Preston take the game to City and, boy, did we struggle. It's a familiar story to those watching City at home this season. With a lead in their pockets, City's mind set seems to change. They lose their fluency, they lose their shape and they start to defend deep - sometimes too deep and often with everyone back. The other turning point was City were being exposed as midfield has gone missing.

Everytime Preston advanced, it seemed to be straight through the middle of the park. It was also very noticeable that they were committed to attack and seemed to have extra men every time they hit us. That should have set City up for sweeping counter-attacks but they never managed it making it tense and grim watching.

Balls were hit forward making City's defenders and midfielders turn, the conditions meant they occasionally looked like Bambi on ice trying to retrieve the ball, turn and get moves going upfield, they looked so uncertain at times. One player who didn't was Glenn Loovens who brought a calmness and control to proceedings but it was a sign of things to come when ref Howard Webb (our lucky talisman when we won the play-offs) booked him for a tackle as he won the ball. Then proceeded to penalise City a few times winning the ball in tackles and apparently making no allowance for the conditions.

Cardiff weren't helped by a few too many players having an off night but, in some instances, it was the usual suspects. Kevin Cooper, who played well last weekend, cut an anonymous figure unable to get into the game and either wasting or losing the ball when he had it. Ahead of him, Michael Ricketts has currently lost his early form and promise over the past couple of games. To spectators, he looked a little half-hearted, even lazy, in his work-rate. One such occasion made the whole ground moan when Koumas worked hard to get the ball to him but he made no attempt to challenge for it and lost out on an attacking pass 80/20 in his favour.

In central midfield, Joe Ledley went missing. It has to be remembered that he is still a boy and, in many ways, doing a man's job also in a role not natural to him but the second half seemed to pass him by. At the back, Rhys and Barks were finding it difficult. Sometimes finding themselves exposed with 2 players coming onto them due to Preston's advances, not wanting to commit to tackles in the awkward conditions, players were getting into the area a little too often and a little too easily.

Alan Lee came on just before the hour, everyone assumed to replace Ricketts but it was Cameron Jerome who perhaps was injured from a heavy knock a couple of minutes earlier which may have produced a penalty with some referees.

Preston were now getting shots off, many going high or wide but Neil Alexander also made a couple of excellent stops, the ball sticking to his hands as it skimmed on the turf like a stone on the sea. On 62 minutes, they were level, it was no surprise and it was a goal which summed up City's shortcomings.

Cardiff had the ball but lost out in central midfield. As they did, it left Preston with 5 players breaking onto 3. City weren't pushing men forward but always seemed to be outnumbered when Preston attacked. Nowland carried the ball, City's defenders having to mark space rather than men and when he slipped it wide of Barker, MEARS low drilled right footed effort from 10 yards flew in, Alexander got down and got a hand to the effort but couldn't stop it.

Within 3 minutes, Paul Parry replaced Kevin Cooper and City got a little more balance to their game but it was chiefly hit and hope football going forward. However one such move sent Michael Ricketts clear, the player skidded over trying to adjust himself to shoot, not a good night for him.

Controversy came with 20 minutes to go as Jason Koumas dropped his shoulder, glided past three men but was cynically tugged back as he past Claud Davis. A yellow card without any question, Webb the ref ran up with all intent of doing exactly that until he realised Davis had already been booked. There's no other phrase for it, he bottled it. The crowd let him know it too as chants went up of "cheat, cheat, cheat" and various comments about Webb's parentage and preferred sex style ... self-practise according to the song.

City were hanging on but a dramatic finish was in store. 7 minutes remained when Jason Koumas went on another mazy run and, again, was brought down. This time 25 yards out and at a wide angle - a similar position to where Kav scored his famous goal against Leeds. Preston were worried, building a wall bigger than the China one and purposely standing 5 yards away, the ref eventually pushing them back but still no more than 8 yards away.

KOUMAS' execution was astonishing. He opted for power and precision, driving the ball with venom over the wall, you could almost see the vapour trail behind it as it went like a rocket into the far top corner, Nash's despairing dive nowhere near it, no keeper would have saved that one. It was brilliance, genius and an epic moment.

It should have won the game but it meant City now had to hold onto the lead again. Preston reacted by bringing on two subs, one of them Dave Nugent a goalscoring hero of theirs coming back from injury. They pushed, we fell back.

They won a corner, we had all 11 men deep inside our own area. When we got it out, it was always coming straight back, we were inviting trouble. Fortunately, a stray header put it behind for a goal kick, much cheers and relief.

A minute later, with 90 minutes up, Preston got another corner. Yet again, everyone back, yet again, we got it out and yet again, nobody came out despite the whole ground screaming at City to do so. The ball was knocked back in, a PNE arm brought the ball down and in a mad 6 yards scramble, CHRIS SEDGWICK, one of the subs squirted it past Alexander sitting on the floor.

Darren Purse ran to Webb screaming about the handball. Adding insult to injury, he got booked for it. As Preston players dived on each other, about a third of City's fans walked out in angst.

What they missed was three incredible escapes as Cardiff launched desperate last gasp attacks trying to win the game. The first as Koumas and co forced their way through inside the area, a ball knocked to the far post saw Ricketts' header headed off the line and somehow run along it before going behind. From the corner, Alan Lee got up brilliantly and seemed destined to score but put it narrowly behind and then Howard Webb did us yet again. One last Jason Koumas corner, the ball ballooned into the air, Carlo Nash came but missed his punch and Alan Lee's back-header squeezed into the net. City went mental in celebration then ref blew for an infringement on the keeper which nobody saw and City went mental in rage instead.

As the kick was taken, Webb blew his last whistle and ran to the middle of the pitch with his linesmen waiting to be escorted off. City players all ran to him to complain and you could empathise with them, every major decision went against us. However back in the dressing room, I'm sure they realised a point was all they deserved.

It was a depressing end but the night saw City rise another place to 8th. Had we held on for the win, we would have been 5th. Had they not lost 6 points in the 90th minute this season, they would be 4th with a game in hand. All things considered, it's just amazing we can say this about City this season. Crewe this Saturday has to be a better performance for the home fans and a must win. Do that and we may well be celebrating a play-off position this weekend. Wouldn't that be fantastic - onwards an upwards - C'Mon City!

Tho Cost of Being A City fan:
Ticket: £20
Prog: £ 3
Food/drink £ 3
Petrol: £ 3
Total £29

Total for season to date: £1,031

CARDIFF CITY (1) 2 Ledley 29, Koumas 83
PRESTON NORTH END (0) 2 Mears 62, Sedgwick 90

Championship @ Ninian Park

Attendance: 6,485
PNE support: Less than 100, probably nearer 75
Weather: Wet'n'Wild
Atmosphere: Great backing by those present

On a bittersweet night, Cardiff City, for the third time this season, conceded a 90th minute equaliser to lose two points in a 2-2 draw with Preston North End and a wet and windy Ninian Park.

The sweet moments were City's goals both from outstanding Jason Koumas free-kicks, the first hitting the bar but turned home on the rebound by Joe Ledley, the second with 7 minutes remaining could not be bettered by Zidane, Beckham and co. The bitter moments, allowing Preston to fightback twice - largely because City had a poor second half defending deep being overrun and with a midfield that went AWOL - controversial refereeing where some very big decisions all went against City.

However, despite the topsy turvy nature of the game and the agony of more points dropped late on, I doubt any City fan could say Preston didn't deserve a point, it was the manner of how it was achieved that sticks in the throat.

For City, the task this week was simple ... on paper. They have a great opportunity to build on their excellent 9th spot this home game followed by another (Crewe on Saturday) and they would have been keen to show that two excellent away showings (producing wins at Stoke and Brighton) could be replicated at Ninian Park.

There are no surprises in team news these days. Dave Jones picking the same starting eleven of Alexander, Weston-Purse-Loovens-Barker, Cooper-Ledley-Whitley-Koumas, Ricketts-Jerome for the 7th time in 8 games.

The only time DJ wasn't able to pick this side - Luton at home last game due to Jeff Whitley's suspension - is the only time City have lost in their last 11 matches. With some supporters secretly or openly wondering about a determined play-off challenge, they should be mindful of this. Injuries and suspensions have to come sometime,. the squad is threadbare, it will be hard to maintain. But that's not for now.

As for Preston, they stormed into the Championship play-off final last season, losing out to West Ham at Millennium Stadium and haven't so far managed to reproduce that form this term. A couple of other 'stars' were lost over the summer to Leeds United - Eddie Lewis and Richard Cresswell - and start of term injuries have not helped.

Their biggest problem though has been home form. They have yet to win at Deepdale in 7 Championship attempts, 5 games being draws. On the road, they are a different animal with 3 away wins at Watford, Millwall and Ipswich. It leaves them currently 8 places behind City but only 3 points away emphasising the tightness of the Championship this term where anyone can beat anyone - except Sheffield United it would appear.

The buzz caused by City's excellent weekend win didn't convert into the sort of crowd everyone had hope for. Just 9,574 populated Ninian Park, fewer than 100 making the journey from Lancashire. It was not a good night for watching, swirling winds and continual rain affected the game as well as those who made the effort to see it.

This is when I would normally tell you about the first half and how it was but there's a small problem, I wasn't there to see it. As the game started, I was at an early evening business lunch sitting with, of all people, ex-council leader and now Cardiff Chamber of Commerce Head Russell Goodway and ex-Wales rugby coach Alan Davies. It was more enjoyable than I thought and lasted longer than it should have so instead of missing just the first 20 minutes, I got to Ninian Park just as the half-time whistle blew.

Getting in was fun. With all gates and doors locked, I had to bang on them to get attention from inside. They looked puzzled, they're used only to letting City fans out by half-time, not letting them in. (Thanks Matt for that gag).

Those who were there say it was a bit of a 'nothing' half. Preston never got at City, we were better but not overly so. Alexander had nothing to do, Carlo Nash forced into saves from Jerome and Cooper but City led at the interval with an excellent goal from Joe Ledley.

It came on 29 minutes as Davis went though Jerome 30 yards out. Koumas hit a fierce effort that deflected en route and smacked off the bar, the rebound returned with interest by LEDLEY and that flew in partly assisted by another deflection. Fans say if Koumas' shot hadn't deflected, the quality and pace of it was such that it would have flown in.

Half-time and can I come in now please? CITY 1 PNE 0

The half-time entertainment proved only how difficult conditions were as none of the City fans were able to welly the ball at goal on the slippery turf, keeping control and balance was difficult. That was a taster of what was to come.

The second half saw Preston take the game to City and, boy, did we struggle. It's a familiar story to those watching City at home this season. With a lead in their pockets, City's mind set seems to change. They lose their fluency, they lose their shape and they start to defend deep - sometimes too deep and often with everyone back. The other turning point was City were being exposed as midfield has gone missing.

Everytime Preston advanced, it seemed to be straight through the middle of the park. It was also very noticeable that they were committed to attack and seemed to have extra men every time they hit us. That should have set City up for sweeping counter-attacks but they never managed it making it tense and grim watching.

Balls were hit forward making City's defenders and midfielders turn, the conditions meant they occasionally looked like Bambi on ice trying to retrieve the ball, turn and get moves going upfield, they looked so uncertain at times. One player who didn't was Glenn Loovens who brought a calmness and control to proceedings but it was a sign of things to come when ref Howard Webb (our lucky talisman when we won the play-offs) booked him for a tackle as he won the ball. Then proceeded to penalise City a few times winning the ball in tackles and apparently making no allowance for the conditions.

Cardiff weren't helped by a few too many players having an off night but, in some instances, it was the usual suspects. Kevin Cooper, who played well last weekend, cut an anonymous figure unable to get into the game and either wasting or losing the ball when he had it. Ahead of him, Michael Ricketts has currently lost his early form and promise over the past couple of games. To spectators, he looked a little half-hearted, even lazy, in his work-rate. One such occasion made the whole ground moan when Koumas worked hard to get the ball to him but he made no attempt to challenge for it and lost out on an attacking pass 80/20 in his favour.

In central midfield, Joe Ledley went missing. It has to be remembered that he is still a boy and, in many ways, doing a man's job also in a role not natural to him but the second half seemed to pass him by. At the back, Rhys and Barks were finding it difficult. Sometimes finding themselves exposed with 2 players coming onto them due to Preston's advances, not wanting to commit to tackles in the awkward conditions, players were getting into the area a little too often and a little too easily.

Alan Lee came on just before the hour, everyone assumed to replace Ricketts but it was Cameron Jerome who perhaps was injured from a heavy knock a couple of minutes earlier which may have produced a penalty with some referees.

Preston were now getting shots off, many going high or wide but Neil Alexander also made a couple of excellent stops, the ball sticking to his hands as it skimmed on the turf like a stone on the sea. On 62 minutes, they were level, it was no surprise and it was a goal which summed up City's shortcomings.

Cardiff had the ball but lost out in central midfield. As they did, it left Preston with 5 players breaking onto 3. City weren't pushing men forward but always seemed to be outnumbered when Preston attacked. Nowland carried the ball, City's defenders having to mark space rather than men and when he slipped it wide of Barker, MEARS low drilled right footed effort from 10 yards flew in, Alexander got down and got a hand to the effort but couldn't stop it.

Within 3 minutes, Paul Parry replaced Kevin Cooper and City got a little more balance to their game but it was chiefly hit and hope football going forward. However one such move sent Michael Ricketts clear, the player skidded over trying to adjust himself to shoot, not a good night for him.

Controversy came with 20 minutes to go as Jason Koumas dropped his shoulder, glided past three men but was cynically tugged back as he past Claud Davis. A yellow card without any question, Webb the ref ran up with all intent of doing exactly that until he realised Davis had already been booked. There's no other phrase for it, he bottled it. The crowd let him know it too as chants went up of "cheat, cheat, cheat" and various comments about Webb's parentage and preferred sex style ... self-practise according to the song.

City were hanging on but a dramatic finish was in store. 7 minutes remained when Jason Koumas went on another mazy run and, again, was brought down. This time 25 yards out and at a wide angle - a similar position to where Kav scored his famous goal against Leeds. Preston were worried, building a wall bigger than the China one and purposely standing 5 yards away, the ref eventually pushing them back but still no more than 8 yards away.

KOUMAS' execution was astonishing. He opted for power and precision, driving the ball with venom over the wall, you could almost see the vapour trail behind it as it went like a rocket into the far top corner, Nash's despairing dive nowhere near it, no keeper would have saved that one. It was brilliance, genius and an epic moment.

It should have won the game but it meant City now had to hold onto the lead again. Preston reacted by bringing on two subs, one of them Dave Nugent a goalscoring hero of theirs coming back from injury. They pushed, we fell back.

They won a corner, we had all 11 men deep inside our own area. When we got it out, it was always coming straight back, we were inviting trouble. Fortunately, a stray header put it behind for a goal kick, much cheers and relief.

A minute later, with 90 minutes up, Preston got another corner. Yet again, everyone back, yet again, we got it out and yet again, nobody came out despite the whole ground screaming at City to do so. The ball was knocked back in, a PNE arm brought the ball down and in a mad 6 yards scramble, CHRIS SEDGWICK, one of the subs squirted it past Alexander sitting on the floor.

Darren Purse ran to Webb screaming about the handball. Adding insult to injury, he got booked for it. As Preston players dived on each other, about a third of City's fans walked out in angst.

What they missed was three incredible escapes as Cardiff launched desperate last gasp attacks trying to win the game. The first as Koumas and co forced their way through inside the area, a ball knocked to the far post saw Ricketts' header headed off the line and somehow run along it before going behind. From the corner, Alan Lee got up brilliantly and seemed destined to score but put it narrowly behind and then Howard Webb did us yet again. One last Jason Koumas corner, the ball ballooned into the air, Carlo Nash came but missed his punch and Alan Lee's back-header squeezed into the net. City went mental in celebration then ref blew for an infringement on the keeper which nobody saw and City went mental in rage instead.

As the kick was taken, Webb blew his last whistle and ran to the middle of the pitch with his linesmen waiting to be escorted off. City players all ran to him to complain and you could empathise with them, every major decision went against us. However back in the dressing room, I'm sure they realised a point was all they deserved.

It was a depressing end but the night saw City rise another place to 8th. Had we held on for the win, we would have been 5th. Had they not lost 6 points in the 90th minute this season, they would be 4th with a game in hand. All things considered, it's just amazing we can say this about City this season. Crewe this Saturday has to be a better performance for the home fans and a must win. Do that and we may well be celebrating a play-off position this weekend. Wouldn't that be fantastic - onwards an upwards - C'Mon City!

Tho Cost of Being A City fan:
Ticket: £20
Prog: £ 3
Food/drink £ 3
Petrol: £ 3
Total £29

Total for season to date: £1,031

NO LONGER 5 & 9 BUT ALL'S FINE

ON THE BRIGHTON LINE

Championship at The Nou Camp Withdean Stadium

BRIGHTON (1) 1 McShane 61
CARDIFF CITY (1) 2 Koumas 12, Lee 74

Attendance: 6,485
City support: 700
Weather: Dry and calm, sunny after lunchtime and day before heavy rain
Atmosphere: Fun in the sun and a seaside party

The Bluebirds keep on flying, the Seagulls lie low. Cardiff City showed their battling qualities under Dave Jones by bouncing back in fine style from losing for the first time in 9 games and an enforced fortnight's domestic break with an accomplished and thoroughly convincing 2-1 victory at sun-kissed Brighton, a result that rocketed the club into the Championship's Top 10.

The only question just how did they manage to make hard work out of something they should have won with considerable ease?

City should have been three ahead by half-time but only had Jason Koumas' splendid 12th minute opener to show for a totally one-sided half. Second half, they got lazy and sloppy but missed more chances before allowing Brighton to equalise with their only meaningful goal effort of the day. Thankfully, City responded well to that wake up call but it needed an unlikely hero to bring home the points. Supersub Alan Lee Lee Lee finally scored a goal for me! The £850,000 striker netted his first league goal in almost a year and 33 appearences just 45 seconds after getting on the pitch.

A day trip to the seaside is usually miserable with City. The myth is, and it's not quite true, that whenever we go to Withdean, you can almost guarantee it will pee down soaking us rotten in the open end and City will lose. Twelve of us from The Lansdowne decided to have a change of scenery and take to the trains instead of a coach. As something different, I have to say it was thoroughly enjoyable.

There were subtle differences between train and coach. Price was the biggest downside, the train cost £38, a RAMS awayday is top value at £15. We had no dvd or video but, there again, I can't remember the last time we had a coach with one that worked! No Smoking made a hell of a change to the array of smells we get on the battlebus. Nobody organised a scratchcard or collected tips for the driver. Huge novelty, train toilets actually work and flush and the lights work inside them. If you've been by bus, you'll know the difference with that.

The trip was good too. 7:25am out of Cardiff to Paddington by brekky time, met a couple more City fans, a tube to Victoria and a train that got us into Brighton at 10:58am. Yates doors opened followed by us falling inside. The weather was gorgeous, the ales flowed, I remain unbeaten at pool. A few more hostelries were visited, the beach was packed, the chippies were tested and it was back to another hostelry.

We almost forget why we were there but then headed to watch City. Withdean is a couple of miles from the centre but Brighton's match tickets include free train or bus rides from the centre, an excellent idea. We had some good banter with Brighton fans who were all very welcoming and got to the less than impressive Withdean with temperatures just over 70 degrees in mid-October, incredible.

Brighton have a landmark announcement due before month end on whether they have got their stadium, something the club and fans have fought tremendously hard for over 6 years. They deserve a break and I hope they're successful, good luck to them. Until then, Withdean it is. It's not their fault but it is embarrassing for this level of football. It's a provincial athletics stadium with only one small shallow permanent stand, only those fans are undercover.

Behind one goal is open land, the bulk of Brighton's fans are along one side in a not-so-temporary scaffolding stand and Cardiff are the same, the away erection being behind the steeplechase water jump. Next to us is a players tunnel ... or a pointless canopy which leads to a set of steps that the players and officials have to use. At the top of that, they appear to be mingling with home fans in the permanent stand before reaching the changing rooms ... or portakabin ... or whatever they use there. It's strangely satisfying to jump up and down in unison and feel the ground move underneath you, it probably does too! All in all, it means when the further goal is being attacked, it's hard to work out what's going on or who is involved since it's 150 yards or more away from us.

As Withdean can hold little more than 6,000 fans, it is severely holding back the club. They did very well to survive at the last minute last term, they seemed to have an uncanny knack to grind out wins, much as City have been doing this term. However, they are currently struggling to do that and went into the game with just 1 win all season, that was against Plymouth 6 weeks ago.

The Seagulls had taken just 5 points from 6 previous home games, their last game against Norwich a fortnight earlier saw them crash 3-1 with some saying it could have been double-figures against them and some players getting booed, most notably their captain and ex-City player Charlie Oatway. The jailbird was dropped to the bench time, replaced by another fondly remembered ex-City midfielder, Richard 'Chippy' Carpenter.

Mark McGhee's blue and white striped side (a much lighter blue stripe these days) were Henderson, Hart-McShane-Butters-Reid, Carole-Carpenter-Hammond-Jarrett, Robinson-Knight. Nobody of any particular note or pedigree. Pint-sized striker Leon Knight is perhaps best known who has struggled for goals at Championship level after being free-scoring in the lower divisions but has scored three this term. The rest are either home-grown, a keeper on loan from Aston Villa, a couple of foreign imports and a couple of football jouneymen.

Although City fans who don't get too excited at watching Wales hated the fortnight's break, Dave Jones was glad of it as a few players carrying knocks had time to be treated and recover. He was therefore able to name the same starting eleven for the 6th time in 7 Championship games, the only break being Jeff Whitley's one match suspension last game. It was therefore Alexander, Weston-Purse-Loovens-Barker, Cooper-Ledley-Whitley-Koumas, Ricketts-Jerome. The bench were Margetson-Ardley-Cox-Lee-Parry. A few players were away on international duty but aside from Cameron Jerome getting 5 minutes for England U-21's, nobody had any game time so City were fresh.

With the sun beating down, some of the terrace boys went topless with their non-stop standing and singing. It wasn't pretty. However, on the pitch, it was beautiful. After Brighton had an early flurry, a shot wide and a corner in the opening minute, but that was all they mustered for the entire half as City took complete control of proceedings. It was a one-way stream of attacks towards the goal in front of us ... but about 40 yards away!

The opener was excellent work by the game's two most impressive players by a country mile. Cameron Jerome's hard running and strength was more than Brighton's rearguard could handle. He showed great intelligence to drift wide and needed no invite to chase a Jason Koumas ball. Taking control, he got into the area and rolled the ball away from defenders and Ricketts near post to return the favour to KOUMAS whose finishing was quality, placing the ball high into the net, the keeper's touch having no chance of stopping it.

It was a late summer party in the City end. I can't work out how we only celebrated the one goal in the first 45.

Koumas, within a couple of minutes of scoring, took on and beat the entire Brighton defence who stood off him, their fear evident, his effort was a fraction wide. Jerome got behind them with brilliant skill but having done the hardest bit, his shot across the keeper rolled inches wide. Ledley made Henderson save. Kevin Cooper who came in central to help attacks was another to waltz unchecked through the Brighton defence, his shot was touched wide as was a later attempt. Jerome was close with a muted penalty shout, Ricketts was quiet but headed over.

City had few problems taking charge of midfield and Brighton's forwards were clueless of how to get past or through City's back line. Purse and Loovens had to adapt their normal games with deal with the pacy and midget like threat of Brighton's twin forwards who were each about 5'6" but did it with ease and style. Brighton won a couple of corners, Knight took them all, City won them all. It was all good, Brighton were very poor but give credit to City for that too. It was admirable how they went about their work.

All the players had to pass us through the 'what's the point of it?' player's tunnel and up the park stairs, City's and DJ warmly applauded, Brighton's jeered and we could reflect on a job very well done as we made our way to the away end chip van. The only complaint was that it was only 1-0 rather than two or three with the game already won.

H/T: BRIGHTON 0 CITY 1

Brighton were always likely to have a fightback at some stage as they signalled some intent immediately after the restart. Knight played in Robinson behind City's defence with a clever flick, only Alexander's alertness which saw him race out and smother the ball before Robinson fired his shot saved the day. A minute after that, Robinson fired well wide. It got the afternoon's first cheers from the home fans suddenly waking up, ironic cheers from City after hearing them for the first time.

Back came City, a couple of corners scrambled away, a Ricketts piledriver went straight at keeper Henderson, either side and it would have flown in. The game really should have been put beyond any doubt just before the hour as Jerome again slaughtered Brighton's defence by drifting wide and powering past them. He looked set to score for himself but laid the ball back to Ledley looking odds on to convert but he was somehow closed down.

Just after that came the game's first yellow card, a harsh free kick against Barker, the decision to card him even harsher but from it came Brighton's equaliser. The free kick was sent away by Darren Purse but held by Brighton's midfield who knocked the ball over our defence, Robinson pounced but completely mishit his shot but that was enough to 'trick' Alexander and as the ball rolled past him, McSHANE turned it in from 2 yards, just evading Barker's challenge. 1-1, a ridiculous scoreline given the balance of play.

It restarted City who got back into the gear that had slipped out of. Whitley was block, Henderson made a good stop from a Koumas free-kick, Cooper fired over and there was a flashpoint as Ricketts and a Brighton player became tangled as far away from us as possible so don't ask me what went on as the home fans chanted 'off,off,off" Mind you, even yards away, they weren't sure what went on. On the train back into town, one said Ricketts kicked their man, another that he punched their player in the stomach and the third that Ricketts used his head on their man. Both players got yellow carded for whatever it was.

Shortly after that, Ricketts came off for Alan Lee and talk about magic decisions, within a minute Lee and his girly hairband had restrored City's lead with a fine goal, I really don't think it has been praised enough.

Starting in City's own half, City put together five touch passes, Purse to Whitley, who pushed it ahead to Jerome, he touched it back to Koumas who pushed it out to Ledley and it was his though pass which dissected Brighton's hesitant central defenders, LEE and Cooper nipped between them but ti was Lee who got there first and joyfully fired home as Henderson charged out, A fantastic well worked goal, it went suitably mental in our end.

The was Lee's 50th league goal, the wait for it almost longer than the wait for England to win the Ashes, his 49th came in the glorious 4-1 pasting of West Ham on November 2, 2004. It's not gone well for Lee but he has gone himself fitter this term and is trying hard, he deserves the plaudits and the goal for that effort.

After that, City held on with great comfort, they weren't going to throw it away a second time. Knight had one half chance but blazed over, Cooper and Koumas did likewise for City who kept possession and territory well, Neil Alexander having very little to do.

Final whistle brought out a rousing celebration, Darren Purse so pleased and happy that he ran to the City fans to celebrate with us. Every player got a deserved ovation, every Brighton player was playfully mocked.

This time last season, Lennie Lawrence could be judged after 12 games, something he asked us to do. We were dire, the signs all too obvious we were in for an all season long relegation battle even though he had resources like McAnuff, Kav, Gabbs and Ginge amongst others. Only those who wanted to remind us that he brought us up hankered for him to stay on.

Twelve months later, I wonder if those people can see the difference? Dave Jones, with lesser resources and without the depth of quality, has guided City to 9th spot. Incredibly, we're only one point from the play-offs and with a game in hand too. We're 7 points ahead of the relegation zone.

City have the opportunity to stabilise that position or go even higher with winnable home games against Preston (Tuesday) and Crewe (Saturday). If we do that, could the away visit to Sheffield United in a fortnight be a Championship decider??? OK, maybe not but let's enjoy this as, seriously, nobody really expected us to be doing this well in August. Dave Jones and his team deserve all recognition for a great start to the campaign after the year City have had.

The journey home was joyful. We were so happy with life that we stayed a couple of hours in Brighton, it was still so warm that we were sat outside a bar on tables much to the amusement/annoyance of local yokels. The train journey home was a little quieter, Tim the Yeovil fan from Port Talbot, was good entertainment though. We even lost half our number as they decided to party on in London and get the latest train home. These are good times indeed.


The Cost of Being A City Fan:
Bad one today as I took the other'arf

Train Tickets x 2 : £76
Match Tickets x 2: £45
Programme: £ 2.50 which I lost before reading any of it
Food/drink etc: £60
Taxi Home on return: £ 5
Total Cost: £188.50

Cost for season to date: £1,002

MY CARDIFF CITY DEBUT ... AND GOAL!

A star is born!!!

Click the link below, select viewing option and enjoy the best goal and celebration seen at Parc Nin fro many a year.

http://www.valleyrams.ca/halftime011005.htm