Saturday, October 31, 2009
Where did those 31 years go???
On this day in 1978, DEVO performed coast to coast in the US for the first time on cult programme Saturday Night Live.
In 3 days time, the Spuds begin a coast to coast tour across the US.
Here is that first performance
In 3 days time, the Spuds begin a coast to coast tour across the US.
Here is that first performance
Link:
Friday, October 30, 2009
Magennis Mariners loan cut short
Cardiff City young striker Josh Magennis has had his loan spell at Grimsby ended prematurely.
He has promise but rawness. Performing very well for Northern Irleand youngsters but in njeed of regular football and with most players fit and well with the Bluebirds, he's unlikely to feature in any matchday squad.
The move to League Two strugglers Grimsby seemed a good opportunity but The Mariners lost their first game with Magennis a fortnight ago, 0-2 vs Rochdale, and boss Mike Newell, who brought him to the club, was promptly dismissed. Last week, Magennis got 15 minutes only off the bench as Grimsby lost at leaders Bournemouth and he has now been told he's unlikely to feature in their matchday 18 this week so the deal has been cut short.
He has promise but rawness. Performing very well for Northern Irleand youngsters but in njeed of regular football and with most players fit and well with the Bluebirds, he's unlikely to feature in any matchday squad.
The move to League Two strugglers Grimsby seemed a good opportunity but The Mariners lost their first game with Magennis a fortnight ago, 0-2 vs Rochdale, and boss Mike Newell, who brought him to the club, was promptly dismissed. Last week, Magennis got 15 minutes only off the bench as Grimsby lost at leaders Bournemouth and he has now been told he's unlikely to feature in their matchday 18 this week so the deal has been cut short.
Cardiff City announce 5 year season ticket freeze ... but is it a good thing???
The Future
is PLATINUM
is PLATINUM
The local press are spinning it, the official website are trailblazing it but the messageboards are lukewarm and even a bit dubious and sceptical as Cardiff City yesterday announced season ticket prizes will be frozen for the next 5 years to the first 10,000 supporters to renews their season tickets for 2010/11 by December 31st creating a new category of supporter - Paltinum Ambassadors!
On the face of it, the deal isn't bad - nobody is committed to 5 years season ticket buying, it's just an option to make sure we gets ours at the same price. You only need to pay for next season now and the season after in a year's time etc. On a personal level, I've been putting aside money monthly so will have the funds to buy mine.
However there are percieved catches and worries,
- The club are expecting fans to buy their season tickets earlier and earlier every year
- It may be a good bargain if City are in the Premier League but will it be if we are not?
- Is it a sign of desparation by the club to get money fast?
- Is it money required to pay off Sam Hammam in which case, it means no money for the club?
- In a deep recession with years of hardship to follow, would prices necessarily increase anyway?
- Ambassadors are already promised frozen prices for next season so why commit now?
- Most fans don't have the money to buy pre-Xmas so may look to use finance - City's 10 month scheme at 19.9% APR would cost upto £30 more when it was 4 months interest free for this season.
- If City get new owners, are they going to honour or scrap this deal?
- PMG and the current regime are set to exit the club if a takeover goes through, is this a way to get them a haul of cash now?
However, cynicism and concerns aside, it does respresent a good deal for supporters who saw prizes frozen this season for the new stadium and can now guarantee those same prices through to 2016.
I will be renewing and go Platinum but only as I was wise enough to save in advance so will have the funds. Will 10,000 others do the same? It remains to be seen.
However, in the interests of blance, here is the club's statement on the matter:
Cardiff City fans are being offered the chance to freeze their season ticket prices for an incredible FIVE YEARS.
Chairman Peter Ridsdale announced the inflation-busting scheme on Thursday, adding that prices will stay frozen even if the Bluebirds soar into the Premier League.
The first 10,000 supporters to buy a 2010-11 Ambassador season ticket before December 31, 2009 will have their prices guaranteed for five years until the end of the 2014-2015 season.
Peter said: "Our fans have got behind us again and again. Now it's time to give them something back with a ground-breaking offer. You'd have to go a very long way to find a similar offer at another club.
"They'll save straight away because a VAT increase is due to come into force on January 1 next year. There'll be no need to worry about inflation, and if we get into the Premier League, there will be no increase."
The tickets will be available from Friday, October 30, and this is how the scheme will work:
*The first 10,000 fans who buy a 2010-11 season ticket before December 31, 2009 will become Platinum Ambassadors and will be guaranteed no price increases for five years.
*Prices start from as little as £14 per game for an adult and just over £2 per game for under 16s. Yes! £2 a game.
*We will still be offering our highly successful under-9s go free policy in the Braces Bread Family Stand.
*The offer is open to the first 10,000 fans buying their season tickets, or up until December 31, 2009, whichever is the earlier.
*Juniors who reach adult status during the five-year term will become liable for the full adult price in the season AFTER they reach the age of 16. Adults who reach the age of 60 during the five-year term will pay the concession price for the season AFTER their 60th birthday.
HOW TO BUY
Here's how to buy your Platinum Ambassador season ticket:
Phone 0845 345 1400
Online at www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk
Or in person at Cardiff City Stadium ticket office.
FINANCE OPTION
For fans who prefer an instalment option, we have teamed up with Zebra Finance to offer a 10-month equal instalment plan (APR 19.9% - terms and conditions available on request)
APR 19.9% TYPICAL EXAMPLE: If a season ticket purchased at £399.00 were repaid in 10 monthly equal instalments of £43.32 and paid in full 10 months after the advance was debited to the account, the interest payable would be £34.20, with a total repayable amount of £433.20 (19.9% variable).Thursday, October 29, 2009
Video of the Week - Five Years by David Bowie
In tribute to Cardiff City's new five year season ticket deal, here's the maestro David Bowie and his opus Five Years.
How scary to realise 5 years was 37 years ago!
How scary to realise 5 years was 37 years ago!
The Cardiff City Phone-In with Dave Jones
Lats night's phone-in featured an altogether rare session with The Gaffer, Dave Jones.
You can listen, or download, via this link. It's worth it.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Will the last person to leave Ninian Park put the lights out?
The demolition of Ninian Park continues unabated and produced more pain for Cardiff City fans as the landmark floodlights were brought down yesterday ... we'll never see their like again.
Here's a WalesOnline video of the Grange End/Grandstand pylon being brought down.
Here's a WalesOnline video of the Grange End/Grandstand pylon being brought down.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Goal of the Week
Barnsley lost 2-0 against Manchester United in the Carling Cup last night ... shame this goal was disallowed, it looks fine to me. :>)
Jackland 1 Day Sell Out
The game may be live on Sky, Swansea City may have "Jacked" up their prices forcing Bluebird followers to fork out £42 for their match ticket and "bubble" coach travel but Cardiff City sold out all 1,800 allocated tickets for next week's visit to Liberty Stadium in a couple of hours.
Cardiff have denied extra tickets will become available although it would seem Swansea City are not expecting a home sell out.
The match takes places Saturday November 9th with a lunchtime kick-off. I missed my ticket so will happilly be singing and supporting them in the pub.
Classic English from Around the World
In a Bangkok temple:
IT IS FORBIDDEN TO ENTER A WOMAN, EVEN A FOREIGNER, IF DRESSED AS A MAN.
Cocktail lounge , Norway :
LADIES ARE REQUESTED NOT TO HAVE CHILDREN IN THE BAR.
Doctors office, Rome :
SPECIALIST IN WOMEN AND OTHER DISEASES.
Dry cleaners, Bangkok :
DROP YOUR TROUSERS HERE FOR THE BEST RESULTS.
In a Nairobi restaurant:
CUSTOMERS WHO FIND OUR WAITRESSES RUDE OUGHT TO SEE THE MANAGER.
On the main road to Mombassa, leaving Nairobi :
TAKE NOTICE: WHEN THIS SIGN IS UNDER WATER, THIS ROAD IS IMPASSABLE..
On a poster at Kencom:
ARE YOU AN ADULT THAT CANNOT READ? IF SO WE CAN HELP.
In a City restaurant:
OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK AND WEEKENDS.
In a cemetery:
PERSONS ARE PROHIBITED FROM PICKING FLOWERS FROM ANY BUT THEIR OWN GRAVES .
Tokyo hotel's rules and regulations:
GUESTS ARE REQUESTED NOT TO SMOKE OR DO OTHER DISGUSTING BEHAVIOURS IN BED.
On the menu of a Swiss restaurant:
OUR WINES LEAVE YOU NOTHING TO HOPE FOR.
In a Tokyo bar:
SPECIAL COCKTAILS FOR THE LADIES WITH NUTS.
Hotel , Yugoslavia :
THE FLATTENING OF UNDERWEAR WITH PLEASURE IS THE JOB OF THE CHAMBERMAID.
Hotel , Japan :
YOU ARE INVITED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE CHAMBERMAID.
In the lobby of a Moscow hotel across from a Russian Orthodox monastery:
YOU ARE WELCOME TO VISIT THE CEMETERY WHERE FAMOUS RUSSIAN AND SOVIET COMPOSERS, ARTISTS AND WRITERS ARE BURIED DAILY EXCEPT THURSDAY.
A sign posted in Germany 's Black Forest :
IT IS STRICTLY FORBIDDEN ON OUR BLACK FOREST CAMPING SITE THAT PEOPLE OF DIFFERENT SEX, FOR INSTANCE, MEN AND WOMEN, LIVE TOGETHER IN ONE TENT UNLESS THEY ARE MARRIED WITH EACH OTHER FOR THIS PURPOSE.
Hotel, Zurich :
BECAUSE OF THE IMPROPRIETY OF ENTERTAINING GUESTS OF THE OPPOSITE SEX IN THE BEDROOM, IT IS SUGGESTED THAT THE LOBBY BE USED FOR THIS PURPOSE.
Advertisement for donkey rides, Thailand :
WOULD YOU LIKE TO RIDE ON YOUR OWN ASS?
Airline ticket office, Copenhagen :
WE TAKE YOUR BAGS AND SEND THEM IN ALL DIRECTIONS.
A laundry in Rome :
LADIES, LEAVE YOUR CLOTHES HERE AND SPEND THE AFTERNOON HAVING A GOOD TIME.
IT IS FORBIDDEN TO ENTER A WOMAN, EVEN A FOREIGNER, IF DRESSED AS A MAN.
Cocktail lounge , Norway :
LADIES ARE REQUESTED NOT TO HAVE CHILDREN IN THE BAR.
Doctors office, Rome :
SPECIALIST IN WOMEN AND OTHER DISEASES.
Dry cleaners, Bangkok :
DROP YOUR TROUSERS HERE FOR THE BEST RESULTS.
In a Nairobi restaurant:
CUSTOMERS WHO FIND OUR WAITRESSES RUDE OUGHT TO SEE THE MANAGER.
On the main road to Mombassa, leaving Nairobi :
TAKE NOTICE: WHEN THIS SIGN IS UNDER WATER, THIS ROAD IS IMPASSABLE..
On a poster at Kencom:
ARE YOU AN ADULT THAT CANNOT READ? IF SO WE CAN HELP.
In a City restaurant:
OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK AND WEEKENDS.
In a cemetery:
PERSONS ARE PROHIBITED FROM PICKING FLOWERS FROM ANY BUT THEIR OWN GRAVES .
Tokyo hotel's rules and regulations:
GUESTS ARE REQUESTED NOT TO SMOKE OR DO OTHER DISGUSTING BEHAVIOURS IN BED.
On the menu of a Swiss restaurant:
OUR WINES LEAVE YOU NOTHING TO HOPE FOR.
In a Tokyo bar:
SPECIAL COCKTAILS FOR THE LADIES WITH NUTS.
Hotel , Yugoslavia :
THE FLATTENING OF UNDERWEAR WITH PLEASURE IS THE JOB OF THE CHAMBERMAID.
Hotel , Japan :
YOU ARE INVITED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE CHAMBERMAID.
In the lobby of a Moscow hotel across from a Russian Orthodox monastery:
YOU ARE WELCOME TO VISIT THE CEMETERY WHERE FAMOUS RUSSIAN AND SOVIET COMPOSERS, ARTISTS AND WRITERS ARE BURIED DAILY EXCEPT THURSDAY.
A sign posted in Germany 's Black Forest :
IT IS STRICTLY FORBIDDEN ON OUR BLACK FOREST CAMPING SITE THAT PEOPLE OF DIFFERENT SEX, FOR INSTANCE, MEN AND WOMEN, LIVE TOGETHER IN ONE TENT UNLESS THEY ARE MARRIED WITH EACH OTHER FOR THIS PURPOSE.
Hotel, Zurich :
BECAUSE OF THE IMPROPRIETY OF ENTERTAINING GUESTS OF THE OPPOSITE SEX IN THE BEDROOM, IT IS SUGGESTED THAT THE LOBBY BE USED FOR THIS PURPOSE.
Advertisement for donkey rides, Thailand :
WOULD YOU LIKE TO RIDE ON YOUR OWN ASS?
Airline ticket office, Copenhagen :
WE TAKE YOUR BAGS AND SEND THEM IN ALL DIRECTIONS.
A laundry in Rome :
LADIES, LEAVE YOUR CLOTHES HERE AND SPEND THE AFTERNOON HAVING A GOOD TIME.
Cardiff On The Ball???
Manchester City's number 53 David Ball is a 19 year old 6 foot striker who has yet to make an appearence for the mega-rich club and with their current resources and strikers, it's hard to imagine that he will any time soon either. However MCFC boss Mark Hughes is believed not to want him to leave the club but, hotly tipped as a star in the making, he would be happy to see him loaned out for experience.
However he has impressed in reserve games and has apparently caught the eye of both Cardiff City and Sheffield United who have both been linked with a loan move for the player. Sheffield United have current injury problems while Cardiff need an extra tall striker. City already have one Man City striker, Kelvin Etuhu, on loan for the season and he is returing to South Wales very soon after recovering from injury.
Eddie Johnson scores twice ... against Cardiff City!
He scored some ... but against us!Hapless American striker Eddie Johnson who was a figure of fun at Cardiff City before earning some respect scored tiwce against The Bluebirds today as Fulham beat City 3-0 in a friendly in London.
Johnson joined Fulham in January'08 for £3M but struggled so spent last season on loan at Cardiff ... where he also struggled. However he did improve and work hard at his game - and scored two goals (and an own goal) in 7 starts and 26 sub outings for The Bluebirds which cost City heavily in wages.
Cardiff sent a mixed side to Fulham but it included the likes of Enckelman, Rae, Scimeca and Ross McCormack and Paul Quinn along with youth players but Fulham had experience on the field too.
The Cottagers took an early lead and then Eddie entered the scene scoring weither side of half-time, grazing the bar and forcing Peter Enckleman into a good stop to prevent his hat-trick.
Afterwards the likeable American told the official City website, www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk;
"I'm sure sorry about scoring those goals - Cardiff City is like family for me. That's where I learned how to play in Europe after coming over from America. The staff there, Dave Jones, Terry Burton, and Paul Wilkinson, taught me so much and got me used to the different training methods. I came back to Fulham a better player." before adding how he hopes City continue to fire this season and how he aims to pay a visit soon.
Rumours were doing the rounds on Sunday but today came confirmation that CARDIFF CITY striker Ross McCormack was arrested and subsequently charged with drink-driving and will appear in Cardiff Magistrates Court on November 9 charged with driving under the influence of alcohol.
This followed an accident in which, thankfully, nobody else was involved at almost 4am last Sunday. Ross is believed to have crased into roadside fencing outside the Cardiff Bay Harvester restaurant whilst heading home, he is understood to live near-by. There are rumours that his distinctive top of the range Range Rover with personalised plates was also written off in the collision.
The incident came hours after McCormack, as a late sub, started the move for Cardiff's stunning and decisive goal in the 4-3 win at Sheffield. He returned to South Wales with the squad after that match but went his own way.
Cardiff City wished to distance themselves at present, especially as a court case is yet to be heard, saying that they were aware of the incident but would not be commenting because it was a personal matter.
McCormack has had an unhappy start to the season after publicly courting a transfer to "Premiership" Hull City, injuring himself at Blackpool in August missing City and Scotland World Cup games over the past 2 months and finding his return to the side blocked by the current outstanding form and results of the side. I will await outcome of the trial before making any judgement.
This followed an accident in which, thankfully, nobody else was involved at almost 4am last Sunday. Ross is believed to have crased into roadside fencing outside the Cardiff Bay Harvester restaurant whilst heading home, he is understood to live near-by. There are rumours that his distinctive top of the range Range Rover with personalised plates was also written off in the collision.
The incident came hours after McCormack, as a late sub, started the move for Cardiff's stunning and decisive goal in the 4-3 win at Sheffield. He returned to South Wales with the squad after that match but went his own way.
Cardiff City wished to distance themselves at present, especially as a court case is yet to be heard, saying that they were aware of the incident but would not be commenting because it was a personal matter.
McCormack has had an unhappy start to the season after publicly courting a transfer to "Premiership" Hull City, injuring himself at Blackpool in August missing City and Scotland World Cup games over the past 2 months and finding his return to the side blocked by the current outstanding form and results of the side. I will await outcome of the trial before making any judgement.
Former DEVO manager passes away
I'm not familiar with Dee Anthony but came across this in music news. Apparently, he represented Devo in the 1980's before retiring in 1985.
Dee Anthony, who managed careers from Jerry Vale and Tony Bennett to Peter Frampton, Traffic, Jethro Tull, Devo and Joe Cocker, passed away Sunday at the age of 83.
Dee Anthony, who managed careers from Jerry Vale and Tony Bennett to Peter Frampton, Traffic, Jethro Tull, Devo and Joe Cocker, passed away Sunday at the age of 83.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Tonight's Cardiff City Phone-In
It includes me sorry but is excellent otherwise basking in the 4-3 stunner at Sheffield United.
Click link to download, enjoy.
http://www.mediafire.com/?yatmxmvum30
The Changing Face of Cardiff
Went to Cardiff City Centre yesterday to see the new St Davids 2 shopping centre which opened on Thursday.
Taking away shops previously on the Hayes, the original ice rink, the outdoor fruit market and more, it's been a few years in the making.
Is it a benefit to Cardiff? Well it's nice but few new shops have aoppeared and, due to the recession, many shops are relocating from other city centre premises - tempted by reported four year rent free deals.
The likelihood is therefore that other areas of the city centre, certainly the Capital Shopping Centre, will be decimated.
My missus liked it tho!
Taking away shops previously on the Hayes, the original ice rink, the outdoor fruit market and more, it's been a few years in the making.
Is it a benefit to Cardiff? Well it's nice but few new shops have aoppeared and, due to the recession, many shops are relocating from other city centre premises - tempted by reported four year rent free deals.
The likelihood is therefore that other areas of the city centre, certainly the Capital Shopping Centre, will be decimated.
My missus liked it tho!
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Ninian Park - from dreams to rubble
Passed NP Towers today and although it's gone and we've moved on - and I know it's only bleedin' bricks and mortar - it's where I spent a huge chunk of my life so sad to see its demise. I want one of the floodlights!
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Ledley, his agent and City set to meet again
Joe Ledley's contract talks seems to have been running longer than Coronation Street but is there finally light at the end of the tunnel?
In the final year of his contract, Ledley's agent and the club have been unable to reach a suitable deal since early summer andn with a new transfer window looming, it is imperative to sort something out.
Many Cardiff City supporters - myself included - feel it has impacted on Joe's football. He has looked a shadow of the player that saw Stoke bid £6M for him last January. Maybe that was summed up by no bid being mad for him in the August window despite speculation.
Joe, unusually for him, has also found himself substitued or not selcted for games - injury not helping to a degree - and even had Wales national boss John Toshack commenting about his dip.
However with signs Joe is knuckl;ing down again and resdiscovering form, it is hoped there will be developments next week.
Cardiff City have offered to double Joe's pay but a sticking point is believed to be Cardiff City's insistenence of a contract trigger release fee, believed to be £5M. It is understood Joe's agent, David Baldwin who does appear to have been integral in this saga, is looking for a much lower price.
Bladwin, Peter Ridsdale and Joe are meeting next week. Encouragingly, Joe is now saying, "Hopefully it will be resolved as soon as possible and I'll stay and I'll be happy." However he did add the caveat, "We've been keen to get these talks underway for a long time but they will have their ideas and we will have ours but the only way we can sort them out is if we get together and talk about it"
Chopra's Red Letter Days
Cardiff City's Michael Chopra is not just flying high the Championship's leading scorer with 12 - in 2nd place is Cardiff City's Peter Whittingham with 9! - but he is hitting the limelight in other ways too.
Last week, he met The Queen at Buckingham Palace attending with a delegation of Indian sports stars. This week, his ethnic background saw him accept a bid to a World Cup 2018 Ambassador for England's bid. Chops' is the highest profile player on Asian origins in Britain and the F.A. have asked him to help in meetings and presentations with Far East representatives.
Bluebirds boss Dave Jones commented to Wales Online that, "It's a great honour for a club like ours - a Welsh club - to have a player as an ambassador for England 2018. I wish Chops every success with it. We'll have to keep his feet on the ground - he's just been to see the Queen! But seriously, I'd love to see the World Cup being staged in England."
Last week, he met The Queen at Buckingham Palace attending with a delegation of Indian sports stars. This week, his ethnic background saw him accept a bid to a World Cup 2018 Ambassador for England's bid. Chops' is the highest profile player on Asian origins in Britain and the F.A. have asked him to help in meetings and presentations with Far East representatives.
Bluebirds boss Dave Jones commented to Wales Online that, "It's a great honour for a club like ours - a Welsh club - to have a player as an ambassador for England 2018. I wish Chops every success with it. We'll have to keep his feet on the ground - he's just been to see the Queen! But seriously, I'd love to see the World Cup being staged in England."
Friday, October 23, 2009
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Ninian's Grandstand comes crashing down
The demolition of Ninian Park took another huge visible step today as a controlled explosion brought down the Grandstand roof, the section of the stadium most best known to all passing pedestrians and motorists.
Redrow Homes started demolition less than a fortnight ago - it's a huge clearance job and then they will build 140 new homes of Cardiff City's historic old stadium, the first of them will incredibly be occupied within 6 months.
The Grandstand is where I spent my last few years watching the club and I was a season ticket holder in the ground for 40 years since 6 tyears of age. Life will never be the same! :>)
Redrow Homes started demolition less than a fortnight ago - it's a huge clearance job and then they will build 140 new homes of Cardiff City's historic old stadium, the first of them will incredibly be occupied within 6 months.
The Grandstand is where I spent my last few years watching the club and I was a season ticket holder in the ground for 40 years since 6 tyears of age. Life will never be the same! :>)
The Worst Away End in Football
And I thought the old Vetch Field, Colchester chicken run and Brighton's/Barnet's (forever!) temporary stands were bad.
Thankfully, I guess I'm unlikely to ever need to visit Miejski Klub Sportowy Znicz Pruszkow in Poland.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Tonight's Cardiff City Phone-in Show
Use the link below to download or listen to tonight's shopw reviewing last night's rousing home win over Coventry City. You'll also get to hear me but it's alright apart from that!
Just reminding that the show is on Mondays, Wednesdays and Friday from 7pm to 8pm with host and former Premiership referee Keith Cooper if you wish to listen live and participate.
The phone number remains the same as before, 01443 654654 while e-mails should be sent to a new address bluebirds@mail.com
The traditional home of GTFM in Pontypridd www.gtfm.co.uk on 107.9 FM.
and Bro Radio (Barry) www.brofm.com on 98.1 FM
Just reminding that the show is on Mondays, Wednesdays and Friday from 7pm to 8pm with host and former Premiership referee Keith Cooper if you wish to listen live and participate.
The phone number remains the same as before, 01443 654654 while e-mails should be sent to a new address bluebirds@mail.com
The show can be heard on Radio Cardiff on 98.7FM www.radiocardiff.org
The traditional home of GTFM in Pontypridd www.gtfm.co.uk on 107.9 FM.
and Bro Radio (Barry) www.brofm.com on 98.1 FM Cardiff Steet Booze Ban
The Sun today is reporting that Cardiff is set to become the first U.K. city to introduce a drinking ban throughout.
It has been mooted in local press for some time. To be honest, as much as the place has a reputation, I don't see street drinking been any worse, and often much better, than other places.
However the story is worth it just to see the top picture in the Sun's story - you beauty!
It has been mooted in local press for some time. To be honest, as much as the place has a reputation, I don't see street drinking been any worse, and often much better, than other places.
However the story is worth it just to see the top picture in the Sun's story - you beauty!
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/2693051/Booze-ban-for-binge-hotspot.html
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
The Championship Table after Tonight's Games
| Team | P | GD | PTS | |
| 1 | West Brom | 13 | 11 | 24 |
| 2 | Newcastle | 13 | 11 | 24 |
| 3 | Cardiff | 13 | 14 | 23 |
| 4 | Middlesbrough | 13 | 7 | 23 |
| 5 | Blackpool | 13 | 6 | 22 |
| 6 | Preston | 13 | 3 | 22 |
| 7 | Nottm Forest | 13 | 3 | 22 |
| 8 | Leicester | 13 | 4 | 21 |
| 9 | Bristol City | 13 | 3 | 21 |
| 10 | QPR | 12 | 10 | 20 |
| 11 | Swansea | 13 | -1 | 18 |
| 12 | Watford | 13 | -2 | 18 |
| 13 | Sheff Utd | 13 | -1 | 17 |
| 14 | Scunthorpe | 13 | -4 | 17 |
| 15 | Sheff Wed | 13 | 2 | 16 |
| 16 | Crystal Palace | 12 | -2 | 16 |
| 17 | Coventry | 13 | -4 | 16 |
| 18 | Doncaster | 13 | -1 | 14 |
| 19 | Derby | 13 | -6 | 14 |
| 20 | Barnsley | 13 | -8 | 14 |
| 21 | Reading | 13 | -11 | 10 |
| 22 | Peterborough | 13 | -9 | 8 |
| 23 | Plymouth | 13 | -13 | 8 |
| 24 | Ipswich | 13 | -12 | 7 |
CARDIFF CITY 2 COVENTRY CITY 0 - Championship match report
The top of the Championship may be congested but there was a considerable gap between the two CCFC's tonight as Cardiff comfortably put away Coventry 2-0 in an entertaining encounter at the new stadium. City were too good and too competent for the visitors opening the scoring inside 10 minutes with a cracking Anthony Gerrard header and sealing the points in a generally one-sided second half via a Peter Whittingham penalty.
The result cemented City into third spot but they now lie a solitary point off top as Newcastle and West Brom both lost. On the other hand, all the sides in third to tenth got victories with just 4 points separating first to tenth.
CARDIFF CITY - After recovering from the removal of a neck growth, the once unpopular but suddenly loved again Steve McPhail returned to central midfield with Gavin Rae dropping to the bench and Kevin McNaughton disappearing out of the 18 suggesting he still isn't quite ready.
City's side - Marshall; Matthews-Hudson-Gerrard-Kennedy; Burke-McPhail-Ledley-Whittingham; Bothroyd-Chopra. Subs: Enckleman-Gyepes-Taiwo-Rae-McCormack-Feeney-Quinn.
COVENTRY CITY appear to be mid-table specialists and there's no reason to suspect it will be any different this season. Some useful players but not enough depth or qualityholds them back under ex-Jack Chris Coleman who was reminded of his origins in song a couple of times tonight. They started the night 4 points behind City and ended it 14 positions behind in the table. They had big midfield blows going into the game withGunarsson, arguably the player who makes them tick, and his partner Sammy Clingan both absent with a suspected broken leg and confirmed broken toe respectively.
The Sky Blues side featuring last season's disastrous goalkeeping loanee 'Dimi the Drop' Konstantopulous on their bench were Westwood; Wright-Cranie-Turner-Van Aanholt; Osborne-McIndoe-Cork-Best; Eastwood-Morrison.
Although not the first night game at the new stadium, it was the first time we turned up in the dark for kick-off. Quite surreal too as the skyline from distance was glowing compared to Ninian Park where you could see the floodlights and its spotlights from miles away. The day was stormy and it was still wet but mainly light drizzle by evening. The crowd was announced as 19,038 although this would have included a fair number of season ticket holders who didn't attend.. It's funny how City overstate crowds when it wasn't so long ago atNinian Park, some fans wondered if they understated big attendances.
Cardiff made what seems to be their customary slow start by conceding a corner inside the first 20 seconds but after early shots were traded, City took the lead in emphatic fashion on 5 minutes. Whittingham's corner on the right just evaded Bothroyd but Kennedy sent it back on the opposite side for GERRARD to head home powerfully into the top corner in style leaving Westwood helpless. Gerrard celebrated his first Bluebirds goal with a running ayatollah followed by a knee slide towards the Ninian Stand. 5.7 for artistic merit, 6.0 for execution.
City were playing some sparkling football going forward but again looked vulnerable at the back, especially to pace, and were indebted to a stunning reflex low save by Marshall turningMorrison 's low angled drive around a post after Freddie Eastwood got behind City and set up his partner. (Eastwood used to be a decent striker and Welsh international but now seems very average).
Other chances came City's way, McPhail hammered over the bar, Chopra narrowly missed through balls while Adam Matthews, in a superb individual display, brilliantly weaved his way into the box, got to the by-line and his skimming ball was just deflected away from two City men.
However, Cardiff then sat back a bit and allowed Coventry to have a lot of the ball and high up the field too. For 10 or more minutes, City were a touch ragged but always in control while Coventry were blunt and did not muster an effort of any note in their only decent spell of the game.
By the interval, City had stepped it up a touch with Burke firing at Westwood and then wide, Chopra two or three times almost getting away and being taken down by a defender as he did get away which produced a yellow card only. A big disappointment, yet again, was our free-kicks were were worse than useless. Bothroyd lazily put one well wide, Whitts well over and a couple after the break were no better either. They really need to work at them.
Half-time: CITY 1 COVENTRY 0
Cov restarted attacking towards their hardy band of 200 or so fans - is that all? - and nearly had a breakthrough as Morrison turned Hudson and left him for dead but City's skipper recovered to make an inch perfect last gasp challenge as the forward was ready to fire.
That let off seemed to inspire City as they tore into the visitors with right back Van Aanholt had a torrid time as sublime Chris Burke runs and skills beat him time and again. When it wasn't Burke, Matthews was skinning him. In sheer panic as Burke was at him another time, he stood in the way for a yellow card and was withdrawn not long afterwards looking stunned and bewildered. However City failed to profit from those attacks but they certainly buoyed the crowd and created a stirring atmosphere.
Just before the hour, the contest was effectively finished as Coventry hit the self destruct button with Cranie's underhit back pass sending Chopra away, Westwood did brilliantly to stop his effort but Chops sqaured the loose ball for Bothroyd who was brought down as a clearence rebounded onto him. A couple of minutes delay and a yellow card passed but PETER WHITTINGHAM was unphased and stroked home the resulting spot kick, Westwood sent the wrong way. Incredibly, it was Whitts 9th of the season and his 6th in 5 games. He's catching up Chopra fast!
The final half hour seemed to be a case of how many City would add but, surprisingly, that never happened as Chops put wide twice and also hit the bar with a sublime lob. The best opening, perhaps, fell to the visitors as a ball sent Eastwood away with Gerrard looking completely out of position standing off him and giving him full sight of goal but his low effort was straight at Marshall.
There were other moments of skill and movement, Burke teasing his new marker and a Matthews ball down the line oozed class but the main entertainment for Cardiff fans was "supporting"Hussey a replacement Coventry defender. He has just joined the club on loan and it appeared that the other Cov players didnn't know him and he jumped up and down waving his arms in the air screaming for the ball but was ignored as the ball was sent to the opposite side a couple of times. City fans loved it and startedmimicing him then cheered his every touch and there was a magic, if surreal moment, as he attacked City's defence with Cardiff fans roaring him on. Sadly, he ignored pleas to do the ayatollah and, better still, to do theHussey which involved frantic arm waving.
Competent, professional, fairly routine victory but thoroughly entertaining to watch.
The result cemented City into third spot but they now lie a solitary point off top as Newcastle and West Brom both lost. On the other hand, all the sides in third to tenth got victories with just 4 points separating first to tenth.
+++TEAM NEWS+++
CARDIFF CITY - After recovering from the removal of a neck growth, the once unpopular but suddenly loved again Steve McPhail returned to central midfield with Gavin Rae dropping to the bench and Kevin McNaughton disappearing out of the 18 suggesting he still isn't quite ready.
City's side - Marshall; Matthews-Hudson-Gerrard-Kennedy; Burke-McPhail-Ledley-Whittingham; Bothroyd-Chopra. Subs: Enckleman-Gyepes-Taiwo-Rae-McCormack-Feeney-Quinn.
COVENTRY CITY appear to be mid-table specialists and there's no reason to suspect it will be any different this season. Some useful players but not enough depth or qualityholds them back under ex-Jack Chris Coleman who was reminded of his origins in song a couple of times tonight. They started the night 4 points behind City and ended it 14 positions behind in the table. They had big midfield blows going into the game withGunarsson, arguably the player who makes them tick, and his partner Sammy Clingan both absent with a suspected broken leg and confirmed broken toe respectively.
The Sky Blues side featuring last season's disastrous goalkeeping loanee 'Dimi the Drop' Konstantopulous on their bench were Westwood; Wright-Cranie-Turner-Van Aanholt; Osborne-McIndoe-Cork-Best; Eastwood-Morrison.
+++ THE MATCH +++
Although not the first night game at the new stadium, it was the first time we turned up in the dark for kick-off. Quite surreal too as the skyline from distance was glowing compared to Ninian Park where you could see the floodlights and its spotlights from miles away. The day was stormy and it was still wet but mainly light drizzle by evening. The crowd was announced as 19,038 although this would have included a fair number of season ticket holders who didn't attend.. It's funny how City overstate crowds when it wasn't so long ago atNinian Park, some fans wondered if they understated big attendances.
Cardiff made what seems to be their customary slow start by conceding a corner inside the first 20 seconds but after early shots were traded, City took the lead in emphatic fashion on 5 minutes. Whittingham's corner on the right just evaded Bothroyd but Kennedy sent it back on the opposite side for GERRARD to head home powerfully into the top corner in style leaving Westwood helpless. Gerrard celebrated his first Bluebirds goal with a running ayatollah followed by a knee slide towards the Ninian Stand. 5.7 for artistic merit, 6.0 for execution.
City were playing some sparkling football going forward but again looked vulnerable at the back, especially to pace, and were indebted to a stunning reflex low save by Marshall turningMorrison 's low angled drive around a post after Freddie Eastwood got behind City and set up his partner. (Eastwood used to be a decent striker and Welsh international but now seems very average).
Other chances came City's way, McPhail hammered over the bar, Chopra narrowly missed through balls while Adam Matthews, in a superb individual display, brilliantly weaved his way into the box, got to the by-line and his skimming ball was just deflected away from two City men.
However, Cardiff then sat back a bit and allowed Coventry to have a lot of the ball and high up the field too. For 10 or more minutes, City were a touch ragged but always in control while Coventry were blunt and did not muster an effort of any note in their only decent spell of the game.
By the interval, City had stepped it up a touch with Burke firing at Westwood and then wide, Chopra two or three times almost getting away and being taken down by a defender as he did get away which produced a yellow card only. A big disappointment, yet again, was our free-kicks were were worse than useless. Bothroyd lazily put one well wide, Whitts well over and a couple after the break were no better either. They really need to work at them.
Half-time: CITY 1 COVENTRY 0
Cov restarted attacking towards their hardy band of 200 or so fans - is that all? - and nearly had a breakthrough as Morrison turned Hudson and left him for dead but City's skipper recovered to make an inch perfect last gasp challenge as the forward was ready to fire.
That let off seemed to inspire City as they tore into the visitors with right back Van Aanholt had a torrid time as sublime Chris Burke runs and skills beat him time and again. When it wasn't Burke, Matthews was skinning him. In sheer panic as Burke was at him another time, he stood in the way for a yellow card and was withdrawn not long afterwards looking stunned and bewildered. However City failed to profit from those attacks but they certainly buoyed the crowd and created a stirring atmosphere.
Just before the hour, the contest was effectively finished as Coventry hit the self destruct button with Cranie's underhit back pass sending Chopra away, Westwood did brilliantly to stop his effort but Chops sqaured the loose ball for Bothroyd who was brought down as a clearence rebounded onto him. A couple of minutes delay and a yellow card passed but PETER WHITTINGHAM was unphased and stroked home the resulting spot kick, Westwood sent the wrong way. Incredibly, it was Whitts 9th of the season and his 6th in 5 games. He's catching up Chopra fast!
The final half hour seemed to be a case of how many City would add but, surprisingly, that never happened as Chops put wide twice and also hit the bar with a sublime lob. The best opening, perhaps, fell to the visitors as a ball sent Eastwood away with Gerrard looking completely out of position standing off him and giving him full sight of goal but his low effort was straight at Marshall.
There were other moments of skill and movement, Burke teasing his new marker and a Matthews ball down the line oozed class but the main entertainment for Cardiff fans was "supporting"Hussey a replacement Coventry defender. He has just joined the club on loan and it appeared that the other Cov players didnn't know him and he jumped up and down waving his arms in the air screaming for the ball but was ignored as the ball was sent to the opposite side a couple of times. City fans loved it and startedmimicing him then cheered his every touch and there was a magic, if surreal moment, as he attacked City's defence with Cardiff fans roaring him on. Sadly, he ignored pleas to do the ayatollah and, better still, to do theHussey which involved frantic arm waving.
Competent, professional, fairly routine victory but thoroughly entertaining to watch.
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