Video Highlights: Barnsley 1 CARDIFF CITY 2

BBC Sport - Football - Highlights - Barnsley 1-2 Cardiff City

Craig Bellamy is on the score sheet for the Bluebirds as they remain in the automatic promotion places. (UK users only).

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/9055880.stm

Championship match report: Barnsley 1 CARDIFF CITY 2

Barnsley suffered their first home defeat of the season as Craig Bellamy and Cardiff City rode into town and left with all 3 points to remain in 2^nd spot after a battle but a curious encounter.

I almost made the trip but domestic chores and finances won the day this time, I was gutted to miss out.

Brian Flynn and Wales have already chosen not to select Craig Bellamy for next week’s Euro clashes after missing the whole of September but he was back and put in a full 90 minute shift, providing the spark for victory. It was Andy Keogh who dropped to the bench and he was joined by Jason Koumas, both completely ineffective in City’s midweek blank at home to Crystal Palace. Darcy Blake was promoted to midfield and Gabor Gyepes was back alongside Mark Hudson after missing out in the previous two games.

City: Heaton; McNaughton-Gyepes-Hudson-Naylor; Whittingham-Blake-Olinfinjana-Burke; Bothroyd-Bellamy.

Barnsley recorded a double over City last season but they tend to make up the numbers in the Championship’s reckoning and went into the clash as the perfect average side – 9 games, 3 won, 3 drawn, 3 lost, 13 scored, 13 conceded. Their highlight was a recent shock 5-2 thrashing of Leeds.

The first half was truly dreadful, neither side able to put a move together, the ball going into touch more than an egg chasing game, quality was desperate. However Cardiff then carved a superb 42^nd minute opener completely out of context with everything beforehand.

Jay Bothroyd looked up and swept a pass to Peter Whittingham deep inside the far corner of the penalty area, he took the ball down and laid it back superbly for BELLAMY and his finish was class personified as he passed the ball around keeper Steele, may Championship players would have gone for a hit and hope option.

H/T: Barnsley 0 City 1

If the first half lack action, the 2^nd half more than made up for it starting with Bothroyd being denied from distance by Steele, Whittingham almost scoring direct from a corner and the next one being headed goalwards by Gyepes, turned in by Bothroyd but it was ruled out for offside with City celebrating.

City’s defence has looked suspect this season and they narrowly survived one silly goalmouth scramble but, no lessons learned, paid for it as 5 or 6 attempts to clear were all fluffed, Hudson miscontrolled and Shackell sent the loose ball home. It was schoolboy stuff all round.

That was on 63 minutes and it felt ominous for Cardiff but back they came. Three minutes later, Foster handled from a corner under pressure from Hudson only for Peter Whittingham to miss his second penalty of the week and still wait for his first goal of the season. He powered the ball but it hit Steele’s legs.

The resulting corner want close but the next put City back in front as it dropped for Whittingham, his shot was going in anyway but OLIFINJANA made sure from a couple of feet.

Oli almost killed the game off altogether hitting the post from another set piece and how City almost paid the price as Darcy Blake earned a second yellow card and Cardiff had to play the final 14 minutes with 10 men. Despite being far from their best, the 900 City fans there will tell of their determination and focus to see it out, they showed their bottle but it still needed one super Tom Heaton save late on to preserve the win.

Cardiff – despite missing 5 key players recently and not playing well – head into the two week international break still in 2^nd spot. With everyone due back next game against Bristol City (now bottom of the league – ha ha ha Wurzels), everyone will surely take heart.

Chopra back tonight?

Cardiff City's list of missing big hitters may finally see a reduction as the players start to return to fitness and full training.

Alhtough rumours have been about the return of Seyi Olinfinjana for some time, he may miss out again this evening and return for the visit to Barnsley on Saturday. Oli has been out since a foot injury sustained in the Hull home win on September 11th.

However there is speculation that Michael Chopra may be on the bench for tonight's hom,e clash with Crystal Palace. Chops was the victim of an unpunished appalling challenge in the home demolition of Doncaster on August 21st. At the time, he was reported as likely to be out for 2 to 3 months but he has responded very well to treatment and is back in full training. If not in the squad tonight, Chops is almost certain to be in the Barnsley squad on Saturday.

Of the others, Craig Bellamy is unlikelyto be risked in this week's games as he is still not back in full, impact training although there is a small chance he could feature at Barnsley. If he misses out altogether, that may rule him out for Wales Euro'2012 double header with Switzerland and Bulgaria next week. City fans - and management - would be concerned to see him in those games having not played for City since August 28 and having played no football this month other than Wales defeat in Montenegro at the startb of the month, a game which appears to have accelerated his problems. Cardiff have a heavy October fixture list and will need Bellamy for that so 2 Wales games in 5 days before it is a real worry given his problems.

The other key players - Chris Riggott and Danny Drinkwater - remain on schedule to be considered for Cardiff's first game after the international break which is Bristol City at CCS on October 16th.

Thankfully, City have no new problems after the weekend win over MillwaIl and will be strong favourites to complete a South London double with tonight's visit from Crystal Palace.

If Cardiff think they have problems, they can think again. Palace will have 8 key players absent and have lost all 4 away trips this season failing to score and conceding 12. Home banker then ... it had better be!

More Dark Days at Cardiff City - local press banned & a new winding up order?

I don't think we'll be allowed to concentrate on the football only at Cardiff City anytime over the remainder of this season and, quite likely, beyond that too.


Wales Online this morning carried an interview with Bluebirds boss Dave Jones after he met reporter Mark Bloom earlier in the week and opened up, for the first time, on his feelings over the so-called 'Golden Ticket' farce in which supporters £3M for advance season ticket sales were apparently used to clear debt and he did not get promised funds for new players.

It seemed a good interview, a fair and balanced piece and was mainly dominated by Dave Jones' quotes such as these;

“I was let down and angry, I am disappointed with what happened because I didn’t get what I wanted.”

“I have a working rapport with the chairman. I can have an argument with the chairman on anything, but I will not let things fester because that is when things break down. Of course I’m disappointed, of course I’m angry. I’m sure the chairman is too, because he couldn’t give me what I wanted."

“I have not fallen out with the chairman. Have I had arguments with him? Yes, over a host of different matters, but I have arguments with my coaching staff, too. That’s the way it is."

“My rapport with the chairman has not changed one bit. I was not happy with what went on. I think everybody was let down. Even the chairman senses he let people down because he couldn’t do what he wanted to do. Look, it was a massive letdown, I don’t think people realise how big it was. I had discussions with the chairman – but what can you do? He is down because of everything that has gone on while he is in the hot-seat."

“I have never thought of walking away from this job. There are a lot of things I have locked horns over and the hierarchy have said no to, not just the chairman but also the board. So, while you are disappointed, you get on with the job.”

However it would appear the Gaffer took exception to the interview being published. Despite admitting that he was not misquoted, he was reportedly abusive and banned Wales Online - Echo and Western Mail newspapers - from a press conference while confusion currently reigns over whether they are also banned from matchday press facilities.

As if that isn't sideshow enough, more (so far unconfirmed) reports this evening tell of a new winding up order by a Gwent based catering company apparently owed £700,000 for catering equipment supplies at the new stadium. It is well known privately the list of contractors and creditors for the new stadium are long and wide but this one may just head the list.

More as it arrives.


Tomorrow, City with their depeleted squad and walking wounded, take on Barnsley lookingfor 3 points to stiffen their play-off challenge under almost impossible circumstances and aiming to avenge a last kick of match defeat at Oakwell earlier in the season.

Two Out as Feeney and Capaldi go out on loan

CARDIFF CITY failed to bring in any player with the transfer loan window shutting firmly today but did get two players off the wage bill for a short time as Warren Feeney and Tony Capaldi both players succeeded in their wish to get away for football and headed to Yorkshire on short-term loan deals.



Tony Capaldi had been linked with a move to League One leaders Leeds United most of this week and that was confirmed late this afternoon.

He has fallen down the pecking order to third choice left back but still managed 9 appearences, his last coming in midfield during the awful 3-2 at Swansea almost 3 weeks ago.

TC is with Leeds until January 4th, there is already talk of a permanent deal, which has been underlined by the fact that Cardiff have allowed him to play for Leeds in F.A. Cup action. Leeds are away at Kettering in Round 2 this weekend.




The blog has covered several times that Warren Feeney has never figured at Cardiff. Despite doing well on the international stage, it appears that he cannot quite cut it at this level.

It was therefore a mild surprise to see fellow Championship side Sheffield Wednesday take him on loan, initially until December 28th. It was just as big a surprise to see him come off the bench for City in the Bransley defeat last Saturday


With Cardiff having no reserve side and both players not generally featuring in the meagre first team sqaud unless a couple go missing, it's in their interests to get out. Good Luck to them both.


It is disappointing that City did not bring in any replacements but the HMRC court order may prohibit that anyway. Peter Ridsdale has promised exciting times ahead with his belief that the Malaysian takeover will see the club active int eh January window ... the question is ... can our current squad, small on numbers and with injuries, keep us in contention until that stage??

SuperKev's Out Again

Whether we like it or not, the label 'injury prone' is one that will be applied to Kevin McNaughton as Cardiff City's star defender has had continual problems in the past couple of seasons but nothing as bad as this term.

Having missed all the season to date after an ankle injury sustained after collision in a pre-season game with Celtic, his absence was softened by the emergence of Adam Matthews but Kev remains a vital player for City so fans were delighted to see his return at Barnsley last weekend.

However that lasted barely 20 minutes after he pulled up clutching his leg. Early reports from the club suggested he had a back spasm that was being checked out but it has now been confirmed as the more obvious hamstring pull.

City officials say it is a slight tear and that he will be absent for a fortnight. Fingers - and everything else! - crossed he then gets a sustained injury free period.

** On a sidenote, I can never believe how many Cardiff players have hamstring problems, it always seems far worse than any other club.

Video Lowlights: Barnsley 1 Cardiff City 0

** Barnsley 1-0 Cardiff **

Carl Dickinson's injury-time strike gives Barnsley victory against Cardiff

Click Link to view:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/8373231.stm

McCormack critical of City's Oakwell display

When teams lose and play poorly, it's common place for manager and players to close ranks and claim they were unlucky, didn't get the rub of the green or how they win and lose as a team.


Not so Ross McCormack who told Wales Online exactly what he thought about Cardiff City's efforts in a dismal defeat at Barnsley on Saturday -is it a rare spell of refreshing honesty or is McCormack making waves again with the transfer window soon to re-open as some City fans will speculate?


Either way, I was at the game and can't argue with McCormack's thoughts which include;
“I don’t think it was too tough a game to be honest, I just think we made hard work of it, and we got a real sucker punch at the end of it with the goal. It was a bit windy, but that can’t be used as an excuse for not passing the ball. If you play the long ball to two little guys then nothing is going to happen. I was disappointed at the service, disappointed to be taken off, just disappointed all round really."

The weekend proved conclusively that McCormack and Chopra can't play up front together and with Jay Bothroyd likely to return at home to Ipswich on Sunday, McCormack may well be returning to the bench and he's can't be happy about that. Is that what he had in mind when he added, "Personally I’ve had two starts now, but I’m not taking anything for granted. I’ve obviously signed a four-year deal here and like anyone I just want to be playing football".

McCormack said the Bluebirds need to bounce back against Ipswich on Sunday.

And he insisted after a summer in which he was linked with a move away from the club he was now looking to fight for his place in the Cardiff side.

“Two games now and two defeats, so the Ipswich game of course becomes important to us now,” added McCormack.

“We’ve just got to try and put this defeat behind us and move on to the next one.

“Jay had a slight tear to his hamstring, but he should be back for the Ipswich game.

“Personally I’ve had two starts now, but I’m not taking anything for granted.

“I’ve obviously signed a four-year deal here and like anyone I just want to be playing football.”

Barnsley 1 Cardiff City 0 - how the managers saw it

** Cruel loss frustrates Cardiff's Jones **

Cardiff City manager Dave Jones tells BBC Radio Wales football reporter Rob Phillips why he would have settled for a draw at Barnsley after their 1-0 defeat.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/cardiff_city/8372497.stm 

** Robins hails Tykes hero Dickinson **

Barnsley manager Mark Robins reveals he did not want match-winner Mark Dickinson to take the last-minute free-kick which eventually beat Cardiff City 1-0 at Oakwell.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/barnsley/8372485.stm 

Barnsley 1 Cardiff City 0 and a long, long day - in pictures

Championship: BARNSLEY 1 CARDIFF CITY 0 match report

CARDIFF CITY fell to a cruel last kick of the match 1-0 defeat at Barnsley, the goal a Carl Dickinson free-kick that deflected off Michael Chopra to give on-loan Stoke defender his first ever goal in professional football. The game, played in heavy rain and a strong wind, was shockingly poor. Devoid of any quality, it would not looked out of place had it been a bottom division match.

Barnsley were aggressive and direct while Cardiff fought a rearguard action with relative ease but shorn of McPhail and Bothroyd and without adequate squad cover or the resources to do anything about it, they were clueless without creativity or craft going forward. City were one dimensional and too often hitting aimless ridiculous long balls for the diminutive talents of Chopra and McCormack to work with. Neither keeper was seriously threatened all afternoon until that last gasp effort. Cardiff deserved a point if only for the simple reason that neither side deserved to win. A game and result to forget ... yes, I know, after Swansea away, another game, performance and result to forget.



******TEAM NEWS******

CARDIFF CITY were hit by a quadruple blow with Steve McPhail, out anyway after a leg op, diagnosed with cancer on the eve of the game and we can only wish him and his family well, the 1,000 Bluebirds at Oakwell chanted his name on several occasions. Jay Bothroyd was out too as his ongoing knee problem finally caught up with him even with a fortnight's break and another surprise absentee was the previously ever present Anthony Gerrard while Adam Matthews was missing at the back having sustained a foot injury on Wales Under 21 duty in Bosnia. In came, McCormack, Gyepes and McNaughton - the latter two making their Championship bows for the season.

A team in City's position with ambition would surely make moves in the loan market, some rivals have indeed done that, but Dave Jones has been told nobody can come until players are moved out so, like it or not, it appears that we will have to limp to the January transfer window ... and who knows whether we'll be in any position to do anything positive at that time? The only chance of that happening appears to depend entirely on Hammam ... oops, Langston(!) ... agreeing a revised pa-off deal and then a Malaysian group - or a mystery one - investing in the club. Ridsdale is hopeful but time seems very tight for all that that to take place.

CITY: Marshall; McNaughton-Hudson-Gyepes-Kennedy; Burke-Rae-Ledley-Whittingham; Chopra-McCormack. An altogether uninspiring and weak sub's bench featured: Quinn, Feeney, Comminges, Scimeca, Magennis, Wildig, Enckleman.

BARNSLEY

Barnsley made an awful start to the season with an opening day draw followed by 5 successive defeats which ended the tenure of the Jack, Simon Davey. In came Mark Robins from Rotherham and he is transforming their fortunes as they've now taken 20 points in 11 games and moved towards mid-table.

Barnsley: Steele; Kozluk-Foster-Shotton-Dickinson; De Silva-Colace-Doyle-Hammill; Bogdanovic-Macken.

~~~~~~THE DAY & GAME~~~~~~

Our coach set off at the crazy hour of 6am - it would be 19 hours before I would get back home too. A couple on the coach were celebrating birthdays and going for the day out and a drink oop north without taking in the game which saw us South Yorkshire, Rotherham to be precise for opening time althought the partying had started long before we had got out of Cardiff.

Good company and music on the coach, it all passed quickly. The bars were very welcoming in Rotherham, although most barmaids I encountered were of dubious quality even with my beer google fixed firmly on. Somehow, trying to get my pal out of the last pub to get back on the bus to the game, we missed it. I caught a train to Barnsley jumped, Lloydey decided to stay. A costly decision as the other drinkers got to Barnsley by final whistle, he stayed in the Rotherham pubs, the police escorted down the M1 after the game so there was no going back for him. Oh the joys of City awaydays!

The palaver (I like that word) meant I missed the opening 20 minutes and having decided to exit the ground at half-time for some warmth and a drink in the nearby Metrodome sports centre, I missed the opening 15 minutes of the 2nd half too. The 55 minutes I had to endure did make me wonder why I bothered watching any of it at all.

Cardiff started brighter but it turned out to be as good as it got with McCormack flicking a Burke cross narrowly wide while Burke himself went wide with another effort but so did McCormack with a quick set piece. The rest of it was pitiful stuff as Cardiff dropped back, midfield were unable to influence the game and in unpredictably poor weather and strong winds, we were to wonder what on earth City have been doing at their plush training complex over the past fortnight as they resorted to thoughtless and aimless long balls giving Chops and McCormack a lost and hopeless cause.

At the quarter point, more calamity as Kevin McNaughton limped out of the action again, the boy seems cursed. In came Paul Quinn and he announced his arrival with a big challenge and yellow card thanks to the histrionics of the Argentinian Collace who must be taking tips of Jordi Gomez.

Barnsley tried creating more pressure but City's defence stood firm, David Marshall having the routine task all half of meeting a soft, slow paced header. With nothing to commend in either side, I left the ground with a few City fans at half-time for the neighbouring Metrodome. Most stayed there. Foolishly, I returned to the game thing it would be all change with City now attacking our end.

City, finally, showed more intent and a willingness to play the ball on the floor but let themselves down by failing to get the basics right completing routine passes. A few too many poor touches and stray passes produced audible groans with Joe Ledley, almost resembling Bluto from Popeye, with his beard, guilty of some terrible attempts to switch play or spread the ball wide.

Barnsley were persistent, one effort deflecting off Gyepes to wrong-foot Marshall before missing by a couple of feet and the keeper then spilled a wicked free-kick carried by the wind and was grateful for a Mark Kennedy overhead clearance.

A sign of how limited and desperate City were came with the appearance of Warren Feeney. A nice guy but he's just not good enough, he wants away, City want him to go yet we were forced to turn to him, for McCormack, to try and win the game because our other striking option was Josh Magennis who was dropped by Grimsby while on loan and then had that spell terminated. How can we consider ourselves as promotion candidates when that's the reality of how it is? As expected, Feeney made no difference at all.

Both sides tried to force the game for a win in the closing stages but in the final minute of added time, disaster struck City as Mark Hudson who put on a decent show otherwise unluckily handled and the ball skidded up off the surface. The yellow card seemed harsh as it was far from deliberate but that all paled into insignificance as DICKINSON took a pot shot with the set piece and his effort hit Chopra, standing alone off the five man wall, deflecting the opposite way leaving Marshall helpless.

There is nothing to add. The defence played reasonably well to nullify the hosts but continue to look fragile and unable to keep a clean sheet. The fact that City have now conceded in added time at the end of a match three times in their last four Championship outings is a sign all is not well too. Midfield were again found lacking. Dave Jones was his own worst enemy in failing to address this area over the summer and it is costing. They all tried, Chris Burke gave his all, but it's just not a strong enough unit, particularly in battles.

Up front, it's becoming a worry that Michael Chopra who was on fire a few weeks ago is now a damp squib. He's working hard and showing quality that will surely bring results but it's now 7 goalless outings for the Championship's leading scorer. McCormack wasn't as sharp as he can be but games will bring fitness and he remains an important player.

City fell to 5th, agonisingly behind Swansea and are now falling away from the top 2 automatic spots without looking as if they have it in them to get it back. The question though is how can City and Dave Jones keep effortlessly going from so good to so bad? Dave Jones at Cardiff City never seems to bring consistency, we're either on good runs or bad runs with no in between. This season is a classic case in point with 10 points and top of the league after 4 games followed by the kick in the teeth that was 4 defeats in 5 and some truly terrible football. Back they came with a 6 game free scoring run netting 14 points and looking the part and now here we are with the side looking ordinary in the extreme with successive defeats and 1 point out of 9.

Next up, City are home to bottom club Ipswich next Sunday. Anyone who can predict whether we will see the Jeckyll or Hyde side of Dave Jones' latest outfit is a better man than me. One thing I do know, thanks to the latest collapses, Ali cannot announce as City run out that we are "still the number one team in Wales".

For the record, the bus boys had a grand trip home including a long stop off in Tamworth. I'm still recovering!

Jacks pass Bluebirds with Friday night win

Swansea City beat Derby County 1-0 at Liberty Stadium this evening with a late but reportedly deserved winner to jump over Cardiff City into 3rd spot of the Championship, their highest league placing for 26 years.

Cardiff City get their show back on the road after THAT defeat at Swansea a fortnight ago with a tricky trip to Barnsley tomorrow but are boosted by the return of the Championship's joint leading scorers Peter Whittingham and Michael Chopra who missed that game due to injury and suspension respectively. Kevin McNaughton should belatedly start his season which is timely as Adam Matthews is definitely out after a midweek foot injury with Wales Under 21's.


C'MON CITY.

1. Newcastle P 16 PTS 33
2. West Brom P 16 PTS 31
3. Swansea P 17 PTS 28
4. CARDIFF P 16 PTS 27
5. QPR P 16 PTS 27
6. Blackpool P 16 PTS 27
7. Leicester P 16 PTS 27

Matthews a doubt for Barnsley afterc Wales injury

CARDIFF CITY 17 year old starlet Adam Matthews made his Welsh Under 21 bow in a 2-1 deafeat at Bosnia-Hercegovina last night.

Starting the game however, Matthews was withdrawn at the interval with a foot injury. I have wondered whether Dave Jones would start him in Saturday's trip to Barnsley and this midweek jaunt but I suspect the injury news now makes it a racing certainty that Kevin McNaughton will return to action at right back this weekend while the recent struggling Mark Kennedy will continue on the left, hopefully refresheed by a 2 week break.

SuperKev ready to start the season for Cardiff City

Cardiff City's defence have lacked pace, cover and composure a feww too many times this season and a significant reason for that has been the absence of Kevin McNuaghton who tore ankle ligaments in a pre-season home friendly against Celtic.


Today, he played 45 minutes against Hereford United reserves and although City lost 2-0, McNaughton was in fine form and withdrawn after 45 minutes to save himself for Saturday's trip to Barnsley.

There's a strong probability he will start that game but will it be right or left back? Mark Kennedy has looked jaded and vulnerable recently but a fortnight's break should have recharged his batteries but Kev is destined to play on the left this season. On the right side, Adam Matthews has stamped his mark but he may be rested from time to time and considering he is in Bosnia tomorrow playing for Wales Under 21's, Dave Jones may decide to rest him after getting back.

Either way, Cardiff City followers will be delighted to see SuperKev back in the blue colours at last.

City remain 3rd heading into fortnight break

The weekend's Championship programme was completed tonight with Barnsley, where Cardiff play next, being held 2-2 at home by Sheffield United.

Despite defeat at Liberty Stadium, Cardiff clung onto 3rd spot sharing 27 points with 4 sides but heading them thanks to goal difference. The top two - Newcastle and West Brom - have happened a 4 point gap and may pull away shortly.

Some fans are consoling themselves staying in 3rd but in an amazingly tight league, they're just 3 points off 12th and mid-table.

City, however, have a chance to consolidate their position with the next games at Barnsley then home to Ipswich and Preston gives them a great chance of more points on the board - it's a chance they must take.


The latest league table:

Full Championship table
	Team	P	GD	PTS
1	Newcastle	16	15	33
2	West Brom	16	17	31
3	Cardiff	16	14	27
4	QPR	16	12	27
5	Blackpool	16	9	27
6	Leicester	16	5	27
7	Bristol City	16	4	26
8	Nottm Forest	16	3	25
9	Swansea	16	2	25
10	Middlesbrough	16	5	24
11	Preston	16	1	24
12	Watford	16	-2	24
13	Crystal Palace	16	-1	22
14	Sheff Utd	16	-3	18
15	Barnsley	16	-8	18
16	Sheff Wed	16	-2	17
17	Coventry	16	-7	17
18	Derby	16	-8	17
19	Scunthorpe	16	-12	17
20	Doncaster	16	-3	15
21	Plymouth	16	-11	15
22	Reading	16	-10	14
23	Ipswich	16	-11	12
24	Peterborough	16	-9	11

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. :>)

Another Night when Results don't favour City

Three Championship games tonight but in the only one impacting on Cardiff City, in form Sheffield United confirmed their status as genuine automatic promotion contenders with a 2-1 home victory over near neighbours Barnsley.


All the goals and drama came in the final 8 minutes with The Blades scoring through O'Toole and Lupoli in front of 27,000 before Barnsley missed a penalty and then scored an injury time consolation with the home side then hanging on.


Victory lifts Sheffield United into third spot ahead of Reading and just 3 points behind Birmingham with 5 games to go and they are the team coming through on the rails with a late burst now being unbeaten in 9 and with 4 successive wins. Their next game is a blockbuster at Reading this weekend.


It leaves Cardiff looking on in some envy. We had dreams of being in the pack but, by contrast, 5 points in 5 games and 3 defeats in the last 8 leaves City lagging behind knowing only a major winning run can change anything - and, even then, it may not be enough - but now wanting to concentrate on making sure play-offs are achieved.


The night's other games saw Palace/Coventry and Watford/Southampton both share draws.

		P	GD	PTS
1	Wolverhampton	41	22	77
2	Birmingham	41	16	75
3	Sheff Utd	41	24	72
4	Reading	40	30	69
5	Burnley	41	8	66
6	Cardiff	39	15	64
7	Preston	41	3	62
8	Swansea	41	11	59
9	Bristol City	41	6	59
10	QPR	41	0	57
11	Ipswich	41	6	56
12	Sheff Wed	41	-8	54
13	Crystal Palace	41	1	53
14	Coventry	40	-4	52
15	Watford	41	-4	51
16	Doncaster	41	-15	49
17	Derby	39	-5	48
18	Blackpool	41	-13	47
19	Plymouth	41	-13	46
20	Barnsley	40	-12	45
21	Norwich	41	-9	43
22	Nottm Forest	41	-19	42
23	Southampton	41	-17	41
24	Charlton	40	-23	32

Cardiff City 3 Barnsley 1 - how the press saw it

Dave Jones: Players bounced back brilliantly

WalesOnline

Johnson seals cult hero status with Bluebirds

WalesOnline

Bluebirds too strong for Tykes

SkySports

Cardiff City 3, Barnsley 1

WalesOnline

Cardiff 3-1 Barnsley

BBC News

Cardiff 3 Barnsley 1: Well done, Pat Miller

Vitalfootball

Barnsley boss upset with referee

FansFC.com

Bluebirds star eyeing promotion

Yahoo!

Cardiff cruise to victory over Tykes

FansFC.com

Ref blasted by boss

Clubcall

'Exceptional Eddie' Cream Of Cardiff City Crop

Vitalfootball

Assured Cardiff City Ease Past Barnsley

Vitalfootball

Cardiff 3-1 Barnsley: Simon Davey ref rage as City get back on track

Mirror.co.uk

Bluebirds terrorise Tykes again

Virgin Media Sport

Eddie Johnson: Shows Up in Big Way for Cardiff City

Rotowire

Cardiff 3 Barnsley 1: Ledley so deadly as Cardiff move back into ...

Daily Mail

Champ Game 32: CARDIFF CITY 1 BARNSLEY 0 match report

Was I dreaming or did I really see it? Cardiff City score three and Eddie Johnson standing head and shoulders above the rest as Man of the Match. Apparently, it really happened. An excellent City display – they were as good tonight as they were awful at Southampton last outing – re-ingoted The Bluebirds play off and promotion credentials with a 3-1 success against a feisty ill-disciplined Barnsley side who departed Ninian Park having broke an all-comers record for second half free-kicks and fouls conceded.


Ahead inside 4 minutes through skipper Joe Ledley, that lead doubled by Chops before the interval in which City were superb and experiencing few problems. A pleasing victory looked routine victory until sub Macken scored for The Tykes within 10 seconds of coming on but any fightback swiftly ended as Teymourian – a man on a night long mission to be sent off – finally got his red card and City’s win was sealed by an outstanding Peter Whittingham finish in the dying stages.


The three goals scored was the first time City had achieved it all season – the last Championship side to do so – the last time they got 3 was, ironically against Barnsley at Ninian Park at the end of last season. All that was missing was a goal for Eddie in what some hailed as his finest hour but only will say has been his only hour … so far.


Cold, wet and miserable – that was the weather heading to Ninian Park but also the temporary mood around the club after a poor draw with QPR last midweek and a shocker at Southampton last weekend. Yet thy knew this was a big chance with 8 of the remaining 14 games at home, 2 of them this week and they start of a run which sees 6 of the next 8 league games at Ninian Park.


Dave Jones promised changes having read the riot act and settled for three. In defence, Darcy Blake had a surprise call in place of Comminges while McNauthon remains injured (maybe it’s just me but I felt Comminges was a touch unlucky). Chris Burke was injured so Paul Parry reverted to his usual role having been a stand-in striker while up front, Eddie Johnson was given what must be getting close to his final chance and was partnered by Michael Chopra sufficiently recovered from a heel knock. The subs bench again included no keeper but also, once again, no Darren Purse either.


CARDIFF CITY: Konstantopoulos; Blake-Gyepes-Roger Johnson-Kennedy; Parry- Rae-Ledley-Whittingham; Eddie Johnson-Chopra. Subs: Capaldi-Comminges-McCormack-Quincy-Scimeca.


Barnsley have been a team to relish playing recently. Regularly beaten at Ninian Park, losers in that momentous F.A. Cup semi-final at Wembley almost a year ago and City gained a double having triumphed at Oakwell early season with a Peter Whittingham goal. With a limited budget and with respect, they make up the Championship numbers and often feature around the drop zone but have skilful players and are more than capable of shocking anyone.


This setback took them to within 2 points and 2 places of relegation but they were confident pre-game having been unbeaten in 3 with victory at Sheffield Wednesday on their last awayday and having beaten QPR last Saturday at home, a task City failed miserably to do last Wednesday night.


BARNSLEY: Muller; Hassell-Foster-Guedes-Kozluk; Campbell-Ryce-Colace- Teymourian-Hammill-Mifsud-Bogdanovic. They operated a narrow 4-3-1-2 style system with Campbell-Ryce playing ‘in the hole’ between midfield and forwards. To be honest, tricky as it looked, I preferred him there than out wide taking on Darcy & co.


The crowd looked well down as the teams came out but a last second surge saw the attendance at 15,902 – down on the usual but Barnsley brought less than 100, the weather was poor and there’s a lot of upcoming games in these tough financial times.


City were 2 games without a goal but took just 4 minutes to change that with a dream start. A free-kick saw Roger Johnson ghost behind the defence with late run, his first header across the box came back to him and his second header was scrambled behind. That corner saw Chops miss a point blank free header but Johnson was there again to send across goal where JOE LEDLEY swept home from 8 yards.


Barnsley were playing enterprising football but City bossed them where it mattered while Cardiff rediscovered the high tempo, quick passing and movement game which had all bar evaporated in their stumbling and sub-standard last couple of displays. The fans were warming to City’s football and, particularly, the touches, flicks and commitment of Eddie Johnson who started well and got even better. They also enjoyed abusing Simon Davey, the Jack Barnsley manager, who himself enjoyed abusing the officials while the Grange End enjoyed abusing a ‘fatty’ in the Barnsley support. Everyone was happy then!


Cardiff threatened every attack and Eddie was so close to scoring, failing to connect with a superb Chops ball across the face of goal while Chops himself was wrongly ruled offside as he bore down on goal having been played in by Rae. Muller proved he was as tasty as the yoghurts bearing his name with the first of several stunning saves, this one to deny Peter Whittingham’s superb free-kick which was low and into the corner of goal but save of the half went to Dimi who superbly tipped over a Mifsud 20 yard smash which dipped viciously late on.


Meanwhile, with most of the ground now shouting Eddie, Eddie, Eddie, he nodded just wide from a Paul Parry corner before getting booked after being pushed and throwing his hand up for a silly handball meeting a cross. I thought he was doing an impression of Statue of Liberty personally, kinder souls suggested Superman.


City needed a second goal and deserved it as well so Parc Nin was thrilled to see it duly arrive 2 minutes before the interval. Peter Whittingham seemed to have a shoot on sight policy and it paid dividends as his dig from 25 yards skidded on the greasy surface, Muller could only block and there was the ace poacher MICHAEL CHOPRA to sweep home form 5 yards.


Half-time:
F.A. CUP SEMI-FINAL WINNERS 1
F.A. CUP SEMI-FINAL LOSERS 0


It was testimony to Eddie Johnson’s first half display in which Barnsley’s defenders didn’t seem to know how to play him or dispossess him that Sousa, his marker, was taken off at the interval and Darren Moore who looks more suited to door duties at Oceana was asked to have a go. He was physical, pulled, grabbed, bullied – same as always with him - but also came off 2nd best as the Cult of Eddie was unstoppable.


The game remained a lively and highly entertaining contest and both side had early chances. Mifsud, losing to City for the 2nd time in a month having been with Coventry when they were dispatched last month, broke behind the defence and his looping cross shot missed Dimi’s far post but was close while, at the other end, Eddie Eddie Eddie almost profited as Muller and one of his defenders hesitated dealing with a forward pass, Eddie’s boot got between them and directed the ball across goal. Eddie also went down to enormous penalty roars but it wasn’t to be.


Barnsley had no option but to press City so the game stayed open but took a dramatic twist just past the hour as JON MACKEN entered as a sub as a free-kick was about to be launched in City’s box. In it went, Moore’s header was blocked and Macken, on the turn, fired high into the net despite Dimi’s best attempts and made it 2-1 within less than 10 seconds.


Incredibly, that was the first goal conceded at Ninian Park in 8 games and 733 minutes – the last side to do so were Reading last November.


It may have been time for some panic but Barnsley shot themselves in the foot. Eddie Eddie Eddie burst past one challenge and was about to unload cutting in when he was taken down on the edge of the box. Enter the loony Teymourian who had been spoken to a few times by the ref and was already on a yellow card for blocking a first half free-kick to get involved again and, inexplicably, give Chops a slap in the chops all in front of the ref.


A straight red followed and the Fulham on-loan man refused to leave the pitch for a while despite 15,000 cheerios being waved at him although one man not joining in was their boss Simon Davey who was himself sent to the stands.


The resulting free-kick saw Muller make another wonderful flying save as Chops executed a perfect up and over with pace as well. That turned out to be Chops last meaningful action as his heel problem surfaced again as he limped off ominously with McCormack coming on.


Although down to 10, Barnsley kept 2 men up front and often made it 3 so you couldn’t fault Dave Jones for giving the pacy Quincy the final 15 minutes (for Parry) to run at The Tykes defence with pace and freedom and he took it.


Taking the game to the visitors, City were trying everything to kill it off. Quincy wide, Quincy at Muller, Whittingham wide, Johnson blocked, Quincy dancing around defenders and bringing another superb flying stop from Muller, Whitts effort from one side going for a throw in on the other and then Gavin Rae sending the crossbar wobbling like the dear departed Shakey Man’s hand with his 25 yard howitzer which Joe Ledley volleyed perfectly over the top of the Grange End as he hit the rebound first time from 20 yards.


Finally, after 40 league and cup games, City got their precious third goal in the 89th minute which was celebrated like hitting the jackpot at Las Vegas and what a peach it was to achieve it in style.


It all began as Dimi failed to come for a lofted ball into City’s box, Roger Johnson had to urgently head away under unnecessary pressure. The ball broke for Kennedy who fed Quincy who again danced and went direct at pace down the line, he moved the ball inside for Eddie Johnson who stayed calm and played in PETER WHITTINGHAM who Paul Parry or Jay Bothroyd-like cut inside the last defender and curled the ball beautifully around Muller and in off his far post. Nine City players celebrated while Johnson and Dimi started a shouting match over the incident that unwittingly led to the killer goal.


Five minutes of added time were added, nearly all of it caused by a barrage of free-kicks and niggly fouls given away by Barnsley which they continually perform, even when 2-1 down in the dying stages that saw them wasting their own time. The bad tempered side of the play extending to the dugouts as well were Davey and his assistant moaned at anything and everything but at least that allowed City fans to pour more scorn on the whingeing fat Jack.


That added time belonged to City as well as dynamic Eddie – now full of confidence – was making Moore look silly while Muller made one final superb stop to halt a Whitts piledriver.


Big questions were asked of City tonight and they answered them in full in a big team display. Dimi looked more than competent in goals, the defensive unit – albeit with some stray distribution – performed well with special mentions to Darcy who slotted in very well at right back plus Roger and Gabor who must be the Championship’s best central pairing, Glenn who anyone?


Central mid ran the game and were back to their best, Joe looking particularly sharp, and the wide men played in fits and starts but certainly caused enough damage while Chops showed what an important player he is while Eddie has now set a standard that has to be the very least we expect from him. On tonight’s form, it would even be hard to drop him for Jay which speaks volumes.


Excellent night, excellent game and performance by the boys who are now back in 4th and must surely use this as a platform for a concerted charge. The chase is truly on.