Championship match report: CARDIFF CITY 2 Millwall 1

CARDIFF CITY still misfiring and still missing their big hitters still recorded a late, late 2-1 win over Millwall and climb back to 2^nd spot in a Championship. The winner came from an otherwise poor (and he wasn’t the only one) Andy Keogh flicking home an 88th header finally taking advantage of playing 10 men for 50 minutes.

An action packed 1^st half saw the visitors early lead swiftly cancelled out by Jay Bothroyd who went on to miss chances that should have got him a hat-trick while Trotter was sent off FOR The Lions and Whittingham had a penalty saved for City. The second half, though, was tedious as a shockingly poor Cardiff never made the extra man count and had run out of ideas until Keogh popped up.

It is admirable that South Wales Police and the club are working hard to reduce restrictions for travelling fans. A compulsory “bubble” coach only fixture for many years, Millwall fans were allowed to travel independently and collect their match tickets at a rendezvous in Cardiff West Services. To still encourage coach travel, Millwall nobly charged £10, enough to entice far more fans that would otherwise have visited, nearly 1,200 supporters came down when they normally bring just a couple of hundred.

However the negative aspect of this arrangement was that kick-off time was brought forward to midday and it will be the same again when home to Bristol City in 3 weeks. While the change should be applauded, it is an annoyance to see 22,000 Cardiff fans inconvenienced to benefit easier arrangements for away fans. Fortunately, my boy’s Saturday match was brought forward 2 hours to a 9am kick-off (other sides could not change their times) but it meant I couldn’t catch up with pals for a pre-match drink and chat.

Cardiff’s injury problems are now into their second month. It has been possible to name a sick note X1 but it’s the absence of pivotal players which are hurting. Danny Drinkwater and Michael Chopra are rumoured to return in another 3 weeks, Craig Bellamy maybe sooner although it was a shock to learn this week that he still had not trained with the side since returning from Wales duty, new centre half signing Chris Riggott is some way off fitness levels required, Kevin McNaughton must have his own cubicle reserve at A&E and Jason Koumas strives for match fitness. The big shock, though, was Seyi Olifinjana who was strongly fancied to be back in the fold, not making the 16 again and another shock came as Tom Heaton replaced Marshall in goals. Four games since these problems brought two very average performance home wins and two poor away performances and defeats.

With limited options, Dave Jones named the same ten outfield men who lost out at Ipswich. City: Heaton; McNaughton-Hudson-Gyepes-Naylor; Burke-Rae-McPhail-Whittingham; Bothroyd-Keogh.

Mee-Waw from Sarf Larndarn are back in the Championship after 5 years thanks to achieving what Cardiff couldn’t last May, winning a Wembley play-off final. They have started well until home judders in the past week – a 6-1 pasting at the New Den by Watford and midweek Carling Cup loss to Ipswich - sent them into this clash looking to restore confidence but they were only 2 points behind City in 9^th spot at kick-off. Their away form has been mixed, a stunning 3-0 opening day win at the Wurzels but followed it with defeat at Leeds and a draw at Nottingham Forest.

After ex-Jacks Manager Paolo Sousa saw off City at Leicester and ex-Jack Jason Scotland killed any chance of a result last week at Ipswich, it was the return of another former Swans boss, Kenny Jackett, to try and achieve a hat-trick of sorts over us. More connected interest came in the form of London’s Welsh striker Steve Morison while ex-City (and ex-Barry Town) keeper David Forde, a hapless figure in his time at Ninian Park, was making his 100^th consecutive start for The Lions. No City fans would have predicted he’d be back in the Championship achieving that feat when he departed South Wales and, on the evidence of his erratic display in this game, I’m still wondering how he achieved it.

Cardiff started brightly and had Millwall on the back foot penned in their own half but their first break out on 10 minutes saw them score and, again, ask plenty of questions about City’s defending which was just not good enough. The impressive new Welsh international Steve Morison who troubled City’s defence all afternoon burst past Gabor Gyepes and was denied by a last gasp Mark Hudson challenge but failing to shape up, the ball ran loose for Kevin Lisbie to skin Naylor with far too much ease and square for SCOTT BARRON to turn home centre of goal completely unchallenged.

Millwall fans celebrated and were vocal but the kids in the Family Stand were giving it to them and getting it back. Quite surreal.

For a while after the goal, Cardiff struggled and second best anywhere you looked in midfield and showed few signs of getting into the game.

However drama was to follow starting with Jay Bothroyd’s equaliser on 25, Tony Naylor’s long throw causing havoc (perhaps his only positive moment of the game) as it was allowed to bounce in the box, Whitts nearly got a shot away but the ball ran loose for JAY BOTHROYD to place past Forde from close range. It was Jay’s 7^th of the season, already more than halfway to beating last year’s total.

City finally brightened up and Jay should have had a first half hat-trick as two shots fizzed wide, a superb Whittingham run and cross set him up for a perfect far post header but he placed it to close to Forde and then a dazzling move and another fantastic Whittingham urge saw him teed up on the edge of the box with an inviting goal but he steered wide.

A significant moment came just past the half hour as Trotter who was playing really well caught Darcy studs out on the ankle, a careless rather than malicious challenge for which he had an instant red card. Darcy recovered from what initially looked a serious injury after almost 5 minutes of treatment.

That added time brought it own drama as Peter Whittingham was bundled down cutting inside the last defender – easy penalty I thought, not so thought others – only to be denied his spot kick by Forde, more of a good save than a bad miss. It leaves Whitts still looking for his 1^st goal this term having netted 26 last season.

Half-time: City 1 Millwall 1

The 2^nd half promised much and delivered next to nothing. Millwall dropped deeper but still carried a threat partly thanks to Morison but Cardiff’s defence, shorn of the protection offered by Oilfinjana and with two slow centre-halves, are shaky enough to give any side hope. Worst culprit, again, was Tony Naylor and there should be a debate on the merits of him getting starts on current form. Beaten with ease several times, shocking distribution, struggling to stop crosses, Millwall saw him as a weakness and attacked mostly on his side.

Up front however, City offered next to nothing and never showed they had an extra man out there. Stuck between boredom and frustration, it was hard work just watching it.

Jason Koumas replaced Steve McPhail (McPhail’s name being announced as he walked off the pitch was the only time all afternoon that I realised he was on it in the first place) and I thought he would find the time and space to make a telling pass or run, he didn’t.

Keogh shot narrowly wide falling, Koumas saw a shot blocked on the line and, as I recall it, that was the sum extent of telling City moments in the half until, 2 minutes left, Bothroyd took the ball on the touchline, drifted in, sent a ball in the box and ANDY KEOGH’s deft flicked header found the far corner of goal perfectly. His first goal for 13 months which he celebrated in shirt off run to the corner routine as City fans went ballistic and Millwall’s stopped all their celebratory gloating thinking they’d achieved a result. Now they had to put up with “One nil and you ***ed it up”.

There were plenty of players to be concerned about – Naylor, the Gyepes-Hudson partnership, Keogh – and only Jay, Blake and McNaughton who played reasonably well as well as Gavin Rae who once more looked useful from the bench. Will City go up or even stay in contention playing like this? Not a chance. The sooner the big hitters are back, the better as we look very ordinary without them.

Bellamy still out as City heasd to Ipswich but Oli and Jay back

It is believed that Cardiff City flew to Ipswich yesterday without Craig Bellamy, despite media hints of his return, but that Seyi Olifinjana and Jay Bothroyd were with the side.

If true and they play, it can only be good news for City as both are pivotal players in the side.

Bellamy is expected to be back for the Milwall home clash next weekend but Danny Drinkwater is set to be absent for another 3 weeks and Michael Chopra a week longer.

Although unconfirmed at this stage, the match is set to be streamed live on the Bet 365 and William Hill websites so worth check it later.

TRANSFER WINDOW SHUTS - The Stars Stay but Gerrard Goes

Cardiff City fans spent the day on tenterhooks, monitoring online news and messageboards hoping for the best and their wishes were fulfilled as the club held onto all its key personnel.


It is believed, despite all the rumours, that no Premier side made late moves for Bothroyd or Burke, Nottingham Forest never made one final increased offer for Peter Whittingham.

It means City can crack on with the Championship assault and will keep their personnel intact until January at least.

However in the final hour, before the window shut at 6pm, one player did depart as centre half ANTHONY GERRARD left for a season's loan with fellow Championship outfit Hull City.

Gerrard has been injured, out of form and out of favour with stories mingling of bust ups with the City hierarchy. As the club ponder moves for Chris Riggott, Danny Gabbidon and Calum Davenport, it was obvious that Gerrard was falling down the pecking order.

One consequence of the move is that Gerrard can play against Cardiff as Hull reciprocated allowing City star man Seyi Olifinjana to play against Hull. The side ironically meet in their next Championship fixture at CCS when action resumes after the international break on September 13th.

Transfer Window D-Day

The Summer Transfer Window shuts firmly at 6pm this evening so 12 hours to go on what may, or may not, be an active day but will there be inward or outward moves at Cardiff City?

Having already brought in 7 men, mostly loans, Dave Jones has conducted most of his business already but is still hoping to add "one or two more". It is a fair bet those players will be centre-halves but those deals may not take place today.

Chris Rigott, already training with the club, and Calum Davenport, also linked, are free agents so do not need to be signed today. Both have injury histories and represent gambles, City are understood to be arranging a friendly tomorrow to run the rule over Riggott and maybe Davenport too.

Unlike at is seems, one shock move could see out of favour Anthony Gerrard heading to Premier League West Ham United in some sort of swap move with a homecoming for Bluebirds star, and another injury prone centre half, Danny Gabbidon. Gabbs has just pulled out of Wales' squad for their Euro 2012 opener in Montenegro on Friday but has played in the last two games for the beleagured Hammers ... who, erm, got hammered.

However most concern will be on whether any star men leave with the likes of Peter Whittingham, Jay Bothroyd and Chris Burke all in new contract talks but out of deals next summer making it vital to9 tie them down fast or risk, a la Joe Ledley, losing them for nothing. Whitts, in particular, has been linked to Nottingham Forest who are rumoured to be weighing up one final fling for him. City really do not want to lose any of these men and fans will be counting down the minutes until 6pm.

Others who may go could be Gavin Rae (Leeds or Derby showing interest), Steve McPhail (Ipswich may move for him) and other squad members like Taiwo and co but, again, these players may leave on loan at some time after today rather than find a permanent move now.

Eyes down then and let's hope for the best.

Video Highlights - Cardiff City 1 Middlesbrough 0

** Cardiff 1-0 Middlesbrough **

Jay Bothroyd's 10th goal of the season gave troubled Cardiff City a vital win in their bid for promotion.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/8554645.stm

Bothroyd tells Swans, "Jack Off"

I was ready to ignore yesterday's story of Swansea City making an 'audacious' bid for Jay Bothroyd as it is the silly season, mischief making and there was no story.

Swans chairman Huw Jenkins is supposed to have enquired with City boss Dave Jones but realising he didn't have the funds to make a reasonable bid, didn't offer. However he seemed keen to let the press know about it which had Swansea fans gloating.

However in a classic response, Jay Bothroyd told the Cardiff City official website that he was 'embarrassed' by the story and Swansea's interest adding' "You can kill that story off - I won't be going there. It's embarrassing, I'm happy at Cardiff".

That has to be the only bit of sense in the whole comedic episode.

Jay Bothroyd interview ahead of the Bristol City F.A. Cup replay

Jay talks about all things Cardiff City ... and his recent illness.

** Bothroyd dismisses FA Cup bid **
Cardiff City striker Jay Bothroyd explains to BBC Wales football reporter Rob
Phillips why he feels the league is more important than the FA Cup.

< http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/cardiff_city/8466605.stm

DJ blasts JB on official site

The internal inquest into the Xmas Disaster that was Cardiff City has gone into overdrive today.

Losing a home game to Leicester City as the club had not got around to commissioning the boiler for undersoil heating was embarrassing enough and made The Bluebirds a laughing stock but that pales into insignificance with the post-Christmas results.

Defeat at home to bottom of the table Plymouth who hadn’t scored in 6 games, all in front of Cardiff’s biggest home Boxing Day crowd for 40 years, was unacceptable but could be dismissed as a fluke and ‘one of those games’ after City missed half a dozen golden opportunities but were denied by defensive and goalkeeping heroics too.

However yesterday’s capitulation at Peterborough, who themselves became bottom club, is inexcusable and leaves the club, its manager and players with no hiding place. To lose a 4 goal half-time lead defies belief but as the blog as shown in the past 2 days, City and Dave Jones have a history of collapses and losing late goals that shows no sign of being arrested.

One unbelievable aspect has been Dave Jones’ decision to publicly lambast Jay Bothroyd and it is understood the pair were due to meet up today – 24 hours before Jones sees the rest of his battered squad. Maybe there is more to this than meets the eye because how a striker, who was withdrawn with City still 2 goals to the clear, can be blamed for failings at the back is beyond me but he has been singled.

The official website even runs Jones’ feelings in full under the headline “Dave’s Blast at Jay” (http://www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10335~1917407,00.html)

Jay scored a wonderful first half goal band did appear to be one of many players who thought the job was done at the interval and stopped their performance level but many will feel that others were far worse. However Jones was uninterested in how bad Jay’s injury could be, commenting that, “"I haven't spoken to him, don't want to speak to him, don't want to speak to any of them at the moment. I haven't asked him and don't want to ask him because he's one of those players who decided to do it his way and his way isn't good enough.”

As for the rest of the shambles, Jones has hinted he may now wheel and deal with some personnel by saying, “One or two, if we can do it, we'll change them. We need to get players in because the players, in the second half, didn't do what we expected of them. But maybe one or two of them just decided that they think it's a bit easy and one or two, if we can do it, we'll change them."

Cardiff’s cashflow problems appear to be no better than ever with the Malaysians continuing to stall on any investment, some even believing their future involvement in the club is in jeopardy. No wonder City are therefore appealing to fans once again to invest in season tickets with the club pledging to use those funds for new recruitment in January. They are aiming to raise £3M in season ticket sales by Friday with their interest free, price freeze for 5 years and full refund if City are promoted this season deal.

I’ve renewed mine and I truly hope it brings strengthening so the team can have a good crack in the second half of the season but it does sound like desperation, doesn’t it?

Cardiff will be ready for West Brom says Jones

Cardiff manager Dave Jones looks ahead to Tuesday's Championship clash with West Brom at the Hawthorns.

He confirms there are doubts over Quinn, McNaughton and Ledley while Bothroyd is suspended giving a likely opportuinity to Kevin Etutu. Ledley's injury is discussed as well as Michael Chopra's current goal drought.



You can watch it all here:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/cardiff_city/8400405.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.”

Tonight's Cardiff City Phone-In with Jay Bothroyd

Listen in or download via this link:

http://www.mediafire.com/?dmgzmzmfynz

The Week Ahead for Cardiff City

International Breaks mean low activity at Cardiff City but there are a feww things in the week ahead.


TODAY - City play Bristol Rovers in friendly. These games get no publicity so I've no idea whether it's home or away, behind closed doors (most likely) or not but there will be some news on it later.


TONIGHT - JAY BOTHROYD is the latest player guest on the Cardiff City Phone-In and you'll even hear me ask him a question or two you lucky things!

The show is on Mondays, Wednesdays and Friday from 7pm to 8pm with host and former Premiership referee Keith Cooper.


The phone number remains the same as before, 01443 654654 while e-mails should be sent to a new address bluebirds@mail.com

It can be heard on air on the web of;

Radio Cardiff on 98.7FM www.radiocardiff.org

GTFM in Pontypridd www.gtfm.co.uk on 107.9 FM.

Bro Radio (Barry) www.brofm.com on 98.1 FM

.

MIDWEEK INTERNATIONALS - Wales finish their tortuous World Cup campaign disaster in Liechtenstein but with only 1 Bluebird in the form of called up man Darcy Blake. Gabor Gyepes is the only other Bluebird away this week, or so I believe, as he plays with Hungary.

Bothroyd unhappy with Owls defeat and the referee

Bothroyd not happy with his and City’s treatment – watch here

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/cardiff_city/8277172.stm

Bothroyd Injury Scare

Most Cardiff City fans will tell you that JAY BOTHROYD is a pivotal figure in the side and we'd look a different outfit without him as he is perfectly suited to our system.


Those words proved prophetic at the weekend as Jay limped away within the opening 10 minutes, Cardiff were fairly battered and made to look ordinary in the extreme - a 100% contrast to everything served up beforehand this season.


To make matters worse, there are now genuine concerns that Jay may be spending time out injured as he felt something behind the knee. The club are organising urgent scans fearing Bothroyd's hamstring may have been affected.


Bothroyd was twice absent last term with hamstring trouble and it was interesting to hear Dave Jones moaning on Radio Wales last Saturday night with rambling remarks about it being 'not good enough, hinting about being 'unprofessional' and talk about looking into how Jay warmed up. It deeply suggested that Jay didn't prepare properly.


Cardiff now enter a two week break to sort this out but the worries are that he will be missing for longer, something City can ill afford.

Shocking - Cardiff City players and management go on the razzle in Blackpool

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

Bothroyd looks forward to Charlton tonight

and, obviously, is keen to put the Preston debacle behind him and the club. Listen/watch at lonk below.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/cardiff_city/8008637.stm

Bothroyd - ready, willing and able for the climax

In today's South Wales Echo, JAY BOTHROYD tell how he playing his best football ever at Cardiff City this season. Looking ahead to tomorrow's massive clash against Sheffield United at Parc Nin and reflecting on hitting double figures as a pivotal forward for "The City", Jay says, "“Cardiff have brought the best out of me”.


Clearly loving it, he adds, "I’m having a fantastic time and I’m definitely playing the best football of my career as Dave Jones has been great, but so has everyone, including the fans. 10 goals isn’t bad, but I’d love to score more. I have my own personal target, which I’m keeping to myself, but it’s far more important to contribute in every match. Whether I score or help set somebody else up, we benefit as a team.”

Jay, who has always had talent but never fiited anywhere to make the most of it for varying reasons and who I'll admit to being throughly gutted when news broke that Cardiff had signed him (but I love him proving my fears wrong) has been pushed hard by Dave Jones and its reaping its rewards.

Looking forward to tomorrow, Both says, "They (Sheffield United) are right up there with us in the table, but that’s great for us. I’d prefer to play teams who are around us rather than those fighting against relegation. It seems more enjoyable when you are playing teams who pass the ball around and play their football.”

Have'em Jay!!!

SuperKev and The Jay Walker are ready for the Wurzles

I WANT YOU BACK !!!

I WANT YOU BACK TOO!!!

BRISTOL CITY FANS
PREPARE TO WELCOME BACK TRUNDLE!
(see below)

CARDIFF CITY have been handed a boost ahead of this Sunday’s Derby in Wurzleland at Bristol City (kick-off 1:15pm live on Sky Sports) as two of their key players are set to return from injury.

Mr Reliable a.k.a. SuperKev a.k.a. Kevin McNaughton has limped the last 4 games with a hamstring problem since limping off at half-time in the home 0-0 aganst Q.P.R.. His return really could not be any more timely as Darcy Blake, his deputee, now faces his own absence after being taken off at Norwich on Tuesday night with a calf problem.

Meanwhile, talisman forward Jay Bothroyd – who is now viewed as pivotal in City’s formation and play – is set to return at Trashton Gate too. He has managed just 2 minute spells in City’s last 6 games with a calf problem and proved a big miss.

City certainly need their big men present but it does look as though they will have to persevere a while longer without defender Mark Kennedy and goalkeepers Tom Heaton and Peter Enckleman and it’s the loss of goalies causing most concern as Dimi is redefining the term’ “dodgy keeper” with horrific errors at Wolves and again at Norwich arguably costing City a crucial 3 points.

Another boost came as The Carrot Crunchers were forced to take back Championship waster Lee Trundle. They tried to offload him to Leeds but the League One side don’t want him and decided against extending his loan having not used him recently. I do hope they’re desperate enough to play him against Cardiff!!!

City's Dilemma facing QPR

Cardiff City fans are checking out Google Maps tonight to find their way back to Ninian Park as City play only their second home Championship game in eight and a hlaf week tomorrow against QPR.

QPR are one of only 4 sides to have defeated Cardiff this season (City avoided Wolves, Birmingham and Plymouth recording a double) but their recent rise towards the play-offs has stuttered with 2 points in their last 3 games including a poor display as they crashed 3-1 to Ipswich in front of tv cameras last Saturday evening. They have good individuals but don't seem to be blending as a team, they made a few changes last Saturday and are expected to repeat that at Ninian Park. Has squad rotation worked well for any club?

Cardiff are a settled unit by anyone's standards but Jay Bothroyd is ruled out tomorrow, the result of a calf injury which also caused him to limp off after 30 minutes at Wolves on Sunday. Paul Parry was pressed alongside Chops but it is rumoured that loan man Quincy will be unleashed.

He has pace and skills galore as this video shows. The prospect of Chops and himself fed by Parry, Burke and co is mouth-watering. It may even distract us from abusing Wayne Routledge for a short time! :>)

The aim has to be 3 points but City boss Dave Jones will take any result declaring it as not a "must win" game by saying, " "Tomorrow doesn't decide anything because there's so many points still up for grabs. In one month's time, at the end of March, we will have a clearer picture of where everybody is."

Game On!

QUINCY IN ACTION

Championship Game 29: CARDIFF CITY 2 Nottingham Forest 0 match report

Two stunning left foot strikes by Paul Parry and Jay Bothroyd disposed of the dogged and hard resistance of a uncompromising Nottingham Forest side showing all the hallmarks of being managed by Billy Davies but suffering their first defeat under his charge as Cardiff City secured a double over a Midlands aside for the second time in 4 days.

The visitors fighting hard all the way combined with the legginess and knocks with City playing their third tough games in 6 days and their second in less than 72 hours was apparent but this Cardiff side always had an edge in quality and met fire with fire to see them home. Not a game for the purist but those goals and that result will do for me.

The result took City to 51 points and means, barring administration, The Blues Are Saying Up and now some of us can stay to wonder if maybe The Blues Are Going Up as they enter the final third of the season in 4th spot 7 points behind the auto-promotion spots but 5 points and a vastly superior goal difference ahead of the chasing pack outside the zone plus with a game in hand (at home too) over everyone.

With Kevin McNaughton and Joe Ledley amongst others patched up, City started with the same 11 that faced Arsenal and Coventry in CARDIFF CITY: Enckleman; McNaughton-Johnson-Gypes-Kennedy; Burke-Rae-Ledley-Parry; Bothroyd-McCormack. Subs: Heaton-Comminges-Johnson(Eddie)-McPhail-Purse.

City are top of are form leagues, now unbeaten in 13 and have won 5 on the bounce in the league at Ninian Park but Forest, despite their lowly position, presented the sternest of tests. While not a bad side, they couldn't buy a goal and had been in the relegation zone all season long which saw them depart with Colin Calderwood and install Billy Davies at the start of the month to produce immediate dividends with 3 successive Championship wins before today as well as a fantastic 3-0 slaying of Manchester City in Manc-land. Like City, they replay to get into the 5th round in the coming week and came into this clash 3rd in the form league.

Ex-City hero Rob Earnshaw was out injured but they had one time City target Tyson up front accompanied by Thornill (what's that pert of Cardiff doing playing against us??). FOREST: Smith; Chambers-Morgan-Breckin-Perch; Wilson-McGugan-McCleary-Cohen; Thornhill-Tyson.

In front of an excellent 18,779 crowd on a chilly last day of January meaning it wasn't far short of a City sell out with 1,250 or so Forest fans, City kicked off attacking the Canton Stand end but the game opened in a tired fashion with low thrills entertainment such as could Peter Enckleman keep back-passes in play? He had a few and yes he did ... all except one anyway.

City were generally in control but were creating little. The first oohs and aahs came as Paul Parry sent over a corner and rebound attempt with some venom but neither saw a Blue shirt connect. Forest's first scare was self-inflicted as Peter Enckleman froze on his line leaving Roger Johnson to contest a through ball with Tyson and only just hooking the ball away before he let Encks know what he thought, I'm sure the entire Grange End heard that too.

With Forest happy (or only able) to defend deep, in considerable numbers and with considerable height at the back too, the contest become congested and strangled so it needed a goal to open it up, thankfully it came City's way. Ross McCormack got the ball with few options around him and, for once, finding no Forest defender on him either. His highly speculative shot hit a defender and ran of the box but in prime position for PAUL PARRY who spectacularly smashed the ball precision perfect on the deck right inside the far post, its sheer power beating Paul Smith's sprawling dive. A wonderful hit, the sort he's managed a few times at the Grange End but very rarely at the Canton Stand.

Forest fans had delighted in becoming strangely patriotic and singing God Save The Queen but soon realised that There'll Always Be An England, There'll Always Be A King but There's Always Be A Taffy To Do The Notts Scabs In! ;>)

Parry has played well but not his best during the recent run but was up for it today, that was confirmed minutes later as he won a big tackle tracking back as City were now in full flow and had upped their tempo to leave Forest breathless. They almost doubled their lead as Ross McCormack jinked down the right, slipped a defender and sent a low ball across that Jay Bothroyd met on the full turning with exemplary technique to bullet a shot inches past the post with Smith nowhere.

Parry was closer, Bothroyd closer still and then Jay Bothroyd once more showed outstanding skill to flick a ball past two defenders to send Joe Ledley clear on goal. Joe took a second too long to shoot and as he did, he was taken down by Wes Morgan making a desperate challenge from behind. It wasn't the worst challenge, it was for the ball but, without the benefit of tv, O thought he caught Joe for sure and it was an obvious penalty and, by rules, a red card too. Ref Hegley refused to give it causing fury amongst the City fans but that was barely the start of it as he went on to give a series of balling and inconsistent decisions and, at times, make himself the centre of attention as City realised they were facing 12 reds, 11 in the Forest shirt and that ref with Ginger hair!

The final chance of the half was Cardiff's too as a corner was cleared into the air, Roger Johnson tried an ambitious overhead kick from 15 yards which was blocked and followed up by a rasping Joe Ledley volley which cleared the bar. A tough half but City's quality shone on several occasions and marked them out as the superior outfit.

Half-time: Owain Glyndwr 1 Robin Hood 0

The second period, City's second half apart, was instantly forgettable. Forest brought on a striker Garner as they went 4-4-2 with recognised strikers after a negative first half set up and they benefited from it while Roger Johnson returned with a bandaged right hand.

However the only excitement was apoplexy and the only noise was derision with ref Hegley who was whistle happy, forever talking to Forest players as they clattered in time after time but just when we thought he'd forgotten his cards, out came one for Gypes. Fair enough for his challenge but it was hardly worse than some we'd also seen from Forest men and when an identical foul was committed on Chris Burke, that was a normal free-kick. You did worry whether his erratic ways would affect the outcome of the game and cost City, thankfully they didn't.

Forest were pressing but not really creating, their only chance came from a City error as McNaughton's under-steered back header saw Tyson free but City's central defenders closed him down quickly forcing an angled effort under pressure which was too close to Enckleman, a major let off but the Forest man was closer with a dipping drive that was just over.

Another setback saw Gabor Gypes depart with 20 minutes left and Darren Purse, the man who almost left for Norwich, come on proving that he is still needed around the club at present and mark his mark immediately winning a couple of bug headers although City look more unbalanced as Purse on the pitch forces Roger Johnson to play on the left side in that pairing.

Bothroyd smashed another low screamer which was straight at Smith but he did well to take low down and then the ref got his only cheers of the afternoon as he finally, and long overdue, booked a Forest man but only after 20 seconds of contemplation and then another immediately for dissent.

Calamity almost fell City's way as Purse stumbled under challenge but was adjudged to be fouled which was just as well as Tyson netted with Enckleman caught out before City finally ended the tenseness as 4 minutes remained with a sublime JAY BOTHROYD effort.

Bothroyd took the ball on the Grandstand touchline, came inside, beat a defender inside out, side-stepped another in the box and then shot across Smith to score off the inside of the far post. An audacious piece of skill which sent the roof off NP Towers and, humorously, acted as the cue for upto half the Forest fans to walk out. Bothroyd was booked was removing his shirt in celebration leaving City fans to salute him and wave cheerio to Forest at the same time.

Game over, job done but not before City's fans screamed EDDIE, EDDIE, EDDIE as Mr Johnson replaced McCormack in stoppage time and they chanted it again as he immediately challenged for a header, Darren Purse made a tremendous interception to stop Forest grabbing a consolation and give City their 6th clean sheet in 8 games (the only goals conceded since mid-December are those last kick equalisers by Reading and Birmingham) while Comminges came on and ran onto the pitch for all of 5 seconds before the final whistle blew sop his only work was shaking hands with the Forest men and wondering how to spend his appearance money.

City now travel to The Emirates for the F.A. Cup replay with Arsenal on Tuesday. The money is great but it's a game they could probably do without. The next one that really matters for me is bottom club Charlton away next Saturday, a further chance to build on what is now a hugely exciting season that is producing a real buzz and where City fans, with rare optimism, feel that anything is possible. Given the attitude, flair and tenacity of this side, it genuinely is too. It certainly feels good just being able to dare to dream, long may it continue.