Hello Loovens, Goodbye Gerrard??

During Saturday’s memorable victory over Doncaster, word spread around Cardiff City fans like wildfire that centre-half Anthony Gerrard is heading for the exit door for a season’s loan at League One Sheffield Wednesday with Celtic’s Glen Loovens returning through the entrance on the same deal but there appear to have been no developments so far.

Gerrard’s move remains likely to happen, the player slipping out of the first team picture and rumour would have it, out of Dave Jones’ thoughts too. His only appearance this season in the Carling Cup victory over Burton saw a poor display in which he was at fault for Burton’s goal. However Dave Jones’ mate, Alan Irvine who is boss at Sheffield Wednesday, was playing it down this evening saying, “"I am surprised to hear that one. I would expect that Anthony Gerrard's under contract which would require there to be a fee involved, and we don't have any money."

Loovens’ situation is more intriguing. Cardiff and Celtic have agreed the loan deal leaving it to the player to decide. He also finds himself out of favour with new Celtic boss Neil Lennon bringing in new centre halves. City fans would love to see him back but he is reported to be playing poorly.

However the story has moved on with Loovens preferring to fight for his place and declining City but then promptly being removed from Celtic’s squad as they beat St Mirren 4-0 yesterday with Joe Ledley scoring the opener, his first for The Bhoys. Gossip had it that Loovens stormed away from Parkhead when told of the decision but that’s being played down today with Celtic claiming that he had an injury.

Don’t therefore be surprised to see Loovens back with the Bluebirds, sooner rather than later.

Naylor becomes new signing number 7

CARDIFF CITY have reportedly completed the signing of free agent left back Lee Naylor.



Naylor, a former player of City boss Dave Jones at Wolves, has just completed 4 seasons at Celtic playing 100 SPL games and signing off with a goal as The Bhoys beat deadly rivals Rangers 2-1 in the final game of last season.


The player has been trainign with Cardiff for some time and the club have always wanted him to put pen to paper but he delayed a decision hoping to attract a Premier League outift. Now however he has chosen the Bluebirds but may face stiff competition as Kevin McNaughton has been outstanding in that position and the club last week signed Canadian English-born prospect Martin John.

Kick-Off Countdown News - 6 Days to go

City's big league kick-off, a Sky tv game against Sheffield United this Sunday lunchtime, is fast approaching but still we don't know who half the side will be.


With an embargo still in place until City sort out some taxing matters and debts to other clubs, Tom Heaton and Danny Drinkwater cannot be in the squad, other triallists and potential signings cannot be added and new contracts cannot be signed off for 8 key players out of contract next summer. Add in Steve McPhail being injured and Jay Bothroyd withdrawn from last Staurday's friendly loss to Deportivo La Coruna having missed just about all pre-season and it's a squad literally down to bare bones which is no way to start a season.


However strong rumours persist that, thanks to the Malaysians investors, those debts will be resolved this week. At this stage, City fans can only pray that comes to fruition.

It is also hinted that 30 year old diminuitive Celtic defender Lee Naylor is linking up with the club today for training and will sign as soon as the embargo is lifted too. The player is well known to Dave Jones having been part of his Premiership squad at Wolves so the link is no surprise. Potentially, he's a worthy replacement for Mark Kennedy and would represent good business by the gaffer.

Ledley - he's out of our league

One of the nationals claim Celtic have offered him in excess of £20k weekly. That's about the minimum I expected bearing in mind they get him for free. It's still a bargain package.


However, as I suspected, he's not rushing any decision and is apparently going on holidays to Portugal for a while anyway. He may yet also visit clubs in Greece (Panathanaikos) and Turkey (Galatasary and Fenerbache) as well as Rangers having also been to Roma in Italy. He's either collecting AirMiles or getting as many bargain flights with Ryanair as possible!


It's interesting that with so many Premier League clubs reportedly interested, none seem to be making any move so far while this is going on.


Personally, as much as I'd love Joe to stay, I don't believe we could or should compete with those sort of wages and I suspect Joe is just not willing to spend another year in the Championship, he's ready to push on now.


I just hope he makes the right football choice, not the richest money choice and, of course, I do hope he goes tro the Prem and Cardiff City get some benefit from it too.

Joe Ledley in signing talks with Celtic

As Cardiff City fans dream of the (still remote) possibility of Craig Bellamy donning a Bluebirds shirt next season, they may now have to face the nightmare of losing star and icon Joe Ledley to Celtic for nothing!


Ledley has been in VIP talks with the Scottish SPL side today and is already believed to be heading north to Celtic Park for a tour and further discussion.

Cardiff City would dearly like to keep Joe but he is out of contract and attracting the interest of several Premiership sides but it would cost them compensation which does not apply if Joe moves to Scottland. Celtic believe this gives them the edge as they can offer higher wages gambling that they can cash in by selling Joe to the Premiership in 12 months time. For Joe, Celtic offer Champions League football.

Scottish sources are very positive that a deal is very close.

Joe's season (and Cardiff City career) set to end

Cardiff City today revealed that Joe Ledley will enter hospital at the end of January for his delay hip operations - he will have ops on both hips within 10 days - which means that his season will be over in a couple of games ... and quite possibly, his time at Cardiff City too.

The club confirmed that Joe had played on for a while but that it could not be delayed any longer. They will hope to have ther return of Steve McPhail and possible new singings to cover him by month end.


However fans will question whether we will now be seeing his last moments for Cardiff City as he is out of contract this summer, can talk to other clubs now and can leave for compensation only in he stays in England or Wales or free if he goes abroad.

He had been linked with moves to Celtic, Stoke and Blackburn alrerady this month but this news will be the end of that.

Bluebirds boss Dave Jones said, "When the day comes for him to go in [for the surgery] I hope that won't be the last time we see him in a blue shirt, but if it is, that's football for you."

Joe to go?

He may be having a poor season, he need need a hip op and a couple of months rest but JOE LEDLEY remains a good player and in demand.

It's a pity that his agent and himself allowed contracts talks to fester for over a year - although some will also blame Cardiff City for that - but he is free to talk to other clubs and arrange a move in the summer.

It is being reported in Lancashire that Big Sam Allardyce is ready to plot a £2M raid for the player valued at £6M by Stoke City last year to take him to Blackburn Rovers and will be making his move in the next 24 hours. Having been pasted 4-1 at Manchester City tonight and faced with arelegation scrap, it may not be a great move for Joe.

Others claim a deal is in the offeing with Birmingham City where one of his best mates, Cameron Jerome, and also Roger Johnson are performing wonders this season. Personally, I can see that happening.

Joe can go now for an agreed fee or leave for compensation in the summer but the nightmare is if he moves abroad as no fee would then be paid, his Scottish agent is mooted to have mentioned Celtic It may get Joe more money now but it's really not a wise football move.

Of course, there's a remote chance he could stay with City but I think the odds are greater than myself wanting to see Bristol City do well!

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.

WALES v SCOTLAND friendly confirmed for CCS

Following on from weekend rumours, the FAW have now verified that Wales will play a friendly game against Scotland in Cardiff at the new Cardiff City Stadium on Staurday November 14th.



This is likely to be a trial run for the new stadium being used as the main international venue as Wales bid to move games away from Muillennium Stadium as completes a Scottish double as Glasgow giants Celtic officially opened the new stadium for club football in July.

Wales and Scotland last met 5 years ago when Robert Earnshaw at the peak of his powers smashed home a hat trick in a 4 - 0 Millennium Stadium demolition. The last time Cardiff City hosted a football international was 11 years ago when the Red Dragon beat Belarus 3 - 2 at Ninian Park.

The Cardiff City Week - McCormack asks to go, Parry set to go, McNaughton crocked and 2 x 0-0's

Hello Everyone

I've been away in Turkey for a week so it's catch up time and, as usual, 1 week with Cardiff City had its usual shares of mayhem and shocks. Life is never dull with the Bluebirds.

ROSS McCORMACK ASKS TO LEAVEHands Up if you want out

The major talking point and disappointment of the last week was forward star ROSS McCORMACK asking to leave the club. This only 2 weeks after signing a "double your money" new 4 year deal with the club, agreeing to no trigger clauses which could self-prompt an early release and excitely announcing on his Facebook page that he "Is Staying AT Cardiff City FC Till At Least 2013!!!". Ross likes exclamation marks in all his posts(!!!). In fact, his Facebook page still currently says that.

However last Thursday night - 24 hours after Cardiff fought a goalless draw with Celtic officially opening the new stadium watched by Hull City boss and McCormack admirer - Sky Sports announced that the diminuitive, tricky Scotsman had submitted a transfer request.

Clubs officials were bemused and spoke out against it while a section of supporters vocally turned on their hero in a goalless draw at Swindon last weekend, many labelling him greedy, many more thinking he may have been tapped up. This from a player loved by the fans after his first season with season scoring 23 times also starring and scoring World Cup winners for Scotland - a sensational return for £120,000.

Today, McCormack broke his silence denying that he has requested a transfer and upset that 'someone' (his agent? at the club??) leaked his intentions to Sky Sports.

He told press that he was unhappy playing second fiddle to Jay Bothroyd and Michael Chopra although he got on fine with those players and being made to play wide to get games. He was also concerned that in a World Cup season and his country in a good position, this may affect his selection with the national side.

Those points are understandable, many City fans agree Ross is being wasted playing wide and City do not like as balanced as Dave Jones uncomfortably tries to fit the three strikers into a system. However Ross knew this last season, he knew it all summer, he knew it when hi8s contract was penned and he had all the time in the world to ask questions and sort his position. To question the club 2 weeks before the new season kick off and disrupt pre-season is poor form.

Cardiff have stressed Ross is contracted to the club and they will be not sell cheap sending out a clear message to any club thinking there is an opprtunity to sign him for a lesser fee. It is believed that figure is circa £5M.

PAUL PARRY PREPARES FOR PRESTONPaul Parry is currently in Lancashire discussing a possible move to Preston North End after Cardiff City agreed a sale worth upto £300,000 last Friday.

It's a sad state of affairs when many Cardiff City fans will say "amen to that" to a player who has been a star for 3 years but who, last season, was poor (and that's being kind). Disinterested with Wales and reiting from international football, Parry often looked disinterested at Cardiff City as well last term and a shaow of the player he can be. He appeared to have added a couple of punds to his frame - although supremely lean by the standards of the average fan! - and lost that ability to get past players. Fans only saw fleeting glimpses of the talent that we know he has and he had become a whipping boy for Cardiff City's failures at the end of the season.

In fairness, Parry himself recognises he had a bad time and has recently spoken of his determination to see out the final year of his contract making up for it with Cardiff City. However it has equally become clear that he is one of a number of men that boss Dave Jones would like to move on if he can and the figure quoted is certainly good business. DJ has declared that he already has a replacement lined up if he leaves.

However that all depends on Parry agreeing to the deal and he appears reluctant with young fmaily and friends in the area and always having lived in the Cardiff to Hereford region. He is due to start a second day of talks with Preston boss Alan Irvine tomorrow.

TWO GOALLESS DRAWS

While I was away, Cardiff took their unbeaten pre-season record to 6 games and still hadn't conceded a goal but they have stopped scoring as well as they played out 0-0 draws with the first team at home to Celtic and with the rest of the squad at Swindon. The blog will update match reports to those games.

SUPERKEV OUT FOR 6 WEEKS

A year has 4 seasons and a season normally has 4 Kevin McNaughton injuries. The fans favourite, a 110%er and Mr Totally Committed "Naughts" sadly crocked himself in the pre-season friendly with Celtic and is set to miss 6 weeks with ankle ligament damage.

That is a blow as Kev was reverting to left back this season but Cardiff have Mark Kennedy and Tony Capaldi ready, willing and able in the wings. Kennedy looks set to satrt the season against Scunthorpe next weekend.

This Blog Takes A 1 Week Holiday

I'm away for a few days so there will only be scheduled updates to the blog over the next 7 days.

Cardiff City are home to Celtic in midweek and away at Swindon next Saturday which I will update when I'm back.

CARDIFF CITY yesterday confirmed opening events to open/test the new stadium ahead of league and cup life beginning at the ground in August.

With opening capacity set at 26,828, the pre-season events are: Saturday July 4th - Legends game Former Cardiff City players will play a Legends game kicking off at 3:00pm, tickets costing £5 (and £2.50 for concessions) with 50% capacity and Ambassadors/season ticket holders able to try their new seats. Sunday July 5th - Training session Dave Jones and the Cardiff City squad will leave their Vale Hotel camp and hold an open session in the stadium where all Ambasadors, season ticket holders and a new category of Stadium Card Holders are welcome to attend. Friday 10th July. Cardiff City v Chasetown The first match involving the first team at the new ground who have struuck up a relationship with the Staffordshire club after the FA Cup draw with them in 2008 that started City's journey to Wembley. Kick off is 7:45pm, capacity is set at 70% with tickets at £5/£2.50. Saturday 18th July. Cardiff Blues open day Cardiff Blues Egg Chasers hold an own open day - ... that should keep their 5 fans happy! Wednesday 22nd July. Cardiff City v Celtic The real launch as City go head to head with the Glasgow ginats they beat in pre-season action last summer. Capacity is 90% but ticket prices are extreme ... they're charging us normal matchday prices ... poor, poor, poor! Saturday 1st August. Cardiff City v Valencia The stadium will be open to full capacity ... not that it will be full for sure. 7 days before the Championsship restarts, it'll cost us £20/£10/£5 for adults/oaps/kids. Full info available at www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk

Celtic to open new Cardiff City stadium

Loovens set to return to City ...
for one night only

Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell told Cardiff's official website: "We are pleased to play our part in the opening of such a prestigious new venue.

Cardiff City will officially open the new £50million stadium on Wednesday July 22 with a prestige pre-season friendly against Celtic.

With the usual blurb and hype, Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell told City's official site: (www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk) "We are pleased to play our part in the opening of such a prestigious new venue. It will be a fantastic occasion for both sets of supporters."

The by-line to the game being it's an occasion to remember Celtic's legendary boss Jock Stein, who died at Cardiff's current Ninian Park home after a World Cup qualifier in which Scotland qualified, at Wales' expense, for the finals in Mexico in 1986.

This is not believed to be the first game at the new ground as City will play former F.A. Cup opponents Chasetown in a low capacity game and have lined up a further game against Spanish side Seville.

City's pre-season will also include friendlies in Madeira.

Loovens Bags A Medal

Former Cardiff City centre half Glenn Loovens picked up some silverware with Celtic today as they beat Rangers in the unglamorous CIS Insurance Cup, putting in a great performance as well.



Loovens has also played Champions League football so maybe won't be regretting leaving Cardiff but he's hardly had the happiest time being see as a back up player by boss Gordon Strachan starting just 7 league games.

Willo Signs On at Celtic

Wee Willo Flood has completed his move from Cardiff City to Celtic and everyone seems delighted. Flood, an expensive failure at Ninian Park after being bought for £200,000, went for free when City had hoped for £50,000 but the club were just happy to get him off their wage bill as Dundee United, where he had been on loan for one and a half seasons, paid a relatively minor portion of his pay.

Willo, a lifelong Celtic fan, is delighted to be joining the club he adores while Gordon Strachan, Celtic boss, is happy to get such a capture for nothing.

Flood expressed his delight at joining Celtic, thanked Dundee United but had nothing to say about Cardiff ... it's mutual though as Cardiff City fans haven't really got anything to say about him. The average City fan had forgotten he was a Cardiff player before all this transfer talk emerged after all. The time spent at the club saw him have some popularity with the fans for a time before it was widely acknowledged he was too lightweight for the demands at that time.

Some players and transfers just don't work out at some clubs. that's how it was with Willo here. Good Luck to him.

SSN reporting Ched is coming to City

I will believe it when I see it but Sky Sports News are reporting this morning that Manchester City's exciting young Welsh striker Ched Evans is opting to join up with Cardiff City in preference to Celtic.

Ched would be a fantastic capture so here's hoping!

DJ and Strachan discuss the great Flood

Dave Jones has contacted Celtic regarding the possible transfer of Willo Flood. Cardiff City contacted the Glasgow outfit after finding out they were trying to buy him off Dundee United! Quite funny but understandable when you consider he's currently spending his 2nd full season on loan at The Tannadice club.

One's a World Star,

the other never became a Cardiff City star,

you work it out.

Howeever negotiations are not straightforward as Celtic would like him for free, realising that he is out of contract this summer, while City are seeking a nominal fee circa £50k. An added consideration, however, is that Cardiff still pay the bulk of Flood's wages while at Dundee United so it ultimately suits City to see him move across Scotland just to get him off the wage books.

Expect further developments.



Celtic make move for Cardiff's Willo FloodWalesOnline

Ridsdale confirms City permanent and loan bid for Ched Evans

Why is he openly talking to the media about his targets? He is openly quoted in the article below. I thought we'd learned long ago not to do this??? Obviously not.

Bluebirds eyeing Evans swoop

SkySports

City Close In On Ched Evans??

Well whadya know. No sooner does News of the World hit the streets claiming we're pushing for Matt Derbyshire than its sister local, Wales on Sunday, claim we're closing in on Ched Evans instead. The article writer, Terry Phillips, is very close to City are regarded by some as its unofficial propaganda department so you have to give credence to this story.

Ched has been tracked by City for a very long while but, even so, can our bid to take him on loan for the rest of this season then buy him beat Celtic if they offer £1.2M now? Let's hope so!!!

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/footballnation/cardiff-city-fc/2009/01/25/bluebirds-eye-ched-swoop-91466-22772091/

Forgotten Cardiff men heading for Celtic?

The Scottish papers are full of talk that Glasgow giants and SPL leaders are on the verge are taking WILLO FLOOD away from Ninian Park ... or, rather, Tannadice Park. He's been away from City for so long that it's hard to remember how he is still a Cardiff player by rights.


23 yr old Flood was signed by City for £200,000 from Manchester City at the start of the 2006/07 season and while he showed talent and promise, he was lightweight, far too easily knocked off the ball and not the best at tracking back to help out. He therefore found himself getting sub action only with 20 appearances off the bench and only 5 starts.

Dave Jones decided to loan him to SPL side Dundee United the folliwng season and he has become a first team srar and stand-out player in Scotland and so popular and so popular that The Terrors kept him on loan for this second season. However he is out of contract this summer and with City still paying the bulk of his wage, they are keen to tie up a deal.

United, 3rd in the SPL but 16 points behind Celtic, would love to keep him but appear unable to offer Cardiff any payment now while Celtic are believed to be ready to offer City £60,000 as well as offer Flood a vastly more lucrative contract that United could offer.



Ironically, it is also being rumoured that Celtic may soon be making a move for City's other exiled man in Scotland, Warren Feeney. Like Flood, the Feenster's face just never fitted in at City and he find himself on loan at Dundee United where he has scored 5 goals in 11 SPL starts including a double in yesterday's 3-2 win over St. Mirren.

IT REALLY MUST BE PROGRESS AT CARDIFF CITY WHEN PLAYERS WE DON'T WANT ARE INTERESTING CELTIC!!

More Here:
Celtic move for Flood with United resigned to losing midfielderScotsman