Freindly: Wales 5 Luxembourg 1

Wales made heavy weather of beatign Lexembourg in a friendly at Llanelli but eventually ran out comfortable winners.


As usual, players withdrew and, sadly, Simon Davies became the latest to retire. At 30 and still with plenty to offer, it is very premature and sad to see. Apparently, he became the 18th player to retire since Tosh took charge.


As for the game watched by just 4,500, Wales had carved only a couple of chances before David Cotterill blasted home Earnie's cross on 35 but they were rocked as the part-timers levelled, Kitenge's 20 yarder deflecting off Craig Morgan.


However it was one way traffic after the break which saw JOE LEDLEY restore the lead from the penalty spot (I don't think he's taken one before) three minutes into the second half and then Andy King, Ashley Williams and outstanding skipper Craig Bellamy completed the rout, the final two goals coming after Lexembourg had a man sent off.

Euro'2012 qualifiers start for Wales ina couple of weeks, hope this was worthwhile for them.

Friendly: CARDIFF CITY 0 Deportivo La Coruna 1 - match report

I’m not ready for this, I still haven’t got over Wembley and those B words … Bloody Blackpool. And the Summeris Horribilis at Cardiff City fires nobody with enthusiasm and passion to get going again but here we are, still in July (but a cloudy Cardiff day) heading to CCS to watch City take on one time Spanish wonders Deportivo La Coruna.

And what a dreadful summer it’s been, the only comfort is that finally (I hope) we have investors looking to run the club as a viable business but that means a sorry mess for the time being as they attempt to unravel the untold damage caused by and Messrs Hammam and Ridsdale. When I saw certain noteworthy fans (and the usual suspects) were meeting Hammam and laughably drumming up support for him to re-enter the club, it was one of the few times in my life I seriously questioned why I bother with City. How desparate.

To date, a number of deadbeats have gone (half of whom should never have been here in the first place – yes, I mean you Feeney!) and the local hero left midst acrimony as Joe Ledley opted for instant riches - and no compensation for his hometown club – and forgot what he really wanted was Premier League football – as he joined Celtic. Their Champions League embarrassment and imminent exit before the season starts does feel like good karma but best wishes Joe and thanks. Others may want to leave (Chopra) or may yet leave (if the club are offered enough cash upfront).

The tax man is owned money, Sunderland are owed money, Charlton are owed money, Motherwell are owed money, former and current players are owed money so City find themselves under transfer embargo unable to sign anyone, unable to confirm new contracts for existing players. I’d far prefer it if the embargo just meant that we weren’t allowed to play Mark Hudson until Charlton were paid off. However City are now able to play Man U loan man Danny Drinkwater simply because the squad is below 20 players.

It’s unhealthy but it’s clear to see why the Malaysians need and deserve time to undo the endless wrongs. We may have to accept patience and consolidation for a while but, nevertheless, the football side cannot be neglected in the meantime as the club is nothing without that.

Canton pubs quiet pre-game, plenty of pavement room walking to the ground and the club not announcing the attendance were all give away clues of a crowd of 5,000 or less (hard to tell what it was from my seat) with Ali booming out his usual request to make some noiiiissssseeee met only by muted responses and seagulls circling.

Jay Bothroyd has missed most of pre-season but declared his readiness 24 hours earlier yet he was absent again, a worry with the season 8 days away for such a pivotal player. For most City fans, it was the first sightings of the shaven headed Drinkwater who impressed in patches (but still needs to learn how to ayatollah – just resting your hands on your head isn’t quite right Danny!) but, the question was, who was the tall Jason Fowler left back lookalike?

Thanks to mobile phone technology, we soon discovered it Toni Kallio (a 32 yr old Swiss player just released by Fulham who played 8 times for Sheff Utd last season on loan – was he Swiss Toni??). The player showed a couple of decent touches but was either well off the pace or had no pace (I suspect it was the latter) and was caught out quite easily.

City’s first half side was Marshall; McNaughton-Blake-Hudson-Kollio; Burke-Rae-Drinkwater-Whittingham; Chopra-McCormack.

For the opening segment, they acquitted themselves well. Competent at the back, Rae and Drinkwater doing well in the middle and a bit of zip up front. The Spaniards, rather predictably, liked to have the ball, pass it around without great purpose at times as long as they kept and bided their time for openings. City tended to be a touch more direct and break and that nearly produced the opener as Ross McCormack was clear but never quite looked confident enough and sent his effort bouncing narrowly wide.

The pattern of the game established from the start, the only thing that really changed after the midway point of the first half was a drop in pace and intensity, typical pre-season fayre so, sure enough, we got to the interval without either keeper having a single piece of work to do other than the odd goal kick. The only mild entertainment was the “Los Herculinos” keeper doing passable sounding impressions of cartoon character Mexican Roadrunner as he barked occasional instructions to his team-mates. Anyone got a pillow?

Half-time: Cardiff City 0 Deportivo La Coruna 0

Half-time talking point amongst the faithful was the catering and beer prices being put up again. £3.30 for a pint FFS, £2.60 for a Clarks Pie. That’s enough to ensure I’ll wait until after the game unless gasping during the season. When the newly approved pub is built outside, I’m quite sure several of our flock will leave at the interval and head there for a drink instead.

The teams returned for the 2^nd half with City changing Marshall for the ultra vocal Tom Heaton (quiet Tom, some of us were trying to snooze as the sun came out and glowed on us) while triallist Kallio must have got three X’s from the judges and the next audition contestant was sent on.

We now had Gregory Vignal (29 year old Frenchman who has been a bit part player in the past few years for Liverpool, Rangers, Southampton, Portsmouth and Birmingham for whom he started 6 times in the Premier League last season). Vignal was short enough to be a City defender and passed out of defence well, he also got forward more than Kallio but was also caught out at the back. In truth, neither player really impressed but Vignal likely edged it.

The game was now at complete stalemate with Cardiff with neither side really creating anything but the Spaniards getting a couple more shots in (but wide) while a procession of changes took the last remaining flow out of the contest. Over the next half hour, City also introduced Gerrard, Gyepes, Matthews and latest Academy prospect Nat Jarvis.

City fans were now just chatting amongst themselves paying scant attention to proceedings on the pitch but out of the blue, the Spaniards pinched a win in the final 7 minutes with a very well worked goal in which City’s defence were carved wide open.

The one big name in Depotivo’s team, Juan Carlos Valeron, has come on as a late sub and immediately made impact as his pass found City (and Vignal) nowhere on the left, three lightning passes saw Caleron in front of goal and certain to score yet he laid it across goal for another sub, DIONI, to do that at the far post instead.

Some City fans headed for the exits (it wasn’t to beat the crowd away) while those who stayed on saw City almost level it as a cross from the left (Vignal?) evade two defenders in the middle and fall perfectly for Jervis (serenaded by some fans with ‘Are you Bothroyd in disguise?’) but he wasn’t expecting to get it, the ball hitting his shin and then side netting.

That, thankfully, ended City’s worst pre-season for many years. Hapless was not the word. Having to arrange a camp and friendly last-minute in Portugal after the Malaysian tour fell though, City did beat Bath City in the opener but promptly lost everything else.

Next week, we’re off again with a tough home opener on Sky to Sheffield United and fears of a rough old season could be founded even if Cardiff are effectively only Ledley (and, arguably) Kennedy down on last season’s team which was good enough to be at the top end all season.

It’s clear City still need cover for Jay, a central midfielder of some substance and a left back for starters.

They may yet have to accept having none of those at all.

Cardiff City 0 Deportivo La Coruna 1 in pictures

The Blog is Back!

Had a summer hiatus and am still not over the Blackpool loss at Wembley.

Cardiff City seem to be the never ending soap akin to Eastenders, it's full of farce, pain and misery but I still love'em.

Today sees the first and only home friendly against Spanish outfit Deportivo La Coruna and with the league season starying next weekend, here we go again.

FrIendly International: WALES 0 SWEDEN 1

A tepid Wales tasted home defeat in their first international of the year and build up to the Euro-2012 campaign starting in September aginst Sweden at Swansea City's Liberty Stadium.

Wales build up was hampered by the horrific injury suffered by Aaron Ramsey last weekend and overshadowed by manager John Toshack not selecting his previous Captain and in-form Craig Bellamy with reasons undisclosed so far. In his absence, former Cardiff City man James Collins was given the captain armband.

It meant another young side and, as usual, a dijointed friendly as the meximum of 6 second half subs were introduced.

Wales: Myhill (Hennessey 46), Gunter, Williams, Collins, Morgan, Bale (Nyatanga 67), Collison (Crofts 71), Davies (Cotterill 64), Vaughan, Evans (Earnshaw 46), Church (Vokes 53).
Subs Not Used: Eardley, Dorman, King.

In front of 8,256 fans, Wales started strongly winning corners with Ched Evans having a shot put behind and Collins seeing a header swept off the line but the visiotrs settled and were denied a rightful lead midway through the half as Toivenon had a goal ruled out for offside when he looked clearly onside, tv repleays confirmed that. Larsson of Birmingham missed by a fraction with a 30 yard free-kick.

However it mattered little as Bolton Wanderers Johan Elmander netted on half-time having a 25 yarder pushed around the post and firing into the top corner from just inside the box as the resulting corner fell his way.

The second half was poor watching and resembled a training session for long periods as it lacked all tempo and urgency, the succession of changes not helping. Both sides went close but the Swedes proved good value for their win. Wales will know they must do much better.

Wales are playing ... so the stars go missing ... AGAIN!

It's all too familiar a tale. Wales are playing and the key players suddenly get injured ... no doubt, they'll be fit next club match.

Many fans feel this weekend's hastily arranged home friendly vs Scotland may have more value as we're playing another home nation but is even more meaningless in reality since they have no qualifiers for another year and it's even more so when our leading players are absent.


Out so far are skipper Craig Bellamy (slight groin injury), Simon Davies (foot) and James Collins (groin). I've spent £80 on match tickets ... more fool me!

McCormack warms up for Jackland

CARDIFF CITY held a 'closed doors' friendly against Exeter City at the new stadium today and emerged 2-0 winners.

It was essentially a run out for the sub's bench but key interest was in Ross McCormack who is certain to replace the suspended Michael Chopra at Swansea this weekend and he stood out scoring the opener with a stunner free-kick. Tony Capaldi doubled City's lead before the interval and a goalless second half saw McCormack withdrawn on the hour. The encounter also saw Kevin McNaughton get a more than useful run out as he bids to get into first team contention having missed the entire season to date.

Talking to CardiffCityFC.co.uk, McCormack said, "I was always going to play some part today, I would have been happy to go on for 90 minutes, but the decision was made to take me off, and I was happy to go along with it. I'll train Thursday and Friday to make sure I'm ready for Swansea".

City's side: Enckelman; Quinn-Morris-Gyepes-McNaughton, Comminges-Taiwo-Scimeca- Capaldi; McCormack-Feeney.

Tartan Army Sell Out

Scotland head to South Wales on Saturday week for a friendly against Wales, the first ever international to be held at the new Cardiff City Stadium ... and they'll be there in force.

The Jocks had sold out their initial 2,000 allocation, had it doubled and have now sold out all 4,200 tickets.

Wales, suffering lukewarm support under John Toshack, have so far sold just over 8,000 but remain hopeful they will sell out too as interest picks up next week ... of course, how many of them go to Scotland as well reamins to be seen.

Eddie Johnson scores twice ... against Cardiff City!

He scored some ... but against us!

Hapless American striker Eddie Johnson who was a figure of fun at Cardiff City before earning some respect scored tiwce against The Bluebirds today as Fulham beat City 3-0 in a friendly in London.

Johnson joined Fulham in January'08 for £3M but struggled so spent last season on loan at Cardiff ... where he also struggled. However he did improve and work hard at his game - and scored two goals (and an own goal) in 7 starts and 26 sub outings for The Bluebirds which cost City heavily in wages.

Cardiff sent a mixed side to Fulham but it included the likes of Enckelman, Rae, Scimeca and Ross McCormack and Paul Quinn along with youth players but Fulham had experience on the field too.

The Cottagers took an early lead and then Eddie entered the scene scoring weither side of half-time, grazing the bar and forcing Peter Enckleman into a good stop to prevent his hat-trick.

Afterwards the likeable American told the official City website, www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk;

"I'm sure sorry about scoring those goals - Cardiff City is like family for me. That's where I learned how to play in Europe after coming over from America. The staff there, Dave Jones, Terry Burton, and Paul Wilkinson, taught me so much and got me used to the different training methods. I came back to Fulham a better player." before adding how he hopes City continue to fire this season and how he aims to pay a visit soon.

Reserve Friendly: Bristol Rovers 1 Cardiff City 1

Miguel Comminges - City scorer today

Despite dominating from beginning to end, Cardiff City had to accept honours even if a friendly against Bristol Rovers at their Memorial Ground this afternoon after conceding an 89th minute penalty.

Cardiff took a mix of Academy kids and pros in the shape of Enckleman, Capaldi, Taiwo, Scimeca and the returning Celtic duo of McNaughton and McCormack.

City opened their scoring in the 21st minute via a Miguel Comminges drive and should have got more but have to reflect on a series of superb saves, near and bad misses as well as hitting the woodwork.

Enckleman was a virtual spectator but was left to pick the ball out of his net as Duffy fired that late penalty past him.

The best news is that all players came through unscathed and surely McNaughton and McCormack will be in the squad for the weekend home game against Crystal Palace.

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

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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.

Comeback Stars and Magennis ram The Bulls

A strong Cardiff City side featuring the return of three long-term injured players travelled to Edgar Street to play Hereford United in a behind closed doors friendly and emeregd 2-1 victors with rookie Josh Magennis scoring a double after City fell behind early in the 2nd half.


With City not competing in any reserve league, impromptu - and all too rare -friendlies are the only official reserve action. This game saw the return of Kevin McNaughton (out since a pre-season ankle injury against Celtic in July), Ross McCormack (who did come off the bnch at Watford but who had not started a game since a hamstring tear at Blackpool in the season's second game) and the forgotten man that is Warren Feeney.

City's side were Enckelman, McNaughton, Quinn, Comminges, Capaldi, Zak Evans, Taiwo, Scimeca, McCormack, Magennis and Feeney and they dominated a first half but which ended goalless with few clear cut chances.

The Bluebirds rested the returning trio at the interval and soon found themselves behind after the restart but two well taken goals by Magennis, the winner a rising drive on the turn, made the short journey home a happy one.

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.

Gabbidon discusses Welsh loss in Montenegro

Click link to see video interview:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/8198574.stm

Friendly: Montnegro 2 Wales 1

A disappointing game and result as Wales fell to defeat in Eastern Europe tonight.


Wales were robbed of what limited experience they had as Craig Bellamy was injured - with his club forgetting to inform John Toshack - while Carl Fletcher announced his retirement on the day they were due to fly. Joe Ledley, stripped of Cardiff City's Capataincy last week, still led his country. It's hard to remember the last time Wales had ideal preparation for any game.

Wales team: Wayne Hennessey, Chris Gunter, James Collins, Ashley Williams, Danny Gabbidon, Sam Ricketts, Jack Collison, Joe Ledley (c), Aaron Ramsey, Simon Church, Rob Earnshaw.


Montenegro are ranked 96th but played beyond that - although they were helped by sloppy Welsh defending and a 'homer' of a ref who bizarrely came from neighbouring Serbia.

Earnie had an effort disallowed and Wales had other chances before they fell behind to an unjust penalty awarded against Danny Gabbidon, brilliant to see him back after 18 months out injured. Gabbi's ring rustiness told again as the home side doubled their lead before the interval with the central defender caught out by a through back.

Early after the break, Sam Vokes pulled one back but Wales rarely threatened again from that point and were indebted to a post and poor shooting to prevent a more decisive margin.

Far too early in the season for a friendly like this, isn't it?

Dave Jones reviews City loss to Valencia

Click the link to see the video interview

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/cardiff_city/8180047.stm

In their final pre-season friendly before the big Championship kick-off in 7 days, Cardiff City failed to score for the third successive game, Ross McCormack managed to miss his third successive penalty as the Bluebirds conceded their first goals with Valencia recording a comfortable 2-0 victory despite their superstars not even including their star man David Villa, David Silva and two other Spanish internationals.

Friendly games against glamorous opposition are usually keenly anticipated but the reality is very different. Pre-game, Canton and its watering holes were flat. Cardiff City added to the flavour by not bothering to opening the main gates on the walk to the new stadium forcing punters to trample over freshly seeded grass verges.

13,010 punters including 200 or so Valencians meant a half full crowed at the dully named Cardiff City Stadium which now had the just as dull “CCS” abbreviation. After a night of heavy rain and a morning drizzle, fans in the Ninian Stand discovered they needed both a jacket and a pair of sunglasses to deal with conditions.

The club are starting to get things right – the (not so) big screen is now in situ, tv’s and shelving for food/drink are now under the stand, Ali and his p.a. also seem to have got their acoustics set up correctly at last too but you can always rely on City to do something stupid – this time, it was the brainless decision to shut the gent’s toilets bang on half-time for 5 minutes so a cleaner could empty paper bins in there. Why the hell didn’t they do it in the first half???

If the game was intended as a dress rehearsal for next week’s opener versus Scunthorpe, they were surprises as the unsettled Joe Ledley wore the Captain’s armband after much speculation it would go to Mark Hudson, the equally unsettled Ross McCormack found himself on the sub’s bench, Anthony Gerrard got the nod ahead of Gabor Gyepes while the bench worryingly also included Cameroon born French based no mark, no paced jailbird Vincent Pericard – a striker(!) whose barren scoring run is just about its fourth year. If that’s the limit of City’s ambitions, we may as well forget thoughts of a realistic play-off challenge before a ball is kicked in anger. Some say we should give anyone in blue a chance but I’ll stick with making exceptions when it matters.

In fairness, the first half was competitive and a very tasty affair with the Spaniards employing some strong arm tactics which weak local ref Lee Evans (no doubt soon covered in sweat) did little to abate but the destiny of the encounter was shaped early as Valencia went ahead with a soft goal on 7 minutes.

Questions have to be asked about a static defence as Valencia progressed down the right, sent in a far post ball unchallenged and there was the giant ZIGIC – 6’7” apparently but looking more like 7’6” – to steer a controlled header back across goal which tucked inside the far post.

At this stage, the visitors were in control and moved the ball with ease but Cardiff, to their credit, hit back strongly and played some excellent football at time. Joe Ledley was in great nick, you had to wonder whether he was excelling as Captain and trying to show City his commitment to the cause or whether he was trying to impress any scouts who may have been there. More than that, I swear I saw Steve McPhail make a number of forward passes … it wasn’t a mirage, I tell you.

You felt an equaliser was imminent but, in the final analysis, Cardiff failed to test the Valencia keeper all half (or, indeed all game!). However they were living on their nerves in the opening period as balls were flying in and around their box, City players never far away from a final connection, Cardiff’s wide men causing problems and Joe, Ross McCormack, Chopra and Hudson all going close. Their biggest let off however was a blindingly obvious penalty as McCormack was upended deep inside the area but Lee Evans bottled it … his decision, like his namesake, was laughable.

McCormack came on midway through the half for Jay Bothroyd who limped off early after an impact injury in a 50/50 challenge. Moments before final whistle, Joe Ledley suffered the same fate, his knock looking a touch more serious at first sight. Hope both are ok. McCormack, after being booed at Swindon last week for wanting away within days of signing a double your money contract, had a warm ovation as the crowd rallied behind him and he responded with some telling contributions. The boy needs to get his head down and he showed he was capable of that.

The programme said it was a friendly but someone forgot to tell Valencia who launched into a number of cynical and heavy challenges bringing a few stoppages for Cardiff men needing treatment. Only one player was booked, their Robbie Savage lookalike at centre-half, not that it deterred him from carrying on that way afterwards. A challenge on Mark Kennedy by scorer Zigic was so late that it virtually arrived next day, fortunately, MK managed to avoid a far more serious impact. Half-time saw Valencia ahead on goals but City ahead on points … problem is, only goals count.

Half-time: CITY 0 VALENCIA 1

If the first half was highly competitive, entertaining and full of good play, the second period was a dullathon. Valencia made 7 changes, City carried on as they were tending to underline it was a dress rehearsal for next week.

However all enterprise and intensity had now ebbed away from City and they started to look a cumbersome, unstructured unit. Midfield as happens way too often went anonymous and were being overrun. City dropped back and were penned in their own half against the Spaniard’s reserves effective for far too long, unable to do much to turn the tide. It is madness Dave Jones has not brought in any new players for the area of the park where Cardiff lack sufficient quality – maybe all quality – and it’s going to be a very long season unless it is addressed. Even the girls selling the pies can see that … and so can Stevie Wonder.

City were indebted to keeper David Marshall for a couple of very smart low saves. On early evidence, he’s shaping up to be the best goalie at the club since Neil Alexander and a short spell from Kasper Schmeicel. Capaldi replaced Kennedy then Pericard replaced Chopra. Pericard made an instant impact with his sole contribution of the half-hour run out when he try to turn in the area and went down. Ref Evans awarded a penalty, most of us felt it was to make up for the one he didn’t give first half.
Up stepped Ross McCormack who hit it low to the keeper’s right and with no great power – just as he nearly always does. The keeper guessed right, the save became a formality. After missing two penalties against Preston and Ipswich at the very end of last season when conversion of either would have seen City in the play-offs, I cannot imagine him taking another any time soon. Just after this, Ross almost redeemed himself with a superb turn to get clear but he weakly put wide when it looked simpler to hit the target and score.

City brought on Gavin Rae and Gyepes for the final 20 (for Hudson and McPhail) but the game was largely going through the motions and effectively ended as the visitors added a way too simple set piece second goal on 85. A ball was rolled back to the edge of the area, City’s defence had lined up completely inside it and JOAQUIN blazed home low again unchallenged.

Dave Jones has hinted for some time that he wants three more players and it’s very easy to see, Cardiff require a dominating midfield playmaker, a wideman and another forward (not Pericard pur-leeze). The defensive until look sound enough and will be better again when Kevin McNaughton returns. Gerrard looks a genuine prospect, Hudson had a satisfying outing but I was surprised Paul Quinn doesn’t show any appetite for getting forward.

It’s wasn’t great up front as Chopra doesn’t look as dynamic as he can be – or used to be – but there’s time to come good while Bothroyd limping out early meant it was disjointed so was understandable to some degree.

However midfield is a worry. There again, we’ve known this for a year or two, what’s new? Peter Whittingham did what Peter Whittingham does all too often. Some good touches, a decent few minutes and then you wonder where he has gone. Steve McPhail started well and completely disappeared out of the contest as well. If it wasn’t for Joe, City’s midfield would be little better than shambolic.

Next week it matters. Dave Jones surely realises he has to move fast.

Photos at:
http://nigelblues.blogspot.com/2009/08/friendly-in-photos-cardiff-city-0.html

Captain Ledley set to be Ordinary Joe and Hudson makes his Mark

"I'm in charge" (well, maybe not anymore!)

The club have given the strongest hint possible that Joe Ledley with his future still undecided and in the balance will lose the Captaincy of the club with new signing Mark Hudson set to be handed the armband.

Ledley, although not the greatest communicator, led by example last season and had a successful time as skipper. As well as leading the club in the second half of last season, Joe also Captained Wales in summer friendlies and World Cup qualifiers underling his influence and stature.

However as he has not signed a new contract and is therefore certain to leave either in the August or January transfer windows, Dave Jones can hardly entrust him to contine leading the side.

This weekend's friendly vs Valencia of Spain is expected to be a final dress rehearsal before the Championship start against Scunthorpe next week and Hudson, skipper for Charlton last term and at Crystal Palace before that, is widely tipped to assume duties.

The Stars Are Out For Valencia in Cardiff

Spanish club Valencia today confirmed that their entire first team squad - star names included - will be at the Cardiff City stadium this weekend and will be playing at some point against City.

They had been some suspicion that their 5 Spanish international including superstar and in-demand strikers David Villa and David Silva would be absent having only just returned to the club after late summer break following their participation in the Confederates Cuop, the World Cup 2010 warm up event in South Africa.


However they are with the club currently training in Holland where, like City, they have been unbeaten pre-season and will get some game time this weekend before a bigger clash against Manchester United at Old Trafford next Wednesday.

Tickets for the Valencia match are available from the Cardiff City Stadium offices on 0845 345 1400 or via www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk £15 for adults, £10 for those aged over 60 and students, £5 for fans aged under-16 in all parts of the new stadium.

Friendly: Portuguese Select X1 0 Cardiff City 3

CARDIFF CITY ended a successful week in Portugal with a decisive victory over a Portuguese Select X1 - a side of Portuguese players hoping to catch the eye of assorted agents and scouts - who provided The Bluebirds with a tough and physical test and a harder game than the midweek 1-0 victory over Fatima.

City were generally in charge from first whistle to last but the opening period was especially bruising with neither side mustering a threatening effort and Cardiff unable to capitalise on contless set pieces.

However the game was resolved with City netting three times from the hour mark after heavy pressure in which Ledley, Parry and Whittingham went close while McCormack was dened a penalty. The goal rush came courtesy of JAY BOTHROYD netting twice heading home a McNaughton cross then blasting home after Gerrard headed back a half cleared corner before CHOPRA had a simple tap-in after Paul Parry did the spade work. City had 9 2nd half subs with only Ledley and Whittingham playing a full 90 minutes.

Cardiff's pre-season now consists of 3 wins, 8 scored and 0 conceded. However the games have been about developing sharpness and getting used to the new players. The comign week sees a more thorough examination with Celtic visiting the new stadium on Tuesday and a visit to League One Swindon next weekend.

CARDIFF CITY TODAY: Enckelman (Marshall); P Quinn (Matthews 75)-Hudson (Morris 75), Gyepes (Gerrard 45), T Capaldi (McNaughton 45); Parry (Magennis 75)-Rae (McPhail 45)- Ledley (capt)-P Whittingham; R McCormack (Chopra 66)-Bothroyd (C Burke 70)