City 3 points off automatuic after Monday night game

In the final Championship fixture of the weekend, West Brom - the side immediately above Cardiff City - slipped up again at home. They, of course, lost 2-0 at home to Cardiff last Tuesday and had to fight back from going 2-0 again to QPR to grab a 2-2 draw with their leveller coming virtually with the game's last kick 4 minutes into added time.

It leaves them 7 points behind leaders Newcastle but, more pleasingly, keeps them within touching distance of the Bluebirds. Game on!


The Championship table tonight

		P	GD	Points
1	Newcastle	21	23	46
2	West Brom	21	22	39
3	CARDIFF CITY	21	16	36
4	Nottm Forest	21	11	36
5	Leicester	21	3	34
6	Swansea	21	0	32
7	Blackpool	21	8	31
8	Sheff Utd	21	2	31
9	Bristol City	21	1	30
10	Watford	21	-3	30
11	Middlesbrough	21	5	29
12	QPR	21	4	29
13	Preston	21	1	29
14	Crystal Palace	21	-1	29
15	Doncaster	21	1	27
16	Barnsley	20	-6	26
17	Derby	21	-7	25
18	Scunthorpe	21	-14	23
19	Coventry	21	-9	22
20	Ipswich	21	-8	21
21	Reading	21	-10	21
22	Sheff Wed	21	-12	18
23	Plymouth	20	-16	15
24	Peterborough	21	-11	14

The Incredible Twists and Turns of the Championship

City's win at West Brom depleted of key resources was a fantastic result and performance, arguably Dave Jones' best ever since we don't turn over the top clubs on their own patch under his watch.

Unexpected as it was, I don't think any of us will ever learn that the only predictable in the Championship is that it will be unpredictable!

How can, for example, anyone legislate for Middlesbrough stuffing QPR 5-1 away last night then getting pasted 3-0 at home by Blackpool last night, the same Blackpool who themselves faltered at home on the weekend.

Or Crystal Palace getting dismantled at home by Doncaster last Saturday then doing the same themselves at Reading last night.

Or Leicester, who effortlessly moved into 3rd spot, getting dicked twice in 4 days as they just have.

I suppose that as long as our never ending inconsistency is not quite as inco0nsistent as others, then we're in with a definite shout!

Cardiff now 7th after their non-playing Saturday

With City preparing for the visit of Ipswich to South Wales tomorrow - the game moved back a day so it didn't clash with Wales egg chasers getting booed and outclassed at home to the Aussies, bless'em - fans were left to wonder how destructive Saturday results would be. The answer is, they weren't bad at all.

On the downside, Cardiff now find themelves outside the play-off spots as QPR and Nottingham Forest overtook Cardiff in the table while Newcastle and West Brom in the automatic spots are currently threatening to run away with those places.

However it could have been much worse. A draw tomorrow will return City to 5th (and back above Swansea albeit on goal difference, a win will bring up 30 points and see Cardiff in 4th spot).

Leaders Newcastle made mince meat of The Swans beating them 3-0 with all the goals coming in the opening 25 minutes before they declared. West Brom in 2nd went goal crazy winning 4-0 at Sheffield Wednesday (Current on loan Bluebird Warren Feeney was a non-playing sub for The Owls while skipper and former City man Darren Purse is out of their squad). Leicester who started and finished the day in third will have been disappointed to have been held 1-1 at Scunthrope, the home equaklising in added time.

Although QPR leap-frogged Cardiff, they won't have been plased to have been held 2-2 at home by Coventry but Nottingham Forest, now 4th, pummelled Doncaster 4-1 at home.

Cardiff stay 3rd after QPR drop more home points

QPR must have fancied their chances of a haul to the summit after three successive four goal hauls going into two successive home games but having lost 2-1 at home to Leciester last Friday night, they faltered again this time being held 1=1 by Crystal Palace at Loftus Road.

The game, rearranged after a postponement last month, saw both sides convert a penalty and a host of missed chances and superb saves by both keepers.

The season is now a third complete and this is how it looks after tonight's game:

Championship After 15 Games
		GD	Points
1	Newcastle	13	30
2	West Brom	16	28
3	Cardiff	15	27
4	Leicester	6	27
5	Bristol City	4	25
6	QPR	11	24
7	Middlesbrough	6	24
8	Blackpool	6	24
9	Preston	3	24
10	Nottm Forest	3	24
11	Swansea	1	22

Latest Championship Table

Two games last night saw Newcastle held at home by the live contenders that are QPR whilst Nottingham Forest celebrated their second successive win beating Scunthorpe 1-0.


The midweek programme saw Cardiff City jump from 9th to 5th but they are one of several clubs on 16 points but thewir goaql difference has them leading the pile.

	Team	P	GD	PTS
1	Newcastle	10	13	23
2	West Brom	10	10	20
3	Preston	10	6	18
4	Middlesbrough	10	4	17
5	Cardiff	10	8	16
6	Sheff Utd	10	4	16
7	Blackpool	10	4	16
8	Leicester	10	2	16
9	Bristol City	10	1	16
10	Coventry	10	0	15
11	QPR	9	5	14
12	Watford	10	1	14
13	Sheff Wed	10	4	13
14	Nottm Forest	10	0	13
15	Crystal Palace	9	-3	12
16	Swansea	10	-4	11
17	Scunthorpe	10	-6	11
18	Doncaster	10	-2	10
19	Reading	10	-4	10
20	Derby	10	-7	10
21	Barnsley	10	-9	8
22	Peterborough	10	-6	7
23	Plymouth	10	-10	5
24	Ipswich	10	-11	5

Aston Villa podcast previewing the Cardiff City game

The Bluebirds attempt to recover from the weekend Championship shocker at home to QPR with the toughest of tests - a visit to Villa Park to face Aston Villa in Round Three action tomorrow.


Ahead of the game, AVFC have produced a podcast preview of the encounter.

Listen in, or download, here

http://download.premiumtv.co.uk/astonvillafree/Podcast/podca st141.mp3

Video Lowlights: Cardiff City 0 QPR 2

Click the link below to watch City's awful;, awful, awful weekend home defeat.

On the other hand, you may not want to bother and I'm with you on that one!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/8265963.stm

Jones labels QPR display as worst under him ... and that takes some doing!

Jones on video here

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/cardiff_city/8265153.stm

And click here to hear the reaction of QPR boss Jim Magilton

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/q/qpr/8265065.stm

CARDIFF 0 QPR 2 - Championship Match Report

CARDIFF CITY crashed in embarrassing style to their second successive home defeat and third loss without scoring in 4 games as the excellent start to the season is fast becoming a distant memory. This was turgid football and simply unacceptable. Last month, the same group of players produced one of the finest displays in years to demolish Bristol City. The contrast could not be greater and was summed up by the abuse and jeers ringing out when Ali on the p.a. asked for those man of the match votes. As far as I know, a "winner" was never announced and quite right too.

A Jay Simpson first half brace put the Bluebirds away. Rangers won at a canter and didn't have to play well for their three points as City were far too easily dismantled lacking visible heart or fight. At times, they looked shockingly disinterested. Only tricky wideman Chris Burke should escape criticism on an afternoon when the new stadium lacked any atmosphere and was a completely sterile experience. 20,121 was the attendance - apparently minus 3,000 season ticket holders (they were the lucky ones) - but even so, you would never have known it.

QPR owner Fabio Briartore was forced to resign from the Renault F1 team in midweek after uncontested allegation of forcing a driver to crash in a Grand Prix, today he oversaw an even bigger crash.

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

Steve McPhail started a 3 match ban for his Reading red card after an unsuccessful appeal but Dave Jones sprang a surprise by giving Solomon Taiwo his debut alongside Joe Ledley in midfield, Leds passing a fit fitness test to play while Paul Quinn started at right back after replacing the injured Adam Matthews in that role at Madejski on Wednesday night to have the dubious honour of marking Wayne Routledge. Miguel Comminges and Riccy Scimeca were added to the bench.

CARDIFF > Marshall; Quinn-Gerrard-Hudson-Kennedy; Whittingham-Ledley-McPhail-Burke; Bothroyd-Chopra. Subs:Enckleman, Gyepes, Comminges, Scimeca, Rae, Capaldi, Magennis.

QPR have had an unconvincing start to the season under Jim Magilton and blow hot and cold. However they have lost only once but drawn 4 of their 6 Championship games. All City eyes were on Wayne Routledge whom, it appears, would have been back at Cardiff had they sold Ledley or McCormack last month and raised the funds to complete a deal. All City eyes failed to notice last season's keeper Tom Heaton on the bench for them. Their midfield included Ben Watson on loan from Wigan whom City apparently tried to get last month - how badly we need someone of his ilk.

QPR > Cerny; Stewart-Gorkss-Borrowdale-Leighterwood; Routledge-Buzsaky-Rowlands-Watson; Vine-Simpson.


+++++ THE MATCH +++++


It wasn't so much a match as mismatch, such was City (non) effort, (non) work-rate (non) passing and (non) movement, and best glossed over so, thankfully, I will keep this brief.

The opening few minutes were uneventful but even with little hint of what was to come but it was clear that the livewires Routledge and Simpson were causing our all too static and one paced defence difficulties, a warning sign came as Simpson, on loan from Arsenal, broke clear but fired over. A promising edge of area free-kick was in a prime position for Whittingham but his tame effort went straight into the wall - just like 4 set pieces against Newcastle last week. Good to see the new state of the art training facilities are helping!

The opening goal was controversial and possibly/probably offside (I've yet to see tv footage) but showed up how limited the back four are. City appealed for offside but the uncontested lobbed ball towards goal and a deflected Vine shot come pass saw SIMPSON have the simple task of firing home under no pressure at all.

It was a lovely sunny and warm late summer day but there was rubbish on the pitch ... most of it wearing blue and white. City were clueless and lifeless in their attempts to get back into the contest. Taiwo was looking neat and tidy if uncreative but had had little to no help from City's wide men or forwards. When moved wide, the crossing and choices were poor but there was little spark in Chopra while Bothroyd looked like he would rather be somewhere, anywhere, else. However pumped balls in his general direction with no runners near or around him would be enough to bore anyone. It took half hour for City to have their first effort of note on goal, Ledley's effort had power but it was straight at Cerny.

Just after that, Rangers should have doubled their lead as Simpson once again found it way too simple to get behind City's defence but he fired wide when Vine was better placed and, of course, unmarked. That let off was temporary respite though as five minutes before the interval Taiwo and Ledley got in each other's way in comical fashion, the ball was moved to Routledge. He ran at City's defence, they decided simply to run backwards and Routs played in SIMPSON, again unmarked who blasted home hard and low. Maybe I'm being harsh having not seen it on tv but his shot didn't look central and I thought Marshall was slow getting down but he must have been bewildered and how unprotected he was.

The only good news for the club was that it was enough to send punters flooding early to the bars in need of a drink and the opportunity to get away from watching anymore with Rangers fans rejoicing at our disappearance.

Half-time: CARDIFF CITY 0 QPR 2

The fact it got no worse for City had more to do with The R's happy to consolidate and settle for what they had rather than any battling or fight back qualities by Cardiff. If the first half was desperate, this was a half that could have been sponsored by The Samaritans. Joe Calzaghe's hopeless dancing efforts on television were still more competent and convincing than this. Even saw normally placid and mild mannered fans shouting out their despair - and other assorted comments -- in the general direction of the pitch, players and even the manager.

City were dire, Quinn having to clear a corner off the line, then Vine hitting the post running in unopposed (of course) after Taiwo gave the ball away and was left looking like a rabbit in headlights. Dave Jones had to react removing the now shot Taiwo who had started well but whose game had fallen completely apart for Rae while Magennis was thrown on as the again invisible Whittingham was withdrawn.

Magennis showed enthusiasm and, finally some presence up front. It earned Jones' post-match praise along with Burke but, not wishing to be hard, it wasn't much to get too excited about. Magennis, like Chops and Bothroyd - didn't fire a single effort at goal. He could have though but when he found himself free with Cerny to beat, he panicked and his shot was horrid. At least he put himself about for the cause but if that's the positive Jones had to take from the game, it underlined just how pathetic an outing it was.

Riccy Scimeca played the final 25 for Bothroyd, the fact City removed a striker for a midfielder tells you everything you need to know about what a stinker Jay was having. He showed no appetite for the game at all and will get the scorn he deserves for that but the players in the dock are many.

Quinn looks limited, Gyepes will surely replace Gerrard or Hudson next game. If he finds his best from last season, he can replace both of them as far as I'm concerned! Kennedy offered little. Joe Ledley was unbelievably poor and Chops may have been on fire recently but he looks as if he has drowned now.

Dave Jones and his team need a heart-to-heart. Maybe there's not but that's the sort of performance that makes you wonder if there are problems behind the scenes. Certainly, if measured by attitude, commitment, movement and heart, we're a millio0n miles away from how we started this campaign yet results mean we are in 6th place and holding a play-off spot. Unless Jones sorts it out, McCormack and McNaughton return soon and he can move in the loan market, you have to speculate whether they can hold that position for long though.

Close Up of Cardiff City Today

McCormack back in the next week?

While down about the loss of Kelvin Etuhu for up to 2 months, it's not all bad news at Cardiff City as SUPER ROSS McCORMACK has announced his imminent return.


McCormack had a hamstring tear at Blackpool in the second match of the season over a month ago but had worked tirelessly in physio to get fit fast.

Talking to the South Wales Echo, Ross of Scotland announced that he would travel with the team to watch tomorrow's game at Reading and is then hoping to be involved in Staurday's jhome clash with QPR. If not, he expects to play against Aston Villa in Carling Cup action next midweek.

Welcome Back Ross!

Routledge Rumours Have Some Sunstance

For the past week, there have been rumours that Wayne Routledge - who earned notoriety in South Wales after fleeing to sign for QPR after reportedly telling Cardiff City that he wished to join them - was on his way back to them.

Routledge was roundly booed when coming back to Ninian Park last season
... but fans would still love to see him back at Cardiff in a City shirt

It seemed way too left field but news has emerged that "Routs" has been in contact with other Cardiff players saying he is unsettled with The R's and would be interested in coming back to The Bluebirds.

Whether anything can happen is unlikely since Cardiff have since taken Chris Burke and if Rangers were willing to sell, the fee would be likely to be prohibitive.

How QPR fans will take this news is another matter ... ...

Ledley to Stoke, Routledge back to Cardiff - wild rumours or soon to be realised?

Rumours are gathering momentum tonight that a deal for Joe Ledley may be close to fruition.

Ledley, out of contract next sumnmer and rated, has not seen offers materialise to date as Cardiff hiope for £5M but Premiership clubs are holding back to increase their chances of a knock-down price.

Joe is believed to favour a move to Everton who have tracked him for some time and are believed to be playing a waiting game but speculation has it that Stoke - who had a £6M offer declined in January - may be making their move now and a deal is close.

Could it be rumour or fact?


While the Ledley rumour sounds believeable, a more unbelieveable rumour is developing that Wayne Routledge could be returning to the club. Routs proved a massive success on loan from Aston Villa last season and Cardiff certainly played their best football when he was around but after verbally agreeing a permanent stay, he drove off without warning to sign for QPR which caused ill feeling but their salary was double Cardiff's money and it was closer to his family home.

However after a blistering start with the R's, Routledge struggled to hold down a place by the end of the season and with a change of manager, it could be the R's want changes of personnel. I can't see his happeneing but, clearly, if Joe is sold and the club have funds, they will wnat to invest in midfielders and wide men. I'll believe it when I see it but speculation is rife at present so watch this space.

Player links to Cardiff City hot up

With Roger Johnson gone, more players set to go and 7 new faces promised, paper talk is hotting up. Here's a quick round up of the latest mutterings for what it's worth since newspaper gossip very rarely equals reality.


OUTGOING
Rumours are circulating that left back Tony Capaldi with link with his ex-Plymouth boss Ian Holloway at Blackpool if they can find the package to match his handsome City package. Holloway briefly tried to take him for Leciester City when he was their manager too.

Premiership suitors are playing a waiting game for Joe Ledley, obviously hoping to get him for a last minute cut price deal after City declined £6M bids for him in January and now find they have a player who can leave for nothing out of contract next season. Arsenal, who have watched him many times, are being linked to him but there's a queue including Spurs, Everton, Stoke, West Ham who have expressed interest but have done nothing to date.

Dave Jones is also willing to offload Paul Parry, Miguel Comminges, Warren Feeney (forgot we still had him after his 2 seasons in Scotland but Norwich are rumoured to be in for him) and maybe Peter Whittingham too while they are willing to listen t offersd for Ross McCormack to raise more funds even though he is set to sign an extended deal.

THOSE LINKED TO CITY
An ever lengthening list includes defenders Paul Quinn (Motherwell), Damien Delaney of QPR who we are rumoured to be competing with Ipswich at around £1M package deal (a price that would seem to rule out any move by City) and another QPR man in Latvian defender Kaspar Gorkss. Another paper link is Millwall defender Zak Whitbread.


With two centre halves required, the names mentioned in dispatches to date are ex-City man James Collins (I don't see him dropping out of the Premiership), a loan move for Manchester United's promising Craig Cathcart who spent time last season at Plymouth and Birmingham City's Liam Ridgewell whose place there is in jeorpardy with the arrival of three new centre halves including Roger Johnson of course.


Cardiff City's midfield engine room has misfired and lack goals for a couple of years and, to me, seem an important area of the side to get right. Links so far are uninspriring. Misfit Liam Miller, a player of talent but who throws it away with poor attitude, is linked but if he wasn't afraid of Roy Keane at Sunderland (who threw him out of the club after continally being late), what chance has Dave Jones got with the 27 year old? Others have been mentioned in dispatches, all with unremarkable goal contributions to the cause. Mayeb it's just me but I thought Charlton's Nicky Bailey or Chinese midfielder could do tremendous jobs for us.


Up front, it's hard to remember Michael Chopra becomes a permanent signing next week for £4M from Sunderland. Fans hold their breath he can rediscover his form, fitness and goals which were all missing in his end of last season loan with us. Eddie Johnson has returned, Ross McCormack appears set to stay but another forward is needed regardless yet the only name linked to date, Motherwell's Dave Clarkson, appears to be on his way Bristol City with Cardiff reportedly declining to follow up initial interest as his price tag has increased to circa £750,000.


More of this silliness over the next few days but, hopefully, we will finally see activity in Cardiff's Arrivals Lounge.

The Ninian Park tealeaf and a pint with England stars (a Ninian memory)

http://www.lenashurst.com/CardiffCity.html

Just saw Len Ashurst's website promoting his autobiography (link above) and a brief comment as a taster on his time at City recalling how he narrowed the pich (by 7.5 yards on either side, wasn't it?) for a F.A. Cup tie v QPR while the match taking for that game were stolen.


Think we all suspected it was Tony Clemo as City left the takings in the ground all weekend in a safe all weekend while the alarms were turned off.


However, in true Scooby Doo fashion, it turned out to be a called called Tony(?) who was the wild manner janitor ... sorry barman who used to run the bar at Block E/F of the Grandsstand.


City had the safe in a office by reception and the key to the safe hanging on a nail behind reception desk!


I rememember this game well as Paul Parker - later of England and Man U was with QPR - was/is a friend. My brother and myself had a drink with Ray Wilkins and himself after the game, Wilkins wanted to try a pint of S.A. and loved it.


So much so, he left us £30 to buy a cask of S.A. from the Brains shop in St Mary St the following week and send it on a train to London where he had someone meet it at the other end!!


That's how the game has changed - somehow, I can't imagine Steven Gerrard doing that!! :>)

Bluebirds Fly to 4th - Championship Round-Up

Cardiff City's magnificent victory at Crystal Palace has not only lifted the Bluebirds to a season's best place of 4th spot and kept alive outside hopes of automatic promotion but, along with other results, mean City now only require a maxium of 4 points from their final 5 games to guarantee a play-off berth.

Birmingham City grabbed a fortunate draw at bottom but vastly improved club Charlton, The Addicks having a perfectly good goal disallowed. It means Cardiff are now just 6 points from automatic promotion and with a game in hand.

Results of play-off chasers benefitted City as well. Burnley travel to Ninian Park on Monday 2 places and 1 point below Cardiff having seen off QPR at home, Clark Carlisle nodding home a winner while Swansea are the best placed club outside the play-off zone after beating Norwich 2-1 at Liberty Stadium with ex-City striker Alan Lee netting for the Canaries.

However other play-off contenders Preston and Bristol City both suffered disastrous defeats. Preston lost 1-0 at home to local rivals Blackpool while Bristol City somehow conspired to have a man sent off and turn a 2-1 lead into 3-2 defeat at Nottingham Forest inside the final 10 minutes.

Cardiff are now 8 points clear of the play-off chasers and can finish no lower than 9th so it'll be a Championship best for them whatever happens but surely just 1 win more win will be more than enough to secure a play-off berth although the aim will be 5 wins of course!

		P	GD	PTS
1	Wolverhampton	42	25	80
2	Birmingham	42	16	76
3	Sheff Utd	42	25	75
4	CARDIFF CITY	41	20	70
5	Reading	41	29	69
6	Burnley	42	9	69
7	Swansea	42	12	62
8	Preston	42	2	62
9	Bristol City	42	5	59
10	QPR	42	-1	57
11	Ipswich	42	4	56
12	Sheff Wed	42	-9	54
13	Crystal Palace	42	-1	53
14	Watford	42	-4	52
15	Coventry	41	-8	52
16	Doncaster	42	-13	52
17	Derby	41	-7	51
18	Blackpool	42	-12	50
19	Plymouth	42	-9	49
20	Barnsley	41	-12	46
21	Nottm Forest	42	-18	45
22	Norwich	42	-10	43
23	Southampton	42	-20	41
24	Charlton	41	-23	33

Results Tonight provide huge boost to Cardiff making the play-offs as a minimum

Tonight’s Championship results

Barnsley 3 Crystal Palace 1

Doncaster 0 Reading 1

Ipswich 1 Burnley 1

QPR 1 Swansea City 0

That’s a set of result that means Cardiff City’s chances of making automatic promotion are as tough as ever but with Ipswich and Burnley drawing while Swansea lost in London, the likelihood are making the play-offs as a minimum as looking better than ever.

The one bad result, Bluebird-wise, was Reading grabbing a 1-0 victory at Doncaster who give Cardiff no helping hand having also lost at home to Birmingham last weekend. The Royals winner came 8 minutes from time from returning on-loan man Dave Kitson.

It was a very poor encounter in which both sides has seemed resigned to a goalless draw until Kitson gave manager Steve Coppell something to celebrate in his 1,000^th game as a manager.

Burnley – after 2 emphatic victories – appeared to be on their way again when Elliott fired them into the lead in another unremarkable game but Dos Santos levelled up with 15 minutes to go retaining Ipswich’s outside hopes getting into the play-offs.

However Swansea followed up Saturday’s crash at home to Crystal Palace with another setback to London opposition, this time falling 1-0 at QPR to Leighterwood’s 30^th minute goal. The Jacks had no answer to that.

City go into tomorrow’s encounter with Watford 11 points off an automatic promotion spot but with 3 games in hand on Birmingham while Reading are now 7 points ahead but have played 2 more.

Where it looks really good for City is making the play-offs as a minimum. In 6^th tonight, they now enjoy 3 games in hand on the 4 sides below them who are the only likely sides to break into the Top 6 as well as a far superior goal difference and upto 5 points advantage as well.

	Team	P	GD	PTS
1	Wolverhampton	39	23	74
2	Birmingham	39	14	71
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3	Reading	38	30	67
4	Sheff Utd	38	18	63
5	Burnley	39	7	62
6	Cardiff	36	17	60
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7	Preston	39	3	60
8	Bristol City	39	7	58
9	Swansea	39	11	57
10	Ipswich	39	8	55
11	QPR	38	-2	50
12	Crystal Palace	38	1	50
13	Sheff Wed	39	-9	50
14	Doncaster	39	-13	49
15	Coventry	37	-5	47
16	Watford	37	-4	46
17	Derby	37	-5	46
18	Blackpool	39	-12	46
19	Barnsley	37	-11	43
20	Plymouth	39	-13	43
21	Norwich	39	-8	42
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
22	Nottm Forest	39	-18	41
23	Southampton	38	-16	39
24	Charlton	38	-24	28

Cardiff Rivals in Key Encounters Tonight

Cardiff City are now used to watching for other results while waiting to play themselves. It’s happened most Saturdays this year including last weekend and this coming weekend and it also happens this midweek.

While City are at home to Watford in a rearranged game in Wednesday, 4 Championship games take place tonight with The Bluebirds taking an interest in three of them.

3^rd place Reading are collapsing when it matters and while set off in some trepidation for a visit to Doncaster. C’Mon Donny!!

4^th place Burnley are at play-off chasers Ipswich where a home win or a draw would suit Cardiff while Swansea visit QPR where both sides will be desparate to win as a point does neither side any favours.

Rivals recent results haven’t greatly favoured City so here’s hoping they do later today.

Tuesday, 17 March 2009

Barnsley v Crystal Palace, 19:45

Doncaster v Reading, 19:45

Ipswich v Burnley, 19:45

QPR v Swansea, 20:00

Midweek Championship Round-Up after tonight's game

Swansea City celebrated making the play-off positions last night while laughing at their ex-loan man Dimi a major cock up for Cardiff City. Fast forward 24 hours and they’re back out of the frame after Burnley hit back from trailing 2-0 at home to Crystal Palace in the night’s only Championship game to win 4-2. Their last 3 gopals came in the final 7 minutes as they were facing defeat, their 88^th minute clincher coming from ex-Cardiff City man Steven Thompson. Who’s laughing now then?

Thommo earned some infamy for his lack of goals at Cardiff – his tally was 17 in 106 appearances, most of those coming against Burnley, Southampton and Plymouth. Since joining Burnley in August, he’s now scored 10 for them in 37 games.

The rest of the Championship, of course, were in action last night. Cardiff fell badly at Norwich making them the only losers in the Top 10 during midweek but, amazingly, the damage was limited as the Top 3 all failed to win.

Leaders Wolves pressed at home but could not find a way past Ipswich, the game ending 0-0. Birmingham were on their way to defeat at lowly Barnsley as a Taylor defensive gaffe gifted The Tykes their score but he atoned with a late equaliser. Reading messed up at home to bottom club Charlton – they turned around a 0-1 deficit in the 2^nd half but allowed The South Londoners who are absolute certainties for the drop to level 2-2 at the death.

Cardiff dropped to 5^th but even then, Sheffield United failed to capitalise more having to settle for another 2-2, this one at home to lowly Blackpool while Preston became the 5^th side of last night’s Top 6 to draw, theirs in a home 1-1 with Sheffield Wednesday.

The winners came from below with Bristol City – Cardiff’s next opponents at Ashton Gate in a live Sky tv game this Sunday – having few difficulties brushing aside Coventry (2-0) and Swansea City requiring a dubious penalty to beat Plymouth 1-0 at The Liberty.

Ipswich clung on to forlorn hopes of making the play-offs with that 0-0 at Wolves but QPR must be hoisting the white flag – they were comfortably beaten 2-0 at Doncaster and have now taken just 4 points out of 24. Altogether, let’s all laugh at Routledge, let’s all laugh at Routledge, la la la la.

The Table after Tonight’s Games

	Team	P	GD	PTS
1	Wolverhampton	38	22	71
2	Birmingham	38	12	68
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
3	Reading	36	30	64
4	Sheff Utd	37	16	60
5	Cardiff	35	17	59
6	Burnley	37	2	58
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
7	Swansea	37	14	57
8	Bristol City	38	7	57
9	Preston	38	2	57
10	Ipswich	37	7	51
11	QPR	37	-2	49