Chopra back tonight?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Little and Large Cymru Style
The old boss meets the new boss

As every Welsh fan speculated whether they preferred someone else or not, Brain Flynn was appointed this morning as Wales' caretaker manager for the next two Euro 2012 qualifiers against Bulgaria and Switzerland in October. If successful, there is little doubt that a permanent offer would be made.

Flynn, now 54, has had a highly successful spell as Wales Under 21 manager, most of the current squad having worked with him at that level which should make an easy transistion. His Under 21 coaches Alan Curtis and David Williams are also stepping up which presumably means Dean Saunders and Roy Evans will leave the set up.

The new boss is understandably buoyant, "Naturally, as a very proud Welshman, this is a job that I have always wanted to do, I realise that initially it is only for two games, but I shall give it my all to try and achieve results and stake a claim for the job on a permanent basis. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with John Toshack in the Wales setup and feel that we have made great strides to establishing a side for the future.”

Toshack Press Conference as he quits managing Wales

Toshack leaves Wales ... but only by mutual consent

And so, as widely predicted since last weekend, John Toshack finishing as Wales team manager was finally confirmed in a lunchtime press conference today but the sting in the tail was that it has to be by mutual consent with Tosh making it clear that he didn't want to go now and was fully expecting to be at the helm for next month's crucial double header at home to Bulgaria and away in Switzerland.

Tosh, though, was in a very large minority who felt that it would have been appropriate, it surely would be untenable for any quitting manager to stay in charge of any country.

The press conference video will follow in a separate post but in it, Toshack stated, "I didn't decide to finish at moment. I was quite prepared to go on for next two matches ... I wanted to assess after three games."

However he added that, "We have come to the agreement though that it may be better for all concerned that a change is made now. I think Wales are still very much in this group. I hope the new man can win next two games" but extraordinarily added it may have been better to have kept him in case those games don't go well ... an incredibly negative argument for him to have continued.

Toshack made it known after last week's defeat and terrible performance that he was ready to go but the seeds were sown late last year at an away friendly in Croatia in which 14 players pulled out. "All the injuries have made it very difficult. Instead of pushing on we have gone the other way. I was disappointed we had 14 players missing for (that game)".

The search now begins for a replacement and it's needed in a rush but no news was forthcoming today although the media would seem to want Ryan Giggs, John Hartson has thrown his hat in the ring and Stoke manager Tony Pulis said it is too early for him ... diplomatically ruling himself out.

However my opinion on Tosh who had a very respectable Wales record but followers will know his main successes only ever came in friendlies and he proved to be as poor as anyone in competitive games. Too stubborn and arrogant, out of touch with the modern game - a damning condemnation for someone I wanted to have the job and who was very critical of previous Wales managers when he was a pundit.

"Judge me on the World Cup 2010 campaign" Toshack once famously said. The decision took too long to make but that judgement has now been made.

D-Day for Tosh and Wales

Yes, I know we were bloody awful again

THE FAW are holding a press conference today, called in the aftermath of Wales' disastrous Euro'2012 opener, a 2-1 defeat in Azerbaijan, and manager John Toshack advising that he was ready to quit the job.

The FAW, notoriously slow moving and seemingly unable to think for themsaelves at times, need to act quickly and be decisive and I would hope this conference is a sign of that.

The question is, have they tried to convince Tosh to stay on or, if he is going, will they allow him more games before getting a replacement as some newpapers have speculated. Then, of course, there is the small matter of who replaces himn and how dynamic and ambitious they are but that's not for today I guess.

In my opinion, if Toshack is going, then he must go now. No half measures please. The eyes of Welsh football fans are on you FAW, don't let us down.

Tosh Off, manager set to quit Wales (but he may have a farewell first???)

It is being reported that John Toshack is to resign as Wales manager in the aftermath of last Friday's spirit sapping 1-0 Euro'2012 opener defeat in Montenegro in which every player in the red shirt, with a possible exception or two only, produced performances way below their club form and reasonable expectations.


Tosh was demoralised after the game cutting a lonely figure and is believed to have informed colleages and the FAW of his intention to quit and also recommending Manchester United's Ryan Giggs as his successor. He is expected to formalise his resignation during this week.

Under Toshack, Wales have been mediocre during his 6 year tenure and have lost 6 of their last 9 internationals. The occasional friendly success and strong result (such as a World Cup draw in Germany) is undermined by the realisation that the only nations Wales have beaten in competitive matches are the equally poor, or even worse, outfits of Azerbaijan, Cyprus, Liechtenstein, Northern Ireland, San Marino and Slovakia.

However, one of the curious aspects, is that reports suggest that he may yet stay on for another two games, the double header at home to Bulgaria and away in Switzerland late next month.

Cards on table, I thought John Toshack would do a good job for Wales but it's been anything but. He found out, to the nation's cost, that his old school ways no longer work in the modern game.

Aloof from the fans, infuriatingly old-fashioned (the only manager without a mobile phone?), lacking respect from his players (with, it seems, all bar one of his senior men 'retiring' during his regime) and in terms of competitive results, taking us backwards. In my entire lifetime,

I had some hope last Friday that new campaign and emerging youth would finally show some progress but, insteasd, it had all the hallmarks of Wales going absolutely nowhere.

Wales have never been successful and only shown rare glimpses but, even so, I have never known such apathy towards our national side. The pride and the passion doesn't show itself in the squad or with the manager (not doubting it must be there mind) but that has transferred itself to the public.

Thanks to Tosh for finally realising he will not be able to bring about improvement but if he is resigning, thewn let'sd put him out of his misery. I don't want him around for next month's games so we have more of the same. We must have a different mentality and approach and at least try and make a fist of this campaign. If Tosh stays on, there will be nothing for the new guy to work with and we're reduced to, effectively, another 2 years of friendlies.

The FAW need to pull out all the stops to get a replacement on board now. If Brian Flynn isn't a serious candidate and we can't get someone permanent in time, then I'd still be tempted to manage the next two games as he knows the players having brought them through.

Just no more Toshack please!

Friday Night Failures: Euro 2012 qualifier: Montenegro 1 WALES 0

My Facebook status at Final Whistle summed it up better than any match review will do on here. It read, "I can't decide if that Wales show was shocking or appalling but it was truly crap".

Wales entered a new campaign full of hope, a feeling that the promising young players who have now amassed plenty of caps will now show their quality, but one match into the campaign, those hopes are already in tatters.

As usual, there were absentees (notably the long-term injured hot duo Aaron Ramsey and Jack Collison, the short-term injured Darcy Blake and the always injured Danny Gabbidon) but you would still have backed the side to have at least secured a comfortable point and wished for more but certainly not less.

The side in Podrica was Wayne Hennessey, Sam Ricketts-Ashley Williams-James Collins-Chris Gunter; David Edwards-David Vaughan-Craig Bellamy-Joe Ledley-Gareth Bale; Steve Morison.

Eyebrows were raised at manager John Toshack's 4-5-1 style formation was Millwall's Steve Morison as the target with Gareth Bale advanced along with Craig Bellamy but it gave the visitors pace and skill and for the opening 20 minutes, it all looked very promising as pressure was created, the game was played in Montenegro's half and half chance were created but wayward shooting and the final pass not coming off meant the Montenegro keeper was not tested at all.

From midway through the half, Montenegro found some momentum and Wales looked very poor at the back and with it, the game turned and was lost.

When the goal arrived on the half hour, Wales had already got away with a couple of close scrapes and it had been coming but what a poor one to concede as Montenegro skipper, Roma's VUKCEVIC skinned a "couldn't be arsed" looking challenge from James Collins and then beat Hennessey at his near post, the keeper caught out as he anticipated a shot across him.

A golden chance fell to Craig Bellamy in the final moments of the half but if Wales performance was shown in just one moment, it was Bellers lethargically firing horribly high and wide.

I'm afraid it was a similar story in the second half, the home side looking very comfortable and their keeper having no work to do. Wales did push on and won a couple of edge of box free-kicks but wasted them. Montenegro always looked more likely to get a 2nd but Wales got anything.

With 15 minutes to go, James Collins' miserable night was complete as he took an elbow to the face which may have caused him jaw, eye, cheekbone problems (he is still being assessed but is in a sorry way by all accounts) and there was a final flurry as sub Simon Church headed against the bar on 90 minutes and then has one disallowed in added time for offside as he turned home a rebound after Ledley got in Wales only shot on target of the night.

The most shocking thing for me is that no player emerged with any credit, they all looked a shadow of the players they are, producing nothing like their club form. How can that be explained?

Next up is Bulgaria at home next month but Wales have sucked all interest out of their campaign already. Pre-game, the squad had been calling to play England at Cardiff City's ground instead of Millennium Stadium. If it carries on like this, it may as well be over the road at Leckwith Athletic Stadium.

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.

Wales Online preview City at Pompey this weekend and Wales imminent Euro2012 campaign

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.

Wales Euro'2012 Fixture Dates Announced

The fixtures were agreed today for Wales’ Euro’2012 campaign which is now confirming as starting in Montenegro this September and finishing in Bulgaria in October 2011.

For the first time, qualifiers can be played on a Friday night and John Toshack’s men have decided to play 3 of their 4 home games that evening. The exception is the ‘glamour’ game with England that takes place on March 26^th next year. The away game at Wembley is on a Tuesday night in September 2011. Wales appear to have delayed those games until Aaron Ramsey returns from his horror injury.

Fans can start planning their away trips (I fancy Switzerland and maybe the first game in Montenegro) but will also be wondering where the home games will be held. Cardiff City Stadium is strongly linked to be hosting the games but can they resist the riches of playing England at Millennium Stadium? Time will tell.

Friday, 3 September 2010 Montenegro vs Wales

Friday, 8 October 2010 Wales vs Bulgaria

Tuesday, 12 October 2010 Switzerland vs Wales

Saturday, 26 March 2011 Wales vs England

Friday, 2 September 2011 Wales vs Montenegro

Tuesday, 6 September 2011 England vs Wales

Friday, 7 October 2011 Wales vs Switzerland

Tuesday, 11 October 2011 Bulgaria vs Wales

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.

Another Day, Another Debt

Cardiff City supporters must be used to a sharp intake of breath before they check the daily news to see what the bad news story is. If it’s not players in jail, the state of the pitch, another winding up order, bust ups between club and the press, more bust ups between manager and chairman, agonies over what the future holds (or may not hold) then it’s tales of awful performances and stinging appraisals of the on-pitch comedies and calamities, it is truly a flattening and depressing experience following the club lately.

So the latest news that the club have yet to pay any money to the Football Association of Wales from hosting the friendly international last November between Wales and Scotland seems like a 4 of a scale of 1 to 10 when, of course, it’s serious and underlines the complete mess and chaos the club have gotten themselves into.


Surely with tongue firmly in cheek, a club spokesman commented, “We are surprised to hear that there is concern over money owed to the Welsh FA.". With winding up orders flying around and a lengthening list of angry creditors, surprise should be the last thing in the air.
The two organisations are today “to work out the exact amount owing, this is known as a reconciliation process as the club had to bear the cost of items including stewarding, policing and ticketing. The club also take a percentage of gate receipts. The amount due to the FAW will be arrived at on Tuesday. Once that figure is settled, the FAW will be paid the amount owing.” Say the club.

Quite when, of or how the FAW will be paid, on present form, is another matter altogether!

It's WALES v England in EURO 2012

The draw for Euro 2012 has just been made and Wales were drawn in a lesser 5 team Group G along with Montnegro, Bulgaria, Switzerland and England.

As they were in the 4th seed spot, it's not easy but, all things considered, probably as reasonable as they could have hoped for. England will be tough, of course, and should win the group but the other nations do not hold any great fears and Wales must quietly fancy their chances of making a strong impression.

The finals will be jointly held in exotic Poland and Ukraine.

Rambo becoming a football superstar

It's not gone un-noticed amongst Cardiff City fans that Aaron Ramsey is starting to become a key player for Arsenal, keeps growing in stature and demeanour as a footballer and is proving his potential that was so obvious from his Cardiff City days ... it's frightening to think he has just turned 19 over the festive period.


A midfield maestro, he also scores stunning goals including a cracker in the Gunners 4-0 win at Portsmouth last night. Have a look at it below and also two goals he's scored for Wales this season - 1 for the seniors and 1 for the Under 21's. Quality, quality, quality.


Cardiff City let him go far too cheaply at £4.8M with no sell-on clause, didn't they?

RAMBO v Pompey last night


vs SCOTLAND November



v ITALY Under 21's October

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.

Matthews to Manchester United?

This morning's Sun newspaper are reporting that Manchester United have agreed a deal with Cardiff City to sign starlet Adam Matthews for £5 Million, beating Arsenal to his signature.



Matthews in his first season of prfessional football but, at 17, has started just 12 Championship games for City but is already seen as a key, star player. He has also had a Wales Under 21 debut and been elevated to the senior squad. As if that's not enough, he's also scored for Cardiff from 45 yards out.

Matthews would seem to be a natural replacement for Gary Neville at Old Trafford, very similar in style.

City fans, however, will be dismayed to see another kid leave after half a season of football. All fans love local heroes but the last products of the system - players like Cameron Jerome, Chris Gunter and Aaron Ramsey - have all gone in no time.

Matthews, it would seem, is set to do the same.

Jacks pass Bluebirds with Friday night win

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

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


C'MON CITY.

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

Matthews a doubt for Barnsley afterc Wales injury

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

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

Burley Hurled

With a sense of déjà vu, Scotland boss George Burley was dismissed after a hammering in Wales. Four years ago, he took the job replacing Berti Vogts who was also dismissed after a similar pasting in Cardiff.

It’s a decision that will be celebrated by the Kilted Hoardes who demanded nothing less after travelling to South Wales with many exiting long before the game ended. Scotland’s only problem now is can take over and restore their fortunes? Unlike Wales who have also been poor, they don’t seem to have the talent coming through to make the job one to savour.

Still, that’s their problem, Wales suddenly seem to have a bit of a future.