After a summer of bad news and the club in the doldrums, while then problems remain, the club have finally managed to release some shackles in the nick of time.
Having resolved some of its immediate financial debts (to the tax man, former players and transxfer fees to other clubs), the Football League lifted the club's transfer and player registration embargo on Friday afternoon.
This enabled the registration of goalkeeper Tom Heaton and on loan midfielders Danny Drinkwater (from Manchester United) and Jason Koumas (from Wigan). It also enables the club to try and arrange new contracts for existing personnel, defender Kevin McNaughton being one who agreed a new deal but it could not be registered under embargo.
However it may well be a temporary reprieve as Cardiff's problems are significant and may well take a long time to overcome. It is believed the club face major financial demands in September- after the transfer window closes - which may see the embargo return.
Relieved manager Dave Jones said, "It’s a good thing for the club the embargo’s off. We just have to move now as quick as we can to bring the players in we’ve been chasing. Everything seems to be sorted, but we could be hit again over the tax issue. We can’t rule us being hit again with an embargo. If I can four new faces before the transfer window closes, and keep the ones I have, then we will be in good shape.”
Various names have been banded about with some said to be training with the club already but nothing has materialised so far.
Meantime the N-Power Championship season opened last night with promoted Norwich being surprisingly outplayed and beaten at home (2-3) by relegation-fancied Watford. 10 more games are being played today before Cardiff open their season in front of Sky tv cameras at home to Sheffield United tomorrow lunchtime.
As weekends and play-off aspirations go, it could not possibly have been better. Incredibly, every play-off rival from 4th to 11th spot managed a draw other than Cardiff City who ran out 3 - 1 winners over Watford in a Sunday game. Cardiff took an early lead and endured a very uncomfortable hour before gaining control and taking the sting out of the Hornets.
It is a result that took City 5 points clear of the chasing pack with a home game in hand, a far better goal difference and just 9 games to go. How times change at Cardiff City - last home game there was a demo, fears of administration(which still remain) and a feeling we were about to slip away in the play-off race. Now, the club seem relaxed that investment from T.G. is around the corner, the mood is buoyant and a play-off spot looks ever likely. Only at Cardiff!
City went into the encounter with a makeshift defence as Kevin McNaughton and Anthony Gerrard, the midweek centre halves in the win at Coventry, were both absent injured while Adam Matthews was rumoured to be dropped after Dave Jones singled him out as a cause for Coventry's goal - he had almost the entire defence to choose from where I was watching!
However Gabor Gyepes returned from his own injury, Paul Quinn was called up and Darcy Blake was asked to continue as a makeshift centre-back, just as he did at Coventry in the second half. Up front Chops was available again post-suspension but he had to time his time on the bench as Dave Jones continued with McCormack alongside Jay Bothroyd.
CARDIFF CITY: Marshall: Quinn-Blake-Gyepes-Kennedy; Whittingham-Rae-McPhail-Burke; Bothroyd-McCormack. The subs bench contained the only other players Dave Jones had remaining and fit - Enckleman, Capaldi, Taiwo, Matthews, Wildig, Chopra, Feeney.
Watford, like Cardiff, have had their own off the field problems this season and recently avoided administration by a whisker. They turned up in and departed South Wales, just 3 points above the drop zone having now lost 5 out of 7 but they have games in hand and on their showing today, they really should be fine. However they are vulnerable on the road with no away win for 5 months, their home record is comparable to Cardiff's.
They quest to avenge a 0-4 home defeat to City was hampered by injuries to key players as well and pivotal central defender Jay De Merit and exciting Arsenal loaneee midfield prospect Henri Lansbury both missed out leaving them with a slightly makeshift defence.
It was a designated Family Fun Day and, for once, Cardiff City pulled out all the stops showing more imagination in one afternoon than they had managed the entire season. Kids for a quid, a fairground in the car park, new Playstation and kids tv areas in the Family Stand, a choir on the pitch pre-game, dancers and football freestyling at half-time and they were blessed with good weather, a gorgeous mild spring day with sunny skies. The crowd was announced as 20,130 but that included about 400 Watford fans and a lot of missing season ticket holders looking around the place.
Cardiff made a bright start to match the conditions and took a thunderous lead on 7 minutes with a pearler. A mini spell of pressure saw City blocked after a terrific move, the second phase saw Chris Burke just about denied at the far post but the resulting corner hit by Whitts went to the far stick where ROSS McCORMACK hit a stunning half-volley first time which drilled low through the crowd and a static, helpless Watford keeper and defence. A terrific piece of skill and the crowd loved it.
Thoughts we were about to see a first class City attacking display soon evaporated however as Watford spent the rest of the half taking the game to us and causing immense problems. Seizing on the lack of height in City's defence - and entire side! - with only Gyepes and Bothroyd being tall players, their tactic was to hit the far post and load up. Their freakish centre half Martin Taylor who looked like he should have been in the middle of a 6 Nations line out caused trouble too and it was uncomfortable viewing as City struggled and rode their luck.
Last ditch tackles, scrambles, Taylor hitting a post, another header coming off the underside of the bar, we could all see what was coming but Cardiff were struggling to prevent it.
City fans and players were also becoming agitated at some perceived inefficient refereeing and decisions. There did appear to be a spell where everything went Watford's way and against Cardiff with City players penalised for tackles and pushes while the visitors got away with identical or worse. By the interval, Jay Bothroyd got his 9th yellow card of the season, very harsh for a nudge, and knows that another before Easter will bring a 2 game suspension. However it was only his 2nd in 15 games, he had 7 in the 15 before that! Mark Kennedy, by comparison, was left flattened by an altogether worse challenge as he was aerial which left him in discomfort and unable to continue after the break, Tony Capaldi taking his place.
Half-time: CARDIFF 1 WATFORD 0
The onslaught continued towards City's goal but had become less intensive and despite our lucky escapes, David Marshall had somehow not been called on to make a single save which, perhaps, was telling.
Cardiff were starting to play and move better with Steve McPhail looking the composed and class act pulling the strings in the centre, Gyepes looking very strong at the back (I thought he was excellent throughout) and Blake coming away with the ball which finally gave a platform to build on.
Capaldi did well too, he was putting variation on his passes instead of the all too predictable Mark Kennedy sand wedge chip and his long throws when City got forward helped relieve pressure and create our own.
Watford made changes using all their subs in the opening 20 minutes of the half but City had doubled their lead by that point and were finally getting on top. The second goal saw a swift move down the right where Chris Burke, after an anonymous first half came to life, and after racing away and checking out, he hit over the perfect cross which PETER WHITTINGHAM headed downwards from close range giving Loach no chance. Yes - seriously, Whitts with a header!! That was his 21st of the season - quite amazing when his enitre career total was 19 before this season.
That came on 63 and lift all the nerves and anxiety both in the crown and the team. While only one Watford goal away from a return of panic, Cardiff were now putting together some great passing and movement and looking the good unit that they are. Chris Burke especially was enjoying himself and creating a buzz.
Jay Bothroyd who had a battle but led the line superbly was so unlucky as he met a Burke cross, looped a perfect header back across goal and was denied by an equally perfect save from Loach at full stretch but that was only temporary respite for Watford as CHRIS BURKE took the ball out of defence with Watford advanced and set off on a mazy 70 yard run on the left with the crowd willing him all the way. He beat two defenders for pace, the ball kindly fell back his way as he tried to shoot and that enabled him to side-foot past Loach. How we loved it.
With the game in the bag, Dave Jones clearly had Wednesday's game against Sheffield United in mind as he took off Bothroyd and replaced him with Feeney ahead of Chopra (was that a message to Chops?) before Chops appeared a few minutes later replacing McCormack. Feeney was Feeney, Chops created some danger and looked lively in his cameo.
David Marshall and his defence craved a clean sheet but Watford got the consolation they, and half their remaining fans, deserved and a fine one it was too with HELGUSSON latching onto a looping header with a fine first time left footed volley as added time started.
The home game on Wednesday is now massive as 6th place City face 7th place Sheffield United who I've felt for some time are the only team who can knock us out of the play-offs if we don't blow up ourselves. Many City fans would be happy to take a draw right now but with The Blades having just 1 draw and 6 defeats in their last 7 aways and looking at the sizeable gap, they will have far more to fear than City. Bring'em on!
With The 6 Nations Egg Chasing Season finishing today (Wales beat Italy in Cardiff), Cardiff City's weekend home game hosting Watford is being played tomorrow leaving the club and fans looking at other Championship results and it could barely have gone better as all five teams below The Bluebirds conspired to draw so hardly make up any ground.
Sheffield United and Doncaster in 7th and 8th had to share the spoils in a South Yorkshire derby, The Blades garbbing an 88th minute equaliser for the perfect result from a Cardiff viewpoint. Blackpool in 9th fought back for a home 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace also thanks to a late equaliser but those home points dropped still harm them. And another draw which helped City saw Middlesbrough in 10th held 1-1 at home by Reading, the side recently flying up the table but recent draws have now held them back and in 13th spot.
On paper, it's up to Cardiff to lose their play-off spot as they've now at least 2 points clear of all play-off chasers with 2 games in hand and a vastly superior goal difference seemingly worth another point. However fans won't need reminding how City messed up at the tail end of last season from a similar situation. Don't let lightning strike twice boys.
A fortnight's break due to World Cup action has Cardiff City fans chomping at the bit to return to domestic football and a group of players wanting to build on their prime form following demolition jobs over Derby (6-1 at home) and Watford (4-0 away).
It would be understandable if Dave Jones is desparate to retain the same starting eleven used in both games but doubts persist over two players.
In midfield, news has emerged that Steve McPhail had a neck operation last week and, at present, still has the stitches inserted. He has been training and wants to play but it may be touch and go. If he is absent, Joe Ledley would be expected to start but he is a doubt too having missed Wales' games with a hip injury.
Meantime, at the back, Mark Kennedy is a doubt as well with continued hamstring twinges which has plagued him all season. However City have cover there as SuperKev - Kevin McNaughton - is ready to belatedly start the season and has successfully come through two reserve outings during the break.
Cardiff City are at home to Crystal Palace on Saturday and then Coventry City next Tuesday.
Malaysian businessman and property magnate Dato Chan Tien Ghee - known to all at the club at T.G. - has returned to Kuala Lumpur after a visit, watching two Cardiff City matches and three days of talks with Bluebirds supremo Peter Ridsdale whose is unusually tight-lipped at presenting telling South Wales Echo only that the talks "went well, that's all there is to say at the moment".
He could certainly not possibly have picked a better time to visit and is reported to have been thrilled watching City demolish Derby 6-1 last Tuesday when he went on to meet the players and he was also in London at the weekend watching them trounce Watford 4-0.
Ridders and the club are desperate for financial shake up and restructure, there are even rumours of a possible cashflow problem after more money had to be poured into the new stadium development, last season's play-off failure, the failure to get stadium naming rights and other anticipated commerical opportunites to expected levels in the recession and even not being able to sell Ross McCormack or Joe Ledley in the recent transfer window for differing reasons.
Therefore any investment is to be welcomed and will be actively persued, T.G. certainly seems as if he can offer potential. Two visits by Risdale to the Far East and now T.G.'s visit here suggests things are developing nicely but time will tell what, if anything, it all means.
CARDIFF CITY and DAVE JONES' only idea of consistency, it would seem, is to be consistently good or consistently bad and here we go again as City followed up Wednesday's 6-1 home spanking of Derby County with an equally 4-0 destruction of Watford at Vicarage Road, the Bluebirds first victory there in 11 attempts over 39 years.
A Peter Whittingham double opening the scoring with a penalty and grabbing a rare as rocking horse sh*t header, Adam Matthews' first goal - a 50 yard free-kick! - and a superb Jay Bothroyd finish truly stung the Hornets ... and, once again, City could have scored more than that.
Is there anyone however who can explain just how the club are able to start the season as early pace setters with 11 goals in 4 games, then fall away with 4 defeats out of 5 and only scoring twice to now hit back with 2 successive wins (and 3 out of 4) notching up 10 goals in 2 games??? However this stunnign victory sent City into the international break full of confidence and clear in 4th spot ahead of 2 winnable home games when the action resumes. Suddenly, it's all looking good again!
I went to a Stereophonics gig in Cardiff so missed joining the 1,500 happy throng in a crowd of 13,895 at Vicarage Road. The spectators included Joe Ledley and Ross McCormack and the former was available after suispension and the latter was back after 2 months out, both having to wait for their chance from the sub's bench with Dave Jones' understandably naming the same side that "Rammed" Derby.
Watford have made a reasonable start to the season. They have drawn half of their opening previous 10 games and would have jumped above City had they won but suffered their first home defeat in midweek (2-3 v Coventry) so were looking to bounce back but they were, thankfully, battered as free-kicks and a late consolation goal quest aside, they were never in it!
City have been notorious slow starters but they were 'at' Watford from first whistle and showed early intent as Burke forced Loach to make a smart stop but the hosts responded, a free-kick rattling the bar.
Michael Chopra should have increased his season's tally to 13 when Jay Bothroyd selflessly teed him up but he squirmed his effort wide with Loach nowhere but that mattered little when Burke cleverly supplied a pass to send Bothroyd behind the home defencewhere he was clipped and tug for a soft but obvious penalty - PETER WHITTINGHAM smacking home the spot kick with aplomb.
City stepped it up even more even though Marshall had to save one free kick but at the other end Chops fired wide, Bothroyd was blocked and, incredibly, Hudson directed a free header against a post when he should have scored and Gavin Rae fired the rebound wide when it was easier to fire home.
Yet again, those misses never savWatford either as City doubled their lead in amazing style. Adam Matthews, the 17 yr old defender playing only his 9th pro game, took a 50 yard free-kick which incredibly sailed over City's forwards, Wtaford's defenders and then caught keeper Loach off his line and flew in bouncing just before the goal line. Altogether, "Matthews from the halfway line"!!
Half-time: Watford 0 City 2
Cardiff were in no mood to declare and set about Watford with real style and intent. Chops missed again while Hudson (twice) and Bothroyd had headers saved by Loach before Mark Kennedy was forced off before the hour with injury but it didn't affect City as Quinn replaced in and then it was game over as City added two more in a minute.
3-0 came on 73 as Quinn's cross found Rae on the opposite siode of the area who helped it back and there was WHITTINGHAM running in and putting it home with the rarest of headers. The final one, was a beauty, Burke hit it forward, BOTHROYD held it up then swivelled 360 degrees to beat the final defender and unleash a rising drive into the roof of goal which a diving Loach could not get to. That was his first goal since Scunthorpe on the season's opening day. It could have been worse as Chops failed again when set up by McPhail but his goals weren't needed today.
Joe Ledley and Ross McCormack had late run outs and Watford applied some late pressure but it was futile so Marshall and his defence will be happy with a clean sheet.
Watford have been fined £7,500 and severely censured by the F.A. for failing to control their players at Ninian Park.Got to admit my surprise at this and not even knowing they had been charged, it seems very harsh.
The flashpoint was Cardiff being awarded a penalty with the last kick of the game after a Watford player was adjudged to have handled the ball. There was confusion with the linesman apparently not prepared to award it and the ref did, the ref standing by his decision after consultation and Ross McCormack socred to give Cardiff City a 2-1 winner.
The FA statement read: “Watford admitted the charge of failing to ensure its players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion and the result was confirmed at a personal hearing.”
Having seen tv replays, I thought the decision to give the penalty was correct. I'm not so sure at all the decision to censure and fine the club is right at all however. Hard Luck Hornets.
‘I can't get this pressure point out of my head
I can't get this pressure point out of my head’
Someone forgot to tell Ross McCormack about pressure as he conspired to produce drama and a match ending to rival away.Nails were bitten, thumbs were sucked, trousers turned brown, faces looked away but he coolly smacked home a 97th(!!) minute last kick of the match winner as though it was a training exercise.Instead, it allowed CardiffCity and nearly 18,000 fans to express unbridled, joy, relief and mayhem all in the same moment as they beat Watford 2-1 at NinianPark to cement their spot in the play-offs and keep auto-promotion hopes very much alive.
That goal sealed City coming from behind to win for the first time this season as Watford shocked the near 18,000 crowd by scoring a penalty of their own through Tommy Smith inside the first 10 minutes.Cardiff responded superbly as Jay Bothroyd levelled before a quarter of the game had elapsed but it was tough watching after that – despite magnificent support – as Cardiff missed a couple of great chances and then found Watford pushing hard at them to win the game.
Just as fans were accepting the point, a moment of madness by Ross Jenkins gifted City that penalty and three points – YOU BEAUTY!!!
Cardiff may have struggled on their travels – 1 point out of 9 – but home is where the heart is and where they remain imperious as it’s now 25 points put of the last 27 at NinianPark.But boy, was it tough and a struggle tonight.
City made 2 changes from the side that grabbed a late and equally celebratory draw in Wurzle-land last Sunday with Chris Burke starting in place of Peter Whittingham and goalscorer in that game, Ross McCormack, putting Chops on the bench to join Mark Kennedy, available again after injury.There was still no place in the 16 for Quincy.
Watford were in the relegation mire but stand on the verge of safety after former Chelsea reserve boss Brendan Rogers took charge, apparently recommended for the post by Jose Mourinho.The had lost just 1 in 6 but their away from was suspect with 12 points from 18 trips.As expected, they lined up 4-5-1 but I can’t say their approach was negative at all and they tried hard to win the game even if City’s latest goalkeeper Stuart Taylor who next to no work to do.
Before kick-off, surreal but touching scenes at the club paid tribute to Chief Steward Jeff Richards who passed away at the weekend after initially being taken ill at a home game last month.The perimeter of the pitch was flanked by club stewards and staff as a minute’ applause took place.I honestly never knew we had that many stewards or that there were that many orange fluorescent jackets in Cardiff.RIP Jeff.
Cardiff started well and at a fast tempo aiming for an early goal but were rocked to be on the receiving end of one instead.Ex-City boy, Jobi McAnuff, a menace all night skinned McPhail for pace, turned away from McNaughton (who had a very uncomfortable evening) and was carelessly taken down my McPhail trying to atone for losing him earlier.
Recent Dave Jones target TOMMY SMITH took it in front of the Grange End, Taylor dived the right way but was beaten by power and precision as Smith hit the bottom corner.
However, showing their credentials, City responded superbly to that setback – when lesser Cardiff sides down the years would have crumbled – with Parry firing narrowly wide, Ledley’s rising volley after a sparkling move bringing a save out of Loach and then, 6 minutes after falling behind, another good build up, Burke crossed, Capaldi headed on and the ball fell to JAY BOTHROYD who showed excellent technique to half volley past a static Hornets keeper.
Watford’s back line looked creaky at this stage and showed why they were are the Championship’s second worst defence but that contrasted to a sharp forward line with Smith and McAnuff causing difficulties and giving Johnson and Gyepes a harder time than usual but City were doing most of the pressing.
McCormack just wide, Burke blocked, Capaldi throws and Parry corners causing problems and McCormack – working hard – just failing to connect at the far post but the game’s outstanding move should have put City in front as outstanding skills sent Joe Ledley clear but he elected to square the ball instead of shoot when the hard work was done and the chance was lost.
Half-time: CITY 1 WATFORD 1
Cardiff returned minus Paul Parry and with Peter Whittingham replacing him but City found it more of a struggle.
McNaughton – whose distribution was again poor as he strives for full fitness – was booked early for a scything tackle on McAnuff who remains a fast and classy talent before McCormack missed a sitter by peeling off his marker to meet a Whitts cross but he planted a header wide from 10 yards when it looked easier to get it on target.
As the game became more scrappy and congested, the Ninian crowd truly got behind the team as BARMY ARMY boomed from all sides of the ground for a prolonged period then other City chants reigned down but Watford were now looking comfortable and showing ambition to take the game on the break.
City’s best hope of a goal appeared to be from set pieces but Watford were coping with corners while edge of area free-kicks were poor.McCormack (twice) and Whittingham all hitting the wall.Chopra was thrown on for Burke and almost immediately hit another free-kick into the wall as City found more balls as two were hammered onto the Grandstand roof.
Nerves jangled as Watford carried more threat and huge sighs went around as Joe Ledley misdirected a header back at Taylor while Priskin nodded wide at the near post while McAnuff tried to cut McNaughton in two with one challenge and become the 4thWatford man to be carded.
As McCormack hit another free-kick into a defensive wall, a number started to leave early – this despite a feeling there may be a late twist even though many of us were resigned to the draw … and hoped it wasn’t to be worse!
Three minutes were added, another huge roar but Watford came again and won a corner in the final moments.When that went behind for a goal-kick, some wondered if the whistle would blew and Taylor took it but City controlled the ball and, without warning, McCormack unleashed a venomous25 yarder that Loach pushed over with remarkable reflexes.
That meant time for one more corner.Swung to the far post by Whitts, Gypes headed goalwards and then enter the Bluebirds new hero, Watford midfielder Ross Jenkins who looked ready to chest it away but then threw hands at the ball.The ref looked and blew or a penalty.TV later proved he was right and, to compound Jenkins’ madness, City’s header was going wide anyway so it was completely needless.
ROSS McCORMACK grabbed the ball but could not take it for at least 2 minutes as Watford man appealed, harangued the ref and protested to high heavens.Then more agony as the ref walked to the linesman to check.The lino would never have got out of South Wales alive had he overturned it but he had the good sense to confirm it was the correct decision.Up stepped Roscoe and bang, same spot as Watford’s penalty.
Ninian had a bigger eruption than Vesuvius; fans hugged, danced, jumped, ran down stairwells and were out of control in joy.Watford kicked off, the moment that the ball was touched, final whistle blew!It was that close.Boy oh boy, joy o joy.
It was tough watching but I guess we’re just going to have to get used to it over the next few weeks.Defensively, City coped well although McNaughton needs to return to his best form.Capaldi impressed me, he got forward more in one match tonight than all of last season.
The wide boys yet again produced as little entertainment as James Corden’s comedy sketch show and Steve McPhail continues to divide opinion like Marmite except most people now don’t get him as he produced few telling moments and was quite anonymous tonight.I’d get Rae back in there fast.Joe Ledley had a poor game too as our entire midfield unit struggled yet was awarded man of the match by the sponsors.Someone had obviously enjoyed their sherry to do that.
Up front, Bothroyd put in a better show yet still seemed to be complaining about his leg but City look a better side with him while Ross McCormack was hungry and tried everything – including whipping up noise on the Bob Bank during one break in play – and deserved his late reward.
City are now 5th with only goals scored seeing Sheffield United above them in 4th – that sets it up for a cracker between those two side at Ninian Park next up in Sunday.
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 1,000th 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 CrystalPalace with another setback to London opposition, this time falling 1-0 at QPR to Leighterwood’s 30th 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 6th 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.
