IPSWICH CHASING HARD FOR ROGER JOHNSON?

While Cardiff City concentrate on the visit of Norwich City later today, it is their East Anglian rivals Ipswich Town causing a little consternation with newspaper talk in Suffolk of them making increased bids for centre-half Roger Johnson and weighing up a final offer believing they have a chance of prising him away from Ninian Park.

http://www.greenun24.co.uk/content/greenun/sport/football/championship/ipswich-town/story.aspx?brand=EADOnline&category=IpswichTownFC&tBrand=GreenUnOnline&tCategory=xDefault&itemid=IPED22%20Aug%202008%2017%3A34%3A31%3A350

Think there's several factors why it wouldn't happen in my view;

- City don't need to sell (I bloody hope not anyway!)

- With Johnson signing a new long term deal recently, it will surely include a 'silly price' release fee

- RJ may want Prem football but can't see any reason he'd want another middling Championship club ... albeit one with a bit more money to spend.

- City, and Ridders, would lose credibility

- It leaves City with no time for another replacement

One thing concerns me though - Ipswich, it would seem, haven't been definitely told to **** off by CCFC otherwise they wouldn't keep coming back with increased offers.

Not sure whether to be worried or unconcerned.

HASSLEBAINK 'NOT ON THE RADAR' OF JOINING NORWICH

... ...Not yet anyway!

Although it is still suspected, even if not publicly admitted, that JIMMY FLOYD HASSELBAINK will be offered a short-term deal with Norwich City, the fact that his contract dispute with Cardiff City is still to be resolved (despite Peter Ridsdale informing South Wales press that it would be concluded by early this week) couple with the fact Norwich are playing at Ninian Park today, means that JFH's presence is East Anglia is still in the "I'm training with them' category.

When pressed on the issue, Canaries boss Glenn Roeder is quoted as saying, "He was here Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and I think he's coming back next week for another three days. He's really enjoying it and he feels that his fitness has increased greatly in just the three days he's had with us. But I think he had business on yesterday and is back in Cardiff today before moving back to London." I wonder if JFH will pop along to the game later?

Roeder however seems to have been guardedly impressed by the Serial Moaner adding, "I think he's been good for the younger strikers and even Cureton passed some nice comments about Jimmy. And in the small-sided games that we've had, he's scored plenty of goals. There's nothing wrong with that right foot - that's still working, even at 36 but I don't want to talk about if there's any possibility of him joining us. It's not on the radar at the moment. We're just helping him out - and in his own way, he's helping us out.".

I reckon the deal wil be sealed next week once the City contract and our game is out of the way.

EDDIE JOHNSON LOAN DEAL CONFIRMED

EJ - HE ALREADY KNOWS HOW TO AYATOLLAH!

EDDIE JOHNSON was tonight confirmed as taking up a season long loan with Cardiff City from Fulham. He will be shown to the crowd at tomorrow's home game with Norwich and is expected to feature in the Carling Cup 2nd Round home game with Franchise FC on Tuesday night.

Like all Cardiff City signings, he's a gamble rather than proven and he certainly has a lot to prove. For a club with money to spend, they should seem keen to make sure it doesn't get used.

Johnson, however, has a good goal record in US and for the national side and was in demand with several Premiership sides before signing for Fulham in January.

DARREN PURSE ON CARDIFF CITY PHONE-IN

DARREN PURSE was the guest on tonight's Cardiff City phone in show on GTFM. You can listen in or download it via the link below. It's worth a listen.

http://www.mediafire.com/?j0zmbmbgwlh

DAVID DAVIES TRIALS FOR GAVIN & STACEY

David Davies, not content with being a Barry boy and a Cardiff City fan, has declared his wish to appear in Barry-based sitcom Gavin & Stacey.

Nessa gave him an on air rehearsal tonight which he declared was better than his Beijing Silver Medal.


Listen here > http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/7575715.stm

RAMBO IN, EARNIE OUT FOR WALES

Aaron Ramsey is one of nine Under 21's who faced Romania on Wednesday who have been called into the senior squad for the World Cup opening qualifiers home to Azerbiajan on September 6 and in Russia on September 10.

The squad features 2 current Cardiff City men (Paul Parry and Joe Ledley) and four former Bluebirds but Wales have major defensive problems with centre halves Nyatanga and Gabbidon injured while James Collins is named having just returned to West Ham reserves after lengthy injury.

A huge disappointment for Robert Earnshaw who only just got back into the squad last Wednesday, played just a few minutes as a late sub and now finds himself dropped again by John Toshack.

The Under 21's face a massive task to win their final game in Romania on September 9 for qualification but all those in the senior squad are also named in the Under 21 squad as some may be discarded for the senior trip to Russia which follows the Azerbaijan match and head for Bucharest instead.

WALES SQUAD

Wayne Hennessey (Wolverhampton Wanderers)

Boaz Myhill (Hull City)

Lewis Price (Derby County)

Gareth Bale (Tottenham Hotspur)

James Collins (West Ham)

Steve Evans (Wrexham)

Chris Gunter (Tottenham Hotspur)

Craig Morgan (Peterborough United)

Sam Ricketts (Hull City)

Ashley Williams (Swansea City)

Andrew Crofts (Gillingham)

Simon Davies (Fulham)

David Edwards (Wolverhampton Wanderers)

Carl Fletcher (Crystal Palace)

Owain Tudur Jones (Swansea City)

Jason Koumas (Wigan Athletic)

Joe Ledley (Cardiff City)

Paul Parry (Cardiff City)

Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal)

Carl Robinson (Toronto FC)

Brian Stock (Doncaster Rovers)

Craig Bellamy (West Ham)

David Cotterill (Sheffield United)

Freddy Eastwood (Coventry City)

Ched Evans (Manchester City)

Sam Vokes (Wolverhampton Wanderers)

EDDIE JOHNSON - FROM USA TO NINIAN WAY

IS THIS FOOTBALL OR MIAMI VICE??

Following yesterday's post on this blog, it does appear that the final pieces are being put into place for EDDIE JOHNSON's arrival from Fulham next week on a season's loan for Cardiff City albeit with a reported clause allowing his possible return to the Londoners in January.

EJ has been in South America with USA for a tough World Cup qualifier against Guatemala. USA won 1-0 but Johnson was not involved with the action but agreed to negotiations over his loan during his absence and is very keen to come. The final hurdle, notwithstanding geting gazumped again(!), is getting a work permit. It won't be in time for this weekend but is believed to be a formality.

HASSELBAINK - LIKELY TO SIGN DEAL FOR NORWICH BEFORE TOMORROW

In a week when Hasselbaink declared his belief that he has one more season left in him, Norwich skipper, Mark Fotheringham, would like to see Jimmy sign a short-term deal to help inspire Norwich's players and the club.

However his only duties tomorrow will be 'insider secrets' on Cardiff City for the club will the official line is that he is there for training only.

Fotheringham, in an audio interview, says he is looking to visiting ST. NINIAN'S PARK tomorrow!

http://new.edp24.co.uk/content/sport/story.aspx?brand=EDPOnline&category=Sport&tBrand=EDPOnline&tCategory=Sport&itemid=NOED20%20Aug%202008%2017%3A10%3A34%3A443

CALLING CARDIFF CITY EXILES

There's now a website for you for information and, importantly, arranging car share and lifts for areas aroudn the country for home and away matches.

Run by City fanatic Steve Barnett in the South West, it has helped many fans already and aims to do that for plenty more. The web address is below.

www.cardiffcityexiles.com

EDDIE THE BLUEBIRD??

It's being reported that Cardiff City are very close to finally netting a transfer target, this time in the shape of Fulham's American international striker Eddioe Johnson, initially on a season long loan deal.

24 year old Johnson is an American football star - if there is such a thing - with 32 caps and 11 goals. That brought him to the attention of Europe and Fulham swooped, taking him for £3,000,000 in January from Kansas City. He started 4 games and had 2 more as sub but the Londoners were struggling badly against relegation at the time and new boss Roy Hodgson brought in new men.

Here's hoping the deal gets done.

DAVID DAVIES WINS SILVER

Barry boy and Cardiff City fan DAVID DAVIES got pipped at the very end of the gruelling 10KM, near 2 hour, open swin at the Olympics in Beijing.

A fantastic effort but he'll be annoyed at errors in the final moments which cost him Gold but magnificent all the same. Well done David, you did CCFC proud especially doing The Ayatollah at the end.

News Story here

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2008/08/21/david-davies-storms-to-swimming-silver-91466-21576719/

Video clip of finish here
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympics/swimming/7573777.stm

DEVO IN ROCK BAND

I suppose you've made it these days in music if your songs get featured in the latest game craze.

It proves how DEVO's music is still valid as two of their songs have this week been added to ROCK BAND.

Full article and interview with Jerry on the Rockband.com site:

http://www.rockband.com/blog/entry/407771

LOOVENS - THE FINAL WORD(S) ... we hope

While Dave Jones and Glenn Loovens exchange words with each other - Jones suggesting (quite rightly) that Glenn has joined a two team league while the Dutchman tried (in vain) to protest it isn't - some encouraging words came from fellow Scotsman and now Cardiff City man Ross McCormack.


Talking about his transfer, McCormack commented that, "Glenn really is that good a player and I can understand why Celtic and Rangers wanted him so much. It was just his composure that stood out. He's like Boumsong when he was at Rangers. When the ball comes up hell bring it on his chest and pass it. He never panics and he's a mixture of maybe Boumsong and Kyrgiakos."


"I saw him for a couple of months, played with him a few times and trained with him. He'll do really well for Celtic – I have no doubts about that at all."










Meantime, Celtic boss Gordon Strachan expresses his delight at getting Loovens


http://www.celticfc.net/news/stories/news_190808143740.aspx

Friendly Result: WALES 1 GEORGIA 2

In their final friendly before World Cup qualification commences next month, Wales fell to a shock last minute defeat in Swansea to the war-torn Georgians thanks to horrific defending.

It was a game and result to forget. The second half performance, in which Wales seemed to switch off almost completely will worry John Toshack, but he will bear in mind a first half showing beofre changes were made that saw Wales lead through Jason Koumas on 16 minutes and not quite take the chances that would have put them out of sight.

Cardiff City's Paul Parry returning after a self-imposed absence of 18 months for personal problems - which he recently revealed were problems of divorce - played well up front.

Coming after the U-21 deflating defeat, it was a bad night for Welsh football but, in the bigger picture, an emotional one and national morale booster that trancends football to Georgia.

Wales 1 Georgia 2: Georgia too skilful for Toshack's weakened Wales

Independent

Wales struck by late Georgian smash and grab raid

WalesOnline

Georgians delighted with Wales win in tough circumstances

International Herald Tribune - France

Wales Suffer Shock Defeat

Goal.com - Switzerland

Wales concede late winner

The Press Association

WALES U-21 0 ROMANIA 1

It was echoes of days gone by as Wales again fell at home to Romania on a night when a win would have seen them qualify for a finals.

This time it was U21 level and the Euro's but it was just as gutting as Wales dominated, missed a number of golden chances and then fell to a sucker punch goal.

The side featured Cardiff City's Darcy Blake, an injured Joe Ledley was watching on and ex-City men Chris Gunter and Aaron Ramsey were starring. They deserved success but didn't take their chances, that will hurt.

Wales go to Romania next month now needing to avenge this defeat with a victory of their own to make it. However it is likely that some of the players will be in the full squad for World Cup games significantly weakening their hopes.

Flynn rallies young Wales chargesBBC Sport

Wales U21 qualifying hopes hit by Romanian blowWalesOnline

USAIN BOLT SUPERMAN

Just incredible performances and history by Jamaica's Usain Bolt to make him the fastest man on the planet ever.

Not content with smashing the 100M World Record, including starting celebration 20M from home, Bolt stunned the World again in taking the 200M also with a World Record time.

His showboating this time came before the race. How can he look so cool mock combing his hair, I'd look a prat doing that!

Watch it here and also see the 100M via a link within it.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympics/athletics/7572885.stm

NEW STRIKER ... SUBJECT TO PERMIT

With Gabor signed from Northampton today, news permeates that Cardiff City are also on the verge of capturing a foreign striker and have applied for a work permit.

More details/news to follow but fans are expecting another bargain basement capture rather than a big name. We're becoming accustomed to being underwhelmed.

CITY'S SIGN A NEW CENTRE HALF HUNGARY FOR SUCCESS

CARDIFF CITY tonight unveiled a new centre half replacement for Glenn Loovens in the shape of 6 foot 3" 27 year old 22 capped Hungarian international Gabor Gyepes from Northampton Town for a fee believed to be rising to £200,000.

As with many recent signings, he represents a gamble by Dave Jones rather than someone tried. tested, proven and very able but he appears to have been popular wherever he has been and, clearly, Northampton Town fans are not pleased to be losing a fans favourite ... and it's not Cobblers!

Gyepes was in outstanding form for Ferencvaros and Hungary which brought him to the attention of then Wolves boss Glenn Hoddle in 2005, a deal which saw his agent charged with improper practise.

After starring alongside Joleon Lescott, Gyepes suffered horrendous injury problems that eventually led to his contract being terminated by mutual consent and returning to his homeland in April 2007.

It was therefore a surprise that the player resurfaced at Northampton this January but proved his ability and fitness that earned him a 1 year contract for this season. However it also meant, like Loovens at City, then player had no value once this transfer window closes so The Bluebirds swopped for him at a potentially bargain fee.

While Northampton fans bemoan their, initial reaction from Cardiff followers has been variable. With the F.A. Cup Final run, record season ticket sales and £7.5M banked since summer for the sales of Ramsey and Loovens, many supporters expected the club to show more ambition and to flex some muscles when spending.

However, for all we know, Gabor may yet prove to be the answer. Welcome to City and Good Luck.

CARDIFF CITY LOANS TO BOURNEMOUTH TURNS INTO FARCE

As mentioned in this blog last week, good relations between Cardiff City's boss Dave Jones and his Bournemouth counterpart Kevin Bond saw The Bluebirds agree to loan players to the stricken South Coast club in the week of City's Carling Cup victory there a week ago.

It was then reported that Cardiff were sending striker Jon Brown and defender Aaron Morris to Dorset with the pair scheduled to join The Cherries yesterday for training. It would have helped Bournemouth and been a good development experience for the pair ... except neither turned up.

Brown has been called into the Wales Under-21 squad for tomorrow's crucial game against Romania. It is currently unclear whether he will now join Bournemouth at all especially as they have now taken a young forward from Charlton.

More embarrassing was City not understanding loan rules when it came to Morris. The defender is on a Scholar contract and League rules expressly forbid any youngster being loaned to other clubs while on this type of contract.

Doh, doh, doh!

BOB HUMPHRYS R.I.P.

Very saddened to hear this morning that Bob Humphys passed away last night after recently being diagnosed with cancer.

Always thought of him as a fantastic, passionate, humourous sports presenter who loved his work and life, it always so obviously showed.

Luckily enough, I got to meet and know him a few years ago. He covered all sports, a lot of it naturally being egg chasing working with Beeb Wales, but have no illusions, he was a Cardiff City fanatic.

I fondly remember meeting him and his family at the play-off final and he was as proud and passionate as any of us, he had a tear in his eye at City having such a momentous day at last after all the torture of being a Cardiff fan.

You would be unaware of this but Bob was also an avid reader, and occasional contributor, to the CardiffCity.com messageboard under the username Bluebarney.

He used to love reading my match reports and it made me proud that someone so respected for covering sport professionally took such an interest in what I did as a kind of hobby.

It probably says everything about the man that even though he knew he had a short time left with his terminal illness very recently, he was the first to contact me wishing me well, and giving me some advice, when he heard about a problem of mine just a few weeks ago.

My genuine thoughts and sincere condolences got to Bob's family, those who loved him and knew him even better than I did. I'm just honoured that I did know him.