BOTHROYD ON FOOTBALL AND LIFE IN CARDIFF

Bothroyd - playing against City last season

In the latest entry to his Icons Diary, Jay Bothroyd talks about house hunting in South Wales, his delight that Cardiff City do things differently to his previous clubs and just concentrate on their own game, his debut at Bournemouth and tries to say nice things about Wolves (the club he left) and Leeds (the club he didn't sign for).

Have a look here: http://www.icons.com/bothroyd/diary.html?16.08.08

HASSELBAINK - BLUEBIRD TO CANARY TO FACE CITY?

A rare shot of Jimmy looking as if he

nearly got off the ground for a header

What an irony if Jimmy Floyd-Hasselbaink joined a new club and faced Cardiff at Ninian Park in his first outing ... it may still be unlikely but there's an increasing chance it could happen this coming weekend.

With his Cardiff City contract dispute believed to be near settlement, JFH - who has recently been seen pounding the streets of Cardiff around his Cyncoed home - set the Farmer's Boys' tongues wagging as he sat with Norwich officials in their Director's Box at their home draw with Blackpool last Saturday.

It is with some irony that on the same weekend last season, Jimmy was seen in the Director's Box at QPR as he joined City ... deja vu!

Glen Roeder, Norwich Manager, commented "Was he? Did he come and watch the game? I don't know" post-game while Jimmy today said that he is there for training ... Norwich is a hell of a long way to go for training when you live in Cardiff.

This evening, it is being touted in East Anglia that Jimmy is set to be offered a short-term contract, apparently to the end of the year initially with a view to the full season if successful. Roeder is under pressure with Norwich having a poor season's start, his failure to bring in new faces and a transfer window closing which, it is believed, has seen him turn to our Jimmy who is believed to be trying out for the short-term deal.

If concluded quickly, Jimmy ironically could be back at Ninian Park this weekend ... stranger things have happened.

THE MEDIA VIEW OF CITY's DRAW AT DONNY

The usual array of media reports covering Cardiff City's latest game.

FT: Doncaster Rovers 1 Cardiff City 1 - O'Driscoll refuses to ...

Yorkshire Post

Kennedy happy at battling display

WalesOnline

Battling display, but still work needed for City

WalesOnline

Referee: Mark Holsey (Lancs)

WalesOnline

Doncaster Rovers (0) 1 Cardiff City (0) 1

Telegraph.co.uk

Cardiff’s Yorkshire grit earns late reward

WalesOnline

Fighting Bluebirds spirit delights boss Jones

WalesOnline

ROVERS BOSS NOT IN THE BLAME GAME

Sportinglife.com

Doncaster 1 Cardiff 1

Sportinglife.com

Late equaliser for Cardiff City at Doncaster

WalesOnline

Parry and McCormack lead Bluebirds attack

WalesOnline

Late show Ross hurts sad Rovers

Mirror.co.uk

Doncaster 1-1 Cardiff

Sportbox

EVER WONDERED WHAT'S IN THE GARNISH ON YOUR NINIAN PARK BURGER?

I don't buy grub at Cardiff City - overpriced, poor quality, rather have beer - but here's another reason to be grateful for it.

Yellow card for our dirty stadiums

WalesOnline

DONCASTER ROVERS 1 CARDIFF CITY 1 - in pictures

Plenty of pics of City's late draw via this link:

080816-Doncaster 1 Cardiff City 1

If you have problems viewing this link, copy and paste the following into your browser:
http://s337.photobucket.com/albums/n379/NigelBlues/080816-Doncaster%201%20Cardiff%20City%201/?albumview=slideshow

Photos of the day/game can be found here > http://nigelblues.blogspot.com/2008/08/doncaster-rovers-1-cardiff-city-1-in.html


When Cardiff City last visited Doncaster Rovers in November 1997, both teams scored in the second half to share a 1-1 draw with City coming back from behind. History repeated itself. Ross McCormack rescued a point in the 88th minute to level Lewis Guy putting Rovers ahead 20 minutes earlier.

A satisfactory point, an unsatisfactory performance and a poor match devoid of quality or much excitement. A bit like the latest Big Brother series, you watch it, kind of enjoy it but come away wondering if you really saw anything interesting at all as neither side showed great ability to make chances or look as if they have goals in them - no wonder goalmouth action was at a complete minimum.


While Cardiff remain unbeaten in a reasonable start to the season, it served as a reminder that unless Dave Jones unearths a strong centre-half replacement for Loovens, adds midfield bite and finds a goalscoring forward, we're going nowhere fast and destined for another season talking about or "nice" football but worrying nobody in particular in mid-table. "We nullified each other" said Dave Jones afterwards which translates as, "bloody hell, how boring was that?".

Little else compared to that 1997 game. Then it was a pitiful 1,004 spectators at Belle Vue in League Two, the Bluebirds fielding a side with some players I've almost completely forgotten - 'legends' such as Mark Harris and Glenn Crowe. The new Keepmoat Stadium (a sterile experience to remind us new grounds are really not everything and always lose atmosphere) saw a crowd 11 times greater, 11 years on. 11,874 with 2,200 from South Wales as Doncaster rejoiced playing their first home game at this level for exactly 50 years. It was a surprise they didn't sell out, City fans taunting their low (no) volume support - save 1 drum! - with "empty seats" songs. A good day out though and that's what much of the awayday experience is about - as long as City score to give us our jumping about moments and don't lose, we're generally satisfied.

Our carload headed off on the 210 mile trip to Donny hopeful, each of us predicting a draw, all of us guessing 1-1 too yet none of us bet on the scoreline. The long trip was relatively swift, the low being a four car M1 pile up near Sheffield, the high was various gestures to Leeds United fans (which were twice as enjoyable afterwards as they lost at home) but we still arrived in good time.

As soon you enter Doncaster, the stadium (good to see a new ground with 'proper' floodlights) can be seen but it is in the middle of a clinical country/retail park. It would be like City having their stadium at the far end of Cosmeston Park! Presumably built on regenerated land from old mine workings or similar, it was all too pleasant. Parked up, the walk to the ground was around a lake pathway full of 'blue green toxic' algae(!!) and built up masses of mad made land hills, similar to where The Tellytubbies 'live'. Donny fans came and left over them like worker ants ... with us singing The Automatic hit, "What's that coming over the hill?".

Keeping with these surroundings, the only pub near the ground was a Beefeater but away fans in colours were very welcome. The Grangetown boys were there with their wives on romantic weekends - staying in a Travel Inn by Keepmoat Stadium, apparently persuading them that it was in the Lake District(!?). Donny fans with huge numbers of them wearing replica kit were shiny happy smiley people still not believing that they were in the Championship and basking in their opening day win at Derby. They loved our appreciation and thanks to them for beating Leeds in the play-off final, the club half of Doncaster supported until their rise! It was all very pleasant, far too pleasant, it felt bizarre watching City away in these surroundings. Although the police helicopter overhead, their ridiculously large numbers and some of their OTT antics die try to redress the balance a tad. Good effort plod.

At least The Keepmoat is a traditional four sided stadium although (a low) bowl shaped outside but with a capacity of just 15,321, it is a League One ground by size with no stand having more than 18 or so rows. The Away End, behind a goal, was typical of those provided in new grounds even if it is set a few yards away from the goal but it had all those modern facilities - decent pricey catering, a bookie, spacious toilets (perfect for the sneaky smokers!) and a bar which even sold wine by the glass (how lovely) yet they shut it without announcement for half-time. Spoilsports.

It ended a typical Cardiff City week. A Cup win, Capaldi still injured but now joined by Gavin Rae (injured in the victory at Bournemouth), some bids for our players reportedly turned down for Ledley, Johnson and Whittingham but Peter Ridsdale, like the Del Monte man, said "yes" to selling Loovens to Celtic making him the fourth player to have played in the F.A. Cup final just 13 weeks ago to have since left the club. In fact, just half of the 14 players used in the F.A. Cup Final were on show. Loovens was due to have made his 100th City league outing today but, after refusing to sign a new contract, Cardiff were faced with the option of letting him leave for Celtic with £2.5M in their pockets for replacements or losing him for nothing next summer - not much of a choice really. It's good business they tell us. Yeah, yeah, yeah ... only if Dave Jones does see that money after a big sale for once ... and if he spends it well! That's big IF's with our lot.

If there was a surprise, it was up front where Dave Jones 'dropped' Thommo was impressed pre-season and scoring in last week's opener for Paul Parry, scorer of 2 in the week. There was a strong argument for putting McCormack on the bench and going with Parry and Thommo, Ross works hard but is still settling but it's DJ in charge and he sent out Heaton, McNaughton-Johnson-Purse-Kennedy, Whittingham-Scimeca-McPhail-Ledley, Parry-McCormack. On the bench were Enckleman-Blake-Bothroyd-Comminges-Thompson. City wore black armbands but nobody not why, "It's for Loovens leaving" was the most popular remark closely followed by, "It's because we've got to play Darren Purse". Sadly, it turned out to be in respect of the wife of an Academy assistant who passed away.

Donny followed their great opening day win with a surprising midweek Carling Cup defeat at Notts County but reverted to the team used last weekend Ex-Jack and ex-Pineapple Head Jason Price plus the striker we love to goad, Darren Byfield, were both injured. The only known player is veteran keeper Neil Sullivan who was joined by O'Connor-Mills-Hird-Roberts, Stock-Wellens-Coppinger-Taylor, Guy-Hayter. Sullivan kept goal in front of City fans 1st half. He was reminded of his Leeds past with "there's only one Scott Young" and general abuse but took it well and enjoyed playing the villain. He also made the only save of a dour first half, a superb one handed flying save as Paul Parry's effort was rising for a top corner.

Other than that, there was little to get excited about as the half was a near replica of last week's opening 45 minutes against Southampton but without the goals. City were pinned back and unable to put any passes or moves together as Donny - buoyed by their drummer making the only noise for them - were naturally up for it. They huffed, they puffed, they made sure they were busier in midfield but didn't give Heaton any work other than goal-kicks, their best effort was a shot across goal which ended up nearer a corner flag. City's only worry was when Darren Purse went down injured especially as City had no natural cover for him but he carried on.

After his recovery came City's best - some would say, only - spell of the game. They did show what they were about, how they were a better side as then played the ball around, pushed the home side back into their own half and bossed for a spell. Yet, that Parry shot apart, we offered no major threat either. Some half chances were traded but that was largely it.

Half-time: DONNY 0 CITY 0

The Doncaster programme made for entertaining reading thanks to its fantastic inaccurate claims about City which included;
1. Miguel Comminges was born in France.2. James Simmonds is still with us and squad number 223. Peter Whittingham made his Cardiff City debut against Newcastle United coming on as a sub for Gareth Barry.4. Joe Ledley came from the same Cardiff City Academy that also produced Jason Koumas.

However the entertainment rudely ended as the teams returned for the 2nd half. Again, Donny pushed from the off and City were crying out for a change as they were comfortable but could produce nothing. The same could be said for Doncaster too as their edge of area free-kick flew over the stand and another half chance flew well wide. Donny fans tried to wind us up with a chant of "Play up Pompey" - we must have progressed if we best abuse we get these days is for losing a F.A. Cup Final!! Midfield were anonymous again and as McPhail was yellow carded, City fans launched into a chant of "Jonesy, Jonesy, sort it out".

Whether Jones chose it ignore it and be stubborn, only he will know but maybe he was content with a game where we never looked like losing or conceding but never looked like winning or scoring either. Except just as I was saying this, we fell behind to a sucker punch goal ... maybe the game was making our players sleepy in the humid, close weather too. It was a giveaway, a 60 yard ball found Purse and Johnson nowhere, enabling LEWIS GUY, scorer of the winner at Derby last week, to take a touch to control the ball and then fire past the advancing exposed Heaton.

Guy smiled at us, waving a finger as the Donny players celebrated in the corner nearest us. The drummer was in apoplexy. Amazingly, one City fan - a staunch home and away follower - ran to the police to berate the player's celebration and an officer was despatch to make notes about an official complain about the celebration. It seemed innocuous to me, surely we're bigger than this? A steward in front of us celebrated too, he was swiftly removed by his superior after more feedback.

It was now sub time and at least Dave Jones finally has options when we're in this position. Off came Whittingham, who started well before disappearing out of the game, for Bothroyd as Parry went wide. That made little difference so on came Thommo for Scimeca as we went 4-3-3 but Doncaster were in charge and not feeling any threat from City's wholly inadequate 2nd half output. Comminges for a limping McNaughton was the final change.

Again, it made no difference and we contemplated the long journey home being made longer still by a loss when we grabbed a just about deserved draw when facing defeat when Donny cracked and panicked to help gift us a goal to make up for the one we gifted them. It told you they were very nice and obliging in Donny!

Two minutes remained when McPhail sent in a simple ball but Sullivan, one of his defenders, Thommo and Boothroyd all went for it, the keeper fumbled, Bothroyd appeared to mishit but the ball ran wide for McCORMACK - hardly seen all game - to slot home to sent us all mental. Fans charged to the front of the stand from all parts to celebrate and wave at Donny's Ten Boys who had loved their 20 minutes of gesturing heaven while leading. A few of them decided it was "time to go", maybe helped by our singing fro them to do that, we waved them on their way.

Two "Get Out Of Jail Free" cards used in the opening two games means City are 7th when they could have been 17th without them but at least we have finally discovered the knack of scoring late, something that often worked against us last season. All credit to City for keeping going and trying to the end even when things aren't going their way. They show they have character even if they are lacking in other departments at present but, in context, Southampton and Doncaster are likely only to bother the arse end of the Championship this season. We need to improve a lot if we are finally to push on and deliver on Messr Ridsdale and Jones' fine words spoken post-Wembley and all summer.

Positives today? Hopefully, McCormack's goal may settle him but who will stop all our forwards wanting to head down the channels? We must have more directness from our strikers whose cause, admittedly, is forlorn when the service offered for McCormack and Parry was a series of long, high balls. Midfield aren't functioning well currently, Joe Ledley has been below par, Whittingham anonymous while McPhail and the hard working Scimeca never exercised any control. I know Rae was missing but they do need help anyway.

At the back, Tom Heaton has been well protected by his defence with very little to do but their slackness has still seen him concede in every game so far. Mark Kennedy worries me on the left. If he's a defender, there's still hope for me on the evidence so far. Both Southampton and Doncaster realised it and targeted him, who'd have imagined we'd be missing Capaldi once upon a time? Purse did ok even if his distribution was in his trademark wayward style a couple of times. More pertinent, Purse/Johnson just do not gel or look a partnership. They never faced much pressure today but you worry how they will cope when that happens.

The return journey was thankfully swifter even if we hit heavy rain, it was dark not long after 7pm and seemed more like October than the middle of August. Thanks Dave for the driving! A good point, an enjoyable awayday but the questions about Cardiff City's deficiencies and areas to address strike me as exactly the same ones we were talking about towards the back end of last season. Two weeks of the transfer window remain for PR and DJ to put right what they haven't so far all summer, that clock is ticking fast.

LOOVENS THANKS CITY FANS WHILE STRACHAN OFFERS TO SHOW HIM THE SUB'S BENCH

In today's Western Mial, two contrasting stories on the merits of a big transfer. While Glenn Loovens thanks Cardiff City fans for their support of him and his time with the club while looking forward to the Champions League, Celtic boss Gordon Strachan - in his usual narky, biting way - tells the player not to expect to be starting for the Glasgow side any time soon.

With a 4 years contract under his arm, I am sure Glenn will soon show his value and turn that around. Still gutted to see him gone but good luck Glenn.

My big debt to City – Loovens

Strachan set to snub Loovens

TONIGHT'S CARDIFF CITY PHONE-IN

Looking ahead to Doncaster tomorrow and looking back on Loovens sale.

Listen/download via this link>>http://www.mediafire.com/?nnpek6s1edv

CITY PAIR HEADING FOR LATE SUMMER IN BOURNEMOUTH

South Coast's Daily Echo has this morning reported that Cardiff City youngsters Aaron Morris (defender) and Jon Brown (forward) will be joining Bournemouth for training next Monday with loan moves from Cardiff City.

City boss Dave Jones hinted he would be happy to help the League Two side whose boss Kevin Bond is a pal of his after the Carling Cup victory in Dorset on Tuesday. He subsequently offered the pair who are unlikely to get any first team action this season at Ninian Park although Brown did get some Championship action last term. With Cardiff not in any reserve league, getting loan experience elsewhere has to be in the best interests of the players.

DAILY ECHO STORY > MARKET REASON

LOOVENS SALE - THE NEWSPAPER REACTION IN WALES AND SCOTLAND

FROM THE WESTERN MAIL

Loovens deal was ‘good business,’ says Perry
Loovens in £3m Celtic deal

FROM THE SCOTTISH HERALD

Celtic snatch Loovens but Mendes is Ibrox bound

FROM THE SCOTSMAN

Celtic poised to gazump rivals in bid for Loovens

WALES v GEORGIA GO-AHEAD, CARDIFF'S OFFER TO BOURNEMOUTH, RAMBO PASSES ASENAL DEBUT

Following up a blog stories over the past two days;

WALES vs GEORGIA
The Georgians have resolved visa issues and confirmed that, despite the current problems in their country, they will be coming to the Principality for a friendly international next Wednesday night.

CARDIFF's OFFER TO THE CHERRIES
Following Dave Jones' post-match quote that he would be happy to help AFC Bournemouth with loan players on Tuesday, he subsequently confirmed that he is seeking to send promising defender Aaron Morris and forward Jonathan Brown to the League Two side.

Both players are teenagers are are unlikely to feature in City matchday squads this season with the exception of the Carlign Cup where both were on the bench at Bournemouth as that competition allows 7 substitutes.

RAMBO
Aaron Ramsey passed his Arsenal competitive debut with flying colours as he performed very well, covering for Cesc Febregas, in The Gunners Champions League win in FC Twente of Holland. And to think he couldn't only get a few minutes for us in the F.A. Cup Final ...

CARDIFF CITY/PETER RIDSDALE STATEMENT ON THE GLENN LOOVENS SALE

We'll see if the £3M fee does get spent in full as Ridsdale promises but he's a brave man to promises no more player sales when Premiership clubs are sniffing after a couple of our players, many of whom have fee release clauses in their contracts.

Let's hope Glenn is the last departure though.

Club Statement:


http://www.cardiffcityfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10335~1366574,00.html

LOOVENS SIGNS FOR CELTIC - Sad but inevitable

After Glenn Loovens refused to sign a new Cardiff City contract and had had both Glasgow giants courting him, it always seemed to be a matter of time before he would be on his way.

Tonight it was confirmed that Celtic gazumped their neighbours and stumped up the £3 Million fee that Peter Ridsdale was demanding for the player. It is a better move for Glenn - who impressed their boss Gordon Strachan against his side in the Algarve Cup victory 3 weeks ago - as Celtic offer Champions League group football while Rangers have only domestic football on their agenda for the rest of this season.

Loovens - yessssss, I'm leaving!!!

However it is Rangers who courted Loovens for several weeks and who became more desparate as their key centre-half Cuellar signed for Aston Villa for £7.8M this week. Yet they seriously under-valued the player and never got close to City's price in their couple of offers. Rangers and boss Walter Smith are tonight said to be shocked. Well tough shit boys, you messed about and lost out.





It is a sad day for Cardiff City however as Glenn has been a magnificent servant and, for many, our key defensive man and there is no way Dave Jones wanted to lose the player but City were in an impossible position. DJ must move fast to get replacements. Darren Purse will step in but that's little comfort to many Bluebirds supporters. It is great business as we paid just £250,000 to Feyernoord for his services.

Good Luck Glenn -

you will be fondly remembered and certainly missed.

CITY PLAYERS HEADING BACK TO BOURNEMOUTH?

The South Coast's Daily Echo has run a story that Cardiff City players may be loaned to Bournemouth to help out the League Two club.

However their story comes from a Tuesday post-match conference to a question about loaning players to The Cherries from which he is hardly likely to say no. Given that Kevin Bond and Dave Jones and friends and golf buddies and City have no reserve side, I wouldn't rule it out though.

In answer to the question, Dave Jones said, "If it's right for us as a football club, we'll loan players out to the right clubs - and certainly Bournemouth is the right club because they play good football and we're trying to preach that to our players.'

"If Kevin needs help and I can help him I would certainly do it because the pitch is beautiful and it's a good stadium.'They knock it around and he's teaching them the right way, so I wouldn't have any hesitation in loaning any of my youngsters here if Kevin felt it was right for him."

Daily Echo story
JONES HAPPY TO HELP

LOOVENS PONDERS HIS NEXT MOVE KNOWING IT'S DECISION TIME

Glenn Loovens via a *source has told this morning's Western Mail about his feelings given the first Old Firm battle of the season with both Rangers and Celtic bidding and fighting for his signature.



Loovens has loyalty to City but wishes to play higher status football, ideally in the Premiership and, best of all, with City. However by refusing to commit to a new deal, he is pushing a situation where he may well be set to leave the club.



The only offers so far are from Rangers and Celtic and although both are yet to bid a figure that Peter Ridsdale and Dave Jones will accept, it is widely believed they will be back. Loovens though is (rightly) concerned that playing in Scottish football is hardly a step up from a leading Championship side. So while Rangers have shown most interest, Loovens appears to be leaning towards Celtic of the two clubs simply becuase they are in the Champions League group stages while Rangers are already out of Europe this season.



You have to suspect a deal will take place sooner rather than later and, for all parties concerned, you have to hope something is sorted fast as this has now dragged on for far too long and does appear to be affecting Glenn's football.

Today Western Mail Story

Loovens dilemma on future

*Source means a pal of Glenn's or Loovens saying it himself but not wanting to be quoted! ;>)

WALES vs GEORGIA FRIENDLY IN DOUBT

Next Wednesday's international between Wales and Georgia in Swansea is, perhaps uunderstandably, likely to fall victim to the current bloody conflict between Russia and the Georgians.

Georgia have been given 48 hours to confirm if they are coming to the Principality but apart from the fighting in their streets which makes friendly football somewhat of an irrelevance an irrelevance - albeit with a current ceasefire - their biggest problem is that they are strggling to get Visas with the British Embassy in Georgia closed indefinitely.

PETER RIDSDALE ON GTFM's CARDIFF CITY PHONE-IN

Publicity Pete was the guest on the CCFC phone-in last night and, even if he got a predictably fairly easy ride, it was a rattling good listen. Ridsdale does project himself extremely well in these arenas but it is well worth checking out.

You can download it through the following link:

http://www.mediafire.com/?zzsfsbyof4n

Its a windows media mp3 - so just click the link and download.

Peter talks about the club, the stadium, the finances, the presence of moneymen in the game, the ongoing situation with Langston, the Hasselbaink fiasco and more.

A couple of football-related revelations:

He has received bids today from both Celtic and Rangers for Glenn Loovens. Neither meet City's valuation so they were declined but he will be "pragmatic" if either get close to City's £3M value as he realises the player effectively becomes a free transfer in September.

He also had a bid today for Joe Ledley and recent bids for Johnson and Whittingham but none are for sale.

Despite media reports, City have not bid for, and are not interested in, Fulham's David Healey at this time.

An interesting story about Remco Van der Schaaf, the Dutch midfielder who was in Cardiff this summer and, available on a free transfer, wanted to sign for the club - well, free apart from the player demanding £150,000, double his previous wages and his agent asking for £500,000 for himself!! Burnley fans believe they pinched him off us ... I doubt they realise the cost.

A good listen.

CITY HOME TO MK DONS IN THE CARLING CUP

CARDIFF CITY fans have thoughts of another Cup run or a big game as, helped by seeding, they were drawn at home to League One's MK Dons in Carling Cup Round Two after their success in Bournemouth on Tuesday.

Having reached the Carling Cup last 16 last season - and exiting in a close game at Liverpool's Anfield - the chance of progress is there but it won't be easy.

(Di Matteo: WAHEY - I'M GOING TO KAIRDIFF!!)

MK Dons are, perhaps, the most unloved side in the league. Fans dub them Franchaise FC as they were created from the demise of Wimbledon but, politics aside, they're a team to be respected having been promoted as League Two champions, winning it with a huge 97 points and they caused a Round 1 upset seeing off Norwich City 1-0 at their new Stadium MK ground last night.

Their boss is former Chelsea and Italy star Roberto di Matteo but when they arrive at Ninian Park, you can bet more attention will be paid to former Swansea goalkeeper Willie Guerret who is now between their sticks.

RAMSEY SET FOR CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DEBUT TONIGHT

In Arsenal's vital qualifier against F.C. Twente - remember Warren Feeney and City beating them a year ago in a friendly? - and in central midfield too, where Dave Jones recently said he wasn't strong enough to play!

Good Luck Aaron! Think there's little doubt now that Rambo made the right choice when City were pushing him to go to Man United instead and play on with City for a season.

Guardian article about Ramsey

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/aug/13/arsenal.fctwente

RANGERS ABOUT TO MAKE £2.5M OFFER FOR LOOVENS

Today's Western Mail reports that Rangers are to oush again for Glen Loovens with a straight £2.5M bid, the same price they paid Watford last week for their centre-half Boughera.

The background to this is explained in a blog post yesterday below http://nigelblues.blogspot.com/2008/08/with-aaron-ramsey-transfer-saga-long.html

The offer is below the £3M trigger fee City want to start talks but with the transfer window shutting in 18 days and Loovens able to walk away for nothign next summer, such a bid would seriously test Peter Ridsdale and Dave Jones.

I'd hate Glen to leave and hope it sorts itself out but he is refusing to sign a new deal, even one with release clauses, which is a problem. He also look affected last weekend with his personal performance against Southampton.

The questions are, if he goes, can City bring in a suitable replacement immediately ... and will this money be ploughed back into team investment?