Video of the Week - EELS, Little Bird

Having recently had an album out, the excellent Hombre Lobo, Mark E and Eels are back in January with another one. Here's a lead track, Little Bird.

Barnsley 1 Cardiff City 0 and a long, long day - in pictures

Top 20 Gymnastic Falls

Championship: BARNSLEY 1 CARDIFF CITY 0 match report

CARDIFF CITY fell to a cruel last kick of the match 1-0 defeat at Barnsley, the goal a Carl Dickinson free-kick that deflected off Michael Chopra to give on-loan Stoke defender his first ever goal in professional football. The game, played in heavy rain and a strong wind, was shockingly poor. Devoid of any quality, it would not looked out of place had it been a bottom division match.

Barnsley were aggressive and direct while Cardiff fought a rearguard action with relative ease but shorn of McPhail and Bothroyd and without adequate squad cover or the resources to do anything about it, they were clueless without creativity or craft going forward. City were one dimensional and too often hitting aimless ridiculous long balls for the diminutive talents of Chopra and McCormack to work with. Neither keeper was seriously threatened all afternoon until that last gasp effort. Cardiff deserved a point if only for the simple reason that neither side deserved to win. A game and result to forget ... yes, I know, after Swansea away, another game, performance and result to forget.



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

CARDIFF CITY were hit by a quadruple blow with Steve McPhail, out anyway after a leg op, diagnosed with cancer on the eve of the game and we can only wish him and his family well, the 1,000 Bluebirds at Oakwell chanted his name on several occasions. Jay Bothroyd was out too as his ongoing knee problem finally caught up with him even with a fortnight's break and another surprise absentee was the previously ever present Anthony Gerrard while Adam Matthews was missing at the back having sustained a foot injury on Wales Under 21 duty in Bosnia. In came, McCormack, Gyepes and McNaughton - the latter two making their Championship bows for the season.

A team in City's position with ambition would surely make moves in the loan market, some rivals have indeed done that, but Dave Jones has been told nobody can come until players are moved out so, like it or not, it appears that we will have to limp to the January transfer window ... and who knows whether we'll be in any position to do anything positive at that time? The only chance of that happening appears to depend entirely on Hammam ... oops, Langston(!) ... agreeing a revised pa-off deal and then a Malaysian group - or a mystery one - investing in the club. Ridsdale is hopeful but time seems very tight for all that that to take place.

CITY: Marshall; McNaughton-Hudson-Gyepes-Kennedy; Burke-Rae-Ledley-Whittingham; Chopra-McCormack. An altogether uninspiring and weak sub's bench featured: Quinn, Feeney, Comminges, Scimeca, Magennis, Wildig, Enckleman.

BARNSLEY

Barnsley made an awful start to the season with an opening day draw followed by 5 successive defeats which ended the tenure of the Jack, Simon Davey. In came Mark Robins from Rotherham and he is transforming their fortunes as they've now taken 20 points in 11 games and moved towards mid-table.

Barnsley: Steele; Kozluk-Foster-Shotton-Dickinson; De Silva-Colace-Doyle-Hammill; Bogdanovic-Macken.

~~~~~~THE DAY & GAME~~~~~~

Our coach set off at the crazy hour of 6am - it would be 19 hours before I would get back home too. A couple on the coach were celebrating birthdays and going for the day out and a drink oop north without taking in the game which saw us South Yorkshire, Rotherham to be precise for opening time althought the partying had started long before we had got out of Cardiff.

Good company and music on the coach, it all passed quickly. The bars were very welcoming in Rotherham, although most barmaids I encountered were of dubious quality even with my beer google fixed firmly on. Somehow, trying to get my pal out of the last pub to get back on the bus to the game, we missed it. I caught a train to Barnsley jumped, Lloydey decided to stay. A costly decision as the other drinkers got to Barnsley by final whistle, he stayed in the Rotherham pubs, the police escorted down the M1 after the game so there was no going back for him. Oh the joys of City awaydays!

The palaver (I like that word) meant I missed the opening 20 minutes and having decided to exit the ground at half-time for some warmth and a drink in the nearby Metrodome sports centre, I missed the opening 15 minutes of the 2nd half too. The 55 minutes I had to endure did make me wonder why I bothered watching any of it at all.

Cardiff started brighter but it turned out to be as good as it got with McCormack flicking a Burke cross narrowly wide while Burke himself went wide with another effort but so did McCormack with a quick set piece. The rest of it was pitiful stuff as Cardiff dropped back, midfield were unable to influence the game and in unpredictably poor weather and strong winds, we were to wonder what on earth City have been doing at their plush training complex over the past fortnight as they resorted to thoughtless and aimless long balls giving Chops and McCormack a lost and hopeless cause.

At the quarter point, more calamity as Kevin McNaughton limped out of the action again, the boy seems cursed. In came Paul Quinn and he announced his arrival with a big challenge and yellow card thanks to the histrionics of the Argentinian Collace who must be taking tips of Jordi Gomez.

Barnsley tried creating more pressure but City's defence stood firm, David Marshall having the routine task all half of meeting a soft, slow paced header. With nothing to commend in either side, I left the ground with a few City fans at half-time for the neighbouring Metrodome. Most stayed there. Foolishly, I returned to the game thing it would be all change with City now attacking our end.

City, finally, showed more intent and a willingness to play the ball on the floor but let themselves down by failing to get the basics right completing routine passes. A few too many poor touches and stray passes produced audible groans with Joe Ledley, almost resembling Bluto from Popeye, with his beard, guilty of some terrible attempts to switch play or spread the ball wide.

Barnsley were persistent, one effort deflecting off Gyepes to wrong-foot Marshall before missing by a couple of feet and the keeper then spilled a wicked free-kick carried by the wind and was grateful for a Mark Kennedy overhead clearance.

A sign of how limited and desperate City were came with the appearance of Warren Feeney. A nice guy but he's just not good enough, he wants away, City want him to go yet we were forced to turn to him, for McCormack, to try and win the game because our other striking option was Josh Magennis who was dropped by Grimsby while on loan and then had that spell terminated. How can we consider ourselves as promotion candidates when that's the reality of how it is? As expected, Feeney made no difference at all.

Both sides tried to force the game for a win in the closing stages but in the final minute of added time, disaster struck City as Mark Hudson who put on a decent show otherwise unluckily handled and the ball skidded up off the surface. The yellow card seemed harsh as it was far from deliberate but that all paled into insignificance as DICKINSON took a pot shot with the set piece and his effort hit Chopra, standing alone off the five man wall, deflecting the opposite way leaving Marshall helpless.

There is nothing to add. The defence played reasonably well to nullify the hosts but continue to look fragile and unable to keep a clean sheet. The fact that City have now conceded in added time at the end of a match three times in their last four Championship outings is a sign all is not well too. Midfield were again found lacking. Dave Jones was his own worst enemy in failing to address this area over the summer and it is costing. They all tried, Chris Burke gave his all, but it's just not a strong enough unit, particularly in battles.

Up front, it's becoming a worry that Michael Chopra who was on fire a few weeks ago is now a damp squib. He's working hard and showing quality that will surely bring results but it's now 7 goalless outings for the Championship's leading scorer. McCormack wasn't as sharp as he can be but games will bring fitness and he remains an important player.

City fell to 5th, agonisingly behind Swansea and are now falling away from the top 2 automatic spots without looking as if they have it in them to get it back. The question though is how can City and Dave Jones keep effortlessly going from so good to so bad? Dave Jones at Cardiff City never seems to bring consistency, we're either on good runs or bad runs with no in between. This season is a classic case in point with 10 points and top of the league after 4 games followed by the kick in the teeth that was 4 defeats in 5 and some truly terrible football. Back they came with a 6 game free scoring run netting 14 points and looking the part and now here we are with the side looking ordinary in the extreme with successive defeats and 1 point out of 9.

Next up, City are home to bottom club Ipswich next Sunday. Anyone who can predict whether we will see the Jeckyll or Hyde side of Dave Jones' latest outfit is a better man than me. One thing I do know, thanks to the latest collapses, Ali cannot announce as City run out that we are "still the number one team in Wales".

For the record, the bus boys had a grand trip home including a long stop off in Tamworth. I'm still recovering!

The Picture Says It All (Part 3)

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

McPhail diagnosed with cancer

CARDIFF CITY this evening issued a club statement that midfield playmaker Steven McPhail has been diagnosed with Stage One Malt Lymphona, a form of cancer.




The player has been in prime form for The Bluebirds but recently had an operation to remove a growth from his neck and he is out of action anyway at present following an operation to re-attach muscle to his thigh.


McPhail has won back the support of Bluebirds worldwide for his performances on the field this season after suffering poor form for some time and instantly had their total support to overcome this battle off the pitch too. I can only wish him and his family well.

STEPHEN McPHAIL: CLUB STATEMENT

Cardiff City midfielder Stephen McPhail has been diagnosed with a stage one malt lymphoma, previously known as a pseudo lymphoma.

Treatment is expected to last for three weeks with a return to playing football by January, 2010.

The club requests that the privacy of Stephen, his wife and young family be respected during his recovery.

SuperGrandad

What a hero - how how the flying old man thwarts a robbery

Video of the Week - SUPER FURRY ANIMALS, God Show Me Magic

A 2 minute slice of SFA pop rock ... just before they play a "Best of" Creation set featuring their first 3 albums at the Coal Exchange tomorrow night.

Lovely aye

City want Garvan but there's a problem - money

National newspapers hinted Cardiff City were tracking Ipswich's out of favour Owen Garvan last week and now the local press confirm there is some truth to the story but the current cashflow appears to be dictating they cannot bring him on loan to cover the injured Steve McPhail - which is a blow - and they won't be get him in the January transfer window either until players are moved out.

However at least 3 other Championship clubs are tracking the talented midfielder so watch this space.

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.

Someone's In Hot Water for this

Ingenious how they do it - watch how these Japanese punters get dropped into scalding hot water ... at least there's a block of ice on hand to cool them down!

Tonight's Cardiff City Phone In with PETER RIDSDALE

The blog covered a summary of Publicity Pete being uupbeat earlier this evening but now you can listen in, or download, the show and hear for yourself.

Go on ... you know you want to.


Link to listen/download >>>

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

Double Knockdown

Spectacular action as two boxers send each other to the floor

City, Ridsdale and Langston/Hammam ready to sign off deal?

Messageboards and forums have gone into overload about the precarious state of Cardiff City's finances in recent days, some wild gossip suggesting a meltdown was imminent, speculation that the potential Malaysian investment was in jeopardy and that Sam Hammam is stalling on a deal to restructure the debts owed to him ... sorry Langston Corporation.

Oh yes, it's been a barrel of fun but the question is, is there fire to go with the smoke.

In separate meetings today, the answer from Peter Ridsdale is yes to a point but not really.

This afternoon, he met Cardiff City Supporters Trust and tonight, he was studio guest on the Cardiff City phone-in and his polished politician style message was the same both times.

Yes;
- Cashflow is a problem at Cardiff City but it laywas has been in his time and now is no worse at all.
- Hammam did stll returning papers and being in contact with the club but they have now resumed in the past couple of days to the extent that Peter Ridsdale believes the paperwork could be concluded and signed off by this weekend.
- With these matters resolved, new investement and changes could quickly roll in. Publicity Pete confirmed he is in discussions with two potential investors and believes they could reach fruition quite quickly.


Hopefully they will allay recent fears but clearly, these problems have prevented Cardiff City getting new loan players to cover the loss of Steve McPhail or a further striker behind Jay Bothroyd so these matters cannot be concluded quickly enough.

Now That's What I Call P*ssed

Feeney to flee on a free

Feeney has had more games for Swansea
than Cardiff in 3 years as a Bluebird!

CARDIFF CITY striker Warren Feeney has joined Tony Capaldi in publicly declaring he wants away from Cardiff City in the January transfer window. With few exceptions and without malice, most supporters hope they leave as well as they are surplus to requirements, a fair cost on the playing budget and it may enable frsh faces for the second half of the season.

Feeney is a trier but despite his international successes with Northern Ireland, he has never looked a Championship standard striker managing just 5 starts and 7 subs outings in over 2 and a half years with The Bluebirds. City followers have always been bewildered why he was brought to the club on a lucrative 3.5 year deal which expires next summer, those fears have been proven. Always overshadowed completely by other strikers at the club, he has also been affected by injuries.

It was ironic that his only successful times since joining the club has been loan periods elsewhere. However a permanent move to Swansea City after loan success was scuppered by injury, last season at Dundee United was curtailed by more injury and a possible permanent summer to Leeds United failed for the same reason. Now fit again, Feeney has managed one fleeting outing off the bench this term.

Talking to Irish press at the weekend, the likeable Feeney said, “The window is coming up in January and we'll see what happens there and take things on in the New Year. I want to get out there and I need to get playing to feel good about myself again. I've another six weeks to go and then I'll be looking to get something sorted out. The move to Leeds fell through because of the problem with the hip but that's sorted now … … I'm not one who is going to sit there and pick up the money, I wouldn't do that because I want to play."

The Pier Kite Surfers

The storms that battered Britain over the weekend at least made these kite surfers happy as it fulfilled their ambition to clear their local Sussex pier ... check this footage.

It's Grim at Grimsby

Football fans are an impassioned and fickle bunch at the best of times but those who follow struggling Grimsby Town have experienced more lows and woe than most.

Therefore, this open letter to the players of Grimsby Town which appeared on one of their messageboards (www.thefishy.co.uk) sums up how much the game affects us all when our team are just garbage. Very funny too.


Dear Players of Grimsby Town FC

I am writing with regard to my absolute astonishment and disbelief as to the sheer magnitude of your complete lack of talent and failure to carry out the job for which you are paid to do. I am not aware of any swear word or other derogatory phrase in my current vocabulary which comes close to a description of your ‘performance’ (and I use that term loosely) this afternoon, but let me just say that you have collectively reached a level of inadequacy and ineptitude that neither I nor modern science had previously considered possible.

In fact I recall a time, in my youth, when I decided to call in sick at work and instead spent the entire day in my one bedroom flat wearing nothing but my underpants, eating toast and wánking furiously over second-rate Scandinavian porn. Yet somehow, I still managed to contribute more to my employer in that one Andrex-filled day than you complete bunch of toss-baskets have contributed to this club in your entire time here.

I would genuinely like to know how you pathetic little píssflaps sleep at night, knowing full well that you have taken my money and that of several thousand others and delivered precisely fúck all in return. I run a business myself, and I believe I could take any 4,000 of my customers at random; burn down their houses, impregnate their wives and then dismember their children before systematically sending them back in the post, limb-by-limb, and still ensure a level of customer satisfaction which exceeds that which I have experienced at Blundell Park at any time so far this season.

You are a total disgrace, not only to your profession, not only to the human race, but to nature itself. This may sound like an exaggeration, but believe me when I say that I have passed kidney stones which have brought me a greater level of pleasure and entertainment than watching each of you worthless excuses for professional footballers attempt to play a game you are clearly incapable of playing, week-in, week-out.

I considered, for a second, that I was perhaps being a little too harsh. But then I recalled that I have blindly given you all the benefit of the doubt for too long now. Yes, for too long you have failed to earn the air you’ve been breathing by offering any kind of tangible quality either as footballers or as people in general. As such, I feel it’s only fair that your supply runs out forthwith.

I trust, at this precise moment in time, that Mr Fenty is in his office tapping away on the Easyjet web site booking you all one-way flights to Zurich, complete with an overnight stay with our cheese eating friends at Dignitas. Don’t bother packing your toothbrush – you won’t need it.

In the event that our beloved chairman can’t afford the expense (understandable given that he’s soon going to have to assemble a new squad from scratch), then I am prepared to sell my family (including my unborn child) to a dubious consortium of Middle Eastern businessmen in order to pay for the flights. Christ, I’ll drive you there myself, one-by one, without sleep, if I have to.

Failing that, understanding that most dubious Middle Eastern businessmen are tied-up purchasing Premier League football clubs, I ask you to please take matters into your hands. Use your imagination, guys – strangle yourselves or cover yourself in tinfoil and take a fork to a nearby plug socket, or something. Just put yourselves and us fans out of our collective misery.

So, in summary, you pack of repugnant, sputum-filled, invertebrate bástards; leave this club now and don’t you fúcking dare look back. You’ve consistently demonstrated less passion and desire than can commonly be found within the contents of a sloth’s scrótum, so frankly you can just all fúck off – don’t pass go, don’t collect your wages, don’t ever come back to this town again.

I look forward to you serving me at my local McDonald’s drive-thru in the near future.

Yours sincerely


A very disillusioned Mariner

One Michael Drake, there's only ...

... what an entertainer this guy is!