It's Trollope Time

Time will tell on this one. 

Change is Coming

A new era coming soon :) 

Cardiff City 0 v QPR 0 > Keeping Up With Wednesday

Quite how Cardiff City’s play-off dream is still alive I do not know. After a season of dropped points from winnable situations and snatching draws from the jaws of victories, it’s always looked like a tall order to reach the top six.

The Bluebirds finished the day in the same state they were in before kick-off, five points behind sixth place Sheffield Wednesday and still in with a chance… but another game has bitten the dust and just four remain. With Wednesday only managing a limp draw themselves though, another opportunity for Cardiff to claw back ground was let by but City fans do cling onto the fact that Wednesday face a trip to Derby on Saturday where points dropping is very likely.  

With 12 points left to play for, Cardiff need every single inch of them.

Saturdays game was a dire non-event with both teams happy to spa and cancel each other out in the first half but City did up the levels of huff and puff in the second.

The home side crafted a few precious opportunities, but again lacked the nous to finish (A common theme this season). Headers from Anthony Pilkington and Sean Morrison came closest and Kenneth Zohore (& his huge legs) saw a reluctant effort hacked off the line after trickling the ball under the QPR keeper agonisingly. Lack of creativity aside though, the Bluebirds should have been awarded a penalty when Grant Hall appeared to wrestle Pilkington to the floor WWE style in the box late on to which the referee chose to ignore. It was that kind of frustrating afternoon where you storm out of the ground in a strop upon full time. 

Cardiff are not losing out on a top-six finish because of now really, If they do miss out its down to wastefulness, a lack of creativity and the poor recruitment which has littered the entire campaign like pollution. Still, at this stage last year the whole season was over as City drifted aimlessly into mid table abyss – it is mild fun for games to still matter. Is there hope? Yes, there is still hope. 

Below: Kenneth Zohore's big legs (side view).   

Cardiff City 2 v Derby 1 > Ruthless Bluebirds Grind It Out

Cardiff City are slowly sorting their s**t out.

After a well-documented dark period over the last 3 seasons, with supporters enduring the owners complete disregard for the fan-base, soap opera style politics and a relegation, the club are clawing their way back to the light - both on and off the pitch. This latest bridge rebuilt by the club this week saw a successful ticket giveaway prior to the match seeing supporters flood back to the stadium – 28,000 of them (13,500 more than the last attendance against Ipswich).  

It was a far cry from the drab atmospheres fans have become accustomed to in recent times too, even seeing the new Ninian stand extension in use and in full voice. Russell Slade said before the game that the record crowd could get his team over the line, and in the end, they really did.

(Shout out to my father-in-law John and sister-in-law Charlotte who each made their full debuts at the Cardiff City Stadium - below). 

A clinical, ruthless Cardiff, controlled the first half against one of the division’s most dangerous (and expensively assembled) sides. After going in 1-0 up after a cagey first half though the crowd came to life in the second half offering thunderous support not seen at this ground for way too long. It was Derby who equalised with a scrappy goal but the Bluebirds dug deep, tightened up at the back and grinded out a few chances.

The stadium upped the noise switching from mild encouragement to vein bulging support and City responded deservedly bundling home a Peter Whittingham curling corner for a 2-1 lead. 

It was surprising, but entirely fitting, that Stuart O'Keefe was the man to pop up in the box and nick Cardiff's crucial winner. He may not have a rep for being a poacher, but he’s developed a knack of being in the right place at the right time. Saturday he was all over everything, breaking up Derby attacks, flying into tackles and generally bringing the ruckus with every inch of his being. No one symbolises Cardiff's transformation in recent months more than O'Keefe. This may not be the most talented side in the division, but their confidence is growing and the desire and commitment is there for all to see.

(Respect to O'Keefe for getting in the mix at this ruck - below)  

So, this vital victory keeps City in contention for a play-off finish and drags both Derby and Sheffield Wednesday that bit closer in the table (just 2 points now). Before Christmas this kind of run was unthinkable to the City regulars and credit must go to Slade and the team for building this momentum. 

A degree of chill is advised though as a bitch of a match away at Burnley awaits tomorrow night and plenty more twists and turns lurk ahead in the next month. City may drop points along the way but so will their rivals and ultimately it looks like it could go down to the wire and those final two colossal AF games up at Sheffield Wednesday and at home to Birmingham.

I was pleased the first time fans got treated to not only a win but a classic Peter Whittingham scissor leg smash tackle slam whereby Whitts halts an opposition fast break by wiping out a player. That was cool. 

With more beastly home games on the horizon, it wouldn’t surprise us if the club ran more offers for tickets to bring as much of this crowd back. We’ll see.  

Also shout out to the Cardiff City Hospitality resident magician Adam James Reeves who twisted our minds pre-game with some sickening close-up magic.  

But mostly, kudos to Stuart O’Keefe. He wants your ball. 

Cardiff City 1 v Ipswich 0 > Bluebirds Getting It Done (Ugly)

There are big wins and there are big, BIG wins and this one over Ipswich ranks as one of them BIG ones. It keeps the Bluebirds, as it did, just shy of the top-six and opening up a three point gap over the visitors who had started the day level on points with City. It may have been a grind, but it was a colossal step towards a play-off finish. It was an ugly win too and an uneventful few hours but at this time of year it’s about taking care of business and results, not tika tika or entertainment.

The recent run of form and the hinting of progress on the pitch is slowly turning the tide at Cardiff City, with the rebooted fan-base coming to life again at the right time.  With injuries and no captain David Marshall in goal (out due to Man Flu) – City were up against it on Saturday and not at their best but a tight defence saw them to full time.  

Destiny is very much in the Bluebirds hands now with games against play-off rivals on the line including Derby, Sheffield Wednesday and Birmingham all looming in April. If they can handle the other games (particularly at Reading away this Saturday) then these cup finals should determine City’s fate and ensure a pumped up CCS (not seen since the Malky era) for the play-offs. 

At this point a major shout out needs to be directed at Cardiff Devils Ice Hockey organisation and their new sexy arena which we visited on Saturday night (see above / below snaps). Ice Arena Wales is next level with panoramic sight lines throughout, clean white lines and big noise.

It’s another world from their previous stadium which barely had walls or a roof. The new swish arena has fan friendly facilities aplenty, including toilets that don’t reek like the old ones, multiple bar options and the acclaimed hot dogs also remain (phew!). The atmosphere generated by 3k plus inside #IAW put the one we’d experience earlier in the afternoon at the football to shame – the arena was rocking. We'll be back. 

Cardiff City 0 v Leeds 2 > A Stadium Rebooted

On the face of it, this was an opportunity wasted as Leeds shut down the Bluebirds recent run (one defeat in nine) and any efforts of edging into them elusive play-off spots. Walking into work on Wednesday, the cave dwellers I work with who bask in the glory of any CCFC failing were quick to gloat that the result of the night prior wasn’t ideal. They were right too, it wasn’t, but that wasn’t the whole story was it? Hell no... Hell no. 

Under the radar to some, things have been improving slowly at City for a while and off the back of the recent run, even the fans turned up last night - Not just in numbers (15k) but also in voice. For the first time in Russell Slade’s reign the CCS came to life and the volume was cranked up backing the team. 

Much of the outcome of this game was down to Marco Silvestri in goal for the visitors, a man on a mission to keep a clean sheet making insane mega saves all night with limbs you didn’t know he had. Cardiff playing with a man down after Fabio's 64^th minute red card, pummelled Leeds in the second half raining shots on Silvestri’s goal. The bar was shaken, the post clipped and Craig Noone’s pile driver free kick even appeared to be clawed out from the net.

Respect is due to Silvestri for this performance and it was City’s ambition to go forward that ultimately cost them late on as Leeds got their chance on the counter and killed the game with a cruel sucker-punch. After this first loss at our house in 14 games though City can take heart from their shift which deserved so much more. 

The recent run of form and solid home record went with the final whistle, but this time the default boos were replaced with applause for the team’s efforts. If Russell Slade didn’t know what to make of it all, the supporters certainly did. City fans are back and we’re up for these remaining ten games.

Shout out to the Middlesborough scout sat next to us during the game (see below). This boffin drew pictures on a pad of where goalkeeper’s goal kicks landed and took photos on an underpixelated ipad of where markers stood at set pieces (all for his report apparently). He did laugh louder than expected at my Slade v Guardiola next season gag mind.

Cardiff City 2 v Preston 1 > More of This Please

Things must be looking up at City as even the Pop was in attendance for this one, rushing his pre match golfing and pumped up for the game. Forget any chat or bonding though as the Pop was also psyched for some time on his phone checking his Facebook profile. He’s completely cool with not talking for an hour straight before getting into game mode at 2.59PM. 

Fans could be forgiven for being led to think that more points would be wasted here against a non-glam team after a busy week. City are digging deep though and appear to have cranked things up in the last few weeks and Saturday was more evidence of the cranking.

Shout out to the Bluebirds home form which has seen them defeated just once all season (against Hull). We all know there’s been a few lame draws in that run and points urinated away, but it’s this form which has kept City in the mix for the top six hunt. Without it, the season would be over now. 

Preston came to town Saturday for a draw and City were dragged into an ugly match lacking in quality but patience paid off and it was Anthony Pilkington (below licking a lip) who continued his run of smoking the opposition. 

Much has been made of ‘Pilks’ being shoved up front in a gamble a few weeks back after Tony Watt left. He’s had some trash talk but ultimately he’s played lights-out and offered more than any other front man on the clubs books this season. He may have the touch of a camel but Pilks is hungry, positive and playing for the team. He's thriving off the responsibility and linking well with strike partner Lex Immers. After another two goals here (making him club golden boot leader), respect is due to him and his form is priceless to City at this time of year. 

As pressure grows, the games are slipping away now (12 to go) and it’s during this squeaky bum time that we’ll learn whether this team can overcome the inconsistency and get s**t done. 

On the horizon now are two ‘winnable’ games away at Bristol and then at home to Leeds within a few days of each other. Grind out more results there and the play offs are on in a major way. 

FABIO FROM DOWN TOWN!

Cardiff City 4 v Brighton 1 > From Nowhere

With my Pops’ relationship with the club growing as inconsistent as some of the teams performances, he hit a new low this week by opting for golf in the rain over the Bluebirds. The decision came back to haunt him though and shout out to my neighbour Sam Larkins for believing and joining us in row J.  

If Cardiff City’s play-off dream has been hard to believe in this season, then witnessing this total bossing of high-flyers Brighton could be enough to recharge them hope batteries. The trouble is though (and with Russell Slade’s team there always seems be a problem) we’ve been here before.

Way too often this term City have done this to us, raised the spirits, hinted they can mix it with the Championship’s best, before shooting themselves in the foot moving forward. Remember how awesome City were at Wolves and Huddersfield away recently and how lame their follow up performances were? Exactly. 

This game had a different vibe though. Not only was I rid of the Pops’ nay-saying in my ear next me, but, in the swirling rain and in front of live TV cameras, City were rampant putting on their slickest show since Slade himself arrived in October 2014. To think a goal shy rigid team without flair could produce a display of free flowing attacking stuff like this was as refreshing as opening a window in a stuffy room. The ‘shocked’ face emoji was used heavily in the day’s communication to represent this (as above) 

Going into the warm for a half time brew, Cardiff were unlucky to only be 3-0 up with the only criticism being that they hadn’t converted more of the chances. (Usually it’s a time to question why you gave up your Saturday afternoon).

At this point I’m going to big up Peter Whittingham’s performance whose nonchalant opener set the tone and his decisive lashing home of a second-half penalty to complete the scoring was a two-fingers up to the haters (you know who you are… my Pops’, Gavin Johnson, guy who sits behind us).  

Anthony Pilkington too and the excellent Lex Immers (two goals in two starts anyone?) were also on point throughout in a shift that warmed the souls of another low crowd. Tom Lawrence too put in a performance to silence doubters labelling him a lightweight Joe Mason recently. Tom’s pace and desire to dribble twisted Brighton’s blood all day giving City the flair they've craved for over a year.  

The evidence, one hopes, was right here in this match that the ability is there. Whether Slade and the squad can take this result and build on it on Tuesday night in Middlesbrough and then at home to Preston on Saturday remains to be seen though.

If they can then…

Actually, we’ll just wait and see. 

Cardiff City 0 v MK Dons 0 > Unreliable Bluebirds

Gracing us with his fresh-faced game day attendance this week was my Pop (above), ending his brief Cardiff City sabbatical and returning to duty supporting the team instead of opting to play golf (or whatever it is he calls that guff). 

You will never meet a more fickle and cantankerous supporter than my Pop, oh no. When things are going well on the pitch (rare) he’ll be pumped up spending cash in the club shop, re-watching highlights and sending me links to club news online. He’ll be amped for the games and as animated as a child in the stadium. 

If the team drops points though (like they have of late and did again on Saturday) he despises the whole club vociferously for wasting his time. He’ll drive home after defeats really cross and take out his shitty moods on my poor mum and his dog Rob. He’ll even forfeit games these days to play golf on the grounds that Russell Slade is a knob (his words). This week though, with half time chocolate snacks in hand, he was back and the entertainment on offer was certain not to effect his demeanour in a negative way. Or was it? (It was). 

In one of those testing ‘home banker’ games (which often results in points dropped in this stadium under the current Coach) it was City who came out the blocks nippiest against MK Dons with lots of huff and puff but no real substance.

There were some flashes of entertainment from Tom Lawrence who looks a positive young man with high energy but overall the bluebirds again lacked the things they’ve lacked for most games this season, imagination, a clinical edge and desire. We all know it was raining and there was water on the pitch but if you’re turning to that as an excuse you know you’re struggling. Shout out to Peter Whittingham for making lemonade from lemons last week but this week Cardiff were lifeless against an average side in MK. 

If the season does end with City outside of the play-offs, they will look back at games like this and kick themselves. This was never a classic, but in the second-half Cardiff did more than enough to win it but couldn't find the quality to put the ball in the net when it mattered*

* = In basketball this is called 'Clutch' - City need some clutch players.  

To stand any chance now of getting near the season target of a top six spot, the Bluebirds desperately need a run of wins on the bounce. I’m talking three or four – something they haven’t done all season. Can they do it? ‘No f^^king chance’ says Pop, but don’t listen to him.

Moving forward, most City fans are now looking further into the future for their optimism as the closer we get to the end of this frustrating season, the closer we are to getting rid of Russell Slade as his contract runs out. Then, we can all draw a line under this period of ‘transition’ as Slade himself calls it. Or as Pop calls it ‘F^^king rubbish’. 

(At least he wont be back for a while) 

Imagine that feeling when Slade finally does leave. So refreshing... 

He Did What He Wanted

The man the fickle fans and haters hate on more than any other laid down a vintage set play swish on the weekend. Shout out to Peter Whittingham - still got them tools. 

In homage of Whitts' weekend exploits, check out this re-post below of some equally vintage fan art from way back in 2014. 

Shout Out to Lex Immers

Shout out to the new fella Lex Immers on his first goal for the Bluebirds on the weekend in the 2-3 win up at Huddersfield. 

Goodbye 'Joe Messi'

At one point Joe Mason we referred to you as ‘Joe Messi’ with your interesting pirouettes and close ball tekkers but eventually that youthful energy went missing and you became a bit of a wimp.

City fans refer to Mason as a ‘goal scorer’ and a ‘number nine’ but he’s bagged just 6 in 24 games this season and brought little else to the table in terms of performance. 

Whether or not he will return to the ‘Joe Messi’ days of old at Wolves remains to be seen…  and what happens to that incoming transfer cash is also of concern for supporters. Time will tell. 

Bluebirds 2 v Rotherham 2 > One Step Forward, Multiple Steps Back

Cardiff City is now officially a club that drives its season ticket holders to golf.

Instead of attending the glitz and glam of the Rotherham home game on Saturday, my Pop instead turned his back on the Bluebirds and opted for the peaceful greens at the Vale Resort. All the while mumbling some obscenities about Russell Slade (above) and the current state of the club in the process - He would neither confirm nor deny whether this decision was related to me forgetting half time chocolate last time out.  

Anyway, shout out to my neighbour Sammy Larks who joined me last minute for what turned out to be a weird but entertaining (ish) game, one that displayed the frailties and inconsistencies it has become normal and boring to point out in a Cardiff side playing under Russell Slade.

Firstly, we have to start with Dave Marshall’s weird afternoon in goal. Usually a rock for City, Dave looked very anxious for some reason, strangely electing to rush out of his box and gift Rotherham their first goal just before half time. A widespread look of ‘W T F’ spread around the stadium at this point as Joe Newell slid the ball into an empty net. Moments later, the referees blowing of the half time whistle seemed startle Russell Slade (reportedly suffering from Man Flu) in his dugout seat - Perhaps he was taking a nap (?). 

It was Anthony Pilkington though, a winger now deployed up front by Slade all of a sudden, who carried hope for the Bluebirds. This was some performance from Pilkington, who was never out of the game and took two cute goals neatly and should have had another.  Good in the air, pretty and strong on the ball, Pilkington looks a better option up front than every striker on the books at City right now. 

Another limp showing from Joe Mason highlighting again (it does every week) that City still need to upgrade in this department. It’s been said before but Mason is a wimp and, although he can finish, wind could blow him over. 

New fella on loan from Feyenoord Lex Immers is supposedly a ‘number ten’ by trade but even he (on his debut) was sent up front in an attempt to make something happen. Lex looked like he’s got some tools and played a role in making Pilkington’s equaliser but he did fluff his lines when put through on goal minutes later. In his first game in the Championship, Lex learnt that dawdling usually results in you getting munched. With a few more games to settle though, Lex could be a big bonus for Cardiff. 

It wasn’t the strikers or Dave Marshall’s weird day that was most frustrating though. Neither was it a glaring unforgivable miss from Lee Peltier which I’m confident my Wife would have scored, or the general half arsed midfield pressing. Overall, the most frustrating thing is that Cardiff are still too flaky to follow up a good result or put a run together. That they have only won back-to-back games in the Championship this season ONCE (way back in September) tells us all we need to know about this weak season as a whole. 

This Rotherham match and the giant step backwards it represented following the good performance and win at Wolves previously, again nudges Vincent Tan and his Admin crew at the club to replace Russell Slade or face treading water like this until the summer. 

In a gloriously heavy weekend of sport, Sunday night also saw a crew of us take in the Cardiff Devils v Fife Flyers game (see above). Kudos to the Devils for putting in a face melting performance, going 3-0 up in the first few minutes and effectively ending the game. Unfortunately, this time we didn’t get to see any classic hockey knuckle-ups, the ones which lured my wife to the sport in the first place. There’s always next time though and there’s always hot dogs, foam fingers and good vibes. 

WARNING - Disturbing Image Below.

That's the photo not many City fans wanted to see. 

After another doom-fest of a week following the Bluebirds, where the clubs state of affairs became so bleak that most fans would have preferred to see City loose at Wolves on the weekend if only to force the boards hand in ending Russell Slade's dismal reign.  

On Friday morning City were reportedly closing in on spending some cash on Tony Watt, but by the end of the day we ended up being served the news that the club were being slapped with a Transfer Embargo preventing us from making improvements to the squad. 

So, after a season of inconsistency, most fans latched onto the Wolves game and the fact that with Russell under pressure and snide comments from the Chairman, if we did loose we would be rid of him. It was hope to cling on to. 

What happened though? We frickin' won! 

Of all the times to lay on our most imaginative and exciting display of the season, the team chose Saturday. Fair play to Russell, he always seems to pull a result out of the bag when the storm clouds gather but this result only papers over the cracks.  

Minecraft Cardiff City Stadium

Yup. 

The Gift That Keeps On Giving - Cardiff City 0 v Shrewsbury 1

It was a weird game, at a weird time and a spineless way to piss away another opportunity. 

The latest in a long line of embarrassing insults from the club to its support, testing patience inch by inch by maintaining the current Coach in employment. Damn them all.  

The Pop (below) was disgusted. Not only by the game but by the fact I'd forgotten half time chocolate (not cool) 

Most supporters couldn't stretch their patience to what was rightly predicted as a lame snooze-fest and cup exit.  We couldn't blame them. 

How this nodding dog (below) manages to keep his job is another matter. 

Safe Hands

David Marshall 

Cardiff City Festive Blues

It only truly feels like the festive season when Cardiff City FC start disappointing you.  Whether it’s the owner embarrassing fans, or sacking Managers and hiring idiot replacements, or simply just being rubbish at football. City do seem to save their darkest times for this time of year.

With limp defeats at Birmingham and MK Dons in the books and a lifeless home draw with a dire Nottingham Forest side, this year fans we served up a run of poor results with only a 1-0 bore win against Blackburn to cheer.

Now, as we move into 2016, Cardiff appear to have shot themselves in the foot at a key time, loosening their grip on their goal of a top six play-off finish. 

Whilst some fans may revel in the negative drama, there are positives to draw upon though and mild hope for the new year.  

I've even decided to list the positives in a user friendly way because it can be tough to dig these ones out. 

Tony Watt

It’s taken waaaaaay too long but City have finally signed a forward with a brain who can do more than one thing. He’s not a ‘big man’ (Kenwyne Jones) or ‘little man’ but he could do both and he’s not a ‘fox in the box’ (Adam Le Fondre) or a ‘number ten’ (Mats Daehli) but he can do either. Not since Ross McCormack have we had a front man with pace, a trick and a bit of spunk. Get this too… he can score frickin’ goals!

With his loan deal looking set to be made permanent, young Watt (he’s only 22) is good to watch and City look better with him in the team. Given the tactics and playing style are well documented as being mundane under Russell Slade’s stewardship, a bit of rouge creativity is to be cherished at the moment. 

January Transfer Window is Open

Firstly, let us celebrate that Kenwyne Jones is leaving this week – Not only is his contribution outlandishly over paid weekly but there is no excuse for his lack of effort in a Cardiff shirt, particularly this season.  With Jones’ carthorse backside out the door, this frees up some cash for new faces and hopefully a reluctance to play the dreaded long ball football.

With the window now open and City reportedly looking for the classic ‘one or two’ signings, this latest roll of the dice could bring fresh impetus to the team.

Russell Slade and the club’s transfer committee may have less football knowledge than my Mum but you never know – they could get lucky and bring in another Watt as appose to a Doyle or a Revel :) 

There’s Always Ice Hockey

This festive season I once again turned to Cardiff Devils to remind my blood it can still pump at a sports arena. The Devils dug deep to swarm back from a 0-2 deficit to maul their opponents 5-2 in a fun game full of heart, speed and proper hard Canadian blokes smashing each other. Like a sporting hangover cure, a trip to the Big Blue Tent can lift the spirits after a lifeless outing at the Cardiff City Stadium.