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Results Elsewhere Consign City to Eighth Place
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Cardiff City had the day off today; the Bluebirds don't play until tomorrow afternoon when they take on high-flying Newcastle United at Cardiff City Stadium. The division's other 22 teams did play today, though, and that meant that City would need a lot of help to hold on to their third-place standing. As things turned out, City got barely any help at all, slipping all the way to eighth place.
West Brom moved to the top of the table with a 3-1 home win over Plymouth Argyle. West Brom have 14 points from their first six games, meaning that City can't catch them tomorrow even if they beat Newcastle. Middlesbrough are second following a 3-1 home win over Ipswich. Preston are fourth after their 2-0 home win over Swansea. Sheffield United claim the fifth spot thanks to a 1-0 away win over Derby County. Sixth place belongs to Leicester, who beat Blackpool 2-1. Bristol City are seventh following a 1-1 draw at Coventry City.
Middlesbrough have 13 points, Preston and Sheffield United 12, Leicester and Bristol City 11. City have ten points going into tomorrow's game. A win tomorrow will move the Bluebirds up to second place. If they draw, they can climb two places, to sixth.
Where Has the Hoodoo Gone?
Friday, September 11, 2009
Paul Evans has posted an interesting entry to his blog, Mauve and Yellow Army. Entitled "Be Honest, Were You There?" his entry recalls a Ninian Park match he attended (but can barely remember) between Cardiff City and Newcastle United. The game was played February 25, 1981 and saw the Bluebirds win 1-0.
The main point of his post is that the Magpies' coming to Cardiff wasn't always the big event it will be this weekend. In fact, he makes a point of stating that a mere 4,235 attended this weeknight game, one of the smallest crowds of the 1980/81 season. A gathering that small contrasts dramatically with the more than 25,000 who can be expected to attend Sunday's tilt with the Magpies.
I wonder, though, if Mr. Evans knows that City's win on that February 25, 1981 evening has other significance as well. Would you believe that it extended City's unbeaten run to 21 against the Magpies in league games played in Cardiff?! Not only that but, after that 1-0 win, City's all-time home record in league games against Newcastle showed 12 wins, nine draws and no defeats. That's incredible.
So, this game Mr. Evans has written about this week had to be truly pivotal. City lost their next two (and last two) at home to Newcastle, in October 1981 and October 1982. In fact, their last home win against the Magpies came that night. Where has the hoodoo gone?Let's hope we can recall it for Sunday.
Ledley Rejects New Contract Offer
Thursday, September 10, 2009
According to a Steve Tucker story for Wales Online, Joe Ledley "has turned down Cardiff City's first offer of a new contract." Apparently, Ledley is saying that "talks are still ongoing, but he is unhappy with certain aspects of the new deal put on the table by the Bluebirds. What might those "certain aspects" involve? They wouldn't have anything to do with money, would they?
Tucker's story includes a few quotes from Ledley. The midfielder says, "I want to remain here and if the contract is right, I will sign it. At the moment the contract is not right." He adds, "If it's good enough, I will sign it. At the moment, I'm still trying to sort one out." O.K., so what's not right with the contract?
On the messageboard, the view seems to be that it's the money that's "not right." There, some numbers have been thrown about that suggest, if they're right, that the two parties might not be terribly close to a deal. If they're true, Ledley has turned down £16k/£17k a week as he's looking for £20k a week. Let's say, then, that it is about the money at this point and that Ledley wants £20k a week. Is he worth it?
Messageboarder The Dude thinks Ledley has a good argument:
On his 2008 form he is one of the best midfielders in the division, so in my opinion he is worth £20k a week. He will certainly bring more to the team than Fowler, Hasselbaink or Sinclair did, and the boy's a match winner for us.
The problem is his head has been turned since January when all the transfer talk started, just like Earnie's was before he left us. That's Ridders and Jones' fault more than anyone else.
Sloop John Bee wonders:
Can we assume he would be playing out of his skin if the club were to give him and his agent what they wanted? I say not, playing well for us is his job, just like I have to do my job! In my opinion his form has dropped because he is inconsistent and has been in most seasons since he came into the first team. He has these phases; I guess most players do too. Aside from his form, this whole contract issue is, or may be, interfering with the on field stuff.
Bunk offers another view: "If we pay ledley 20k a week we need our heads tested, he a good player who we could do with keeping but not worth anywhere near that. Thanks for the memories Joe." For Bluebird 23, "football has gone mad if an average player like Ledley can be ofered the alledged wages mentioned on here." He adds, "Routledge is a class championship player who Ledley couldn't lace his boots for ability and he couldn't make it in the premiership, so no hope for one paced, one footed, can't head a ball average Joe!" On the other hand, Barnagoo can see things from Ledley's perspective:
I don't think Joe is in the wrong.
1. Joe's form has dipped, we had no offers for him in the transfer window desipte PR trying to sell him in the press "We have had no bids for Joe ... please, someone, we have had no bids!!" Therefore the club wants to sign Joe on a new contract to prevent him for going on a free next summer or even at a reduced rate in January - of course Joe's agent is going for the best deal possible. We are going to make money out of him in the end ... as long as he regains his 08 form.
2. He is still to make his money from football, he has never been part of a transfer deal where he has pocketed a significant amount of money. He has come up through the ranks and his salary has increased. His agent is doing his negotiations and is probably advising him to reject the offers until the club table their best and final offer.
CCFC Bluebird contends that Ledley "is not greedy. Ledley deserves to be paid the same as the highest earner at the club (Chopra if I'm not mistaken). He's captain of his country, a proven international, consistently one of our best performers and, frankly, a Premiership player playing in the Championship."
So, what to make of the current impasse? It's hard to say how or when these negotiations get sorted out. At least, that's the way it seems now. The guess here is that we'll be reading a similar Steve Tucker story in a month's time.
Wales Lose to Russia 3-1
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Wales lost to Russia 3-1 tonight before 14,505 at the Millennium Stadium. The defeat ends the "last faint hope" Wales had of qualifying for the World Cup finals next year in South Africa.
Igor Semshov put Russia in front after 36 minutes, Andrei Arshavin providing the assist. Wales got the match back on level terms at the 54-minute mark as two former City players teamed up to convert a near-post corner, Aaron Ramsey assisting and James Collins getting the goal. However, a Sergei Ignashevich free-kick put Russia back in front 20 minutes from time, and a Roman Pavlyuchenko's injury-time goal, off a defensive error, gave the visitors the 3-1 margin of victory.
In "Wales Come Up Short in Clash with Russia," his report for the South Wales Echo, Simon Kendal-Williams observes that "Wales can have no complaints after being outclassed by a Russian side heading, one way or another, for next year’s World Cup finals." He sums up the Wales effort as "plenty of endeavour, enough chances to draw the sting out of their opponents, but, ultimately, not enough composure and know-how to upset the odds."
The Western Mail's Stephen Harrison offers player ratings here. He gave keeper Hennessey the highest rating, an 8.
In a report posted to his Bluesy's Blues blog, Nigel Harris wrote that "Wales battled hard, showed quality, flair and imagination at times and certainly had the Russians rattled but two late goals - just when Wales were in the ascendency and looking most likely winners - settled it." Manager Toshack's "negative tactics" get a mention here too, namely "4-5-1 again - with a little man who can't hold the ball in Bellamy up front - even though it was a 'must win' with 3 centre backs and a deep midfield that, at times, made us look 9-0-1!"
In "Much Better But Let's Carry It On into the Next Game," a report for his Mauve and Yellow Army blog, Paul Evans noted that "For much of the game, Wales matched and even sometimes dominated their illustrious opponents, but in the end, although the 3-1 margin of victory flattered the visitors, their assurance in front of goal meant that their win was probably deserved."
Ridsdale Travels to Merthyr to Meet City Fans
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Cardiff City chairman Peter Ridsdale paid a visit to the Brunswick public house in Merthyr Tydfil last night to meet with about 250 City fans. Greg Davies was on hand and has written a fantastically detailed report on what the chairman had to say. Mr. Davies prefaces his report by saying that "Ridsdale refused to duck any questions and most of those in attendance left feeling very positive on the whole, thanking Ridsdale for his honesty and for turning up after a strenuous week of travelling." Michael Morris has posted the report to a page on Cardiff City Online. Check it out here.
Wales Online offers a five-minute video excerpting highlights from Ridsdale's remarks. Check out the video here.
Ledley to Play in Plaster After Bone Break
Monday, September 7, 2009
"Joe Ledley to Play on for Wales and Cardiff Despite Breaking Wrist Bone." That's the headline to a Terry Phillips story for Wales Online today. It turns out that "Ledley was hurt when he slipped on a step in the French capital and cracked his wrist trying to steady himself," this while "on a short break with his girlfriend when Cardiff City manager Dave Jones gave his players four days off from training."
Even with having "a protective ‘pot’ on his wrist," Ledley is "still expected to play for Wales against Russia in Wednesday’s World Cup qualifier and Cardiff City’s top-of-the -table clash with Newcastle United on Sunday."
The put-in-plaster story wasn't the only Joe Ledley item in the news today. Wales manager John Toshack has issued a "form warning" to Ledley, the story appearing on a BBC Sport page entitled "Toshack's Form Warning to Ledley." The manager is quoted as saying, "I don't think Joe has been at his best just recently for us or for Cardiff - and he knows what I think." Apparently, Toshack believes that "Cardiff are close to coming to an agreement with him. The sooner that gets sorted it will be in the player's, Cardiff's and our best interest."
To be honest, neither of these stories seems to be too earth shaking. Let's just say it's been a slow news day! I'd rather read about Ledley's signing a new contract and being very happy to do so. Sadly, that may have to wait awhile.
Koumas Retires From International Football
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Jason Koumas has announced that he is retiring from international football "with immediate effect." According to a Paul Abbandonato story for Wales Online, "Koumas told Wales manager John Toshack of his decision yesterday, although he wouldn’t have been fit anyway for Wednesday’s game with Russia because of a hamstring injury."
The decision to retire was not received especially well by Cardiff City mailing list members. Matt Gabb wrote, "I presume Koumas is a useful addition to the national Wales 'players still playing league football but retired from national football' team." Scott Thomas responded by saying, "I'd like to see a Welsh International Exiles/Refuseniks XI (managed by me) against a current Wales XI (managed by the old c*nt) as a regular curtain raiser to the new season actually." If, in reading these comments, you pick up a bit of an attitude about John Toshack's role in Koumas's departure you might not be far wrong. Meanwhile, on the messageboard there was plenty of anti-Toshack sentiment expressed.
Stano wrote, "Hardly rocket-science is it, no coincidence that none of our players who possess a half ounce of talent want to play for Toshack." Hiya Mate! Alright? elaborated on this view:
The amount of top players that have decided to "Retire" from international football shows that there is something drastically wrong with the Wales set up. Players and fans alike seem to have just completely lost interest in it. I was more thank happy to give Toshack the benefit of doubt in the begining, but now? well as a fan, I don't really care any more as I have retired from International football.
Cheppy had a bit to say too:
I would agree, yes he did although you will get slated by some on here for saying it.
Toshack has pi$$ed off virtually every older player in the Wales set up. The number of players who have walked away is astounding and the biggest loss of all is Ryan Giggs (i can't stand Man U) and I don't necessarily mean on a playing front. It is what he can bring to the young players with all those years of experience winning major trophies.
J. Toshack = Arrogance, tactical ineptness and his man management is awful. Therefore I, as somebody who once supported him as Wales manager says "Mr Toashack please go and take your hat and coat."
Not everyone agrees that Toshack is the one to blame for Koumas's departure. In a post to his Mauve and Yellow Army Blog, entitled "Koumas Retirement Shouldn’t Be Another Stick to Hit Toshack With," Paul Evans states that
It is so easy to look at this from the viewpoint of “I don’t like Toshack – he is an arrogant so and so who is always falling out with his senior players and this is another example of that," but, in the case of Koumas at least, the facts say to me that the exact opposite applies.
Mr. Evans has a good bit to say about how the opposite applies. Check his well-detailed post for details.
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