By: joel | 16 Comments

All good things must come to an end.

The sad news surrounded South Wales and the rest of the United Kingdom earlier today, as Dave Jones was fired from his position as manager at Cardiff City. For me, it is very disappointing news. I am a huge fan of DJ and he will be thoroughly missed. What he brought to Cardiff can be described as arguably the best years of Cardiff City’s history. In 6 years he has battled to take us from relegation favourites to promotion favourites all on a shoe-string budget.

Although the arrival of Craig Bellamy, Jason Koumas and other big name players appeared to make us favourites for promotion, it wasn’t to be and our season winter blip inevitably cost us in my opinion. However, how can the club expect Cardiff City to retain a top 7 place again next season without a manager who can deal with limit resources? For any club which has limited resources (ie. finances, players), with the prospect of reaching the top flight, what type of manager would you want? A few can be named, but what Dave Jones has illustrated is why he should be top of that list. And we, Cardiff City, have just sacked him.

To elaborate on ‘shoe-string’ budget, Dave Jones has seen players leave his hands who are capable of being in the Premiership league club. Danny Gabbidon, James Collins and Robert Earnshaw are all players I would love to have back at Cardiff City and simultaneously, proved they can deal with what the Premiership offers, yet we sold them for as little as £5million combined. Today we are seeing Gareth Bale surrounded with a £40million price tag, however Aaron Ramsey (who arguably can become the best Premiership player ever) was sold for as little as £5million to Arsenal, who a year or so earlier bought Theo Walcott off Southampton for £12million. Roger Johnson is currently rumoured to be of interest to Liverpool, yet we sold him for the same price as Aaron Ramsey? Jones had no say in any of these and together with having a squad filled with donkeys such as Spencer Prior, Michael Ricketts and Lee Naylor – Jones has done terrifically and I would bet with a little money his way he would have done fantastically. You cannot build a squad around loan purchases as Norwich, Reading, Swansea have shown that team Cohesion is the foundation to success.

What Now? As much as it pains me to say, Swansea City is perfect example of needing to find the right manager. Roberto Martinez took them to the brink of play offs in their first season, he deservedly found himself in top flight football and then Paolo Sousa took them even closer, losing out on the final day of the season. And with him choosing to leave Swansea, they hired Brenden Rodgers, a decision which did not go down well with the South-West Wales fans however today they are competing for a Premiership place.

By: joel | 10 Comments

GK: Tom Farquharson

DF: Alf Sherwood
DF: Andy Legg
DF: Phil Dwyer
DF: Danny Gabbidon

MF: Ivor Allchurch
MF: Fred Keenor
MF: Aaron Ramsey
MF: Joe Ledley

FW: Robert Earnsahw
FW: John Toshack

This is what 4-4-2 thoughts were. Now some players I am aware of and how they played their part in History. Since i have been a fan, players like James Collins and Graham Kavanagh come to mind bt understandly dont feature in the top 11. I do have to question Ramseys feature within that but then who would i replace him with?

Furthermore, what are your thoughts??

By: joel | Add Comments

*Sighs* So here we are, nine games left. I can’t believe to think around nine games into the season we were doing so well! And my last post was remarking about how a win against Hull would be crucial, its now looked even bigger.

I watched the Cardiff – Ipswich game and was loving every minute, great attacking play, producing the best out of Marton Fulop and then the rest you all well know. Since, we have dropped 6 points simultaneously to other clubs dropping. However we now see Norwich flying high.

Damn Canaries, Come on you Bluebirds!

So my opinion: okay, well Jones has already stated how difficult it will be to replace Chopra, however i think this might be a hidden gem to our success. But Why?

Chris Burke. That is why. The first half of our season he was crucial to our, splitting the wings apart and often provide or creating the opportunity for Bothroyd to hammer home. Now dont get me wrong, Chopra is a fantastic player, just when you consider Jones’ formation, he is NOT a winger. Burkey is and i have a feeling there will be a correlation between Burke playing and Bothroyd in scoring form again!

Furthermore, if Jones wants to play 442, he can play Bellamy upfront. Its his natural position and with him up front, it gives a chance for JET and Burke to terrorise the wings during the 90 minutes harrasment Bellamy will give the back four.

Although our recent form is more of a problem with our defensive ability. Our back four had been solid before 3 games ago, and maybe Heatons absense is responsible for that. However, i think it is down to Olofinjana being out. He does not acclaim to be a defensive midfield, but his prescence at the back allows him to act as one. So it was great to see him return last Saturday.

All-in-all, Millwall is a hard place to go. A fortress they have built under the former Jack, Kenny Jackett. QPR have lost their and teams have dropped points there so again it is a crucial game, alike our last nine. I have confidence in our bounce-back-ability and furthermore, with Darren Purse at their back it cant be hard surely?!

Lets not get complacement though and im sure the lads will be aware of the above.

Onwards and Upwards,

Blueeeeebirrrdds!!

By: joel | 2 Comments

“Cardiff head into tomorrows game at the KC Stadium with doubts of Seyi Olofinjana and Craig Bellamy who couldn’t play 90 minutes in midweek”

Firstly, Craig ‘Bellas’ Bellamy, are Cardiff better when he isn’t in the team? Yes he can turn nothing into something with a moment of magic, however how often has he done that for us this season? You can argue that without him we wouldn’t have beat the Jacks and picked up a point against Reading but just seeing him over the last few weeks, and the team defensively we are not solid. He is not able to committ 100% into tackles because of his knee troubles and, as a striker, he is not a natural defender obviously but when i see Whittingham on the left we seem a lot more comfortable.

Nevertheless I am not saying we should get rid of him, we shouldn’t and i’m still happy to have someone of that ability in our squad as the day he signed (on loan). Maybe with Chopra’s injury it would be good to see Bella’s pace exploited up front, playing off Bothroyd for a change.

So with Bella’s upront, should Jones go with Whitts on the wing? Possibly, however recently Jay Emmanuel Thomas (JET) has been playing well of late. He may have started quite casual but I believe he is settling and Dave Jones is helping the lad mature, and he could’ve grapped a beautiful goal against Forest, and was influencial against Leicester mid-week. The boy has earned a place, and i would be slightly disappointed to not see him in the starting line up.

So leave Whitts out? No, never. I think he should play with Ramsey in the centre as Olofinjana might be absent. Yes it is a very attacking midfield, however it was only a couple of weeks ago Olo was saying how he is not a defensive midfielder and finds himself as attacking as Rambo or Whitts. Its a centre midfielder which matches the philosophy of Dave Jones. Yes we will lose a ball winner in the middle, but not without scoring a few ourselves.

My prediction:

Heart says win, head says draw, superstition for writing this says loss. Its the same with most games this week but i am always comforted by the fact that I don’t think we’ll have a better team. But its more complicated than that and Hull City are a team in good form, good enough for the play-offs? Yeah why not, but are we good enough for the play-offs? Hell yeah. We can finish second, and a draw tomorrow will be a good result for us.

Whatever the result, my shirt will be proudly worn.
Blueeeeeebirds!

By: joel | Add Comments

WOW! What a week! I am still unable to get over the events of last sunday and pictures of the match still excite me whilst the video highlights have been saved as a tab to i can have the goal on tap!! Superb strike from Bellamy and i result I honestly didn’t think would happen!

However, I hope the players have had their fun and were focused for Scunthorpe by Monday. This is a must win match and the type of game which will see us drop points rather than gain on rivals.

“We must rid ourselves of the bottom four curse” Dave Jones.

His words are true and if we want to gain promotion these are must win games! When Swansea beat us last November it kick started a woeful run…so now we have beat them, lets kick start a wining streak that sees us hosting the likes of Man United, Chelsea and Liverpool!

COME ON BLUEBIRDS!!!

By: joel | Add Comments

A few things to look forward to ahead of this week:

1) Transfer deadline day: Jones stated that he was keen to add two more players to his squad before the end of this month, so hopefully should see more Bluebirds by 11pm monday. Rumours in the local player that Daniel Gabbidon is interested on returning however club want to keep hold of him. Would be a great signing in my opinion and hopefully we can sign a new left back to replace Lee Naylor!

2) Reading at home. Almost a play off sealing match. It may be early days but we can really push ahead of the pack and possibly move in front of Norwich after their draw today and gain on QPR after they drew today. Swans also lost to Leyton Orient at home which will hopefully give our lads a boost going there, along with momentum gained from midweek victory – emphasing on HOPE

3) Swansea away. I cannot doubt the players we have in our teams. Attacking we have no other team better and I think if we were ever going to take them, it would be now!

Other than that, what a boring weekend! Hate FA cup but looking forward to Feb, should be Fab!

Bluebirds through and through!

By: joel | Add Comments

Seeing Aaron Ramsey paraded on the pitch before the match was beautiful to see. There are no 2 ways about it. However, the transfer splurge of late has picked up criticism from many including one Daily Mirror reporter.

It has been an issue throughout the season since the arrival of Craig Bellamy, a Cardiff lad showing great passion to return to his hometown club after Man City refused him a loan move anywhere in the top 5. Considering he was probably a top 5 player in the Premiership last season we are very fortunate to have him, and even though we are paying 20,000 towards his wages, this is not enough according to many.

Had any other club been in the same position, I would not expect them to hold the morale ground, and take up the opportunity for a quality forward to join their ranks. In addition, I doubt even Spurs (a club heavily linked with him this summer) would be able to pay his full 85,000 a week wages, at least not after ruling themselves out of a Diego Forlan switch because he is on a similar wage packet!

Anyway, this was Michael Calvin’s comments (with my opinions):

Cardiff’s beauty pageant of loan stars is getting ridiculous.
They’ve got the gorgeous, pouting Craig Bellamy. He’s supported by Seyi Olofinjana (Championship), Jason Koumas (Crocked) and Andy Keogh (Shit). They’re subsidised by Hull, Wigan and Wolves respectively.
Danny Drinkwater (youth) is there courtesy of Manchester United. Arsenal have lent Jay Emmanuel Thomas and will allow Aaron Ramsey (youth) to help for a month.
The Championship a level playing field?
Don’t make me laugh

Okay, ‘Crocked’ and ‘Shit’ is a childish excuse. There is no excusing that both Koumas and Keogh are premiership squad players, we have done really well to loan them and I think thats down to Dave Jones’ ability to wheel and deal in the transfer market. But depsite this there are plentlyful of other premiership players in the Championship:

Yakubu at Leicester, Vaughan was at Palace, Routledge has recently got into Newcastle starting XI and now at QPR. They are just a few that spring to mind. It is the same point I put across about Mr Calvin slating Ramsey and Drinkwater:

Landsbury at Norwich, Ramsey was at Forest, Walker was at QPR, Watford recently loaned Andros Townsend, Taarabt at QPR are just a few of many.

Furthermore, Olofinjana is on loan from a club in the Championship so you can’t really count him as not being in the same paying field.

The championship is a level playing field by far, you only have to look at the division to see how close it is between everyone. A few years ago the step up between Premiership and Championship was distant. Now we are seeing a much bigger improvement and, at times, the most entertaining divison of the English league.

Calvin, I know you are disappointed about defeat being a Watford fan, but please comment with good purpose like a professional sports writer.

One final note, are we breaking any rules? Didn’t think so.

By: joel | Add Comments

The news that Aaron Ramsey is set to join up with the Bluebirds for at least is, to me, finally the intent that the Bluebirds should’ve been showing in the transfer market since it opened earlier this month.

Okay, so its only a month However, it is probably the biggest month of our season ahead (with home games to play off chasers Watford and Reading and of course the Jacks in early February) and I can only be confident in our attacking force ahead of these crucial games.

Forwards:
Jay Bothroyd, Michael Chopra, John Parkin, Andy Keogh

Midfielders
Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, Whittingham, Burke, McPhail, Olofinjana, Koumas, Bellamy, Ramsey

I think any championship team would druel over that attacking force!!!

Many fans are complaining about our defence, rightfully so in my opinion as well, and feel we should be hitting the market for stoppers at the back. However much I believe that the defensive display in the last three games have been incredible, I still believe they are responsable for the poor run at the end of 2010 so Jones we hope this isn’t the last transfer you’ve made yet!!

In summary, do we really need a new defence? After all attack is the best form of defence right?

Joel.

By: joel | Add Comments

New loan signing

As you all may well have heard by now, Jay Emmanuel-Thomas has confirmed he is joining Cardiff City on loan, if you haven’t heard – well, SUPRISE?! Jay has joined until the end of the season and although reported to play as a left winger/striker, I have that feeling he is replacing Lee Naylor (Thank God!) as a pacey left back.

Good signing or not? Would be interested to hear from Arsenal fans with hope that they mention he is a decent player at least. Whilst I wonder how many loan signings we have left, I can’t help but feel excited about today’s activity and rumours.

According to locals, Jay was one of two players having medicals at the Cardiff City Stadium yesterday. Hopefully we can get the other player in before the weekend and the important three home games we have ahead of us. Sky Sports News are reporting Michael Brown as a contender which could be possible – however Wayne Routledge rumoured return has been nothing more than a dirty rumour as QPR snatch him back as they were willing to pay £2,000,000 upfront.

Jones has been up in Scotland last week scouting on Dundee United’s double goalscorer in last seasons Scottish cup final, Craig Conway however, to disappoint fans it seems it wont be an immediate signing as he was at Dundee’s training session this morning. Staying in Scotland, Glen Loovens (The Loovenator) is reported to be returning to the club after a failed attempt to lure Jonathan Woodgate on loan. I’m sure i’m not the only fan to welcome his back to the club.

Although Cardiff City haven’t made many signings as I would have wanted yet, I can take comfort that my proposed physio session with Sean Connelly (CCFC’s physio) keeps getting delayed because he is a ‘very busy man’ I am told.

Let me know what you think of Jay or any of the other linked players and feel free to suggest others. Personally, I would like to see Michael Johnson arrive on loan. Any thoughts?

Bluebirds Through and Through,

Joel

By: joel | Add Comments

Hi everyone, hope you are well. My name is Joel  and I am the new blogger for Cardiff City Football Club on theoffside.com.

Its been just over a year since the last serious post on here, so im hoping to ‘reignite’ (if you like)  up-to-date thoughts and opinions on my beloved hometown club

Please bare with I am new to this and still figuring it all out. I hope you can join me on here and share your opinions with me, even have some ‘banter’ with each other. At the end of the day, we do have one thing in common – we support the greatest club in the world right? So what better topic to talk about!

Bluebirds Through and Through,

Joel.