Still a great competition - the FA Cup - where dreams are made!
What a scintillating draw in the FA Cup. Last year’s runner up hosting the formidable Arsenal. And what timing! Given their defensive frailties, in-camp arguments and lack of cutting edge in the centre of the park, is there ever going to be a better time to defeat the Premiership boys?!
Portman Road - Home of Ipswich Town aka Tractor Boys
The football world is full of cliches, rumour and gossip. It’s therefore nice to see a player come out and say it (or at least their agent) - “The most likely with Joe is that maybe he plays his contract out, then we see where we are.” Joe Ledley therefore, a fantastic player with bags of potential will be with the Bluebirds a little longer. Or is this a clever ploy to get Risdale and Jones to weigh-up £6m in January or £ZERO in 18 months?!
Johnson leads the celebrations
Cardiff secured an unlikely 3 points in front of a 16,500 crowd on Saturday to move 5th in the Championship table. Goals in each half from Roger Johnson and Michael Chopra were enough to see off the visiting promotion contenders.
It was a somewhat scrappy encounter between two teams tipped for success this season until the deadlock was broken. On-loan Wayne Routledge again turned provider on 42 minutes, whipping in a tantalising free kick for Johnson to beat his marker and head the ball home.
The Christmas Fixtures
The December fixtures get underway this weekend with the Bluebirds, sponsored by Vansdirect, hosting high-flyers Preston. With only a point between them and Cardiff looking to reclaim their playoff spot, it’s all to play for.
Preston are in a good vein of form having scored 6 goals in their last 3 games only conceding 3. Cardiff in comparison have scored 5 but conceded 6. What does this suggest? A goal scoring frenzy. That’s why I’m predicting a bore-draw.
Derby Ends in a Draw
A fiery Welsh derby, the first in 9 years, ended with both teams taking a share of the spoils with the BBC & Dave Jones describing the match as “a thrilling advert for Welsh football”.
Cardiff City, sponsored by Vansdirect.co.uk, will be disappointed not to have come away from the Liberty Stadium with all three points - especially given that the draw sees them slip to 7th in the Coca-Cola Football League Championship.
Take me to the Vetchfield, way down by the sea!
Some might say that the big match of the weekend is Man C v Man U. Some might say Chelsea v Arsenal. Some may even suggest Wales v Australia in the rugby. However, at Vansdirect you’ll only hear one answer to such a question - Swansea versus Cardiff - the derby!
Cardiff City, sponsored by Vansdirect, travel the short distance down the M4 to commence battle. 6th agaisnt 8th. The original Welsh high fliers against the new comers to the division. The first Welsh derby for 9 years!
The Bluebirds, sponsored by Vansdirect, twice conceded the lead to title contenders Reading last night at Ninian Park. The point secures 6th in the table for another few days, but the Bluebirds will be ruing their chance to have elevated themselves above Plymouth who lurk in 7th.
On-loan Wayne Routledge opened the scoring after linking up again with other loan signing Michael Chopra. The pair, from Aston Villa and Sunderland respectively, have had an immediate impact on the Cardiff team - so much so that Dave Jones’ team sheet included both premiership stars alongside returning strike duo Ross McCormack and Jay Bothroyd.
Chopra Returns to Cardiff!
A narrow defeat to Wolves last weekend and the injuries to strikers Bothroyd and McCormack make this a daunting fixture. However, Jones has again pulled off a coup in the transfer market landing former City striker Michael Chopra on loan from Sunderland.
Chopra believes the guidance of Jones will help keep his difficult “personal problems” in the past, but more importantly help him find his shooting boots once again.
During the 2006/7 season, Chopra scored 22 goals for the Bluebirds making him the ideal substitute for the injured pair.
Ross McCormack - the Championship's highest scorer!!!
The international break wasn’t enough to stop Cardiff’s run of form with the Vansdirect sponsored team putting two past ex-premiership opposition. Ross McCormack scored a brace in a match that lifts the Bluebirds into the Playoff zone, 4th in the Championship table.
McCormack, the Championships top scorer opened the scoring on 18 minutes after Whittingham’s shot could only be parried by Charlton keeper Nicky Weaver. McCormack’s second was a perfectly struck 20-yard free kick following the dismissal of Semedo - who only guest starred for 4 minutes!
He's got his first!!!
Summer signing Jay Bothroyd got his first goal for Cardiff City last night in an edgy encounter with Coventry. Despite not picking up the man-of-the-match award, few could question Bothroyd’s performance - scoring the first, earning the penalty for the second and charging down Coventry players as if his life depended on it!
Cardiff, sponsored by Vansdirect, began the game in a somewhat jittery manner with Clinton Morrison often turning off the back four with ease. However, as the game wore on the midfield gathered shape and possession slowly increased.
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