6th Versus 7th

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.  

Bluebirds go into Top 4!

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!

Bothroyd Off The Mark

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.  

Cardiff 1-2 Birmingham

Cardiff City - Sponsored By Vansdirect.co.uk

Alex McLeish’s Birmingham City walked away from Ninian Park with all three points on Saturday thanks to a great performance from Scottish striker James McFadden and a strong defensive performance. However, again the Bluebirds played some solid football but lacked the clinical finish.

McFadden opened up the scoring on 5 miutes, timing his run perfectly to meet the end of a Quincy Owusu-Abeyie cross.  Owusu-Abeyie turned scorer on 41 minutes with a 20 yard shot that went through a crowd of players at the amazement of City keeper Tom Heaton.

Swansea 1 - 0 Cardiff City

McPhail sees red for 2nd challenge

Cardiff City, sponsored by Vansdirect.co.uk, suffered their first defeat of the season to local rivals Swansea in the 3rd round of the Carling Cup.  Last night’s game, marred by the behaviour of some Swan fans after the match, was a hard fought encounter with both sets of fans providing for an electric atmosphere at Swansea’s Liberty Stadium.

The Bluebirds again dominated the match for large parts with all the early chances falling to to the lad’s adourning the blue Vansdirect strip.  Rae and Bothroyd had the best of the chances with Bothroyd being denied by Swansea keeper Dorus de Vries and indeed by the off-side flag.  

Cardiff Still Unbeaten

Penalty Celebrations

The Bluebirds, sponsored by Vansdirect, can go into Tomorrow’s Carling Cup game against neighbouring Swansea in good spirits after rallying at the weekend to earn a draw at Derby.

Cardiff went a goal down after 30 minutes against the former Premier League team, despite dominating from the first whistle.  However, Premier League target, Joe Ledley was bundled over in the box on 68 minutes leaving top scorer McCormack to slot in from the spot.

Barnsley 0 - Cardiff 1: Match Report

Whilst not the highest scoring game of the night, Vansdirect sponsored Cardiff City took all 3 points from this rematch of last year’s FA Cup semi-final.  To use an old cliche, the game was one of two halves; Cardiff showing superior skills and creativity in the first, but Barnsley commanded the second with their increased efforts.

Barnsley v Cardiff: Match Preview

Bluebirds 0 - Robins 0

Cardiff City, still undefeated, travel to Oakwell tonight to play Barnsley who have lost 4 of their opening 5 games of the Championship season. However, Jones is concerned by City’s apparent lack of scoring form despite arguably their best performances to date against Sheffield United and Bristol City.

Cardiff City 0 - Bristol City 0

A Goaless Derby Match

Despite dominating possession and creating more chances, Cardiff City were unable to clinch 3 points against Severnside rivals, Bristol City.  However, the point moves the Bluebirds, who are sponsored by van retailer Vansdirect, to 8th in the Championship table only 1 point from the playoff spots.

Cardiff will be ruing their chances and perhaps feeling they should have got all 3 points when in-form striker McCormack fell in the box for a penalty that wasn’t to be.  Rather than pointing to the spot, referee Walton merely blew for full-time on the derby fixture.

Cardiff City V Bristol City: Match Preview

Two yet unbeaten teams go head-to-head this Saturday at Ninian Park.  Last season both teams took a share of the spoils winning their respective home ties in the Championship; both scoring 2 goals on aggregate.  Both teams went to Wembley - Cardiff for the FA Cup final, Bristol for the Playoff Final.  Could it be any closer?!

Win In the Rain

Changes In the Nests

Bristol City’s Gary Johnson has been active in this summer’s transfer market signing no less than 4 new