It’s coming to the end of the regular football season.  To some this represents a huge void in the normal Saturday routine.  To others it’s a reason to cry for joy in a manner not too dissimilar to the former celebrating their team scoring a dramatic winner.   To Vansdirect.co.uk it marks the end of a proud year of sponsorship – Cardiff City Football Club.

With any luck I’ll soon be blogging about the Bluebird’s promotion to the Premier League.  However, as I type this (during a momentary lapse of “cheap vans” marketing and advertising) I’m actually pondering how any business can hang its boots on such uncertainty; will or won’t we be promoted?

Match Preview: Blues -v- Bluebirds

Cardiff travel to Coventry

Cardiff City, the Championship club sponsored by Vansdirect, travel to Coventry tonight with Cardiff looking to capitalise on their 2 games in hand over other their fellow promotion hopefuls.  In contrast, Coventry sit in 14th place and must surely only be looking for another point to keep them away from the drop zone.

Cardiff are likely to be without Jay Bothroyd who is a doubt after picking up a knock during an outstanding performance against Arsenal in the FA Cup.  Likewise, Peter Whittingham (hamstring) is also out so Chris Burke will continue in the midfield.

Match Report: Birmingham City 1 - 1 Cardiff City

Cardiff City Take the Lead

Cardiff City, sponsored by Vansdirect, narrowly missed all 3 points at the weekend conceding a late goal in injury time.  Cardiff’s Joe Ledley opened the scoring with a stunning volley 15 minutes into the second half.  This gave Cardiff a deserved lead in a match that saw Birmingham play well below par.

However, as is typical it seems, Cardiff allowed on-loan debutant Lee Bowyer to score from just inside the area on 90 minutes.

Ipswich v Cardiff City

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?!

Cardiff 2 - 0 Preston

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.

Match Preview

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.

Swansea 2 - 2 Cardiff

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.

Cardiff 2 - 2 Reading

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.

Plymouth 2 - 1 Cardiff City

Cardiff conceded two poor goals

Two first half strikes from the home team were enough to see off fellow promotion rivals Cardiff.  Cardiff, sponsored by Vansdirect.co.uk, remain in the playoff spots but are now level on points with Plymouth and an incredible 15 points behind league leaders Wolverhampton.

Darren Purse was outmuscled by Plymouth’s Emile Mpenza in the 39th minute to allow the former Belgium international to open the scoring.  The opener was quickly followed by the second when Paul Gallagher responded quickest to the ball rebounding off the cross bar from Chris Clarke’s cross.

Match Preview: Plymouth v Cardiff City

Chopra & Purse - A Winning Combination!

Cardiff City, sponsored by Vansdirect.co.uk, travel to Home Park this weekend with a view of continuing their assent up the Coca-Cola Football League Championship table.  After beating Crystal Palace last weekend, Dave Jones’ side will go into this fixture full of confidence.