"I actually wanted the Bluebirds to lose against Watford"

My View, Never seen Sian Matheson in my life till she started writing for the Echo,I do know this, that she watches a lot of Premier League football and only a couple of weeks ago was watching Liverpool and comparing their atmosphere with ours and was more than happy to accept the Rebrand
Are some of these football fans really now moaning because of the Rebrand or is it really because of the dire football and the Rebrand is just an excuse?
Am I being to harsh?




" I actually wanted the Bluebirds to lose against Watford."
Says SIAN MATHESON

Tuesday Dec 30, 2014


Cardiff City desperately needs unity and only you can help is Sian Matheson's plea to the club's Malaysian owner


I appreciate you saved my club from the brink of liquidation and for that I thank you.

But, here we are four years on, and the very club I have supported for more than 23 years is, at present, totally unrecognisable to me.

In fact, I feel like a stranger and don’t know where I belong any more.

I have no hidden agenda, I am not part of any official supporters’ group, I am just an average fan who has grown up supporting her local team.

Yet I find myself struggling to find the fight left in me to support the cause. And, unless I rediscover my love for the Bluebirds once again I, too, am seriously considering not renewing my season ticket next year.

The end of the price freeze imposed before your reign may be a factor for the majority of fans, but I’m not even sure that is an overriding factor for me.

Maybe I’ve just outgrown the Bluebirds, maybe I’m just fed up of supporting a club which doesn’t actually love or respect me back.

The club and I have so much history together, but I’m thinking of breaking up with someone who I just don’t recognise any more.

I was there through the dark days of Division Three, to those fantastic cup runs which led to a Wembley final back in 2008 and then, most recently, the Capital One Cup final in 2012, where we lost on penalties against one of Europe’s big boys in Liverpool.


But to my horror on Sunday, I actually wanted the Bluebirds to lose against Watford. Because then I felt someone would come along and take away this pain and constant feeling of disappointment, not to mention the pangs of frustration, anger and bewilderment at what has happened over the last year.

I am ashamed to admit I wanted Cardiff to lose in the hope someone would end the apathy, depression and downright toxic atmosphere surrounding the club.

Had Cardiff actually gone on to win on Sunday, that would have once again masked the real issues enveloping the club.

But a win never looked likely as City once again lacked spirit, passion and fight.

I realise that fans’ vocal support can lift the players and be the 12th man but, at the same time, how can fans cheer and sing if their team are giving them absolutely nothing to cheer about?

It is abundantly clear the controversial rebrand has totally divided our fanbase.

So much so there have been reports of in-fighting and even punch-ups on the terraces.

We are not savages, but our club is being ripped apart and it is just appalling lifelong supporters are turning on each other.

The club desperately needs unity and to find a way forward and only you can help Mr Tan.

For so long Cardiff City worked hard to cast off the previous notorious reputation of thugs and hooligans which so badly damaged the brand of the club through the 1980s and 1990s.



And after years of hard work in kicking out the idiots and cleaning up the club’s image, the club even won the Football League Family Club of the Year title in 2011 and 2013.

But now even that hangs in the balance. After all, who wants to take their family along to such an environment where the home team’s fans may not even be safe?

Bluebirds supporters are loyal and have stuck by the club through thick and thin. But what is going on now is just heartbreaking.

Who knows where the club will end up, but I do know that without the supporters, the club is doomed.

Yes, if the side does achieve promotion by some miracle, people will clamour for seats once again. But will they stay and support the Bluebirds for 20-odd years if the club gets relegated?

Maybe some will catch the same Bluebirds bug I caught one cold Saturday afternoon against Bury all those years ago. But I bet most won't.

Owners, managers and players will come and go, but the fans are the heart and soul of any football club.

The Bluebirds used to be a community club. At present, it has no soul, no identity.

I tolerated the change of kit and badge because I believed it was the only option for my club to survive, preventing the Bluebirds going into liquidation.

For avoiding that scenario and pumping in millions of pounds to save the club I thank you.

I also applaud you for kicking out Malky Mackay, the most successful manager Cardiff have had in modern times.

That was a tough decision, especially as no-one in the public domain knew what was going on behind the scenes.

Racism, sexism and homophobia have absolutely no place in society, let alone football, so it was correct you got rid of Mackay.

The appointment of any manager is a risk, even when he was a legendary player such as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who didn’t work out.

Russell Slade is under pressureRussell Slade is under pressure
But now my sympathy lies with Russell Slade, as all the unrest is affecting the on-pitch action.

Cardiff have taken two points from a possible 15 and conceded a worrying 13 goals in their last four matches.

Slade has inherited a squad put together by his predecessors in Mackay and Solskjaer and maybe he can improve the team’s fortunes in the January transfer window.

Maybe he can’t. Only time will tell but I do feel, as the public face of Cardiff City, he is taking the full pelt of the fans’ frustration.

He also needs to bring in a leader in the dressing room to help him stamp his mantra onto the players.

It’s not easy trying to turn around a club in crisis.

But, my new year’s hope is that a way forward can be found, a compromise even.

Like I said, I have no affiliation to any supporters’ group, but I do hope talks can be held urgently between you as owner, the board and supporters.

Our club can still be saved before it’s too late but only with your help.

Mr Tan, you rescued our club in one of its darkest hours previously, change is now desperately needed and only you have the power to save our club again before it’s too late and help everyday supporters like me fall back in love with the Bluebirds.

Yours,

Sian Matheson

I prefer reading posts from genuine City fans, than the ramblings of a sports writer that brings nothing new to the debate

Only a rag as crap as the echo could give her air time. How can anyone who has any kind of love for Cardiff City FC even in its current pale imitation of the club we all fell in love with want the team to lose.

I prefer reading posts from genuine City fans, than the ramblings of a sports writer that brings nothing new to the debate

Thomas,Some of the writers lately have been changing their mind every few months

It is because of the dire football Annis we have to be brutally honest with ourselves.

The anti-rebrand has always been there but not as loud as it should have been. In fact I recall at West Ham our first game in the premier a few of us tried to get a version of "we will always be blue" only to be booed by quite a group of people. It was there and then I worried about the future of the blue.

Although I would like to think the blue would have still rose even if we established ourselves in the premier I felt we would need drop down to really stand a chance. To me that looks about right now.

If Tan wants red to flourish he needs us to be successful. He is not doing a good job about it.

I prefer reading posts from genuine City fans, than the ramblings of a sports writer that brings nothing new to the debate

Thomas,Some of the writers lately have been changing their mind every few months

And they are very sensitive at the moment Annis, Tucker was almost in tears on Blakey's BR trying to defend himself and the fans who were were naive enough to believe the lies of a complete stranger with no emotional attachment to the club

I prefer reading posts from genuine City fans, than the ramblings of a sports writer that brings nothing new to the debate

Thomas,Some of the writers lately have been changing their mind every few months

And they are very sensitive at the moment Annis, Tucker was almost in tears on Blakey's BR trying to defend himself and the fans who were were naive enough to believe the lies of a complete stranger with no emotional attachment to the club

I started doubting Tan over the forensic accountants. Got accused of being negative and the remark has stuck. Not been accused of that lately.

I know Sian and whilst she writes for the Eggo, she is a genuine City supporter, and like the rest of us, she is entitle to an opinion.

50 yrs, 10yrs, 5yrs,1yr, million years as a fan dont matter to me. New or old fans are still Cardiff and deserve respect as they are all one of us.
#Tanout

Despite everything that's going on, and the fact that I rarely go myself anymore, I can't see why any Cardiff fan, past or present, would want us to actually lose a game. Have no interest in us fair enough, but to want us to lose !!!

50 yrs, 10yrs, 5yrs,1yr, million years as a fan dont matter to me. New or old fans are still Cardiff and deserve respect as they are all one of us.
#Tanout

But wanting yout team to lose is not right imo.

No different to the thousands of posts on this forum, she is entitled to her opinion. If people want to change opinion, that's fine by me and it's a clear indication that a lot who were on the fence are now fully behind removing the dictator. You can never look back in life, to many people do. The only way you will succeed is looking forward and coming together. I agree that the poor football has now brought a lot out, but that was always going to happen not just at our club but any club. Momentum is gathering. Tan out

No different to the thousands of posts on this forum, she is entitled to her opinion. If people want to change opinion, that's fine by me and it's a clear indication that a lot who were on the fence are now fully behind removing the dictator. You can never look back in life, to many people do. The only way you will succeed is looking forward and coming together. I agree that the poor football has now brought a lot out, but that was always going to happen not just at our club but any club. Momentum is gathering. Tan out

I prefer reading posts from genuine City fans, than the ramblings of a sports writer that brings nothing new to the debate

She is a genuine City fan.

Fool, agree to red and this is what you get

Maybe someone at the Echo could teach their Journalists to construct proper paragraphs - tho' I doubt there's anyone there with those simple skills.

No point people who backed the changes crying wolf, because no-one believes you.

I prefer reading posts from genuine City fans, than the ramblings of a sports writer that brings nothing new to the debate

She is a genuine City fan.

You must of been livid hearing all the boos on the weekend, we're not allowed to boo bad performances according to Chuckles

You must of been livid hearing all the boos on the weekend, we're not allowed to boo bad performances according to Chuckles

Excuse me? What are you rabbiting on about now?

Care to explain why you've insinuated that the writer above isn't a genuine a City fan?

women and football hey

I also applaud you for kicking out Malky Mackay, the most successful manager Cardiff have had in modern times.

That was a tough decision, especially as no-one in the public domain knew what was going on behind the scenes.

Racism, sexism and homophobia have absolutely no place in society, let alone football, so it was correct you got rid of Mackay.

So from this script I get the impression Tan knew all about this before sacking Mackey. If so this means Tan was quite happy to allow all this to go on while we were doing well.

So hang on, she goes on about her supporting the sacking of Malky because 'Racism, sexism and homophobia have absolutely no place in society, let alone football, so it was correct you got rid of Mackay.' Well hang on these issues were only known about AFTER Malky was sacked and the 'allegations' of fraud were looked into.

So why is she trying to say that Tan sacked Malky because of Racism, sexism and homophobia.? Its complete rubbish!!!

I also applaud you for kicking out Malky Mackay, the most successful manager Cardiff have had in modern times.

That was a tough decision, especially as no-one in the public domain knew what was going on behind the scenes.

Racism, sexism and homophobia have absolutely no place in society, let alone football, so it was correct you got rid of Mackay.

So from this script I get the impression Tan knew all about this before sacking Mackey. If so this means Tan was quite happy to allow all this to go on while we were doing well.

You beat me to the 'submit' button

You must of been livid hearing all the boos on the weekend, we're not allowed to boo bad performances according to Chuckles

Excuse me? What are you rabbiting on about now?

Care to explain why you've insinuated that the writer above isn't a genuine a City fan?

if I have character assassinated a genuine City fan, then i'm sorry

I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive the fans who are making it known to the players and Slade, that what they are watching is not acceptable

You must of been livid hearing all the boos on the weekend, we're not allowed to boo bad performances according to Chuckles

Excuse me? What are you rabbiting on about now?

Care to explain why you've insinuated that the writer above isn't a genuine a City fan?

if I have character assassinated a genuine City fan, then i'm sorry

I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive the fans who are making it known to the players and Slade, that what they are watching is not acceptable

got the quote for you Chuckles, hope you don't mind:

I think the fans who booed were out of order and have delusions of grandeur.

i honestly cant stand this woman, writes utter bull every single time

i honestly cant stand this woman, writes utter bull every single time

agreed

It is because of the dire football Annis we have to be brutally honest with ourselves.

The anti-rebrand has always been there but not as loud as it should have been. In fact I recall at West Ham our first game in the premier a few of us tried to get a version of "we will always be blue" only to be booed by quite a group of people. It was there and then I worried about the future of the blue.

Although I would like to think the blue would have still rose even if we established ourselves in the premier I felt we would need drop down to really stand a chance. To me that looks about right now.

If Tan wants red to flourish he needs us to be successful. He is not doing a good job about it.

I remember at that game talking to a few lads around me and considering it was our first game in the top division and against fierce rivals, it was pretty muted and the discussion was about the rebrand, it was not vocalised through singing, but it was definitely on everyone's mind and I think many were embarrassed about singing as it was at a club like West Ham who as we all know have very loyal and committed support and couldn't believe that our fans had accepted a rebrand.

Don't know her don't care she writes like a c**t, simples

It is because of the dire football Annis we have to be brutally honest with ourselves.

The anti-rebrand has always been there but not as loud as it should have been. In fact I recall at West Ham our first game in the premier a few of us tried to get a version of "we will always be blue" only to be booed by quite a group of people. It was there and then I worried about the future of the blue.

Although I would like to think the blue would have still rose even if we established ourselves in the premier I felt we would need drop down to really stand a chance. To me that looks about right now.

If Tan wants red to flourish he needs us to be successful. He is not doing a good job about it.

I remember at that game talking to a few lads around me and considering it was our first game in the top division and against fierce rivals, it was pretty muted and the discussion was about the rebrand, it was not vocalised through singing, but it was definitely on everyone's mind and I think many were embarrassed about singing as it was at a club like West Ham who as we all know have very loyal and committed support and couldn't believe that our fans had accepted a rebrand.

I felt a lot of us were timid in expressing our dislike of the rebrand at the time. To me it felt like we had to tone it down to give the team a chance to settle and establish them. I would say the rebrand had an effect on the team then and as soon as things started going wrong we got vocal and the whole setup collapsed.

got the quote for you Chuckles, hope you don't mind:

I think the fans who booed were out of order and have delusions of grandeur.

Oh. yes, I stand by that. After a perfect start at home, to boo off a team who had played well under Slade so far, because of a 0-0 was ridiculous.

However, the recent drubbings have certainly attracted a large amount of boos & I have no problem with that whatsoever as it was warranted.

I'm sure even you can manage to work out that booing on occasions when it's warranted is fine, but when it isn't warranted, isn't okay.