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"This is the lowest ebb Cardiff City have been in 20 years"

Mon Dec 22, 2014 10:26 am

My Opinion. For me its the lowest Ive felt in 40 plus years and I have never felt this low. :cry: :cry: :bluescarf: :bluescarf: :bluescarf:

But still there are some who will back Tan and even say we are wrong,but do they actually go week in week out to feel what we are feeling? :cry: :cry: :cry:



' Bluebirds fans seeing red and feeling blue this Christmas as they fail to feel affinity with club "


Monday Dec 22, 2014


Terry Phillips has covered Cardiff City in all four divisions but describes the club's current plight as the lowest ebb he's experienced in 20 years.




Cardiff City fans are seeing red - and feeling blue - in the build up to Christmas.

What was an irritating rebrand problem to some fans has turned into a crisis among the Bluebirds faithful. I have never known the club at such a low ebb in more than 20 years and that includes time spent struggling in the lower divisions.

That’s nothing to do with finances. The fact is that many fans don’t feel an affinity with the club right now.

My best mate and his father, who has been a loyal fan for 65 years, left the match against Brentford after 35 minutes and they are talking seriously about not going back.

More and more supporters I speak to are disenchanted with their club. That’s incredibly sad to hear and this is a tough time for City.

It seems tougher even than the days when Cardiff were struggling to find a way forward in the bottom division. Now they are a strong Championship club, but that status isn’t reflected by fans who are simply fed up.

Many went home early, others stayed and booed the team off at half-time, while there is plenty of talk among loyal fans that they won’t renew season tickets.

The official attendance was 21,784, but it looked as though there were not many more than 16,000. City gave an accurate figure as always, but it looked as though around 5,000 season ticket holders didn’t bother to take their seats.



This isn’t Russell Slade’s fault. He’s doing his best to manage in a difficult situation. Supporters feel demoralised and it’s difficult to see a way forward to happier times.

No matter what is happening off the pitch City fans want to see their team playing good football and looking capable of launching a promotion challenge. That doesn’t look possible on the evidence of the last three performances.

City don’t keep the ball well enough, they are being outmanoeuvred through midfield and opposing teams are having the majority of possession. Brentford had 52%,

The Bluebirds struggled along with 36% against Bournemouth, 49% when Rotherham visited Cardiff city Stadium and 28% at Watford.

Slade’s men will struggle until they put that right and while I admire the way he has stabilised the football operation and gathered a tight group around him there is a lot of work ahead.

The most brutal statistic of all is that Cardiff have earned only one point from the last three matches and are drifting out of the battle for play-off places.

There are positives, of course, and one of the biggest is that City have an abundance of spirit and character in their team. They scrapped and battled for the win at Watford, while the players produced determined fightbacks against Bournemouth and Brentford.

Both recoveries fell short, but their desire to succeed is admirable and Slade has a talented squad to work with, but the 4-4-2 formation isn’t playing to the strengths of his players.

Aron Gunnarsson and Peter Whittingham are toiling unsuccessfully to gain the upper hand in midfield and even when the wingers tuck in the opposition seem to have the upper hand. Personally, I would slot Tom Adeyemi in alongside the two and strengthen midfield.

Brentford’s Alex Pritchard and Spanish playmaker Jota tormented Cardiff. The movement and passing of the Bees left City players gasping, while Toumani Diagouraga sat deep and directed operations, allowing the creative players in front of him to wreak havoc.

Cardiff couldn’t cope with Pritchard, a 21-year-old on loan from Spurs, during the first half and Jota was a joy to watch as home players gave him time and space. He made them pay for slack marking by opening City up time and again.

In attack Andre Gray made life uncomfortable for Ben Turner, running off the big defender’s shoulder and creating danger.

It doesn’t seem right that Cardiff have been outplayed by Bournemouth and Brentford in successive matches, Both have strong squads, an effective game plan and look capable of sustaining their challenge.

But do they really have, man for man, stronger squads than Cardiff? The answer is an emphatic no, but Slade is having to sort out problems as he works. City’s squad is far too big and Slade is doing his best to deal with that and move fringe players on.

He must also find a formation which suits his players and brings out the best in Whittingham, Craig Noone and Co.


With an extra man in midfield City could utilise the physical presence of Kenwyne Jones, who made a difference when he took over from Federico Macheda against Brentford. At his best Jones is a menace to defenders and Brentford defenders weren’t at all comfortable with the big centre-forward in their faces.

He has also scored eight goals in 13 starts and right now looks the best man for the job.

That would be harsh on Adam Le Fondre, whose selfless running and willingness to work for the team has been among the positives, but the goals aren’t coming for him and he needs a rest.

But it’s time for Slade to think again,

He apologised to Bluebirds fans after City’s dismal first-half showing against Brentford, although he will take heart from a spirited second half showing.

Pritchard (11), Gray (22) and Jota (33) fired Brentford 3-0 ahead and a disastrous home defeat looked possible. But Slade tweaked his formation, sending on Declan John and Jones, while Kadeem Harris, making his full league debut, moved inside to play behind the front two and Whittingham switched to a wide role.

The reaction from City’s players was heartening. They fought, they scrapped, they battled. Noone headed in from an accurate Harris cross three minutes into the second half and Jones fired home with 15 minutes left, turning to score after John Brayford’s volleyed, lofted pass gave the striker his chance.

Brentford were wobbling, but Cardiff could not find the quality to open up their visitors again.

Slade’s team have two fixtures left before the new year - Charlton away, Watford home - and it’s imperative City show the same fight they finished with against Brentford.

It’s still early days for the Bluebirds boss and he needs time to sort things out during a time when fans are not feeling good about their club. This isn’t the time to have a pop at the manager, who must be given the time in 2015 to get his team on track for a pop at the play-offs.

Re: "This is the lowest ebb Cardiff City have been in 20 yea

Mon Dec 22, 2014 10:55 am

Annis I know you love the club, so do I but we must stop attending games :bluescarf: that is how winning is done :bluescarf:

Re: "This is the lowest ebb Cardiff City have been in 20 yea

Mon Dec 22, 2014 11:32 am

One man can make every Cardiff City fans Christmas by announcing we are going back to playing in blue with our original badge asap. Until then its going to get worse. #nobluenorenew

Re: "This is the lowest ebb Cardiff City have been in 20 yea

Mon Dec 22, 2014 11:39 am

Unless enough fans feel strongly enough about this, and refuse to attend matches until blue is restored, then I feel that the club we grew up with will be gone forever.

Re: "This is the lowest ebb Cardiff City have been in 20 yea

Mon Dec 22, 2014 11:48 am

Steve Zodiak wrote:Unless enough fans feel strongly enough about this, and refuse to attend matches until blue is restored, then I feel that the club we grew up with will be gone forever.



you cant surely expect all 18,000 season ticket holders not to renew??


The crowds will be vastly altered next season anyway, i reckon the number of ST holders will be around the 12k mark personally, regardless of any protest.

Re: "This is the lowest ebb Cardiff City have been in 20 yea

Mon Dec 22, 2014 11:52 am

Dinosaur football from a dinosaur of a manager. On-going incompetence on and off the pitch. Club history and traditions destroyed. A Cardiff City stadium empty of home supporters is the only chance for any change.

Re: "This is the lowest ebb Cardiff City have been in 20 yea

Mon Dec 22, 2014 11:53 am

Jonty106 wrote:Dinosaur football from a dinosaur of a manager. On-going incompetence on and off the pitch. Club history and traditions destroyed. A Cardiff City stadium empty of home supporters is the only chance for any change.



thats just never going to happen.

Re: "This is the lowest ebb Cardiff City have been in 20 yea

Mon Dec 22, 2014 12:00 pm

We will go up through the play offs this season and the stadium will be rocking

Re: "This is the lowest ebb Cardiff City have been in 20 yea

Mon Dec 22, 2014 12:04 pm

paulh_85 wrote:
Steve Zodiak wrote:Unless enough fans feel strongly enough about this, and refuse to attend matches until blue is restored, then I feel that the club we grew up with will be gone forever.



you cant surely expect all 18,000 season ticket holders not to renew??


The crowds will be vastly altered next season anyway, i reckon the number of ST holders will be around the 12k mark personally, regardless of any protest.

I'm sure many will renew, but for those that do there will be no point in moaning about Tan afterwards, because indirectly they will be supporting him by handing him their cash. It depends entirely on how strongly people feel about this, and whether they are willing to make short term personal sacrifices for the long term benefit of our club. I feel it's now or never, either we fight to get our club back, or lie down and accept that it will never be the same again.

Re: "This is the lowest ebb Cardiff City have been in 20 yea

Mon Dec 22, 2014 1:05 pm

Steve Zodiak wrote:
paulh_85 wrote:
Steve Zodiak wrote:Unless enough fans feel strongly enough about this, and refuse to attend matches until blue is restored, then I feel that the club we grew up with will be gone forever.



you cant surely expect all 18,000 season ticket holders not to renew??


The crowds will be vastly altered next season anyway, i reckon the number of ST holders will be around the 12k mark personally, regardless of any protest.

I'm sure many will renew, but for those that do there will be no point in moaning about Tan afterwards, because indirectly they will be supporting him by handing him their cash. It depends entirely on how strongly people feel about this, and whether they are willing to make short term personal sacrifices for the long term benefit of our club. I feel it's now or never, either we fight to get our club back, or lie down and accept that it will never be the same again.



there is no long term benefit because you have no idea weather it will work.

i find it quite offensive that those who quite happily got a season ticket the year we were promoted, the year of the premier league, and this season... are now telling me that NOW is the season to boycott if i care at all about my club :sleepy2:

Re: "This is the lowest ebb Cardiff City have been in 20 yea

Mon Dec 22, 2014 1:11 pm

What a complete pile of shite!

Re: "This is the lowest ebb Cardiff City have been in 20 yea

Mon Dec 22, 2014 1:12 pm

What a complete pile of shite!

Re: "This is the lowest ebb Cardiff City have been in 20 yea

Mon Dec 22, 2014 1:12 pm

What a complete pile of shite!

Re: "This is the lowest ebb Cardiff City have been in 20 yea

Mon Dec 22, 2014 1:12 pm

What a complete pile of shite!

Re: "This is the lowest ebb Cardiff City have been in 20 yea

Mon Dec 22, 2014 1:12 pm

What a complete pile of shite!

Re: "This is the lowest ebb Cardiff City have been in 20 yea

Mon Dec 22, 2014 1:13 pm

WTF!!!!!!

Re: "This is the lowest ebb Cardiff City have been in 20 yea

Mon Dec 22, 2014 1:18 pm

paulh_85 wrote:
Steve Zodiak wrote:
paulh_85 wrote:
Steve Zodiak wrote:Unless enough fans feel strongly enough about this, and refuse to attend matches until blue is restored, then I feel that the club we grew up with will be gone forever.



you cant surely expect all 18,000 season ticket holders not to renew??


The crowds will be vastly altered next season anyway, i reckon the number of ST holders will be around the 12k mark personally, regardless of any protest.

I'm sure many will renew, but for those that do there will be no point in moaning about Tan afterwards, because indirectly they will be supporting him by handing him their cash. It depends entirely on how strongly people feel about this, and whether they are willing to make short term personal sacrifices for the long term benefit of our club. I feel it's now or never, either we fight to get our club back, or lie down and accept that it will never be the same again.



there is no long term benefit because you have no idea weather it will work.

i find it quite offensive that those who quite happily got a season ticket the year we were promoted, the year of the premier league, and this season... are now telling me that NOW is the season to boycott if i care at all about my club :sleepy2:

Two things to say in reply: I have supported us since 1968, and have still never seen us play in the top flight as I chose to start my boycott before we got to the Premier League. I also said it depends on strength of feeling and whether people are willing to make sacrifices. I have given an opinion, can't see anywhere in my post where I told anyone not to go. It is up to each individual to make their own mind up. Nobody told me not to go, I made my own mind up and if supporters choose to support Tan and the rebrand they are perfectly entitled to do so.

Re: "This is the lowest ebb Cardiff City have been in 20 yea

Mon Dec 22, 2014 1:30 pm

Steve Zodiak wrote:
paulh_85 wrote:
Steve Zodiak wrote:
paulh_85 wrote:
Steve Zodiak wrote:Unless enough fans feel strongly enough about this, and refuse to attend matches until blue is restored, then I feel that the club we grew up with will be gone forever.



you cant surely expect all 18,000 season ticket holders not to renew??


The crowds will be vastly altered next season anyway, i reckon the number of ST holders will be around the 12k mark personally, regardless of any protest.

I'm sure many will renew, but for those that do there will be no point in moaning about Tan afterwards, because indirectly they will be supporting him by handing him their cash. It depends entirely on how strongly people feel about this, and whether they are willing to make short term personal sacrifices for the long term benefit of our club. I feel it's now or never, either we fight to get our club back, or lie down and accept that it will never be the same again.



there is no long term benefit because you have no idea weather it will work.

i find it quite offensive that those who quite happily got a season ticket the year we were promoted, the year of the premier league, and this season... are now telling me that NOW is the season to boycott if i care at all about my club :sleepy2:

Two things to say in reply: I have supported us since 1968, and have still never seen us play in the top flight as I chose to start my boycott before we got to the Premier League. I also said it depends on strength of feeling and whether people are willing to make sacrifices. I have given an opinion, can't see anywhere in my post where I told anyone not to go. It is up to each individual to make their own mind up. Nobody told me not to go, I made my own mind up and if supporters choose to support Tan and the rebrand they are perfectly entitled to do so.



knew i'd get the usual spiel.... ive been going since x date, i stopped going before the rebrand blah blah.... thats all well and good, and i commend you for that, but you are in the drastic minority, even in a collective place such as an internet forum, which gives greater voice to people like yourself, you are still in a minority.

I'm not going to be made to feel like my £400 quid is the sole reason we are still wearing red, which is what SOME PEOPLE (Notice im not generalising yourself) would have you believe with this line of approach.

I've mentioned on here previously that its a good idea. But weather i renew or not next season it wont have anything to do with protesting. However, people like me (and there will be more of "me" than protesters i imagine, people who dont renew due to financial or footballing reasons) can aid your cause because, at the end of the day, the number of season ticket holders will drop significantly.

Re: "This is the lowest ebb Cardiff City have been in 20 yea

Mon Dec 22, 2014 4:05 pm

Cesca wrote:Annis I know you love the club, so do I but we must stop attending games :bluescarf: that is how winning is done :bluescarf:


For the first time ever I asked my daughter this morning,shall we pack in going to home games next season and just go away,Annaise replied but what would we do without Cardiff City and She still wants to go(she's nearly 14yrs old had a season ticket for 10 years). So I will still reluctantly be there and not enjoying it :bluescarf: :bluescarf: :bluescarf: :bluescarf:

Re: "This is the lowest ebb Cardiff City have been in 20 yea

Mon Dec 22, 2014 5:20 pm

Rain or shine, blue or red, I'll be there. If you don't like it, then please sod off. I know I'm in the minority on this board, but why would you spend money on something you don't enjoy. Either stop moaning or stop going :!:

Re: "This is the lowest ebb Cardiff City have been in 20 yea

Mon Dec 22, 2014 5:30 pm

bluebird58 wrote:Rain or shine, blue or red, I'll be there. If you don't like it, then please sod off.


What a load of bull.

Re: "This is the lowest ebb Cardiff City have been in 20 yea

Mon Dec 22, 2014 5:37 pm

Couldn't agree more with the above post, either you say enough is enough and don't renew you're season ticket, which is what i have decided because i have had an absolute titful. Or, you renew you're season ticket dry you're eyes and crack on. No point paying 5 or 6 hundred quid then moaning after every game about the rebrand, atmosphere at the ground etc etc

Re: "This is the lowest ebb Cardiff City have been in 20 yea

Mon Dec 22, 2014 6:10 pm

wez1927 wrote:We will go up through the play offs this season and the stadium will be rocking



fair play Wez you are still upbeat :bluescarf:

Re: "This is the lowest ebb Cardiff City have been in 20 yea

Mon Dec 22, 2014 6:35 pm

This thread is, in essence, the division within the club. Everyone wants the best for CCFC, but the way of improving things is the sticking point.

Do you:

1. Not go to any games till BLUE is reinstated?

2. Boycott the home games till BLUE is reinstated?

3. Carry on attending, no matter what?

Annis, you have a youngster to think about too. This will influence many fans who don't want to let their families down. My approach, as always, is to support the campaigns for BLUE but to back the team too. I haven't had a ST for the past few years anyway so it's a no-brainer really. I won't buy a ST but will do what I can to further the return to BLUE.

If some disagree with me then that's normal and fine. We are a diverse community after all.

Re: "This is the lowest ebb Cardiff City have been in 20 yea

Mon Dec 22, 2014 6:53 pm

Forever Blue wrote:
Cesca wrote:Annis I know you love the club, so do I but we must stop attending games :bluescarf: that is how winning is done :bluescarf:


For the first time ever I asked my daughter this morning,shall we pack in going to home games next season and just go away,Annaise replied but what would we do without Cardiff City and She still wants to go(she's nearly 14yrs old had a season ticket for 10 years). So I will still reluctantly be there and not enjoying it :bluescarf: :bluescarf: :bluescarf: :bluescarf:


My son is 14 and said exactly the same Annis. He loves going I just wish he could have experienced it years ago, alot of it he barely remembers being a great atmosphere . I think he's hoping it will be back 1 day as we all do. So unless a big price hike we will be there and i probably won't enjoy it like I used to but it's a father /son thing :bluescarf: :bluescarf: :ayatollah: :bluescarf:

Re: "This is the lowest ebb Cardiff City have been in 20 yea

Mon Dec 22, 2014 8:46 pm

gwentbluebirds wrote:
Forever Blue wrote:
Cesca wrote:Annis I know you love the club, so do I but we must stop attending games :bluescarf: that is how winning is done :bluescarf:


For the first time ever I asked my daughter this morning,shall we pack in going to home games next season and just go away,Annaise replied but what would we do without Cardiff City and She still wants to go(she's nearly 14yrs old had a season ticket for 10 years). So I will still reluctantly be there and not enjoying it :bluescarf: :bluescarf: :bluescarf: :bluescarf:


My son is 14 and said exactly the same Annis. He loves going I just wish he could have experienced it years ago, alot of it he barely remembers being a great atmosphere . I think he's hoping it will be back 1 day as we all do. So unless a big price hike we will be there and i probably won't enjoy it like I used to but it's a father /son thing :bluescarf: :bluescarf: :ayatollah: :bluescarf:


I totally understand this, and it's one of the things I resent tan for the most.

I stopped going and one of the hardest things was knowing my boy wouldn't get to go to the games I take him to. But when I explained to him why he really understood. He's only six and he is bright enough to understand why what tan has done is wrong and that the only way to to protest is to stop going. In hindsight I very much regret not boycotting since 2012 but now that I've / we've stopped going it just feels like the right thing to do.

I told him we'll go and watch some local football for now, but if/when we return to blue we will be back.

Re: "This is the lowest ebb Cardiff City have been in 20 yea

Mon Dec 22, 2014 9:17 pm

Well done pinta, I've done the same with my 7 year old daughter, who hasn't got a season, but she comes to around 10 games a season with me, and she was fine. She asked me will cardiff be playing in blue next time we go? I said yep, she said happy days, job done :)

Re: "This is the lowest ebb Cardiff City have been in 20 yea

Mon Dec 22, 2014 11:30 pm

Do not go simple as that.All this bullshit chat makes me squirm, any lover of CCFC would not tolerate what is happening now.Anyone with half a brain who attended Saturday realizes the cancer at the club. I have felt more atmosphere in my airing cupboard.For Christ's sake Brentford knew early doors what was going on yet our fans don't.Until this odious piece of human shit goes nothing will change.If it means administration good lets have some honour and not kow tow to this turd

:bluescarf: :bluescarf: :bluescarf: :bluescarf: :bluescarf: :bluescarf: :bluescarf: :bluescarf: :bluescarf: :bluescarf:

Re: "This is the lowest ebb Cardiff City have been in 20 yea

Tue Dec 23, 2014 1:46 am

Luca_Blue wrote:Well done pinta, I've done the same with my 7 year old daughter, who hasn't got a season, but she comes to around 10 games a season with me, and she was fine. She asked me will cardiff be playing in blue next time we go? I said yep, she said happy days, job done :)



Hmmmmmm. :oops:

Re: "This is the lowest ebb Cardiff City have been in 20 yea

Tue Dec 23, 2014 1:51 am

Jimmy Scoular wrote:Do not go simple as that.All this bullshit chat makes me squirm, any lover of CCFC would not tolerate what is happening now.Anyone with half a brain who attended Saturday realizes the cancer at the club. I have felt more atmosphere in my airing cupboard.For Christ's sake Brentford knew early doors what was going on yet our fans don't.Until this odious piece of human shit goes nothing will change.If it means administration good lets have some honour and not kow tow to this turd

:bluescarf: :bluescarf: :bluescarf: :bluescarf: :bluescarf: :bluescarf: :bluescarf: :bluescarf: :bluescarf: :bluescarf:



In your opinion of course. :old: