" JAVI GUERRA SAVES CITY'S BLUSHES "

CHELETENHAM OF THE CONFERENCE 1 CARDIFF CITY 2ND STRING 1

" GUERRA TO THE RESCUE "

30th July 2015

Fondre and Guerra in attack and in all used eight substitutes with Jazzi Barnum-Bobb, Ben Nugent and Ajayi the three to complete 90 minutes.

Bluebirds manager Russell Slade and first team coach Paul Trollope watched a Cardiff City second string take on Conference club Cheltenham Town at the World of Smile Stadium in Gloucestershire.

Goalkeeper David Marshall, who is suspended for the first three matches this season, was captain and played the first half.

Nobody else really did enough to make Slade rethink his planned starting line-up against Fulham on Saturday week.

Struggle for fluency

Assistant manager Scott Young took charge of the team, but they struggled to find a passing rhythm or fluency.

An 86th minute equaliser by Spanish striker Javi Guerra earned Cardiff a draw after Cheltenham had looked likely to earn the victory.

City laboured through the first 45 minutes and new-look Cheltenham had a distinct edge. Manager Gary Johnson has signed 14 new players and completely revamped his squad for the new Conference season.


Scott Young took charge of the team
It was Bobbie Dale, the only starting player who isn’t a new signing who scored the only goal before half-time.

Dale outmuscled centre-half Semi Ajayi before smashing a low shot past goalkeeper David Marshall from 15 yards.

Guerra netted from close in following a corner by substitute Tommy O’Sullivan.

Stuart O’Keefe struggled in central midfield, losing possession too often, and Filip Kiss failed to make an impact.

Matty Kennedy was probably the pick of a poor bunch up to half-time, while Kadeem Harris, linking with Eoin Doyle in attack, was lively and drew a number of fouls from the home team.



Craig Noone, O’Keefe and Doyle were all second half substitutes against Watford at Cardiff City Stadium the previous evening and started at Cheltenham.

Noone was ineffective for long periods and is still struggling to produce his best. With Anthony Pilkington in excellent pre-season form it’s going to be difficult for Noone unless he can regain his spark.

More: David Marshall favourite to be Cardiff City skipper, but Russell Slade yet to make final decision

City sent on Adam Le Fondre and Guerra in attack and in all used eight substitutes with Jazzi Barnum-Bobb, Ben Nugent and Ajayi the three to complete 90 minutes.

It was Guerra, out of favour and seemingly on his way out of the club, who made his point with that late goal.

Cheltenham Town: D Phillips, J Barthram, G McLennan, K Storer, A Downes (capt), D Parslow, H Pell, B Waters, D Wright, J Munns, B Dale. Subs: C Kitscha (gk), A Hall, J Hanks, Z Kotwica, H Williams, J Bowen.

Cardiff City: D Marshall (B Wilson 46); J Barnum-Bobb, B Nugent, S Ajayi, D Tutonda (T James 83); C Noone (T Wharton 68), F Kiss (R Patten 83), S O’Keefe (T O’Sullivan 68), M Kennedy (E Velikonja 76); K Harris (A Le Fondre 46), E Doyle (J Guerra 68). Subs not used: R Abbruzzese, C Watkins.

"Assistant manager Scott Young took charge of the team, but they struggled to find a passing rhythm or fluency"

Is that ex city players Danny parslow , j bowen in the Cheltenham line up ?

Jason Bowen be 43

"Assistant manager Scott Young took charge of the team, but they struggled to find a passing rhythm or fluency"

Not sure when we last had any rhythm or fluency anyway

Good old Guerra - class act! Hope he stays this year, he and Mason would be awesome, a step up in class together with Gunnar, Adeyemi, Ralls and Kennedy

No disrespect to Chelt'nam but if ALF cant turn a perfomance against this lot then you can see why he's down the pecking order. I nnow he cam on in the 46th min but really. He's hardly putting himself in the shop window is he!

Good old Guerra - class act! Hope he stays this year, he and Mason would be awesome, a step up in class together with Gunnar, Adeyemi, Ralls and Kennedy

Adeyemi has gone to Leeds

Good old Guerra - class act! Hope he stays this year, he and Mason would be awesome, a step up in class together with Gunnar, Adeyemi, Ralls and Kennedy

Adeyemi has gone to Leeds

Yes I know that and I'm Mr Angry

Good old Guerra - class act! Hope he stays this year, he and Mason would be awesome, a step up in class together with Gunnar, Adeyemi, Ralls and Kennedy

Adeyemi has gone to Leeds

Yes I know that and I'm Mr Angry

Me too,think he'll do well playing regularly

Good old Guerra - class act! Hope he stays this year, he and Mason would be awesome, a step up in class together with Gunnar, Adeyemi, Ralls and Kennedy

Adeyemi has gone to Leeds

Yes I know that and I'm Mr Angry

Me too,think he'll do well playing regularly

You're a million % right my friend

If we are serious this season someone has to have a sit down and chat with Javi Guerra , on Wednesday he was easily the best footballer on the pitch by some way . Him and Joe Mason together would be interesting to see.

If we are serious this season someone has to have a sit down and chat with Javi Guerra , on Wednesday he was easily the best footballer on the pitch by some way . Him and Joe Mason together would be interesting to see.

I'm pretty sure it's too late for all that.
I'm sure a bit of man management would have sorted it originally but I think they wanted shot of him quite a while ago.
What a waste potentially.

If we are serious this season someone has to have a sit down and chat with Javi Guerra , on Wednesday he was easily the best footballer on the pitch by some way . Him and Joe Mason together would be interesting to see.

I'm pretty sure it's too late for all that.
I'm sure a bit of man management would have sorted it originally but I think they wanted shot of him quite a while ago.
What a waste potentially.

We have wated so much potential its criminal. Instead we keep has beens and never will be's