" TUESDAY 09th NOVEMBER 2010 UPDATE "

The fallout from the Swansea game continued long after the fans, players and staff went home on Sunday and there are some matters that need clearing up as some rumours have led to confusion over the team selection. Firstly the side was named on Thursday and Chris Burke was not in the starting 11 so the rumours of him being dropped because he turned up late on Sunday are false.

The players, I am told, were upset at the way DJ set up for Sunday and there were a few who expressed their disappointment. Obviously Burke was gutted to be dropped and as much as I am a fan of DJ I believe that he got it wrong with the players he picked and the positions he put some players in. Michael Chopra was not happy nor was he comfortable with the role he was given to play on Sunday. The players, like the fans, believed that the team was set up not to lose rather than approach the game with our strengths in mind.

Publicly, DJ says it is just another game but for the second season running he has changed the system for Swansea City despite him being a rigid 4-4-2 man. Dave Jones knows the importance of this game and was so dreading losing the game that I believe he lost sight of our good attributes as an attacking team and set up for a draw. I do wonder what the team would have been if Jay had not got that 5th booking ?

Craig Bellamy, who we all know has played in some massive games throughout his career was so nervous in the lead up to the game he had very little rest and I quote ' was shitting himself ' because he understands what this game means to the fans and the weight of expectation that was on him. Considering the career he has had makes you understand how much he loves the club and how much he wants to succeed for us.

DJ knows that he got the system and personnel wrong on Sunday and the stats certainly showed it too, Swansea City had more shots both on and off target than us, they had more corners than us and the Pro Zone stats showed that the possession count was 57%-43% in Swansea's favour, that is, being frank, embarrassing to us being the home side especially.

John Hartson, whilst helping out with the Welsh Cup draw, told others that when he heard the team on Sunday, he couldn't believe it and also said that he spoke to the Swansea players on Sunday night they told him that their coaches could not believe our line up and were ' rubbing their hands '.

There are a series of FAW meetings today and tomorrow and Cardiff City have featured heavily on the agenda, firstly on Monday morning the FAW received an official complaint from Swansea City over Chopra's tackle on Joe Allen and they asked for action to be taken against Chops but like the case against Jay Bothroyd ( Becchio ) the FAW dismissed it as the referee had clearly seen the incident and decided that no action was needed to be brought.

The FAW are investigating the incident of the supporter that ran on the pitch and they will be looking at the reaction of the stewards and they will be asking Cardiff City for a response to their questions in the next few days.

The location of the Wales v England match in March will be decided tomorrow and it is looking increasingly likely that the game will be played at the National stadium but there are members who want it played at the CCS.

The FAW told me today that they have not had a request from Cardiff City for over 3 years for City to gain entry to Europe through them and that if a request was made then they would look at it.

On Sunday ex-city player Warren Feeney joined us in the Ninian Park pub and attended the game with us and left as disappointed as anyone by the defeat and the manner of it. Warren and I chatted about his call up for Northern Ireland against Morocco later this month but today Warren suffered an injury whilst training with Oldham this morning which resulted in Warren being stretchered off the training pitch on a spinal board. I have been chatting to him on the phone this evening and he is still in hospital and is in a lot of pain to his back and he is going for a scan tomorrow to find out the full extent of the injury. I wished him all the best and I genuinely feel for him as he gets more than his fair share of injuries.

Tomorrow night we face Reading at the Madjeski stadium and the team will look considerably different to the one that faced Swansea. I am told that Craig Bellamy, Kevin McNaughton or Gabor Gyepes have not travelled to Reading and that Bothroyd, Matthews and Blake are the players likely to come in. Also there is a doubt over Seyi Olifinjana and he will face a fitness test prior to the game.

What is sure to be disappointing news to all fans, I am reliably informed that Jay Bothroyd has turned down the contract offer made to him and that the club have been told he will not be signing it and that Jay and his agent feel that the offer is, in comparison to his current contract, only slightly better and not what they feel he deserves. We all know how important Jay is to the team but the offer apparently does not add up or match the importance of his role. I hope that the club reconsiders what is on offer to Jay or we could see him leave in January or worse still leave for nothing at the end of the season in the same fashion as Ledley.

Dave Jones is looking at bringing in 3 additional players in January to add to the current squad and the positions he is looking to strengthen is Centre Half, Centre Midfield and Centre Forward. Obviously much will depend on whether Jay is still with us or not or we could be on the look out for another striker.

A popular topic at present is the future role of U-Jiun Tan at the club, I am aware of U-Jiun's recent comment's regarding the subject and I take them on board but I will add that I would have been as surprised as anybody if U-Jiun had said anything different than what he did say as nothing has been signed as of yet. But I will reiterate that Vincent Tan will become Chairman at some stage and I note that TG said in a recent meeting " who is the Chairman is not really an issue and he would step aside tomorrow if it were in the best interests of the Club ". These are similar words to the ones I reported several weeks ago where TG said he would step aside for VT, if and when VT wishes.

I must point out that I do not think that Gethin Jenkins nor have I been told that he will leave the club but that he will move to a different position within the club.

Finally but probably the most important part of this update, there is a serious of meetings planned starting this week between Langston and their representative Sam Hammam, Vincent Tan, TG and lawyers representing all sides. We can expect to see these meetings become the focal point of the news regarding the club in the next few weeks and I believe that there will be twists and turns along the way. It is my opinion that Langston will not be offered the full £10million to settle the loan note but a reduced amount will be offered to settle or even an alternative method to settle will be offered. On that matter I would like to ask you a question.

If Vincent Tan felt it was in the best interest of the club, as a way of settling the Langston loan note once and for all, if he were to offer Sam Hammam a place back on the board of Cardiff City FC, how would you feel about it ?

Another gr8 update, cheers, good read as ever, shame about Jay

no bad news he was willing to let us go out of business for that money, id rather the riddler

The Swansea game is history.. We need Jay I hope they up his offer for promotion sake

I Dont Blame Jay and GET BETTER QUICK Warren

GREAT UPDATE Carl

thanx carl, intresting read,,,, as for sam,as long as he hasnt anything to do with the money side of things, i would be happy?

If VT allowed Hammam back on the board I would lose every scrap of faith I currently have in his reign.

It is that simple.

If Hammam returns to the club as anything other than an interested spectator I will not be giving the club my money.

Not the positive update people were hoping for but necessary, the miserable ones must be harder to do so thank you Carl!!

As for Gabor not playing, this doesn't surprise me in the slightest. Shame McNaughton seems to be injured again but I don't think that's too much of a surprise after he went off early on Sunday.

Jay is going nowhere as of yet, I hesitate to pass judgement on the situation as, as with Ledley, we dont know the figures involved. The club may feel it'd create too much of a gap in wages between the highest and lowest paid players, or perhaps it's all part of running the club on a sensible footing?

Jay must be offered a decent contract to stay. He is vital to our dream of prem football. Equally if he refuses to sign i'd rather the club keep him until the summer and risk losing him on a free.

Thanks very much Carl, A great read as usual. Jay must look at other players at the club and must feel he deserves to be paid £15k-20k a week like them.Surely DJ will better his initial offer.
Interesting about the way we set up against the jacks, Chops was wasted wide right.

Cheers
Lee

arghhh jay not signing f*ck sake. I am meeting him nottm game so I will be having words

Jones selection was inexcusable.. What is amazing is that he picked Drinkwater after the guy hadn't played for 2 months while he has gone out of his way to remind us that the reason Koumas doesn't play is becaues he's not fit and short of match pratice.. Leaving Burke out was criminal.
They need to look after Jay.. Sunday showed how much we need him.
Thanks for the update Carl.

Hmmmm

Who are the 389 "guests" I wonder........

If Sam is Langston then no way. He scewed us over last time and brought in Risdale.

No way we should let Jay go in Jan even if he refuses to sign. Rather lose him on a free and be in the premiership than a few millon in January andstuck in this division.

Thanks again Carl, On the latter , yes, i tihnk Sam should have a piece of the action, after all, he started all this. As for last Sunday's bollocks, DJ f***ed up, he knowes it, we all know it. Is he the right man? I beleive the end of the season will tell!

Gutted about Jay but being cynical he or more so his agent have got us over a barrel especially after Ledley.

He knows what he's worth and some and knows he can get it elsewhere.

Do we overspend ? Or do we look elsewhere? This pot of money isn't bottomless what with other massive debts as much as it pains me to say that.

Great update Carl once again.

Firstly Jay, would it be such a bad thing if he went. I say this because we are clearly a one man team & we play our football around him. We must adapt to a different style of football and not be dependant on one man, if we can bring in someone with a pedigree infront of goal then great. If true about Jay turning down offer, why should the club be hold to ransom. Does he think he is bigger and better than CCFC, why after all the club has done for him feel he should hold a gun to OUR clubs head, Im very suspicious about Jay's motives here.

Secondly, Sam. Personally I would have no problem with him coming back to the club on a condition he has no say in running it financially.


Again thank you Carl for the update, much appreciated.

Last edited by RichardBluebird on Tue Nov 09, 2010 8:40 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Good update as always Carl.

Some interesting points re Europe and Jay's contract.

Would be great to see us back in Europe, I love hearing some of the stories form past trips abroad.

I expected Jay's contract saga to rumble on, I just hope there is common sense and he is given a reasonable deal. We know he is key to how we play, and he and his advisor's also know that. While I don't agree with the sort of money these guys are on, the fact is they are, and Jay must be looking fro something close to what Chopra is on. All this England talk doesn;t help either, neither did Sunday's display.

The more it rumbles on, the more a decision has to be made in January.

Hope Warren's injury isn't too nasty and he's kicking a ball again shortly.

Welcomes Sam started all this whilst saddling the club with debt is welcomed back and DJ who has worked miracles is slagged off? Madness.

Thanks Carl.

Is Gypes injured?

Or has he felt the wrath of David "dont blame me" Jones!! I personally didnt think the
defence did so bad Sunday, just that at times Danny and Oli were so out of sorts that
Swansea were breaking through at will.

I said a week or so ago that Jay is now thinking Premiership wages, of course he is!!
But are the Club insisting on sticking with Championship wages for him?

Short-sightedness here I think on behalf of the club!!

You have to laugh, going up to Reading over night.
I imagine players with knocks will have stayed behind for treatment
and if fit travel up tomorrow.
I don't mind who’s on the board as long as the debt issues are sorted.

I did wonder how Craig was feeling about the match tactics when he said I think both clubs should go toe to toe both are doing well it's not like both are in the relegation fight. When I heard that I had a few uneasy feelings sadly I was right to have them.

By the way DJ did not drop Chris Burke he only used the squad and he didn't change formation we have played that way already this season, his words not mine he said them during his interview today. Serious signs of him not carrying the pressure of the promotion push if you ask me, this has to be a major concern for us all.

On the Sam Hammam front why not we need someone who has an affinity with the fans at this football and also someone with the authority to slap DJ around when he needs it.

I would take Sam back tomorrow as long as he had a board to answer to. We all know Sam gets carried away in the moment but a board in place would surely rein in his desire to get too heavily in debt.
The fact is;_
Cardiff City needs Sam Hamman just as much as he needs us.
The Atmosphere at Cardiff city games is and has been lacking since the Sam Hamman era.
Sam did alot of things wrong at our club but also did a whole lot of good, he gave us belief, he gave us hope and most of all we felt like "The Famous Cardiff City" that we should feel like.
We need a fans leader, someone who can get the crowd on their feet before a ball has even been kicked, take that euphoria then onto the football pitch and with the football we are capable of playing and the passion and pride that our fans are capable of showing....then we will be a club that can talk the talk and walk the walk.
Come back Sam Hamman.
I understand my post may be offensive to some fans but i miss the days where i felt like i was part of something special...always in the paper and on the news...not all good i know but hey i liked it that way....most of the time
Jes

Good update Carl. For what it's worth, I'd rather see Jay, Whittingham, Mathews, Mcnaughton etc all sold if it meant the club were able to prevent Hammam ever having another influence in the running of our club.

In the forthcoming weeks can you, Annis, Gwyn et al please try and reign yourself in and avoid trying to put a 'positive spin' on his possible return. Coz when you all do it, it stinks to high heaven.

I would take Sam back tomorrow as long as he had a board to answer to. We all know Sam gets carried away in the moment but a board in place would surely rein in his desire to get too heavily in debt.
The fact is;_
Cardiff City needs Sam Hamman just as much as he needs us.
The Atmosphere at Cardiff city games is and has been lacking since the Sam Hamman era.
Sam did alot of things wrong at our club but also did a whole lot of good, he gave us belief, he gave us hope and most of all we felt like "The Famous Cardiff City" that we should feel like.
We need a fans leader, someone who can get the crowd on their feet before a ball has even been kicked, take that euphoria then onto the football pitch and with the football we are capable of playing and the passion and pride that our fans are capable of showing....then we will be a club that can talk the talk and walk the walk.
Come back Sam Hamman.
I understand my post may be offensive to some fans but i miss the days where i felt like i was part of something special...always in the paper and on the news...not all good i know but hey i liked it that way....most of the time
Jes

PS Great update carl, i meant to say at the beginning but then got carried away in the moment

Whats with the Sam love in again???

He put us in shit street with debt and brought in Risdale.

DJ needs slapping around???? Weren't saying that after Leeds were you? Players were shite saturday as well ou know.

Tell Sam to do one and support the clu who are finally on the rise.

I would love to see Sam back on board.

Sure Vincent Tan, U-Juan and TG will remain the money men behind the club but with Sam and Steve we will have additional people who are passionate about the club.

Those 5 names read like a "Dream Team" to me.

PS; If these guys feel getting Sam back in is the right thing to do, then I'd certainly back their judgment.

Craig Bellamy, Kevin McNaughton or Gabor Gyepes injured or just wounded pride.

Here's a question... Even though it's triggered a cracking bit of debate I don't really understand why the Hammam question needed to be asked?

A bit of clarity on that front might be needed Carl as some people are, and will, get carried away (especially the shambolic excuse for local written press, where I'd wager we can expect to see "Hammam return imminent" as the headline tomorrow!)

As I've made clear though, a Hammam return would see me and countless others turn their backs on this club for the duration.

This board is by no means representative of the views of the Cardiff City fanbase and we'd all do well to remember that I think.

One important thing to add: My very best of wishes to Warren, he deserves every international cap he gets. Not the player we're looking for but passionate and committed and how Wales could do with those two qualities atm!

Thanks for the update Carl!

Is Dave Jones still in charge of negotiating players contracts, if so is the offer a reflection of what DJ thinks of Jay?

Looks like Mr Tan is really looking at the idea of Sam coming back. do you know what role Sam would take on in the club? As with only a few week left surely VT and Sam have talked about a role.

Get well soon Warren, hope you get back playing soon