" WEDNESDAY 17th NOVEMBER 2010 UPDATE "

On Saturday at Scunthorpe you will all be aware of the fan that approached Bellamy and apparently threw a punch at Craig, after the game the police went to the away changing room and asked Criag if he wanted to press charges against the guy but Bellamy said there was no he didn't want too. The police told City officials and Bellamy that they would still be arresting the fan and will be charging him if video footage shows that he had entered the field of play.

Jay Bothroyd is likely to make his England debut tonight and there is much concern amongst fans about what it will mean to his Cardiff career, I know that the club are making plans and DJ is lining up replacements in the event of Jay leaving in January. I am told from sources close to Jay that he plans to see out his contract with City and then see what his options are in May.

That does not mean that Jay will not be leaving in January because there are many situations that could arise during the transfer window, ie. if a bid is made, how much is on offer ? also who is the club making the offer ? Would VT or TG allow us to miss out on a guaranteed payment in January against a possible goldmine ( Premiership ) in May ? These are all factors amongst others that will determine whether Jay is still here in February. Another point to consider is, if City turn down all bids and gamble on gaining promotion with Jay, what would happen if he suffered a serious injury ?

If Jay is to move on I am aware that London would certainly provide the biggest lure to him, his family and friends are all live in London and Jay loves the place but I guess it is going to be a case of watch this space.

I was told of the many scouts who were at Scunthorpe on Saturday and that many of them were impressed with the performance of Bothroyd but on Sunday I took a call to say that Birmingham are understood to be lining up a double bid for both Jay and Burke in January. Alex McLeish knows Burke from his time at Rangers and as Scotland manager and he is well aware of their contract situations and is looking to exploit it.

I know that many of you are not interested in the politics behind the scenes but I must point out to you that over the forthcoming weeks there is going to be a lot of talk and negotiations betwen Langston and the club, proposals have been made by both sides to settle the debt and both are determined to have it done and dusted one way or another by the end of this year.

Langston want to end their association with the club and the club wish to settle the debt with Langston by using the option of early repayment before the end of the year otherwise the figure rises drastically to above a minimum of £26million. It is my understanding that both sides expect to have the paperwork and negotiations finalised no later than December 15th 2010.

Whatever the settlement is will finally see an end to an uncertain debt that has brought uncertain times for the football club and I like thousands of others just want to see the whole Langston affair settled once and for all, because it does not matter who runs the club and who is owed money, it is us the fans who ultimately suffer. These are exciting times for the club on the pitch and if the Langston affair is ended soon then that will be a massive boost to us too.

We are coming into the colder months and frost and we know that our pitch is going to take a hammering and I was in a conversation with the staff that look after the pitch and they said how they could do with the artificial lighting required to help the pitch grow during the cold but because of the budgets handed down they are not able to buy them and even if they were given the funds now would be too late as there is a minimum of 3 months waiting time to have them delivered so they would be no use to the club in having them in February.

Talking to officials regarding the sell out of QPR I was told that we could have no doubt sold 6000 tickets for the fixture had they have been available but on the otherhand the club are surprised at what is expecting to be a rather low crowd against Forest in comparison to recent attendances. The club expect a crowd in the low 22,000 bracket and would be very surprised if we got to 23,000. So for those of you who have not done the guess the crowd for a signed book by Annis, I have just given you a good chance . Forest are bringing just over 1000 with them.

The QPR game will see a group of 15 Malaysians in attendance as guests of the club so I suggest we get the Malatsian flags out and show our support again for their committment to our club.

Former City star Warren Feeney is back in his home recovering from his back injury suffered in training last week and he has asked me to pass on his gratitude for the get well messages he received from our members last week. On the subject of Oldham FC, have a guess who has shown his face there, yea you got it Peter Ridsdale. PR met with their Chairman last week and has attended their last 3 home games and has tried to sell himself to their club like he has done with many other clubs in the past few months. I do wonder what has happened to the clubs that PR told friends about that he claimed were lining up to capture his services.

Regarding injuries, I am assured that despite pulling out of the Scotland squad Chris Burke will be fit to face Forest on Saturday and that also is the same for Darcy Blake and Lee Naylor. DJ has a near full strength squad and is only waiting on Chris Riggott. Speaking with someone close to Jason Koumas, I am told that DJ takes his time with players who have not played much football in recent months and also those returning from injuries, I am told that the players trust in DJ's management of players in these situations and Koumas himself believes that DJ knows how to get the most out of players returning from injury and once he believes they are ready he will put them in and wants theose players to keep the shirt.

On Monday afternoon players like Riggott and Koumas will have the chance to build their fitness when they play against Swansea reserves, the venue has not been decided yet but it is likely to be played at the Vale or at Afan Lido in Port Talbot.

Also on Monday the house of sport is officially opened and I know that TG is getting involved with bringing in talented youngsters from Malaysia and putting them in the house of sport academy this summer where Cardiff City will obviously get first look and refusal on any players. Also I know the club will be looking at it from a commercial side and the benefits that would impact on having a Malaysian player in our side.

On the 23rd November this Forum celebrates it's first birthday and we are currently enjoying over 40,000 diferent ip's hitting this website every month, there have been great moments shared by the members over the first year but I can announce today a very important landmark we have reached.

As of today http://www.cardiffcityforum.co.uk is now an affiliated travel provider for Cardiff City Fans. What does that mean for us ?

It has 3 main benefits, firstly you are now represented through this forum at meetings between the club and myself. If you have any concerns relating to the club then we now have the platform to say them and for them to be dealt with.

Secondly as an official travel provider I will be block booking tickets for away games so therefore you can book your seat on the coach and match ticket through myself, so as long as you are using our coaches then the worry of getting tickets will be my worry not yours So make sure you use our coach for future travel to guarantee your ticket.

Thirdly when there are bubble matches like Bristol City and Swansea City this forum will be running it's own coach and we will travel as members of this forum together.

There will be http://www.cardiffcityforum.co.uk travel club phone number as of Monday 22nd November 2010 which is specific for travel questions and bookings, the number is 07747633537.

This forum is making huge strides to provide fans with the knowledge from within the club, a forum to discuss everything City and a chance to meet new friends and now we provide an officially recognised travel club, we will continue to act on behalf of the fans and long may it prosper.

As an abuse of position, I would like to wish Alison, my patient, understanding and wonderful better half a very happy birthday.

cheers carl

Any news on Burke signing a new contact at all?

Great post

Good news we got fit squad for Saturday and hopefully riggot will b fit soon. I got a bad feeling abot Burke leaving for nothing . Great update Carl and great news a out the forum having there own travel

Superb write up Carl. Your updates clearly take a lot of time and effort. I think I speak for everyone when I say that your hard work is greatly appreciated.

Superb write up Carl. Your updates clearly take a lot of time and effort. I think I speak for everyone when I say that your hard work is greatly appreciated.

Yes Carl, I totally Agree with Zabier

Superb write up Carl. Your updates clearly take a lot of time and effort. I think I speak for everyone when I say that your hard work is greatly appreciated.

Zabier I enjoy the pressure Annis puts on me

Only joking mate I really do enjoy the updates and I want to hear what is happening with our club and am simply passing it on.

Good to see you back too

Cheers Carl

very good update

great news carl
well done mate
and too all i have had the pleasure of drinking with, dining with, laughing with, traveling with, thank you and heres to many more.

PS happy birthday alison

Thanks Carl

thnx carl another excellent update

Brilliant Carl. How about buying season tickets in block? That would be good

another great report carl i look forward to reading each week - p.s do you pick up in caerphilly or anywhere near ?

Great update Carl. Good to see the forum becoming an official traveller. I can see the coach trips becoming very popular now.

Great update, loads of information there, I'm not sure how we managed before with just the odd drip here and there.

I travel away by car mostly, but will definitely use the travel club for Bubble trips, this sounds like the start of the new RAMS !!!!

I guess you will have pick ups at North Cardiff eventually ?

any news on burkey and or matthews?

thanks carl as i asked in a previous post what is the possibility of buying season tickets en bloc,thus trying to create the atmosphere we are all craving,robbie

Cheers Carl, much appreciated

Thanks again Carl

another great report carl i look forward to reading each week - p.s do you pick up in caerphilly or anywhere near ?

Nantgarw or Ponty train station would be the best pick up for you mate

Brilliant Carl. How about buying season tickets in block? That would be good

Kipper we are such a diverse group I dont know how we could work it, sounds good but not practical, especially for those of us with young children.

Great update, loads of information there, I'm not sure how we managed before with just the odd drip here and there.

I travel away by car mostly, but will definitely use the travel club for Bubble trips, this sounds like the start of the new RAMS !!!!

I guess you will have pick ups at North Cardiff eventually ?

One step at a time but the more established we become then there will be increased pick ups

thanks carl as i asked in a previous post what is the possibility of buying season tickets en bloc,thus trying to create the atmosphere we are all craving,robbie

Robbie as I said to Biily Hunt, in theory a good idea but it would not suit everybody on the forum especially those with children but why not start a thread to see what interest you can create.

much appreciated Carl.

any news on burkey and or matthews?

I am always asking the questions and when something changes I will hear of it.

any news on burkey and or matthews?

I am always asking the questions and when something changes I will hear of it.

At the moment Burke, Matthews and Jay are No nearer to signing or having New contracts, Pull your Fingers out City.

any news on burkey and or matthews?

I am always asking the questions and when something changes I will hear of it.

At the moment Burke, Matthews and Jay are No nearer to signing or having New contracts, Pull your Fingers out City.

Sometimes I am too diplomatic with my answers Annis

Sometimes I am too diplomatic with my answers Annis

Sorry I just cant help it, straight to the point.

ok cheers carl