" CARDIFF CITY SAY THEY ARE NOW FOCUSED ON BURNLEY AWAY "

Bluebirds’ probe into players ‘socialising’ before Boro loss
by Paul Abbandonato, Western Mail
May 5 2011

CARDIFF CITY have launched an internal probe into claims some of their players were out drinking in the early hours ahead of their Middlesbrough defeat, but insisted their focus was fully on Saturday’s must-win clash with Burnley.

Bluebirds’ boss Dave Jones has taken the action after reports surfaced he had ripped into his players for socialising ahead of the pivotal Boro game.

Cardiff, chasing the Premier League dream, inexplicably crashed 3-0 at home to Tony Mowbray’s Championship also-rans and Jones admitted he was at a loss to explain away the defeat.

The Cardiff manager and club hierarchy are believed to have spoken to certain players about the reports which surfaced yesterday.


After conducting an inquiry into the matter, the club issued an official response last night in the form of a two-sentence statement.

It read: “Cardiff City Football Club are aware of the allegations concerning socialising by a small minority of players in the days leading up to the Middlesbrough league fixture.

“We would like to make it known that the allegations have been addressed internally and that the full focus of club staff and the whole squad is on our final league game of the season at Burnley on Saturday.”

Jones was perplexed by the shock nature of the collapse against Middlesbrough, played out in front of an expectant crowd approaching 25,000.

The damaging defeat cost Cardiff automatic promotion, rivals Norwich grabbing the second spot behind champions Queens Park Rangers by beating Portsmouth 1-0 that night.

Cardiff could yet get a reprieve if QPR are docked sufficient points at their FA hearing into the signing of Argentinean Alejandro Faurlin.

But the reports which have surfaced of players socialising ahead of Cardiff’s biggest game of the year has shocked fans.

Bluebirds’ legend Nathan Blake said: “Managers can’t keep players under lock and key.

“They have everything done for them, but there comes a point when you have to make a decision on your own as an adult.

“If it is true, the players have let themselves down and the Cardiff supporters down.”

Last Monday was a disgrace but maybe the storm that's erupted since then is just what we need.

A lot of players have taken stick (and rightly so) but this time it's not just message boards, it' s the national press and supporters from all around the UK.

If our players want to win back some credibility and prove that the season shouldn't be judged by what happened last week then they know what they need to do against Burnley and through the palyoffs.

Is there a good players bar at Burnley then?

Whats grating me is everytime we hear of players getting pissed so close to matches its the same person involved, as good as he is maybe its time chops fucked off, how many chances does the guy need?? Lately he has shown how arrogant he is, some of his tweets to people who question him on anything are ridiculous, his favourite is "go back to your 9 to 5 job you prick" some people dont realise how lucky they are to be a pro footballer

Is there a good players bar at Burnley then?

I thought Burnely was going to be dry? ha ha

Things are easy to say, they have let us down and whats more the City of Cardiff. Just for a night out FK THEM ! Its really got me fking crazy , Them players have fked about with the club we all love. and we have all been waiting for the top flight for over 50 yrs ! and they fked it up. If its true which it looks like , JAY can also fk off

im taking a couple of cans of bow in with me, not to drink but to pelt chops jls and jay at the end

im taking a couple of cans of bow in with me, not to drink but to pelt chops jls and jay at the end

WEll they could call our BOOOOZY BOTHRODY BOOOOOOZY BOTHRODY BOOOOOZY BOTHRODY

im taking a couple of cans of bow in with me, not to drink but to pelt chops jls and jay at the end

They'll only keep them