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Cardiff City FC 2007-2008
What do you reckon to this season folks?
I've got to say I'm not feeling too good: there's been no big names coming in, and we ended the season on a shockingly bad run last season.
I predict 16th place, but I'll b dreaming (and believing) that we'll be sat at the top of the league for the whole season, bursting into the Premiership and ready to join the international stage for the big honours.
Dread I fear the worst, fuck all in the way of decent new signings, fuck all money. Think it could be a long hard slog, especially after the 2 points out of 27 tailend to the season
On a positive note, my 2 year old girl has learnt to sing Bluebirds Bluebirds at the top of her voice in the street, so it ain't all bad
I reckon this is our year, now that the stadium is unconditional. The fortunes of football teams these days are dictated off the pitch, not on it. I think we'll be champions.
Phil I like the juxtaposition of our two posts - I think we're right though. We'll be shite or champions. Any word on the new kit? Any word on decent signings?
ta muchly for Joe Jacobson, much appreciated
We expected a relegation battle last year and had a blinding first half to the season.
I'm doubting that we can be so lucky twice in a row but if Chopra stays then hopefully another mid table finish. I'm not expecting much more than that.
JTG, good luck to him, and to you
Marius is Chops staying or going? Sorry boss, I'm a bit out of the loop, living away and new nipper, haven't been keeping up.
gotta be optimistic isn't it
decided i'm properly supporting the Cardiff Bluebirds from now on after having seen them and following the results for a while.c'mon Caaaardiff
There are rumours that he is going but I don't think anyone will pay the amount the get out clause is set at. I could be wrong though.
If he has another good goal count this season though he'll be gone before next season for sure.
Traditionally teams that end the season badly or good either struggle or go well next season. My team Northampton narrowly escaped relegation one season and were relegated the next after slipping down the table after we were 6th at xmas. One season Plymouth finished undefeated in 12 games the next they went up.
I think 16th is reasonable considering the bad run you boys had, unfortunately that can be a mental thing and can become a problem for the existing players. Winning is a habit just as losing and self belief are.
Chwarae teg but his tailing away has been noted by every scout in the world, you would imagine. Rarely seen a player miss as many chances as him, major confidence thing going on there
Earnie got another move to (probable) Premiership strugglers then. Bizarre parallels with him and the kind of moves Blakey got when he left (not comparing them as players, just the moves). Gotta say I fear for him with them. Hopefully I'll be wrong as usual
If the Fowler rumours are true I'd be happy. Reckon he would score a shedful in that division.
I hope to attend one of the pre-season friendlies today, if I have time. The one at Merthyr rather than Carmarthen.
Whether I'll any idea of our next season potential I don't know as he has split the first team squad across both freindlies.
The annoying thing is our latest signing Rae and McLean are playing Carmarthen so I won't get to see them. It think they did that on purpose.
Your first match looks tricky
A lovely sunny day saw a boring 2-0 victory over Merthyr.
Chopra's first goal was never in doubt as he recieved a chip over the defence that landed neatly for him in front of goal.
His second was trickier as he found himself one on one with the goalie to the left of goal. A slow side footer to the right side of the goal keeper saw the ball trickle into the net from an awkward angle. A championship goal keeper should have saved such a shot.
After one last opportunity for a hattrick (which Chopra unselfishly passed to Johnston who missed) Chopra was substituted to give Mathew Green a chance and so didn't getting any further ppportunity for a hattrick.
Despite the goals though the match was largly uninspiring with Cardiff never leaving 3rd gear.
The majority of the days entertainment though came from the comedic drunken streaker who made not one but three appearances as despite the heavy presence of police outside the ground to organise traffic no one gave a shit what happened in the ground. Which was great for the fans as the streaker was very funny and we got to smoke and drink from the stands. Cold cans of strongbow or Carling (from the bar or off the back of a refrigerated Peter's Pies van lol), fags, footy and sun. A lovely combination even if the football wasn't awe inspiring.
City took the opportunity to practice lots of backheels and leaving the ball run. Any true team would have punished City for their cavalier attitude to possesion but they got away with it today.
In the first streaker incident he merely ran up to the 20 yard line in his grey boxers. Onthe way back to his stand he poked his willy through his fly and waved it around a bit to the amusement of the stand containing all his mates. He finally left the pitch to chants of Gary! Gary!
Emboldened by his previous sucess he came on about 15 minutes later and did a complete lap of the pitch with his pants down around his thighs whilst the Merthyr keeper held onto the ball until it was over. He approached Methyr's former Swansea player (I forget the name) and offered his hand to shake whilst his pants were still down. Said player went to shake his hand in amusement when 'Gary' suddenly pulled his hand back in a masterly phyche and proceeded unsucessfully to tug the player's shorts down. This resulted in hoots derision and the usual cries of you jack bastard. Upon retunring to the stand this time they chanted his last name so if the authorities want to find him I doubt they'll have much trouble.
The third time he came on he did a number of forward rolls in Merthyr's corner whilst play continued oblivious to his antics. He ran off behind the goal mouth, over into the stands and proceeded to do a lap of the outside of the ground whilst the ref blew the final whistle. I've no idea if he ever returned for his clothes.
With the whilstle blown Cardiff fans invaded the pitch. Although it was less of an invasion and more like a leisurely stroll over to get what player signitures people could before using the pitch as a short cut to the only exit.
I had the opportunity to get Mathew Green's 'one last signiture' but i saw a young girl who wanted it too and so lent her my pen to get her scarf signed (well it means more to the kids don't it). I did get my (allready signiture covered) baseball cap signed by the number 14 but neither i or my mates knew who the hell he was lol. Shame on us.
All in all the most informal proffesional football match you've ever seen in your life but a most enjoyable fun day out for the £8 price of a ticket.
I nearly forgot. The pies weren't much cop as they were cold. Unlike Ninian Park the cans of soft drink were cold too (but thats a good thing). No burgers availablebut they did have fairy cakes decorated with pictures of footballs on top. I bought my mates and I one each for a laugh but they were very nice actually.
Still can't get over them handing out cans and letting you take them wherever. If only all grounds were this laid back.
That and the fact we were greeted at the ground by the Mayor holding a big red bucket for the Mayor's Appeal.
I nearly asked him where sealion was but he wouldn't have got it. Can you imagine Ken Livingston out on the streets with a bucket asking for donations. Thats Merthyr for you though, they don't have any pretentions.
One last little bit of fun. As we left the ground many fans stopped and laughed as they saw this road sign:
Last edited by Gromit; 07-07-2007 at 19:26. Reason: lots of typos soz
Great report! Can I add it to the CCFC section on urban (which I must redesign very soon!)?Originally Posted by Marius
Please do.
It's done!
The first report of the new season!
http://www.urban75.org/cardiff/merthyr-07.html
Oooh excelent. May the rest of the season's results be as good
Just reporting a dire mistake on your match review pages - you've called Plymouth Argyle 'Burnley' at the bottom of this page:
http://www.urban75.org/cardiff/plymouth-06.html
Indeed! What a terrible insult to BurnleyJust reporting a dire mistake on your match review pages - you've called Plymouth Argyle 'Burnley' at the bottom of this page:
http://www.urban75.org/cardiff/plymouth-06.html
Only joking.
Oops. Apologies. Now fixed.Just reporting a dire mistake on your match review pages - you've called Plymouth Argyle 'Burnley' at the bottom of this page:
http://www.urban75.org/cardiff/plymouth-06.html
<tries to compensate>
Have you seen my Plymouth pics by the way?
http://www.urban75.org/photos/devon/plymouth-devon.html
That pic of the harbour brings back memories.
I fell in it when drunk
Much to my mates' amusement.
Here is the most unflattering picture of that event:
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w...l/plymouth.jpg
Last edited by Gromit; 07-07-2007 at 20:19.
Sunderland have agreed a £5million fee with Cardiff City for top scorer Michael Chopra, according to Sky Sports News.
The former Newcastle United striker enjoyed an impressive debut season at Ninian Park, notching 22 goals in 42 Championship appearances.
He also scored both goals in Cardiff's 2-1 win at Sunderland last October and is now discussing a move to the Stadium of Light.
Bluebirds boss Dave Jones recently revealed the club had fielded no offers for the 23-year-old and stressed his wish to hang on to Chopra.
But Jones also acknowledged that every player has his price and it appears Sunderland have matched Cardiff's valuation.
Roy Keane has moved for Chopra after pulling out of a £6million deal to sign David Nugent from Preston North End.
Meanwhile, Iraq international Nashat Akram is still waiting for an update on Sunderland's reported interest in his services.
The midfielder claimed last month that talks were being held over a potential move from his current Saudi Arabian club Al-Shabab, but has heard nothing since.
Akram said: "I haven't heard anything. My agent is dealing with everything, but for now I am playing at the Asian Cup and I am concentrating only on this.
"I have never spoken to anyone at Sunderland, only my agent has talked to them.
"Of course I'd like to play in the Premier League, everybody wants to play there.
"I know about their coach Roy Keane and that would be good for me and good for Iraqi people."
Did anyone really think Chopra was going to start the next season?
*sets season expectations to "low"
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