[Raph]

Originally Posted by Karl

Think you should all give Swansea a chance

why would we do a silly thing like that

[Raph]

Cardiff City Must forget Peterborough United 'Shocker' - WalesOnline

For chunky periods the Bluebirds seemed to have lost their heads as they chased the game with a wild abandonment which really should have led to the score becoming even more flattering to Peterborough than it really was.

This was really heralded after Posh frontman, Dwight Gayle, put the visitors two up within 70 seconds of the start of the second period. It was simple enough, a break down the right by the impressive Lee Tomlin and an inch-perfect cross to Gayle which the striker finished with ease past David Marshall.

The point being of course that as this calamity befell them most of the Cardiff side were at the other end of the pitch having seemingly thrown caution to the wind in the desire to get level. This was only 70 seconds into the second half remember. As that second half developed the home side really lost their heads.

Sure, they were chasing the game, but it was done in a kamikaze fashion and despite the glowing reports, Gayle actually wasted a host of chances which would have left Mackay and his men even more red-faced than they were.

The reason for the panic though was an opener for the Posh on 22 minutes which in its simplest form was a real cracker.

Tomlin rolled a free-kick to Michael Bostwick and his ferocious shot from 25 yards arrowed into the top corner.

That was nice and fine, but it was the manner in which the original free-kick was given which caused controversy.

Heidar Helguson lunged to boot the ball clear from the edge of the Cardiff box and Gabriel Zakuani went flying in too and went over.

Mackay described referee Coote’s decision to award the free-kick to the visitors as ‘incredible’ and not in a good way. Helguson was booked too.

On first appearances it seemed natural to side with the Cardiff manager, but, having seen it again, personally I think the referee got the decision correct.

There was a recklessness about the way Helguson went for the ball, his foot was high and, let’s be honest, it was not the most outlandish decision by a referee we have seen.

Heck, even if it did lead to a Peterborough goal, Cardiff should really have had enough about them to put matters right very quickly.

Sure, the Bluebirds did carve out a glut of chances, but not as many and not as definitive a glimpse of goal as they should have against a Peterborough defence which has hardly been the staunchest so far this campaign.

The best of opportunities for Cardiff came in the second half and fell to Helguson, but on two occasions he put the ball past the post.

By the time substitute Rudy Gestede popped up with a minute of normal time left to force the ball home from close range it was a case of too little and Cardiff’s record-breaking run of 10 home league wins on the bounce at the start of the season had not so much been ended as come crashing down about their ears.

It’s no catastrophe of course with the Bluebirds top of the table. Those chasing after them in the table for the most part again failed to match up to their part of the billing suggesting that once again the Championship season might well be unpredictable, but it is surely not as strong as it has been at times over recent years.

This was the Bluebirds’ worst performance of the campaign so far and it is hard to conceive that they will play this badly again.

If they do they won’t be at the top of the pile for much more, that much is certain. The most disappointing aspect of it really was that a lot of the good things on display in their excellent win at Blackburn last time out looked to have evaporated.

The sweet passing and movement there barely registered here, the pressing high up the pitch too was gone with Peterborough consistently invited onto the Cardiff backline in quite troubling fashion.

A number of Bluebirds’ players too failed to reach the standards we have been used to this campaign, Craig Noone and Don Cowie were disappointing and also Peter Whittingham, who was made captain here.

The reason for that of course was the suspension of Mark Hudson and, as they say, you sometimes don’t know the value of what you have until you lose it and with their skipper absent the Bluebirds did look very wobbly in defence.

It was natural I guess, Matthew Connolly and Ben Turner had never played together at centre-half and that was very apparent.

Kevin McNaughton came in at right-back and was not up to speed following his spell amongst the substitutes. The full-back never really seemed to get to grip with matters.

There were plenty of mistakes made here within the Cardiff camp whether it be selection before the match, decisions during the game and even in the influence of the manager from the sidelines whilst the game was slipping through the hosts’ grasp.

But Cardiff have enjoyed a brilliant campaign so far, played some spell-binding football and are still very much the team to beat in the Championship.

Sometimes a defeat like this is a much better lesson than a win might be and Mackay and his men must learn from this, but not dwell upon it.

Already you sense only they can throw promotion away with no one else able to rip it from their grasp.

The Bluebirds have a tough festive fixture list ahead and they must put this ‘shocker’ firmly behind them and move on with confidence.

As that other great footballing cliche goes: ‘Nothing is won or lost in December!’



Read more: Wales Online http://www.walesonline.co.uk/cardiff...#ixzz2FKnKSi7e

[Raph]

25 minutes until kickoff - Cardiff v Crystal Palace. Let's do this!!

[Raph]

Chels would've been so down for this fan club.. anybody know what happened to her?

[Raph]

And with a 2-1 win against Palace, Cardiff securely in first place with a 5 point lead against Hull. Get in there you epic bluebirds!!

[Raph]

Well 2012 has been great fun. Let's hope 2013 brings just as much success!!

[Marcus.]

Originally Posted by Barker

Well 2012 has been great fun. Let's hope 2013 brings just as much success!!

cardiff done well

[Raph]

Update time -- 8 points clear of 2nd, 10 points clear of 3rd and 16 points clear of 7th! Bluebirds!

[Raph]

Justice is served!!! Well done to the bluebirds today for an outstanding 2-1 win against that awful Blackpool. Now we're securely in 1st with a ten point lead from both Leicester and Hull. Get in there bluebirds!!

[Raph]

So close to promotion now, we're nearly there!!

[Raph]

MALKY Mackay’s Cardiff City were last night dubbed “the Manchester United of the Championship” and tipped to storm into the Premier League in the next few weeks.

New Welsh hotshot Jonathan Williams, who is firing Crystal Palace’s promotion dream, accepts City’s rivals can’t catch Mackay’s flying Bluebirds any more.

Williams admitted the chasing group – Hull, Watford and fourth-placed Palace – are battling it out for second spot, predicting the Bluebirds will clinch the title... just like Man Utd in the top flight.

“Cardiff have done incredibly well this season, they have set such a hot pace at the top,” said Williams (pictured), who wowed a Welsh nation with his World Cup performances against Scotland and Croatia.


“Cardiff know how to grind out results and are highly consistent in what they do.

“They are, without doubt, the Manchester United of Championship football.

“We are doing everything we can at Palace to close that gap, but realistically runners-up is the target.

“Everybody at Palace believes top two is within reach and that’s what we are aiming for. We’ve been fourth for a while and it would be great to jump up a couple.

“There is so much to play for and we have eight League fixtures left to join Cardiff in the top two “

Mackay’s City have been top since November and are 10 points ahead of Palace with a game in hand.

The London club play Birmingham at Selhurst Park tomorrow, while they are at Blackpool on Bank Holiday Monday.

City meet Peterborough away on Saturday and Blackburn at home on Easter Monday, before a mouth-watering duel with Watford at Vicarage Road next week.

Of his impact with Wales, 19-year-old Williams said: “Our 2-1 defeat against Croatia was frustrating, but I enjoyed every minute of my involvement.

“To be playing with Gareth Bale and Craig Bellamy and against Luka Modric is an incredible thing.

“I’ve had my first taste of international football with Wales and want more.

“Right at the moment, though, my focus is back on Crystal Palace and our chase to finish in the top two. It would be great if Palace and Cardiff are promoted.

“Cardiff are right on course and it will be fantastic for Welsh football when they join Swansea at the top level. I can’t see them missing out.”



Read more: Wales Online http://www.walesonline.co.uk/footbal...#ixzz2Or5gihLT

[the truth]

IF they go up, they will stay up for years imho

theyre a major sleeping giant , they have the fans, they now have massive billionaire backers and great stadium and strong squad

will they play the odd game at the millennium stadium?

id imagine cardiff V swansea/man utd/liverpool would sell out their home ground 3 times over

[Drew.]

Brighton will be joining you this year

[the truth]

theyre making hard work of it, but 9 points clear of watford who are 3rd and 5 games left, theye still in pole position to finally reach the top for first time in 51 years. that would be massive for a great sporting city

[Marcus.]

nearly there

[Raph]

Moving on up!

[Marcus.]

well done cardiff getting to the premiership

[Raph]

Wanna be added to the fan club, Marcus?

[Marcus.]

Originally Posted by Raph

Wanna be added to the fan club, Marcus?

aye there my 3rd fav

[Raph]

word adding you now bro

[Marcus.]

Originally Posted by Raph

word adding you now bro

thanks

[Raph]

Been a while since this has been updated. As of now we've moved up to the Premier League just waiting for an exciting season.

Also cool site here showing our pride for all things tradition and blue - http://bluebirdsunite.org.uk/wp/

Let's go Bluebirds!

[MTVN]

I demand to be taken off that list right this second

[Raph]

Originally Posted by MTVN

I demand to be taken off that list right this second

now now let's not go ahead and make any abrupt decisions, we all know your love for Cardiff

[Drew.]