You are currently browsing comments. If you would like to return to the full story, you can read the full entry here: “Miserable fare at Leckwith following Warnock’s shake up of City’s Under 23s.”.
- Cardiff City News 24/7
-
By subject
- "Home page" (1)
- Cardiff City Books (35)
- Cricket (3)
- Down in the dugout (206)
- Football in the Rhondda valleys. (99)
- General (6)
- General football stuff (55)
- Memories, 1963 – 2023 (601)
- My best…….. (10)
- Our posh new ground (7)
- Out on the pitch (1,075)
- Patreon (3)
- R.I.P. (33)
- Re-branding (8)
- The Championship (74)
- The kids. (252)
- The Owl Centre (11)
- The Premier League (7)
- The stiffs (206)
- Up in the Boardroom (175)
- Wales (166)
- Women's football (25)
Blogroll
- Become a patron.
- Bluesy's Blues
- Bob Bank Hero
- Cardiff City Exiles.
- Cardiff City forum
- Cardiff City mad – messageboard.
- Cardiff City mad.
- Cardiff City Official site.
- Cardiff City Supporters Club
- Cardiff City Supporters Trust
- CARDIFF CITY, CLARKS PIES AND CURRY
- cardiffcity.no
- Ffwtbol
- joncandy's photostream
- mirkobolesan
- News Now Cardiff
- Notes of Ninian.
- Penmon
- The Bluebird
- The Lone Gunman – Shooting From The Lip
- The Owl Centre
- Urban 75
- View from the Stands.
- Vital Cardiff.
- —Cardiff Kickaball
Feedback
- The other Bob Wilson on One step forward, two steps back Cardiff finish their home season with another defeat.
- Blue Bayou on One step forward, two steps back Cardiff finish their home season with another defeat.
- Dai Woosnam on One step forward, two steps back Cardiff finish their home season with another defeat.
- Dai Woosnam on One step forward, two steps back Cardiff finish their home season with another defeat.
- ANTHONY MOR O'BrRIEN on One step forward, two steps back Cardiff finish their home season with another defeat.
Search
Old stuff
- May 2024 (1)
- April 2024 (11)
- March 2024 (12)
- February 2024 (12)
- January 2024 (6)
- December 2023 (15)
- November 2023 (10)
- October 2023 (13)
- September 2023 (13)
- August 2023 (11)
- July 2023 (5)
- June 2023 (6)
- May 2023 (6)
- April 2023 (13)
- March 2023 (11)
- February 2023 (11)
- January 2023 (10)
- December 2022 (12)
- November 2022 (10)
- October 2022 (15)
- September 2022 (11)
- August 2022 (13)
- July 2022 (6)
- June 2022 (8)
- May 2022 (4)
- April 2022 (12)
- March 2022 (10)
- February 2022 (16)
- January 2022 (11)
- December 2021 (10)
- November 2021 (13)
- October 2021 (14)
- September 2021 (15)
- August 2021 (16)
- July 2021 (5)
- June 2021 (8)
- May 2021 (6)
- April 2021 (14)
- March 2021 (14)
- February 2021 (15)
- January 2021 (15)
- December 2020 (19)
- November 2020 (16)
- October 2020 (16)
- September 2020 (14)
- August 2020 (5)
- July 2020 (17)
- June 2020 (11)
- May 2020 (4)
- April 2020 (5)
- March 2020 (6)
- February 2020 (13)
- January 2020 (14)
- December 2019 (16)
- November 2019 (15)
- October 2019 (13)
- September 2019 (9)
- August 2019 (16)
- July 2019 (6)
- June 2019 (7)
- May 2019 (5)
- April 2019 (15)
- March 2019 (11)
- February 2019 (12)
- January 2019 (13)
- December 2018 (16)
- November 2018 (10)
- October 2018 (11)
- September 2018 (11)
- August 2018 (15)
- July 2018 (6)
- June 2018 (8)
- May 2018 (7)
- April 2018 (15)
- March 2018 (11)
- February 2018 (19)
- January 2018 (9)
- December 2017 (16)
- November 2017 (13)
- October 2017 (13)
- September 2017 (15)
- August 2017 (18)
- July 2017 (5)
- June 2017 (6)
- May 2017 (5)
- April 2017 (15)
- March 2017 (13)
- February 2017 (12)
- January 2017 (16)
- December 2016 (14)
- November 2016 (11)
- October 2016 (16)
- September 2016 (16)
- August 2016 (12)
- July 2016 (9)
- June 2016 (8)
- May 2016 (10)
- April 2016 (16)
- March 2016 (16)
- February 2016 (14)
- January 2016 (14)
- December 2015 (14)
- November 2015 (13)
- October 2015 (13)
- September 2015 (15)
- August 2015 (16)
- July 2015 (4)
- June 2015 (5)
- May 2015 (9)
- April 2015 (16)
- March 2015 (14)
- February 2015 (18)
- January 2015 (13)
- December 2014 (16)
- November 2014 (17)
- October 2014 (18)
- September 2014 (12)
- August 2014 (18)
- July 2014 (4)
- June 2014 (6)
- May 2014 (6)
- April 2014 (9)
- March 2014 (16)
- February 2014 (15)
- January 2014 (12)
- December 2013 (20)
- November 2013 (16)
- October 2013 (13)
- September 2013 (15)
- August 2013 (16)
- July 2013 (5)
- June 2013 (7)
- May 2013 (11)
- April 2013 (16)
- March 2013 (16)
- February 2013 (15)
- January 2013 (12)
- December 2012 (13)
- November 2012 (16)
- October 2012 (17)
- September 2012 (15)
- August 2012 (13)
- July 2012 (7)
- June 2012 (9)
- May 2012 (13)
- April 2012 (9)
- March 2012 (12)
- February 2012 (11)
- January 2012 (13)
- December 2011 (7)
- November 2011 (12)
- October 2011 (15)
- September 2011 (11)
- August 2011 (15)
- July 2011 (7)
- June 2011 (9)
- May 2011 (15)
- April 2011 (11)
- March 2011 (13)
- February 2011 (18)
- January 2011 (15)
- December 2010 (12)
- November 2010 (13)
- October 2010 (16)
- September 2010 (15)
- August 2010 (20)
- July 2010 (9)
- June 2010 (9)
- May 2010 (15)
- April 2010 (13)
- March 2010 (22)
- February 2010 (17)
- January 2010 (17)
- December 2009 (19)
- November 2009 (16)
- October 2009 (20)
- September 2009 (20)
- August 2009 (25)
- Cardiff City News 24/7
-
By subject
- "Home page" (1)
- Cardiff City Books (35)
- Cricket (3)
- Down in the dugout (206)
- Football in the Rhondda valleys. (99)
- General (6)
- General football stuff (55)
- Memories, 1963 – 2023 (601)
- My best…….. (10)
- Our posh new ground (7)
- Out on the pitch (1,075)
- Patreon (3)
- R.I.P. (33)
- Re-branding (8)
- The Championship (74)
- The kids. (252)
- The Owl Centre (11)
- The Premier League (7)
- The stiffs (206)
- Up in the Boardroom (175)
- Wales (166)
- Women's football (25)
Blogroll
- Become a patron.
- Bluesy's Blues
- Bob Bank Hero
- Cardiff City Exiles.
- Cardiff City forum
- Cardiff City mad – messageboard.
- Cardiff City mad.
- Cardiff City Official site.
- Cardiff City Supporters Club
- Cardiff City Supporters Trust
- CARDIFF CITY, CLARKS PIES AND CURRY
- cardiffcity.no
- Ffwtbol
- joncandy's photostream
- mirkobolesan
- News Now Cardiff
- Notes of Ninian.
- Penmon
- The Bluebird
- The Lone Gunman – Shooting From The Lip
- The Owl Centre
- Urban 75
- View from the Stands.
- Vital Cardiff.
- —Cardiff Kickaball
Feedback
- The other Bob Wilson on One step forward, two steps back Cardiff finish their home season with another defeat.
- Blue Bayou on One step forward, two steps back Cardiff finish their home season with another defeat.
- Dai Woosnam on One step forward, two steps back Cardiff finish their home season with another defeat.
- Dai Woosnam on One step forward, two steps back Cardiff finish their home season with another defeat.
- ANTHONY MOR O'BrRIEN on One step forward, two steps back Cardiff finish their home season with another defeat.
Search
Old stuff
- May 2024 (1)
- April 2024 (11)
- March 2024 (12)
- February 2024 (12)
- January 2024 (6)
- December 2023 (15)
- November 2023 (10)
- October 2023 (13)
- September 2023 (13)
- August 2023 (11)
- July 2023 (5)
- June 2023 (6)
- May 2023 (6)
- April 2023 (13)
- March 2023 (11)
- February 2023 (11)
- January 2023 (10)
- December 2022 (12)
- November 2022 (10)
- October 2022 (15)
- September 2022 (11)
- August 2022 (13)
- July 2022 (6)
- June 2022 (8)
- May 2022 (4)
- April 2022 (12)
- March 2022 (10)
- February 2022 (16)
- January 2022 (11)
- December 2021 (10)
- November 2021 (13)
- October 2021 (14)
- September 2021 (15)
- August 2021 (16)
- July 2021 (5)
- June 2021 (8)
- May 2021 (6)
- April 2021 (14)
- March 2021 (14)
- February 2021 (15)
- January 2021 (15)
- December 2020 (19)
- November 2020 (16)
- October 2020 (16)
- September 2020 (14)
- August 2020 (5)
- July 2020 (17)
- June 2020 (11)
- May 2020 (4)
- April 2020 (5)
- March 2020 (6)
- February 2020 (13)
- January 2020 (14)
- December 2019 (16)
- November 2019 (15)
- October 2019 (13)
- September 2019 (9)
- August 2019 (16)
- July 2019 (6)
- June 2019 (7)
- May 2019 (5)
- April 2019 (15)
- March 2019 (11)
- February 2019 (12)
- January 2019 (13)
- December 2018 (16)
- November 2018 (10)
- October 2018 (11)
- September 2018 (11)
- August 2018 (15)
- July 2018 (6)
- June 2018 (8)
- May 2018 (7)
- April 2018 (15)
- March 2018 (11)
- February 2018 (19)
- January 2018 (9)
- December 2017 (16)
- November 2017 (13)
- October 2017 (13)
- September 2017 (15)
- August 2017 (18)
- July 2017 (5)
- June 2017 (6)
- May 2017 (5)
- April 2017 (15)
- March 2017 (13)
- February 2017 (12)
- January 2017 (16)
- December 2016 (14)
- November 2016 (11)
- October 2016 (16)
- September 2016 (16)
- August 2016 (12)
- July 2016 (9)
- June 2016 (8)
- May 2016 (10)
- April 2016 (16)
- March 2016 (16)
- February 2016 (14)
- January 2016 (14)
- December 2015 (14)
- November 2015 (13)
- October 2015 (13)
- September 2015 (15)
- August 2015 (16)
- July 2015 (4)
- June 2015 (5)
- May 2015 (9)
- April 2015 (16)
- March 2015 (14)
- February 2015 (18)
- January 2015 (13)
- December 2014 (16)
- November 2014 (17)
- October 2014 (18)
- September 2014 (12)
- August 2014 (18)
- July 2014 (4)
- June 2014 (6)
- May 2014 (6)
- April 2014 (9)
- March 2014 (16)
- February 2014 (15)
- January 2014 (12)
- December 2013 (20)
- November 2013 (16)
- October 2013 (13)
- September 2013 (15)
- August 2013 (16)
- July 2013 (5)
- June 2013 (7)
- May 2013 (11)
- April 2013 (16)
- March 2013 (16)
- February 2013 (15)
- January 2013 (12)
- December 2012 (13)
- November 2012 (16)
- October 2012 (17)
- September 2012 (15)
- August 2012 (13)
- July 2012 (7)
- June 2012 (9)
- May 2012 (13)
- April 2012 (9)
- March 2012 (12)
- February 2012 (11)
- January 2012 (13)
- December 2011 (7)
- November 2011 (12)
- October 2011 (15)
- September 2011 (11)
- August 2011 (15)
- July 2011 (7)
- June 2011 (9)
- May 2011 (15)
- April 2011 (11)
- March 2011 (13)
- February 2011 (18)
- January 2011 (15)
- December 2010 (12)
- November 2010 (13)
- October 2010 (16)
- September 2010 (15)
- August 2010 (20)
- July 2010 (9)
- June 2010 (9)
- May 2010 (15)
- April 2010 (13)
- March 2010 (22)
- February 2010 (17)
- January 2010 (17)
- December 2009 (19)
- November 2009 (16)
- October 2009 (20)
- September 2009 (20)
- August 2009 (25)
This evening (Tuesday) I had the pleasure of listening to Neil Warnock in a question and answer session at a pub in Pontypridd, which raised £500 for Velindre hospital. He had volunteered to come to Pontypridd not only because he has personal reasons to help raise money for cancer sufferers but also because he wanted to reach out to Cardiff City supporters in the Valleys. As someone rightly said to me afterwards, he’s a man you’d want to play for.
One of the questions was about the cut back to the Under-23 squad. He said that he insisted on telling the players face-to-face, and did so at this early date to give them time to find another club where they could get first-team football, though they will, if required, still have a contract with Cardiff until the summer. In effect, he was saying that if the older Development players have not broken through into the Cardiff first-team squad by this time, they were unlikely to do so in the future. This makes sense. However, the aim is now to bring through younger players and give them opportunities to reach first-team standard.
Mr Warnock also said that Craig Bellamy is still around the club and doing a good job with the youngsters. Some time ago Craig Bellamy had agreed to sign for Mr Warnock, but said that if his dream team of Liverpool came in for him, that’s who he’d sign for. This is exactly what happened on deadline day, but Craig made a point of personally phoning Neil Warnock with the news. As an obvious straight-shooter himself, Mr Warnock appreciated the way in which Craig Bellamy had been up-front with him.
Asked about Peter Whittingham, our manager said he would still have a role to play, but not necessarily in every game. In addition, he has regular comprehensive reports on Cardiff players currently on loan.
One of the main reasons he chose to come to Cardiff was that Cardiff wanted him — end of! His wife then looked at the various blogs and sites relating to Cardiff City and told him that the fans actually like him. Thus encouraged, he forgot about retirement and joined us. How glad I am he did so!
Thanks for the report Paul. I was working and was disappointed I wouldn’t be able to watch but I feel a lot better having read that!
Something undoubtedly had to be done at U23 level with players seemingly stagnating and hopefully, the proposed changes will have a radical effect. I’m actually writing this whilst listening to the County game and despite being two down, the commentators have again been impressed by Rhys Healey. Perhaps regular first team football will finally see him fulfill his early promise and impress Colin.
We saw two awful Monday afternoon games at Leckwith earlier in the season didn’t we Clive (0-0 against Charlton and 0-1 against Barnsley with the goal coming from a rebound after a penalty had been saved) – the Blackburn was another level down (at least!) from those two and you would have had far more fun in work.
I listened to a bit of the County game as well and it sounds as if Healey was playing quite well, but I’d say that we are now at the stage where he’d be getting into the Wharton/O’Sullivan type situation if he came back here next season and was in the Under 23s team every week – he’d be better off signing a permanent deal for a lower division club I reckon.
Thanks for that about last night AMO. Neil Warnock is putting younger City managers (as an aside, have we ever had an older manager than him?) to shame with the way he is touring the area meeting City fans – there’s already been that well attended night at Cardiff City Stadium, a meeting with supporters in Maesteg, last night and that visit he paid with Ken Choo to the Penderyn Whisky factory last month.
On the subject of the reforms at Academy and Under 23 level, I’m told that midfield player Sion Spence (who only turned 16 in October) tweeted that he would have been in the squad for the game on Monday were it not for an injury – I hope this is not one of those stories that creates a bit of a fuss when it comes out and is then quietly forgotten about, but that little snippet of news suggests it’s not going to be and so, again, Neil Warnock is showing himself to be someone who backs up his words with actions.
Interesting comments about Craig Bellamy which back up one or two little things I’ve heard regarding the youngsters at the club – I’m guessing Warnock tried to sign him when he was at QPR.
Glad to hear those comments about Peter Whittingham, he’s still the best at the club in many of the facets of midfield play and it should also mean that he will complete ten years with us – it’s an outstanding achievement for any player to stay with any club as a first team player for a decade these days.
Paul, I hope referring to me as Colin isn’t subconsciously drawing a parallel with the other well known ‘Colin’ nickname!
Just noticed it now before I came across your second message Clive. We do have a Colin who often posts on here, so maybe I was thinking of him – sorry about that.
Thanks Paul, for enduring the miserable December Leckwith weather, and football that mirrored it.
Was also very struck by AMO’s account of the Pontypridd pub visit. Hope Neil was looking a little less gaunt than he has of late: the boy needs fattening up. I can recommend a good fish and chip shop in Ponty…though, in truth, probably average by Grimsby/Cleethorpes standards.
And, btw, AMO…as you know, I used to sell beer, wines and spirits to many Ponty pubs. What pub was it? And what was Neil drinking…? As for the latter question, I guess that the “Woodward/Bernstein” in you will surely have ensured that such information was neatly entered into your reporters’ notebook.
I jest of course, AMO. But seriously, I would love to know the pub. I still wince at memories of the watering hole of another Woodward – this time Tommy Jones Woodward – viz., The Greyhound, and the Irish landlord who 23 years ago did a runner and took me for close on £2K. The warning signs had been there…he had taken to sleeping some nights on the pool table, being unable to climb the stairs to his accommodation. But alas, I only found this out …subsequently.
And when the gumshoe in me eventually after a myriad bum steers traced him to his brother’s place in Chislehurst, and I sent him a letter asking him to pay me, I got a snooty letter back from the CAB asking me not to harass their client…!!
Ah…we do indeed live in interesting times. Carey Street, where are you when we need you? And as for the CAB…stop believing people who do not deserve your belief.
By comparison, Cardiff City have no problems at all. A great manager at the helm of a weakish squad that may well not survive the drop. Players who were vastly overpriced like Sean Morrison who I still have hopes for …but up front…he is not a true defender.
And finally a playful note to Clive…there are worse epithets than that to come one’s way! As I always say, I am impervious to any insult more subtle than physical assault, and when I have been called that, I have been happy to take it in my stride, warm and secure in the knowledge that I have thus not impregnated some beauty and thus done my bit to avoid the overstocking of the human race.
And if only Tina Turner had the slightest idea of the frequency of our imaginary encounters, she would breathe one mighty sigh of relief … !!
Enough of my (semi) witterings…thanks again Paul, and the MAYA team.
In answer to Dai’s query, the pub in Pontypridd which hosted Neil Warnock’s question and answer session was “The Rose and Crown” on the Graig. In mournful testimony to how the landscape and tastes of the town have changed it is now the only genuine public house between the Tumble and the heights of Penycoedcae, The sole survivor on the Tumble itself is the former “Greyhound”, now horrendously renamed as “the Skinny Dog”. The Greyhound in days of yore used to be a depository of items reflecting the sporting history of Pontypridd, but presumably no longer. This small, cramped pub once boasted a large oval-framed photograph of Frank Moody which he had donated after boxing in American but I hardly think it still graces the walls of the place. (Frank Moody gave my grandfather the same oval-framed photo, and it’s still on show in my house, though sadly no longer recognised by anyone).
Unfortunately I did not have a reporter’s notebook with me and so have to rely on a very untrustworthy memory as to what Neil Warnock was drinking, but I can confirm it was non-alcoholic and limited to a single glass. What struck me about him was his willingness to be there and sign autographs and pose for photos at the end of the session, his honest and easy going style (I jest not) and his manifest love of football. He also genuinely wants success for Cardiff City as well as reaching the record of eight promotions, but what I think was also apparent was his wish to stay in football when he finally retires, presumably with Cardiff, and become some kind of wise old adviser to the new management. He clearly delights in the game too much to withdraw entirely. And I, who once regarded him merely as a pugnacious and often biased critic of referees who were doing their best, now regard him as a good man at heart who is Cardiff City’s best bet eventually to become a successful side in which we can all take pride.
One final thought, Dai: Tina Turner! As an old pop song has it (by Bobby Vee?) “Mammaries are all I have to cling to”.
I believe it was the Rose and Crown, Dai.
Thanks to Colin and AMO for The Rose And Crown.
I recall coming down the hill one evening rush hour, and passing it on my left, and deciding to turn right down Union Street to avoid a gridlock by the traffic lights.
Only problem was that it was a “no right turn”…and a bobby was there to issue me with a fixed penalty document.
As for Neil Warnock, I think I always liked him right back in the days when he had that war with Megson, and got sufficient of his own players red carded, as to make the ref abandon the game …as he only had 8 players left…!! I cannot recall if he was fined for that cunning stunt.*
But I do agree that his bullying of officials was not a particularly endearing quality, and I used to feel nothing short of COMPASSION for any linesman on his side of the pitch. But I always knew that Warnock the MAN was a man with a big heart and a most winning personality.
And this has been brought home to me in recent years with him often appearing as Alan Brazil’s sidekick on Talksport. And he comes across ever-so-well…albeit that he has a semi Tourette’s habit of mentioning his beloved schoolboy son William every programme without fail..!!
Btw…just as we know that Jose Mourinho stays in The Lowry Hotel in Manchester, do we know where the new Cardiff management trio are living? Are they all in The Vale Of Glamorgan spa hotel?
* With apologies to Blackadder. And try saying those two words quickly some ten times.
Almost as hard as “red lorry yellow lorry”…and with far more embarassing pitfalls …!!
Oh, I forgot to say, AMO…
…re the Bobby Vee allusion: wrong part of the anatomy!
I was rather thinking of the song made memorable by Art Garfunkel (among a great many others)
“I only have THIGHS for you”.
It was Bobby Darin.