Ahhh, the magic of the cup, a welcome distraction from the league and a chance to indulge in a spot of nostalgic reminiscing..... this Sunday sees one of our arch-nemesis sides Leeds Utd come to town for a 3rd round FA Cup tie. Of course, it's been a little while since we last faced off against each other following Leeds eventual return to the Premier League in 2020, some 16 years after their fall from grace, which, coincidentally, appeared to start after a 3rd round FA Cup defeat to none other than our very own Bluebirds back in 2002. The History Boys The Bluebirds tussles with the formerly blue but now white's of Yorkshire go back to the beginning of the 50's, when in February 1950 Leeds ran out 3-1 winners at Elland Road. Then during the mid-50's, there was a bizarre trio of ties, all at Elland Road, all with the same scoreline and all in January during 1956, '57 & '58, each of which saw the Bluebirds run out winners by 2 goals to 1. 3 further ties in 1964, 1972 & 1975 saw Leeds victories by varying margins. The last FA cup tie was the aforementioned game at Ninian Park back on 6th January 2002 which was an eventful game to say the least. The then upwardly mobile Leeds Utd, top of the Premier League and recent Champions League semi-finalists came to South Wales expecting nothing less than a victory against a spirited but insignificant League 1 Bluebirds side, indeed, manager David O'Leary was even quoted as stating he had every intention of Leeds starting and ending their FA Cup campaign in the Welsh Capital, a boast that absolutely came true, though perhaps not quite in the fashion he'd intended. The game itself saw Leeds take the lead through a rocket like shot from Mark Viduka, however, a sumptuous free kick from Captain Marvel Graham "ooh ahh" Kavanagh, a red card for Alan Smith for an elbow on Andy Legg and that now notoriously famous (at least in this neck of the woods) late goal from home grown defender Scott Young saw the League 1 "minnows" clinch victory in a 2-1 win in front of the "impassioned" Bluebirds fans. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/football/30836228 Oh those were the days my friends.... (excuse the dodgy quality of some of the footage) https://thesetpieces.com/latest-pos...up-shock-that-set-elland-road-pain-in-motion/ (Good article on the game and the start of the Yorkshire "giants'" demise). Where did they go? As a last little bit of nostalgia, just where did the heroes of 2002 go? Neil Alexander – Left Cardiff for Ipswich in 2007 after 234 games for the Bluebirds. Now with Dunfermline as a coach but still registered as a player. Scott Young – Goal scoring hero on the night, hit by a back injury and retired from playing in 2004. Had a brief comeback with Newport but it didn’t last. Now manager of Cambrian & Clydach Vale Boys & Girls Club Andy Legg – Left the Bluebirds in July 2003 after the play-off final win v QPR. Became player coach at Posh. Last role was as manager of Llanelli in 2021-2022. Spencer Prior – "Frank" was released by the Bluebirds in 2004, returning to his first club Southend Utd who he helped to successive promotions. Danny Gabbidon – Left the Bluebirds in 2005 with the club struggling financially, joining West Ham in the Premier League and now an often seen pundit on Wales and Bluebirds games. Willie Boland - At the club for 7 years and started over 200 games, left when his contract expired in the summer of 2006. Had a short unsuccessful time on trial at Swansea City before signing for Hartlepool United. Mark Bonner - Left to join Oldham in 2004 after contract expiry. There was some controversy over the club not playing him towards the end of his time to avoid triggering bonus payments. Graham Kavanagh - Sold to Wigan in 2005 in a hastily arranged deal to help relieve some of the clubs immediate financial worries. Rumour was he never wanted to go and left on a helicopter to sign for the Latics in tears. Robert Earnshaw - Bluebirds top scorer for a single season, sold for a reported £3 million in 2004 to West Brom. Now a regular TV pundit. Paul Brayson - With the Bluebirds for 2 year but let go at the end of the 2002 season. Joined Cheltenham Town on a free transfer. Gavin Gordon - A player who had "the leap of a salmon" according to Sam Hammam when signing for the Bluebirds. sadly he never really hit the heights for the Bluebirds due to persistent injuries. was allowed to join Oxford on loan in 2002 and released in 2004 whereupon he signed for Notts County. Rhys Weston - Released in 2006 and joined Norwegian side Viking for a short period. Returned to the UK to play for Port Vale. Jason Bowen - Was transfer listed and then ultimately released in 2004. Joined Newport County and spent 4 seasons with the Exiles. Josh Low - Left the Bluebirds at the end of 2002 to join Oldham Athletic (side note, his wife Vicky worked as a receptionist at our office for a few years... really lovely girl). Layton Maxwell - Went on loan to Barry Town in 2003 and then given a free transfer down the M4 to the Jacks. I reckon that's where he picked up his criminal tendencies personally. Jailed for 8 years in 2022 for drugs supply offenses. Leo Fortune-West - Ahh big Leo, released in 2003 and joined Doncaster Rovers. Manager - Alan Cork - Fired just 6 weeks after the Leeds triumph due to league form. Went on to join Leicester as assistant to Micky Adams. So, as the mists of time fade away we return to present day and Sunday...... Early Bluebirds Team News Talking to the press, City boss Mark Hudson had this to say; "Kion's [Etete] first day back on the grass will be tomorrow, It took longer than we thought with a slight hamstring strain. He'll be with the physios, so he'll be unlikely to be seen against Leeds. Robbo [Callum Robinson] is off ill. He's quite under the weather. Another that is quite unlikely for Leeds. Gavin Whyte is ill. Cédric Kipré has been ill. It has been going around everywhere. There are lots of bugs going around. Mahlon [Romeo] has had a scan on his hamstring. It has come back that it could be 4-6 weeks, so that is disappointing for him and for us." This would suggest a much weakened side for the Bluebirds, with Tom Sang likely to continue at right back and one of Nelson or Simpson coming in for Kipre. Up top we may see a Harris - Davies combo or potential a front 3 of Harris, Davies, O'Dowda provided Davies is deemed fit enough to start. If not then I'd anticipate Ojo or Philogene to come in instead. Matchday Odds The bookies at Sky have the Yorkshiremen as overwhelming favourites (Lord knows why though); Home Win 100/30 Draw 11/4 Away Win 4/5 Opposition News / From Behind Enemy Lines Leeds United have four first-team players ruled out of the FA Cup clash against Cardiff City as Jesse Marsch has shared his team news. Patrick Bamford is only back in training on 6 January while Adam Forshaw and Luis Sinisterra are expected back in training next week, Stuart Dallas has also undergone another operation to clean things up and he is obviously not available for the game either. Via Twitter, LeedsLive journalist Beren Cross wrote, “Marsch explains a lot of doubts across the team, which he won’t go into in the hope many of them are back for Sunday. Bamford back in training today. Forshaw and Sinisterra back in next week hopefully.” While we’re aware that Marsch will be looking to rest his players, it’s still no excuse for not getting the job done against a team in the second tier. Leeds’ bench is strong enough to win this game and secure progression into the next round of the FA Cup. Going on a nice cup run is something the Elland Road faithful will enjoy but they also know the importance of having the best available team in the league. We’re expecting Leeds to control possession and create a fair chunk of chances against a side that is likely to sit back and play on the break. It’ll also be a good opportunity for many of the fringe players to stake a claim and also for Marsch to assess which ones deserve to be shown the door. It’s going to be an exciting prospect and we certainly cannot wait for all the action to unfold at the Cardiff City Stadium this weekend. So, no sense of over confidence there then!!! Same old, same old eh? And Just For Fun...... Can't let this pass by without at least one reference to....... So, can the underdogs whip the whites and restore natural order? Can Dai topple the Yorkshire Goliath?? Can we expect some "Tomlin like" sublime skill from Joe Ralls to set up Mark Harris for an exciting team goal??? Or will we have to make do with another "smash and grab, Young like" winner???? All I know is that sadly I won't be there in person but will be recording the game and watching it back later.... some fool suggested my Wurzle in-laws should get tickets for their game v the Jacks and I'll be there instead (please don't tell me that's an instant ban from the board??). Suppose it is only Leeds after all, so I'm not too bothered! Bloooooooooobirds....
Lovely writeup! I hope any visitors enjoy it and are jealous of our luck with having you. On the final subject....you are barely forgiven but only coz we have a soft spot (Nelson Bog) for Mrs Brizzle.
That video clip, Sparkey, Masky, Clingo and Bluescull? Another great write up Brizzle. I was looking forward to the game but seeing our injury list I think I will take my boots, hard toe caps and cork studs included. Taking all into account we'll be lucky to get minus 5 goals.
I have questions: 1) Why wasn't Brizzle on the new year's honours list? 2) What's the procedure for nominations for a Pulitzer Prize? 3) If people from Wales are Welsh, are people from the Yorkshire Dales Delsh? 4) Why is Masky superior to me in every respect? 5) Is Mrs Brizzle guilty of spousal abuse? Outstanding write up as usual Brizzle. Think the game could be Cardiff Reserves versus Leeds reserves. Bloooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooobirds
1) Think if there was a New Year Dishonour list then I may have stood a chance; 2) I think you need to write to Santa, though I could be getting confused with the pull Blitzen prize?; 3) Think they are known as Dour? 4) He's not so much superior as a mirror to your alternate potential self, though some things are best left undiscovered; 5) I would say yes, but I don't want to risk another beating, so no, absolutely not!
Fuggin’ infatuated is BFB (and the other fella on a bike) with Masky, he would drink from my golden cup for sure! No offence intended!
Not a chance Robbie’s ‘ole, one wears a mask at all times! No e in Masky….not sure if it’s been mentioned before!
A great question, one that could be easily answered by gazing into our undergarments and realising how unjust the world can be some some! No offence intended Dicksplash!
I'll just echo what Furter said in post #2 - superb Matchday thread OP once again Brizzo for this Leeds Cup tie. Getting on my high horse a bit, but the content on here so far on the subject is not worthy of your efforts. I sometimes wonder why you bother.
Cheers Sparkey. Always happy to get the ball rolling and TBF, when I post a little early, with there being little game news then it's inevitable that some non-match related banter will ensue and in all honesty I welcome it. It's just good to see the guys (and gals) chatting Regards the game, or rather the 2002 game, I think I can honestly say it was probably the best atmosphere I've ever experienced at a game. Putting the "trouble" to one side, it just felt like a proper, old fashioned cup tie, both sets of fans giving as good as each other, plenty of drama on the pitch too. I can't see the atmosphere being anything close to that tomorrow (or potentially ever again). The line up will certainly be an interesting conundrum for Hudson.
Have to say, I can see Wrexham becoming the dominant Welsh team in the next 5-10 years if things carry on as they are!
They certainly have a cavalier way of playing. Can't defend so just try to outscore the opposition. Great to watch.
I know McGuiness is cup tied for us, so won't be available on our run to Wembley , but if he plays as well for City in the league as he did today for Sheffield Wednesday in the cup against Newcastle, then he will be an excellent boost to our squad defensively. Good to see McGuiness, Pato and Vokes on the pitch together today.
