Here we are again, after seeing our halos slip against the Saints last weekend, we now face the team that no one loves (not that they care apparently)... we welcome the Sarf London Lions of Millwall to the CCS for this Saturday's contest. The Lions come to us in pretty poor form, though in saying that, our own form is now none too clever either so a gruelling contest may well ensue, but surely you have to back us to win this one, even if it is against a side who have become a little bit of a thorn in our side with us having triumphed just the once in our last 12 meetings!? Rookie manager Joe Edwards (this is his first managerial/head coach role having joined the club in November) has been struggling to get a consistent tune out of his pack but their side still contains a few familiar names in it such as Saville, Cooper, Honeyman, Watmore, Bryan and of course Welsh forward Bradshaw, though fortunately Saville and Cooper will both be suspended for the game this weekend. Last time out saw the Bluebirds slip to defeat (3rd in a row v the Lions) at the CCS with Bradshaw getting the only goal of the game in a tight contest. Bulut's Bulletin With no new injury worries being reported, Bulut should have a near full squad to select from (long term absentees accepted). The big decision will centre around who will get the nod up front, with Meite still struggling for goals could we see a start for 6 yard poacher Ugbo or perhaps a return for Kion Etete to the starting 11? It appears that Runnarson will retain the gloves, with the keeper getting the gaffers backing in the press earlier this week. Despite having a near full squad, the January window is coming into view and for many it can't come quickly enough, with many fans adding just that little more quality to their Christmas wish-lists, very much like our gaffer I'm sure. What Are The Odds On That? With both VT and Ken Choo proving failures in our last 2 games, Erol has decide to take it upon himself to try and instil some belief and fervour amongst the betting public. Well I Never Did you know that Millwall are technically on their 3rd name as a club? When originally founded in 1885 they were called Millwall Rovers. This then later got amended to Millwall Athletic in 1889 before they eventually settled upon just plain old MIllwall. Sounds a bit dodgy to me... just what were this iffy lot trying to hide/run away from eh? (Now there's a phrase you don;t associate with Millwall too often!!) Sharing The Love Bit of an understated bunch this week, though one of the players listed did have a big impact on the club in his 2nd spell with us, though given that it was as manager then I guess that could be seen as inevitable? Harris - Player and Gaffer . Fair to say his impact as gaffer was definitely greater! Neil Harris Harris, Millwall’s record goalscorer joined the Bluebirds on loan in 2004 in the hope of proving to then Lion’s boss Dennis Wise that he was still good enough for the London side. Harris made his debut for Cardiff City when he replaced Cameron Jerome during a 3–1 win over Gillingham and, after one more substitute appearance, was handed his first and only start for Cardiff when manager Lennie Lawrence named him to play against Sheffield United and he repaid the faith shown in him by scoring Cardiff's only goal of the game in a 2–1 defeat. Harris’ stay was short-lived though as he was subsequently sold to Nottingham Forest for an undisclosed fee after they were relegated to League One in the 2004–05 season. It would not be the last we saw of Mr Harris in South Wales however as he returned to manage the side in 2019. During his tenure in the dugout at the CCS Harris led the Bluebirds to a 5th place finish in the league taking Cardiff to the play-off semi-finals against Fulham in his first season. Sadly he couldn’t maintain the teams form and on 21 January 2021, Harris was sacked. The Bluebirds had initially only won three of their opening 13 fixtures of the season, inviting pressure on Harris. Despite later securing a 4-match winning streak, a run of 6 straight defeats afterwards sealed his fate as manager. Warner - training with his preferred weapon. Tony Warner Warner left our visitors Millwall in July 2004 to sign for the Bluebirds where he spent two years but never really managed to hold down a first team spot due to a combination of some poor performances and the form of Neil Alexander. His arrival at Ninian Park was somewhat controversial in the first place though as he'd previously been accused of throwing a bottle back into the crowd whilst playing for Millwall v City, with the bottle reportedly injuring a fan as it sailed back onto the Grange End. Due to a goalkeeping crisis at Fulham, they signed Warner on loan in August 2005. His career at Fulham started well, he kept a clean sheet on his debut against Birmingham City and in a match against Arsenal at Highbury he saved a penalty from Lauren with the score at 0–0, however Arsenal went on to win that game 4–1 despite his efforts. In January 2006 the loan move was made permanent, though he’d only make 7 appearances for the Cottagers, having several loan spells before a move Hull, where again he made no 1st team appearances but heading out on loan. Warner went on to move into coaching, becoming Reading’s goalkeeping coach in 2022. Malone - It seems the Gentleman Preferred Welshcakes rather than Sauerkraut Scott Malone Malone signed for the Bluebirds on a two and a half year deal from Millwall in January 2015 having reportedly been inked with a move to Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund, who supposedly made a bid for him before the defender joined us in South Wales (clearly made the right decision). Two days after signing for the club, Malone made his Cardiff City debut, in a 1–0 win over Fulham. Malone went on to establish himself in the left–back position, earning a reputation as a solid, reliable member of the side. With his contract expiring at the end of the 2015–16 season, Malone's future at Cardiff City was thrown into doubt, especially with the pre-season form of Declan John. On 19 July 2016, Malone joined Championship side Fulham on a two-year deal in a swap deal with Jazz Richards joining Cardiff (that worked out well eh?). On a personal note, Malone was unusually highlighted for his choice of tattoo, having a picture of Marilyn Monroe on the back of his left hand.. guess he was a bit of a misfit! Bywater - taking early inspiration for an art installation from the curves of Super Kev's glutes. Stephen Bywater It’s fair to say that Bywater’s impact for City was almost as pronounced as Neil Harris’ was as a loan player. Signed initially on loan from West Ham in 2002 on a one-month deal, he failed to make an appearance for us. Returning to the then relegated Hammers, who, after losing David James made Bywater their 1st choice keeper. That following season they’d go on to the play-offs only to lose to Crystal Palace. Like Harris however, this wasn’t the last we saw of him because on 4 March 2011, Bywater again joined Cardiff on loan until the end of the season, this time joining from Derby County. He made his debut the following day in a 2–0 loss to Ipswich Town. City would however go on to clinch a playoff spot, only to suffer defeat to Reading, in which a Bywater error helped seal that defeat. On his return to the Rams his future was cast into serious doubt when he was not given a squad number ahead of the 2011–12 season and this was confirmed when Derby's goalkeeping coach Martin Taylor revealed "He's not in the squad at all. Nothing against Stephen because he's worked really hard but he doesn't figure in our plans. At his age he just needs to play games and get in the shop window." On 31 December 2011, Bywaters's contract was terminated by mutual consent. He retired from playing football in 2020 and has stated an intention to go into mixed martial arts as well as dabbling briefly with art whilst still playing, much to his neighbours annoyance (https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-e&q=stephen bywater horesebox art) So, can the Bluebirds bounce back again and tame the Lions? Will we catch the Lion's sleeping today and get roared on to 3 points?? Will Erol need to bite the bullet and shake things up a little to lift us out of our malaise??? All I know is the thread is better late than never (sorry about that folks) and I'm really missing Clingo.... C'mon buddy, where are you, stop scaring the bejeezus out f us all!!! Blooooooooooooooooobirds!!!!
Brilliant again Brizzle. Clingo, are you reading this? If you can’t comment maybe send a dm to Sparkey, so we know you’re okay.
Just looked at the other the Champ games today. Blackburn, West Brom, Middlebrough and Hull all lost - Watford, Norwich and Preston drew. Good day to get a very scrappy 3 points that puts us up to 7th. Bulut was spitting blood on the touchline such was the pedestrian first half performance. We didn't have a clue as to how to break them down. Second half was much better and a pat on Bulut's back for making those half time swaps. In all honesty we rode our luck, but that's 3 of 18 available points before the New Year in the bag and I'll take that for now.
Not one effort on goal in first half. Wasn’t much better second half but a win is a win however ugly that was. Any arguments anyone could possibly have to justify Ugbo starting were unequivocally dismissed this afternoon. A truly abysmal performance by him and while I’m at it also Robinson. Siopsis Bowler and Wintle were poor. Surely changes in starting X1 next week A fortunate 3 points.
I called for Bulut to hook Ugbo and Robbo at half time and he duly obliged - Meite and Colwiil made a huge difference to the dynamics. Wintle does a job with Siopis but both were poor today - Ralls on for him was an obvious call - what took so long? Etete is far from perfect but he's a million miles better up front than Ugbo - I really don't see what Bulut sees in the guy.
Needs a trip to Specsavers. Meite - 4 of his first 5 challenges left defenders on the floor. Okay he got a yellow but after an easy first half their defenders knew they were in a game. With Ugbo they got out their deckchairs and towels. Get his loan cancelled in January and send him back to France. Not that I'm biased.
Worst game I've seen in a long time. Over the game Millwall had more and better chances. Runarsson did well saving a few and deserved the clean sheet. Still too much diddling around from goal kicks etc though. However the half time subs livened things up - not difficult. Ugbo shouldn't ever pull on a City shirt again. Robbo had a major Bulut bollocking before half time so no surprise he didn't appear second half.
3 valid points about the pointless passing between keeper & defenders (nearly cost us a goal); Ugbo (Meite then Etete did more in one minute than him) & lazy Robinson (Colwill should start next)
That useless Meitie great pass from Colwill on a plate in space in front of goal and he passes it straight to their goalie. This guy falls over at the slightest touch, if Ugbo had got a chance like that... but no the useless Meitie another blank, .Goustas has 3 goals this useless striker has one.
I have no problem if certain people think Meitie who has not scored goals is better than Ugbo who has scored goals it is just because we need to score to win. If we wait for Meitie to score when his record in now worse than Watters we could be waiting a long time. Considering what was said about Watters makes you wonder if it is the person you do not like. Bullut does not like Ralls, Ugbo, Robinson, Colwill and Bowler so they get chopped and changed. Wintle, Grant, Meitie he likes.
