Rafael Benitez admits an ideal world would see Robbie Fowler score against his Liverpool side when Cardiff visit on Wednesday, but only if The Reds are 3-0 up.
Fowler will make an emotional return to Anfield during Wednesday's Carling Cup fourth round encounter, where he is guaranteed the warmest of receptions after spending over a decade on Merseyside.
The prolific striker, who has scored six goals in 12 games for Cardiff this season, failed to net on his final appearance at Anfield as he waved goodbye to The Kop for what he thought would be a last time.
Now he gets the chance, albeit in blue colours this time, to net one last time in front of his adoring public, and Benitez admits a small part of him would not mind seeing a Fowler celebration.
"I would like to see him very happy before the game but when it is over I hope he is a little bit disappointed," Benitez told the club's official website.
"After this match, I hope to see him scoring 20 goals and being the top scorer in The Championship. Maybe we can leave him to score a fantastic goal in front of The Kop but at the end of the game we will need to have scored three! The way he played for us, with the injuries he had and at the age he is, was fantastic. He was always joking and was very respectful and professional. I was really pleased with Robbie and you could see that some of the players were learning from his movement and his finishing, which was fantastic."
Benitez is likely to turn to many of his fringe players for Wednesday's match, as he looks to avoid picking up yet more injuries following the losses of Fernando Torres, Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano.
One man who could make a first team return is Harry Kewell who, like Fabio Aurelio, stands to get some game-time after featuring in the reserves last week.
"It depends on which players are fit,' said Benitez. "Lucas Leiva needs to play, Sebastian Leto needs to play and so does Fabio Aurelio. So I don't know how many players we can use from the reserves, but I know I will also need some of the senior players. Harry Kewell played 45 minutes in the reserves last week and he too needs to play games, so we will see."
27 October 2007
Cardiff have signed Manchester City goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel on a month's loan.
The 20 year old goes straight into the squad for the visit of Scunthorpe on Saturday after a proposed move to Coca-Cola Championship rivals Coventry collapsed earlier this week.
"The Bluebirds confirm the signing of Kasper Schmeichel from Manchester City initially on a month's loan," read a Cardiff statement.
"The keeper will link up with the squad and will take the number one shirt vacated by Ross Turnbull, who has returned to Middlesbrough."
25 October 2007
Mick McCarthy says half-time tinkering to the side was crucial to Wolves' comeback success at Cardiff on Wednesday night.
Wolves found themselves in front through Michael Kightly, but a penalty from Robbie Fowler and a goal from Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink gave the home side the advantage at the break.
But McCarthy made tactical changes at half-time, with Stephen Ward and Freddie Eastwood also coming on early in the second half, and Wanderers turned the game around.
Kightly grabbed his second to level the scores and then Jody Craddock headed in the winner on 74 minutes.
The result moves Wolves up to third in the table and the manager was delighted, saying: "I feel much better after this win because we have been well beaten on our last two previous visits. We started well with an early goal but gave away yet another penalty and their second goal was of Premier League standard."
10 October 2007
Keith Gillespie has been named in Northern Ireland's squad for the team's Euro 2008 qualifier against Sweden on Wednesday.
Gillespie was fined after an altercation with George McCartney prior to the team's flight back from Iceland last month and is named in a 19-man party, despite missing Sheffield United's defeat to Bristol City at the weekend through injury.
Luton midfielder Stephen Robinson has also been included by Nigel Worthington – Robinson won the last of his six caps against Azerbaijan in 2005.
After disappointing back-to-back defeats in Latvia and Iceland last month, the Northern Irish lie third in Group F, three points behind leaders Sweden and Spain.
The full squad:
Maik Taylor (Birmingham), Alan Mannus (Linfield), Michael McGovern (Celtic); Stephen Craigan (Motherwell), Tony Capaldi (Cardiff), George McCartney (West Ham), Aaron Hughes (Fulham), Jonny Evans (Manchester United), Gareth McAuley (Leicester); Keith Gillespie (Sheffield United), Steven Davis (Fulham), Sammy Clingan (Nottingham Forest), Grant McCann (Barnsley), Chris Brunt (West Brom), Stephen Robinson (Luton Town), Steve Jones (Burnley); David Healy (Fulham), Kyle Lafferty (Burnley), Ivan Sproule (Bristol City)
05 October 2007
Charlton manager Alan Pardew will be forced to make at least one change to his starting line-up for the visit of Barnsley.
The Addicks' appeal against Lloyd Sam's sending-off during Tuesday's 2-1 win at Hull was turned down by the FA, so the young winger starts a three-match ban.
Pardew has named the same starting XI for the past four Championship games but must now find a replacement on the right flank.
Darren Ambrose would be an obvious candidate, but he pulled a hamstring during the recent Carling Cup clash at Luton and remains doubtful so Jerome Thomas, who has been out in the cold of late, could be recalled.
Elsewhere, Ben Thatcher (knee) is still struggling so Chris Powell will continue at left-back, while fit-again Yassin Moutaouakil (ankle) will once again challenge Danny Mills for the right-back berth.
Svetoslav Todorov is pushing for a start ahead of Luke Varney and Chris Iwelumo in attack.
Barnsley boss Simon Davey is expected to name an unchanged side as the Tykes look to extend their five-match unbeaten run.
Davey has no new injury or suspension problems to contend with and is unlikely to change a winning line-up following the comprehensive midweek victory over previously unbeaten Bristol City.
Hungarian striker Istvan Ferenczi remains sidelined due to the ankle injury he sustained in last Saturday's home draw with Cardiff, so Davey must choose between Peruvian Miguel Mostto or Dane Kim Christensen again to partner Kayode Odejayi.
Rob Kozluk will be hoping for a recall at full-back after recently losing his place to fit-again Dominik Werling and Martin Devaney could play a more prominent role after stepping off the bench to score a late goal on Tuesday.
04 October 2007
Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce has warned French star Charles N'Zogbia not to allow himself to go the way of Michael Ricketts.
The 21-year-old will link up with his country's under 21s squad next week for games against Bosnia-Herzegovina and Romania after an excellent start to the new season despite being asked to play out of position at left back.
N'Zogbia has won rave reviews for his performances to date after a wasted 2006-07 campaign after injury and speculation linking him with a move to Arsenal contributed towards a difficult year for him.
However, he has prospered under Allardyce since he replaced Glenn Roeder at St James' Park, and is starting to show once again the ability which led Sir Bobby Robson to fight so hard to lure him away from Le Havre.
But while Allardyce has been delighted with his contribution to date, he has ordered the youngster to keep his feet firmly on the ground after seeing Ricketts lose his way.
Asked if he is pleased to see N'Zogbia making an impression at international level, he said: "Yes, but as long as that does not affect him in the wrong way. That can happen to young men when all the other boys start talking to him about this, that and the other. All of a sudden, he's disgruntled again. It can be a good thing, but it can also be a very destructive thing. You know, I saw a player play once for England, and he is now playing at Oldham Athletic. He's called Michael Ricketts. It affected him that badly. He let himself get carried away by the situation, and his career ended up declining."
Then Bolton striker Ricketts was handed a senior England cap by Sven-Goran Eriksson against Holland in February 2002 after plundering 15 goals for Wanderers in a blistering start to the season, but after an alarming slump in form, was sold to Middlesbrough during the following January.
Having struggled to make an impact at the Riverside Stadium, he left on a free for Leeds 18 months later and after loan spells at Stoke, Cardiff and Burnley and permanent moves to Southend and Preston, is now playing his football at League One Oldham at the age of 28.
Allardyce may have the option of returning N'Zogbia to his preferred midfield role as Everton head for St James' on Sunday as he looks for greater creativity in midfield.
Summer signing Jose Enrique, a £6.5million capture from Villarreal, played the full 90 minutes for the reserves against Manchester City in midweek and could now be ready to start a Premier League game for the first time.
But whoever plays at the back this weekend, Allardyce will demand a much better performance after seeing his defence capitulate at Manchester City last Saturday.
The Magpies led 1-0 at Eastlands courtesy of Obafemi Martins' deft finish, but slumped to a 3-1 defeat as midfielder Elano helped tear them apart at the back.
The absence of Elano's compatriot Claudio Cacapa through a groin injury may have had much to do with that, and Allardyce is hoping to be able to welcome the 31-year-old former Lyon skipper back into the fold for the visit of David Moyes' men.
He said: "The last time he played, we beat West Ham 3-1, and we did not see that type of defending from anybody against Manchester City. I think he would have taken a grip of them with just Emile Mpenza up front. He would have been able to read the situation much better - but it was not to be. But he should be okay for Everton on Sunday."
04 October 2007
Robbie Fowler could find himself in hot water with the Football Association after a row with Sheffield United supporters during the aftermath of Tuesday's game at Bramall Lane.
The Cardiff City striker, who scored a controversial penalty during the 3-3 draw with Bryan Robson's side, was allegedly involved in a verbal altercation with at least two home fans as he made his way from the stadium to the team bus.
Eyewitnesses say that Fowler and his team mate Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink were singled out for particular attention by United fans at the players' entrance.
But unlike the former Holland international, they claim that Fowler swore and responded in a manner which has prompted one to write a letter to Soho Square demanding that officials launch an investigation into his conduct.
Tempers were running high after a dramatic game which saw United surrender the lead before coming from 3-1 down to snatch a point with two goals in the last five minutes.
But with Keith Gillespie (hamstring) joining Gary Naysmith, Nick Montgomery and Derek Geary on the list of likely absentees from Saturday evening's visit to Bristol City, Robson has stepped up his effort to make at least one loan signing before the weekend.
Assistant manager Brian Kidd was scheduled to host this afternoon's press conference at Shirecliffe.
Meanwhile, United's decision to extend their youth development network to the east coast is already reaping dividends after the club's decision to offer Darren Clough extended schoolboy terms.
The 16-year-old from Scarborough impressed during a trial match against Bradford City and is now eligible to play for United's academy.
Clough was recommended to United by coaches at the town's school of excellence.
United stepped in to save the scheme after Scarborough Football Club went bust earlier this year and plc chairman Kevin McCabe has pledged funds to help build a new sporting facility in nearby Eastfield.
Representatives of Scarborough Athletic supporters' trust were at the Cardiff game.
02 October 2007
The message from within the Sheffield United squad to disgruntled fans calling for a change in management is: 'Don't be daft.'
With Cardiff City at Bramall Lane tonight in a Championship clash, support from players for boss Bryan Robson is loud and clear.
Midfielder Stephen Quinn said: "I think that it is ridiculous to call for the manager's head at this early stage. He's still trying to find his feet and trying to find his best 11. It's silly saying things like that. We'll get things right."
Robson's own reaction is cool.
He said: "Of course there's dissatisfaction and there should be. We're dissatisfied with the results. It's frustrating. You're always going to have scrappy performances if you give goals away like we do. You expect the fans to be frustrated. We're expecting to be at the top of the league and we're not. We're closer to the bottom of the league. You are always under pressure in this game to get a win."
United pair Nick Montgomery and Gary Naysmith are fitness doubts ahead of tonight's game, while Robson was critical of the performance on Saturday against Southampton which ended in a 2-1 defeat.
He said: "We keep shooting ourselves in the foot. We get off to a really good start, we're playing well, we get a goal and you're thinking we'll continue where we left off against Morecambe, but we keep giving away bad goals. We did it again at the weekend. As soon as we rectify that we'll be okay. All the lads can do is go out on the training pitch and try to put things right."
He added: "Where we've fallen down this season is at a lot of set-plays. People have just put the ball in the box and we've conceded a lot of goals. That's either because of good play from the opposition or it's bad defending. That's what we've got to put right."
Cardiff come with the most experienced strikeforce in the Championship. Robbie Fowler and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink spearhead their goal threat and both have vast experience of the Premier League.
"Cardiff are favourites to be in the top six," Robson reckoned. "Fowler and Hasselbaink are top players towards the ends of their careers but they've still got a lot of knowledge of how to help the squad. We're going to have to be right on our toes but I think we can cause Cardiff a lot of problems going the other way."
Quinn added: "Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has got on the scoresheet in the last few games for Cardiff and I think we're going to have a tough game ahead of us. Not a lot has gone right for us. I'm sure the lads are working hard. Hopefully, we can change things around starting tonight. We seem to get off to a good start in games and once we concede a goal I think the lads' heads drop. We just need to correct that."
02 October 2007
Norwich City strikers have been cleared of blame for the current goal drought.
City have scored just five goals in eight Championship games this season - four at home, one away.
Last season's Golden Boot winner, Jamie Cureton, has just two, David Strihavka has one, striker-cum-defender Dion Dublin has one and Chris Brown is yet to get of the mark - the tally made up with Simon Lappin's 30-yard strike against Cardiff.
But City boss Peter Grant says his striking problems, which have seen City fail to trouble the opposition keeper in their last three league games plus the Carling Cup defeat at Manchester City last week, emanate from midfield and their failure to create chances.
'I am loath to criticise strikers, especially at this minute because I have not had the selection in the middle of the pitch that I would like to have,' said Grant.
'I have kept chopping and changing in there to try and get that balance right. From the start of the season I have had five guys not available to me that I thought I was going to be starting the season with in that central area. I look at that and think have I got the balance right this season - some games yes, other games no. And that is why I am a little bit less critical of the strikers because I think with the strikers, if we create chances for them they will score goals, they have got that about them.'
Grant pointed to an incident late in the game on Saturday, when a cross from the right was deliberately handled by Cureton - who perhaps didn't realise that Strihavka was in a position behind him to score.
'It's ironic the one Jamie handles and gets booked for - if he misses the ball completely David Strihavka can put it in an empty net - that seems to be the luck we are having, we're stopping each other from scoring,' said Grant.
'Gary Doherty's chance in the first seven minutes from the free kick - we had worked on it and he puts it by the post. It's that sort of thing that gives you the confidence - for the strikers, for the team - to play better, play with that exuberance, people getting forward and creating chances. We are not creating enough chances for them. Yes some of their play could be better, their link-up play or being in areas to hurt the opposition, but all in all with the amount of chances we are creating - we are creating some, but not enough.'
While Grant believes the strikers should be cleared of a large portion of the blame he also believes his defenders have done well.
'I look at the back four - Dion, (Jason) Shackell, Ian Murray, Doherty, Jon Otemobor, Adam Drury or Simon (Lappin) at left back and I think they have defended well,' he said.
'They have got (David) Marshall behind them, who is as good as anybody in this division, so that is why it is disappointing further up the field. From middle to front I have not got it right - there are things I have got to keep looking at. Defensively I have been pleased with a lot of the games,' he said.
02 October 2007
Cardiff winger Joe Ledley is set to commit his future to the club by signing a new contract.
The 20-year-old will put pen to paper on the deal ahead of his side's trip to Sheffield United on Tuesday.
"I am very pleased to stay here for a couple more years," he said. There were a couple of teams interested in me in the summer but I wanted to stay. With the team we've got I think we're good enough to go up to the Premier League, which hopefully will happen."
The Bluebirds will be hoping to keep up their fine away form, but know they will face a backlash from Sheffield United who lost 2-1 at home to Southampton on Saturday.
"I think it will be a good game," said Ledley. "They lost at the weekend and I think they are going to be trying to look for the result and so are we. Winning there and a win on Saturday will boost our confidence before the international break and it will be good for the others to get a rest.
And manager Dave Jones knows of the importance to pick up points.
"Sheffield United have had a couple of bad defeats of late. They are one of the favourites who have spent a lot of money. But we're full of confidence, the last three games we've played really well and if we continue to play like that and move the ball and put the chances away, then we are a match for anybody in this division."
Jones admits striker James Beattie will pose a threat to his defenders having already bagged seven goals so far this season.
"I know Beatts from when he was 15 or 16 when he was at Blackburn because my son was up there as well. When I went to Southampton, I signed him. He's a big lad, a strong boy and knows where the net is and you've got to limit his chances."
