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Post by Macmoish on Dec 7, 2010 23:47:25 GMT
(Changed the Subject title!) Originally Swindon Cup Exit/Maybe Need Money (from Austin)?Just speculating... And even if Austin did leave doesn't mean would be to QPR... Swindon 2 Crawley 3 (Been there. Done that!) FA FA Cup sponsored by E.ON Smith sends Swindon out By Jade Fitch - Tuesday, 07 December, 2010 Crawley stun League One outfit with extra-time victory. Swindon Town 2-3 Crawley Town (after extra-time) The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON Second Round Proper replay 7.45pm, Tuesday 7 December 2010 The County Ground, Swindon Town FC Winning clubs will receive £27,000 from The FA prize fund Click here for all the Second Round Proper results Ben Smith sent Conference Premier side Crawley Town through to a Third Round home tie against Derby County with the winning goal just two minutes from the end of extra-time. Smith had given Crawley the lead against their League Two opponents in the 16th minute only for Jon-Paul McGovern to equalise just two minutes later. Charlie Austin's strike put Swindon ahead in the 41st minute, but Crawley’s chances of a comeback improved when Jonathan Douglas was sent off for a foul on Glenn Wilson a minute before half-time. Swindon held on until the 69th minute only for goalkeeper Phil Smith to score an own goal and ultimately send the match into extra-time. Penalties then seemed on the cards before Ben Smith stunned the home fans with his late, late winner from close range. Teams Swindon Town 12 Smith, 2 Cuthbert, 3 Rose, 14 Morrison, 15 Amankwaah, 4 Douglas, 7 McGovern, 10 Prutton, 22 Ritchie (Sheehan 55), 9 Pericard (Timlin 46), 32 Austin (Dossevi 69) Subs not used 1 Lucas, 19 Lescinel, 8 Ferry, 18 O'Brien Crawley Town 1 Kuipers, 16 Wilson, 22 Mills, 23 Howell, 27 McFadzean, 7 Smith, 8 Torres, 15 Bulman, 26 Neilson (Cook 106), 9 Tubbs, 14 McAllister (Brodie 91) Subs not used 12 Jordan, 3 Rents, 6 Hall, 11 Masterton, 17 Bell-Baggie www.thefa.com/TheFACup/FACompetitions/TheFACup/NewsAndFeatures/2010/2RPRSwindCraw_report
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Post by harlowranger on Dec 7, 2010 23:58:48 GMT
Austins going , he will end up in the Championship , probably with Le Fondre ! Still we will have Jason or Charlie !or Was this the second player Neil tried to sign and failed like Walters of Stoke was one ! Jay Bothroyd is only expected to miss the one game against 'Boro on Saturday and should be able to feature against Burnley on the 18th December. With the transfer window due to open in a little over 3 weeks time, many City fans are hoping we are bringing in extra players to strengthen our squad and to give us the extra quality to get us promoted automatically. What no one so far has spoken about is the possibility over players leaving. We are all aware of the contract situation with Bothroyd and Burke and it seems that both players wish to stay until the end of their contracts and examine their options then. The situation is different with young Adam Matthews, whose contract also expires in June. but Adam wants to play regular football and we may see him moving on in January to get that playing time. Hopefully the club will get the situation sorted with him as he is an asset too good to lose in my opinion. But there is bigger trouble looming come January I hear, Queens Park Rangers want Michael Chopra, Neil Warnock is a long time admirer of Chops and I am told that he has already spoken with the QPR board and told them that Chops is the man to get the goals to take QPR up. I am told with strong conviction that they will come in with a bid in January and Warnock wanted Chops in the summer but he failed but he is determined to get him next month. I have a source close to QPR and he told me on Sunday that QPR believe, for whatever reason, they will get Chops this time and in the process derailing our season. Will City be able to fend off their interest ? Would Chops stay, especially if he is not in the team ? All will become clear in January.
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Post by Macmoish on Dec 8, 2010 1:13:38 GMT
Is this from a Cardiff messageboard? It's hard to guage without knowing the poster - just as in QPR posting, some are more reliable than others
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Post by Lonegunmen on Dec 8, 2010 4:11:57 GMT
I'd say so Mac, They might be concerned but I dont think we'll get him. Austin would be an interesting signing of potential, just like Le Fronde.
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Post by Macmoish on Dec 8, 2010 9:13:38 GMT
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Post by Macmoish on Dec 8, 2010 9:52:44 GMT
Rivals Rangers ready to make Chopra bid Dec 8 2010 by Terry Phillips, South Wales Echo QUEENS Park Rangers are poised to make a £3m January bid for out-of-favour Bluebirds striker Michael Chopra. Hoops boss Neil Warnock sees Chopra as the striker to virtually clinch the Championship leaders’ automatic promotion to the Premier League. And Chopra is far from happy at being left out of Cardiff City’s last two matches, against QPR and Preston. A Hoops source said: “QPR have made an outstanding start to the season and Neil sees Chopra as the final piece of the jigsaw. “Chopra is a proven goalscorer at Championship level and exactly the type of player Rangers need. “Neil would love to have him as part of the Rangers squad.” City won’t want to lose him, but Chopra seems certain to be unsettled unless boss Dave Jones can guarantee him a regular starting place – and that doesn’t look likely. The experienced Warnock is set to test the transfer window water with a £2m-plus bid for Chopra next month. If that approach is turned down – which is almost certain – Warnock is then likely to move towards City’s valuation of a player who scored 21 goals last season. Although they remain unbeaten and hold a four-point lead over second-placed Cardiff, Warnock believes Chopra would guarantee the extra firepower to take Rangers into the top flight. Chopra, who has netted five times this season, was unsettled at the start of the season and spoke out when the Bluebirds were under a transfer embargo. He said at that time: “I’m well hacked off. “If this club doesn’t bring in new players, I’m off.” Ironically, Chopra has been a victim of City bringing in new players, with Craig Bellamy switching into a central role in the last two games. As well as Chopra. there are also doubts over the Bluebird futures of Jay Bothroyd and Chris Burke, both of whom are out of contract next summer. The pair have been offered new deals, but have yet to sign and can talk to other clubs in January. Cash for Chopra could give Jones more room to manoeuvre in the January transfer market as he seeks to bring in the “four or five” new signings he wants www.walesonline.co.uk/footballnation/cardiff-city-fc/2010/12/08/rivals-rangers-ready-to-make-chopra-bid-91466-27786666/#ixzz17VpRxSP9
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Post by Macmoish on Dec 8, 2010 9:55:27 GMT
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Post by Macmoish on Dec 8, 2010 10:20:14 GMT
And so it spreads Fulham Chronicle QPR linked with Cardiff City striker Michael Chopra Dec 8 2010 By Jacob Murtagh QPR have been linked with a £3million move for Cardiff City striker Michael Chopra. The former Sunderland frontman has fallen down the pecking order under Dave Jones, and has been left warming the bench as England international Jay Boothroyd and Craig Bellamy occupy the two striking spots. The 27-year-old from Indian background has been limited to just 11 league starts, scoring just four goals, and has told pals he fancies a move to west London to help QPR's promotion drive. It would be a deal that would please the Indian side of Rs administration that hopes to build a Rangers fan base in the country. www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london-sport/london-qpr/2010/12/08/qpr-linked-with-cardiff-city-striker-michael-chopra-82029-27785386/
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Post by Macmoish on Dec 8, 2010 10:24:19 GMT
It would be a deal that would please the Indian side of Rs administration that hopes to build a Rangers fan base in the country As long as this is a happy byproduct and not something "pushed" on Warnock
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Post by Lonegunmen on Dec 8, 2010 11:11:36 GMT
Chopra would be a good signing tho, Take Burke too!
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Post by superckat on Dec 8, 2010 12:49:50 GMT
Personally would prefer to go for Austin first. if we can't get him, then look at Chopra. Would hate to think that we paid £3m for Chopra and then Cardiff used some of the money to get Austin. If we could get both would be even better.
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Post by Macmoish on Dec 8, 2010 13:35:24 GMT
It would be a deal that would please the Indian side of Rs administration that hopes to build a Rangers fan base in the country As long as this is a happy byproduct and not something "pushed" on Warnock As I was Saying! Paul Warburton/Fulham Chronicle
QPR boss rules out move for Cardiff City striker Michael Chopra NEIL Warnock reminded his QPR bosses last night just who picks the team when he turned down the chance to sign £3million Michael Chopra. The Cardiff City striker from Indian background is hoping to swap Cardiff City for west London – a move that instantly found favour with the Indian side of Rs administration that includes managing director Ishan Saksena and vice-chair Amit Bhatia, hoping to build a QPR fan base in a country of more than a billion. But Warnock doesn’t think he could find a place for a player in a team unbeaten in the Championship – and four points clear of Cardiff at the top of the table. "I’ve got nothing against Michael," said Warnock, "he’s a fine player. And were he to become available at a knockdown price – it would be worth a look. "But he’s better suited to a 4-4-2 set-up – and we don’t really play that here. "I think once our people find out what he would cost including wages – and I’m guessing at anything upwards of a £3million transfer - they’ll think again, despite what he might do for Rangers’ profile in India." www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london-sport/london-qpr/2010/12/08/qpr-boss-rules-out-move-for-cardiff-city-striker-michael-chopra-82029-27786766/
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Post by Jon Doeman on Dec 8, 2010 13:47:18 GMT
Yep interesting, shows times have changed eh.
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Post by eusebio13 on Dec 8, 2010 16:05:46 GMT
As long as this is a happy byproduct and not something "pushed" on Warnock As I was Saying! Paul Warburton/Fulham Chronicle
QPR boss rules out move for Cardiff City striker Michael Chopra NEIL Warnock reminded his QPR bosses last night just who picks the team when he turned down the chance to sign £3million Michael Chopra. The Cardiff City striker from Indian background is hoping to swap Cardiff City for west London – a move that instantly found favour with the Indian side of Rs administration that includes managing director Ishan Saksena and vice-chair Amit Bhatia, hoping to build a QPR fan base in a country of more than a billion. But Warnock doesn’t think he could find a place for a player in a team unbeaten in the Championship – and four points clear of Cardiff at the top of the table. "I’ve got nothing against Michael," said Warnock, "he’s a fine player. And were he to become available at a knockdown price – it would be worth a look. "But he’s better suited to a 4-4-2 set-up – and we don’t really play that here. "I think once our people find out what he would cost including wages – and I’m guessing at anything upwards of a £3million transfer - they’ll think again, despite what he might do for Rangers’ profile in India." www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london-sport/london-qpr/2010/12/08/qpr-boss-rules-out-move-for-cardiff-city-striker-michael-chopra-82029-27786766/sounds like a shot across the bow by Warnock
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Post by Macmoish on Dec 8, 2010 17:31:27 GMT
Celtic Interest in Austin. Celtic check on Austin Race on for Swindon star Last updated: 8th December 2010
... Austin: Attracting interest
Related links Teams Celtic Swindon Town .Players Charlie Austin .Also see Celtic fixtures SPL table Celtic stats ..Skysports.com understands Scottish giants Celtic are tracking Swindon hot-shot Charlie Austin.
Prolific forward Austin is set to be one of the most sought-after players when the transfer window reopens next month, with a host of clubs monitoring his situation.
Celtic are now thought to have joined his list of admirers as Bhoys coach Garry Parker was an interested observer during Swindon's FA Cup replay with Crawley on Tuesday night.
Austin netted in the game to make it 14 goals in just 20 games this season to take his staggering tally to 34 goals in 51 appearances, and a number of other clubs were thought to be in attendance to cast an eye over him.
The likes of Queens Park Rangers, Burnley and Leeds have all been credited with an interest in the 21-year-old, along with a number of other clubs, and they are thought to be weighing up bids for him in January.
Swindon are reluctant to lose their star striker, but they could face a battle to keep him if any of the interested clubs make a sizeable offer for his services in January.
.http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11758_6562426,00.html
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Post by Jon Doeman on Dec 8, 2010 17:46:35 GMT
He's popular!
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Post by Lonegunmen on Dec 8, 2010 21:07:33 GMT
We could do with a Champaign Charlie rather than Celtic getting another one.
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Post by harlowranger on Dec 8, 2010 21:22:43 GMT
Celtic bl--dy get everyone we want ! We should have had Hooper they got him , now they want Austin ! Buzz off i say !
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Post by Lonegunmen on Dec 8, 2010 21:26:52 GMT
And how is Hooper going up there? Haven't heard a peep. Athough I heard it was 9 goals in 9 games in September.
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Post by harlowranger on Dec 8, 2010 22:37:09 GMT
Hes doing fine will score 20plus goals for them , think hes got about nine but dont think hes played for a couple of weeks due to weather! Would have been a terrific signing for us ! Works his socks off ,reminds me of Mackie in some ways!
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Post by Lonegunmen on Dec 8, 2010 22:43:50 GMT
Well do have have Pellicori to be fair!
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Post by harlowranger on Dec 8, 2010 22:47:49 GMT
Lets not beat about the bush with this one , he is pants isnt he !He was signed while Magilton was boss i think ! Who wanted him !
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Post by Macmoish on Dec 9, 2010 0:24:08 GMT
Mail
Cardiff warn Michael Chopra he is no longer an automatic choice and must improve formBy Phil Cadden Last updated 9th December 2010 Dave Jones has told Michael Chopra he is no longer guaranteed a Cardiff City starting place.Chopra was one of the first names on the Bluebirds' team-sheet after his £4million move from Sunderland last season. But the former Newcastle striker has endured a stuttering campaign by scoring just four league goals. Chopra's cause was not helped by a two-month injury lay-off with an ankle injury and in his absence, Jay Bothroyd and Craig Bellamy stole a march to cement their claims for regular starting roles. Now club record signing Chopra, who has been linked with a £3m move to league rivals Queens Park Rangers, faces the biggest threat to his place at the club. Cardiff boss Jones said: 'Michael needs to get to the form he was showing. When you have competition for places you have to be at your best all the time. There may have been other reasons why he lost his place. But that goes for any player at the club.' The former England Under 21 forward has failed to hold down a place in Jones' side since his visit to Dubai last month with the intention of switching his international allegiance to the Indian national team. Days after his long-haul trip to meet with India coach Bobby Houghton, Chopra was hauled off at half-time against Nottingham Forest and then relegated to the bench for the games with QPR and Preston. Then, even when Bothroyd limped off with a hamstring injury in the 1-1 weekend draw with the Championship strugglers, on-loan forward Andy Keogh was preferred over Chopra. But Jones insists the out-of-favour striker just has to bide his time ahead of Saturday's away day to Middlesbrough. He added: 'All 20 players in the squad are trying to take this club to where we want to go. There are places up for grabs and we have good competition. 'The players are competing day in, day out to show that they should be the ones who play on a Saturday. We feel Craig will give us something different up front and Michael just has to wait for his opportunity.' www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1336953/Cardiff-warn-Michael-Chopra-longer-automatic-choice-improve-form.html#ixzz17ZMqRywL
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Post by Macmoish on Dec 9, 2010 7:22:53 GMT
Cardiff striker Chopra targeted to raise QPR profile in India Dec 9 2010 by Terry Phillips, Western Mail CARDIFF CITY striker Michael Chopra has become a target for Championship title rivals Queens Park Rangers because he would raise the club’s profile in India. QPR managing director Ishan Saksena and vice-chairman Amit Bhatia, both from India, are believed to be keen on landing the Bluebirds frontman. The duo are hoping to build a big QPR fan base in a country of more than a billion people and believe the capture of Chopra, the most recognisable footballer of Indian ancestry, could appeal to a huge Asian audience. Chopra, whose grandparents hailed from the sub-continent, recently travelled abroad for talks with India manager Bobby Houghton about throwing his lot in with the country. But Hoops manager Neil Warnock threw a spanner in the Loftus Road works by saying the Championship leaders couldn’t be interested at Cardiff’s £3m valuation.And he even went on to say that Chopra, dropped by the Bluebirds for their last two league games, wouldn’t get into his QPR starting XI. The outspoken Warnock said: “I have nothing against Michael. He’s a fine player and were he to become available at a knockdown price it would be worth a look. But once our people find out what he would cost, including wages – and I’m guessing at anything upwards of a £3m transfer – they’ll think again, despite what he might do for Queens Park Rangers’ profile in India.” Chopra has had a hit-and-miss season at Cardiff after scoring 21 goals last time out. He picked up an ankle injury in August and missed two months of the season. Though he has scored five times this season, he was played out of position in the big South Wales derby with Swansea City and benched for the last two games against QPR and Preston. It is understood Chopra has been left unhappy at being out of the starting XI and is hoping for a recall against Middlesbrough on Saturday. Chopra – who has always been fiercely proud of his Asian roots – watched India play Kuwait in Dubai last month where he spoke to Houghton. www.walesonline.co.uk/footballnation/cardiff-city-fc/2010/12/09/cardiff-striker-chopra-targeted-to-raise-qpr-profile-in-india-91466-27793296/
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Post by harlowranger on Dec 9, 2010 19:34:42 GMT
Chopra no longer guaranteed Cardiff start, warns Jones
Dave Jones has told Michael Chopra he is no longer guaranteed a Cardiff City starting place.
Chopra was one of the first names on the Bluebirds team-sheet after his £4million move from Sunderland last season.
But the former Newcastle striker has endured a stuttering campaign, scoring just four league goals.
Chopra’s cause was not helped by a two-month lay-off with an ankle injury and in his absence, Jay Bothroyd and Craig Bellamy stole a march to cement their claims for regular starting roles.
Now club record signing Chopra, who has been linked with a £3million move to league rivals QPR, faces the biggest threat to his place at the club.
Cardiff boss Jones said: “Michael needs to get to the form he was showing. When you have competition for places you have to be at your best all the time.
“There may have been other reasons why he lost his place. But that goes for any player at the club.”
The former England Under-21 forward has failed to hold down a place in Jones’ side since his visit to Dubai last month with the intention of switching his international allegiance to India.
Days after his long-haul trip to meet with India coach Bobby Houghton, Chopra was hauled off at half-time against Nottingham Forest and then relegated to the bench.
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Post by Macmoish on Dec 11, 2010 8:16:46 GMT
Western Mail Phil Blanche
Chops told to fight for his first team spot at Bluebirds THE festive season might be fast approaching but there seems to be little Christmas cheer coming Michael Chopra’s way. If Chopra was looking for some good news at the end of a week when he has rarely been out of the headlines, then he was firmly out of luck as Cardiff City boss Dave Jones spoke about his strike options and, in particular, getting the best out of captain Craig Bellamy ahead of today’s trip to Middlesbrough. Having started life at Cardiff out on the left, the on-loan Bellamy has been switched into the middle for the last two games alongside attack line-leader Jay Bothroyd. England cap Bothroyd misses the visit to the Riverside after suffering a hamstring injury in the 1-1 draw with Preston, so there might be another chance for Andy Keogh who spared Cardiff’s blushes last week with a stoppage time equaliser against Darren Ferguson’s strugglers. Chopra – who was this week linked with a £3m transfer window move to Championship leaders Queens Parks Rangers next month – has had to be patient since losing his first-team place and it’s difficult to imagine a player of his calibre content to see that continuing for any great length of time. Asked about Chopra’s plight, Jones replied: “He has to fight for his place like everybody else, he has to prove it day in, day out. “But that’s everybody, not just Chops.” Fair enough. Every player in every football club in the land must do that, whether it’s on the training field each day or on matchday. But what will really concern Chopra is Jones’ belief that Bellamy – who this week criticised Cardiff’s style of play by accusing the Bluebirds of lacking finesse – is best utilised by playing through the middle. So it’s clearly a case of three into two won’t go – and Chopra is very much the odd man out with Bothroyd and Bellamy the Bluebirds’ preferred strikeforce. “Craig can play anywhere along the frontline, he is a top quality player,” said Jones. “But at this moment that (playing through the middle) is where I like him to play him, That’s where he likes to play and it’s of benefit to the team, so that’s fine. “We will look at everything which is best for us but a player of Craig’s quality should be able to play right-back, left-back or anywhere for that matter. “OK, he wouldn’t be the best in those positions – but he is the best playing along the frontline.” Despite illness sweeping through the Cardiff camp, Jones said four players have been sent home from training this week with a 24-hour bug, the Bluebirds probably could not have asked for a better fixture to stop their recent wobble. Cardiff picked up only four points from 15 in November and the new month provided little comfort for Bluebirds’ spirits as rock bottom Preston came within seconds of upsetting Jones’ promotion hopefuls. But pre-season title favourites Boro have been on a downward spiral all season and even the dismissal of manager Gordon Strachan in October has done nothing to revive fortunes. Tony Mowbray, the former Boro player and crowd favourite, oversaw a few early wins but the north-east club have lost three of their last four and are now just one place off the bottom. Cardiff also have a handsome record at Middlesbrough having won their last three games there, including a famous 2-0 FA Cup quarter-final win there in 2008 en route to the final. But Jones insisted: “Don’t fall into the trap that it’s a pushover. Middlesbrough are fighting for their lives. “Tony Mowbray has good players and they’ve got a fantastic stadium and wonderful facilities. “Look at Chelsea. They have won one in six but they are third in the Premier League. “Expectation levels are sometimes are not realistic and it will be a tough game at Boro.” Trying to dampen expectation levels has been a familiar theme from Jones in recent weeks, as has been his stated desire to bring in new players to bolster his squad next month. But he denies there is a serious lack of confidence running through his squad right now after what has been a difficult few weeks. “There was more frustration in the team against Preston than a lack of confidence,” he said. “We haven’t won the league by Christmas and everybody in this part of the world seems to think that should happen. “There is no problem, we are just not playing as well as we can at this moment. “It’s us that will get the fans going by playing the football they want. Sometimes you might not reach those heights. but everybody should relax and not panic. “We have fantastic support here and sometimes they will get frustrated. “If we are not playing to the levels people think we should be just think when we do play to that. If we do that we have a good chance to win (the league) by the end of the season, it’s possible. “I can’t understand the pressure. Cardiff City are near the top and we are trying to get to the Premier League, but we will get there when the club is ready to get there. “We are not far away and we have unbelievable support who want us to do it.” Darcy Blake should get the nod to continue at centre-back if he is fully over the illness which forced him off in the opening half-hour of the Preston draw. Danny Drinkwater’s energy might be needed at the expense of Stephen McPhail to combat a Middlesbrough midfield likely to include former Cardiff loan signing Gary O’Neil and one-time Bluebirds target Barry Robson www.walesonline.co.uk/footballnation/cardiff-city-fc/2010/12/11/chops-told-to-fight-for-his-first-team-spot-at-bluebirds-91466-27806553/
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