Cardiff City: The road to heaven or the road to hell?

The time has come. I have kept my counsel whilst Cardiff's Malaysian backers have changed the team colour, the badge and now, though not confirmed (and apparently denied this afternoon) all things are pointing to an eventual change of name. Even if that's not the case, enough speculation has been created for people to assume that's where this is eventually going.

I'm not a lifelong supporter. I've only been in Cardiff for 33 of my 53 years. I'm not even Welsh. I started going down to Ninian Park for the odd game in the mid 80's. It wasn't until I started taking my son when he was 6 in 1999 that I got a season ticket (for both of us), and we've been ST holders ever since. I consider myself to be a dyed in the wool, "City til I die" supporter.

Times have been tough. I've stood on the Bob Bank with less than 1,800 in the ground. Ah, those concrete toilets with no roof. What great times they were *cough*.

Times have been good. I was there when Blake curled in his winner against Man City, when Scott Young fired home against Leeds and who can ever forget that memorable day at the Millennium Stadium when a rare Andy Campbell goal took us up to what is now the Championship (hey, anyone remember that rebrand)?

I've also seen some dodgy people masquerading as football owners and Chairman over the years. But when Dato Tien Ghee (TG) arrived on the scene, the possibilities of money from abroad were welcomed with open arms by most fans. TG's likeability and his enthusiasm for the club was evident, although we were sure he wasn't the front man. It seemed at last that unlike previously, the club was being managed properly for once, and from a point almost of extinction, we started to rise Phoenix like from the ashes. Well that might be a metaphor to far, but you get the gist. There was no rash rush into administration with a 10 point hit and start over, but careful considered, or so it seemed, financial management aimed at resolving City's long standing debt problems. Success in terms of getting to the Premiership remained elusive, but we were regularly, to use a "Claridgism", there or there abouts.

Bolstered by the appointment of the excellent Malky Mackay as manager, the owners including the now visible front man, billionaire Malaysian business Vincent Tan, appeared to be steadying the ship. As well as reassurances about finances they had negotiated the Cardiff Blues away from CCS so that it was just a football venue and they seemed to have the full support and backing of the fans.

The future looked bright, and it looked blue.

Then almost immediately after our play-off loss last year rumours started to fly by fans "in the know" that a re-brand was being considered and that Cardiff City would be playing in red in the 2013/14 season.

Oh how we laughed.

But the rumours persisted and indeed were confirmed. There was a great deal outrage, although it was by far from universal but enough to force a pause and apparent rethink. TG told us that due to the feedback that the decision was reversed and we would be back in blue this season.

Oh how we cheered.

But then then that was thrown back in our faces. In a U turn on the U turn Vincent Tan had apparently said that continued investment in the club was wholly conditional on the rebrand. "Red or I walk", or words to that effect. Oh, and the badge had to change to, to something that looked like a badly drawn beermat, with a big red dragon and a tiny almost invisible Bluebird.

Some of the fan base declared that was enough and that they'd boycott City until we went back to blue, and there is no doubt that some have walked. However, looking at the crowds down at CCS this year, it's apparent that it's not as many as some might have you believe.

The majority, including me and my son begrudgingly accepted that if playing in red was the price of success, so be it. It was after all still Cardiff City. Same stadium, same players (as much as any club has the same players year in year out), same manager etc.

And the success has come.....nearly. Currently top of the league, and amid cries of "mind the gap", The Bluebirds look a certain bet for promotion to the hallowed Premiership.

But then a funny thing happened. Or not, depending on your view. Vincent Tan decided to give a free red scarf branded "Cardiff" to every supporter at the home game against Brighton with a promise that there would be one season ticket refund every home game for the rest of the season to a lucky fan if photographed wearing or waving the scarf. Some people merely saw this as a freebie. Some hailed the omission of the word "City" from the scarf as an obvious sign that a name change was next up. Most just saw it as a cynical marketing ploy.

Cynical marketing ploy or not, it worked. On the day, almost everyone I saw took one - some took several (wearing my blue City scarf in a gesture of pitifully small protest I declined, as did my son - he's 18 now and can make his own choice).

This in effect turned the majority of the stadium red. It felt surreal that night, it looked surreal, despite the fact we'd been playing in red all season to see the CCS, home of the Bluebirds, bedecked in red. For some who's allegiance had been in the balance this was a tipping point. The scarf giveaway, the stadium in red was the last straw.

To those who say these are "plastic" supporters, new fans, only interested in the Premiership, I say get a grip. they are not. You don't get a totally new fanbase of that size just like that. They are in the main long term City fans. And anyway, there's no number on the years of service you have to have been supporting a club to make you a worthy fan. Each person can make their own decision, and I for one am not going to judge anyone on their choice, although there are times when I wish that people having made their choice (either way) would just button up.

But then just when it seems Vincent Tan has got the majority of fans on board (albeit begrudgingly), it seems that the next trick up his sleeve, and many of the blue persuasion will say they saw this coming, is to "consider" changing the name of the club from Cardiff City to the "Cardiff Dragons".  Actually, what he said was more along the lines of "let's see where we are at the end of the season".  Hmmm...

Whilst this is far from written in stone, coming out of a BBC interview, there is usually no smoke with fire. Then, in an apparent about face (this seems to happen quite a lot) the man himself issued a statement this afternoon to the effect that a change of name is NOT in his plans, although the cynics will point out the use of his language "For the present day...." and that he reneged on his commitment not to change from blue to red last year.

The BBC interview seems to suggest that he is committed to Cardiff City - though more as a business venture to leverage the Asian market, than from a desire and love of football. His intent to mange it carefully shown by his point about spending a few million (up to £5m on a Michu like player rather than £30m on a a Torres like player who would be a waste of money (I paraphrase here). He's clearly not upset by the risk of not having every fan on side either, so long as the majority are, and he seems to think they are, based on the lovely turnout of red on the night of scarfgate.

Throughout all this, as I've kept my counsel there are several things to consider.

Why now? City are on the verge (almost) of promotion to the Premier League. The last thing they need is a distraction from the stands (I was going to say terraces, but that's for another post). The timing of this interview and the inevitable rumour, speculation and anger that follows is ludicrous.

Why at all? The only reason Vincent Tan appears to have given for the rebrand is that red is a lucky colour in Malaysia. Oh, and red sells more shirts. And he wants to make money. Apparently.

Either this man is extremely savvy, or extremely arrogant, or more likely both.

Interestingly, his parting shot on the BBC interview was, and again I paraphrase. "Why would I want to put money into the club if not for good? Do I look stupid?".

Well actually, Mr Tan, with your red City shirt tucked into trousers belted above the wait, do you want me to answer that honestly?

So where does this leave us? Leave me? Leave the club?

Well the fan base is being ripped apart. There's some real vitriol out there which is sad, but I suppose predictable. There is a huge amount of speculation about things that we don't know the full facts about (and as an ordinary supporter probably never will). Every statement from anyone is dissected and conspiracy theories abound - I never went too near the message boards because of some of the crap posted on them, but you can almost guarantee any post about anythings ends up being a blue v red argument these days.

You know who I feel for. Good club people. People who have to front up to some of this stuff. People like Barrie McAuliffe, Cardiff City Media Manager who's remained diplomatic and professional despite a barrage of difficult questions, and frankly, crap from some people. People who obviously have personal opinions one way or the other but who are constrained in what they can say.

Me? I'm caught between the devil and the deep blue sea (if you'll forgive the pun). I'm too emotionally attached to the Bluebirds to throw it all away. And I'm certainly not one of those who would rather see us playing in blue in the Conference than in red in the Premiership. I don't want to see us in red. I certainly don't want to see the name changed to the Cardiff Dragons. But I don't want to give up either.

Sam Hammam could have been accused (and no doubt was) of many things. One thing you couldn't argue though, was the balls he had to engage face to face with fans and have a real discussion with them, even if some of his ideas were a bit off the wall and some of the fans he sat with were a bit self selecting.
It would be nice to think that Vincent Tan could sit down with some fans opposed to his changes. Fans who could offer a sensible and measured discussion, and for him at least have the guts to listen to how some fans really feel, before railroading his way through tradition and history. Or walking away.

Don't hold your breath.

City til I die!
Bloooobirds!

Sat Nav Confusion

In the "good old days", and I'm talking two or three years ago here, it was simple. If you wanted a sat nav solution on your phone, you decided which flavour (Tom Tom, Navigon, Copilot etc), paid (for most) downloaded and off you'd go, physically and metaphorically.
If you wanted to do something daft like go abroad you could usually pay for and download the specific map for your solution, such as North America.
I bought, and to this day have used ALK's Copilot. It was cheaper than most, and for me did just the job. I even bought the North America version when we went on a trip to Orlando a couple of years ago.
We're off to Orlando, with a trip to Miami thrown in for good measure again this year, so I looked for the CP North America version in the App Store (I have long since deleted it from my iPhone).
I couldn't find it, until someone pointed out it would be under "Purchased Apps", whereupon I duly downloaded it again. But as I was doing so it occurred to me that not having found it listed in the App Store, it might now be out of date.
Back to App Store for a quick search on "Copilot" brought me to a grinding halt. There are now a myriad of versions of Copilot.
There are the usual suspects such as CoPilot Live Premium (add country's or region of your choice), some with HD versions, one called Copilot GPS and versions called CoPilot Truck - for truckers presumably.
Anyway, I was confused about whether my re-downloadable, but a couple of years old version was still valid so fired off an email to Copilot. They responded and said it was out of date (no surprise there), and that I should get the CoPilot GPS version (free), so I did.
It's a universal app which means it downloads onto my iPad as well as my iPhone. Firing it up I was asked to register, then have to choose my maps. Well UK & Europe obviously. Then N America. Oh, hang on, that'll be £6.99.
Oh well, I need it.
Check out my iPad, and Copilot GPS is there. I downloaded UK/Europe. hen N America. Oh hang on. To purchase another region, I have to upgrade to full turn by turn instructions. That'll be £17 odd.
What's going on here?
I already have Copilot Live 8 on my iPhone, which I paid £25 a few years ago, plus, a re downloadable but apparently out of date N America version. (Which I think cost me about £7 on a discount promotion).
Now Copilot have told me I should use the free Copilot GPS, where I have to pay nearly £7 for the N America maps after downloading my one free map (UK/Europe), then on my "universal" app on another device it looks like I have to pay £17+ to "upgrade" to allow me to download the N America maps!
And then to top it all, unannounced, I get a tweet from @copilot_us saying I should download the Copilot Live Premium US & Canada app (not just the US version) which is contrary to what they advised in their support email!
Confused? Oh yes!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad Mini

UPDATE

Further communication from Copilot via Twitter directed me to a comparison page. After further consideration, I think the Premium version is what I need. keep my existing UK & Europe version, and get the US & Canada Version too.

Unbeaten at home: 8/8

Despite having the ability to implode away from home, City's form at home this season is peerless. Already the only club in the PL/Football League with an unbeaten home record they added to that today making it 8 wins from 8 after a 2-1 victory of fourth placed Hull.

City we out of the blocks liken a house on fire, and it took only three minutes for Helguson to nod home, banging himself into the post in the process. it was a a serious stoppage that looked like being the end of his game, but warrior that he is he came back on, bloodied, beaten but unbowed. The returning Kevin McNaughton was forced off soon after, and that disrupted City's momentum and Hull grew into the game, but mainly without threat. They did get the ball in the net, but it was given as handball (but there was an offside in there too - take your pick). 1-0 HT.

In the second period, the sub (Kiss) was himself subbed as a precaution. hull continues to enjoy large amounts of possession with relatively little impact.

The game was sealed when makeshift full back Gunnarsson delivered a perfect cross for the diving Hudson to convert. City inevitably didn't make it easy on the fans though, conceding sloppily as Added time beckoned, making for a nervy last four minutes. But the game was seen out. great contributions all round, but for me especially, Whitts, and my MoM Kim Bo Kyung, who I thought was outstanding today.

Up the City!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad Mini

Apple's apps - Reminders

Since getting my hands on my iPad Mini last Friday, I've hardly put it down. It's a wonderful device and I'm already very much attached to it.

One of the interesting things about this is now I have almost the entire "set" of Apple devices; an iPhone, an iPad and a MacBook Pro. I'm only missing the Mac desktop. frankly I tend to only use my Windows 7 PC desktop for a couple of specific tasks these days - the MBP usually is my workhorse these days.

And what this has made me realise is the tight integration and synchronisation that using these three Apple devices bring. I was already reliant on the syncing of calendars and contacts across the iPhone and MBP, now extended to the Mini. My main email is Gmail which is set up on all devices. I also use Dropbox, 1Password and a couple of other apps universally.

But for to dos/tasks I've never really found Apple's own apps to fit the bill - until now. I've been a long time user of the wonderful Appigo ToDo app which I love. The first incarnation of Apple's "Reminders" fell short for me and never came close to replicating what ToDo could do. The current version though has just enough to make me move. It's simple enough without being as complex as ToDo, and for me that's just the ticket. I don't want a complicated "getting things done" approach. I just want a list of things that I need to be reminded about, at a certain time on a certain date. Reminders does that for me, and it's now become my default to do/reminder app - and I'm loving it,


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad Mini

Center Parcs: Longleat Forest

We're currently on the last day of a autumn midweek break to Center Parcs Longleat Forest.

We've been many times over the last 18 years, and our activities have changed focus over those years as the kids have grown.

We still love to come. It's great fun, a truly different sort of holiday break where you can do as much or little as you like, irrespective o the weather (though it does impact some activities), swim under the stars on frosty, snowy nights, cycle through the forest and open your curtains to squirrels, deer, ducks and more.

It does have a downside though. It's very expensive.

We're restricted to coming during school holidays. A Monday to Friday midweek break in autumn half term in a 4 berth "villa" rocks in at over a grand - that's more than £250 a night per person. I've just had an email from CP advising a late break availability. If six people come for the same duration next week, you can get in for £16 (sixteen) pounds per person per night. That's a hell of a difference. Still, you pay your money and take your choice as they say. It's clearly a popular holiday. The place is buzzing this week, but the fact that CP know they have a captive audience and charge through the nose for it rankles a bit.

Part of the attraction is that there are a huge range of activities available, most of which though carry additional costs. The swimming area with the various pools, slides, rapids etc is part of the price, but pretty much all other activities cost. We don't mind paying for these in the main - there's pretty much something for everyone and every age, though almost £20 for 3 of us for 18 holes of mini golf is a bit steep. Again, it's there if you want it, and not if you don't.

There are a range of restaurants and catering outlets, and these offer varying value for money. At the poolside cafe for instance a round of 4 burgers, chips and a soft drink came to an eye watering £30 - much pricier than say McDonalds, and the service was pretty lame. A meal at the Strada Italian restaurant (part of a UK wide chain) for four (no starters) including a bottle of wine topped out at £80.

A pint of lager in the Jardin Des Sports bar costs £4.40, so your clearly not going to have a session here - not that I would if it were cheaper anyway, and maybe that's their aim, but if that's what people are willing to pay....

On balance then, I'd say come and enjoy, but know you're going to pay through the nose unless you come outside school holidays.

Finally, the other point that I'd offer, and this is entirely a personal view. The place is beginning to look and feel a bit tired.

The estate (the forest and surrounds) is well managed by an army of staff, and actually I'd highly recommend any of the nature/ranger walks (cost applies). The rangers are highly knowledgable conservationists, and the nature walk we did this year was fascinating.

But the buildings and facades haven't really changed in the years we've been coming. Inside the sub-tropical swimming paradise, the plants and palms all look a bit dejected this year (maybe it's an end of season thing, although I'm not sure there is an end of season at CP which operates year round), and the dome roof itself was draped in netting - for what purpose it's unclear but it looked a bit naff. We did see some blokes wandering round pointing at the roof today, so maybe there's some refurbishment planned.

Although there are some newer activities, and some development of new accommodation there's nothing fundamentally "new" about the concept at Longleat Forest. You still have the "dome", the Jardin Des Sports facility and the lake. I rather fancy that if this were somewhere like Disney or one of the big attraction parks, there'd have been some significant new offerings. I'm not making suggestions or ideas here, just the observation that it still feels fundamentally the same as it did 18 years ago - although I couldn't have posted this online from my villa via wireless then, even if I'd had a laptop!

That said, I'm sure we'll come again. The kids are bigger - our eldest starts University next year all being well, so we may not be back here as a family of four for a while. It does offer a unique experience, and perhaps that's why the basic offering hasn't changed too much. And it clearly sells.

At a price.

Top of the League!

Ok, it's still only October, but Cardiff City tonight sit top of the Championship, three points clear of Leicester City, with the BBC website headline "Cardiff thrash Burnley to go top".

It was as comfortable an afternoon as City have had this season. Burnley, the league's top scorers showed little threat, nullified by an organised and disciplined team performance.

Malky Mackay opted to start with Kim Bo-Kyung the Malyasian summer signing for the firsttime, and Jo Mason stepping in for the injured Bellamy. It was Mason who struck early after a cracking Noone shot cam back off the bar. It was Noone who made it 2 after the Clarets keeper could only palm a fierce shot which cross the line before the keeper clawed it out.
2-0 at half time and the game looked to be in the bag. City enjoyed dominant possession in the 2nd period,  and Connolly, impressing at right back made it 3 on 81 minutes before in a replay of Tuesday's game Gunnarsson came off the bench to score making it a 4-0 rout on the day.

Everyone looked on top of their game today, but Cowie, Connolly and Kim particularly impressed. Karim Frei, on a month loan from Fulham covering injuries cam on late and looked a class act too.

That's 7 from 7 at home from City. They haven't all been as comfortable as this, but that's 21 points at home from 21. Excellent stuff. Up the Bluebirds!

Mine's a mini.....

So, the deed is done. After giving it a lot of thought (well, ok not much thought at all), I've ordered a 32GB black iPad Mini and rather exorbitantly a blue cover for it at an whopping extra £35

Truth be told I've been lusting after a small form factor tablet for many months now. I almost bought an HTC Flyer, and was very tempted by the Google Nexus 7, but I was fairly confident that Apple were at some stage going to release a smaller version of the world dominating iPad.

I'm glad I waited. This looks a stunning device, although nay sayers say it's overpriced, and the display not being retina isn't as good as it could have been.

Lets face it. Apple doesn't do "it's not as good as it could have been". This will be a superb device, and yes, no doubt in it's next iteration it may well get retina. But for me it's not a show stopper. It's not really even a show pauser.

I can't wait to get my hands on this little beauty, and all being well 'll get it on my birthday a week today. That'll be a nice present!

To iPad mini or not?

I have a nice but tricky decision to make. I'm getting an iPad. That's the nice bit. The tricky bit is whether to get the new Mini version or the full size daddy version.

I've been hanging on knowing the Mini was imminent to see the final specs. It's pretty much as universally leaked. No retina display, 7.9", etc. Cost is £269 for the base 16GB wifi only model.

I think I probably will get this as I fancy the slightly greater portability the smaller unit provides over the 10" version. pre-orders are available from this Friday so I better make my mind up soon.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

City 2-1 Watford

Well this was a strange game. After Saturday's defeat at Forest a home game against a Watford side was just the tonic, especially with Bellamy back in the line up.

City started fluently but had no cutting edge. Watford were surprisingly cynical for a side manages by one of football' greats, Zola.

Early in the piece City had a great shout for a penalty which was turned down despite giving Bellamy an injury which forced him off at half time. To make matters worse, Watford, comfortably the worst side I think we've seen at CCS this season tool the lead from a poorly defended corner. Cue 11 men behind the ball - they couldn't believe their luck.

In the 2nd period City began to pile the pressure on but agin with no final result. The crossing all night was poor. The game turned when the first Watford player was sent off for allegedly catching Noone in the face. Shortly after Connolly's shot was handled and Whitts made no mistake from the spot. Then a second Watford player saw red for a second yellow. It was inevitably all City now but somehow 9 man Watford held on and even had the cheek to break a couple of times. Gunnarson and Gested entered the fray late on to try and make the breakthrough. Eventually someone (Noone) put in the first decent cross of the night in added time and Gunnar buried it. 2-1 city with a little help from he ref. Not a classic, but 3 pts. Again a #fail for all those City fans who left early - why DO they do that?

Burnely will be a tougher yet on Saturday, and almost certainly without Bellamy and Smith who were both injured. Smith looked great before he pulled up and I've revised my initial view that he wasn't a great signing. I think he's been excellent when he's played. Just need him fit.

Up the City!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

City. A weekend to forget

It was a poor return to league action for the Bluebirds after the international break as they went down 3-1 away at Forest.

I only heard snippets on the radio being otherwise engaged, but what stuck out was the description by Radio Wales commentators as an "abject performance" by the Bluebirds.

The conspiracy theorists have the result down Tony's wearing out blue away strip, with the team having won every game they've played in red. More obviously they just never got going and where undone by sixty seconds of poor football.

Still, back on it at home on Tuesday v Watford (in red of course) and we're still right up there. One game does not a season make.

Bluebirds!!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Four of the best

I've posted something similar to this before, but it was a while ago, and may be useful to rehash for those of you who are newer to smartphones, or have not come across these before (unlikely.

In no particular order - well that's not strictly true - I'm going by the order they appear on my phone.....

Evernote

 Evernote is the ideal app for storing your snippets of stuff. It's cross platform, so there are variants for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android etc and it has an online app too - by default you sync your stuff to the cloud, but if you run it off several devices it's available everywhere. You can store notes, audio, photos, files etc etc. Basic comes free - if you have lots you start to pay, but it's worth it. There are also browser plug ins so you can snip info straight from web pages - or even whole web pages if you want. If you store loads of "stuff", it's a no brainer.

Dropbox

One of the earliest modern "cloud" repositories and arguably still one of the best. Download the app (again it's cross platform), and anything you save in your dropbox folder gets synced to the cloud - where you can also access it online. It's got versioning, sharing and loads more. Again, there's a rather stingy 2GB limit on the free version, but you can pay for more space. Again, where-ever you are whatever device you're using, you can access your Dropbox stuff.

WeekCal

I use the calendar on my iPhone a lot. The bog standard Apple calendar however is fairly sparse in functionality. I've long used WeekCal in it's place. It's brilliant. Loads of options, loads of views, great support. It syncs to the inbuilt calendar so if like me you use your iPhone hooked via iCloud to a Macbook (or Mac desktop) everything is there, all the time. A highly polished calendar app and highly recommended.

1Password

There are a myriad of password managers out there. You really need one. No you really do. Really. If you're using the same password, or simple passwords for multiple sites, frankly you're an idiot (sorry, but it's true). You're just asking to get hacked, and probably, sooner or later you will be.

1Password allows you to create and manage complicated paswords that look like "gGt6%_43@£449+qEsW3" (and no, that's not one of mine). But the beauty of it is, you don't need to know this, and you certainly don't need to remember it. 1Password does the creation, storing and retrieval from a browser plug in. All you need to do is have one (1) secure master password. Password does the rest. There are as I said, lots of these password managers/vaults out there. 1Password is pricy. But in my view it's the best. Also cross platform, so I have it on my PC, my Macbook and my iPhone and it all stays nicely in sync without me worrying about it. 

Will football ever learn?

The disgraceful scenes during and after the Serbia v England U21 game last night should be a final nail in the coffin of racism in international football. If the accusations are true and there's little to suggest they are not), the book, nay the library should be thrown at Serbia (who are not alone in the international arena in this it has to be said). They should receive a massive ban from international competition for years and an even more massive fine. But they won't. It'll be fudged

In other farcical scenes, England's senior WC qualifier against Poland was postponed because some numpty decided that despite torrential rain forecast, and duly arrived, even though the stadium had a roof, they wouldn't close it and the ground was waterlogged. Bizarrely, when the European Championship matches held in the same stadium in the summer were played, they had the roof closed.

I'm not sure what the qualifications are to get a job in football, but clearly common sense, a sense of justice and right from wrong isn't part of what is required.

Mr Grumpy

For anyone new to The Lentil, please be warned. Unless you like football (and specifically Cardiff City), gadgets or miserable old gits moaning, you're probably not going to get much from this blog.
You have been told!

Gadget dilemmas

Generally I'm a happy iPhone 4 user. Since the mad rush of blood to the head when I stood in the opening day queue for 5 hours for my "4"  to replace my iPhone 3G I've enjoyed using the phone. When the 4S cam along, there was little in there to persuade me to upgrade, and since then - almost two and a half years now, I've been content.

The arrival of the Samsung Galaxy SIII earlier this year did peek my interest. It's a great phone, with a fantastic screen, and great specs, and over the summer I started to waver just slightly, but have always held back because I still liked the iPhone 4, and I have a Macbook Pro, and I'm getting an iPad, and Apple stuff, well...'just works'.

The other thing I was holding off for, was the arrival of the iPhone 5. I was keen to see what Apple would do to counter the charge of the SIII as one of the flagship smartphones. Well by the time Apple announced it, we all knew anyway because of the leaks. And I have to say, I'm a little disappointed. I was most hoping for a bigger screen. What we've got is a 'taller' screen. Other than that, and a few inevitable tweaks in processor/camera it's much the same as the 4S and arguably 4 before it.

Those in praise say it's all because it's evolutionary rather than revolutionary and why change a winning formula? The critics say Apple are running out of ideas. I'm largely with the former camp, but I was hoping for a bigger (i.e. taller AND wider) screen. My eyes aren't what they used to be, even with glasses. The SIII screen is very appealing.

Additionally, having played with a 5 a couple of times, it's newfound thinness and loss of weight makes it feel....let's not beat about the bush. Cheaper. Although clearly it's not with the cheapest unlocked version (the way I prefer to buy) weighing in at a very hefty £529.

And more worrying, one of the 5's I've played with, and reports from more than one person I know who's got one, have suggested build quality isn't quite what it once was - despite Apple's reinforcement of matching parts. One of the units I saw had a distinct rattle if you tapped the rear plate. The user had been told it was the vibrate unit in the phone. Sounds very dodgy to me.

The synchronicity I have with my Apple devices is re-creatable on Android & the SIII with Google and Dropbox - and I already use Gmail as my default mail anyway. I can get an unlocked SIII for under £450.  So what's stopping me shunning the iPhone 5 and going with the SIII or keeping the faith and upgrading to an iPhone 5?

Well firstly, either way it's a lot of money. £450 - £529's worth to be precise. I can do a lot with that sort of dosh. Secondly, and perhaps most importantly (and sensibly), at the moment, my iPhone 4 is still performing admirably. Arguably it does all I need from a smartphone. I won't be doing anything differently, or new if I had a 5 or an SIII. I'd just have a newer device, and be lighter of pocket.

It's inevitable that I will upgrade at some point. And it's probably inevitable that it will be a 5 as I do like Apple devices and the Apple 'ecosystem'. But it's not guaranteed - yet.

I'm off to count my money.....

Cardiff City Player ratings: Class of 11/12

It's a long time since I've blogged about City - mainly because there are people far better at it than me - Ben Dudley's My Only Cardiff for a start, but there are many others. Also, Twitter has rather overtaken blogging for me as a much more reactive and truly interactive way of conversing with Cardiff fans. You can find me on Twitter as @statto1927

However, one of the things I've done for the last few years is compile and end of season player rating, so here's the one for the 2011-2012 season, the regular schedule of which drew to a close after yesterday's 1-1 draw with Leeds barring the final away game against Palace next week.

These ratings are purely my hopefully objective (inevitably a bit subjective) views on the main squad players after watching them at every home game, and at Wembley. Although I didn't get to any away games this year (another new season resolution down the drain), I did listen in to a fair few via the talking wireless. If you don't agree with these rating, that's fine. I'm sure you'll have your own views, and I'm just dandy about that - football is after all a great divider of opinions.

So, in squad number order:

1 - David Marshall (Keeper): 8/10
I'll admit I wanted Heaton to be our starting keeper at the outset, but Marshy has (generally) impressed. His distribution has improved and he's made some genuinely world class saves. He is still to reticent to come off his line for a 6ft 4in lump and he faffs at crosses he should gobble up with ease. But he's had a good season.

2 - Kevin McNaughton (Defender) 5/10
Nauts has been a shoe in for the last few years for a player of the year placing, but to be honest he's been pretty ordinary this term, and frankly dreadful on occasions. He's still quick, but when he runs with the ball you've no idea where he's going and his distribution has been dire. Also culpable for far too many goals conceded. I love Kev, but he's been way off  his best.

3 - Andrew Taylor (Defender): 7/10
New boy this term, and I think he's been good without being spectacular. That's maybe a sign of a good player, in that you don't notice him. Does tend to back off a bit too much for me when opposition players attack the box. Can put a devasting ball in (Nauts are you listening)?

4 - Filip Kiss (Midfielder): 6/10
Another new boy, he's revered for his ability to slide tackle anything that moves, and some things that don't. On occasions has added steel the middle of the park, but invariably gets booked as well. I like him, the fans like him, and I'd like to have seen him get more game time.

5 - Mark Hudson (c) (Defender): 9/10
Capt Huds has been in good form all season. Generally assured at the back and when City have gone through their poorer spells this season has never hidden, and at times has looked like City's best playmaker. And of course that wonder goal v Derby. Outstanding.

6 - Anthony Gerrard (Defender) 5/10
An enigma. So good for Hull on loan last year, but clearly 3rd choice at best at City behind Hudson and Turner. Always gives his best, but often not good enough. And off the field prone to opening mouth before engaging brain.

7 - Peter Whittingham (Midfielder) 8/10
Not as good this season as last. Started brilliantly (as did most), but has faded and been more ineffectual in the last couple of months. Still moments of brilliance and the capacity to be massively influential, but his dead ball delivery especially been off colour in the second half of the season.

8 - Don Cowie (Midfielder) 6/10
I was tempted to give "The Don" a 7, but in reality a 6 is probably fair. Never stops running, and just occasionally makes the real difference, but often I'm not sure he does. Oh, go on then, 6.5/7

9 - Kenny Miller (Striker) 6/10
Controversial I know. For some "King Kenny" has been awesome. Sorry, not for me. True, he's scored some great goals - the opening day winner at West Ham for one, but he's not a 20 goal a year man. Not in this side. He's got a touch like a donkey, can't take pens, and too often gave up on causes you'd expect a first rate striker to be busting a gut to get to. Sorry Miller fans, but Kenny just hasn't done it for me. Maybe playing off a big man (Bothroyd), he may have been the business, but I guess we'll never know.

10 - Robert Earnshaw (Striker) 5/10
A score of 5 mostly because of lack of game time. For so long when the side was crying out for a change Earnie just warmed the bench. I'm not saying he's better than Miller, but he hasn't really been given the chance to show it either way. Still a City legend though.

11 - Craig Conway (Midfielder) 7/10
I think Conway is probably one of the most under-rated players in City's squad. Again under used mid season, he looked sharp when pulled back into the squad until scythed down by the Watford's Hogg. I hope he comes back stronger and fitter. I think he'll be key next season.

15 - Rudy Gestede (Striker) 7/10
Oh Rudy, if only you had better hamstrings. The young Frenchman is still finding his feet at this level, and had looked steady if unspectacular until Wembley when he played the best game of his season. Good in the air (though can be better), and not afraid to shoot (others take note), but seems to do his hamstring every other appearance.

17 - Aron Gunnarsonn (Midfielder) 8/10
Gunnar has been brilliant. He brings some control to the middle, and is keen to get forward and has scored goals. His long throw can be a decent weapon too. Work rate is first class. Has looked very tired in the latter stages of this season though. And the first City player to wear odd coloured boots. I like this lad, and he should do well again next year.

20 - Jo Mason (Striker) 9/10
Is he a striker or an attacking midfielder? Either way, Malky unearthed a jewel here when he grabbed him from Plymouth. The young lad is a cracking find and has been influential in many, many games including the Cup Final where he put us 1-0 up over Liverpool. Good running, coolness in the finish.  A fantastic prospect. A bit more strength, and more experience, and he may well be our 20 goal a season man.

22 - Tom Heaton (Keeper) 9/10
Second choice apart from the Carling Cup run, he's kept his counsel and delivered in spades when called on. Superb in the league cup, making crucial penalty saves. A top class keeper, and it's a shame we can only play one at a time. We need to keep him, but he'll want regular football.

23 - Darcy Blake (Defender)
Ok, so he can be a midfielder too. He's been largely overlooked with some saying he should have been getting the game time that Nauts has. On Naut's form I'd probably agree. Has the capacity to be a fantastic utility player, but generally when he's played he's delivered.

25 - Ben Turner (Defender) 8/10
Man mountain Turner has made a big difference to us defensively. He's formed a great partnership with Hudson, and his no-nonsense defending gives relative peace of mind. Prone to giving occasional silly free kicks away when wrestling opponents which he needs to think about. His launched "diagonal ball" is now a famous City trademark.

37 - Stephen McPhail (Midfielder) 8/10
Macca used to get stick from many when he first came to City for his square and backward passes. We now know that this is in fact controlled midfield play, and we're a far better team when he's in the middle of the park. Sadly, illness has restricted his ability to play for long periods, or to complete more than about 60 minutes. We miss him when he's not there. I wish him all the best in his battle with his health, and I hope we see more of him. A consummate professional.

52 - Joe Ralls (Midfielder) 6/10
We haven't seen too much of Joe, but when we have he's looked impressive. Plenty of optimism here if this is the sort of player Cardiff are producing through the ranks.

And last but not least

Malky Mackay (Manager)
"Malky who?" some cried when the Scotsman was appointed. For many, Malky was second choice after (name any one of about 4 here), but he's come in, won the hearts of (most) fans with his general approach, willingness to switch tactics and formation and famous "thumbs up" after every ayatollah and at the end of the match.

I like him, I really do. But I do have a tiny nagging doubt that he too can be unwilling to change (note lack of rotation when we were doing so poorly), but that's probably nit picking.

Let's face it, when he was appointed, and we'd lost (twelve I think) players from last years squad, 99% of people would have settled for that cliched "transitional season", and a mid table finish. But by the autumn we were flying high, expectations had changed and play-offs, nay automatic promotion was being uttered (rather optimistically in my view). But here we are. The regular season's one game away from being over. We're sixth. We've been to Wembley to the Carling Cup final where we held Liverpool (indeed led for much of normal time). We were two kicks away from bringing the cup back to Cardiff. That's not a bad transitional season is it?

Others
Jon Parkin, "The Beast" is clearly not in Malky's long term plans and bar  a couple of early season performances has been out on loan. Don't expect to see him in the squad next term. Lee  Naylor who took a lot of stick last season (and he was awful) has played only a couple of times, and to be fair has looked a much better player than he did last year. And that's about it, bar a couple of others who we haven't seen or haven't had more than a match or two (Kienan, Jarvis).

And that probably also shows another point. What a thin squad we have. I was surprised that in January when we were pushing for Wembley, and rising close to the top of the division, that we didn't get more players in. Malky said we wouldn't buy for the sake of it, couldn't get who we wanted and I think we have paid the price for that, with players giving their all, but with little/nothing left in the tank.

Compare and contrast to Southampton and Reading who bought and of who one is already up, and the other likely to go up.

To be fair, Malky inherited a bit of a no-win situation. He brought several players in, but clearly has had to work with some that he feels he doesn't want long term. He's a canny bloke. With perhaps a little money to spend in the summer, I'm looking forward to what he might offer in the long term. Of course without counting chickens, it's possible that we might, just might be in the Premiership next season, although my heart says no, and I don't think we're as ready this year as we were last year. Of course if we do, then we'll need to spend.

Until then, though......

King Whitts: City 2-0 Crystal Palace

This was a tough match for City (are there any easy matches in this division?), but on the back of a 3-0 away win at Derby in the week, even a Palace side that hadn't conceded in their last six matches shouldn't have put any fear into the Bluebirds.

Malky Mackay is moulding this squad into a genuinely tough to beat side, with a team ethic that has been starkly lacking in Dave Jones' sides of the past few seasons.

As was fitting for Bonfire Night, this started off as a slow burner, but burst into life and left City's faithful dazzled by the sparklers provided by a fantastic 2-0 win.

In truth, the first period was a fairly turgid affair for City bar one Miller glanced header and a thunderous shot from Whittingham that cannoned off the bar. Heaton, in for the ill Marshall, was the busier of the two keepers, as City struggled to win second ball, hold onto possession or pass with any accuracy.

However, in the second period City started to pick up the pace, and with great effect. Miller was put through one on one with Speroni, who had been inspired against us at CCS last year, and it looked like he was in the same form as he denied Miller's effort. That though was the spark that lit the blue touchpaper, and thereafter, City were virtually unstoppable.

On 69 minutes Taylor put the ball to the ever industrious McNaughton who layed the ball off to Miller who finished clinically with a shot across Speroni, the first goal Palace had conceded in over 550 minutes of play. But just 11 minutes later they'd conceded again. Nauts was up-ended outside the box to the right, and in prime Whittingham territory, City's King-Pin hit a beautiful shot right into the top corner with Speroni flailing and failing to get to the ball.

Despite a too late rally by Palace, City kept a second consecutive clean sheet. It looks like the back four are finally beginning to gel - some mistakes still, but with the assured Heaton marshalling the defence, there were few worries in the second period.

All the players were great today, but Whittingham was magnificent, pulling the strings and creating the guile City needed to break down a good defence.

Make no mistake. City are far from the finished article, but this tops off a very decent return of results as we go into an international break. City will be full of confidence, Mackay will be very pleased with his charges, and dare we say it - has City's November hoodoo finally been put to rest?

City lie a comfortable 4th, although Birmingham way down in 12th, but only six points behind have an incredible four games in hand. At this stage of the season would I have taken that? I'd have bitten your hand off.

Up the City!

Great win: Derby 0-3 City

Usually I'd be all over this - a three nil win for City away. And fantastic though it was, I just haven't got the enthusiasm to write about this see post below for the reason why).

So read about it here.

Ups and downs

It's been a funny old few weeks. Well not so funny really, not funny at all.

Work has been rough. Very, very busy, things going wrong that shouldn't have and just generally draining. Beginning to look like things are turning a corner though.

Me & Mrs H both bought new cars in the last months as well (well new second user cars - who the hell can afford a new, new car these days?). Then, two weeks after she picked hers up, a lovely black Fiesta Titanium, some woman side swiped her pulling out into her as she was driving along the main road. Fortunately no-one injured (both my wife & daughter were in the car). The car was repairable, and she picked it up from the accident repair centre last Friday.

Then today, just three weeks after picking my new (one year old) Mondeo up, driving to work along the M4, I could see traffic ahead slowing but then the car in front of me just stopped, because the car in front of them just stopped, and though we weren't going fast, and I thought there was plenty of gap between me and the car in front, there wasn't. Smack. Three airbags deployed, front of my car a mess (their car hardly a scratch by the look of it). Again, and the main thing, no-one injured, though I was pretty shaken (have you ever been in a car with three airbags going off? They make a hell of a bang). No idea yet if the car is repairable.

So I'm pretty hacked off at the moment. We must have offended the God's somewhere along the way these last few weeks.

Sublime (and a bit awful): City 5-3 Barnsley

After Tuesday's disappointing loss at London Rd, having been ahead with 3 minutes to play, City were looking to bounce back against Barnsley at the CCS today.

With Miller back from injury, Malky chose to play the diminutive striker at the head of a 4-5-1 formation with the returning McPhail in the centre. Still at central defence were Hudson & Turner, needing to build on a fledgling partnership that had conceded six goals in the previous two games. Despite the somewhat conservative formation for a home match, City looked bright early doors, and took only 10 minutes to go ahead after Miller calmly slotted past Steele after a superb pass from Don Cowie. Soon after Miller had a glancing header superbly saved by Steele, and from the resulting corner with City looking in control, Miller was forced off after a clash with team mate Turner in the box. Much to the surprise of many, it was Mason not Earnshaw that replaced him. He immediately had an impact when running at the Barnsley defence he was hacked down just outside the area. Whittingham lined up the kick, and his powerful shot was parried only for Mason to react quickest. 2-0 City.

Almost immediately however the Tykes equalised, when former City loanee Dany Drinkwater's free kick was wickedly deflected past the helpless Marshall. But the Tykes jubilation lasted only a couple of minutes as City pressed again, with Mason influential, and the ball came to Gunnarsson who teed up a volley and rifled it past Steele who had no chance. 3-1 City at half time.

Barnsley made three subs at the start of the second half, but it made little difference, as City were in complete control, playing some sublime football.On the hour Mason played the pass of the game to put Cowie through, and after he rounded Steele and poked home it was 4-1. Gunnarsson then made it 5-1 on 71 minutes flicking home Taylor's cross. Barnsley looked long dead and buried, and had nothing to offer, and City fans were expecting every run forward to result in a goal. But a needless corner given away by Taylor's flicked header on 82minutes was nodded home almost in slow motion with City's defence static, and four minutes later, City were again all at sea as they failed to clear and Vaz Te fired home. So 5-3 from 5-1 up, and City were suddenly on the back foot and looked a bit rocky. But they held out, and the game finished with that scoreline.

For 90% of the game City were outstanding. The 4-5-1 formation worked superbly (until McPhail went off when it started to go a bit pear shaped), and although it could be argued that Barnsley were poor, it was because City controlled the game. Mason particularly was outstanding, and there were terrific performances from Cowie, Whittingham, McPhail and Gunnarsson.

It's probably not fair to pick holes when we've won, especially when we won so convincingly, but there are negatives, and Malky will surely want to sort these out. McNaughton is a fantastic defender - possibly one of the best right backs in the division, but his distribution is pants. In the first 30 minutes, every time he got the ball his final pass gave possession away. And at the back, although it could be argued that Hudosn & Turner are building a working relationship, they've presided over 9 goals being conceded in the last three matches, and that is just not good enough.

Still, three points and +2 goal difference from the match IS positive. Cut out the crap goals being given away, and City are a force to be reckoned with.

An old boy and a Jack: City 2-2 Ipswich

After waiting a couple of weeks for City to play because of the international break, I was denied watching this match because a stupid woman drove into my wife's car an hour before k.o. and I had to assist with sorting the resulting problems. Thankfully, and the main thing, both my wife and daughter who were just driving along the main road at the time were both ok. The car, which my wife has only had two weeks, a shiny black Fiesta Titanium is now a less shiny black and bent Titanium.

As for the match, I was kept up to date by radio and my son who managed to get to the stadium whilst I made my way back to the scene of the accident.

With Miller still sidelined Gestede and Earnshaw started up front, and it was the tall Frenchman who headed City aheadon 19 mins. But Ipswich were always threatening with former City legend Chopra, and ex-Jack Jason Scotland up front, and it was little surprise when the latter shot low to level on 30 minutes. It seems City were relieved to get in at half time without conceding. But, almost inevitably, on 51 minutes City old boy Michael Chopra nodded home to put the Tractor boys ahead. It seemed City were struggling, but fortune shone on them when referee Whitestone (who according to most people I've heard, including the commentators had a shocker) pointed tot he spot on 72 minutes for a handball offence. Peter Whittingham calmly slotted to make it 2-2. Shortly after Kevin McNaughton was brought down in the box, but the ref it appeared had given his quota of pens for the day.

So 2-2. I'd probably have taken that before a ball was kicked.