Never felt more like singin' the Blues
When Cardiff win and Swansea lose -
Oh Cardiff
You got me singin' the Blues -
Blues,Blues, Blues!
When we beat Swansea 1-0 last Sunday I didn't hear that chant, which is a pity as it used to be a favourite.
There were no chants for 'redbirds' or 'dragons' (except as a wind-up from Swansea fans) nor , indeed, have there been since the change and at the end - alongside the constant calling of Malky's Army, were the pointed chants of 'We're Cardiff City......We'll always be Blue!' just like our triumphant end to last season when chairman Vincent Tan appeared.
There were noticeably fewer red shirts in the stadium v. Swansea and this could not entirely be explained by the appalling weather ( i.e. wearing of coats). The mood has changed significantly.
I met one refusnik ( who has boycotted the club since Tan's red imposition) on the train down who put it succinctly - ' It's a laugh really! He strips the club of its history and identity and most go along with it, but now our manager's threatened people are actually questioning Tan's position.....It's a joke because some people - given a couple of bad results - would be calling for Malky's head!'
He emphasized - 'Fans are so fickle!'
The events of the last month, together with the disclosure about the signing of Etien Velikonja, have brought home to the majority what we have have saying all along : Tan is a megalomaniac who knows nothing about football yet treats the club as if it was just another of his Malaysian businesses, acting with total disdain towards fans, management and players.
It began with the sacking of head of recruitment Iain Moody. He was summarily dismissed without Tan even realising that in this country there are certain laws protecting labour rights and an appeal to unfair dismissal. Tan has supplied no reasons for his action, which was immediately altered to 'gardening leave' (he must have a very big garden!).
Derby's new boss Steve MacLaren showed his footballing knowledge by snapping up Moody!
The derby match was a victory for Malky's tactics, the team's spirit and determination and , let's not forget, Moody's invaluable contribution to the club (as Mackay intimated in his post-match press conference).
Our three best players on the day were Medel, Caulker and Theophile-Catherine, all signed because of Moody's excellent work. Medel, a record signing yet worth every penny, is the kind of defensive midfielder we have rarely had over the years : a player who reads the game so well. Caulker not only scored the winning goal, but was a captain who epitomized the way we played, with passion and power. Theo got more into the game as it went on and played with pace and vision.
Tan's appointment of his son's friend 23 year-old Alisher Apsalyamov was the ultimate insult to Malky, who was not consulted. His qualifications for the job were wall-painting at the Stadium and computer games, but not a work permit, so he cannot perform the role due to a Home Office investigation.
As with the meddling in team affairs - such as tactics and substitutions - Tan has behaved as he does in Malaysia, where his name has become synonymous with corruption.
The Guardian's expose about the signing of Velikonja for £1.7 million was equally revealing, as it illustrated just how far back Tan's interference has gone.
Velikonja was signed by Tan and football agent Mendes without Malky's consent. The agent was the same one who persuaded Man. Utd to part with an incredible £7 million for Bebe, when Ferguson hadn't even seen him play! He turned out to be one of their worst ever signings, just as Velikonja has been for us.
The present impasse has to be resolved, given the fact that Tan refuses to support Mackay and vice versa.
Had we lost to Swansea it may well have given the chairman an excuse to get rid of Malky. As it is, even the most fickle of fans can't fail to appreciate how quickly he has adapted to the Premiership and how the team has given everything for him.
Before the Swansea game I was wary of his predictably defensive tactics and had they scored in the first 20 minutes, when they dominated, I think they would've gone on to win emphatically.
However, the second half showed his flexibility and we played with a renewed confidence, our defenders like Caulker and Theophile bombing forward at every opportunity, something you can do with Medel always covering.
Remarkably, he got everything right and his selection of Whittingham in a central role was key to the whole plan. Whitts is so much more effective there : on the wing he just hasn't got the pace to trouble Premier defenders, yet his passing and understanding with Medel were crucial.
If Malky leaves (there are inevitably rumours about Norwich), there will be ructions at CCFC such as we've never witnessed before.
A few 'TAN OUT' banners will be replaced by thousands and there could be a mass boycott; though given the fickle nature of many.........
For now, the age of the ludicrous red dragon (which belongs on Wales football shirts) is fading and the Bluebird is on the rise again.
(Please join the march organised by Bluebirds Unite before the Man Utd game. It starts at 2 pm outside the Castle.)
HE DOES WHAT HE WANTS!
I am Super Vinnie Tan
I do what I want
I am what I am.
I appointed a painter
in charge of recruitment
called Alisha Apocalypse.
It had nothing to do
with him being my son's friend,
he is expert on Football Manager.
I signed Etien Veronica
for 2 million Euro smackers,
but he's hardly played since.
I own you and you owe me,
even Sam the Man agrees with me ;
without me, where would Mackay be?
We won because of the red
and nothing to do with the team.......
and now they no longer believe.
The dragon is really so Chinese,
we will sell more shirts in Far East,
brings in more money you see.
I am Super Vinnie Tan
in my bright red suit ,I grin :
I know nothing, have everything.
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