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Nigel Harris, Cardiff, supported City since I filled I first nappy but a season ticket holder since 6, that's a lot of years ago!
Cardiff City's 20 Questions
Nigel Harris, Cardiff, supported City since I filled I first nappy but a season ticket holder since 6, that's a lot of years ago!
What was your first game?
Millwall at home, 1968, (now you know how long ago).
No sign of football violence but pickpocketsa pinched my sweets!
Describe the most memorable and worst game you've seen and why?
I was present as all City's major wins in the past 30 odd years - beating Real Madrid 1-0 in Europe, Leeds when they were top of the Premiership in the F.A. Cup and QPR in a hometown Millenium Stadium play-off final.
However winning 7-1 at Oldham and getting a 0-0 at Cambridge when we played the final half-hour with 8 men after 3 were sent off will always live in my memory too.
Who do you consider as your current local rivals, and why?
Although younger fans direct their attentions towards Swansea, we only played them were both sides were pants in the lower division. My eneny have been, always will be, the Wurzels of Brizzle Zity. Although they are now lower division too, fine by me!
Who are the best and worst players you have seen?
Best players I have seen for Cardiff include Robert Earnshaw, Nathan Blake, John Toshack, Phil Dwyer. All were local boys come good.
The worst? Probably about 200-300 players who had gamnes for City during the bleak years in the '80's and '90's. I'd prefer to forget them if you don't mind.
Which current or former Rotherham player impressed you most?
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Past players - Leo Fortune-West who will always be a Cardiff cult hero and fondly remembered for his unique art of combining football and comedy at the same time (even if his comedy was unintentional)
Alan Lee impressed me with The Millers but even though he has broken into the Irish sqaud with City and produces strong runs, he hasn't produced goals or consistency for Cardiff. The jury is out on him.
How did you fare last season?
Mid-table obscurity despite being in the play-off picture at halfway. Our decline has continued this term.
Mid-table obscurity despite being in the play-off picture at halfway. Our decline has continued this term.
How do you think you'll do this season?
As long as Leenie Lawrence stays in charge, not much better off than where we currrently are but hopefully we will get out of the bottom three.
If a positive change takes place, more mid-table obscurity ... if we're lucky.
As long as Leenie Lawrence stays in charge, not much better off than where we currrently are but hopefully we will get out of the bottom three.
If a positive change takes place, more mid-table obscurity ... if we're lucky.
What's the local drink and snap?
Local Brew - Brains Beers. All its forms are fanastic, S.A. (aptly nicknamed Skull Attack by locals) does create delusions d'grandeur that Cardiff City are indeed the Greatest Team in Football the world has ever seen. It's that potent!
If Cardiff were a TV personality, who would it be and why?
Denise Van Outen. It's attractive, it teases us, it has talent and ability, it makes us believe it will go onto major things but it just doesn't deliver.
Denise Van Outen. It's attractive, it teases us, it has talent and ability, it makes us believe it will go onto major things but it just doesn't deliver.
So what do you think of Rotherham?
Honestly, I think they've done a brilliant job punching above their weight at this level and much credit goes to Ronnie and the players for doing that on a cotton thread (it's not even thick enough to be a shoestring, is it?)
Got a lot of time for Ronnie Moore who, coincidentally, lived in the same road as myself when he played for Cardiff City. I even babysat with my then girlfiend for his son, Ian, now with Burnley of course. Jeez, I make myself sound older with every answer!
Is your manager barking mad?
If he isn't, he's sending me barking mad! He looks like a double of Monty Burns from The Simpsons, he's more miserable and dour than Morrisey, most fans have lost faith in him and want change but he won't resign and, for whatever reason, Sam won't dismiss him. Many believe it's because Sam has too much influence in team selection and Lennie happy to let it happen.
Are you happy with your Chairman/Backroom staff?
Sam Hammam has been the best thing, bar none, to happen to Cardiff City. From Lower Division down and outs to Division One in three years is something I will never experience again. The club are at a crossraods and crisis point however with huge debts, a much promised new stadium forever delayed and, now, star players being sold. The club have to survive at this level, relegation is unthinkable.
The backroom staff do a reasonable job, especially at youth level where a string of prospects are on the horizon.
Which team do you want to beat the most this season and why?
Having seen my beloved Cardiff City and Wales win just twice in 16 outings so far this season, I'll be glad to see us beat anyone.
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What sort of line-up can we expect from you?
4-4-2
Most likely team is Tony Warner in goals, a back four of Williams (on loan from Sunderland) with Danny Gabbidon (set to go to the Premiership in January), Tony Vidmar and Chris Barker.
The midfield will be Paul Parry with Willie Boland or Graham Kavanagh (Kav is a manager's favourite, most fans feel Boland should get the nod) England Under-21 skipper Gary O'Neill (on loan from Pompey) and Jobi McAnuff. The strikers will be Peter Thorne and Alan Lee.
Predicted score?
There are signs that City are coming out of their slump but we have failed to score in 6 out of 8 games since Earnie was sold so it'll be 2-1 to City or 0-0.
Who's going up?
Whoever it is will be coming straight back, nobody looks impressive.
Whoever it is will be coming straight back, nobody looks impressive.
Who's going down?
Rotherham (sorry), Gillingham and Brighton (but maybe us if we don't sort our act out)
MillersMad would like to thank Nigel of CardiffCity-Mad.