Fowler finds form for City

Cardiff City v Preston North End
22 September 2007 - 12.45pm

Robbie Fowler fired his first two goals for Cardiff City yesterday against Preston North End. But the Bluebirds could only draw after Callum Davidson added a second of his own in injury time rounding off another madcap week at Ninian Park.

As Jose Morinho rocked English football with his departure from Chelsea, Cardiff City Chairman Peter Ridsdale caused similar shockwaves across the border in the Welsh capital this week, tendering his resignation.

Ridsdale had been receiving abuse from fans following a poor start to the season and reports of financial troubles off the pitch. “I am getting more stick for saving Cardiff City than I did when things went wrong at Leeds," he said.

Unlike Mourinho at Chelsea, Ridsdale retained the backing of the rest of the board and his resignation was rejected. And come the 38th minute of City’s encounter with fellow strugglers Preston the fans were singing his name following Fowler’s opening salvo, the first of his Ninian Park tenure, which brought promises of a first home league win of the season. His second, after a long range equaliser from Davidson, brought delirium.

But full-back Davidson spoilt the party in the dying moments leaving a frustrated Dave Jones with just the solitary point and a prone Roger Johnson who was later carried tentatively off the pitch by a number of concerned paramedics. A neck injury was feared but it was later confirmed that he is unharmed.

Cardiff’s season began with the fanfare signings of Fowler and Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink, amidst focus on an impotent attack. City’s other strikers having since found their shooting boots away from home, and Hasselbaink opening his account with a fine long range strike on Wednesday night against Watford, it is the defence to whom the focus had shifted.

With the continued absence of Darren Purse and Glenn Loovens, Dave Jones sought attack as the best form of defence to avoid the prospect of City’s fourth consecutive home defeat in the Championship. The up and coming Chris Gunter was dropped in favour of Welsh international winger Joe Ledley, with Trevor Sinclair slotting into the right-back position.

It was a tactical change that provided City with more options, Ledley and Paul Parry switching flanks and Sinclair pushing on to whip in crosses from the right and free kicks from the left.

Preston are a side also short on form, to the extent that this fixture was cheekily referred to as a relegation dogfight. Both Preston and the Bluebirds have Premiership aspirations so it is foolish to attach such a label just six games into the season but it reflects the feelings of the fans.

Gunter’s replacement, Ledley, almost opened the scoring, forcing an acrobatic save from Andy Lonergan at the far left post from a pin-point cross by Parry.

It was a carbon-copy cross from Ledley onto the head of Fowler in the 28th minute after good work from Sinclair that simultaneously broke the deadlock on the day and lifted the burden of expectation on Fowler and Dave Jones’ decision to include him after a flat-footed display against Watford.

Unlike Fowler, Cardiff’s on-loan keeper, Ross Turnbull, paid the price of flapping at Adam Johnson’s free-kick on Wednesday night as Michael Oakes replaced him between the sticks. Oakes had little to do but watch Paul Gallagher’s tenth minute shot fly narrowly over his bar and make an important interception in the 33rd minute as the City defence were once more caught napping, allowing Preston to fire in a dangerous cross.

With a one-nil lead and his side playing with the majority of the possession, Dave Jones pulled Parry at half time, restoring Gunter to the field and Sinclair to his natural berth on the right wing. Jones revealed after the game that this was enforced by a slight injury to Parry rather than a desire to tinker tactically.

Preston put a spanner in the works ten minutes later, Davidson equalising with a stinging, low drive that escaped Oakes’ outstretched right hand and found the bottom corner of the net to the predictable dismay of the Cardiff faithful who had a first home win in their sights.

Fowler restored the lead and convinced any doubters of his calibre in the 64th minute, heading home from Ledley’s in-swinging corner. He received a standing ovation when replaced by Steve Thompson in the final five minutes.

But Davidson was not to be outdone by the former Liverpool legend. In injury time, as the Cardiff fans congratulated themselves on a job well done, a final free kick was laid square to Davidson. He let loose another rocket, this time into the bottom left corner of the net, to leave Cardiff them still seeking a first elusive home win.

“At least we’ve stopped the rot” was Jones’s optimistic post-match summary.

Cardiff 4-4-2: Oakes, McNaughton, Capaldi, Rae, Fowler (Thompson 84’), McPhail, Parry (Gunter 46’), Johnson, Ledley, Sinclair (Whittingham 78’), Hasselbaink. Subs not used: Turnbull, Blake.

Preston North End 4-4-2: Lonergan, Davidson, Mawene, Sedgwick, Agyemang (Hawley 60’), Gallagher (Mellor 71’), Carter, Chilvers, Hill, Jones, Nicholls. Subs: Hawley, St Ledger, L. Neal, C.Neal.

Referee: A R Hall

Yellows: Davidson (21’), Chilvers (39’)

Attendance: 11,772

Championship Review (18/19 Sept)

Round-up for the Cardiff City FC match program:

It’s not unusual by Andy Sloan

Tom Jones has probably played in more stadiums than Ryan Giggs and therefore the fruits of his labours deserve to be the theme for this round-up of mid-week action in the Championship and my, my, my are we now sick of writing about Darius Henderson.

Beattie burning down the house
James Beattie continued his sensational scoring streak with two strikes against Blackpool to salvage an unlikely point for his latest employers, Sheffield United. In fact, Beattie opened and closed the show, heading the opener on 13 minutes and then seeing a speculative 35 yard effort creep under Blackpool keeper Paul Rachubka two minutes from time and just seconds after Ben Burgess thought he had won the match for Blackpool. Stephen Crainey had equalised for the home side with a free kick moments before half-time and when his team-mate, Burgess, added the second the Blackpool fans could be forgiven for celebrating three well earned points but hadn’t counted on a Beattie’s sensational winner that must have had his former manager, David Moyes, shaking his head in exasperation.

The Robins run while others walk
Playing a day before Watford, Bristol City took the chance to temporarily reacquaint themselves with the top spot, but had to rely on a late equalizer from Bradley Orr and superior goal difference than the Hornets. They failed to take all three points against West Bromwich Albion yet were happy to salvage a point after coming perilously close to ending their unbeaten run. Manager Gary Johnson said afterwards, "the boys never say die and that's the attitude they've got at the moment.” His counterpart, Tony Mowbray, was understandably upset having seen his side take the lead halfway through the second half courtesy of Robert Koren. Despite missing a host of chances to put the game beyond doubt, the Baggies were seemingly heading for the win until Orr latched onto a Lee Johnson cross in the 89th minute. "When you get two minutes from the end of the game, 1-0 up, looking comfortable, we're disappointed,” said Mowbray. “Credit to Bristol City, they kept going. You've got to give respect for where they are in the league. They're not there by accident. They're there by hard work, endeavour and organisation."

Reid spot on in unusual climax
Christmas came early for Charlton skipper Andy Reid who converted two penalties in the final five minutes against Norwich City to send the Addicks third in the table. Super-sub Izale McLeod put in a sparkling cameo for Alan Pardew’s team, coming on in the 80th minute with the brief to break the deadlock and being felled twice to win his third and fourth penalties of the season. To compound the Canaries’ misery veteran striker Dion Dublin was sent off in the 90th minute for what Peter Grant deemed to be a dubious head-butt on Danny Mills. “It's important to finish with 11 men,” he said, “but unfortunately we couldn't because somebody cheated."

Dowie and Jordan remain without love
It is fair to say that Crystal Palace Chairman Simon Jordan is not Iain Dowie’s biggest fan following the former Palace manager’s acrimonious departure to Charlton in 2006. After Palace blew three points in the 87th minute on Dowie’s return to his former club, Jordan may not be current manager, Peter Taylor’s, biggest fan either. Last week Jordan stated his desire for a top six finish and after seeing Coventry’s substitute striker Leon Best connect with Jay Tabb’s cross to steal a dramatic late equaliser, Taylor said, “I am not confident [of keeping my job] but I just don't know because I have not spoken to Simon [Jordan]. If I'm honest, it's not nice when you read that he has been having regular contact with Neil Warnock.” Dowie didn’t help Taylor’s situation, pointing out that Palace made a lot of money on the players he left them and the fact that they had spent £8m last season yet failed to reach the play-offs. It was an old hand at Selhurst Park, Dougie Freedman, whose work enabled Stuart Green to give the Eagles a first-half lead but Coventry saved the Best till last, or the 87th minute at least to share the points.

Holloway enjoys the green green grass of home
Plymouth secured their first league win since the start of the season thanks to two unanswered goals against QPR from Peter Halmosi and David Norris. QPR’s Daniel Nardiello hit the woodwork in the first half and Ben Sahar had a fine effort saved late on but otherwise it was an enjoyable night for Ian Holloway on his return to Loftus Road.

Scunthorpe keep on smiling
Preston returned to their losing ways as Scunthorpe maintained a remarkable home record, Paul Hayes netting a second half winner in an entertaining 2-1 victory. Andy Crosby put the Irons in front on 24 minutes, but North End equalised just before the break through Youl Mawene. Preston had reason to feel rueful after Hayes’ shot squirmed under Andy Lonergan three minutes into the second half. They missed a penalty and Andy Carroll was sent off for retaliation, effectively ending any hope of a comeback. Scunthorpe boss, Nigel Adkins, was suitably delighted: "It was a super game, high tempo, loads of goalmouth action and thoroughly enjoyable. On any one given day, anybody can beat anybody. And that's what our philosophy is."

Why, why, why, ask Wednesday after sixth defeat
D:Ream, the band responsible for Labour’s 1997 campaign anthem ‘Things Can Only Get Better’ clearly aren’t Sheffield Wednesday fans. With a club record five defeats in their first five matches this season things seemingly couldn’t get any worse. They could. Wednesday slumped to their sixth successive defeat, this time to Burnley, thanks to goals from Robbie Blake and Chris McCann. "In previous defeats I've said we did not deserve it,” said boss Brian Laws, “but tonight we did, we looked like rabbits in headlights.”

Stoke happy with their situation
In a classic tale of mid-table mediocrity, Stoke and Barnsley played out a goalless draw to share the points at the Britannia Stadium. While Stoke were happy to continue a run of unbeaten results they are concerned about the number of draws but the visitors were delighted with a clean sheet and having failed to learn anything from watching the trials and tribulations of Martin Jol this season, Barnsley boss, Simon Davey said, “I'd be more worried if we weren't creating. I know that this team will score goals.”


Veteran Windass rediscovers that funny familiar forgotten feeling
Dean Windass, aged 392, fired home from the penalty spot to give Hull their first away win of the season although the sheer proflicacy of the Wolverhampton strike force should be noted as the primary factor behind this result. Freddy Eastwood at least managed to find the woodwork but his striking partner Andy Keogh was guilty of some wayward finishing. Jay Jay Okocha made his full debut, enabling Hull manager Phil Brown to wax lyrical about his star signing once again, although he stopped short of the overused chestnut that he’s so good they named him twice.

My, my, my Mr. Henderson
Watford established a three point lead in the Championship after sinking Cardiff City on a rain soaked evening at Ninian Park. Man of the moment, Darius Henderson, challenged his manager, Aidy Boothroyd, before the Hornets victory over Southampton, saying “When will you learn? When I play, we win.” Sadly he remained good to his word, scoring a brace against an improving Cardiff side prone to lapses in concentration. His second goal cancelled out the fervour generated in the ground by Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink’s stunning strike, his first for the Bluebirds. The stadium had risen as one as his 25 yard effort curled effortlessly round Mart Poom and into the top corner but Henderson’s pace, power and passion for football at present were too much for the city defence and a side still looking for its first home league win of the season.

Saints move closer
St John’s Ambulance men were on hand to race to the rescue of Ian Wright during Southampton’s one-all clash with Colchester for fear of over excitement. The former Arsenal and England legend has had an exciting few weeks watching Shaun Wright-Phillips shine for both Chelsea and England, his over-exuberance beamed to the whole of Britain from the Match of the day studios. Now it’s his other son’s turn in the lime-light. Bradley Wright-Phillips sent Southampton into the lead on 52 minutes, a lead that should have been capitalised on and added to, not least by Grzegorz Rasiak. Instead an own goal by Rudi Skacel six minutes later robbed the Saints of three points and the Wright-Phillips family of another headline as all concerned had to settle for a draw.

Henderson steals show from Hasselbaink

Cardiff City v Watford
19 September 2007 - 19.45pm

On a night fit for ducks the Bluebirds sought their first home league win of the season against a Watford side who topped the table for the first time last Saturday and a man in form, Darius Henderson. It was always going to be monumental task and Henderson showed no sympathy, silencing a sodden crowd with two goals in an entertaining 2-1 victory for the visitors.

Robbie Fowler and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink started for Cardiff and there was only room on the bench for fit again Steve Thompson who scored the late equaliser against Plymouth. But the presence of the two aging marksmen failed to quell the fears inside the Cardiff faithful.

Hasserlbaink had an early shot on target but it was not until the 12th minute that Chris Gunter got the crowd on their feet with a cross-come shot that drifted clear of Mart Poom and narrowly over the cross bar.

Paul Parry warmed Poom up further just a minute later as he jinxed into the box and fired a searing shot straight at the Watford keeper. But the Robbie and Jimmy show failed to materialise and, against the run of play, it was Watford’s man of the moment who found the net first.

Darius Henderson started up front after his cheeky remark to manager Aidy Boothroyd that “when I play, we win.” He was good to his word, bundling the ball home after Ross Turnbull failed to clear a cross from Adam Johnson and then deal with the resulting shot from Jay Demerit that hit the post and seemed to rebound straight through his open arms along the goal-line and into the path of a goal-hungry Henderson. Having only scored three last season, and taking six months to find his first, Henderson is clearly relishing life back in the Championship.

Cardiff had a run of chances in response as the half progressed, the most notable being Jimmy Floyd’s interception of Demerit’s back pass. With just the keeper to beat Hasselbaink took an age to round Poom, enabling the Hornets keeper to recover and block the subsequent shot. The Watford fans’ chant of “you’re just a Fat Eddie Murphy” appeared less off the mark. Although, sung so early in a match, to a player of Hasselbaink’s calibre, it was bold indeed.

And so it was proved. Short on pace Hasselbaink may be, but when you can beat the goal keeper from 25 yards and turn a game with an inch perfect right foot curler, then who needs pace? The veteran striker proved just so in the 59th minute, answering his critics in the best way possible. If there had been a roof on Ninian Park it would have been blown off with the resultant roar.

Having stirred the Hornet’s nest Cardiff had to soak up the resulting ten minutes of pressure but Dave Jones will have been encouraged by his side’s defending in this respect and their propensity to break and harry the visitors.

Fowler may not have strayed far from a central line down the attacking end of the park but his deft and clever touches released those around him to cover the ground his aging legs long since surrendered. Cardiff began to look good for a punt and Jimmy-Floyd could have given them the lead with another right-foot flyer.

But Henderson had made a deal with his manager: if he plays, they win. Jordan Stewart forced Turnbull to palm the ball over his bar for a corner as the game reached its climax and Henderson was the beneficiary as Cardiff again failed to clear their lines.

The Bluebirds made a spirited yet fruitless attempt to equalise once more but Watford are sturdier opponents than Argyle and the introduction of Thompson couldn’t provide the finish required, although not for want of trying.

Watford would have regained top spot with a draw, but Henderson had a point to prove and as the rain continued to lash down he inspired Watford to raise their game and seize all three points, a sign of champions in the making. Perhaps now it is time for Cardiff’s own champion, Robbie Fowler, to follow in the footsteps of Hasselbaink and Henderson and prove a point of his own.

CARDIFF 4-4-2: Turnbull, McNaughton, Capaldi, Rae, Fowler (Whittingham 84’), McPhail, Parry, Johnson, Sinclair, Hasselbaink, Gunter (Thompson 82’). Unused Subs: Oakes, Ledley, Blake.

WATFORD 4-4-2: Poom, Stewart, Shittu, Demerit, Mahoon, Henderson, Doyley, Ellington (King 59’), Smith, Mariappa (O’Toole 73’), Johnson (McAnuff 78’). Unused Subs: Lee, Priskin.

Yellow – Hasselbaink 56’

Championship Review (15/16 Sept)

Themed piece for the Cardiff City FC match day program.

What have the Romans ever done for us? By Andy Sloan

Roman Abramovich’s millions have propelled the Premiership to new heights, augmenting the growing financial chasm that separates it from its poor neighbour, the Championship. But whilst Roman’s eye-watering transfer fees and pay-packets fail in any way to aid Championship teams’ hopes of holding onto their talented youngsters, or of them affording the loan services of top flight squad members, the financial prosperity of the Premiership provides an unrivalled carrot for Championship contenders to aim for. And this week, five games into their campaign to return to the land of milk and honey, Watford displaced Coventry at the front of the queue.

Darius Henderson proved he may still have a future with Watford after turning down a move to Preston North End and scoring a 90th minute winner to send his side to the top of the table. George Burley must have been suffering from déjà vu, Henderson having scored against him in his first game in charge for Southampton two years ago when Watford last swept up to the Premiership. Henderson will hope he can go on to emulate the form he showed that season when his 15 goals were a vital part of Watford’s successful push for promotion. Danny Shittu was first off the mark on Saturday not long before the break but long enough to allow Grzegorz Rasiak equalise before the break finally came. Nathan Dyer then fired Southampton in front in the 69th minute invoking the wrath of Aidy Boothroyd, who declared that he wanted to tear strips off his players for losing the lead. Henderson had entered the fray minutes earlier after telling Boothroyd he had erred in omitting him. “When will you learn?” he told his manager. “When I play we win.” Good to his word his two goals saw Watford to an important win and Boothroyd on track for a return to the big time.

Charlton’s bouncebackability suffers merely a flesh wound
Ten-man Colchester couldn’t hold on to a first-half two-nil lead as Charlton pegged them back courtesy of Svetoslav Todorov and Zheng. Teddy Sheringham set up Mark Yeates for the opener then Charlton old boy Kevin Lisbie doubled United’s lead as they chased their first home win of the season. In a reversal of fortunes, Colchester old boy Chris Iwelumo headed the ball down to Todorov in the 45th minute and he gave Charlton hope going into the interval, but it was referee Mike Russell’s controversial decision to send off United youngster Matt Connolly that proved the decisive moment in Charlton’s comeback. Colchester, despite continuing to create chances of their own, could only repel Charlton’s advances until the 73rd minute when Zheng Zhi found the equaliser. These sides have very different ambitions but both had to settle for a point a-piece. Charlton though quietly crept up a place into fifth.

Dowie didn’t expect the Bristol Inquisition
If Ian Dowie had been asked at the start of the season which side would inflict Coventry City’s first defeat, he would probably not have highlighted his team’s home clash with newly promoted Bristol City. It was Gary Johnson’s men though who posed the questions to which Coventry had no reply and swept to an impressive 3-0 victory courtesy of strikes from new signings Michale McIndoe and Darren Byfield and an own goal from the Coventry goalkeeper, Dimi Konstantopoulos. “I am not surprised and the boys are not surprised” said Johnson, clearly surprised. Dowie, though gracious in defeat, was not quite so ready for such a result. “I thought we dominated the game for long periods,” he said. “Soft goals are killing us.” Bristol City are now the only unbeaten side in the Championship and relieved Coventry of the top spot for a few hours before Watford took to the field.

Megson manages Mandaric’s sanity for the meantime
“There are some people who, through no fault of their own, are sane. Some were born sane, some became sane later in their lives. It is up to people like you and me who are out of our tiny little minds to help these people overcome their sanity.” This Monty Python quote could well have come from Leicester Chairman Milan Mandaric who parted company with Martin Allen after just three league games which included a 4-1 rout of new table toppers Watford. Gary Megson opened his managerial account under Mandaric with a one-all draw against QPR, Ian Hume drove home a 63rd minute penalty after Damion Stewart was deemed to have unfairly sent DJ Campbell spinning in the box. Asked whether he was appointed until the end of the season or on a longer term basis, Megson replied, “it’s a long term contract, I think it’s about six weeks,” as he looked across at his new boss and laughed. “Seven” interjected Mandaric as both men shared some humour in front of the cameras. Draws such as this one will need to be converted into results if the humour is to remain.

Taylor’s not the messiah, he’s a very naughty boy
“Being seventeenth in the league is not getting the best out of your squad” reflected Palace Chairman Simon Jordan after watching his side lose away from home at Norwich City courtesy of a solitary strike from David Strihavka. “We should be in the top six. I want Peter Taylor to be successful, but if I feel he is not, he will be the first person to know.” He’ll be delighted to see Palace are now 21st following the rest of the weeks results.

Laws tries to look on the bright side of life
Sheffield Wednesday plunged to a one nil loss at the hands of fellow strugglers Preston. The result constitutes their fifth defeat, the worst start to a season in the club’s history. Paul Gallagher’s goal gave Preston their first win of the season and insured that Wednesday remain rooted to the bottom of the table. Their manager, Brian Laws, called for calm despite the distressing statistic. “I don’t believe we deserve the position we are in – we just need that little bit of luck, a bit of patience and not to panic.” Wednesday fans may not entirely share that opinion.

Beattie’s no lumberjack
James Beattie continued to repay the faith Bryan Robson has put in him with a further two goals as Sheffield United came from behind to beat Wolves. Stephen Elliot opened the scoring for the visitors but Beattie put his body on the line to equalise before winning a penalty seven minutes from time. Jon Stead came off the bench to score a third in the dying moments. The Wolves manager, Mick McCarthy, said he felt “mugged”. Perhaps he should speak to Jim Magilton.

Ipswich wish they could just call it a draw
Ipswich manager Jim Magilton and his opposite number at West Bromwich Albion, Tony Mowbray, used to play together in the Ipswich side that sealed promotion to the Premiership. Any comradeship was forgotten at the Hawthorns though as West Brom romped to a 4-0 win. Despite the emphatic score-line, the Baggies did not have it all their own way. Ishmael Miller opened the scoring in the 23rd minute but the home side then rode their luck as, in Mowbray’s own words, “Ipswich had a real go.” Three late goals in the final three minutes, two from the boot of Kevin Phillips, sealed the win in dramatic fashion. Ipswich may have felt unlucky but need to turn chances into goals if they are to compete for a play-off place this season; West Brom, up to 4th and with a 100% home record still intact, are on course to aim even higher.

And now for some completely different games…

An own goal from Marcus Williams and a cool finish from new signing Kayode Odejayi secured three points for Barnsley as Scunthorpe’s early season form stuttered and they fell from fourth spot out of the top ten.

Ade Akinbye thought he had won Burnley’s clash with Blackpool with his 86th minute finish to put Burnley 2-1 up, but Andy Morrell earned a priceless point for the visitors as the home side failed to clear their lines in the final minute. Burnley manager Steve Cotterill was frank in his appraisal: “What happens leaves a bitter taste but I don’t think we deserved to win the game. We weren’t good enough and that is why we didn’t win.”

Stoke had only lost once in Hull since 1960, and maintained that record. Rory Delap gave them the lead just before half-time but summer signing Jay Jay Okocha, who according to reports was led to Hull by the Lord, inspired Phil Brown’s side to snatch a late draw. David Livermore provided the finishing touch but it was Okocha who drew the manager’s praise on the final whistle.

In one of his less exciting match summaries, Plymouth Argylle manager and Gareth Thomas look-a-like Ian Holloway declared that his side’s 2-2 draw with Cardiff City was, “probably a fair result on the balance of play,” despite his disgust at dropping two points. Cardiff clawed their way back from a two-goal deficit through Gavin Rae and a late, late strike from fit-again Steve Thompson.

Bellamy inspires final fling from Wales

Craig Bellamy kept Wales’ slim hopes of qualification for Euro 2008 alive with an out-standing display in an impressive 5-2 win over Slovakia in Trnava.

Bellamy set up three and bagged a brace to move ahead of John Toshack in the all-time Welsh goal-scorers list and level with the legendary John Charles on 15 goals.

As well as a victory in Eastern Europe Welsh dreams hinged on their Celtic cousins the Republic of Ireland defeating the Czech Republic but Toshack’s young side did all that they could, three first-half counter attacks providing three goals against the side who humiliated Wales 5-1 in Cardiff last year, before an own goal and an 89th minute finish from Simon Davies completed the rout.

The Welsh players could have been forgiven for checking their watches as they walked onto the pitch for their crunch Euro 2008 qualifier.

Last Saturday’s crowd of 25,000 at the Millennium Stadium was adjudged a poor turnout, particularly given the quality of Wales’ opposition, but the Antona Malatinskeho stadium in Trnava was virtually bare by comparison. 500 Welsh fans made the journey to Slovakia and the home support did not number many more in the 18,000 capacity stadium.

Both Wales and Slovakia retained an outside chance of qualification at the outset of the evening, yet this glimmer of hope seemed not to galvanise the Slovak public. It was Slovakia’s 7th attempt to reach the final of a major tournament in the 14 years since the countries conception and the absence of a clean sheet in their last dozen internationals gives a clue as to why.

However, the Slovakian’s defied their supporters’ indifference, opening the scoring in the 11th minute after Cardiff City’s Joe Ledley made a complete hash of a simple clearance in his own box and gifted the Slovak skipper, Marek Mintal, the opportunity to volley past Wayne Hennessey from eight yards.

Welsh fears of a repeat defeat by the Eastern European outfit were assuaged when Freddy Eastwood levelled in the 21st minute. Craig Bellamy displayed his class threading a clever little ball through the Slovak defence to feed Joe Ledley who made amends for his earlier error by crossing into the path of the encroaching Eastwood who hit the mark for the second time in only his second game for Wales.

If Craig Bellamy needed to stretch his legs after missing the defeat to Germany he was given a golden opportunity to do so in the 34th minute. Receiving the ball on the halfway line he streaked half the length of the pitch before chipping the approaching keeper to find the top right corner and complete a reverse in Wales’ fortunes.

It was almost a carbon copy of his effort minutes earlier when he found the net by the same means, chipping the goalkeeper from a similar position, but incurring a yellow card as the referee had already blown for offside.

Bellamy continued to outline the impact of his absence on Saturday by adding a third in the 41st minute. Joe Ledley, once again the provider, chipped deftly over the Slovakian back line for Bellamy to run on and finish coolly from the left side of the six yard box. Only the woodwork denied him a hat-trick in the second half.

In the 78th minute he completed his torment of the Slovak defence, beating two players down the right and passing across from edge of the six yard box to tee-up Simon Davies for a tap-in, forcing Durica to find his own net whilst attempting an impossible intervention.

Despite the score-line, Slovakia bossed large swathes of the game with inventive and high-tempo passing, but their industry was let down again by a pourous defence which has conceded an average of almost two goals a game in qualification so far.

Moments before half-time a flick-on at the near post fell for Mintal whose shot rocketed goal-ward from the edge of the area only to ricochet off the Welsh bar to the relief of an outstretched Hennessy.

When the Slovak captain then put his side back in the game in the 57th minute with his second goal of the match looked as if Wales could face a tough final third. A reverse pass from Cech on the edge of the box cut out Collins and Gabbidon, leaving Mintal to drive home.

Hennessy fumbled a fierce shot from Petras two minutes later but fortunately the ball fell for a corner rather than an opposition shirt and then Craig Bellamy stretched his legs once more and Davies added a fifth in the final moments. The provider? Craig Bellamy. Qualification or no, John Toshack can but be proud of a performance which may put more bums on seats next time round.

A plus point on a wonderful weekend of sport

There are sporting weekends and there are sporting weekends. The commencement of the Rugby World Cup on Friday evening heralded one of the finest three days of armchair viewing for some time. Rugby, football, cricket, tennis and Formula One all vied for impossible levels of attention, satisfied only by the advent of modern technology. Many a prayer of thanks will have been uttered to the heavens this weekend for the development of Sky Plus.

With the England rugby team's World Cup opener against the USA and their football counterpart's must-win Euro 2008 qualifier against Israel conveniently both scheduled for 5pm on Saturday careful planning was clearly required. The sheer extent of such action was only revealed upon further investigation of the listings.

A few deft selections later and Saturday's viewing comprised the All Blacks demolition of Italy, Australia's rout of Japan and then a crazed Ian Wright extolling the virtues of his son, Shaun Wright-Phillips, who scored the opener in England's 3-0 canter against a somewhat impotent Israeli side.

The Welsh football team failed to follow this fine performance as they succumbed 2-0 to Germany in the Millienium stadium courtesy of a brace from prolific marksman Miroslav Klose and the absence of Craig Bellamy.

Returning to the rugby courtesy of the invaluable red button on my shiny new remote I was then able to round off my day on the couch watching Dallaglio and co. pick apart the American part-timers. Or so I thought. Within the opening seconds it became clear that England's painfully unimpressive form running up to their defence of the Webb Ellis trophy was set to continue.

Fortunately it was only the quality of the victory that was in doubt, never the result; unlike the Welsh match on Sunday afternoon. "If you win you get a pat on the back, if you lose you get shot," commented Sir Clive Woodward in a recent BBC documentary on the rewards or otherwise of managing the Welsh rugby team, widely recognised as the toughest job in Wales.

Gareth Jenkins was on the verge of being hung out to dry as his team conceded a third try granting the Canadian opposition a dream 45th minute scoreline of 17-9. He restored the natural order though via the substitution of misfiring youngster James Hook and the introduction of fit-again former captain Stephen Jones and current captain Gareth Thomas. The resulting five Welsh tries triggered by their arrival prompted the question of why on earth they were absent in the first place.

Wales may have had their biggest scare since Gavin Henson's last tanning session but it was the French who scooped the biggest cock-up of the weekend. Friday night brought a feast of entertainment as France, plucky hosts of the Rugby World cup, choked against Argentina whose star is ever-rising in rugby circles. It was a marvellous victory of determination, bravery and tactical adeptness as the Argentines upset the old order and Bernard Laporte in particular with an opening game victory reminiscent of Cameroon rocking the Argentine football fraternity in the curtain-raiser for the 1990 World Cup in Italy.

On paper, in both instances, there should not really be any suprise but arrogance and tradition die hard and unrealistic expectancy with it. For the neutral, and the English, it made for a delightful start to proceedings.

For those whose eyes hadn't started to glaze from the sheer number of hours in front of a screen, or for whom sleep deprivation was not an issue, there was also England's series clinching one-day triumph over India in the cricket, Justin Henine and Roger Federer retaining their respective US Open crowns (in Federer's case for a remarkable fourth consecutive time) and Lewis Hamilton's 11th podium finish in 13 Formula One outings.

My brain overloaded as I saw Scotland crash over the line for their 6th try against Portugal and I reached for the standby button, content for the moment with what I had witnessed and not expecting Ireland to have any undue difficulties against Nambia, despite their subsequent efforts to try and prove me wrong.

The beauty of it is, that after a brief recharge, there is plenty more to come.