Come on City fans, turn up

Apr 14 2008 by David Giles, South Wales Echo

IT happened again on Saturday. Where were the 20,000 missing fans who were at Wembley?

Just 14,715 were at Ninian Park the first home game since the win over Barnsley at Wembley.

I thought that Ninian Park would have been near full to welcome the lads home after such an historic occasion.

I’m disappointed the lads did not play in front of a full house after the heroics of last weekend. I just hope that the 14,715 there on Saturday get their tickets for the final.

I’ve had my disagreements with players and the manager’s selection policy, but that goes out of the window because supporters should have been out in force and showed their appreciation.

One guy came to me during the match against Blackpool who was at Wembley last weekend and he told me that the guy next to him at Wembley asked him who was the defender with the blond hair (Loovens) – to me that sums it all up.

I just cannot understand that the week before City take 33,000, to Wembley, yet at home 14,000. How does that work?

The team are trying to get into the play-offs yet can’t get the ground full!

It’s not like me to disagree with Dave Jones, but he puzzled me this week when he said that Chris Gunter took a backward step by joining Tottenham Hotspur.

Forgive me, but the last time I checked the papers Spurs were in the Premiership and Cardiff in the Championship.

How can anybody say that Gunter took a backward step? It is a life-changing experience and, what’s more, to a massive club.

Let’s not forget at the time City were skint and Wales boss John Toshack basically twisted Jones hand by playing him in two internationals before Jones picked him for his club.

I’m sure Gunter, who will become a regular in time at Spurs, would prefer being in the stands at White Hart Lane rather than in the stands of Ninian Park.

I just can’t see where Jones is coming from and make such a silly comment on a 18-year old who has a bright future.

As for the win over Blackpool, which in all honesty became comfortable as the game progressed, it was not the best football you’re likely to see, but it was three points.

Blackpool were a poor side, but the win keeps it ticking over for an outside chance of a play-off spot.

It is still a massive ask for the players to make the play-offs, especially considering they will have to do it with three of the last four games away.

With Wolves one of those fixtures, its going to take something special but with the confidence of a Wembley win and taking four points from the last six then the door is half open.

Yes, the performances could be better, but at this stage of the season three points is all that matters and they will probably have to up the ante when they play Wolves.

It’s vital that they hit good form because that’s why we had the edge over Barnsley last weekend as they went into the game on the back of poor results, while City had that wining feeling about them.

Playing well and winning games is important and that City continue that form right up to the final with Portsmouth.