Where's The Respect? (Part Two)

Meanwhile, Bluebirds manager Dave Jones had to adapt to the situation. His team had not looked in danger until the turning point and if anything, had looked the more likely to break the deadlock. They had worked hard without the millions that had ploughed into QPR by Bernie Ecclestone and Flavio Briatore, who visited the dressing room before the match to encourage the players. “Flavio is very passionate about his players,” said Cook. “He wants every player to show a lot of passion and commitment.”

Just over ten minutes into the second half Ainsworth surprisingly withdrew Emmanuel Ledesma to introduce Hungarian play-maker Akos Buzsaky, who almost made an immediate impact, but Samuel di Carmine spurned the chance again. Chances came, but neither keeper was tested in the first twenty minutes of the second half, so Ainsworth decided to make another change. Damiano Tommasi, who had arrived in the summer on a free transfer from Levante, but was later released by Rangers, was taken off and replaced by Gavin Mahon. Shortly afterwards Patrick Agyemang replaced di Carmine and Jones brought Paul Parry on in place of Eddie Johnson.

The decisions continued to go against Cardiff and Michael Chopra was impeded in the penalty area by Damion Stewart, but his claims for a penalty were turned down by Probert, who was not endearing himself to Jones and then it got worse. The Bluebirds had defended well and deserved something from the match, but as they tired, Rangers chased the goal that had proved so elusive up to that point. Having held out for over fifty minutes with ten men Peter Ramage delivered a cross from the right wing that Mahon headed past the impressive Tom Heaton to break the deadlock, but there was still time for Miguel Comminges to get booked twice in quick succession. The first was for a poor tackle and the second purportedly for dissent.

Dave Jones was distinctly unimpressed as headed for the press conference and his comments would throw the future of the Respect Campaign into doubt. Jones' opposite number, Gareth Ainsworth, was sympathetic, but it made little difference to Jones, who was seething at the injustice of seeing all of his team's hard work count for nothing due to refereeing errors. Both sendings off were controversial, but the rules only allowed Cardiff to appeal against one of them. Clearly irate, Jones questioned whether there was any point appealing, yet Cardiff lodged an appeal against the sending off of Darren Purse and the card was later rescinded, but the damage was already done. The course of the match on November 8h had been changed by the erroneous decisions and rescinding the red card meant Purse would not be suspended, but the game itself had been ruined. The consequences of getting nothing from the game have yet to be determined. That decision could cost Cardiff promotion and Dave Jones his job. Where is the respect campaign for them?