SNAPSHOT

The Bluebirds were held to a frustrating goalless draw at home to Derby on Saturday, with the woodwork and Lee Camp largely responsible for us not claiming three points rather than one.

Jason Koumas in the first half almost gave us the lead from a free kick and Cameron Jerome was called offside after finding the back of the net. On the whole, we had deserved a win based on chances and possession, especially in the second half where Dave Jones had said enough to spark his team into a higher gear to test our visitors defences. Games aren't won on chances and possession though, so at the end of the day we had to be content with the draw.

The result meant that with the other results on the day we now sit in seventh place; outside the play-off places on goal difference under Wolves. On a first positive note our result continued the unbeaten run at Ninian Park, with Plymouth next in line on Boxing Day.

The second positive is in the fact that we go into Christmas a top ten side, with the boys constantly proving their play-off credentials. Who would have thought that at the end of last season??

TEAM NEWS

Dave Jones recalled Darren Purse to the starting eleven in favour of Neil Cox at the back. Michael Ricketts also returned after being out through suspension for the Leeds game. The formation was back to our usual 4-4-2 system, with the rest of the eleven as per usual.

DETAILED REPORT

Derby kicked off facing the Grange End, beginning the game brightly. With two minutes gone Marcus Tudgay first charged down an Alexander clearance after put under unnecessary pressure from a back pass from the returning Purse. Dexter Blackstock then had a shot on goal after a deflection in the area off Seth Johnson - the ball comfortably saved by Alexander, but was still a warning to Dave Jones' Eleven.

City began to find their form after four minutes, with more of the ball and more movement up front. Chris Barker beat his marker and made a good run down the left touchline to then cross a high ball into the mix. Jerome did well to jump for the header, but was narrowly beaten to the ball by Lee Camp in the Derby goal.

The game was briefly halted after nine minutes as Rhys Weston and Blackstock collided - the Derby player down holding his head while Derby continued their run at goal. The move fell apart however and Alexander did the gentlemanly thing by throwing the ball out so that Blackstock could receive attention.

As the half progressed, Cardiff looked more like their recent selves, holding on to the ball more and looking more dangerous. The back line and midfield showed more of an understanding together, preventing Derby from doing much to cause concern.

Fifteen minutes saw a chance for the Bluebirds as a good ball was delivered to Ricketts in the box - his attempted volley was sliced however, to the exasperation of the home support and the laughter of the visiting Derby fans.

City were comfortable, but on twenty minutes Derby broke free on the break after stealing the ball after a long period of passing from the Bluebirds. Tommy Smith ran at high speed towards Alexander, but Rhys Weston timed a great tackle in the penalty area to prevent a shot that surely would have tested our Scottish 'keeper.

The Derby pressure continued, with a twenty seventh minute free kick from Idiakez that was well met by Blackstock for a header - his aiming thankfully off target by quite some distance.

With twenty seven minutes on the clock, Cameron Jerome was pulled down from a header by Andrew Davies on Koumas range. The midfield wizard stepped up and struck a sublime ball at the Derby goal, denied only by the crossbar as Camp had no chance.

The remainder of the half was pretty tame to be fair, with both teams cancelling out the other and few real chances being created of note. The closest we came to hoping for an opener came after forty one minutes with another free-kick in his preferred range - though this time he hit the wall, unlike his usual standards.

Half Time: CARDIFF 0-0 DERBY

City came out of the blocks quickly and immediately from the kick-off tested Camp. A neat pass from Ledley to Cooper on the right gave Coops a chance to shoot - which he did, forcing Camp to dive and fingertip a save that was heading into the bottom corner.

The Bluebirds got the ball in the net just before the hour, as Cameron Jerome poked the ball in after Kevin Cooper had seen his flicked header come back out after hitting the crossbar; beating Camp along the way. The celebration was cut short by the linesman however, denying a City lead.

With twenty seven minutes left, Bisgaard was introduced for Tudgay, looking to get Another goal at our expense; scoring one of Derby's goals back at Pride Park.

Jeff Whitley then skied a shot just before seventy minutes; the shot coming after more positive and attacking play from City. Kevin Cooper, Rhys Weston and Jason Koumas in particular looking good from our perspective, getting forward whenever possible

Seventy three minutes saw the closest chance of the second half, as Cameron Jerome shot at Camps goal, only for the keeper to get down well and again pull off a finger tip save to redirect a certain goal to going narrowly wide.

The Cardiff pressure continued and almost gave us a reward after seventy four minutes. First Joe Ledley did well to cross the ball from the right into the path of the rising Jerome - Jerome heading with conviction and looking a certain goal. Again Camp did well, combining with Davies to clear off the line.

Then from the corner, Glenn Loovens drilled a header at the Derby goal, but despite its power was aimed straight at Camp for the keeper to save.

With the second half continuing it was looking as if both City and our visitors would have to settle for a point apiece. The game was easily being won by us in terms of possession and attempts on goal, but a combination of Lee Camp and less than the usual effective finishing prevented the Bluebirds from taking the lead.

Jason Koumas looked to break through with five minutes remaining after a good long field pass from Ricketts, though his shot after expertly bringing the ball down was found wanting - an eventual easy save for Camp.

Two minutes were added on with Derby looking content with a draw; wasting time whenever possible to run the clock out. This was perhaps a fair call after being on the back foot for the majority of the second half at least.

The final whistle signalled a point for both, meaning that the Bluebirds unbeaten home run continues. Wins for Stoke and Wolves unfortunately saw us drop to seventh in the table. We end the day on thirty five points, outside of the play-off places by goal difference alone.

Derby also fell down a few places to seventeenth; an unlikely position based on pre-season estimates.

We now wait until Boxing Day, where we entertain twentieth place Plymouth, who beat Crystal Palace by 2-0 today.

Cardiff: Alexander, Weston, Purse, Loovens, Barker, Cooper, Koumas, Whitley, Ledley, Ricketts, Jerome. Subs Not Used: Cox, Ardley, Lee, Boland, Margetson.

Derby: Camp, Jackson, Davies, Michael Johnson, Nyatanga, Smith, Idiakez, Seth Johnson, Thirlwell, Blackstock (Graham 66), Tudgay (Bisgaard 63). Subs Not Used: Poole, Bolder, Doyle.

Fans man of the match was Jason Koumas and Andrea Foulkes has won a signed programme.

Leekes (Match Sponsor's) Man Of The Match: Jason Koumas