Cardiff’s goalkeeper dilemma

Cardiff City has been experiencing problems in the goalkeeping department of late and Neil Alexander has been replaced by Irishman David Forde.

Alexander failed to grasp a weak free-kick that allowed Sunderland a 1-0 win at Ninian Park. The free-kick was from a wide position and somehow crept through the wall but Alexander was unable to save it in time.

Since then, and with Alexander’s imminent departure from the club (he was unable to agree a new contract and is free to leave in the summer), David Forde has come in for the experienced Scotsman.

Forde looks less mobile than Alexander, but Dave Jones is said to favour a more dominant goalkeeper rather than Alexander’s acrobatis shot-stopping prowess. Forde has now started 2 games, and let in 4 goals without making a meaningfull save.

He saved from Deon Burton against Sheffield Wednesday but the burly striker was first to react and poked in the rebound. Several sections of the ground murmered in dissent at Alexander’s exclusion and one fan was particularly aggrssive towards Jones inviting him ‘on the next train back to Scouseland’.


Whilst warming up with the other substitutes, Alexander received a warm reception on the grangstand and responded well to chants of ‘Scotland’s Number 1’.

Alex is a popular figure, his form this season has bben of a high quality and consistent. In recent years he accepted a pay cut to help the club through a time of financial hardship and has work hard on his concentration and collecting crosses.


At the moment, many are yet to be convinced by Forde, at least the remaining few games are meaningless and he will have a chance to prove himself.