18th October 1999
18th October 1999 Cardiff 1 Oldham
1
FRANK BURROWS is poised to commit himself to Cardiff for the rest of his life. "I've had a few chats with the directors and I'd like to think that we are not far from agreeing a new four-year contract," said City's manager last night. "I'm very happy at the club. I feel we are moving in the right direction. And it is my ambition to take the team further." The tough Scot, who has guided Cardiff to promotion twice in his two spells at Ninian Park, will be 56 next January. So a four-year deal would take him to the eve of his 60th birthday. His current contract ends next summer. And negotiations on a new deal have been given fresh urgency by Notts County's move for him last week. "I did have the job at County - two years ago," revealed Burrows. "But in the end I had to turn them down. "We had just moved into a new home in London and the thought of up-rooting again was just too much. It's very flattering to be linked with them again. But as I said - I'm happy where I am."
Burrows" decision to stay is a massive boost to his players. "The last thing we wanted was for Frank to leave after the fantastic achievement he did by taking us to promotion last season," said goalkeeper, Jon Hallworth. "I don't think there is one player in the club who would have wanted to see him go." Now his players have an instant opportunity to repay his faith in them when they face promotion-chasing Stoke City at home tomorrow. And Cardiff desperately need the moral boost of a victory to edge them away from the Second Division danger zone. This latest home draw against improving Oldham stretched their unbeaten run before their own supporters to 22 games. But they have now drawn five of their six home games this season. And this was another case of two points being cast adrift by woeful finishing. Cardiff frittered away half a dozen guilt-edged chances before striker Dai Thomas atoned with a 61st minute equaliser to cancel the first half lead defender Richard Graham had earned for Oldham. "I'm beginning to think that God's against me," sighed Burrows. "But the reality is that we have no money to spend to bring in a new striker. "It's back to the training ground where we have to work on our problems - and hopefully get things right." There was one welcome boost for Cardiff in the uncompromising defensive display of Russell Perrett, finally fit to make his return after being sidelined for more than a month through injury. The former Portsmouth central defender added real steel and strength. "He was as solid as a rock", said Burrows.
Blackpool Gazette ..
STAND BY YOUR MAN!
BLACKPOOL chairman Karl Oyston today ruled out the club parting company with under-fire manager Nigel Worthington after Pool’s 5-0 home drubbing by Bury. Worthington, who is vowing to fight on, asked to speak to Mr Oyston immediately after Saturday’s game, and the two held face to face talks behind closed doors in Blackpool’s boadroom. But today Mr Oyston told The Gazette that at no time during the discussions had Worthington offered to resign. And he said the club were not even considering showing Worthington the door. “Nigel never mentioned anything about resigning. And if he had I would have talked him out of it. It is not an option,” said Mr Oyston. Instead he is giving Worthington his continued full support and says he is trying to help the manager with “one or two things” to try and turn the Tangerines’ fortunes around. Worthington, who re-iterated that he won’t walk away from the job, was today trying to lift his players for tomorrow’s six-pointer at home to Oldham. And Bury boss Neil Warnock said tomorrow’s game against his former Oldham side was the ideal time for Blackpool’s disgruntled fans, some of whom demonstrated after Saturday’s defeat, to get behind Worthington.
Warnock said: “We have all been in situations like that. It’s awful. But now is the time for everyone to re-group. Fans should pull together and get behind Nigel for tomorrow’s game against Oldham.” Discarded Pool star Andy Preece set up two of Bury’s goals. But he said he took no joy from heaping pressure on his former team-mates. “Obviously it gives me no pleasure to see them struggling near the bottom of the table. I have got a lot of good friends in the Blackpool team.” Meanwhile Worthington described drawing Stoke at home in the FA Cup first round a week on Saturday as a “tough game”. But he said he’d rather face league opposition than one of the non-league minnows. Police are set to make the game an all-ticket noon kick-off. Sky TV have yet to announce which games will be televised.