Jones still taking up Bellamy move

I would love to sign Craig Bellamy, admits Dave Jones
Aug 14 2010 by Terry Phillips, South Wales Echo

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DAVE Jones won’t rule out a deal to bring Craig Bellamy to Cardiff City, but admits: “On a scale of one to 10 we would be one Š– or even on a minus!”

Manager Jones lives two minutes from Bellamy’s home in the Vale of Glamorgan and says: “To have a player of Craig’s ilk talking about Cardiff City is a positive. We must be doing something right.

“Not so long ago we brought Robbie Fowler and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink to Cardiff City – and players of that quality don’t come if the club isn’t being run properly.

“OK, Robbie and Jimmy were at the back end of their careers and that’s certainly not the case with Craig.

“But we are a long, long way from getting anywhere near signing him. It’s been said Celtic are in for him – and probably 20 other clubs.

“What draws Craig towards Cardiff? Our training ground is five minutes from his home and he’s a Cardiff boy. If it was possible, I would look at every option – and ask the board to look at every option.

“Craig’s wages will be unbelievable and if there was a possibility the club would have to look at other options – we work within a budget. The budget would have to be broken and maybe funded from elsewhere.”

It has been suggested a Welsh-based businessman is willing to put up to £40,000 a week to help pay Bellamy’s wages, but that has never been confirmed.

“I saw Craig Bellamy at our training ground the other day when he was with the Wales squad,” said Jones.

“He didn’t say anything to me about Cardiff City. If any player of that quality wants to join your football club it’s fantastic. But he’s in the Premier League and if there ever was a possibility it wouldn’t be simple.”

New signing Seyi Olofinjana could well start against Derby, probably alongside Gavin Rae, while Jason Koumas looks likely to be among the substitutes.

Koumas went on against Burton Albion in midweek and Jones says: “We were hoping to be in a position where we were comfortable and able to send on Jason for the last 10 or 15 minutes.

“But that wasn’t the case and Jason played just over 45 minutes, including extra-time. He was in bits afterwards and we’ll see how he is today. He had a little run yesterday.

“We won’t be pushing him into playing.”

Yeah that Robbie Fowler deal worked well for us didn't it?

Fowler was absolutely amazing @ Cardiff.

Still don't believe that Bellamy will move to Scotland, as Man City probably won't allow him to join other Prem clubs.

Yeah that Robbie Fowler deal worked well for us didn't it?

Goalscoring wise, easily would have projected to 20+ goals in the season. Just his body was gone...

'Players like Fowler and JFH don't come to a club unless it's being run properly'? Wrong. you mean Club paying enough. Hang on a minute Dave. Bringing those two in was evidence enough that the club was being run badly, by your 0ld buddy the Riddler'.

Yeah that Robbie Fowler deal worked well for us didn't it?

Goalscoring wise, easily would have projected to 20+ goals in the season. Just his body was gone...

Ergo it didn't work out then didn't it?

Fowler was absolutely amazing @ Cardiff.

Still don't believe that Bellamy will move to Scotland, as Man City probably won't allow him to join other Prem clubs.

Sarcasm?

Fowler was absolutely amazing @ Cardiff.

Still don't believe that Bellamy will move to Scotland, as Man City probably won't allow him to join other Prem clubs.

Sarcasm?

indeed it was