The beast is back – and he’s supporting the Bluebirds in their quest for Championship success.
Jon Parkin sat a few rows behind me in the away section at Pride Park, chatting with Cardiff City fans, posing for photographs and, most importantly of all, singing club songs.
He was among more than 1,500 members of the City faithful and they showed their appreciation with chants of ’Super Jonny Parkin’ – and he responded by performing the Ayatollah.
Parkin tweeted ‘Little trip to derby to watch the derby-cardiff game . . . . . where are you travelling away fans having a pint before?’
The big man, dressed in a pink jumper, was joined in checking out Cardiff by former midfield Willie Boland, who was following the game via a live Facebook link hosted by long-time Bluebirds fan Lee Beames.
Parkin made only 13 appearances for Cardiff during 2010-11 and admitted in his autobiography, titled ‘Feed The Beast’, he only made the move from Preston North End to Cardiff because his salary was doubled.
The 6ft 4ins striker, now aged 37, had a troubled time with the Bluebirds – he suffered from depression and had a major fallout with manager Malky Mackay – and clearly has a rapport with the club’s fans.
Parkin now a presenter on the podcast ‘Undr The Cosh’ certainly made an early impact for City, scoring after seven minutes of his debut at Norwich City with what he described in his book an ‘incredible volley’.
While it was good to see Parkin mixing freely with supporters, the Championship clash with Derby County scarcely lived up to the Sky billing.
The match was televised live and manager Neil Warnock faced problems in the build-up. Lee Tomlin was left out of the squad after being involved in a car accident and suffering whiplash, while Leandro Bacuna only arrived back in the UK on the day of the game.
Junior Hoilett chose to be involved after Warnock left a decision to the Canadian, saying: “He has got a personal problem. One of the family is seriously ill.
“What I said to Junior is that family is more important than Derby County. There was no pressure on him.”
Callum Paterson took over from Tomlin and Bacuna started and was man off the match, while Hoilett went on as a second half substitute.
“We’ve had a few problems this week,” finished the Gaffer. “But the other lads are a week nearer to getting fit as well. We’re hanging in there and we’ve gone four games undefeated.”
Before kick-off players were evacuated from Pride Park following reports of flares being set off in a stand.
Spectators left the stands as a PA announcer urged everybody to leave the stadium. Players and staff sprinted off the pitch when fire exits opened.
The message said: “Attention please, this is an emergency. Please leave the stadium by the nearest available exit.”
Supporters, players, staff and fans were allowed back in a few minutes later.
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In the match at Pride Park, Derby look a poor team, their overall performance was drab, and City were only marginally better.
It’s clear German striker Robert Glatzel has integrated into the Bluebirds group seamlessly and his team-mates were delighted he scored his first goal for the club.
“I’m ecstatic for the big man,” said captain Sean Morrison. “He’s been fantastic in training since coming in and fitted in well with the boys, which is the first job.
“He’s looked fantastic and you know what it’s like for a striker sometimes, when the chances just about don’t go your way.
“He tucked away his penalty and all the boys are all over the moon for him.”
Warnock, too, is happy with Glatzel, saying: “He’s done ever so well for us.
“Robert is great in the dressing room and the lads love him as well. He puts them away in training and it’s lovely to score your first goal.
“I wasn’t watching at the time. I don’t like watching penalties. I couldn’t take them. It was nice to see our crowd cheer.”
Glatzell was delighted, telling Sky Sports his goal was a ‘special moment’.
Cardiff can look ahead with confidence despite a lacklustre team display in the English midlands.
They are working hard and clawing out results, while key players Marlon Pack and Sol Bamba are moving steadily towards fitness after injuries and will be available soon.
Both will make a big difference. Pack’s presence in midfield will allow the likes of Bacuna and Joe Ralls license to attack, while Bamba is one of Cardiff’s best defenders.
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Warnock must decide how to utilise Bamba when he returns. Will he join Aden Flint and Morrison in a three or should Cardiff stick with a back four?
City fell in the sixth minute. Last-ditch blocks from Lee Peltier and Morrison frustrated the Rams, but the ball fell to former Bluebirds’ player Scott Malone and diverted home from close range.
City equalised following a long throw midway through the first half. Glatzel chested the ball down in the box, and was fouled by Richard Keogh.
Glatzel finished clinically from the spot to make it 1-1.
The draw left Cardiff 12th in the SkyBet Championship, only one point outside the top six.
Derby County: Roos, Lowe, Keogh, Clarke, Malone, Huddlestone, Bielik, Holmes (Jozefzoon 81), Waghorn, Lawrence, Marriott (Martin 86). Subs not used: Hamer, Davies, Dowell, Knight, Paterson.
Cardiff City: Smithies, Peltier, Morrison, Flint, Bennett, Bacuna, Ralls, Paterson, Whyte (Mendez-Laing 61), Murphy (Hoilett 60), Glatzel (Bogle 89). Subs not used: Day, Nelson, Vassell, Vaulks.
Referee: Darren England
Attendance: 25,873
