MICK’S ON THE BRINK
Bluebirds boss is left reeling
MICK McCARTHY is clinging to his job as Cardiff manager after a Welsh derby hammering.
It came on a day Bluebirds chief executive Ken Choo was at the centre of allegations claiming he said the club would be better off without McCarthy.
McCarthy, below, suffered a sixth straight defeat – Cardiff’s worst run since November 1985 – as Swansea goals came from the outstanding Jamie Paterson, Joel Piroe and Jake Bidwell.
Choo was alleged on social media to have told the Cardiff supporters: “I wish we had a new manager.”
When asked to provide context to his comment by BBC Radio, Choo refused to deny making it.
McCarthy said: “I can’t imagine Ken would actually say that and, if he did, I think it would be said to me and nobody else.
“Until Ken tells me he said it, it doesn’t make a difference to me. The only thing that’s making any difference to me is this game – that is what is concerning me. It leaves me feeling very, very sad.”
Paterson was Swansea’s derby hero with a stunning 25-yard strike before setting up goals for Joel Piroe and Jake Bidwell as Russell Martin’s Swansea revolution finally had liftoff. Paterson heaped more misery on Cardiff’s fans with Swansea’s infamous “swim away” celebration which dates back to 1988.
That year Cardiff fans were reportedly chased by Swansea rivals after the two sides met and the only escape was for them to dive into the sea. Paterson’s 29th-minute goal was worthy of winning any game as his effort went in off both posts after Cardiff’s five-man defence gave him too much space.
Piroe made the game safe with his seventh goal of the season, with Paterson creating the opportunity with an outrageous chip.
And he repeated the trick for Bidwell’s third in the 74th minute after fine approach work from Ethan Laird. The Swansea wingback could not miss with a simple header.
SWANSEA CITY (3-5-2): Hamer 7; Bennett 7 (Cabango 81), Naughton 8, Manning 7; Laird 7, Grimes 7, Downes 6, Smith 6 (Ntcham 67,7), Bidwell 7; Paterson 9, Piroe 8 (Cullen 85). Goals: Paterson 29, Piroe 60, Bidwell 74.
CARDIFF CITY (5-4-1): Smithies 5; McGuinness 5, Morrison 3, Flint 4, Nelson 3, Brown 3 (Colwill 80); Pack 3, Ralls 4 (Vaulks 84), Bacuna 3 (Collins 68,5), Giles 4; Moore 5.