Players in the papers

Last updated : 01 May 2007 By Michael Morris

Cardiff City captain Darren Purse today admitted that the Bluebirds' finish to the season has been 'diabolical'.

The centre-half stressed that the slide to mid-table mediocrity has left him 'gutted' and that the team now 'owe' the fans for the way they have performed in the closing weeks of the campaign.

'I'm gutted by what has happened to us,' said Purse in the wake of the dismal 1-0 defeat to Hull City on Saturday.

'It's been terrible. I've been on the periphery of things a bit, but our position now when you look back at where we were is diabolical.

FULL STORY HERE

Chris Gunter paid tribute to Cardiff City's Academy when he collected his latest award.

Newport-born Gunter, 17, has earned four young player awards this season - three of those during the Cardiff City Supporters Club presentation evening at Sophia Gardens.

'The club's youth academy has been massively important to me,' said Gunter.

'The coaches were with me and I have had so much help from so many people it's been fantastic.'

Gunter has been with the Bluebirds since the age of nine and has now made 15 first team appearances. His debut came against Barnet in the Carling Cup, while his first Championship appearance was at home to QPR last November.

FULL STORY HERE

YOU could forgive Cardiff City goalkeeper David Forde for having mixed emotions after the Bluebirds' latest defeat to Hull.

The 1-0 loss heralded eight games without a win as City's season comes to an inconsequential end and meant the Irishman had shipped seven goals in five games since succeeding the soon-to-be-departing Neil Alexander.

On the other hand, against Hull, the 27-year-old Forde (pictured right) put in his best performance in a Cardiff shirt, pulling off a couple of fine saves and picking up the sponsor's champagne in the process.

It's been a tough baptism for Forde, signed from Irish League outfit Derry City in January, after being seen in some quarters as a bit of a villain for usurping the popular Alexander.

FULL STORY HERE