We didn’t make the trip across the Severn, and probably never will as long as the rivalry between the 2 clubs’ fans crosses those thin lines between banter and abuse, rivalry and hostility.  They call these potentially ugly encounters “bubble matches” – rhyming slang for trouble, I’ve always assumed – and the main drawback is that the only way of attending is by travelling stupidly early on one of the official coaches, and being herded around like cattle, and criminal cattle at that, once you get there.  So I had to settle for the agony of Radio Bristol commentary, followed by 20 minutes of highlights on telly, which confirmed that the City Boys:

a) played well,

b) rode their luck at times,

c) were unlucky not to score, especially from a Nicky Maynard curler which nearly found the top corner.

On balance, the fact that Cardiff should have been at least one up within the first 15 minutes leads to my verdict that we should be happy with a point, especially given that last season they beat us 2-1 in the equivalent match.  Our season so far is closely echoing last year, and if we continue to edge the odd point where last time around we failed to, we should do very well.  Tomorrow night will be a huge test, when we welcome recently relegated Birmingham City.  The equivalent match last season was the visit of West Brom, who demolished a below-par City side, and went on to win the league in style.  So if we can get a point off Birmingham, I will be very happy.

Elsewhere in football, England cruised to a 4-1 thrashing of Croatia in the World Cup qualifiers, which has reignited the nation’s interest in the whole business.  Young Theo Walcott scored a hat trick, the commentators went overboard with paltitudes about the boy becoming a man, and Fabio Copello paced the touchline looking grumpy.

Newcastle United are in crisis, after the departure of the Messiah, and were beaten at home by Hull.  It surprises me a bit that I’m happy for Hull, who are currently 4th in the Premiership after a surprisingly good start.  It should, of course, have been us, but I really don’t begrudge them their success.  But as for Stoke, well that’s a different kettle of fish altogether, and I was delighted to see them beaten at home by Everton yesterday.