By Chris O'Brien
March 16 2005

With the relegation zone only goal difference away, what's the latest situation at Ninian Park? A £1million investment from 'local hero' and vice-chairman Michael Isaac has stopped a mass player exodus for the time being, but staff cutbacks have already begun.

Over a fortnight after the extent of Cardiff City’s cash crisis was made public, the majority of Bluebirds supporters are still very much in the dark about what exactly is going on at Ninian Park and how dramatic the consequences could be of our crippling debt and mammoth financial struggle.

The departure of Graham Kavanagh to Championship favourites Wigan Athletic sparked rumours of a likely player exodus. The media claimed that up to 10 players could leave the exit gates at Ninian Park in a bid to save the club from administration and bankruptcy, leaving relegation to League One a certainly. Thankfully, such rumours have been unfounded due to vice-chairman Michael Isaacs investing £1million on an “interest free” loan basis until the summer.

Isaacs will be paid back when players are sold over the summer, but the investment seems to have safeguarded the short-term future of much of the City squad. It had been feared that players such as James Collins would be sold to Championship rivals for cut-price fees, but the £1million that has been ploughed into the club has assured such happenings will not take place and should mean all club staff can be paid until the end of the season.

March 8th saw the players finally receive their wage packets for February. £400,000 taken in from the sale of Kav helped the situation immensely, but with a wage bill tittering on the brink of £750,000 a month cutbacks have to be made, and the clearout of staff has already begun. Though largely unreported, the scouting network has been abolished and academy chief Matthew Crocker has been handed his P45 as the cutbacks begin. Personnel at the club shop have also been given their notice.

On the pitch, defeat against Ipswich has left the situation looking rather precarious. 41 points sees City level on points with Gillingham at the tip of the relegation zone, and supporters are now fearing a massive step back on the pitch as the purse strings tighten. Crewe roll into Ninian Park on Saturday, and anything other than victory for the Bluebirds will do as the pressure mounts.

So, it really is hard to draw any sort of conclusion at this stage. Hardly surprising that things still look very bleak, though Isaac's six figure loan could be enough to keep the club in the Championship this season. The mass exodus of players will wait until the post season now. Keep the faith.