Daniel Gabbidon - Excellent

Last updated : 21 August 2003 By Michael Morris
Despite Wales being beaten by Serbia and Montenegro there is all round praise for the City centre back who put in a 9/10 performance on the pitch. He nearly scored at the end as well and that would have silenced the racists in the home crowd who were guilty of appalling shouts and noises against Danny, Nathan Blake and Robert Earnshaw.

Added to the similar scenes at the U21 game Wales will complain to Uefa.

Boss Mark Hughes told the Echo

"We had a problem at the Under-21 match and I believe the wheels have been put in motion for us to make a complaint.

"The abuse heard at the senior game last night just ensures that will happen.

"It's a difficult situation, but Danny Gabbidon handled it marvellously well for somebody without a lot of experience at international level."

Gabbidon was a clear man of the match and nearly scored at the end when he rose to head a corner over the bar. City's other representative on the pitch, Robert Earnshaw, has the chance of the night, he rounded the keeper and looked odds on to score until the most amzing defensive save from Mladen Krstajic kept the Serbs in front.

Gabbidon who said he didn't hear the shouts told the Echo

"It's just childish and I won't let anything like that affect me.

"I am there to play football and I don't listen to the crowd. There was talk beforehand that it might be a problem, but I put that out of my mind and didn't think about it until somebody mentioned it after the game.

"If people want to be like that it's up to them. It doesn't mean anything to me.

"It's hard to stop people chanting things like that and players just have to get on with the game."

It's back to league football this weekend with Danny, Rob Earnshaw, Rhys Weston, Tony Vidmar, Neil Alexander and James Collins all due to be on the coach to Nottingham.

Congratulations to all the lads who served their countries this week.