Lennie, Gabbidon, Robinson, Gray in the papers

Last updated : 17 October 2003 By Michael Morris
Lennie's no panic vow as he faces crisis

LENNIE LAWRENCE last night vowed he will not be forced into making any panic signings after being hit by the worst selection crisis he has known at Ninian Park, writes Mario Risoli.

The Cardiff City manager is unable to call on seven senior players for tomorrow's trip to Highfield Road where the Bluebirds face Coventry City.

Lawrence is without the suspended trio of Graham Kavanagh, Willie Boland and Andy Campbell with Peter Thorne, Rhys Weston, Alan Lee and Jason Bowen injured.

Earlier this week the Bluebirds chief drafted in Crystal Palace winger Julian Gray on a month's loan.

And Lawrence is also searching for a striker to deputise for Lee, Thorne and Campbell - but he said the new man must be the right player for Cardiff City.

"We have brought Julian in on loan and I'm trying to bring in a second player on loan," explained Lawrence last night as he counts the bodies for the Highfield Road trip.
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Gabbs: We all proved a point.

DANNY Gabbidon hailed Cardiff City's midweek draw at Sunderland as "as good as a win" after the Bluebirds' stuttering performances recently.

The cultured centre back admits the defence has not been at its best in recent matches, most notably in the 2-1 defeat at Crystal Palace.

But the back four stood firm against the potent attacking threat of former Premiership striker Marcus Stewart and Scottish international Kevin Kyle.

And Gabbidon says the 0-0 draw is a great way to kick-off a difficult run of three games that will be completed by the trip to Coventry City on Saturday and the visit of West Ham United the following week.

"After the last couple of games, where we haven't played that well, it felt like a win against Sunderland," he said.

"There weren't many chances in the game so it's good to know we can go to the Stadium of Light and get something from a match like that.
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Bluebirds need self belief.

JOHN Robinson says the Bluebirds need to believe in their ability to beat the best if they are to climb up the first division.

Robinson returned to action at the Stadium of Light on Tuesday night after a month-long lay-off with a groin injury.

His unyielding work ethic helped the Bluebirds battle to a deserved point against one of the favourites in the division.

Robinson said the result proved the Bluebirds are good enough to match the best Division One has to offer but said the players have to believe that.

"We just have to be more confident in ourselves and go to places like the Stadium of Light and believe we can win the game," he said.
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City move was shock to Gray

NEW boy Julian Gray has admitted his Cardiff City move was a shock for him.

Crystal Palace outcast Gray was in the City squad on duty at Sunderland last night after agreeing a one-month loan deal at Ninian Park.

"It's all come out of the blue really," said former Arsenal trainee Gray, 24, who has made the temporary switch to South Wales after proposed moves to Leeds, Charlton and Blackburn collapsed.

"At the end of last week I'd heard that Cardiff were interested in taking me on loan but I was waiting to hear back from the chairman at Palace.

"Anyway, on Saturday after training the Palace manager, Steve Kember, told me I'd been given the green light to join Cardiff for a month.
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