North West Wales

Image source, Rex Features

Cardiff City's FA Cup win at Sheffield United was particularly special for Joe Ralls as the captain celebrated his 400th appearance for the Bluebirds.

The 31-year-old midfielder has spent his entire senior career at Cardiff, making his debut for the club in 2011.

Ralls reached his milestone at Bramall Lane on Thursday, and he was pleased to be able to mark the achievement with a 1-0 victory.

"I'm really proud, massively proud," he told BBC Radio Wales. "I was looking at the young lads in the dressing room and seeing their shirts with their names on for the first time. It doesn't seem that long ago since it was me.

"To reach 400 games for a club that I love – and I've got so many good memories – and to hit that milestone is something I'm really proud of."

Thursday's win was only Cardiff's second in five FA Cup seasons.

The 2008 runners-up now have a fourth-round tie to look forward to on the weekend of 8 February.

"We had some good cup runs a long time ago so it would be nice if we could have another one," said Ralls.

"The boys are really hungry and we're really happy to be in the next round. We've got to keep the momentum going."

Cardiff have endured a testing season in the Championship, where they are second from bottom.

But Ralls is determined to lead his team to safety, and wants to keep racking up the appearances.

"I'm hungry for more. I'm enjoying my football and love being captain of this group," he said.

"It's a pleasure to be playing football with these boys and hopefully I can keep going as long as possible."

Former Wales striker Iwan Roberts has described Cardiff City chairman Mehmet Dalman's message to the club's supporters as "a token gesture".

Dalman's message to supporters comes after fans wrote a highly critical open letter to the board raising "serious concerns" about the state of the Championship club.

Cardiff are currently 23rd in the Championship table and Dalman says the club is ready to reshape its squad in the January transfer window to avoid the prospect of relegation to League One.

Speaking on BBC Wales' Feast of Football podcast, ex-Norwich City and Watford player Roberts believes Cardiff should appoint someone with a football background to their board.

"They've come out as a bit of a token gesture I feel," Roberts said.

"It's a bit too late for Mehmet Dalman to come out and he's talking about a relegation battle – I could have told you that a few weeks ago.

"They've got a massive, massive four months in front of them."

Roberts says the situation underlines the lack of communication between Cardiff's board and its fanbase.

"They never speak to the fans," Roberts added.

"They never give them a plan or where the club's heading to, what they want to do, how they want to approach things and what their thoughts are about bringing a new manager into place.

"There's literally zero communication and that hurts football fans. They like to be involved, they like to feel a part of their football club.

"Because at the end of the day it is the fans' football club.

"I think it would be a great shout for the club to get somebody to sit on the board who has played the game, possibly played for the football club.

"But I think it would be a really good shout for them to get a football-minded person on board to guide them in the right direction."