January
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Billy Ayre, Burrows' No.2 has taken charge of first team affairs. Ayre has only started back at work today after a month long break from the club while he had surgery to remove a benign tumor. Ayre has had managerial experience at Blackpool and was hotly tipped to return to Bloomfield Rd before the Seasiders appointed Steve McMahon.

He will being in charge until a full time manager is appointed. Ayre himself is a strong candidate. He has different ideas to Frank Burrows but has always had to follow his managers lead. Now thats chnaged. Billy is well liked by the players and they have a lot of respect for him. He now has the ideal chnace to prove himself. The task is daunting, with City only out of the drop zone on goal difference. Billy immediately talks of changing the 5 - 3 - 2 formation that Frank has stuck with. Its been found out by many teams this season and I'm sure has contributed to City's downturn in form.

BILLY Ayre took over the managerial hot seat at Ninian Park today determined to prove that he is the man for the job.

Ayre, thrust into the role of caretaker manager last night following Frank Burrows* departure, said: *This came as a complete shock. I was on the motorway driving back to South Wales when the chairman rang me.

*I want to keep the job and I hope I*m given the chance to prove myself.

*There will be changes, I will be tweaking a few things and we will be looking at the playing system.

*I*m still stunned about what has happened, but we have to revitalise and rejuvenate the team quickly. Frank Burrows brought me to Cardiff and did everything within his power for this club.

*But we have to look forward, we have to work quickly. That*s what Frank would want.

Ayre was back in Cardiff today after almost a month off through illness. He had a tumour, which was found to be benign, removed and has been given the all-clear.

*That wasn*t something which bothered me too much,* said Ayre.

*That may sound strange, but it was outside my control so I got on with things. Now the Cardiff City job has been given to me, albeit temporarily for now, and that is within my control.

*I haven*t spoken to Frank Burrows because he has gone away. But I will talk to him soon.*

Ayre, who turned down the chance to become manager of Blackpool before Steve McMahon was appointed, talked to the coaching staff soon after arriving at Ninian Park and then took the players for training.

Burrows left Cardiff City last night following talks with chairman Steve Borley and then flew off for a break in France, a trip which had been booked for some time.

The tough Scot paid the penalty for the high expectations at Cardiff City. He is also a man set in his ways and doggedly stuck to the same systems, refusing to change when things did not go well this season.

Ayre will lead the Bluebirds for the first time at Scunthorpe on Saturday, ironically one of Burrows* former clubs.

One of his first acts looks certain to be a change in the playing system from 5-3-2 to 4-4-2 or possible five across midfield.

*There is a lot to do in a few days,* added Ayre. *I will be changing one or two things with the aim of earning three points against Scunthorpe.*