We have a fortnight to replace Tomlin - and I'm not just talking about for the Preston game. It's irresponsible for the club to rely so heavily on an irresponsible player for success on the pitch. Past history with his injuries, fitness and temperament is shouting this from the rooftops. If he can play and stay on the pitch then fine, but current and recent history point to it not being a regular occurance. When Tomlin was on the pitch there was always a chance that he'd spark something, but after his dismissal, the only way we were going to get anything was from a corner or Vaulk's throw into the box. Get someone else in who can do the job without regularly needing the physio's treatment table, crash diets and temper tablets or we are going to be in for a torrid season of lumpball again. Set pieces and Vaulk's long throws all have their places, but we need to create something from open play, and without Tomlin (for whatever reason) we have no idea.
Spot on Sparks. There is an air of delusion about the club's management if they think they can go through another season without another option. None of Ralls, Vaulks or Pack have the skills to do it and I can't see any of our wingers doing the job. The trouble is such players on the market are rarer than rocking horse sh1t. We have 24 hours to get one from abroad (unreliable). I know there is another 2 weeks to get someone from a Prem club but not sure how the window works for EFL players. Do we go for a Prem youngster on loan? Could be a gamble and would they be any better than Sang who we have loaned out or Harris? Or try to get someone with a bit more experience from an EFL club? Chaplin from Barnsley anyone? On a more positive note reports say Desmond and Ojo played well yesterday. Good news. We still need a right back though. It would be unrealistic to expect Desmond to play a full season there. However he can and has played right mf/wing when on loan elsewhere and scored a few plus assists in Germany last season so if we got an experienced rb who would became first choice we have an option to push Desmond forward.
Well said Sparkey. I was thinking about it last night gthat perhaps there was more to him not starting games than perceived bad managmnent decisions. Yesterday it seemed for all the world that he had made a premeditated decision to get sent off - coincidentally at a time when he would normally be brought on. Regardless of which way you look at it, that level of irresponsibility is disrespectful to everyone else at the club. Yes, he can be a game changer but he needs to be in the game in order to change it. The difficulties we may face in getting a decent playmaker will include our start to the season and the widely held view that we can only play hoofball. It's a tough ask to get the rifght people, but we have to try.
I keep coming back to John Swift if we were prepared to invest rather than penny pinch. I mentioned the rumour was out there more than a month ago when Reading signed Ejaria on a permanent deal, but they've just failed to get Riquelme from Atletico as well which would have eased the door open. I notice neither Swift nor Ejaria featured at all for them yesterday and they still beat Watford - we could have done with either of them. As it is we seem to be playing a waiting game for a playmaker and the danger is we could end up with the scraps that no one else really wants. If there is such little doubt as to what we need amongst those that pay to watch their side as opposed to those who control it, it must be down to ambition or just money. I'd prefer to think it was just the prudent lack money being made available because if we lack ambition, we might as well pack it in.
Glen reads this forum..... https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/cardiff-city-notes-lee-tomlins-19046172
Watching yesterday’s game did nothing to alter my view (and presumably plenty on here) that unless City change their style and personnel in crucial areas viz central midfield and out wide this is going to be a treading water season and one potentially flirting with relegation. As well as crucially for us fans, deadly dull. It’s not only the lack of creativity and speed out wide it’s the ponderous build up from the back and aimless punts up field which frustrate me. Where’s the midfielder like Kavanagh or Mutch driving forward in a straight line and getting into the box to pick up loose balls to shoot? We were spoilt several years ago with the likes of McPhail and Whitts feeding the likes of Chopra and McCormack; and a winger like Burke with real pace and skill and ability to cross and someone like Bothroyd who could (like Whitts) change a game in a flash. True that team never got promoted but whilst that was disappointing, watching them play more than made up for that. Expecting players to come in to improve our squad sadly appears to be unrealistic. If it was going to happen it should have happened well before now. Ok we may get a loanee or two in but I’m not expecting much given Harris’ acquisitions to date.
Could the unexpected failure to secure Riquelme from Atletico (he's gone to Charlton) caused Reading to hang on to Swift? If so, could this now be the catalyst that opens the door? https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54411698
Swift is out for 3 months with a knee injury according my Reading mate so don’t think we’re going to be signing him
Only something I was told (and posted on the transfer rumours thread) over a month ago by someone who I know is usually pretty clued up. No mention or evidence of anything since, but I've kept a weather eye on it since they signed Ejaria from Liverpool. Riquelme was in the frame for them until he chose Charlton, and now they've taken on Samedo - how many midfielders do they need?
your Reading mate is right Sheepy - only it's his hamstring not knee.............Bugger!! https://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/reading-fc-swift-injury-blow-19003522
