Yes, he needs more senior game experience. Conversely we look very light at centre back with only McGuinness and Goutas nailed on there. Ng okay in a back 5, King more suited to midfield and Simpson........? More incoming hopefully.
I've a feeling Bulut wants experience through the team but will be happy to give youngsters a go. I think he'll be more flexible in midfield and attacking positions, but not at the back. Especially CBs.
TBF that would be a wise move in my opinion. McGuinness is still relatively young and learning his trade, so have another experienced central defender or two alongside him seems sensible. I don't think we could have another young one in there at our level as a long term option. Dipping the younger ones in and out occasionally for 10-20 minutes here and there to start to expose them to the first team would be ok but we absolutely need experience right through the spine of the team this year as we were way too soft last year in the end.
Cardiff now 80-1 to win the league and giving 4 places e/w which is 20-1 a top four finish. Tan and Dalman are determined to push for promotion this year after last season. Goustos is a class defender and Ogbo will score goals, if we get the Nigerian winger I am confident of promotion. Tan has already delivered 2 promotions so no reason to think he wont do it this time. How anyone can feel defeated before we kick a ball I have no idea. It would be nice if all fans started off being positive.
Top half would be positive for me. Not sure Tan delivered the promotions either, but hey ho. There are clubs with far deeper pockets than ours and far better squads. We have quite a bit of catching up to do. 3 or 4 players wont do it. I'm feeling optimistic about our new manager. There are a lot of 'buts' though. And if it was that easy, everybody would be doing it.
We need to offload 4 or 5, names already on here. Then bring in a similar number to up the quality. Home or abroad doesn't matter although we have a bit more confidence if the players are known to us. Then improve the youngsters' input, Colwill × 2, Davies, Evans, King and Bagan. We may then have a competitive squad.
I don't blame Tan. I appreciate what he has done for our club. However, he has made some questionable decisions. You could argue that his lack of an appointment of a DoF or sporting director has cost us long term. I believe a number of our questionable signings wouldn't have happened with a DoF in place. You could also argue that we got promoted despite Tan, not because of him. In the round, I'd say he's done ok for us though.
I’m not wildly optimistic but I think the team will do all right this season. Certainly better than last seasons debacle.
I suppose it's a question of what you regard as "alright". There are probably 4 possible scenarios. Bottom of the scale is obviously survival, next comes mid table safety, followed by a top 6 challenge and utimately promotion. The one thing in common for me wherever we finish for me would be a positive change in direction on and off the pitch. If Bulut and his staff can instill that at the club then he will have done a great job this coming season wherever we finish. For what it's worth, I think we'll be "alright" this season as well. If we're in the top half and anywhere near that top 6 come the New Year, I can see Tan putting more of his money where everyone elses mouths are. At that juncture he wouldn't need to do it for survival support but I reckon he will for personal reasons.
If you get promotion this season, I will personally cross the border and $h@g one of your sheep for you
Screenshot duly taken just in case it's required at a later date. Remote, I know it's a long shot but do you think any of your flock would debase themselves to a low enough level to allow Supcon a sympathy sh@g to allow him to vent his ire if such a scenario occurs???
For me I’d like to see better performances from the kick off and especially at home. Turning narrow one goal defeats into draws and draws into wins is a trait of a good team. As is a stronger defence which hopefully we’ll have (and in that regard another CB and keeper to challenge Allsop is needed). Challenging top 6 would be a bonus and as we may have an element of being an unknown quantity who knows? Luton & Sunderland got there last season which was unexpected, and irrespective of the so called more fancied teams (we know whom they all are so no need to identify them) and if the squad is deep enough with still more players to come in, there no reason why City couldn’t challenge.
Ours are quite fussy ewes. I'm sure I can find one that would be happy to take one for the team though.
New boys and longterm injured to get a run out against the gas this afternoon. TEAM NEWS First 60 minutes: Allsop; Ng, McGuinness, Simpson, Bagan; Rinomhota, Ralls; Evans, Robinson, Ojo; Etete. Squad for second 60 minutes: Alnwick, Romeo, Goutas, King, Benjamin, Collins, Campbell, Adams, Wintle, J. Colwill, R. Colwill, Tanner, O'Dowda, Davies, Ugbo, Watters.
