Nice to know the "The Football League " will be represented in the final ... even if it's partially by forfeit Lol !! ... I cant see no reason why you cant beat palace and go into the final and carry on your good form in the league. i know some are disappointed at not getting one of the big boys but i disagree, i think its the best draw as you have a great chance of a well publicised cup final with a big pay day. take no notice of cracker....
Cheers Dai, I did not think that Palace would beat United that's why I wanted Liverpool but with that upset it had to be Palace, over two legs it would have been hard to beat a top Prem side. It won't be easy to beat Palace but it gives us more chance for a Wembley final where anything can happen. Not bothered with Cracker, he likes his little digs but more in banter than wums. Just to us a favour and send Steve Kean out of South Wales with nightmares.
7 midfielders and we play 5 every match. Ralls is very promising but obviously very inexperienced. We need 2 in at least imo if we're to last to the end of the season. I agree on the defence/ attack and obviously Mason can cover the wings but I really do see him as a striker.
Gyepes, Nayls and Taiwo have to go - if only for their benefit to get some football. We should have cover at lb but midfield is crying out for more support particularly out wide with pace. Rhondda - I prefer the ZULU words, more up to date and understandable and can realte having seen the film (at least 30 times)!!!
I'm with you Stevo, the size of the squad is OK, the balance isn't. Back 5 is good and seeing some of the saves Heaton made on Tuesdsay I wouldn't complain with either keeper starting. Mid-field with everyone fit is getting the results, though a few options to do something different wouldn't go a miss, hence my 'two wide men please' rants every now and then. Wouldn't it be nice to have someone like BUrke (especially the way he played on Wednesday night) to torment the full backs and pull defenders wide creating more space for Miller and the attacking midfielders. McPhail and Whitts can do the playmaker role, Kiss and Gunnar the destructive roles (and in the case of the last 3, far more as well, but trying to keep it simple) with Cowie and Conway giving a modicum of width (very effectively I might add). I'd like to see a box to box midfielder and 2 wide men added for cover and variation. As for strikers, if we play 451, you can forget about earnie, as that role doesn't suit him and I don't see him playing in a midfield role. Hilts, you are right that the next steps in the building process are one out, one in, improving the quatlity with each rotation. Naylor out, another LB of better quality in. Out goes big Jon and in comes a.n.other target man, provided we can find homes for these players elsewhere which may not be that simple. With the flexibility of a number of our players to cover LB and CB, with the possibility of Blake as the deffensive MF if needed, if we can find other clubs for Naylor, Parkin , Gypes and/or Kienan and bring in a CM, two wingers and a striker, we'd have much more balance to the squad. I'll stand behind my statement elsewhere that at the momment January is going to be a tough month for us with the size (balance) of squad we have. 3-4 new faces needed for us to see out the rigours of League, FA cup and 2 semi final legs against Palace. Interesting that MM is quoted as saying it will be two, possibly three, transfer windows until he sees his squad being finished.
Agreed there BfB, I can remember in 1964 as a 10 year old, my father taking a gang of us kids over the mountain from Maerdy to Aberdare to see it. I was hooked then and like you have seen it 30+ times. Happy days.
It was a dig alright dai ..... toward Kean , I too hope Cardiff make the final , and win for that matter . Just because were in the Premier League , doesn't mean I don't hate what the Premier League represents .Although I am a big Dave Jones fan , I really like the new look Cardiff team & the new team direction it's taken . I am a little shocked at the quickness of the progress though .The manager has got everyone believing .
Bit tenuous this one - or the thick fluid substance you get from the largest occupant of the seas who has an Irish accent and has been suspended from a pivot in a building normally used for the slaughter of bovines? What for it. Still waiting? Whale oil beefhooked!!!! I'm sure you can work it out. I'll get me coat.
Those who think the cup run is a problem should read MMs words. He said at this stage of building the team he wants it could not have been better than to have all the extra games. It has caused the team to come closer together and to gelt sooner than would otherwise have been possible, and has build a feeling in the team and the Club of "Can do" which will carry them through the difficult times ahead. He also said it help the fans identify with the team and that the support re-enforces the gelling process. He sees it as nothing but a positive thing and says he is absolutely delighted by all the football they are playing together. so far I haven't been able to fault the man, so if that is the way he sees it, that's good enough for me. KTF
We definately do not need a box to box midfielder. Weve a number of players who can play that role and play it very well. I believe we are 2 quick wide players short of being real automatic contenders. However I dont believe we should gamble bringing players in and going further into debt. I dont think the size of the squad thats the issue. Its the balance and wide midfield in particular. But after the state of the squad left by Jones the rebuilding was never going to happen in 1 season. Though Malky has done such a massive job he may just get us up anyway. If I was VT before adding to the wage bill with players id give Malky a new improved contract.
Fair point Hilts. Malky is probably our most valuable asset at present. Does anyone know what length of contract is he on at present?
possibly it was a good thing that MM got such few players to work with when he came here that he had a clean slate to work with? i think contracts for players and managers should be sorted out at the end of the season, its no good having a good start then getting rewarded for it then results go downhill, anyway if we do go up MM will get a good bonus and so will the players. cowie and conway are good players, great business to get them both on frees, but i agree 2 more are needed as they've probably started every league game of the season, and whilst thats great for continuity, more options are needed, but MM will know this. BFB: MM's contract is 3 years
Cheers Swamp Yes, there has to a concern over burnout for Cowie who has been on the field 100% of the time in every game apart from Oxford in the CC where he did not play. He is also on 3 yellows. Conway has missed a couple due to injury and has been sub on or off on 13 occasions. Less likely to burnout than Cowie. Whitts has taken part in every game except Leicester in the CC starting every time other than Oxford and Huddersfield. While McPhail can cover for Whitts to an extent we would lose a major attacking threat if Whitts was out for any length of time and it could be argued that we need more creative cover for him. He is now on 3 bookings also with McNuggs on 4 and Hudson on 3. The other squad members will have their uses before long. By the way I see Gabbs wants to come back: - http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/15991537.stm
Bfb, Whitts in on 4 yellows. (Brighton, Posh (90th min ), Reading and Forest). It's all this defensive tackling he does http://www.statbunker.com/football/btb/index.php?PL=team&TeamID=108&statType=badboys&CompID=370 If were going to lose him for a game (and it's bound to happen sooner or later), I'd rather he get booked v Brum and miss Millwall and have him back in time for the block of Xmas/New Year fixtures, especially Boro.
My Jan shopping list would have at the very least, One winger with pace - I don't care if he's young, just someone who can stretch a game and come off the bench and give us options. 1 more midfielder who can play in our existing style - i.e willing to work his b*ll*cks off and is comfortable on the ball. In an ideal world someone creative who could help/cover Whits but being honest how easy is cover for the best player in the league going to be! Ambrose is the only player in the Championship who has anything like the quality/availability and may be cheapish due to his injury record. I'm not basing that on one goal against the Mancs, my Father in law is a Palace fan and rates him as their best player by a distance, whilst normally complaining he's injured again........
Too true H although sod's law Millwall would be the game we need him especially if Cowie gets booked on Sunday as well. My source of information, the club programmme, didn't show the Brighton booking. He's got to stop flying around the field with all these 2 footed tackles and his elbows up when competing for headers, arguing with the ref, diving and taking his shirt off when he scores. He is sooooo demonstrative!!!!!
yep you're right. just checked one of mine. In that case I'm more inclined to believe the official programme than a random website yeah, he loves being the centre of attention
