Hello Old Spice's! My first post away from the BBC 606. But had to come across as I missed y'all too much. Right, now we've good a new man at the throne (spot on appointment for me), just thought I'd turn the debate back to the new priority - Free Transfers... I think we should try and own more players Vs loanees this year as players will have a long term interest in the fortunes of Cardiff. For that same reason, as well as ambition, youth is also a preference. Here's a list of some realistic names and were I place them priority wise... DEFINITES... 1. David Jones - Wolves (For all those who want a Dave Jones back at CCS. Gone off the radar. great potential. Box to box CM. 24. Priorty numero uno for me) 2. Craig Conway - Dundee (MM went after him at the start of the year. So did DJ apparently. Pacey winger with a rising rep. Rangers are after him too). 3. John Carew - Villa (Could be devastating in the Championship if he wanted to drop down. Maybe he won't. Can see Stoke going for him). 4. Diomansy Kamara - Fulham (Form dipped a bit. 30. Always thought he was a class act.) 5. Earnie - Trees. (Depends entirely on what system MM wants to play. If we are to play lots of 442 then I reckon we should go for him. Local hero will put bums on seats too.) MAYBE's... 1. Giles Barnes - W.B.A. (Still young enough to regain the form that once made his potential so talked about. Attack minded midfielder.) 2. Stephen Calwdell - Wigan (We don't need CB's as we stand. But who knows?) 3. Tamir Cohen - Bolton (CM. 27. Isreal international. Have a word Dekel! Allardyce might go in for him) 4. Tom Cruise - Arsenal (LB/LM. 20. Mixed rep coming through the Arsenal ranks. But an England U-19. 5. Daniel De Ridder - Wigan (CF/RM. Arrived in England with a massive rep and never really lived up. But has class. Could fill our gap on the right wing?) 6. Marlon Harewood - Blackpool (31. Past it? Good Championship player) 7. Ritchie Jones - Oldham (CM. Former Man U trainee. Rising up and a drop down the divisions. Ready for the championship.) 8. Jason Koumas - Wigan (I know, I know. But our coaches would be in the perfect position to see where JK is at and what the issues were last year. Injuries/Illnesses were all a bit vague reporting wise. Don't think always being loanee number six helped him.) 9. James McFadden - Brum (Can also play on the right wing. Injury prone. MM Scotch connection...) 10. David Nugent - Pompey (Has Premier League potential but is struggling. Depends also on what system MM wants to play) 11. Andy Reid - Blackpool (LM/CM. 28. Very much in the Steve Mac mould, but has been class over the years.) 12. Nigel Reo-Coker. (CM. Premier League player. Would he drop down?) 13. Jonathan Spector (Capable, versatile defensive player. No space for him at the mo though) 14. Zoltan Gera (32. Class. Can play across the midfield. About the right time for him to drop to the Champ). 15. Eidur Gudjohnsen - Stoke (32. Severely lost form. But played for a team with the wrong style of play - Stoke. Was at Barca a couple of years ago though!) NO's... 1. Danny Gabbidon (Will he improve our squad that much Vs injury risk?) 2. Jonathan Woodgate (Risk not worth the money. Probably should stay in the PL) 3. J Lloyd Samuel (Did not rate his time with us.) 4. Lee Bowyer (****) Also I know we love our Welshies at CCFC. So here's a list of players on a free in and around the National Team/Youth set up 1. Mark Bradley 2. Jason Brown 3. Nathan Craig 4. Troy Brown 5. Rob Edwards 6. Owain Fon Williams Ooh. That took bloody ages. For all that I hope Malky's reading!!...
Can't beleive Gera is out of contract.. Quick! Get the Malaysians cheque books out! Give that man a celery! erm salary, sorry haven't had lunch..
I don't think we are in a position to be able to afford Carew's wages at the moment as much as I think he'd be amazing at championship level. How is Zoltan Gera out of contract, are Fulham stupid or what? I think they'll be a number of clubs after his signature but if he's willing to drop down a division then your right, he'd be immense. I think Mcfadden could be a good addition as well, in his first season at Brum he was amazing but after that I haven't heard much of him, seemed a bit lethargic to me but he must be worth an offer if Malky sees him fitting into his team. One things for sure it's gunna be a busy summer .
Bloody better be, or else I'll be asking for a refund for my season ticket, as I'll be in the dug-out waiting for the nod from Malky!!! Its weird how I'm really anticipating a busy news-filled pre-season with regular signings, rather than worrying about how the guts of the squad have been ripped out and we don't have a clue about our first 11 yet...blind optimism...gotta love it!
I think there is a lot to be optimistic about. The fact that, with virtually no playing squad, we can lure MM away from a recently PL side is a good sign of finances behind the scenes. The fact that we can turn down sponsors for a long term ideal (Malaysia advertising) is a good sign of the finances behind the scenes. And in my opinion, the apointment of a very young, intelligent manager, who appears to be a natural leader could work out to be a very healthy thing in the long term. I would personally like to see any Bellamy bids not rushed into. I'd like us to build a squad first and see where we are financially. Man City won't want to pay his wages if he's surplus, and if Bellers plays the stubborn Man City or Cardiff City or nothing card again, it could have a positive effect on any fees involved. A champagne signing could help encourage other players in though. Maybe there are too many established PL names on the above list. But forking out on a couple could really help encourage young up and comers to come to us. Another name we might expect to be thrown around is Rhoys Wiggins. A Welsh left back at Bournmouth. MM went in for him a few months back a Watford - £300k, turned down. LB has been an achillies heel for us for all through DJ's tenure. Might be a lot of pressure for a young lad to take on?...
Totally agree that any signing of Bellamy should be kept until last minute, leave him to Premiership fitness training standards, and save ourselves a months wages that could go on luring a young prospect from L1/L2. It's been a while since we've bought youth and given them the opportunity to showcase ability. Too many signings of old war horses (JFH and RF for instance!) have littered the past few years. A young enthusiastic side would be a nice change. Although i think we are desperate for an experienced keeper with a bit of class!
Double Dragon - you're not Phillis and Salad all rolled into one are you?............... Welcome over here and glad to see you've made it across. As for your wish-list, a Carew and Conway partnership could be devastating playing together at Championship level. How deep are the Malay pockets, and would Carew want to drop a division? All very interesting.
Hi Sparks! Long time no banter. Hope Pandy is still alive and kicking and your not dishing out the kickings in the off season! Been accused of being Salad before. I think because I seemed to be the only one who liked his posts... And my posts are too long. Yeah Carew, could do some damage. As well as Heskey! Would demand a fee, but could be ready for the step down? Though Leicester might beat us to him. Oh, it's good to dream... Any one else want David Jones here? That's David, not Dave. Don't want to open that can of worms...
Not seen too much of Jones, but have liked what i have seen thus far.. To be honest, any midfielder would improve our current lackluster side, i'd sign him up..
We were tracking a midfielder from Slavia Prague in January released on a free.The lad went to Hull until the end of the season with options open for further talks.Tijani Belaid was released by Hull at the end of last season.Could be worth a trial.
Can't remember where i saw it, but i'm sure Lee Westwood's contract is up. Personally, this is the type of sigining i think we need, how many goals have we leaked over the last few years through dodgy keepers in between the sticks? Still baffles me to this day why we let Alexander go all those years ago :/
You guys are all forgetting Craig Conway, on a free transfer ,meant to be Mackay's first target Sounds good but a lot of competition for him.
Blue. Lee Westwood might be used to smaller balls... Keiren was signed by Sunderland. Bringing a new keeper in would also leave us with an expensive keeper too many, so Marshall or Heaton would have so be shipped out first. Which ever saves more money? I'm not adverse to movement between the sticks, so long as it's a noticeable improvement and other areas of the pitch are dealt with first. Sheep. Conway is number two on my list son...
I would love to see all the players on your 'DEFINITES' list at the club, especially Carew, I think he could be unbelievable for us this season! I know we want to keep wages down but he would be worth stretching for! I also think a lot of the players on your 'MAYBE' list could do a good job for us, most notably Reo-Coker and Gera. I see Bowyer on your 'NO' list but I think for the right wages he could add a lot to the squad, he brings grit and experience and did a pretty good job for Brum in the prem. I think and hope we are in for a very interesting summer!
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepag...tracking-Coventry-keeper-Keiren-Westwood.html Keiren.. there we go, not talking about golf players honest, easy mistake when K comes just before L in the alphabet
Boy. Hear you on Westwood. Would've been the best keeps in the league if he'd stayed in the Champ. Along with Rob Green and Lee Camp. Captain. Yeah, with you on Reo-Coker and Gera. On the maybe list as I think they'll more than likely stay in the PL. Still a no on Bowyer for me. I can't stand the guy and I don't want to pay his wages, no matter how capable he is. Think there's a lot to be said on building a team on the right characters. I'm really hoping MM will prioritise this.
A team of maybe Marshall Whitaker (rangers under 1m) McNaughton Hudson Wiggins Blake Bowyer Jones Whittingham Bellamy Conway That would be a decent starting line up
Except for left back (though McNuggets on the left and Blake / Quinn on the right would do) we shouldn't be looking at any changes in the back 5 until Whitts, McPhail and the Beast are supplemented in mid-field and up front. A couple of youngsters will make squad players, or even Wildig to make a few starts in the middle, but 2-4 strikers and 4-5 midfielders are more important than a GK at present.
