OK what can we REALLY expect? We have picked up a manager with a decent reputation, renowned for playing good football on the floor, and giving youth a chance, however he is not Mourhino with a bottomless pit of money to spend. He has inherited a first team squad of 15 players with some glaring weaknesses, and has a transfer budget somewhere between £5 million and £20 million depending on whom you wish to believe. With the playing style he favours, he could be the man to bring out the best in players like McPhail and Whittingham, although others might find it a bit of a culture shock. I can see us starting the season with a mixture of youth, existing players, players with potential signed from the lower leagues, and maybe the odd loanee from the premiership. This mixture will take time to gell, and perhaps even longer to learn to play the "Malky Way". I can see us initially struggling, but eventually stringing some results together, I expect another rollercoaster ride, a mid table finish, perhaps top ten.............playoffs would be a fantastic bonus, but might just be a "bridge to far" IMO. The Malaysians have been accused, (wrongly IMO) of only being in for a quick profit..........but this appointment shows long term thinking. Jenkins and Whiteley have successfully talked them out of the lunacy that would have been the appointment of Shearer. I think we are in for a season of decent football, with some highs and unfortunately even more lows results wise. But I honestly think that MM could be the man to get us to the premiership, but not just yet. The Malaysians have steadied the ship after the financial upheaval of the Hamman/Ridsdale years, and we as fans have our part to play, we have no devine right to success (after all we are not Leeds Utd ) and we need to have patience and not get on the player's or manager's back. I am sure that given a chance we will end up in the premier league in a good financial state.............we have waited a long time, one more season surely makes little difference. Lets keep the expectations reasonable and back the manager and players to the hilt...........together we can do this, but if we are all pulling in different directions, well we are just making it more difficult for the club, the players, the manager and the fans. Lets support the club, not blindly but passionately, I am not saying the players or management should be above criticism if deserved, but lets make it constructive criticism, negativity does nobody any good...........As Bluebirds we should be looking at the good things not the bad..........I am sure that there are jax and many others out there who will revel in pointing out any bad stuff,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,WE don't need to do it. I'm not asking for a blind KTF attitude, we pride ourselves on being passionate supporters, so lets get behind the club and give them PROPER support. There are enough people on the outside willing to knock Cardiff City, we don't need it on the inside. Lets take a leaf out of the Millwall book: "Nobody likes us, but we don't care" I want to see MY club win matches........not popularity contests. End of Rant
I said I would settle for a top ten finish when 606 closed its doors.Too soon to change my decision Proph.Will be interesting to see who joins us and how others adapt to Malky's style.Got a feeling the playoffs will be a step too far this season.
very good article prophet. At the end of the reading game when people were throwing paper on the pitch in disgust,i proudly stood there with my cardiff scarf high in the air singing CITY TIL I DIE, CITY TIL DIE!!.....as you said lets get behind the boys and the staff...i will be there and i'm feeling excited about the season ahead.
great post! looking forward to this season more than any, exciting times lurk around the corner, and none of us know how any of it will play out
I've predicted we'll be around 8th spot at Christmas and we'll be in good shape to push for a play-off spot. I won't be too disappointed if we don't make it next season as long as the team is playing for the club and the fans. I think it unreasonable to judge progress next season against what DJ did as Malky is rebuilding. I believe a big wake up call from some quarters of the bluebirds fraternity is coming
2 promotions in his first 3 seasons & then pays off a 22 million bill , Sam had as much chance as Peter did a bit later saving you 15 million really, under the wheels . Amazing how some Cardiff fans see upheaval. Realistic expectations moonman , nothing will be payed on the debt , it's a sure bet . Off to Calgary , don't miss me .
i said on another thread why should expectations be lowered? for any club last seasons performance should be the minimum expected for the next season - especially as in my view we underachieved last year. its a bit like spurs sacking redknapp for not getting into the top 4, appointing an up and coming manager and believing a top 10 finish is good enough because they need to rebuild. sorry, mid table mediocrity is not good enough. yes we've lost quality players, but MM will be given the funds to find replacements. he should be accountable like DJ was. he's been touted by watford fans as an up and coming manager with a bit of genius about him, now i'd like to see some of that next season please
Will you be wearing your Cardiff City shirt while away? It must be hard for you to live in the caravan paradise and conceal your Bluebird identity? After all, how could anybody that takes so much interest in a Cardiff City forum not support the side..
He doesn't live in "the caravan paradise" - he's a plastic moose-worrying canuck that follows Jacksville on the internet.
Good rant Proph. From what Gethin Jenkins was saying yesterday though was, we never offered Shearer the job. Their first choice was MM. He just used us as an excuse to promote his availability. I'm sure the Bellamy re-signing would have been a definite fork in the road anyway. Hear what your saying about bringing the best out of Whitts, Macca. Goes for Gerrard, Blake, Keinen and all the youngsters too. Though I think Macca should be a great squad player for us. I do have my concerns about Whittingham though. Was he one of the binge drinking culprits? Is he one of our top earners? I don't know. He has tremendous ability. Perhaps even Premier League when it comes to vision and delivery. But the guy cannot defend/close down properly which rules him out of being in a two man central midfield. He's not super quick or top drawer at beating his man either, which can make him a limited winger. I'm just putting it out there, but maybe it could be time for a fresh start?
I like Whitts when he plays just behind of the two strikers, the guy has a hell of a left foot on him, and i honestly wish he would attempt to hit the target more often. For me last season, i think that was something he seemed to shy away from. When the boy has confidence he's a world beater, but when he's down in the dumps, he might aswel be a left-footed version of miguel comminges
Realistic expectations for cardiff city this year has to be the play off for a minimum, theres not really any purpose aiming just for consolidation and rebuilding. Having something to aim for should give the player the moral to compete for something. Everything at the moment depends on what money is available to stregthen your squad and replace all the dead wood that have left ( burke aside ) I for one would expect you to challenge at least for a top 6 spot.
I'd 'hope' for atleast a top 6 finish, but with the teams that have come down, and with genuine big clubs like Southampton coming up, i feel that this year will see a more competitive league than that of last year. Sides like Pompey steadying their wobble, Borough having to step up from mediocrity, i honestly think there will be some surprises this year, and believe that there will be many twists as the season plays out.
If the budget is £5M, which is more than we've spent in the last 3 years put together, its a start. 3 or 4 £1M signings, a few punts at £250k - £500k and a few frees should see us there or there abouts. No silly salaries though. I hope getting rid of chops was the last of the big salaries and a resonable wage cap is put in place. If players earn £5k - £15k a week, 24 players at an average of £10k cost you £12M a year which is within what has been suggested for the last couple of seasons.
Cracker is a bluebird cracker is a bluebird, he's on yer more than me he's on yer more than me, Cracker is a bluebird cracker is a bluebird, he's on yer more than me he's on yer more than me,
Assuming the £20 million or however much it is, is additional to cashflow generated at the gate etc I want us to be in the top 2. After all I can't stay in Azerbloodybaijan for ever. lol
Apparently we have enquired about David James at Bristol City, would he be a good signing? I am not convinced he is still good enough to cut it really..
