Our dealings with strikers over the last five years or so has been bizarre to say the least. OK I know its only the second tier Belgian league, but still. http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/big-money-cardiff-city-outcast-11250772
What really irks me it's over the past season or 2, City have had three strikers, Velakonja, Guerra and now Saadi who just don't get a look in. I don't understand why they were bought especially if they weren't going to play, especially Guerra.
You could probably add Healy to that - he's been loaned out or played for the DVP team and consistently gets goals but doesn't get near to the bench even. I know he's still young but he surely deserves a chance.
Remember Burgstaller? Watched him a few times this season playing out his skin and banging them in for Nurnberg in the Bundesliga. Southampton are rumoured to be after him for next season.
Guerra is the one that really stands out as not given a chance for me. Saadi looked ok for 10 minutes, got injured and now seems to have his shorts glued to the bench. The fact he didn't get on v Bolton really does suggest Slade doesn't rate him. I know people want Healey to be the answer but 5 goals in about 28 games over 2 seasons for Colchester and Dundee don't really suggest he's ready for a Championship play off push. That number of appearances suggests he's struggled to even establish himself as first team at a much lower playing level. It feels like the club think he has a value and he'll be sold to L1 or lower once he realises that value via a successful loan spell.
He was written off very quickly after Ole's departure. It's symptomatic of a very poor period of on and off field management for the club. It's also the reason I'm on the side of stability this summer. Any manager will need time to get his ideas and playing staff established. Look at O keef, he struggled for months. If we'd changed manager he'd probably have been written off and shipped out like Burgstaller. I'm repeating myself and going off topic but if the club's progressing (and we definitely have this season) I'm not sure you should make a management change.
I know where you're coming from Stevo but I'm not so sure stability is the right approach. We have a Premier league set up in all but football management. The Stadium, a wealthy owner and a massive if somewhat fickle fan base that would guarantee near capacity crowds every game at that level - especially if we were able to stay there unlike last time. The word "stability" could easily be confused with complacency and lack of ultimate ambition. All the right noises are being made by Tan, Choo and Dalman about promoting the club as a forward thinking organisation in the local community and genuine family concern for it's supporters. The time is right to match that projected image of the club at football level. I fear that unless the management and coaches currently responsible for that element are totally overhauled, we'll be left with a very nice Championship family club well into the future with a half filled stadium at best. I know it would be radical to go down that route, but if we don't get a playoff spot let alone with the bloody thing, this summer should see significant changes. Who should we bring in???????..........I haven't a clue!
Stadium is PL standard/capacity with big potential fan base. So are Leeds, Forrest, Wednesday, Derby, Boro, Hull, Reading, Brighton at least in the Championship this season. Our current budget is lower than every team above us in the division IMO. At the end of next season anything other than promotion or a very near miss via the playoffs (having been top 6 most of the season) should result in a change. If every fan had been offered fighting for 6th with 2 games to go at the start of the season all bar the most optimistic would have taken it. This forum was sure we were in for a low end mid table/relegation fight. Has Slade made mistakes? He certainly has, other than the 2 that manage to grab the top 2 spots I'm sure just about every manager could be accused of the same. The only caveat I will add to my opinion is that if Tan's gonna spend, then a new man should be given the funds.
We shouldn't need to be fighting for a top 6 place. The mistakes Slade has made has, bar a miracle, cost us a playoff spot. There are (or should be) no excuses for the appalling decisions and poor tactics that that man has imposed upon this club. He has hidden behind the cost cutting regime that Tan has imposed as a major reason for our playing standards rather than accepting the fact that his choice of players to bring in to the club have been in the main disastrous - I wont begin to list them. He should be thanked for the season and sent on his way.
Really though, why should we be nailed on for a top 6 place? I did say a while back on here he seems to get all the blame when we fail and none of the credit for success. Has he under or over achieved? We've had a bad run at a crucial time but so have Wednesday. Derby, Hull and Brighton have all had similar dips. It's a tough league! None of us know the difference playing different systems or line ups would have made. I will concede we have been undone late in games on numerous occasions when it's felt like more decisive action might avoided conceding. The flip side to that coin is if he'd changed it and we'd still conceded then we'd all be kicking off because he shouldn't of changed it..... I respect your opinion Sparks and we'll both have to see what the Summer brings. Will you sack him if we win the playoffs?......
Stevoldinho...Im one of those that suggested we were heading for a mid to low position by the end of the season. I may have from time to time suggested we could head near the "trap door". Its been more luck than good judgement we find ourselves in with a chance of the playoffs? I think RS has done the job he came in to do, and that was stabilise the playing staff and get rid of the chaff. No problems in saying he has done a fab job on that one. As previously stated I think VT likes him because he is loyal to the cause, however his ignorance on the playing side and loyalty to players whom he has asked to play out of position ( possibly reflecting our poor performances and results) does not inspire me to believe he has what it takes to keep us in the premiership. Sack him....keep him on board, in a capacity where he can flourish in his man-management skills. In addition, get rid of SY and lets get in Martinez and his crew when Everton get rid of him......
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! I have never rated Martinez. Now that Moyes' organisational skills have worn off at Everton they're a shambles. The Merseyside derby must rank as one of the worst performances in the history of that fixture. I've got a mate who's an Everton fan he'd happily swap Slade for Martinez.
Stevo is right there. Everton were always a well organised team under Moyes, tough to break down and always liable to break away and score. Martinez has shot the bolt of that and they are now a shambles. I think he will be shown the door at Everton, possibly before the season end. I don't think he would be the man for us. He would also have to overcome the Swansea/Cardiff thing. Not easy to do. I also agree that Slade did what it said on the tin in stabilising the club and cutting back the spend in line with VT's instructions. Credit to him for that but he is not the man to take us forward. Looks like Pearson will go to Villa so I'm not sure who my favourite would be but it has to be someone capable of moving us up a level on the pitch so we can genuinely challenge for top 6/2 honours next season.
It's rumoured Watford will sack Flores at the end of the season - I'd give him a go ahead of another underwhelming Slade season in charge
Anyone for Paul Lambert? Did a fine job at Norwich and an alright job at Villa considering the circumstances he had to deal with. I'm ABS mind (Anyone But Slade )
