Well, it’s now five weeks to the day since we were promoted and the lack of any truly significant news emerging from Cardiff City Stadium continues.
As mentioned in a message in the Feedback section this week, Vincent Tan thanked the Sultan of Johor for his financial support over the past three seasons when he has paid a total of £3 million for the Visit Malaysia shirt sponsorship that City have had in recent years.
There was also confirmation of two more pre season matches with City visiting two of Neil Warnock’s former clubs next month. On Wednesday 25th, City visit Rotherham to play a side that were able to complete the unusual achievement of all three sides to be relegated from a league returning to it a year later after a promotion – Blackburn and Wigan will be joining the Millers in the Championship following their relegation in 16/17 as well.
Unfortunately, but probably inevitably, Burton Albion made the reverse journey in May as their stay in the second tier came to an end. Burton in the Championship was something of a fairy tale, but it is one that can be repeated and Nigel Clough’s team will have a match with City as part of their preparations to repeat next season what Rotherham did in 17/18 on July 28th.
Next Thursday will see three things happen which are worth noting. At nine in the morning, the Premier League fixtures for the upcoming campaign will be announced – the EFL fixture list follows a week later. The new season always seems that much closer once you know who you will be playing and when, but it may be that the opening day games are known already – this story has been doing the rounds on social media in the past week and has it that we will be playing the first match of our second season in the Premier League at Bournemouth. Now, it seems to me that, if this was the case and the fixtures set out on that list were correct, the authorities will probably prefer to come up with an alternative rather than being forced to admit to an embarrassing leak of their opening weekend programme.
Then at 4 o clock I believe it is, the World Cup will begin with host nation Russia facing Saudi Arabia. This will be followed by the Cardiff City Supporters’ Trust AGM at the Three Arches in Heath which will include the normal Q and A session with the BBC’s Rob Phillips and ex City centreback Jason Perry – members can confirm their attendance by contacting members@ccfctrust.org (you are allowed to bring one guest if you want to), while non members can turn up and join on the night if they so wish.
As for any transfer comings and goings, maybe this is the weekend to concentrate more on potential outgoings in the absence of any significant news as far as inward moves are concerned.
The most persistent rumour regarding an existing City player leaving is probably the one which links Lee Tomlin with Nottingham Forest – whether by another loan deal or something more permanent, I wouldn’t be surprised at all to see this one come off.
According to a Wales Online piece from getting on for a fortnight ago which I believe I said on here had a look of authenticity to it, we were going to get some big City news during the week starting 4 June. Well, that period is virtually over now and the wait goes on!
It was thought that, given the way the piece was written, that the “big” news would concern the contract position of Junior Hoilett and Aron Gunnarsson. There has been nothing at all as far as Gunnar is concerned and I must admit that my earlier confidence that our promotion would be enough to persuade him to stay with us is beginning to waver somewhat.
Gunnar could leave us for nothing in the next month, but what about Junior? No official word yet, but did the Instagram message referred to here offer more than a hint that the winger will be committing himself to a third season at Cardiff – my guess is that it does.
Unlike the two players mentioned above, Joe Bennett leaving us on a Bosman is a non starter this summer – the left back is under contract for the upcoming season, but the problem is that his current deal still has that release clause of £2 million which prompted Fulham to try and grab him at the start of last season.
Bennett opted to stay with us then, but reports from London suggest that Fulham will be coming in with another offer which will trigger the release clause and the similarities with nine months ago continue to the extent that the old story about us going in for Preston’s Greg Cunningham, probably as a replacement for Bennett, resurfaced in recent days.
Talking of the side who accompanied us up following their Play Off win over troubled Villa, I first heard word of them being possible competitors with us for the signature of Marko Grujic if Liverpool decide to make him available on loan again about a fortnight ago.
Regular correspondent Dai Woosnam made a compelling case as to why Fulham could foil any plan we may have to get the Serb back in the Feedback section early last week I think it was and I agree that the lure of working with his fellow countryman Slaviša Jokanovi? may prove decisive in any battle to get the midfielder back for another season.
That’s the thing, I suppose it’s easy to assume that, as a promoted team, we won’t be losing many members of last season’s squad, but, with the ground seemingly being laid for a summer of recruitment which sees us operating under pretty strict controls when it comes to transfer spending and wages, there will be a temptation that may persuade richer clubs than us to make offers for members of our promotion squad.
After all, they will think that we could be persuaded to let one of our mainstays go as a way to increase the size of our budget. Similarly, they will know that they can, almost certainly, offer higher wages than us – don’t forget that, this time last season, Brighton’s David Stockdale offered to turn down a contract offer from a club that had just been promoted to the Premier League in favour of one from Championship club Birmingham.
Thank you Paul, for the kind acknowledgement re Grujic, that I am descended from the ba**ar* son of Nostradamus.
Mind you, I would never have guessed that six months back, Jokanovic would have made a bid for Joe Bennett…having witnessed his boy Fredericks run him ragged in that 3rd round FA Cup tie 18 months ago.
And now he is triggering the £2m transfer clause…despite the fact that his owner Mr Khan calls our Cardiff team “a team playing 19th Century football”. And despite the fact that Bennett playing for an allegedly 19th century team, performed a medieval (or at very latest, Spanish Inquisition) tackle on a wonderfully graceful young German…a tackle beamed all over the world: one that did not thankfully break the boy’s leg, but but has broken his season in two…and whose 11 weeks following, saw him as a relative cipher, compared to what he was, up until the end of January.
It would be remiss and churlish of me not to admit that Neil has improved JB as a player though. Going forward, I think he now has a lot to offer…though doubts about his defensive qualities remain. I see him more as a poor man’s Barrie Hole of blessed memory, than a Freddie Pethard.
If he goes, how much would Joe Bryan of Bristol City cost? He impresses me greatly.
One other thing, before signing off.
I see that between the Rotherham and Burton games, Neil is taking the team to stay at the Leicestershire branch of Champneys. I can talk about this place with conviction, having stayed there some 10 years back.
I had heard so much about Champneys, having also seen photos of footballers’ attractive WAGs, and knowing they were often having bonding sessions, facials, acapuncture, full length massages and God knows what else there. It was the WAGs “hotel resort” venue of choice.
So when myself and wife booked in for a few nights, I was determined not to look too much like the big brother who taught sibling Peeping Tom all he knew…!! I decided in advance that when some drink on a stick walked past, I would display nothing but insouciance, and ensure that any saliva drooled down my THROAT rather than my chin.
But here’s the thing…
I expected that me being then 60 years old, would have made me the oldest person there.
Not so.
In fact, there was hardly anyone there under 40. Quite a surprise.
Whether Frank Bruno’s semi-permanent residence (to get over his nervous breakdown) at Champneys Tring, made it less “cool” with the younger set, I know not…but I promise you that when we visited, it was largely a bastion of the middle-aged with a generous sprinkling of OAPs.
So Bluebirds fans do not worry…our boys won’t be going astray there.
Not unless Mrs Robinson is in the next room…and she looks as good as the late Anne Bancroft.
Thanks Paul , its is very quiet just rumors probably agent driven , I d not be to bothered losing Gunnerson , Bennett as I’m not 100% either are Premiership quality ,and there are replacements out there to be had like Cunningham at Preston and someone like Snodgrass.
For me Hoilett has to sign, he has genuine quality
As for Grujic going to Fulham again not crestfallen as I dont see him as a regular first he has a lot to learn .
Tomlin has soiled his relationship and must be shipped .
Do need an experienced keeper in though,two full backs two midfielders one holding one forward pressing, at least one quick winger and an off the shoulder poacher type striker ,bingo we stay up .
I have a feeling we may not know whose coming and the media leaks well who generates them certainly not us .
I think Tan and Warnock are playing the long game.
Go the one dayer coming up this Saturday v the Aussies ,some world cup thingy , then it upon us Man City home second game in .
Thanks Paul and others. All a bit quiet out there in terms of hard facts. Doesn’t stop mediawales teasing us every day though!
I enjoy the speculation and sure release of fixtures on Thursday will begin to focus the mind and get interest going again.
I am sure Neil and backroom team working away in the background and trust them to surprise us soon!
Hope Bennett doesn’t get snapped up by Fulham. I do like him as a player. Not sure about a number of our players in terms of Premiership quality, but that’s part of the apprehension and excitement.
Anyway roll on the Workd Cup for next few weeks so maybe a few deals under the radar while we all seeing how Ingerland get on!
Cheers.
Morning everyone, Dai Neil Warnock had doubts about Joe Bennett as a defender and maybe they still exist at Premier League level – our manager seems convinced by him defensively when it comes to the Championship, but, perhaps he wouldn’t be too upset to see our full back leave so that he could bring more of a defender in (my guess is that the priority with Neil Warnock when it comes to full back is more that they be good defensively, rather than dangerous going forward. if I’m right, then I’d say Joe Bryan would offer more of the same as Bennett – if we were looking to replace him, I’d say Cunningham of Preston would suit our manager’s wishes more.
Russell, getting our transfer business done early was a priority for Neil Warnock last year and our promotion tends to back this policy up (as does Huddersfield’s in 16/17 when they had most of their new players in before pre season training started). The fact that it’s beginning to look unlikely that we will have many players in before the bonding exercise which is the week in Cornwall is unfortunate, but I’d prefer us get the right men than just sign people for the sake of it.
Huw, I’ve been saying that we will be unlikely to get many in while the World Cup is on, but I wonder how many of our likely targets will be in Russia – not many I’d guess. Maybe it’s more that clubs where some of the players we want are reluctant to release them until they have a replacement in and so moves may be dependent on players who are at the World Cup who will not be playing for us next season?
Hi Paul and others – so it is likely to be Josh Murphy at £11 million as our first purchase with his value at the Transfer Market Website only £1.5 million. I thought I read somewhere that the City would not be paying “silly money” for players this time!! Hmm!
The Canary supporters do not seem too disappointed at the move.
I wonder could we ask Forest, with tongue in cheek, to pay £15 million for Tomlin as his value is close on double that of Murphy. Now that would be good business.
At last movement on the transfer front. Pleased if the Murphy purchase is completed. Looks pacey with an eye for goal and a good age. I prefer this type of signing to the likes of Snodgrass who would probably cost a similar amount and be on double the wages, plus minimal resale value due to his age. Wonder what the true budget is if this lad is costing eleven million.
Regarding Bennett I hope he stays, he’s as good as we’ve had in recent years and an adequate replacement would cost at least double his buy out clause.
Tell me that it is a joke.
I mean £11m for possibly the weaker of the twin brothers…Newcastle bagged the best when they signed Jacob 11 months ago. Yet he has been a disappointment of Madine proportions on Tyneside, and has only scored one goal in 25 appearances this past season. But, despite that, he has gained 6 caps for England U21…while “our” boy has gained none…his international career has stalled, despite originally being perhaps the stronger of the twins.
I think we should hear from proud MAYAn Lindsay Davies who lives in central Norwich and is a season ticket holder at Carrow Road. Give us the lowdown on him please Lindsay.
Is he really worth ELEVEN times the fee that we got from Ipswich for Emyr Huws a year back?
Does the signing of Josh Murphy, who is basically a left winger, have implications forMendez-Laing or, more particularly, for Hoilett (always supposing he will stay with Cardiff. I think Hoilett would be even more effective if he played on the right — too often last season he cut in from the left to cross with his right foot, thereby swinging the ball into the goalkeeper or central defenders and giving them time to get in position. I feel that Mendez-Laing has the speed and physique to play a more central role. He often fiddles around with the ball too much before getting in across. As A kind of Number 10, he would not have this problem and with proper guidance could flourish there.
Clearly, proper guidance is important for so many of our players, and Cardiff recently have managed to improve several players eg. the goal keeper, Mendez-Laing himself, and — above all — Hoilett.
What we have with Josh Murphy is potential. It may be a gamble, but clearly those who know football in the Cardiff backroom are willing to back their judgement in what they have seen in him. Let’s hope they’re correct — or at least, let’s refrain from judgement until we have seen what’s what
.
On another point, if we have effective widemen, who is going to get a head to their crosses or risk life and limb in racing in on the goalkeeper? At the moment only Madine can do it, if given the chance. Is anyone else in the pipeline?
Roll on the season. I can hardly wait.
HK’sG is right, I’m afraid, to question the valuation of the lesser of two Murphys, at £11m.
Certainly talented and quick, and can score a goal, but – in the relatively modern parlance – lightweight…very easily gives way in 50/50s, especially if it’s in the air, and is partial to offering the aimless ball.
Mind you, who am I, a bystander, to question a fellow’s courage? OK, Jimmy Gabriel, Mark Dennis, and Kevin Muscat are long gone, but there are still plenty of big strong men hoping to damage a slight, willowy chap.
Happy to give him a chance, AO’B, but £11m? When Maddison – at least five times more effective all season down here, and very, very talented – might fetch a mere £20m.
The next best at Carrow Road – Jamal Lewis – 20 years old, lightning quick, and BRAVE!
En passant, when Dai W mentioned Champneys and WAGS in the same sentence, I read it as “bondage sessions”, not “bonding” – sounds cheap, I know, but I genuinely did.
Belgium for the World Cup (oh, my Scifo and Ceulemanns of long ago) – then the Bluebirds for glory!
Thanks Lindsay for your assessment of the lesser of the two Murphys.
Just what I feared. A massive overpayment. An astonishing ELEVEN times what we got for Emyr Hughes. And over FIFTEEN times what we paid for Omar Bogle.
And an amazing FOUR HUNDRED AND FORTY times what Preston paid Port Vale for the fabulous Jordan Hugill.
Of course though, it must be said that the other ingredient in the mix here is our Great Alchemist. He might make something out of him. But whether he can put a backbone in the boy is highly questionable.
It is not the £11m per se…it is the lack of streetwise wheeler-dealing. It’s like paying a Picasso price for a Banksy. Cardiff City must be the biggest mugs going when it comes to transfer dealings.
And like you say, Lindsay, if money is no object, why not go the whole hog and pay much more than that for a young player of REAL quality …like a James Maddison or a David Brooks…?
Before signong off…a little bird tells me that Lindsay has, after several years of widowhood, now found happiness with a new partner.
I am sure we all at MAYA wish them every contentment in the years ahead.
Aw shucks, Dai – diolch.