' THE BIG CARDIFF CITY CLEAR-OUT '

The Big Cardiff City Clear-Out: Who should stay and who should go when the January transfer window opens?


Wednesday Nov 26, 2014

Russell Slade has promised players will leave Cardiff City in January but who should he look to offload?

by Terry Phillips


' Prepare for a clear-out '

Russell Slade has been open and honest with everybody he wants to move on, having met both players and their agents.

There are likely to be 10 or more going out and that in itself is going to be tough.

City are preparing the way now for what will happen in January.

Javi Guerra, Juan Cala, Magnus Eikrem, Guido Burgstaller, Kadeem Harris and Etien Velikonja are among those who will be allowed to find new clubs, while Slade will want fees for Kim Bo-kyung, Mats Daehli and Nicky Maynard if they join the exodus.

The imminent return of Joe Mason from his loan spell at Bolton may well mean Norwegian ace Daehli will move on if the right price is offered.

Daehli doesn’t easily fit into the 4-4-2 system.

He could play just behind a main striker, but Mason can also fill that role.

The hugely talented Daehli is unlikely to get in ahead of Craig Noone or Anthony Pilkington on the wings, while he doesn’t have the physical stature for a central role in that system.



Ravel Morrison will return to West Ham after his loan, which ends on Boxing Day, while Slade will listen to offers for Kevin Theophile (on loan at St Etienne), Ben Nugent (Yeovil), Jo Inge Berget (Celtic), Filip Kiss (Ross County) and goalkeeper Joe Lewis (Blackpool).

Kevin McNaughton is on loan for the whole season at Bolton. His Cardiff contract ends next summer and he will be a free agent at that stage.

Spanish defender Cala is behind Bruno Manga, Sean Morrison, Ben Turner, Matt Connolly and Danny Gabbidon in the pecking order for central defenders, while neither Eikrem nor Burgstaller have played a first-team match for almost three months.

Winger Harris has had only three Bluebirds’ first- team opportunities in three years at Cardiff, while Slovenian Velikonja has played four times in two-and-a-half years.


' Make two or three new signings '

Joe Mason will be returning from his loan spell at Bolton. While Kevin McNaughton is tied to a season-long agreement at the Macron Stadium, Mason can return to City in January and, as a player under contract with the Bluebirds until 2018, Slade will want him back as soon as possible.

If all goes well with those players looking for new clubs Slade could also add a couple of new signings.

He wants an injection of pace along with leadership qualities and the ability to make a difference at Championship level.

Slade has made it clear he is looking far and wide - throughout the UK and most certainly abroad - for the right players and is drawing up a list of those who could be available.

A new full-back to add competition in the back four plus a central midfield player would surely be the targets.

City have Matt Connolly and John Brayford both effectively playing out of position on the right and left of the back and that’s not a situation Slade will want for the rest of this season. He will also want a midfield player to step up the battle for places. Aron Gunnarsson and Peter Whittingham have been the regular starters in that area, with Tom Adeyemi and Joe Ralls their main competition.


' Sort out Kagisho Dikgacoi’s rehabilitation '

Kagisho Dikgacoi has not played much football this seasonKagisho Dikgacoi has not played much football this season
Crystal Palace wanted to keep the South African midfield player at Premier League, but he opted for a switch to Cardiff and his move has been a personal disaster.

Visa problems stopped Dikgacoi joining the first- team squad on their pre-season tour to Austria and since then he has been plagued by a series of injury problems. He has made only three appearances and is still a long way from fitness.

Dikgacoi at his best would be a major competitor at Championship level, but can Slade’s medical team get him back to 100% in the new year?



' Plan for Bruno Manga’s absence in 2015 '

The Gabon defender is off to Equatorial Guinea in January for the Africa Cup of Nations finals.

Manga, pictured , could be missing for five Championship matches including tough trips to Norwich and Middlesbrough plus the visit of high-flying Derby to the Cardiff City Stadium.

That is a massive blow for Slade, who sees the centre-back, signed from Lorient for £3.5m less than three months ago, as a key player in his plans.

The return of Ben Turner to full fitness is a big plus and he is likely to play alongside Sean Morrison.


The ever-consistent Matt Connolly and highly experienced player-coach Danny Gabbidon will provide their main competition at the heart of defence. Turner and Morrison have played in City’s last two fixtures, a goalless draw at Birmingham and the 2-1 win against Reading, when the Bluebirds have been solid at the back.

The decision for Slade is whether he should stick with Turner and Morrison now, helping them build on their partnership and understanding in preparation for that crucial spell when Manga is away during January and February.



' Work to bring a new unity to Cardiff City '

There are times when City players seem to be lacking in raw belief and passion.

Yes, they are working hard and have been defensively sound over the last couple of appearances apart from that lapse against Reading, but I want to see more.

That in turn will go at least some way towards bringing City fans together.

The product they see on the pitch has to excite supporters in a way that isn’t happening right now.

Ben Turner’s return adds new leadership, while Aron Gunnarsson can be a real warrior in central midfield and Adam Le Fondre is another who never gives up, even when things are not going his way.

There are others who give it everything they have, but don’t have the fire in their bellies or confidence to demand more from team-mates to bring out the best in their team.

Federico Macheda has been a particular disappointment.

He’s big, strong, talented and after a pre-season during which he looked outstanding at times I was convinced he would be a star.

Slade has given Macheda chances and the Italian has scored goals, but I want to see that fire.

He is too easily pushed off the ball.

Slade has gathered his trusted group around him and he must fire them up for the remaining 28 matches this season.

The club will accept big losses on some just to get them out of the door

What happens if the players cant get the same wages with another club? I'm sure they will run their contracts down and who can blame them.

The club will accept big losses on some just to get them out of the door

Solbaken has already told Slade and the club all the players that he brought into the club - if they club want to get rid then they will have to leave on a free. We will be lucky if we get anything for them. We are in a worse state of affairs then when Vincent Tan took over,

HoW is brayford playing out of position'he is a right back. And Connelly has played his entire position at right back or centre half.

will be good to have a clear out. Ole brought some good players to the club to be fair, but some of them are not doing any good and collecting a huge wage.

What happens if the players cant get the same wages with another club? I'm sure they will run their contracts down and who can blame them.

If the transfer money is low, the buying clubs can offer higher wages. Besides, there are many ambitious, young players among those leaving, and for them playing football is probable more important than the wages. They will earn enough for living anyway.

HoW is brayford playing out of position'he is a right back. And Connelly has played his entire position at right back or centre half.

Slade has dropped Fabio the last two games and moved Brayford to left back and played Connolly righ side mate.

HoW is brayford playing out of position'he is a right back. And Connelly has played his entire position at right back or centre half.

Slade has dropped Fabio the last two games and moved Brayford to left back and played Connolly righ side mate.

I think that is what beames lee is saying mate?

The club will accept big losses on some just to get them out of the door

Solbaken has already told Slade and the club all the players that he brought into the club - if they club want to get rid then they will have to leave on a free. We will be lucky if we get anything for them. We are in a worse state of affairs then when Vincent Tan took over,

Solbakken has told Slade? Ranger, I don´t say this often, but you are are full of it.

The Big Cardiff City Clear-Out: Who should stay and who should go when the January transfer window opens?


Wednesday Nov 26, 2014

Russell Slade has promised players will leave Cardiff City in January but who should he look to offload?

by Terry Phillips


' Prepare for a clear-out '

Russell Slade has been open and honest with everybody he wants to move on, having met both players and their agents.

There are likely to be 10 or more going out and that in itself is going to be tough.

City are preparing the way now for what will happen in January.

Javi Guerra, Juan Cala, Magnus Eikrem, Guido Burgstaller, Kadeem Harris and Etien Velikonja are among those who will be allowed to find new clubs, while Slade will want fees for Kim Bo-kyung, Mats Daehli and Nicky Maynard if they join the exodus.

The imminent return of Joe Mason from his loan spell at Bolton may well mean Norwegian ace Daehli will move on if the right price is offered.

Daehli doesn’t easily fit into the 4-4-2 system.

He could play just behind a main striker, but Mason can also fill that role.

The hugely talented Daehli is unlikely to get in ahead of Craig Noone or Anthony Pilkington on the wings, while he doesn’t have the physical stature for a central role in that system.



Ravel Morrison will return to West Ham after his loan, which ends on Boxing Day, while Slade will listen to offers for Kevin Theophile (on loan at St Etienne), Ben Nugent (Yeovil), Jo Inge Berget (Celtic), Filip Kiss (Ross County) and goalkeeper Joe Lewis (Blackpool).

Kevin McNaughton is on loan for the whole season at Bolton. His Cardiff contract ends next summer and he will be a free agent at that stage.

Spanish defender Cala is behind Bruno Manga, Sean Morrison, Ben Turner, Matt Connolly and Danny Gabbidon in the pecking order for central defenders, while neither Eikrem nor Burgstaller have played a first-team match for almost three months.

Winger Harris has had only three Bluebirds’ first- team opportunities in three years at Cardiff, while Slovenian Velikonja has played four times in two-and-a-half years.


' Make two or three new signings '

Joe Mason will be returning from his loan spell at Bolton. While Kevin McNaughton is tied to a season-long agreement at the Macron Stadium, Mason can return to City in January and, as a player under contract with the Bluebirds until 2018, Slade will want him back as soon as possible.

If all goes well with those players looking for new clubs Slade could also add a couple of new signings.

He wants an injection of pace along with leadership qualities and the ability to make a difference at Championship level.

Slade has made it clear he is looking far and wide - throughout the UK and most certainly abroad - for the right players and is drawing up a list of those who could be available.

A new full-back to add competition in the back four plus a central midfield player would surely be the targets.

City have Matt Connolly and John Brayford both effectively playing out of position on the right and left of the back and that’s not a situation Slade will want for the rest of this season. He will also want a midfield player to step up the battle for places. Aron Gunnarsson and Peter Whittingham have been the regular starters in that area, with Tom Adeyemi and Joe Ralls their main competition.


' Sort out Kagisho Dikgacoi’s rehabilitation '

Kagisho Dikgacoi has not played much football this seasonKagisho Dikgacoi has not played much football this season
Crystal Palace wanted to keep the South African midfield player at Premier League, but he opted for a switch to Cardiff and his move has been a personal disaster.

Visa problems stopped Dikgacoi joining the first- team squad on their pre-season tour to Austria and since then he has been plagued by a series of injury problems. He has made only three appearances and is still a long way from fitness.

Dikgacoi at his best would be a major competitor at Championship level, but can Slade’s medical team get him back to 100% in the new year?



' Plan for Bruno Manga’s absence in 2015 '

The Gabon defender is off to Equatorial Guinea in January for the Africa Cup of Nations finals.

Manga, pictured , could be missing for five Championship matches including tough trips to Norwich and Middlesbrough plus the visit of high-flying Derby to the Cardiff City Stadium.

That is a massive blow for Slade, who sees the centre-back, signed from Lorient for £3.5m less than three months ago, as a key player in his plans.

The return of Ben Turner to full fitness is a big plus and he is likely to play alongside Sean Morrison.


The ever-consistent Matt Connolly and highly experienced player-coach Danny Gabbidon will provide their main competition at the heart of defence. Turner and Morrison have played in City’s last two fixtures, a goalless draw at Birmingham and the 2-1 win against Reading, when the Bluebirds have been solid at the back.

The decision for Slade is whether he should stick with Turner and Morrison now, helping them build on their partnership and understanding in preparation for that crucial spell when Manga is away during January and February.



' Work to bring a new unity to Cardiff City '

There are times when City players seem to be lacking in raw belief and passion.

Yes, they are working hard and have been defensively sound over the last couple of appearances apart from that lapse against Reading, but I want to see more.

That in turn will go at least some way towards bringing City fans together.

The product they see on the pitch has to excite supporters in a way that isn’t happening right now.

Ben Turner’s return adds new leadership, while Aron Gunnarsson can be a real warrior in central midfield and Adam Le Fondre is another who never gives up, even when things are not going his way.

There are others who give it everything they have, but don’t have the fire in their bellies or confidence to demand more from team-mates to bring out the best in their team.

Federico Macheda has been a particular disappointment.

He’s big, strong, talented and after a pre-season during which he looked outstanding at times I was convinced he would be a star.

Slade has given Macheda chances and the Italian has scored goals, but I want to see that fire.

He is too easily pushed off the ball.

Slade has gathered his trusted group around him and he must fire them up for the remaining 28 matches this season.

' THE BIG CARDIFF CITY CLEAR-OUT ' Don't see VT name amongst his lot !