David Moyes should become a genuine target for Cardiff City

Former Manchester United FC manager David Moyes should become a genuine target for Cardiff City.

25 NOV 2015


BY SCOTTJOHNSON

Cardiff owe it to themselves to give Moyes option some thought as they face being left behind by more pro-active Championship rivals in race for Premier League



Having scored only two goals in the previous six games and with supporters on the verge of mutiny, the 2-0 win ensured a comfortable, low-key international break.

Had Cardiff lost or failed to score yet again, it may have been something of a tipping point. Instead, it was a case of one step back, one step forward.

Depending on your stance, Russell Slade ’s side are either three points off the play-offs and looking more resilient these days, or they are as blunt as a butter knife and as boring as could possibly be.

The truth may be somewhere in the middle, but something that we can probably each agree on is that Cardiff appear to be coasting at present.

The club keep stating their goal of a top six finish, despite their actions not exactly following suit in my view.

The reality is that it’s not going to happen. We’ve been following the Championship for enough time to know what a play-off contender looks like... and it’s not Cardiff City .

Slade may have a group of players to rival anyone in this division, but as a collective there are hungrier, faster, younger and stronger squads. Herein is the problem as I see it. Cardiff seem to be waiting for it to fall in to their lap, while others are taking the initiative and making it happen.

What is the main strength of this Cardiff side under Slade? The best you could say is that they are consistently functional.

They don’t look equipped to give anyone a hiding, while it’s unlikely that they are going to capitulate any time soon either.

However, mediocrity is a difficult sell and that is reflected in attendances.

In terms of average attendance, Cardiff are in a relegation dogfight with the minnows of the division. They currently attract an average of around 14,337, which is the sixth lowest, ahead of only MK Dons, Preston, Huddersfield, Brentford and Rotherham.

Bear in mind that the Cardiff City Stadium holds around 33,000, so at present the ground is only 43% full and the emptiest in the league.

Last Saturday, Cardiff measured themselves against Derby, who average around 30,000 a game and have also spent a considerable amount of money.

Slade’s side lost 2-0 and in honesty that’s where they are, probably at least 2-0 worse than Derby at present. This is hardly surprising when their opponents spent almost £20m in the summer.

Even more riches on offer in Premier League
Derby were not alone in pushing out the boat, with the bumper new Premier League TV deal kicking in next season as the incentive.

Burnley parted with around £15m, following their relegation from the top flight last term. This included around £9m for Andre Gray, who is the top scorer in the division. If he plunders the goals to ensure a swift return, it will be money well spent.

Middlesbrough have also bolstered from a position of strength. Losing play-off finalists last year, they have brought in hometown idol Stewart Downing and Dave Nugent as part of a £14m spree.

Cardiff have been amongst the likes of Ipswich, Birmingham, Preston and Huddersfield, in terms of spending on players. However, the fundamental difference between them and these sides is that Cardiff still receive Premier League parachute payments.

You can understand Cardiff’s reluctance to spend any more, with debt to rival some of the biggest and best teams in the land.

Cardiff supporters are still awaiting the debt to equity conversion pledged when the club were rebranded in 2012.

Regardless of your stance on Slade’s ability and suitability for the Cardiff hot-seat, his hands seem tied in many respects, as already outlined.

Managerial merry-go-round
But the Championship is in the midst of a managerial merry-go-round at present and those involved appear to be upgrading.

Derby and Huddersfield have made interesting appointments, bringing in Paul Clement and David Wagner, very highly respected assistants from Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund respectively.

Blackburn have done very well to secure the services of Paul Lambert and that is likely to have a knock-on effect involving the likes of David Moyes, Steve Clarke and Nigel Pearson.

Vincent Tan may be satisfied with Slade’s performance in a difficult role on a reportedly smaller salary, but if someone like Moyes is willing to manage in the second tier, they owe it to themselves to give the option some genuine thought.

With clubs throughout the league receiving timely boosts, Cardiff trudge away with no light at the end of the tunnel.

Whether or not they feel the need to address this malaise and become masters of their own destiny remains to be seen.

What is becoming increasingly apparent though, is that the teams around them are not prepared to let the grass grow beneath their feet.

Who can blame them? Promotion to the Premier League is hard enough already and is about to become even harder than it’s been before, with far greater riches at stake.

Whilst Cardiff seemingly stand still, they should not be surprised if they get left behind by rivals with their eyes on the prize.

Can somebody tell me who SCOTTJOHNSON is ?

Its not the guy from BU who wanted city fans to protest whatever way they wanted inside the ground a few seasons back while he sat in a pub watching on Tv is it

Can somebody tell me who SCOTTJOHNSON is ?

Its not the guy from BU who wanted city fans to protest whatever way they wanted inside the ground a few seasons back while he sat in a pub watching on Tv is it

probably! moyes would come if right offer but as he's not going to get offer pointless opinion by journo?

What a joke.

First he wanted Leon Britton here and now this. How is he getting a journalistic platform like WalesOnline

We are cost cutting and this idiotic buffoon thinks we should make Moyes a genuine target!

Slade on £120000 a year.

He won't go or a new manager come in until end of season as he's done the job he's been asked to do

Lol!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As NIBluebird said, Slade is going nowhere this season. Walesonline journalists must have nothing to write about so as usual they come up with this stupid and pointless story.

Slade on £120000 a year.

He won't go or a new manager come in until end of season as he's done the job he's been asked to do

Spot On

Wales Online journalists must create articles by purchasing 40 tins of Alphabetti Spaghetti and emptying the contents onto the floor.

mental, pure madness.......

Poor article this time although to be fair some of his previous efforts have been quite good.

Why would he come to Cardiff in the championship with no budget when there are better clubs available to him for higher wages?

BIt daft to suggest that Moyes is a realistic target for us. Clearly a manager with premier leauge pedigree. We are not paying big wages at all at the moment for anyone especially the manager!

Hi, Scott Johnson here.

Hands up if you actually read the article?!

I have no control over the headline, it is out of my hands. In this instance, I disapprove of it.

The article is about how Cardiff are lagging behind the competition, the headline makes it look like a dig at Slade and that I'm suggesting they should replace him with Moyes. I don't actually say that. What I do say is that if a manager of his calibre is willing to drop down to the Championship, if they have any ambition, they should give it consideration. I know Slade is on buttons and that they won't pay for Moyes. But if they want top six, like they say they do...

If I say something like 'Cardiff should sign Leon Britton,' (which I still get crucified for!) I stand by it 100%. But I'm getting an undeserved hammering here.

If you disagree or think I'm full of shit, I'm @Roathboy on Twitter and I'm happy to defend my opinion. Providing you've bothered to read the article of course!

Hi, Scott Johnson here.

Hands up if you actually read the article?!

I have no control over the headline, it is out of my hands. In this instance, I disapprove of it.

The article is about how Cardiff are lagging behind the competition, the headline makes it look like a dig at Slade and that I'm suggesting they should replace him with Moyes. I don't actually say that. What I do say is that if a manager of his calibre is willing to drop down to the Championship, if they have any ambition, they should give it consideration. I know Slade is on buttons and that they won't pay for Moyes. But if they want top six, like they say they do...

If I say something like 'Cardiff should sign Leon Britton,' (which I still get crucified for!) I stand by it 100%. But I'm getting an undeserved hammering here.

If you disagree or think I'm full of shit, I'm @Roathboy on Twitter and I'm happy to defend my opinion. Providing you've bothered to read the article of course!

Hi, Scott Johnson here.

Hands up if you actually read the article?!

I have no control over the headline, it is out of my hands. In this instance, I disapprove of it.

The article is about how Cardiff are lagging behind the competition, the headline makes it look like a dig at Slade and that I'm suggesting they should replace him with Moyes. I don't actually say that.

The first sentence of your article reads:

"Cardiff owe it to themselves to give Moyes option some thought as they face being left behind by more pro-active Championship rivals in race for Premier League".

I didn't think you could make yourself look even more of a clown after this article, but you just have.

Like f**k will Tan pay mega bucks for a big name.

I wouldn't give two pence to that wanker!!! His attitude of refusing to even try and speak Spanish during his time in Spain is one of the reasons why he was such a failure out there