" WHAT DO YOU EXPECT FROM TROLLOPE'S FIRST SEASON? "

Now that Euro 2016 is over, we can all focus on Cardiff City

Paul Trollope will be in charge next season and, unlike our last two managers, he will have a full pre-season before his first match in charge. How will he do and what do you expect?

We just missed out on the play-offs last season, can Trollope get us there?

What does he need to make us a top six team or even top two?

Will he do better or worse than Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Russell Slade, the two who have managed us since we were relegated back to the Championship?

Here's how our last three managers did in their first seasons.


Russell Slade - 11th in Championship (14th when he arrived, with 35 games to go)

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer - 20th in Premier League (17th when he arrived, with 18 games to go)

Malky Mackay - 6th in Championship

top 6

Top 2

I don't really expect much to be honest.

We need to see how the squad looks at the end of the transfer window. Unless we can improve the squad from last season I'm not sure how much more Trollope can do and I think Tan will still have a major hand in all transfer decisions - will that hinder Trollope particularly when it's been made clear that there will be very little money available.

I think that with Newcastle and Villa coming down, those teams will be tougher than Boro and Burnley were so immediately that makes promotion more difficult and I think top 6 will be beyond us when you look at some of the signings being made and money spent by other teams.

I appreciate that spending money is no guarantee of success (ask Derby), but looking at last years promoted teams (Boro - spent a fortune, Burnley - kept most of their Premier League players with one or two very expensive additions, and Hull - kept most of their Premier players and kept a manager with experience of promotion from the Championship) I can't see how we can really compete.

The Euro's have shown that team spirit and a well drilled team can get you so far, but over a 46 game season it's rare that a squad that's being cutback rather than added to, with a rookie manager at this level, can realistically aim for promotion.

I honestly don't think that we'll be realistic contenders for promotion again until Tan has moved on and been replaced by someone with a real desire to take the club on. Tan may have had that once but he's long since lost interest it seems.

As for Trollope, if he can challenge for the play-offs, set the foundations for a "Cardiff City" ethos and style of play, and brings through a number of youngsters into first team contention then he'll have done a decent job.

Good luck to him - I think he may need it.

12th, sit in the middle of the table.

Between,9th and 12th.Looks a tough league.

Mid table safety but not strong enough for a playoff spot. Hope im wrong. Cant wait for the new season. Newcastle big favourites to bounce bk.

Here's a question, anything but better than last season, then was it right to sack slade.

Top 2

If we lose one or two better players then I expect lower part or mid table ish, although if we keep the same squad then we need to better what slade did otherwise why appoint Trollope to start with over slade going. The slade mockers/haters will be in hide mode if he don't better it

I'd take a play off place now but i believe the club have gone back to start a fresh and build over the next few seasons if thats the case id be patient and say anything above mid table..

Can't see us finishing as high as we did last season. Looks a tougher league this time, and where some clubs are spending some big money, we know that this cannot happen at our club. Top 10 would be good, but I think the team needs a bit more quality if we are to achieve this. With the present squad, I am going to predict 12th.

Fingers crossed we can improve on last season and make the top 6, but mainly I would just like for Trollope to put his own stamp on things and hopefully create a bright positive identity on the pitch that we can build on for the future. Being part of the Welsh set up hes been able witness first hand how important togetherness and work ethic is, so hopefully he makes that a key priority.

I expect him to suprise everyone and we have a good challenge for automatic but come up short and finish 4th.

I expect a more consistent season, where paying supporters are not 'confused' by the actions/rhetoric of the man at the helm (I almost wrote 'manager') when the majority are not as daft as they are often perceived

Cardiff City FC fans know when they are being 'fed a line' and it was sadly often the case with Russell Slade, despite his gallant efforts to pull everyone together

Let's be honest, how many times dod we debate on here the confusion of what we were seeing and what we were being told after the event?

A consistent campaign in and around the 'Top 6' would be the minimum requirement for me and, if like last year, we were up and around come the 'January Transfer Window', I would expect Vincent Tan to support his man and give him the additional pieces to make a genuinely concerted push for promotion

I believe we have the man who can push the players forward this coming season and I am as bullish about our chances as I have been since our promotion year under Malky

Bottom half with current squad

Isn't for promotion.

Isn't for big signings.

Simply for club progress.

And by progress, I don't mean just a higher placed finish, but progress for the whole club and business, not only for the playing team.

To me this means building our infrastructure, our systems, and our ethos. Securing the finances; ensuring we have the right facilities, equipment, support staff, and supporter engagement; and building a belief in the bluebird way.

I want Trollope to continue exactly as he is. Flying under the radar and getting stuff done. Not feeling the pressure of tabloids, or the unrealistic expectations of fans. I want him to make brave decisions - perhaps moving on strong (but no longer compatible?) performers like Pilkington is just that. I want him to take a few risks, give some youngsters a shot, experiment with formations and tactics.

If we can accept that there appears to be a 2-3 year plan in place, then year 1 wouldn't necessarily be throwing everything at promotion, it would be creating a lean, efficient organization, a steady and professional business. It would be building trust between Trollope & Co and the owner and his staff.

Those who expect Tan to throw more money at us like we are a charity are simply bang out of order. We've tried that and failed, a few seasons in a row, all the while neglecting our foundations. Why do we deserve that investment? This isn't a hobby for Tan, it's a business investment. And like it or not, for clubs to be successful long term they need to be run like a top-end business. That is, with all the aspects I mentioned above, that you may not see on the pitch for some time.

I, for one, see Trollope as an unassuming man, one who has an intelligent, modern approach. Every decision he has made so far can be rationalized and understood.

Would it really be so bad to aim for mid-table and have a low wage bill (parachute payments don't last for ever), a few youngsters breaking through, and perhaps pick up a bargain or two on the way? A much better position to make a push in the 17/18 season, rather than trying to scramble something together now when we are still inherently fractured.

Top ten

Isn't for promotion.

Isn't for big signings.

Simply for club progress.

And by progress, I don't mean just a higher placed finish, but progress for the whole club and business, not only for the playing team.

To me this means building our infrastructure, our systems, and our ethos. Securing the finances; ensuring we have the right facilities, equipment, support staff, and supporter engagement; and building a belief in the bluebird way.

I want Trollope to continue exactly as he is. Flying under the radar and getting stuff done. Not feeling the pressure of tabloids, or the unrealistic expectations of fans. I want him to make brave decisions - perhaps moving on strong (but no longer compatible?) performers like Pilkington is just that. I want him to take a few risks, give some youngsters a shot, experiment with formations and tactics.

If we can accept that there appears to be a 2-3 year plan in place, then year 1 wouldn't necessarily be throwing everything at promotion, it would be creating a lean, efficient organization, a steady and professional business. It would be building trust between Trollope & Co and the owner and his staff.

Those who expect Tan to throw more money at us like we are a charity are simply bang out of order. We've tried that and failed, a few seasons in a row, all the while neglecting our foundations. Why do we deserve that investment? This isn't a hobby for Tan, it's a business investment. And like it or not, for clubs to be successful long term they need to be run like a top-end business. That is, with all the aspects I mentioned above, that you may not see on the pitch for some time.

I, for one, see Trollope as an unassuming man, one who has an intelligent, modern approach. Every decision he has made so far can be rationalized and understood.

Would it really be so bad to aim for mid-table and have a low wage bill (parachute payments don't last for ever), a few youngsters breaking through, and perhaps pick up a bargain or two on the way? A much better position to make a push in the 17/18 season, rather than trying to scramble something together now when we are still inherently fractured.

A good post, lots of which I agree with. The only thing I would say is that sometimes the unexpected happens. A few clever signings, some good early results and belief builds. If we can make the CCS a fortress again then we maybe have a chance of a decent season, whilst still building a good base for the future.

Coast to a league win, by 10 points.

Coast to a league win, by 10 points.

This^^^^

Let's see how the squad is shaping up first, too early for me to make any predictions. However purely expectation for the club... top 6.

A good post, lots of which I agree with. The only thing I would say is that sometimes the unexpected happens. A few clever signings, some good early results and belief builds. If we can make the CCS a fortress again then we maybe have a chance of a decent season, whilst still building a good base for the future.

Good points, it's more important to build something that will last.

Champions League Winners

Failing that, just consolidating a consistent attractive playing style while remaining competitive, giving the youngsters plenty of opportunities and reconnecting with the fanbase. For me that's what this season should be about. Forget about promotion and all that nonsense.

Champions League Winners

Failing that, just consolidating a consistent attractive playing style while remaining competitive, giving the youngsters plenty of opportunities and reconnecting with the fanbase. For me that's what this season should be about. Forget about promotion and all that nonsense.

I think you're confusing us with the self-styled Swansealona, fella!

Isn't for promotion.

Isn't for big signings.

Simply for club progress.

And by progress, I don't mean just a higher placed finish, but progress for the whole club and business, not only for the playing team.

To me this means building our infrastructure, our systems, and our ethos. Securing the finances; ensuring we have the right facilities, equipment, support staff, and supporter engagement; and building a belief in the bluebird way.

I want Trollope to continue exactly as he is. Flying under the radar and getting stuff done. Not feeling the pressure of tabloids, or the unrealistic expectations of fans. I want him to make brave decisions - perhaps moving on strong (but no longer compatible?) performers like Pilkington is just that. I want him to take a few risks, give some youngsters a shot, experiment with formations and tactics.

If we can accept that there appears to be a 2-3 year plan in place, then year 1 wouldn't necessarily be throwing everything at promotion, it would be creating a lean, efficient organization, a steady and professional business. It would be building trust between Trollope & Co and the owner and his staff.

Those who expect Tan to throw more money at us like we are a charity are simply bang out of order. We've tried that and failed, a few seasons in a row, all the while neglecting our foundations. Why do we deserve that investment? This isn't a hobby for Tan, it's a business investment. And like it or not, for clubs to be successful long term they need to be run like a top-end business. That is, with all the aspects I mentioned above, that you may not see on the pitch for some time.

I, for one, see Trollope as an unassuming man, one who has an intelligent, modern approach. Every decision he has made so far can be rationalized and understood.

Would it really be so bad to aim for mid-table and have a low wage bill (parachute payments don't last for ever), a few youngsters breaking through, and perhaps pick up a bargain or two on the way? A much better position to make a push in the 17/18 season, rather than trying to scramble something together now when we are still inherently fractured.

Between 16th and 20th

I expect Trollope to be full of enthusiasm and a good coach, but because we won't have a strong squad compared to plenty of other clubs, next season I expect about 10th for us as its going to be a very strong and tough Championship.

Im not really sure what to expect to be honest, but from what has come out of the club around the time of his appointment is an improvement on last season .. so tan and choo clearly expect a top 6 finish so either there are funds available or they see him has a miracle worker, i personally dont believe we can continue to flog the existing squad and expect a promotion push ...

Playoffs.

a lot depends on who he brings in but they sacked slade because he failed to get us into the play-off's so we must be looking at least at top 6