Is BBM turning down players?

I know for a fact that the club gave BBM dozens of names last summer that he could sign (none of them would have cost much). He turned them all down, the only players he signed were the ones he chose.

Was pointed out on a podcast last night that his comments on transfers on Monday were interesting:


"If we have a certain player we want to bring in and they don't come in for whatever reason, I'm not keen to have a knee-jerk reaction and have someone come in who is maybe good for a week or two but for the rest of the season is not who we would want. We have to be clear on who we bring into the club on behalf of the supporters who pay so much money, and the owner who pays so much money. It has to be someone who improves the club both now and in the long term, and is value for money for investment."

They said I do wonder as well if the same has happened this summer. He's been given names of players that he can sign but he doesn't think would improve the squad so has said no to them.

I am only speculating though, could be miles off.

You could be right but surely he can see that we need more than we have.

Perhaps he needs to lower his standards slightly? I'm not talking about signing journeymen just for the sake of it or buying players as a sort of "knee jerk" reaction but as I said on another thread there must be hundreds of players in this country and abroad who would do a good job for us at Championship level.

Let's be realistic - this season is about safety, consolidation and giving us a base to kick on in the future.

We need stregthening to be able to achieve those goals.

I still trust BBM but remember he's never managed at this level before - it's new to him too. I just hope he doesn't learn the hard way how relentlessly tough the division is and we end up struggling as a result.

You could be right but surely he can see that we need more than we have.

Perhaps he needs to lower his standards slightly? I'm not talking about signing journeymen just for the sake of it or buying players as a sort of "knee jerk" reaction but as I said on another thread there must be hundreds of players in this country and abroad who would do a good job for us at Championship level.

Let's be realistic - this season is about safety, consolidation and giving us a base to kick on in the future.

We need stregthening to be able to achieve those goals.

I still trust BBM but remember he's never managed at this level before - it's new to him too. I just hope he doesn't learn the hard way how relentlessly tough the division is and we end up struggling as a result.

I think he knows we need new players and I think he will get them.

I do get people's frustrations. But I think people should also be aware that he's not going to let us end up with players like Etete, Kanga, Simic, Daland etc while he's at the club.

You could be right but surely he can see that we need more than we have.

Perhaps he needs to lower his standards slightly? I'm not talking about signing journeymen just for the sake of it or buying players as a sort of "knee jerk" reaction but as I said on another thread there must be hundreds of players in this country and abroad who would do a good job for us at Championship level.

Let's be realistic - this season is about safety, consolidation and giving us a base to kick on in the future.

We need stregthening to be able to achieve those goals.

I still trust BBM but remember he's never managed at this level before - it's new to him too. I just hope he doesn't learn the hard way how relentlessly tough the division is and we end up struggling as a result.

I think he knows we need new players and I think he will get them.

I do get people's frustrations. But I think people should also be aware that he's not going to let us end up with players like Etete, Kanga, Simic, Daland etc while he's at the club.

And thank goodness for that!

But why are ALL of his signings going to be last minute?

These things, as we know and are frequently reminded, take time.

One new player signed, one returning loanee and one loan made permanent in four months and now we're looking for three or more high quality additions in the next 11 days?

Well, it could happen I suppose but I would say the odds are greatly against it.

You could be right but surely he can see that we need more than we have.

Perhaps he needs to lower his standards slightly? I'm not talking about signing journeymen just for the sake of it or buying players as a sort of "knee jerk" reaction but as I said on another thread there must be hundreds of players in this country and abroad who would do a good job for us at Championship level.

Let's be realistic - this season is about safety, consolidation and giving us a base to kick on in the future.

We need stregthening to be able to achieve those goals.

I still trust BBM but remember he's never managed at this level before - it's new to him too. I just hope he doesn't learn the hard way how relentlessly tough the division is and we end up struggling as a result.

I think he knows we need new players and I think he will get them.

I do get people's frustrations. But I think people should also be aware that he's not going to let us end up with players like Etete, Kanga, Simic, Daland etc while he's at the club.

And thank goodness for that!

But why are ALL of his signings going to be last minute?

These things, as we know and are frequently reminded, take time.

One new player signed, one returning loanee and one loan made permanent in four months and now we're looking for three or more high quality additions in the next 11 days?

Well, it could happen I suppose but I would say the odds are greatly against it.

When does being calm about sighnings become a panic? Because one thing is certain we cannot just have squad we've got come 1st September? January will be to late to alter our season and given how short of players we are the academy is going to be short of players to fulfill their fixtures!
Use Wrexham as example.... we got 26 players they got 34 and bout to sigh more! Don't be surprised if most other 5eams have bigger squad than ours? Yes bbm likes small squad but there's small and theres to small and we got latter. A very dangerous situation to be in for the championship.

You could be right but surely he can see that we need more than we have.

Perhaps he needs to lower his standards slightly? I'm not talking about signing journeymen just for the sake of it or buying players as a sort of "knee jerk" reaction but as I said on another thread there must be hundreds of players in this country and abroad who would do a good job for us at Championship level.

Let's be realistic - this season is about safety, consolidation and giving us a base to kick on in the future.

We need stregthening to be able to achieve those goals.

I still trust BBM but remember he's never managed at this level before - it's new to him too. I just hope he doesn't learn the hard way how relentlessly tough the division is and we end up struggling as a result.

I think he knows we need new players and I think he will get them.

I do get people's frustrations. But I think people should also be aware that he's not going to let us end up with players like Etete, Kanga, Simic, Daland etc while he's at the club.

And thank goodness for that!

But why are ALL of his signings going to be last minute?

These things, as we know and are frequently reminded, take time.

One new player signed, one returning loanee and one loan made permanent in four months and now we're looking for three or more high quality additions in the next 11 days?

Well, it could happen I suppose but I would say the odds are greatly against it.

When does being calm about sighnings become a panic? Because one thing is certain we cannot just have squad we've got come 1st September? January will be to late to alter our season and given how short of players we are the academy is going to be short of players to fulfill their fixtures!
Use Wrexham as example.... we got 26 players they got 34 and bout to sigh more! Don't be surprised if most other 5eams have bigger squad than ours? Yes bbm likes small squad but there's small and theres to small and we got latter. A very dangerous situation to be in for the championship.

I tend to agree.

Squad too small at the moment and lacking in Chammpionship experience for me.

Currently is there anyone in the academy that would go straight into the first team?

No point in having academy players on the bench sitting behind Robinson making up numbers.

We need genuine options off the bench.

Currently is there anyone in the academy that would go straight into the first team?

No point in having academy players on the bench sitting behind Robinson making up numbers.

We need genuine options off the bench.

Agree with you on that, we do need more numbers and I still expect them to come.

I much prefer BBM approach to signing players. Smaller quantity and quality to be better than what we have.

We have wasted so much money on fees and wages over the years. I think 3 quality first team players is enough to keep us up comfortable

To be about 10th We need another 4 quality players

If not o see us struggling

To be about 10th We need another 4 quality players

If not o see us struggling

You're right if that's where we expect to finish.

But I have said ever since we got promoted that the target in season one should just be to stay up. Three in and I think we'll achieve that comfortably.

You could be right but surely he can see that we need more than we have.

Perhaps he needs to lower his standards slightly? I'm not talking about signing journeymen just for the sake of it or buying players as a sort of "knee jerk" reaction but as I said on another thread there must be hundreds of players in this country and abroad who would do a good job for us at Championship level.

Let's be realistic - this season is about safety, consolidation and giving us a base to kick on in the future.

We need stregthening to be able to achieve those goals.

I still trust BBM but remember he's never managed at this level before - it's new to him too. I just hope he doesn't learn the hard way how relentlessly tough the division is and we end up struggling as a result.

"Let's be realistic - this season is about safety, consolidation and giving us a base to kick on in the future"

I think Tan and BBM are looking for a bit more than that, and there lies the problem and the delay.

Currently is there anyone in the academy that would go straight into the first team?

No point in having academy players on the bench sitting behind Robinson making up numbers.

We need genuine options off the bench.

Agree with you on that, we do need more numbers and I still expect them to come.

Agree with you ned he will get some in,
but as you have said all along no panic buys etc,
but I fear bbm is hitting panic stations having 4 possibly out at the back is a conundrum for him,
and the striker situation will not be solved as choo wants it from within.
Issac davies is not the answer,
My big fear in all this transfer buisness etc is keeping the fans together.
We all know we are not going for promotion but we must have tan backing as the fans ambition and hope to be competing not getting slaughtered and struggling otherwise our gates will be lower than last season.

I know for a fact that the club gave BBM dozens of names last summer that he could sign (none of them would have cost much). He turned them all down, the only players he signed were the ones he chose.

Was pointed out on a podcast last night that his comments on transfers on Monday were interesting:


"If we have a certain player we want to bring in and they don't come in for whatever reason, I'm not keen to have a knee-jerk reaction and have someone come in who is maybe good for a week or two but for the rest of the season is not who we would want. We have to be clear on who we bring into the club on behalf of the supporters who pay so much money, and the owner who pays so much money. It has to be someone who improves the club both now and in the long term, and is value for money for investment."

They said I do wonder as well if the same has happened this summer. He's been given names of players that he can sign but he doesn't think would improve the squad so has said no to them.

I am only speculating though, could be miles off.

This does worry me slightly as if it's true surely BBM should be providing the club with a list of players he wants rather than the club giving the manager "dozens of names" of players who he's not interested in but are "affordable" to the club?

If the reason he's not bought anybody is because the club are unwilling to listen or finance those players he does want then I don't blame him for not signing any of the cheap rubbish suggested by the club.

I'm pretty sure that the last thing BBM wants is a season of fighting relegation and the possibility of all his and the players' hard work being completely wasted with relegation. I'll be surprised if we don't see at least 3 new faces by the end of the month. Then again..

I know for a fact that the club gave BBM dozens of names last summer that he could sign (none of them would have cost much). He turned them all down, the only players he signed were the ones he chose.

Was pointed out on a podcast last night that his comments on transfers on Monday were interesting:


"If we have a certain player we want to bring in and they don't come in for whatever reason, I'm not keen to have a knee-jerk reaction and have someone come in who is maybe good for a week or two but for the rest of the season is not who we would want. We have to be clear on who we bring into the club on behalf of the supporters who pay so much money, and the owner who pays so much money. It has to be someone who improves the club both now and in the long term, and is value for money for investment."

They said I do wonder as well if the same has happened this summer. He's been given names of players that he can sign but he doesn't think would improve the squad so has said no to them.

I am only speculating though, could be miles off.

This does worry me slightly as if it's true surely BBM should be providing the club with a list of players he wants rather than the club giving the manager "dozens of names" of players who he's not interested in but are "affordable" to the club?

If the reason he's not bought anybody is because the club are unwilling to listen or finance those players he does want then I don't blame him for not signing any of the cheap rubbish suggested by the club.

I understand why the club would be set up this way as we've churned through managers, it's the reason why many (rightly so in my view) have been calling for a DOF. BBM got the job last year presumably hadn't had time to line up targets so here's the clubs list. Hopefully this position has now reversed and it's BBMs list of players

To be about 10th We need another 4 quality players

If not o see us struggling

You're right if that's where we expect to finish.

But I have said ever since we got promoted that the target in season one should just be to stay up. Three in and I think we'll achieve that comfortably.

I agree, I think we will be in bottom three come December. I only see a team who played like Brazil in League One but still threw a 10 point lead away and now in the Championship still think we can do the same in the Championship with same players. I rate BBM but I think maybe his ego will be his undoing in this league. Does he really have a say or is Tan still pulling the strings and thinking BBM can do the same in what is arguably the toughest league in the world. One or two additions can change all that but will it happen?

I have noticed that the estimate for players coming in have dropped from 5 to 2 now and loans only aswell

I have noticed that the estimate for players coming in have dropped from 5 to 2 now and loans only aswell

Four or five I said after the players that moved on did.

Moylan and Scanlon have come in (not including Trott because that was before) so yes, another two or three will match what I said.

I have noticed that the estimate for players coming in have dropped from 5 to 2 now and loans only aswell

Four or five I said after the players that moved on did.

Moylan and Scanlon have come in (not including Trott because that was before) so yes, another two or three will match what I said.

Was not singling you out Ned

I have noticed that the estimate for players coming in have dropped from 5 to 2 now and loans only aswell

Four or five I said after the players that moved on did.

Moylan and Scanlon have come in (not including Trott because that was before) so yes, another two or three will match what I said.

Was not singling you out Ned

Sorry, I was probably being a bit tetchy with you there

I have noticed that the estimate for players coming in have dropped from 5 to 2 now and loans only aswell

Four or five I said after the players that moved on did.

Moylan and Scanlon have come in (not including Trott because that was before) so yes, another two or three will match what I said.

Was not singling you out Ned

Sorry, I was probably being a bit tetchy with you there

No prob you have popped your head over the parapet nothing wrong with backing the manager but things change like choo been awkward tan not telling full story maybe leaving bbm floundering on the transfer market.

We can only have 25 players so who would we want to pay but not play outside of 25? Only players under 21 don’t count, so for us that’s Lawlor and Kpakio. Loan players, 21 or not, count regardless towards the 25.

Not sure why we think we have a small squad, when we can only use the 25. Does Eli King get the chance he was going to be afforded last year prior to his injury when he’s back or do we hang him out to dry and replace him with someone who may or may not be better

We can only have 25 players so who would we want to pay but not play outside of 25? Only players under 21 don’t count, so for us that’s Lawlor and Kpakio. Loan players, 21 or not, count regardless towards the 25.

Not sure why we think we have a small squad, when we can only use the 25. Does Eli King get the chance he was going to be afforded last year prior to his injury when he’s back or do we hang him out to dry and replace him with someone who may or may not be better

Eli king or jordan james

Well we aren’t getting James and think his personal aspirations would likely be above us, but in answer to the question I’d take James over king purely because I’ve seen what he’s capable of. King has only ever had a bit part to play, and like I said, last season could have defined him but he broke.

Our squad is at 23/24 players, we can only register 25, then we have to wait until January to change the list of allowed players. We have a young squad but they’re all outside the limit bar 2

I completely understand BBM refusing to sign players to add numbers. Given our recruitment history, being selective is sensible.

However, the squad looks too small for the quality and intensity of the Championship. We could get away with it last season, but we cannot take that risk when survival is the priority.

It does make me question what the recruitment plan was this summer. World Cup or not, other clubs were prepared, and we should have been too. Being selective cannot become inactivity at the expense of keeping Cardiff in this division.

I’m also surprised we haven’t used the loan market more. With BBM’s reputation for developing young talent, you would think promising Premier League players would see Cardiff as an attractive destination. Do you think BBM is rejecting suitable options, or has the club failed to provide him with the right ones?

I completely understand BBM refusing to sign players to add numbers. Given our recruitment history, being selective is sensible.

However, the squad looks too small for the quality and intensity of the Championship. We could get away with it last season, but we cannot take that risk when survival is the priority.

It does make me question what the recruitment plan was this summer. World Cup or not, other clubs were prepared, and we should have been too. Being selective cannot become inactivity at the expense of keeping Cardiff in this division.

I’m also surprised we haven’t used the loan market more. With BBM’s reputation for developing young talent, you would think promising Premier League players would see Cardiff as an attractive destination. Do you think BBM is rejecting suitable options, or has the club failed to provide him with the right ones?

Ask Mr choo and Mr Tan for an answer bbm is flaundering telling us we need players then telling us the opposite i wonder why.

I think you’ve raised the key point, Monty. I’ve long felt that the structure above the manager is what continues to hold this club back. Managers change, but the same questions around planning and recruitment remain. BBM has made it clear that reinforcements are needed, so perhaps the answers do sit with Mr Tan and Mr Choo. Do you think anything will genuinely change while the current structure remains?

Who gave BBM the list, Father Christmas.

I think you’ve raised the key point, Monty. I’ve long felt that the structure above the manager is what continues to hold this club back. Managers change, but the same questions around planning and recruitment remain. BBM has made it clear that reinforcements are needed, so perhaps the answers do sit with Mr Tan and Mr Choo. Do you think anything will genuinely change while the current structure remains?

You will have your answer soon look how bbm is been made to look at bit stupid he wants players in then he says maybe not, we could push issac davies as a striker it's all s.oke and mirrors.