Jobi McAnuff plays down return to Cardiff City

Jobi McAnuff has played down talk of a return to former club Cardiff City after being relegated to the Championship with Reading.

The winger made 43 appearances for the Bluebirds in 2004-05 and later moved on to Crystal Palace and then Watford, where he was a clubmate of current City boss Malky Mackay.

McAnuff then played under Mackay when he took charge at Vicarage Road.

One of McAnuff’s career highs at Reading was the goal he scored at Cardiff City Stadium in the Championship play-off semi-finals two years ago, ending the Bluebirds’ hopes of a second successive appearance in the final at Wembley.

But having won the npower Championship in style last season, the Berkshire club are now preparing for life in the second tier once again.

Reading have just six wins to their name in the Premier League and saw relegation confirmed with three matches still remaining.

There have been positive signs since Nigel Adkins took over as Reading manager on March 26 and captain McAnuff believes next term will be a lot better.

He described Reading’s season as “overwhelmingly disappointing”, but believes they can bounce back at the first attempt.

But those chances could be harmed if the vultures swoop for any of Reading’s top players.

Alex McCarthy, Jem Karacan and Adam Le Fondre are among those linked with a move, while QPR and Cardiff are understood to be interested in McAnuff.

“I am happy here,” the Royals skipper said. “I have been here a very long time now and feel really settled at the club.

“My immediate thought is to try and get back in the Premier League with Reading and have a good year next year after what has been a disappointing one this time.

“Of course, the goal was to stay up and we have not achieved that, so ultimately it is very disappointing.

“I think you can see in our performances that progress has been made under Adkins.

“ I think it is a positive that we have had that time to work with him before the start of next year when we can hit the deck running.”

“He has had time to feel us out and vice-versa. He knows what he is going to need over the summer and what we are capable of so I think that will help us going into next season.

“From our point of view, I think it is a real plus that we have kept the real core of the squad together that won the title.

“We’ve got players that know how to get out of the league and that the Championship is as much about the mental side as the physical.

“We know what the demands are going to be and feel we will have a fighting chance next year, especially with the time we have had under the new gaffer.”

I'd love him back, he was excellent for us during the 04/05 season!

I'd love him back, he was excellent for us during the 04/05 season!

Nah no where near good enough, move on he had his chance here and fecked off

Scored the only goal in my 1st game.

I'd love him back, he was excellent for us during the 04/05 season!

8-9 years ago mind...

They were dark days when we sold him and a load more once the hammam tenure fell apart. I was gutted. 32 this year so I think we should look elsewhere

i would love him back i have seen him a few times this year and he has looked decent!

32 later this year!?!?

They were dark days when we sold him and a load more once the hammam tenure fell apart. I was gutted. 32 this year so I think we should look elsewhere

>>>>>>>>>>>This<<<<<<<<<

No thanks. Should be aiming far higher than demoted cast-offs

Jobi's Dad was a great guy.

Met him several times on trains back to London when I lived there.

No thanks

We should be looking at bringing in better players IMO