Blake: How will Malky Mackay spend the money on offer from
Mon May 20, 2013 6:15 am
Nathan Blake: The summer transfer window is especially exciting with the Premier League on the horizon
20 May 2013
The summer transfer window is always exciting but, with the Bluebirds in the Premier League, well, let’s just say the next few months are going to be even more interesting than normal
How will Malky Mackay spend the money on offer from owner Vincent Tan?
It is that time of year when we say goodbye to old friends and wonder what new idols might be arriving at Cardiff City.
The summer transfer window is always exciting but, with the Bluebirds in the Premier League, well, let’s just say the next few months are going to be even more interesting than normal.
First off though it is time to pay tribute to a man who has been a fantastic servant to the club, and that is Stephen McPhail.
I’m really sad to see the midfielder go, but his contract is up and he has decided to move on and I can only wish him the very best in the future.
I thought he was a player who was under-rated at times at Cardiff and he played a major part in them knocking on the door of the top-flight for quite a few seasons.
He would have been disappointed that, in the season the Bluebirds finally made it up, he played so small a part having just had a run out in a couple of cup games.
But I bet McPhail was a big presence in the dressing room. The guy must be a really strong character to come through the problems he has had and keep his career going.
He’s shown a lot of dignity and I bet he is one of those figures the rest of the players in the dressing room looked up to and it would have been good to have him in around things this season.
For me, if McPhail can get a good pre-season in and keep fit, then I reckon he’s easily got another season, if not two, ahead of him in the Championship.
As one Bluebird who has been at the club for years heads towards the exit, another could be preparing for the Premier League.
Manager Malky Mackay has confirmed he is offering defender Kevin McNaughton a new two-year deal.
Whatever your thoughts on his ability, or otherwise, to hack it in the Premier League, you would have to say that, after seven years at the club, McNaughton has certainly earned it.
He’s been loyal and given everything he has for the Cardiff cause down the years and, let’s be honest, when he has been called upon he has never let anyone down when it has come to his performances.
The only issue I have with McNaughton is his injuries. Players get injured and there’s nothing that can be done about that, but I do believe the full-back is a bit more injury prone than others.
If he can keep fit next season and get a bit of momentum going then, you never know, “Super Kev” may confound a few people’s expectations.
But, as we know, there are going to be quite a few new arrivals in the Welsh capital this summer and, like a lot of people, I just can’t wait to find out who is on Mackay’s shopping list.
The Bluebirds boss did a great job strengthening last summer and the results of that have been plain for us to see.
The next thing is to take the next step up and, naturally, things get more difficult, so Mackay is going to have a bit of a job on his hands.
To make things that bit easier for the Bluebirds’ boss, I’m going to list a few players here I think Cardiff should be trying to get in. I’m sure Mackay will appreciate that. Ho! ho!
The first thing, of course, is maybe to raid a few of the clubs who have gone down from the Premier League, and my first couple of signings reflect that.
I would definitely put a bid in for Shaun Maloney at Wigan. For me he is a very, very good player who has not been doing much with the Latics.
He is an incredibly gifted player out of midfield and is a brilliant set-piece expert as well. I’m not sure how much Cardiff would have to pay for him, but it would be more than worth putting in an enquiry
The other player I would look at is another from a club who have gone down.
Cardiff are going to need goals if they are going to keep their spot in the Premier League, we know that, and one man I think who can get you those is Adam Le Fondre at Reading.
He got 11 Premier League goals last season and I don’t even think he was properly used.
He got the reputation as a bit of a super-sub, and players don’t like that at all. I’ve never met a player who enjoyed being referred to as that.
The attitude is “if I can score coming on for 20 minutes, I can score during 90”, and in Le Fondre’s case I think that is very true.
He is a man Mackay should be having a proper look at.
Another player I would look at, as cover for David Marshall in goal, is Brad Friedel. Sure, he’s getting on a bit, but he is incredibly experienced, is still in great shape and could provide really good cover.
Sticking with Tottenham, I would at least be asking about Danny Rose, who was at Sunderland last season on loan.
He is a very talented young left-back and the only trouble is he might be getting to the point where he is first-choice for them.
My final suggestion is no real surprise, for me Malky should do everything he can to get Leon Barnett in permanently from Norwich.
The centre-half played a big part on loan at Cardiff at the end of the season and he really impressed me, and a lot of other people too.
He’s a modern-day centre-back, big, strong. but with a bit of pace and skill too.
I think if Mackay brings him in and makes him first choice for Cardiff then Barnett will more than rise to the occasion.
Well, those are my early tips, I bet everyone has their own ideas about who Malky should go for.
Only the Bluebirds’ boss knows for sure, but one thing we know for certain is that it’s going to be a fascinating summer for the Bluebirds.
Things at this football club just keep getting better and better.
20 May 2013
The summer transfer window is always exciting but, with the Bluebirds in the Premier League, well, let’s just say the next few months are going to be even more interesting than normal
How will Malky Mackay spend the money on offer from owner Vincent Tan?
It is that time of year when we say goodbye to old friends and wonder what new idols might be arriving at Cardiff City.
The summer transfer window is always exciting but, with the Bluebirds in the Premier League, well, let’s just say the next few months are going to be even more interesting than normal.
First off though it is time to pay tribute to a man who has been a fantastic servant to the club, and that is Stephen McPhail.
I’m really sad to see the midfielder go, but his contract is up and he has decided to move on and I can only wish him the very best in the future.
I thought he was a player who was under-rated at times at Cardiff and he played a major part in them knocking on the door of the top-flight for quite a few seasons.
He would have been disappointed that, in the season the Bluebirds finally made it up, he played so small a part having just had a run out in a couple of cup games.
But I bet McPhail was a big presence in the dressing room. The guy must be a really strong character to come through the problems he has had and keep his career going.
He’s shown a lot of dignity and I bet he is one of those figures the rest of the players in the dressing room looked up to and it would have been good to have him in around things this season.
For me, if McPhail can get a good pre-season in and keep fit, then I reckon he’s easily got another season, if not two, ahead of him in the Championship.
As one Bluebird who has been at the club for years heads towards the exit, another could be preparing for the Premier League.
Manager Malky Mackay has confirmed he is offering defender Kevin McNaughton a new two-year deal.
Whatever your thoughts on his ability, or otherwise, to hack it in the Premier League, you would have to say that, after seven years at the club, McNaughton has certainly earned it.
He’s been loyal and given everything he has for the Cardiff cause down the years and, let’s be honest, when he has been called upon he has never let anyone down when it has come to his performances.
The only issue I have with McNaughton is his injuries. Players get injured and there’s nothing that can be done about that, but I do believe the full-back is a bit more injury prone than others.
If he can keep fit next season and get a bit of momentum going then, you never know, “Super Kev” may confound a few people’s expectations.
But, as we know, there are going to be quite a few new arrivals in the Welsh capital this summer and, like a lot of people, I just can’t wait to find out who is on Mackay’s shopping list.
The Bluebirds boss did a great job strengthening last summer and the results of that have been plain for us to see.
The next thing is to take the next step up and, naturally, things get more difficult, so Mackay is going to have a bit of a job on his hands.
To make things that bit easier for the Bluebirds’ boss, I’m going to list a few players here I think Cardiff should be trying to get in. I’m sure Mackay will appreciate that. Ho! ho!
The first thing, of course, is maybe to raid a few of the clubs who have gone down from the Premier League, and my first couple of signings reflect that.
I would definitely put a bid in for Shaun Maloney at Wigan. For me he is a very, very good player who has not been doing much with the Latics.
He is an incredibly gifted player out of midfield and is a brilliant set-piece expert as well. I’m not sure how much Cardiff would have to pay for him, but it would be more than worth putting in an enquiry
The other player I would look at is another from a club who have gone down.
Cardiff are going to need goals if they are going to keep their spot in the Premier League, we know that, and one man I think who can get you those is Adam Le Fondre at Reading.
He got 11 Premier League goals last season and I don’t even think he was properly used.
He got the reputation as a bit of a super-sub, and players don’t like that at all. I’ve never met a player who enjoyed being referred to as that.
The attitude is “if I can score coming on for 20 minutes, I can score during 90”, and in Le Fondre’s case I think that is very true.
He is a man Mackay should be having a proper look at.
Another player I would look at, as cover for David Marshall in goal, is Brad Friedel. Sure, he’s getting on a bit, but he is incredibly experienced, is still in great shape and could provide really good cover.
Sticking with Tottenham, I would at least be asking about Danny Rose, who was at Sunderland last season on loan.
He is a very talented young left-back and the only trouble is he might be getting to the point where he is first-choice for them.
My final suggestion is no real surprise, for me Malky should do everything he can to get Leon Barnett in permanently from Norwich.
The centre-half played a big part on loan at Cardiff at the end of the season and he really impressed me, and a lot of other people too.
He’s a modern-day centre-back, big, strong. but with a bit of pace and skill too.
I think if Mackay brings him in and makes him first choice for Cardiff then Barnett will more than rise to the occasion.
Well, those are my early tips, I bet everyone has their own ideas about who Malky should go for.
Only the Bluebirds’ boss knows for sure, but one thing we know for certain is that it’s going to be a fascinating summer for the Bluebirds.
Things at this football club just keep getting better and better.
Re: Blake: How will Malky Mackay spend the money on offer fr
Mon May 20, 2013 8:37 am
im glad Blake isnt the manager 
Re: Blake: How will Malky Mackay spend the money on offer fr
Mon May 20, 2013 10:28 am
I think Maloney is the only one there I would be happy with signing.
Re: Blake: How will Malky Mackay spend the money on offer fr
Mon May 20, 2013 11:43 am
Rose and Maloney would be different, no thanks to the rest
Re: Blake: How will Malky Mackay spend the money on offer fr
Mon May 20, 2013 2:23 pm
paulh_85 wrote:im glad Blake isnt the manager
He talks more and more shit as the need for stories increase.
Few weeks ago nmaed Vincent Tan as his man of the season.............funny how popular the billionaire employer is becomming
Re: Blake: How will Malky Mackay spend the money on offer fr
Mon May 20, 2013 4:21 pm
I think kev's averaged about 40 games per season since being here. Not bad for somebody so 'injury-prone'.
Re: Blake: How will Malky Mackay spend the money on offer fr
Mon May 20, 2013 9:39 pm
ianmackay88 wrote:I think Maloney is the only one there I would be happy with signing.
You wouldn't take Danny rose? Whispers of interest from Liverpool but he's not good enough for Cardiff
Re: Blake: How will Malky Mackay spend the money on offer fr
Tue May 21, 2013 2:41 pm
AbsolutelyFearless wrote:ianmackay88 wrote:I think Maloney is the only one there I would be happy with signing.
You wouldn't take Danny rose? Whispers of interest from Liverpool but he's not good enough for Cardiff
Maybe, but Brenda has a habit of signing mediocre players that he's worked with in the past (Joe Allen)