Do we need new players?

Just my opinion - nothing else.

DO WE NEED NEW PLAYERS?
My answer to this would be "Yes", but I don't think there is any real need to panic - yet. I think that Malky has bought wisely over the last 2 years, and I think that he had the Premier League in mind when he signed most of his young players. If he hadn't signed them already, then he would be looking to sign players like Jordan Mutch and Aron Gunnarsson, as they are ready to move up to that next level anyway. Joe Mason and Ben Turner may also fall into that category, as well as some of the players in last year's development squad. Andreas Cornelius and John Brayford are also players ready to improve and move up a level.

Here is my brief analysis of the existing squad players, and my thoughts about whether they may be able to do a job for the club in the Premier League.

GOALKEEPERS: David Marshall is clearly Premier class. I'm not sure whether Joe Lewis is a suitable back up, but its difficult to attract a top class back up to be a clear number 2. Simon Moore has now been signed from Brentford - another improving youngster with some league experience. I’m pretty sure that most Premier League teams have 3 goalkeepers named in the 25 man squads - its not clear at this point whether Moore will be classes as number 2 or number 3. Should keep Joe Lewis on his toes though.

FULLBACKS: Although not universally popular, Andrew Taylor is probably good enough at left back, but there doesn't seem to be a back up plan to him. I know Simon Lappin is still on the books, and the ever reliable Kevin McNaughton can play at left back in the Championship, but I'm not sure they are the answer for the Premier League.
At right back, I was not certain that Matt Connolly was good enough for the Premier League, and that situation has been dealt with by the signing of Brayford. Connolly is more of a centre back in my opinion, but is now able to provide cover at right back. Brayford, McNaughton and Connolly as back up gives us a reasonable set of right backs.

CENTRE BACKS: Club captain Mark Hudson is clearly first choice here and I’m pretty sure is good enough for the Premier League. I like Ben Turner, and Matthew Connolly when they play alongside Hudson, but I’m not sure that the two together would be a good combination for any length of time. As I compose this blog, we are being linked with a bid for Mexican international Hector Moreno from Espanyol. This would be a class signing and he would almost certainly start alongside Hudson. Young Ben Nugent, who Malky says is likely to be a future club captain, may also benefit from a loan spell here or there (rather than a season long loan).

MIDFIELD: Some players are clearly ready for the step up - Kim Bo-kyung, Jordan Mutch, Aron Gunnarsson are definitely ready, whilst Peter Whittingham has some experience in the Premier League in the past, albeit 7 years ago! He has been patient and waited a long time for this - lets hope he can take his chance. I’m not sure about the wide players such as Craig Conway and Craig Noone. Like many wide players, they blow a bit hot and cold. I’m pretty sure Craig Bellamy (why do we have so many ‘Craigs’ in the team) will probably play out wide quite a lot, but I wouldn’t mind a classy winger to join the team.
I’m generally happy with the midfield players we have available, but I can’t see many opportunities for Tommy Smith or Joe Ralls to get many games. Smith may have to move on, and perhaps young Ralls might benefit from a season long loan somewhere. However, after having been linked with an attempt to sign Victor Wanyama, we are now being linked with French international Etien Capoue, who is another defensive midfield player who plays in front of the back four. I’ve not seen him play, but reports suggest that he could be a useful acquisition if we can pull it off.

STRIKERS: Well, up front, we appear to have a good set of players. Because of his injury, we forget about Nicky Maynard, but he still has a lot to prove at Premier League level. Fraizer Campbell has that experience at the top level, and it is to be hoped that we have unearthed a gem in Andreas Cornelius from Denmark. In the background we still have Joe Mason and Rudy Gestede. Unlike some supporters, I rate Rudy quite highly, certainly as an impact player. However, if the new Danish signing is anything like as good as we hope I can only see limited opportunities for him. I don’t think Malky will let him go until he sees how Cornelius works out. Joe Mason continues to improve, and although I don’t see him starting very often, I see a regular role for him from the bench. And don’t forget the option of Craig Bellamy, whose best position is probably up front alongside a target man type of striker (like Cornelius?).


If you want my views on our "12th Man", go to my blog on

http://premierleaguebluebird.blogspot.co.uk/

Its just my opinion and for a bit of fun.

i think people are far too harsh on backup players. i mean, who do we think we are to say Simon lappin (been on a prem teams books for a few years isn't a good enough backup? teams like norwich southampton etc....who are their backups? are they experienced prem stars? people also question Joe Lewis.....on what grounds is this? he's only a backup, will hardly play and im sure he's alright really so why waste wage on a different keeper who will be unsettled as number 2. the squad is a good hard to beat squad that just needs the odd few additions. have Faith in our team fellow Bluebirds.

i think people are far too harsh on backup players. i mean, who do we think we are to say Simon lappin (been on a prem teams books for a few years isn't a good enough backup? teams like norwich southampton etc....who are their backups? are they experienced prem stars? people also question Joe Lewis.....on what grounds is this? he's only a backup, will hardly play and im sure he's alright really so why waste wage on a different keeper who will be unsettled as number 2. the squad is a good hard to beat squad that just needs the odd few additions. have Faith in our team fellow Bluebirds.

I disagree about the keeper I think it's important to have two keepers of good quality able to start matches. Imagine if Marshall got bad injury at West Ham, would you be confident in lewis? What I've seen of him I wouldn't be.

To answer the Op it is important we get a few more in but even more important we don't buy in a panic and get the wrong players.
I'd like to see a quality CB, DM and winger come in as a priority. Those three alone would give a freshness about the squad that we lack at the moment.

I think after that another CB and striker I'd I would be happy.

Some sense at last! Glad someone else agrees - we have been promoted with (in my opinion) one of the most complete squads in terms of depth in some time.

Moreno, Capoue and a winger (Matty Phillips? No mention of Callum McManaman?) to play part of the Noone/Bellamy and co positions.

I really do believe that Whitts will step up and claim a first team spot. Heres the problem - Kim is the best player we have had at this club for years. So both Whitts and Kim in the same team - this means we'll have to play a defensive mid with those two and then we're left with two wingers and ONE striker.

Are F.Campbell/N.Maynard capable of playing inside forwards in a 4-5-1 system with Cornelius up top? If so, that leaves two spots on the flanks for Bellamy, Campbell, Noone, Conway (may be useful in games where we don't have the ball as much, fitter than Noone?), Maynard and one other....

And if this is the case with the one up top - is the big frenchman good enough as an immediate back up?

Marshall;
Brayford/McNaughton, Turner/Moreno, Hudson, Taylor;
Capoue, Whitts, Kim;
Campbell, Bellamy;
Cornelius


But in short - you are right - we are only two or three players off of a very good squad for our first season in the Prem

Yes, but not as many as people say. New CB, a Capoue type player and a winger. Sorted!

I've been really impressed with the way Malky has approached the Transfer Window, the signings we've made and are looking to make are all meaningful signings, there's been no sign of panic signings and I think that will continue. I know we've missed out on a couple and we might still miss out on more but Malky is only looking to bring in the best for our club and not settling for anything less.

Personally I think we probably need another four signings to put ourselves in the best possible position for this season, I think we need a Centre half, fingers crossed this Moreno signing goes through, a holding midfielder once again hopefully the Capoue deal goes through, a quality Left back to push Taylor maybe somebody who has Premier League experience, and a exciting winger to provide us an outlet with pace and trickery.

I think having a strong spine to our team is key to our season and I think with Malky bringing in Cornelius upfront, looking to bring in a strong midfielder and a quality centre half, we're going the right way about it.

Greedy b*stard ain't I.

A good squad that can beat a poor Cheltenham side, you are going to be coming up against international players week in and out, teams who play fas flowing footbal who can turn defence in to attack and score before half your players are back in position.
Dont judge the prem on cup games and the fact lower league teams knock out premier teams! As its nothing like it.
Teams in the prem fight for every point on offer and dont take cup games serious until the later stages.
You go on about how we did well! Its down to the fact we had a good system off playing that suits the prem better then it did the champ.
We were drilled in to the way we play and stoped the other team having the ball.
You are not that way of a team and dont hold the ball up! !There for other teams will have the ball and will come at you.
Most of you and playing staff will have a shock at how quick, fit, prem players are and will take you a wile to get in to the same mentality as a team.

Good post.
I believe our starting 11 from yesterday won't be a million miles away from the one that starts at West Ham.
We will need a few more QUALITY players that's for sure and the sooner we get them in the better. They will need time to settle so we need to be patient.
I admire that Malky is going after some quality European players but I don't think we have the foot hold in the Prem they require.With the World Cup just around the corner the fringe internationals need to be at a high profile club and this is where we are again are lacking. I almost feel we are fishing in wrong waters in our first season in the Prem .
Lets make no mistake that survival is our goal this year.

Well the a new keeper will be here tomorrow -

Cardiff have agreed a deal to sign keeper Simon Moore from Brentford.

City manager Malky Mackay has been an admirer of the 23-year-old for some time and believes Moore, who joined the Bees in 2009, has a big future.

"It'll be paperwork first thing Monday morning, that's the only thing holding that one up," Mackay told the Hounslow Chronicle.

"I'm glad to get that one in, he's someone we've tracked for a year and he's had a successful year for Brentford.

"He's one that I think is a real prospect. For the future of the club, I've got three really good goalkeepers now; Simon comes in and I think he can kick on again.

"My thanks to Brentford for the way they went about their business, they were very professional and it was done very quickly."

Just my opinion - nothing else.

DO WE NEED NEW PLAYERS?
My answer to this would be "Yes", but I don't think there is any real need to panic - yet. I think that Malky has bought wisely over the last 2 years, and I think that he had the Premier League in mind when he signed most of his young players. If he hadn't signed them already, then he would be looking to sign players like Jordan Mutch and Aron Gunnarsson, as they are ready to move up to that next level anyway. Joe Mason and Ben Turner may also fall into that category, as well as some of the players in last year's development squad. Andreas Cornelius and John Brayford are also players ready to improve and move up a level.

Here is my brief analysis of the existing squad players, and my thoughts about whether they may be able to do a job for the club in the Premier League.

GOALKEEPERS: David Marshall is clearly Premier class. I'm not sure whether Joe Lewis is a suitable back up, but its difficult to attract a top class back up to be a clear number 2. Simon Moore has now been signed from Brentford - another improving youngster with some league experience. I’m pretty sure that most Premier League teams have 3 goalkeepers named in the 25 man squads - its not clear at this point whether Moore will be classes as number 2 or number 3. Should keep Joe Lewis on his toes though.

FULLBACKS: Although not universally popular, Andrew Taylor is probably good enough at left back, but there doesn't seem to be a back up plan to him. I know Simon Lappin is still on the books, and the ever reliable Kevin McNaughton can play at left back in the Championship, but I'm not sure they are the answer for the Premier League.
At right back, I was not certain that Matt Connolly was good enough for the Premier League, and that situation has been dealt with by the signing of Brayford. Connolly is more of a centre back in my opinion, but is now able to provide cover at right back. Brayford, McNaughton and Connolly as back up gives us a reasonable set of right backs.

CENTRE BACKS: Club captain Mark Hudson is clearly first choice here and I’m pretty sure is good enough for the Premier League. I like Ben Turner, and Matthew Connolly when they play alongside Hudson, but I’m not sure that the two together would be a good combination for any length of time. As I compose this blog, we are being linked with a bid for Mexican international Hector Moreno from Espanyol. This would be a class signing and he would almost certainly start alongside Hudson. Young Ben Nugent, who Malky says is likely to be a future club captain, may also benefit from a loan spell here or there (rather than a season long loan).

MIDFIELD: Some players are clearly ready for the step up - Kim Bo-kyung, Jordan Mutch, Aron Gunnarsson are definitely ready, whilst Peter Whittingham has some experience in the Premier League in the past, albeit 7 years ago! He has been patient and waited a long time for this - lets hope he can take his chance. I’m not sure about the wide players such as Craig Conway and Craig Noone. Like many wide players, they blow a bit hot and cold. I’m pretty sure Craig Bellamy (why do we have so many ‘Craigs’ in the team) will probably play out wide quite a lot, but I wouldn’t mind a classy winger to join the team.
I’m generally happy with the midfield players we have available, but I can’t see many opportunities for Tommy Smith or Joe Ralls to get many games. Smith may have to move on, and perhaps young Ralls might benefit from a season long loan somewhere. However, after having been linked with an attempt to sign Victor Wanyama, we are now being linked with French international Etien Capoue, who is another defensive midfield player who plays in front of the back four. I’ve not seen him play, but reports suggest that he could be a useful acquisition if we can pull it off.

STRIKERS: Well, up front, we appear to have a good set of players. Because of his injury, we forget about Nicky Maynard, but he still has a lot to prove at Premier League level. Fraizer Campbell has that experience at the top level, and it is to be hoped that we have unearthed a gem in Andreas Cornelius from Denmark. In the background we still have Joe Mason and Rudy Gestede. Unlike some supporters, I rate Rudy quite highly, certainly as an impact player. However, if the new Danish signing is anything like as good as we hope I can only see limited opportunities for him. I don’t think Malky will let him go until he sees how Cornelius works out. Joe Mason continues to improve, and although I don’t see him starting very often, I see a regular role for him from the bench. And don’t forget the option of Craig Bellamy, whose best position is probably up front alongside a target man type of striker (like Cornelius?).


If you want my views on our "12th Man", go to my blog on

http://premierleaguebluebird.blogspot.co.uk/

Its just my opinion and for a bit of fun.

Fair play, good post and I pretty much agree with all of what you said. Makes a change, usually I'm thinking wtf!

Get Real!!!

We crawled over the line of what was compared to recent seasons a very average league.

We rarely blew anyone away and won a large amount of scrappy games by being solid defensively and nicking a set piece.

The "football" last season was nigh on non existent. Hoofball / playing percentages / safety first whatever you want to call it.

If we take that philosophy and this squad into the big league we are coming straight back down make no mistake about it.

We need some marquee signings and we need em FAST

Get Real!!!

We crawled over the line of what was compared to recent seasons a very average league.

In your opinion.

We rarely blew anyone away and won a large amount of scrappy games by being solid defensively and nicking a set piece.

Is this not the same tactic that kept Stoke and West Ham up last season?

The "football" last season was nigh on non existent. Hoofball / playing percentages / safety first whatever you want to call it.

If we take that philosophy and this squad into the big league we are coming straight back down make no mistake about it.

Just like Stoke and West Ham United?

Get Real!!!

We crawled over the line of what was compared to recent seasons a very average league.

In your opinion.

We rarely blew anyone away and won a large amount of scrappy games by being solid defensively and nicking a set piece.

Is this not the same tactic that kept Stoke and West Ham up last season?

The "football" last season was nigh on non existent. Hoofball / playing percentages / safety first whatever you want to call it.

If we take that philosophy and this squad into the big league we are coming straight back down make no mistake about it.

Just like Stoke and West Ham United?

Yes in my opinion. You don't even go to the games your opinion means zero

There is a panic that's the worst championship for years the side u got is shit

There is a panic that's the worst championship for years the side u got is shit

That makes no sense you dyslexic tw*t.

Yes in my opinion. You don't even go to the games your opinion means zero

Im more involved with the football club than you are aware of sunshine.

i understand most of what u r saying Polo but were we instructed to play that way to go up? some attractive football under Dave Jones didn't take us up and Malky had a very attacking watford side that didn't compete high enough. i have seen us play nice football at times under malky. he also got tactics spot on in cup final, we're a solid unit. I think Malky and the team can adapt to a different style if needed.

i understand most of what u r saying Polo but were we instructed to play that way to go up? some attractive football under Dave Jones didn't take us up and Malky had a very attacking watford side that didn't compete high enough. i have seen us play nice football at times under malky. he also got tactics spot on in cup final, we're a solid unit. I think Malky and the team can adapt to a different style if needed.

Yes it was a means to an end last season, but the OP asked do we need new players?

If you think the current defence / team, with no additions, can go into the Premier League and scrape scrappy games against a far better level of opposition then they are deluded.

Stoke have done it but with better players, although last seasons struggled, hence the change of management.

West Ham also have a far better squad, but to call them hoofball is an insult. Watched them a number of times last season and they scored plenty of goals against the likes of United, City, Spurs, Liverpool.etc.