' Looking for a second chance & wants to stay,not go again '

' Looking for a second chance & wants to stay,not go again '


Cardiff City's forgotten man John Brayford looking for a second chance for the Bluebirds in the Championship
by Steve Tucker
Jun 11, 2014


What Brayford never managed to do was to nail down a place in the side even under the man who had signed him.


Mention the name John Brayford to your average Cardiff City supporter and watch the look of confusion cloud their face.

Wasn’t this the man drafted in to sparkle at right-back as the Bluebirds entered the turbulent waters of the Premier League? The man whose credentials went before him? The man described as ‘the best full-back in the Championship’ by none other than former Bluebirds boss Malky Mackay himself.

It was the Scot who brought Brayford to the Welsh capital last summer for a price tag of £1.5m from Derby and at the time of the deal Mackay was effusive in his praise of his new acquisition.

“I am a long-time admirer of John’s and I’ve watched his career closely,” gushed Mackay

“He has consistently been selected in teams of the year and, for me, he was the best right-back in Championship football last season. He is extremely attack-minded and very athletic. He is somebody who desperately wants to kick on and play at the highest level. His attitude is spot-on and will add to the squad.



Brayford may indeed have added to the Cardiff squad in terms of numbers, but what he never managed to do was to nail down a place in the side even under the man who had signed him.

But is Brayford poised now to become the full-back who came in from the cold? New Cardiff manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who himself only employed Brayford as an unused substitute in his first game in charge in the FA Cup at Newcastle before sending him out on loan to Sheffield United, has insisted an olive branch is ready to be offered.

It looks likely now that Brayford, who has a contract at Cardiff that runs for another three years, could well be charged with proving just how good he is in the second-flight as the Bluebirds prepare for life following their relegation from the Premier League.

Solskjaer recently commented: “John has shown his ability playing for Sheffield United. He, and the other lads out on loan, are part of our football club, we keep a regular check on how they are doing and we will bring them back to us for preseason.”

Cardiff’s business in the transfer window thus far has seen the emphasis very much on attack with Solskjaer already moving for strikers in Javi Guerra, Federico Macheda, Adam Le Fondre and attacking midfielder Guido Burgstaller. But attention must inevitably turn to defensive matters and within that the installing of a right-back ready and able to play his part in a campaign that for Cardiff is inevitably all about bouncing straight back up.

Brayford’s alienation from the Bluebirds side last term was put down to the arrival of Frenchman Kevin Theophile-Catherine. The perceived wisdom seems to be that Mackay went for Brayford initially thinking Theophile was injured at Rennes and unable to make the move.

It is an argument though that doesn’t seem to hold much credibility. Theophile did not arrive in Cardiff until the final day of the transfer window on August 31. He made his Cardiff debut in a 1-1 draw at Hull on September 14.

Mackay’s Bluebirds had already played three Premier League games by then against West Ham, Manchester City and Everton and the Cardiff boss had gone with Matt Connolly at right-back for all three encounters with Brayford not even named among the substitutes.

Brayford found himself managing just the full 90 minutes in the Capital One Cup at Accrington Stanley around that time with the first-half at West Ham in the next round of the same competition on September 24 proving his last serious actions for the Bluebirds in the entire season.

The most likely explanation must surely be that Mackay simply did not fancy Brayford any more after seeing him perform in a few weeks of preseason training. The former Bluebirds boss always vehemently denied a falling out with the player so therefore Brayford being regarded as simply not good enough is the only logical explanation for his exile from the first team.

Brayford, surely intensely frustrated, had to wait until the new year before his talents were once more appreciated and it was again under the man who has had the biggest influence him, Nigel Clough. He is the man who has managed Brayford for most of his career, first in the non-leagues at Burton then, after an excursion at Crewe, back at Derby.

So it was to Clough’s Sheffield United that Brayford headed in January for what was to prove a successful loan spell. He played a big part in the latter half of a campaign which saw the Blades finish seventh in League One, but more impressively he was instrumental in the club’s march to the FA Cup semi-finals. It is little surprise the Blades would love to keep Brayford next season, but the price-tag Cardiff might put on the player seems to make such a move unlikely.

There will be plenty now who believe that Brayford has stated enough of a case, and has enough of a track record, to be given a run in the Championship with the Bluebirds anyway and under Solskjaer that does look increasingly likely.

If Theophile were to leave, which is not totally unlikely and barring anymore significant right-backs being brought in, Brayford would see himself in competition for the starting place next campaign with Bluebirds stalwart Kevin McNaughton, another proven Championship battler.

The Scot has already indicated his readiness to scrap for his place next term and now the ball is very much in Brayford’s court. The full-back’s time in the Welsh capital so far has been riven with disappointment, anonymity and alienation, but he now has the chance to once more prove that those who once regarded him as the best in the division were not wrong in their assessment after all.

This has been a strange one, why didn't Malky play him after raving about him he wasn't even given a first chance hope ole plays him

I hope Ole gives him a chance. He was known as one of the best defenders in the Championship at Derby.

' Looking for a second chance & wants to stay,not go again '


Cardiff City's forgotten man John Brayford looking for a second chance for the Bluebirds in the Championship
by Steve Tucker
Jun 11, 2014


What Brayford never managed to do was to nail down a place in the side even under the man who had signed him.


Mention the name John Brayford to your average Cardiff City supporter and watch the look of confusion cloud their face.

Wasn’t this the man drafted in to sparkle at right-back as the Bluebirds entered the turbulent waters of the Premier League? The man whose credentials went before him? The man described as ‘the best full-back in the Championship’ by none other than former Bluebirds boss Malky Mackay himself.

It was the Scot who brought Brayford to the Welsh capital last summer for a price tag of £1.5m from Derby and at the time of the deal Mackay was effusive in his praise of his new acquisition.

“I am a long-time admirer of John’s and I’ve watched his career closely,” gushed Mackay

“He has consistently been selected in teams of the year and, for me, he was the best right-back in Championship football last season. He is extremely attack-minded and very athletic. He is somebody who desperately wants to kick on and play at the highest level. His attitude is spot-on and will add to the squad.



Brayford may indeed have added to the Cardiff squad in terms of numbers, but what he never managed to do was to nail down a place in the side even under the man who had signed him.

But is Brayford poised now to become the full-back who came in from the cold? New Cardiff manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who himself only employed Brayford as an unused substitute in his first game in charge in the FA Cup at Newcastle before sending him out on loan to Sheffield United, has insisted an olive branch is ready to be offered.

It looks likely now that Brayford, who has a contract at Cardiff that runs for another three years, could well be charged with proving just how good he is in the second-flight as the Bluebirds prepare for life following their relegation from the Premier League.

Solskjaer recently commented: “John has shown his ability playing for Sheffield United. He, and the other lads out on loan, are part of our football club, we keep a regular check on how they are doing and we will bring them back to us for preseason.”

Cardiff’s business in the transfer window thus far has seen the emphasis very much on attack with Solskjaer already moving for strikers in Javi Guerra, Federico Macheda, Adam Le Fondre and attacking midfielder Guido Burgstaller. But attention must inevitably turn to defensive matters and within that the installing of a right-back ready and able to play his part in a campaign that for Cardiff is inevitably all about bouncing straight back up.

Brayford’s alienation from the Bluebirds side last term was put down to the arrival of Frenchman Kevin Theophile-Catherine. The perceived wisdom seems to be that Mackay went for Brayford initially thinking Theophile was injured at Rennes and unable to make the move.

It is an argument though that doesn’t seem to hold much credibility. Theophile did not arrive in Cardiff until the final day of the transfer window on August 31. He made his Cardiff debut in a 1-1 draw at Hull on September 14.

Mackay’s Bluebirds had already played three Premier League games by then against West Ham, Manchester City and Everton and the Cardiff boss had gone with Matt Connolly at right-back for all three encounters with Brayford not even named among the substitutes.

Brayford found himself managing just the full 90 minutes in the Capital One Cup at Accrington Stanley around that time with the first-half at West Ham in the next round of the same competition on September 24 proving his last serious actions for the Bluebirds in the entire season.

The most likely explanation must surely be that Mackay simply did not fancy Brayford any more after seeing him perform in a few weeks of preseason training. The former Bluebirds boss always vehemently denied a falling out with the player so therefore Brayford being regarded as simply not good enough is the only logical explanation for his exile from the first team.

Brayford, surely intensely frustrated, had to wait until the new year before his talents were once more appreciated and it was again under the man who has had the biggest influence him, Nigel Clough. He is the man who has managed Brayford for most of his career, first in the non-leagues at Burton then, after an excursion at Crewe, back at Derby.

So it was to Clough’s Sheffield United that Brayford headed in January for what was to prove a successful loan spell. He played a big part in the latter half of a campaign which saw the Blades finish seventh in League One, but more impressively he was instrumental in the club’s march to the FA Cup semi-finals. It is little surprise the Blades would love to keep Brayford next season, but the price-tag Cardiff might put on the player seems to make such a move unlikely.

There will be plenty now who believe that Brayford has stated enough of a case, and has enough of a track record, to be given a run in the Championship with the Bluebirds anyway and under Solskjaer that does look increasingly likely.

If Theophile were to leave, which is not totally unlikely and barring anymore significant right-backs being brought in, Brayford would see himself in competition for the starting place next campaign with Bluebirds stalwart Kevin McNaughton, another proven Championship battler.

The Scot has already indicated his readiness to scrap for his place next term and now the ball is very much in Brayford’s court. The full-back’s time in the Welsh capital so far has been riven with disappointment, anonymity and alienation, but he now has the chance to once more prove that those who once regarded him as the best in the division were not wrong in their assessment after all.

It's common courtesy to credit who wrote the article.

I think Malky didn't play him out of spite for tuning him down the first time and choosing to go to Derby

Mackay bought brayford then the opportunity arose to get KTC imo. Couldn't keep the two because they both may desperately want to start games, so plumped for KTC.

Solksjaer came in and loaned him out again.

Possibly 2 wrong decisions, but who knows, he may have been crap.

One right back wouldn't have saved our season. Hope he starts from the first whistle of the next though. But KTC wouldn't want to be on the bench imo, he will leave.

I only see opinions not direct quotes on Brayford wanting to stay here. I think he wants to leave, he's settled in Sheffield and clearly loves the place

' Looking for a second chance & wants to stay,not go again '


Cardiff City's forgotten man John Brayford looking for a second chance for the Bluebirds in the Championship
by Steve Tucker
Jun 11, 2014


What Brayford never managed to do was to nail down a place in the side even under the man who had signed him.


Mention the name John Brayford to your average Cardiff City supporter and watch the look of confusion cloud their face.

Wasn’t this the man drafted in to sparkle at right-back as the Bluebirds entered the turbulent waters of the Premier League? The man whose credentials went before him? The man described as ‘the best full-back in the Championship’ by none other than former Bluebirds boss Malky Mackay himself.

It was the Scot who brought Brayford to the Welsh capital last summer for a price tag of £1.5m from Derby and at the time of the deal Mackay was effusive in his praise of his new acquisition.

“I am a long-time admirer of John’s and I’ve watched his career closely,” gushed Mackay

“He has consistently been selected in teams of the year and, for me, he was the best right-back in Championship football last season. He is extremely attack-minded and very athletic. He is somebody who desperately wants to kick on and play at the highest level. His attitude is spot-on and will add to the squad.



Brayford may indeed have added to the Cardiff squad in terms of numbers, but what he never managed to do was to nail down a place in the side even under the man who had signed him.

But is Brayford poised now to become the full-back who came in from the cold? New Cardiff manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who himself only employed Brayford as an unused substitute in his first game in charge in the FA Cup at Newcastle before sending him out on loan to Sheffield United, has insisted an olive branch is ready to be offered.

It looks likely now that Brayford, who has a contract at Cardiff that runs for another three years, could well be charged with proving just how good he is in the second-flight as the Bluebirds prepare for life following their relegation from the Premier League.

Solskjaer recently commented: “John has shown his ability playing for Sheffield United. He, and the other lads out on loan, are part of our football club, we keep a regular check on how they are doing and we will bring them back to us for preseason.”

Cardiff’s business in the transfer window thus far has seen the emphasis very much on attack with Solskjaer already moving for strikers in Javi Guerra, Federico Macheda, Adam Le Fondre and attacking midfielder Guido Burgstaller. But attention must inevitably turn to defensive matters and within that the installing of a right-back ready and able to play his part in a campaign that for Cardiff is inevitably all about bouncing straight back up.

Brayford’s alienation from the Bluebirds side last term was put down to the arrival of Frenchman Kevin Theophile-Catherine. The perceived wisdom seems to be that Mackay went for Brayford initially thinking Theophile was injured at Rennes and unable to make the move.

It is an argument though that doesn’t seem to hold much credibility. Theophile did not arrive in Cardiff until the final day of the transfer window on August 31. He made his Cardiff debut in a 1-1 draw at Hull on September 14.

Mackay’s Bluebirds had already played three Premier League games by then against West Ham, Manchester City and Everton and the Cardiff boss had gone with Matt Connolly at right-back for all three encounters with Brayford not even named among the substitutes.

Brayford found himself managing just the full 90 minutes in the Capital One Cup at Accrington Stanley around that time with the first-half at West Ham in the next round of the same competition on September 24 proving his last serious actions for the Bluebirds in the entire season.

The most likely explanation must surely be that Mackay simply did not fancy Brayford any more after seeing him perform in a few weeks of preseason training. The former Bluebirds boss always vehemently denied a falling out with the player so therefore Brayford being regarded as simply not good enough is the only logical explanation for his exile from the first team.

Brayford, surely intensely frustrated, had to wait until the new year before his talents were once more appreciated and it was again under the man who has had the biggest influence him, Nigel Clough. He is the man who has managed Brayford for most of his career, first in the non-leagues at Burton then, after an excursion at Crewe, back at Derby.

So it was to Clough’s Sheffield United that Brayford headed in January for what was to prove a successful loan spell. He played a big part in the latter half of a campaign which saw the Blades finish seventh in League One, but more impressively he was instrumental in the club’s march to the FA Cup semi-finals. It is little surprise the Blades would love to keep Brayford next season, but the price-tag Cardiff might put on the player seems to make such a move unlikely.

There will be plenty now who believe that Brayford has stated enough of a case, and has enough of a track record, to be given a run in the Championship with the Bluebirds anyway and under Solskjaer that does look increasingly likely.

If Theophile were to leave, which is not totally unlikely and barring anymore significant right-backs being brought in, Brayford would see himself in competition for the starting place next campaign with Bluebirds stalwart Kevin McNaughton, another proven Championship battler.

The Scot has already indicated his readiness to scrap for his place next term and now the ball is very much in Brayford’s court. The full-back’s time in the Welsh capital so far has been riven with disappointment, anonymity and alienation, but he now has the chance to once more prove that those who once regarded him as the best in the division were not wrong in their assessment after all.

It's common courtesy to credit who wrote the article.

Steve Tucker??? I assumed he wrote the whole thing a Annis has put his name at the top.

Good clean read

Think he deserves another shout and pre season with full squad should tell if OLE wants him to be included

Give him a chance......ive always thought he was a good player.

I only see opinions not direct quotes on Brayford wanting to stay here. I think he wants to leave, he's settled in Sheffield and clearly loves the place

Any quotes on that then? Or are you just assuming, like the original article.

I only see opinions not direct quotes on Brayford wanting to stay here. I think he wants to leave, he's settled in Sheffield and clearly loves the place

Any quotes on that then? Or are you just assuming, like the original article.

If you require quotes on personal opinions (he explicitly wrote "I think [...]") then read said opinions. You trying really hard to be pedantic or something?