City's Best XI

New Huff Post piece. Please comment or share. Football is a game of opinions!

Cardiff City kick off the new season at Blackburn on Friday 8 August. On paper, for the 2014/15 season Cardiff City probably have one of the strongest squads the Championship has ever seen. If anything, they have an embarrassment of riches all over the park. Of course, that poses its own set of problems. Ole Gunnar Solksjaer showed us last season how much he enjoys tinkering with personnel, formation and tactics. He's going to have a field day trying to select a team from around 32 serious candidates. For what it's worth, here is my pick:

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/chris-s ... 50749.html

Not a lot of creativity or flair in your selection. Midfield looks workmanlike and a bit boring.

Not a lot of creativity or flair in your selection. Midfield looks workmanlike and a bit boring.

Yea maybe you are right, Tommy2. I'm kinda hoping the centre mid will just win the ball and lay it off to Whitts or Noone. Thanks for the comment!

Drop either Dikgachoi or Gunnarson draft whittingham into the centre with Daehli or Kim on the wing puts more pace and creativity into the team

Drop either Dikgachoi or Gunnarson draft whittingham into the centre with Daehli or Kim on the wing puts more pace and creativity into the team

I think we'll need a lot of steel in the centre of the park, Jonny88. For me, Daehli would come on as a sub for the first few games. Kimbo had a terrible season last time out and has to play his way back in.

Good post Chris and I largely agree with your selection. I absolutely believe we need 2 ball winners in midfield so, apart from any new signings I think Digakoi and Gunnarsson are shoe ins. This combination could prevent us from being over run too easily in midfield, which has been the real source of our defensive problems.

Some people might argue this combination lacks the necessary flair but I believe we have that in super abundance anyway. Moreover, these two as midfield anchors would allow Brayford and Fabio to utilise their attacķing strengths more safely and with good effect.

I disagree with your selection of Peter Whittingham however, though an able enough squad member. His problem is that because he is so lightweight in midfield, we are sacrificing a mire effective midfielder with his inclusion and to ill effect. Granted he has good set piece deliveries but other than that, he goes missing for too long in matches, and is not the sort of player you want in a fight. To my mind you leave out Daehli to your peril: he is the type of playmaker who has such skills in abundance as to unlock any defence at Championship level and apart from that, at his age, his star is in the ascendency. We should build our team around this young man!

So my selection would be:

Marshall
Brayford
Cala
Turner
Fabio
Digakoi
Gunnarsson
Daehli
Noone
Le Fondre
Guerra

However, I wouldnt be unhappy with any two from Le Fondre, Guerra, Macheda, Maynard and Jones, and I think rotating Burgstaller, Kim and Eikrem would be sensible policy both tactically and to cover injuries ans suspensions.

Drop either Dikgachoi or Gunnarson draft whittingham into the centre with Daehli or Kim on the wing puts more pace and creativity into the team

I think we'll need a lot of steel in the centre of the park, Jonny88. For me, Daehli would come on as a sub for the first few games. Kimbo had a terrible season last time out and has to play his way back in.

I don't think kimbo was worse than Gunnar last season....
If you are going with who earned the right last season why drop daehli who proved he could play in pl vs Gunnar who looked out of his depth on that level
Got to agree with jonny88.
Drop Gunnar, might win the ball with him but we won't keep it very long with him the team.
Daehli could be called lightweight I guess but he is not there to bully other players he is there to produce creative flair, skip past players and open up the defense with a clever pass. Gunnar and dik can't do that. Whitts isn't as mobile and energetic as daehli.
Nooney, dik,whitts, daehli for me!
Macheda over guerra. Guerra looks like he needs a bit more time getting used to British football.

whitts for the injured no one
Hudson for the banned cala
Connelly for the injured turner
jones for the unfit guera
and I agree with you

Marshall

Fabio
Connolly
Hudson
Brayford

Daehli
Whittingham
Eikrem
Burgstaller

Maynard
Le Fondre

Good post Chris and I largely agree with your selection. I absolutely believe we need 2 ball winners in midfield so, apart from any new signings I think Digakoi and Gunnarsson are shoe ins. This combination could prevent us from being over run too easily in midfield, which has been the real source of our defensive problems.

Some people might argue this combination lacks the necessary flair but I believe we have that in super abundance anyway. Moreover, these two as midfield anchors would allow Brayford and Fabio to utilise their attacķing strengths more safely and with good effect.

I disagree with your selection of Peter Whittingham however, though an able enough squad member. His problem is that because he is so lightweight in midfield, we are sacrificing a mire effective midfielder with his inclusion and to ill effect. Granted he has good set piece deliveries but other than that, he goes missing for too long in matches, and is not the sort of player you want in a fight. To my mind you leave out Daehli to your peril: he is the type of playmaker who has such skills in abundance as to unlock any defence at Championship level and apart from that, at his age, his star is in the ascendency. We should build our team around this young man!

So my selection would be:

Marshall
Brayford
Cala
Turner
Fabio
Digakoi
Gunnarsson
Daehli
Noone
Le Fondre
Guerra

However, I wouldnt be unhappy with any two from Le Fondre, Guerra, Macheda, Maynard and Jones, and I think rotating Burgstaller, Kim and Eikrem would be sensible policy both tactically and to cover injuries ans suspensions.

You guys make a good point about central midfield.
Adeyemi is described as more of a replacement for Medel than mutch. Bluenose fans describe him as a box to box destroyer.
Might be what we need.

Good post Chris and I largely agree with your selection. I absolutely believe we need 2 ball winners in midfield so, apart from any new signings I think Digakoi and Gunnarsson are shoe ins. This combination could prevent us from being over run too easily in midfield, which has been the real source of our defensive problems.

Some people might argue this combination lacks the necessary flair but I believe we have that in super abundance anyway. Moreover, these two as midfield anchors would allow Brayford and Fabio to utilise their attacķing strengths more safely and with good effect.

I disagree with your selection of Peter Whittingham however, though an able enough squad member. His problem is that because he is so lightweight in midfield, we are sacrificing a mire effective midfielder with his inclusion and to ill effect. Granted he has good set piece deliveries but other than that, he goes missing for too long in matches, and is not the sort of player you want in a fight. To my mind you leave out Daehli to your peril: he is the type of playmaker who has such skills in abundance as to unlock any defence at Championship level and apart from that, at his age, his star is in the ascendency. We should build our team around this young man!

So my selection would be:

Marshall
Brayford
Cala
Turner
Fabio
Digakoi
Gunnarsson
Daehli
Noone
Le Fondre
Guerra

However, I wouldnt be unhappy with any two from Le Fondre, Guerra, Macheda, Maynard and Jones, and I think rotating Burgstaller, Kim and Eikrem would be sensible policy both tactically and to cover injuries ans suspensions.

Thanks for (almost) agreeing, CitySlicker! I understand what you mean about Whitts, and Daehli is definitely his long-term successor, if we can keep hold of him that long. The people who talk about having more creativity in midfield are missing the point a little. That's why I suggested playing with 2 wingers and 2 up top, plus overlapping fullbacks. I have a feeling one of the forwards will be given license to roam, too. It will be a dogfight in midfield against most teams, so we'll need a couple of ball-winners in there. Looking forward to seeing Macheda, too. We are truly blessed up front.

Marshall

Fabio
Connolly
Hudson
Brayford

Daehli
Whittingham
Eikrem
Burgstaller

Maynard
Le Fondre

Interesting selection, Tonteg! We'd score a lot of goals with that line-up, but might let a few in. Ding dong

Good post Chris and I largely agree with your selection. I absolutely believe we need 2 ball winners in midfield so, apart from any new signings I think Digakoi and Gunnarsson are shoe ins. This combination could prevent us from being over run too easily in midfield, which has been the real source of our defensive problems.

Some people might argue this combination lacks the necessary flair but I believe we have that in super abundance anyway. Moreover, these two as midfield anchors would allow Brayford and Fabio to utilise their attacķing strengths more safely and with good effect.

I disagree with your selection of Peter Whittingham however, though an able enough squad member. His problem is that because he is so lightweight in midfield, we are sacrificing a mire effective midfielder with his inclusion and to ill effect. Granted he has good set piece deliveries but other than that, he goes missing for too long in matches, and is not the sort of player you want in a fight. To my mind you leave out Daehli to your peril: he is the type of playmaker who has such skills in abundance as to unlock any defence at Championship level and apart from that, at his age, his star is in the ascendency. We should build our team around this young man!

So my selection would be:

Marshall
Brayford
Cala
Turner
Fabio
Digakoi
Gunnarsson
Daehli
Noone
Le Fondre
Guerra

However, I wouldnt be unhappy with any two from Le Fondre, Guerra, Macheda, Maynard and Jones, and I think rotating Burgstaller, Kim and Eikrem would be sensible policy both tactically and to cover injuries ans suspensions.

You guys make a good point about central midfield.
Adeyemi is described as more of a replacement for Medel than mutch. Bluenose fans describe him as a box to box destroyer.
Might be what we need.

Yea destroying sounds good! I'm just a bit fearful that we'll have too many players who can all play the same position. Competition is good, but not very cost-effective and wouldn't make for a happy changing room.

whitts for the injured no one
Hudson for the banned cala
Connelly for the injured turner
jones for the unfit guera
and I agree with you

Lol, cheers troobloo! Jones can do one, though.

Good post Chris and I largely agree with your selection. I absolutely believe we need 2 ball winners in midfield so, apart from any new signings I think Digakoi and Gunnarsson are shoe ins. This combination could prevent us from being over run too easily in midfield, which has been the real source of our defensive problems.

Some people might argue this combination lacks the necessary flair but I believe we have that in super abundance anyway. Moreover, these two as midfield anchors would allow Brayford and Fabio to utilise their attacķing strengths more safely and with good effect.

I disagree with your selection of Peter Whittingham however, though an able enough squad member. His problem is that because he is so lightweight in midfield, we are sacrificing a mire effective midfielder with his inclusion and to ill effect. Granted he has good set piece deliveries but other than that, he goes missing for too long in matches, and is not the sort of player you want in a fight. To my mind you leave out Daehli to your peril: he is the type of playmaker who has such skills in abundance as to unlock any defence at Championship level and apart from that, at his age, his star is in the ascendency. We should build our team around this young man!

So my selection would be:

Marshall
Brayford
Cala
Turner
Fabio
Digakoi
Gunnarsson
Daehli
Noone
Le Fondre
Guerra

However, I wouldnt be unhappy with any two from Le Fondre, Guerra, Macheda, Maynard and Jones, and I think rotating Burgstaller, Kim and Eikrem would be sensible policy both tactically and to cover injuries ans suspensions.

You guys make a good point about central midfield.
Adeyemi is described as more of a replacement for Medel than mutch. Bluenose fans describe him as a box to box destroyer.
Might be what we need.

Yea destroying sounds good! I'm just a bit fearful that we'll have too many players who can all play the same position. Competition is good, but not very cost-effective and wouldn't make for a happy changing room.

Don't know if there is any truth in this?
http://www.ccmb.co.uk/fudforum/index.ph ... rt=0&rid=0

Good post Chris and I largely agree with your selection. I absolutely believe we need 2 ball winners in midfield so, apart from any new signings I think Digakoi and Gunnarsson are shoe ins. This combination could prevent us from being over run too easily in midfield, which has been the real source of our defensive problems.

Some people might argue this combination lacks the necessary flair but I believe we have that in super abundance anyway. Moreover, these two as midfield anchors would allow Brayford and Fabio to utilise their attacķing strengths more safely and with good effect.

I disagree with your selection of Peter Whittingham however, though an able enough squad member. His problem is that because he is so lightweight in midfield, we are sacrificing a mire effective midfielder with his inclusion and to ill effect. Granted he has good set piece deliveries but other than that, he goes missing for too long in matches, and is not the sort of player you want in a fight. To my mind you leave out Daehli to your peril: he is the type of playmaker who has such skills in abundance as to unlock any defence at Championship level and apart from that, at his age, his star is in the ascendency. We should build our team around this young man!

So my selection would be:

Marshall
Brayford
Cala
Turner
Fabio
Digakoi
Gunnarsson
Daehli
Noone
Le Fondre
Guerra

However, I wouldnt be unhappy with any two from Le Fondre, Guerra, Macheda, Maynard and Jones, and I think rotating Burgstaller, Kim and Eikrem would be sensible policy both tactically and to cover injuries ans suspensions.

You guys make a good point about central midfield.
Adeyemi is described as more of a replacement for Medel than mutch. Bluenose fans describe him as a box to box destroyer.
Might be what we need.

Yea destroying sounds good! I'm just a bit fearful that we'll have too many players who can all play the same position. Competition is good, but not very cost-effective and wouldn't make for a happy changing room.

Don't know if there is any truth in this?
http://www.ccmb.co.uk/fudforum/index.ph ... rt=0&rid=0

Wow, first I heard. I think if it were true and up to 4 clubs were supposedly involved, something would have leaked out somewhere during the summer. He didn't have the best season last year, but I rate Gunar and would be sad to see him go.

Don't understand how anyone can leave Daehli out?

For what it's worth my side would be of everyone was fit and available.

Marshall

Brayford
Cala
Turner
Fabio

Noone
Dicagjoy(spl)
Whitts
Daehli

Le Fondre
Macheda

As a Norwegian, I don't think Dæhli looked lightweight against Championship-teams in the FA Cup...

His debut against Bolton:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-84Sduhlls

Last edited by Drontheim on Tue Aug 05, 2014 7:17 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Good post Chris and I largely agree with your selection. I absolutely believe we need 2 ball winners in midfield so, apart from any new signings I think Digakoi and Gunnarsson are shoe ins. This combination could prevent us from being over run too easily in midfield, which has been the real source of our defensive problems.

Some people might argue this combination lacks the necessary flair but I believe we have that in super abundance anyway. Moreover, these two as midfield anchors would allow Brayford and Fabio to utilise their attacķing strengths more safely and with good effect.

I disagree with your selection of Peter Whittingham however, though an able enough squad member. His problem is that because he is so lightweight in midfield, we are sacrificing a mire effective midfielder with his inclusion and to ill effect. Granted he has good set piece deliveries but other than that, he goes missing for too long in matches, and is not the sort of player you want in a fight. To my mind you leave out Daehli to your peril: he is the type of playmaker who has such skills in abundance as to unlock any defence at Championship level and apart from that, at his age, his star is in the ascendency. We should build our team around this young man!

So my selection would be:

Marshall
Brayford
Cala
Turner
Fabio
Digakoi
Gunnarsson
Daehli
Noone
Le Fondre
Guerra

However, I wouldnt be unhappy with any two from Le Fondre, Guerra, Macheda, Maynard and Jones, and I think rotating Burgstaller, Kim and Eikrem would be sensible policy both tactically and to cover injuries ans suspensions.

Thanks for (almost) agreeing, CitySlicker! I understand what you mean about Whitts, and Daehli is definitely his long-term successor, if we can keep hold of him that long. The people who talk about having more creativity in midfield are missing the point a little. That's why I suggested playing with 2 wingers and 2 up top, plus overlapping fullbacks. I have a feeling one of the forwards will be given license to roam, too. It will be a dogfight in midfield against most teams, so we'll need a couple of ball-winners in there. Looking forward to seeing Macheda, too. We are truly blessed up front.

Thanks for your response Chris. I'm akways surprised when people simply list their team on the forum without giving the rationale behind their selection. Equally, I think an awful lot of people give far too much credence to player's past contributions, they become something of favourites, and people are reluctant to dismiss them in the light of current form. That's a great pity but maybe reveals why not everyone can be Alex Ferguson or Jose Mourinho!

Cardiff's big challenge this year could be the hubris. We're already installed as favourites, have a Celebrity Manager and undoubtedly have fire power to die for up front. But we are generally weak in midfield and barely up to scratch at the back. We havea likeable Tinkerman in charge who is not known for his tactical knowledge or man management ability. Our chief drawback may be Ole's paucity of organisational ability.

In the Championship beware those with nothing to win but all to lose. They may become our nemesis!

Btw I note you write for the Huffington Post; I've never read it but heard its refreshingly Left Wing. Perhaps you could enlighten me!

Marshall

Fabio
Connolly
Hudson
Brayford

Daehli
Whittingham
Eikrem
Burgstaller

Maynard
Le Fondre

Interesting selection, Tonteg! We'd score a lot of goals with that line-up, but might let a few in. Ding dong

Agreed, Connolly and Hudson are our only centre backs able to play with Cala suspended and Turner injured. Nugent has gone on loan so if we don't get anyone in, Oshilaja will have to go on the bench. Eikrem has performed better than Gunnarsson in pre season and with Dikgacoi looking nowhere near ready at Yeovil, Eikrem gets the nod from me to play the holding role alongside Whittingham. Maynard and Le Fondre linked up superbly last Saturday so I would start those 2, with the rejuvenated Jones on the bench as an impact sub as Macheda is injured and Guerra hasn't impressed.

Good post Chris and I largely agree with your selection. I absolutely believe we need 2 ball winners in midfield so, apart from any new signings I think Digakoi and Gunnarsson are shoe ins. This combination could prevent us from being over run too easily in midfield, which has been the real source of our defensive problems.

Some people might argue this combination lacks the necessary flair but I believe we have that in super abundance anyway. Moreover, these two as midfield anchors would allow Brayford and Fabio to utilise their attacķing strengths more safely and with good effect.

I disagree with your selection of Peter Whittingham however, though an able enough squad member. His problem is that because he is so lightweight in midfield, we are sacrificing a mire effective midfielder with his inclusion and to ill effect. Granted he has good set piece deliveries but other than that, he goes missing for too long in matches, and is not the sort of player you want in a fight. To my mind you leave out Daehli to your peril: he is the type of playmaker who has such skills in abundance as to unlock any defence at Championship level and apart from that, at his age, his star is in the ascendency. We should build our team around this young man!

So my selection would be:

Marshall
Brayford
Cala
Turner
Fabio
Digakoi
Gunnarsson
Daehli
Noone
Le Fondre
Guerra

However, I wouldnt be unhappy with any two from Le Fondre, Guerra, Macheda, Maynard and Jones, and I think rotating Burgstaller, Kim and Eikrem would be sensible policy both tactically and to cover injuries ans suspensions.

Thanks for (almost) agreeing, CitySlicker! I understand what you mean about Whitts, and Daehli is definitely his long-term successor, if we can keep hold of him that long. The people who talk about having more creativity in midfield are missing the point a little. That's why I suggested playing with 2 wingers and 2 up top, plus overlapping fullbacks. I have a feeling one of the forwards will be given license to roam, too. It will be a dogfight in midfield against most teams, so we'll need a couple of ball-winners in there. Looking forward to seeing Macheda, too. We are truly blessed up front.

Thanks for your response Chris. I'm akways surprised when people simply list their team on the forum without giving the rationale behind their selection. Equally, I think an awful lot of people give far too much credence to player's past contributions, they become something of favourites, and people are reluctant to dismiss them in the light of current form. That's a great pity but maybe reveals why not everyone can be Alex Ferguson or Jose Mourinho!

Cardiff's big challenge this year could be the hubris. We're already installed as favourites, have a Celebrity Manager and undoubtedly have fire power to die for up front. But we are generally weak in midfield and barely up to scratch at the back. We havea likeable Tinkerman in charge who is not known for his tactical knowledge or man management ability. Our chief drawback may be Ole's paucity of organisational ability.

In the Championship beware those with nothing to win but all to lose. They may become our nemesis!

Btw I note you write for the Huffington Post; I've never read it but heard its refreshingly Left Wing. Perhaps you could enlighten me!

Yea it's a worry, isn't it? I'd be much happier is someone like Tony Pulis was in charge. I write for anyone who pays me, City Slicker. Though Huff Post don't, they let me say what I want which is rare! I used to write for Nuts before they became a victim of feminism. I'm on a new(ish) mag called Forever Sports now. Give it a go, it's like a cross between FHM and Men's Health.

Good post Chris and I largely agree with your selection. I absolutely believe we need 2 ball winners in midfield so, apart from any new signings I think Digakoi and Gunnarsson are shoe ins. This combination could prevent us from being over run too easily in midfield, which has been the real source of our defensive problems.

Some people might argue this combination lacks the necessary flair but I believe we have that in super abundance anyway. Moreover, these two as midfield anchors would allow Brayford and Fabio to utilise their attacķing strengths more safely and with good effect.

I disagree with your selection of Peter Whittingham however, though an able enough squad member. His problem is that because he is so lightweight in midfield, we are sacrificing a mire effective midfielder with his inclusion and to ill effect. Granted he has good set piece deliveries but other than that, he goes missing for too long in matches, and is not the sort of player you want in a fight. To my mind you leave out Daehli to your peril: he is the type of playmaker who has such skills in abundance as to unlock any defence at Championship level and apart from that, at his age, his star is in the ascendency. We should build our team around this young man!

So my selection would be:

Marshall
Brayford
Cala
Turner
Fabio
Digakoi
Gunnarsson
Daehli
Noone
Le Fondre
Guerra

However, I wouldnt be unhappy with any two from Le Fondre, Guerra, Macheda, Maynard and Jones, and I think rotating Burgstaller, Kim and Eikrem would be sensible policy both tactically and to cover injuries ans suspensions.

You guys make a good point about central midfield.
Adeyemi is described as more of a replacement for Medel than mutch. Bluenose fans describe him as a box to box destroyer.
Might be what we need.

Yea destroying sounds good! I'm just a bit fearful that we'll have too many players who can all play the same position. Competition is good, but not very cost-effective and wouldn't make for a happy changing room.

Don't know if there is any truth in this?
http://www.ccmb.co.uk/fudforum/index.ph ... rt=0&rid=0

Wow, first I heard. I think if it were true and up to 4 clubs were supposedly involved, something would have leaked out somewhere during the summer. He didn't have the best season last year, but I rate Gunar and would be sad to see him go.

Yeah I can tell you really rate him if you are prepared to sacrifices more talented players like daehli for him. The lad is in all the previews of players to watch this season and you want to bench him?
Fair play mate, I can see Gunnar going now we got adeyemi they seem to play in the same position.