" GOOD NEWS & I HOPE IT STAYS THAT WAY "

Russell Slade: " I will pick the team "

New Cardiff manager Russell Slade has insisted he is his own man despite admitting that he will discuss team matters with the club's controversial owner Vincent Tan.



Tuesday 07th October 2014.

New Cardiff manager Russell Slade has insisted he is his own man despite admitting that he will discuss team matters with the club's controversial owner Vincent Tan.

Slade finally completed his protracted move to Cardiff on Monday night after resigning his position as Leyton Orient manager on September 24.

The 53-year-old has become the third Cardiff manager in the space of a year following the departures of Malky Mackay and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer but Slade insists he can have a productive relationship with Tan, who has been criticised in the past for interfering in team affairs.

"I've had a couple of good and honest conversations with the owner," Slade said, speaking for the first time since his appointment on a two-year contract was confirmed.

"He wants value for money from his football club. There's a big budget here and he's put a lot of money into it.

"He wants that work ethic and honesty on the pitch and I'm hoping together we can provide that and a way forward for the club.

"Of course, he's the owner and he's entitled to an opinion on the playing side, but it will be me that's picking the team."

Slade admitted he had "done his homework" on Tan in much the same way as the wealthy Malaysian businessman would have done on him and believes he can win over Cardiff supporters sceptical regarding his appointment.

Cardiff are 15th in the Sky Bet Championship table with 13 points from 11 games but retain ambitions to return to the top flight they left last May, yet they have turned to a manager who while having extensive lower-league experience has never previously operated at this level.

"Yes, I've got to win fans over but that's the same at any football club when you go in," Slade said.

"The only thing that will do that is performance and winning football matches.

"In terms of management I don't see any difference - management is management whatever level you're at.

"I don't think it changes the fact I've got a lot to bring to the table in terms of the 650 games I've probably done now.

"To a certain extent I'm surprised to be here, but as a League One manager you're always looking for that opportunity and I feel I've done the miles.

"I had an opportunity to go to another Championship club two years ago but Barry Hearn (then Orient owner) wouldn't let me go at that time.

"I had four-and-a-half great years there but I lost that opportunity and I wasn't going to lose this one."

Slade confirmed that Scott Young, who stepped up from the academy to share caretaker duties with veteran defender Danny Gabbidon when Solskjaer left the club last month, will remain at first-team level as his assistant.

The Cardiff manager will continue to put his backroom staff together in the coming days and admits he might have to prune a squad that he says is both large and costly.

"It is a big staff and squad and arguably too big, so that's something we'll look at," Slade said.

"Maybe there needs to be some wheeling and dealing in the short term so we get a sizeable and talented group, but we might want to bring in the right type of player as well.

"But the aim is to get as high up the league as we possibly can, to get into that top six if at all possible.

"We've left ourselves a battle at this moment with the position we're in but there are still 35 games to go and that still gives us a realistic opportunity of getting in the shake-up.

"The owner is realistic enough to see the position we're in and if we can get a top-six position that would be an achievement.

"And from that situation who knows? You can still get in those play-offs and the Premier League."

only thing can pick on is saying playoffs is goal! he should be saying top 2 finish is aim despite our present position! maybe its psycological and inside he wants top 2 but not put pressure on himself anymore than it is now!

only thing can pick on is saying playoffs is goal! he should be saying top 2 finish is aim despite our present position! maybe its psycological and inside he wants top 2 but not put pressure on himself anymore than it is now!

I agree Allan as there is No runaway leader and its still very early days, plenty,plenty of points available

I hope he is of a strong character as he will then gain the respect of VT which in turn makes it easier to talk man to man with him.
This would then hopefully see our club moving forward rather than sideways or downwards.

only thing can pick on is saying playoffs is goal! he should be saying top 2 finish is aim despite our present position! maybe its psycological and inside he wants top 2 but not put pressure on himself anymore than it is now!

I agree Allan as there is No runaway leader and its still very early days, plenty,plenty of points available

still think we will get promotion despite other managers having experience in champ like pearce! they have done nothing either so why not someone who is far more experienced at management doing well in champ?

As with any new manager, willing to back him whilst he is here. We have a decent starting XI in amongst the rubble of our squad. Hopefully, he can pick it out asap.

only thing can pick on is saying playoffs is goal! he should be saying top 2 finish is aim despite our present position! maybe its psycological and inside he wants top 2 but not put pressure on himself anymore than it is now!

I agree Allan as there is No runaway leader and its still very early days, plenty,plenty of points available

still think we will get promotion despite other managers having experience in champ like pearce! they have done nothing either so why not someone who is far more experienced at management doing well in champ?

Allan, I will be giving Slade full support and time

only thing can pick on is saying playoffs is goal! he should be saying top 2 finish is aim despite our present position! maybe its psycological and inside he wants top 2 but not put pressure on himself anymore than it is now!

I agree Allan as there is No runaway leader and its still very early days, plenty,plenty of points available

still think we will get promotion despite other managers having experience in champ like pearce! they have done nothing either so why not someone who is far more experienced at management doing well in champ?

Allan, I will be giving Slade full support and time

good nice to see positive side of you back

only thing can pick on is saying playoffs is goal! he should be saying top 2 finish is aim despite our present position! maybe its psycological and inside he wants top 2 but not put pressure on himself anymore than it is now!

I agree Allan as there is No runaway leader and its still very early days, plenty,plenty of points available

still think we will get promotion despite other managers having experience in champ like pearce! they have done nothing either so why not someone who is far more experienced at management doing well in champ?

Allan, I will be giving Slade full support and time

good nice to see positive side of you back

A New manager, a new start

only thing can pick on is saying playoffs is goal! he should be saying top 2 finish is aim despite our present position! maybe its psycological and inside he wants top 2 but not put pressure on himself anymore than it is now!

I agree Allan as there is No runaway leader and its still very early days, plenty,plenty of points available

still think we will get promotion despite other managers having experience in champ like pearce! they have done nothing either so why not someone who is far more experienced at management doing well in champ?

Allan, I will be giving Slade full support and time

good nice to see positive side of you back

A New manager, a new start

yes definitaley i think as fans we make things seem lot worse than they are! but upwards and onwards hopefully have that drink at ipswich game away for forest one,

only thing can pick on is saying playoffs is goal! he should be saying top 2 finish is aim despite our present position! maybe its psycological and inside he wants top 2 but not put pressure on himself anymore than it is now!

I agree Allan as there is No runaway leader and its still very early days, plenty,plenty of points available

still think we will get promotion despite other managers having experience in champ like pearce! they have done nothing either so why not someone who is far more experienced at management doing well in champ?

Allan, I will be giving Slade full support and time

good nice to see positive side of you back

A New manager, a new start

yes definitaley i think as fans we make things seem lot worse than they are! but upwards and onwards hopefully have that drink at ipswich game away for forest one,

We do and now we need to back our new manager

Ipswich home, Def if your coming down

Russell Slade is our MANAGER.

I hope it stays that way and we don't end up with a Director of Football muddying the water and making it too many cooks.

Russell Slade is our MANAGER.

I hope it stays that way and we don't end up with a Director of Football muddying the water and making it too many cooks.

Totally agree Wayne. This year is simple, manage the basics, focus is winning games. Get rid of any driftwood in the Jan window.

Realistically, if we get promoted I think a Director of Football would be a good idea. But not Glenn Roeder. I'd like Warnock as a Director of Football, you want someone to scout around, positively support the manager and not be an arse.

only thing can pick on is saying playoffs is goal! he should be saying top 2 finish is aim despite our present position! maybe its psycological and inside he wants top 2 but not put pressure on himself anymore than it is now!

I agree Allan as there is No runaway leader and its still very early days, plenty,plenty of points available

still think we will get promotion despite other managers having experience in champ like pearce! they have done nothing either so why not someone who is far more experienced at management doing well in champ?

Allan, I will be giving Slade full support and time

good nice to see positive side of you back

A New manager, a new start

yes definitaley i think as fans we make things seem lot worse than they are! but upwards and onwards hopefully have that drink at ipswich game away for forest one,

We do and now we need to back our new manager

Ipswich home, Def if your coming down

make a point of being there we'll toss a coin for who buys the drinks!

Russell Slade is our MANAGER.

I hope it stays that way and we don't end up with a Director of Football muddying the water and making it too many cooks.

Totally agree Wayne. This year is simple, manage the basics, focus is winning games. Get rid of any driftwood in the Jan window.

Realistically, if we get promoted I think a Director of Football would be a good idea. But not Glenn Roeder. I'd like Warnock as a Director of Football, you want someone to scout around, positively support the manager and not be an arse.

Agreed get rid of a lot of deadwood and bring in two or three real quality additions if available, we all know the types needed like a strong midfield enforcer.....

Russell Slade is our MANAGER.

I hope it stays that way and we don't end up with a Director of Football muddying the water and making it too many cooks.

Totally agree Wayne. This year is simple, manage the basics, focus is winning games. Get rid of any driftwood in the Jan window.

Realistically, if we get promoted I think a Director of Football would be a good idea. But not Glenn Roeder. I'd like Warnock as a Director of Football, you want someone to scout around, positively support the manager and not be an arse.

Agreed get rid of a lot of deadwood and bring in two or three real quality additions if available, we all know the types needed like a strong midfield enforcer.....

Like Dikacoi