The men who should form the spine of Slade’s team
Sun Oct 12, 2014 7:57 pm
For Slade, the key to success is all about partnerships, and that is the mantra he will be working to over the next fortnight as he tries to find the right formula ahead of his home debut against Nottingham Forest on October 18.
He needs to find a team with solidity and flair, but at its heart must be strong characters and men he can trust.
So, who are these players?
Skipper David Marshall will naturally be the first name on the team sheet and in front of him Bruno Manga will be the key defensive figure. The Gabon international has been impressive in his opening performances and now the challenge is to find out which partner suits him best.
Elsewhere in the back four, the only other player to provide evidence he is a must for Slade is Brazilian full-back Fabio, who is improving with every match and has the talent in his locker to be a major force at Championship level.
Kenwyne Jones’ goal-scoring form makes him the obvious man up front, while the likes of Craig Noone and Anthony Pilkington are among the top wingers in the division when form and fitness is in their favour.
The most difficult place to identify a key man for Slade is in central midfield where the Bluebirds have been sadly lacking so far.
The men who will have to prove themselves
Every single Cardiff City player will, of course, have to stake their claim to be a significant part of the new Slade regime.
There are, however, certain individuals the new manager will be looking for improvements from in particular.
The battle to partner Manga in the heart of defence will certainly be intriguing as Ben Turner returns from injury. There is little to choose between Turner, Sean Morrison and Matt Connolly, with all three needing to impress in training in the coming weeks.
We’ve already mentioned the issues in the middle of the park and you feel getting this right will be where Slade’s chances of success stand or fall.
The Bluebirds are crying out for someone to put their hand up and grab games by the scruff of the neck – something the likes of Aron Gunnarsson, Tom Adeyemi, Joe Ralls and Whittingham have largely failed to do so far
Perhaps the answer is already in the dressing room in the form of Kagisho Dikgacoi, but he must now put fitness and injury concerns behind him and show he is the same player who shone for Crystal Palace in the Premier League last season.
Scott Young says the South African international is working exceptionally hard in training to get back to his best, and that will be the minimum requirement from Slade.
As for the strikers in the mix, it really is all to play for.
Slade has already revealed he plans to play two up top, and that could now open the door for Federico Macheda, Adam Le Fondre or Javi Guerra to finally kick-start their Cardiff careers with a run of games.
Earlier this season, having watched all of City’s pre-season fixtures, I felt Macheda and Guerra would emerge as the number one pairing. Guerra, however, has been bitterly disappointing and was recently dropped down to the development squad.
Slade will find it difficult to keep everyone happy, but there is a need to spread a little misery first if he is to come out with a lean, hungry squad of players willing to give everything for the team.
The men who could be on the way out
There are seven players who failed to make any impact during their time in South Wales and could now face an uncertain future.
Four of them are Ole Gunnar Solskjaer signings – Juan Cala, Magnus Eikrem, Guido Burgstaller and Guerra.
I thought Guerra would be a Championship hit, but his failure to settle at Cardiff has been so stark I wouldn’t rule out a swift loan exit at this stage.
Burgstaller is a tall, strong midfield player with a decent range of passing, but he has been unable to force his way into the team and has looked generally ineffective.
Kim Bo-Kyung had the look of a player who could succeed at Premier League level not so long ago, but his form has slumped, while Etien Velikonja has been out of favour for too long and needs the chance to fire up his career elsewhere.
Winger Kadeem Harris, too, is behind Noone and Pilkington in the battle for places and would benefit from regular first-team football.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see this seven heading out on loan and more could follow if Slade does strengthen the squad
The men who could leave: Juan Cala, Kim Bo-Kyung, Magnus Eikrem, Guido Burgstaller, Kadeem Harris, Javi Guerra, Etien Velikonja.
Terry Phillips’ 23-man Cardiff squad for the rest of the season
Goalkeepers: David Marshall, Simon Moore.
Defenders: Bruno Manga, Ben Turner, Sean Morrison, Matt Connolly, Danny Gabbidon, John Brayford, Fabio, Declan John.
Midfield: Craig Noone, Anthony Pilkington, Peter Whittingham, Tom Adeyemi, Aron Gunnarsson, Mats Daehli, Joe Ralls, Ravel Morrison, Kagisho Dikgacoi.
Forwards: Kenwyne Jones, Adam Le Fondre, Federico Macheda, Nicky Maynard.
The six already out on loan: Joe Lewis (gk, to Blackpool), Kevin Catherine (defender, to St Etienne), Kevin McNaughton (defender, to Bolton), Ben Nugent (defender, to Yeovil), Joe Mason (forward, to Bolton), Jo Inge Berget (forward, to Celtic).
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/foot ... ty-7903262
He needs to find a team with solidity and flair, but at its heart must be strong characters and men he can trust.
So, who are these players?
Skipper David Marshall will naturally be the first name on the team sheet and in front of him Bruno Manga will be the key defensive figure. The Gabon international has been impressive in his opening performances and now the challenge is to find out which partner suits him best.
Elsewhere in the back four, the only other player to provide evidence he is a must for Slade is Brazilian full-back Fabio, who is improving with every match and has the talent in his locker to be a major force at Championship level.
Kenwyne Jones’ goal-scoring form makes him the obvious man up front, while the likes of Craig Noone and Anthony Pilkington are among the top wingers in the division when form and fitness is in their favour.
The most difficult place to identify a key man for Slade is in central midfield where the Bluebirds have been sadly lacking so far.
The men who will have to prove themselves
Every single Cardiff City player will, of course, have to stake their claim to be a significant part of the new Slade regime.
There are, however, certain individuals the new manager will be looking for improvements from in particular.
The battle to partner Manga in the heart of defence will certainly be intriguing as Ben Turner returns from injury. There is little to choose between Turner, Sean Morrison and Matt Connolly, with all three needing to impress in training in the coming weeks.
We’ve already mentioned the issues in the middle of the park and you feel getting this right will be where Slade’s chances of success stand or fall.
The Bluebirds are crying out for someone to put their hand up and grab games by the scruff of the neck – something the likes of Aron Gunnarsson, Tom Adeyemi, Joe Ralls and Whittingham have largely failed to do so far
Perhaps the answer is already in the dressing room in the form of Kagisho Dikgacoi, but he must now put fitness and injury concerns behind him and show he is the same player who shone for Crystal Palace in the Premier League last season.
Scott Young says the South African international is working exceptionally hard in training to get back to his best, and that will be the minimum requirement from Slade.
As for the strikers in the mix, it really is all to play for.
Slade has already revealed he plans to play two up top, and that could now open the door for Federico Macheda, Adam Le Fondre or Javi Guerra to finally kick-start their Cardiff careers with a run of games.
Earlier this season, having watched all of City’s pre-season fixtures, I felt Macheda and Guerra would emerge as the number one pairing. Guerra, however, has been bitterly disappointing and was recently dropped down to the development squad.
Slade will find it difficult to keep everyone happy, but there is a need to spread a little misery first if he is to come out with a lean, hungry squad of players willing to give everything for the team.
The men who could be on the way out
There are seven players who failed to make any impact during their time in South Wales and could now face an uncertain future.
Four of them are Ole Gunnar Solskjaer signings – Juan Cala, Magnus Eikrem, Guido Burgstaller and Guerra.
I thought Guerra would be a Championship hit, but his failure to settle at Cardiff has been so stark I wouldn’t rule out a swift loan exit at this stage.
Burgstaller is a tall, strong midfield player with a decent range of passing, but he has been unable to force his way into the team and has looked generally ineffective.
Kim Bo-Kyung had the look of a player who could succeed at Premier League level not so long ago, but his form has slumped, while Etien Velikonja has been out of favour for too long and needs the chance to fire up his career elsewhere.
Winger Kadeem Harris, too, is behind Noone and Pilkington in the battle for places and would benefit from regular first-team football.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see this seven heading out on loan and more could follow if Slade does strengthen the squad
The men who could leave: Juan Cala, Kim Bo-Kyung, Magnus Eikrem, Guido Burgstaller, Kadeem Harris, Javi Guerra, Etien Velikonja.
Terry Phillips’ 23-man Cardiff squad for the rest of the season
Goalkeepers: David Marshall, Simon Moore.
Defenders: Bruno Manga, Ben Turner, Sean Morrison, Matt Connolly, Danny Gabbidon, John Brayford, Fabio, Declan John.
Midfield: Craig Noone, Anthony Pilkington, Peter Whittingham, Tom Adeyemi, Aron Gunnarsson, Mats Daehli, Joe Ralls, Ravel Morrison, Kagisho Dikgacoi.
Forwards: Kenwyne Jones, Adam Le Fondre, Federico Macheda, Nicky Maynard.
The six already out on loan: Joe Lewis (gk, to Blackpool), Kevin Catherine (defender, to St Etienne), Kevin McNaughton (defender, to Bolton), Ben Nugent (defender, to Yeovil), Joe Mason (forward, to Bolton), Jo Inge Berget (forward, to Celtic).
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/foot ... ty-7903262
Re: The men who should form the spine of Slade’s team
Mon Oct 13, 2014 8:10 am
Our first team when all fit should be,
Marshall
Brayford Turner Manga fabio
Adeymi Dikgacoi
Noone Morrison Daehli
Macheda
Marshall
Brayford Turner Manga fabio
Adeymi Dikgacoi
Noone Morrison Daehli
Macheda
Re: The men who should form the spine of Slade’s team
Mon Oct 13, 2014 9:01 am
Terry Phillips is a loon!
Terry Phillips’ 23-man Cardiff squad for the rest of the season
Goalkeepers: David Marshall, Simon Moore.
Defenders: Bruno Manga, Ben Turner, Sean Morrison, Matt Connolly, Danny Gabbidon - sell/sack , John Brayford, Fabio, Declan John.
Midfield: Craig Noone, Anthony Pilkington, Peter Whittingham - release, Tom Adeyemi, Aron Gunnarsson - release , Mats Daehli, Joe Ralls, Ravel Morrison, Kagisho Dikgacoi.
Forwards: Kenwyne Jones, Adam Le Fondre, Federico Macheda, Nicky Maynard release all 3.
That gives Slade scope to recruit and give Guerra a fighting chance!
Terry Phillips’ 23-man Cardiff squad for the rest of the season
Goalkeepers: David Marshall, Simon Moore.
Defenders: Bruno Manga, Ben Turner, Sean Morrison, Matt Connolly, Danny Gabbidon - sell/sack , John Brayford, Fabio, Declan John.
Midfield: Craig Noone, Anthony Pilkington, Peter Whittingham - release, Tom Adeyemi, Aron Gunnarsson - release , Mats Daehli, Joe Ralls, Ravel Morrison, Kagisho Dikgacoi.
Forwards: Kenwyne Jones, Adam Le Fondre, Federico Macheda, Nicky Maynard release all 3.
That gives Slade scope to recruit and give Guerra a fighting chance!
Re: The men who should form the spine of Slade’s team
Mon Oct 13, 2014 9:44 am
arri potta wrote:Terry Phillips is a loon!
Terry Phillips’ 23-man Cardiff squad for the rest of the season
Goalkeepers: David Marshall, Simon Moore.
Defenders: Bruno Manga, Ben Turner, Sean Morrison, Matt Connolly, Danny Gabbidon - sell/sack , John Brayford, Fabio, Declan John.
Midfield: Craig Noone, Anthony Pilkington, Peter Whittingham - release, Tom Adeyemi, Aron Gunnarsson - release , Mats Daehli, Joe Ralls, Ravel Morrison, Kagisho Dikgacoi.
Forwards: Kenwyne Jones, Adam Le Fondre, Federico Macheda, Nicky Maynard release all 3.
That gives Slade scope to recruit and give Guerra a fighting chance!
LOL - Release Whittingham?! - Teams would be queueing around the block to buy him. Similarly, Le Fondre would command a fee. Would also definitely retain Gunnarsson. Happy to offload Gabbidon, Macheda and Maynard.
Re: The men who should form the spine of Slade’s team
Mon Oct 13, 2014 9:54 am
mugsy wrote:arri potta wrote:Terry Phillips is a loon!
Terry Phillips’ 23-man Cardiff squad for the rest of the season
Goalkeepers: David Marshall, Simon Moore.
Defenders: Bruno Manga, Ben Turner, Sean Morrison, Matt Connolly, Danny Gabbidon - sell/sack , John Brayford, Fabio, Declan John.
Midfield: Craig Noone, Anthony Pilkington, Peter Whittingham - release, Tom Adeyemi, Aron Gunnarsson - release , Mats Daehli, Joe Ralls, Ravel Morrison, Kagisho Dikgacoi.
Forwards: Kenwyne Jones, Adam Le Fondre, Federico Macheda, Nicky Maynard release all 3.
That gives Slade scope to recruit and give Guerra a fighting chance!
LOL - Release Whittingham?! - Teams would be queueing around the block to buy him. Similarly, Le Fondre would command a fee. Would also definitely retain Gunnarsson. Happy to offload Gabbidon, Macheda and Maynard.
It's not that funny, he's been around too long alongside Gunnarrson. Sometimes change is as a good as a rest, and they both need it - a long one!
neither as far as I can see have the ethic of working as Slade has been communicating in his press releases, so let's help Slade out and stop this 'favourites' attitude and mentality that's been destroying the club - get others in!
Re: The men who should form the spine of Slade’s team
Mon Oct 13, 2014 10:32 am
Am I reading this right?! Terry Phillips wants to release Whittingham on a free?!
Re: The men who should form the spine of Slade’s team
Mon Oct 13, 2014 10:53 am
That article is a week old now and is missing a very important statement from the original regarding Terry Phillips opinion of Peter Whittingham.
Whitts, though, can still be the most effective central midfield player City have, in my opinion, and Slade’s job is to get the very best out of a playmaker who still has an abundance of quality. For me, he remains crucial.
This article has been edited to omit that statement regarding Peter Whittingham and Terry Phillips in no way suggests, AT ANY TIME, that he be released on a free.
I suppose the question is why omit that paragraph when copying the article
Whitts, though, can still be the most effective central midfield player City have, in my opinion, and Slade’s job is to get the very best out of a playmaker who still has an abundance of quality. For me, he remains crucial.
This article has been edited to omit that statement regarding Peter Whittingham and Terry Phillips in no way suggests, AT ANY TIME, that he be released on a free.
I suppose the question is why omit that paragraph when copying the article
Re: The men who should form the spine of Slade’s team
Mon Oct 13, 2014 11:18 am
castleblue wrote:That article is a week old now and is missing a very important statement from the original regarding Terry Phillips opinion of Peter Whittingham.
Whitts, though, can still be the most effective central midfield player City have, in my opinion, and Slade’s job is to get the very best out of a playmaker who still has an abundance of quality. For me, he remains crucial.
This article has been edited to omit that statement regarding Peter Whittingham and Terry Phillips in no way suggests, AT ANY TIME, that he be released on a free.
I suppose the question is why omit that paragraph when copying the article
Ah CB you are well ahead of me.