Were They a Disaster? & Will Russell Slade make the mistake?

The story of Cardiff City's most disastrous transfer window ever...Will Russell Slade make same mistakes?

Wednesday Dec 17, 2014

By Steve Tucker

Last January saw the worst transfer window in recent memory for Cardiff City players as seven players came in and most have flopped.


Cardiff City's Norwegian trio Magnus Eikrem, Jo Berget and Mats DaehliCardiff City's Norwegian trio Magnus Eikrem, Jo Berget and Mats Daehli
As boss Russell Slade approaches his first transfer window at Cardiff City he might learn a thing or two from his predecessor. Or perhaps not.

Almost a year back Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was preparing for his first transfer window having been brought in following the controversial departure of Malky Mackay.

The Norweigan’s mission in the Welsh capital was simple, to keep the Bluebirds in the top flight. He failed. And his January transfer dealings were on the whole a complete disaster too with most of his signings making little impact and those that did failing to help keep the Bluebirds up.

Under new boss Slade now many of Solskjaer’s arrivals are not getting a look in and seem likely to leave. Here we reflect on what was arguably the most important, but poorly handled, transfer window in City history.




Magnus Eikrem:
 It is hard to credit now, but when the Norwegian first arrived from Dutch outfit Heerenveen he was touted as a potential replacement for Peter Whittingham. The midfielder has made just one league start for Cardiff, in the 4-0 Premier League thrashing at home to Hull in February and has come off the bench eight times. Two starts in the FA Cup and the same in the Capital One Cup have confirmed his fringe status.


Mats Daehli: 
Perhaps the pick of Solskjaer’s signings, the teenager is packed with class and skill, but perhaps lacks the ability to provide an end product. Under Solskjaer, Daehli was given a lot of pitch time, in his year at the club he has made 22 league appearances, but he found the net just once, a dramatic late goal to earn a point at the Hawthorns in the Premier League back in March.



Jo Inge Berget: 
When he arrived many were asking, who? And a year later most are still asking the same question. Signed from Solskjaer’s former club Molde in Norway, Berget had barely made an impact at all. He has played 72 minutes in a year for Cardiff thanks to his only start in the FA Cup defeat to Wigan back in February and 10 minutes of Premier League action in the dismantling by Hull. He was sent on loan to Celtic where he actually scored two goals before being sent back.


Kenwyne Jones:
 Brought in on a swap deal with Peter Odemwingie moving in the opposite direction to Stoke, the big striker is the most successful brought in during the window. During the back end of the Premier League campaign though Jones failed to deliver. He scored on his debut in the win over Norwich. This season in the Championship it has been a different story though, with Jones grabbing seven goals in 17 Championship games making him the top-scorer so far.



Fabio:
 Solskjaer returned to his former club Manchester United to sign the Brazilian defender. Fabio featured in all but two of the Bluebirds Premier League games in the second-half of last season basically establishing himself as No.1 left-back. It looked like business as usual in the Championship this season, but following the 3-0 thumping at Bolton in early November it was Fabio who proved the fall guy under boss Slade.


Wilfried Zaha:
 The much-coveted young winger was the only loan signing Solskjaer brought in. Many had been chasing the youngster who was merely kicking his heels at Manchester United and when Cardiff won the race there was plenty of excitement. It proved to be misplaced. Zaha proved a dud during his three months in the Welsh capital. He started five Premier League games for the Bluebirds and came off the bench in seven more. He did not score a goal.


Juan Cala:
 Brought in from La Liga outfit Sevilla, Cala was billed as a classy, continental-style, centre-half and a man capable of bringing a bit of panache to the Cardiff defence. In seven Premier League starts he did indeed look reasonably impressive. In the Championship he started just two Capital One Cup ties and one league game this season. Alienated by Slade he responded by complaining on social media and saw his contract terminated.

Annis, you been supporting the club a long time like myself

Is your interest still the same or is it dwindling ?

Except from Berget, it doesn´t look too bad on the paper. But obviously not what Slade is looking for.

Annis, you been supporting the club a long time like myself

Is your interest still the same or is it dwindling ?

Honestly.

When they had lost a game years ago, I would be hurting for days and I would leave the match fuming,nowadays it does not hurt, I'm not happy, but I'm not hurt or fuming,I just get over it, as they are not the club Ive loved for 40 plus years.
I dont feel for them like I use to,I dont look forward to going to games like I use to,its so sad

I thought of not renewing,but if I do that and brak my 43 consecutive seasons,I fear I will never go back again and watch them

Except from Berget, it doesn´t look too bad on the paper. But obviously not what Slade is looking for.

Some of those players like Daehli and Fabio are still quality in my opinion

Cala was impressive so why are we selling him?

Crazy

Cala was impressive so why are we selling him?

Crazy

I honestly think Cardiff (read: Ole) was a bit unlucky with these signings. Considered this was a tight January window, he had to take some risks, but unfortunately none of them (except Cala and Dæhli perhaps), became an instant success. Fabio has turned out to be a good signing though, and Jones looked like a good idea next to a work horse like Campbell (this season, it would have been great to have Campbell next to a somehow effective Jones). And no one can argue against Zaha´s potential (which is he is showing more of this season in the PL). Eikrem and Berget? Yes, those were pure blunders, IMO, although I still believe Eikrem could do a job somewhere else.

Annis, you been supporting the club a long time like myself

Is your interest still the same or is it dwindling ?

Honestly.

When they had lost a game years ago, I would be hurting for days and I would leave the match fuming,nowadays it does not hurt, I'm not happy, but I'm not hurt or fuming,I just get over it, as they are not the club Ive loved for 40 plus years.
I dont feel for them like I use to,I dont look forward to going to games like I use to,its so sad

I thought of not renewing,but if I do that and brak my 43 consecutive seasons,I fear I will never go back again and watch them

Annis thats exactly the same as I feel - I thought this season about picking games but I know that If I chose that option I wouldn't go at all
Even tho a season ticket holder I'm not going down against Brentford because the style of football is so poor its frustrating to watch

Annis, you been supporting the club a long time like myself

Is your interest still the same or is it dwindling ?

Honestly.

When they had lost a game years ago, I would be hurting for days and I would leave the match fuming,nowadays it does not hurt, I'm not happy, but I'm not hurt or fuming,I just get over it, as they are not the club Ive loved for 40 plus years.
I dont feel for them like I use to,I dont look forward to going to games like I use to,its so sad

I thought of not renewing,but if I do that and brak my 43 consecutive seasons,I fear I will never go back again and watch them

Sad to here you feel that way but you are one of so many including myself

Typical tucker crap.
Kenwyne, matts and fabio are good signings. Would walk into any championship team and some pl squads.
Doubt slade will sign better from the lower leagues.


Cala and eikrem have ability but probably not right for the English game. But then again you don't know what they could have done if given run of games.
Berget though, not sure what ogs was thinking with that one. Never should have been signed.

All managers make mistakes at transfer window some more than others! Even fergie made them?
But I think its less likely with Slade as he knows what he requires and probably the players he Wants!

I have supported Cardiff since 1966 and in one particular season in the lower divisions attended every match played by the first team in all competitions including a mid week Welsh Cup tie in the Rhondda in the Rick Wright era. ( Great Windy Miller goal that day )
I can honestly say that the worst thing about our 'match day experience' now is the match.
Great food , drink and banter in the Cottage or Canton Cross before the game and we usually haver a drink in Pontypridd on the way home but the 90+ minutes in the middle of the day is the low point.

All managers make mistakes at transfer window some more than others! Even fergie made them?
But I think its less likely with Slade as he knows what he requires and probably the players he Wants!

Yes, it´s a good thing that he already got some time to address what is missing. It will be an interesting window, indeed.

All managers make mistakes at transfer window some more than others! Even fergie made them?
But I think its less likely with Slade as he knows what he requires and probably the players he Wants!

Yes, it´s a good thing that he already got some time to address what is missing. It will be an interesting window, indeed.

People complain about flair players ect ect but they are no good unless they can fit into slades style of play? All managers have a style and until Slade has team he chooses he will struggle to play his way, transfer window is his chance to do it his way.

I have supported Cardiff since 1966 and in one particular season in the lower divisions attended every match played by the first team in all competitions including a mid week Welsh Cup tie in the Rhondda in the Rick Wright era. ( Great Windy Miller goal that day )
I can honestly say that the worst thing about our 'match day experience' now is the match.
Great food , drink and banter in the Cottage or Canton Cross before the game and we usually haver a drink in Pontypridd on the way home but the 90+ minutes in the middle of the day is the low point.

You talk sense and I agree totally with you, the match itself is void of any entertainment and therefore the atmosphere suffers. Hard work persuading myself to attend a match lately and I've been a fan since 62, always found crumbs of comfort with watching my beloved Bluebirds even when they were shite but atm the players are good enough but the style of play and management decisions are very poor, doesn't help that certain players have been blanked out particularly one's with some skill and class about them.
Took some shite on here last week when I said that maybe I chose the wrong game to attend as I also support The Devils where it's the exact opposite..fantastic support, great matchday entertainment with players and management that give it everything and know what the paying public want.

Cala was impressive so why are we selling him?

Crazy

I honestly think Cardiff (read: Ole) was a bit unlucky with these signings. Considered this was a tight January window, he had to take some risks, but unfortunately none of them (except Cala and Dæhli perhaps), became an instant success. Fabio has turned out to be a good signing though, and Jones looked like a good idea next to a work horse like Campbell (this season, it would have been great to have Campbell next to a somehow effective Jones). And no one can argue against Zaha´s potential (which is he is showing more of this season in the PL). Eikrem and Berget? Yes, those were pure blunders, IMO, although I still believe Eikrem could do a job somewhere else.

Last time I saw Cala play was Southampton away when we defeated them. He looked awesome.