" BEN TURNER/KAGISHO DIKGACOI/ANTHONY PILKINGTON "
Thu Apr 23, 2015 11:17 pm
" Cardiff City set to welcome Ben Turner, Kagisho Dikgacoi and Anthony Pilkington back for Blackpool visit after lay-offs "
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=157417
By Chris Wathan
Three of Cardiff's most experienced players will be welcomed back to the fold this weekend as already relegated Blackpool come to town
Ben Turner and winger Anthony Pilkington could both start for Cardiff City against Blackpool in their final Championship home fixture of the season.
Turner is set for a first team return after three months out, while Pilkington hasn’t started since last November.
South African Kagisho Dikgacoi is also on course to finish the season in playing action after struggling badly throughout 2014-15.
Manager Russell Slade made it clear he wanted to give Turner, Pilkington and Dikgacoi playing time in the Championship and Blackpool is an ideal opportunity.
City have missed Turner’s powerful, effective defending at Championship level, while Pilkington was starting to find consistent form when he was injured at Watford.
Dikgacoi was initially signed to take over Gary Medel’s role in front of the back four, but has made only two Championship appearances.
Turner has now played in three development matches and looks ready to play, probably alongside Bruno Manga at the heart of defence.
Striker Joe Mason was given three games at the lower level to regain some of his match fitness before he was given the nod by Slade.
Pilkington has made two appearances as a substitute and looks ready to start, possibly in place of Craig Noone.
Dikgacoi is also hoping to be part of the matchday 18-man squad, but may have to wait until the final fixture, at Nottingham Forest, to start.
Slade and his staff have been analysing the three players in training and development matches, but he will wait until after training today before making a final decision.
While Slade ponders his selection decisions for City’s last two fixtures, he was involved in the signing of teenage goalkeeper Luke O’Reilly.
The Bluebirds manager and goalkeeping coach Martyn Margetson were both present when former Peterborough United youth goalkeeper O’Reilly, 18, signed a one-year professional contract.
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=157417
By Chris Wathan
Three of Cardiff's most experienced players will be welcomed back to the fold this weekend as already relegated Blackpool come to town
Ben Turner and winger Anthony Pilkington could both start for Cardiff City against Blackpool in their final Championship home fixture of the season.
Turner is set for a first team return after three months out, while Pilkington hasn’t started since last November.
South African Kagisho Dikgacoi is also on course to finish the season in playing action after struggling badly throughout 2014-15.
Manager Russell Slade made it clear he wanted to give Turner, Pilkington and Dikgacoi playing time in the Championship and Blackpool is an ideal opportunity.
City have missed Turner’s powerful, effective defending at Championship level, while Pilkington was starting to find consistent form when he was injured at Watford.
Dikgacoi was initially signed to take over Gary Medel’s role in front of the back four, but has made only two Championship appearances.
Turner has now played in three development matches and looks ready to play, probably alongside Bruno Manga at the heart of defence.
Striker Joe Mason was given three games at the lower level to regain some of his match fitness before he was given the nod by Slade.
Pilkington has made two appearances as a substitute and looks ready to start, possibly in place of Craig Noone.
Dikgacoi is also hoping to be part of the matchday 18-man squad, but may have to wait until the final fixture, at Nottingham Forest, to start.
Slade and his staff have been analysing the three players in training and development matches, but he will wait until after training today before making a final decision.
While Slade ponders his selection decisions for City’s last two fixtures, he was involved in the signing of teenage goalkeeper Luke O’Reilly.
The Bluebirds manager and goalkeeping coach Martyn Margetson were both present when former Peterborough United youth goalkeeper O’Reilly, 18, signed a one-year professional contract.
Re: " BEN TURNER/KAGISHO DIKGACOI/ANTHONY PILKINGTON "
Fri Apr 24, 2015 6:19 am
Good News
Re: " BEN TURNER/KAGISHO DIKGACOI/ANTHONY PILKINGTON "
Fri Apr 24, 2015 9:02 am
I bet Blackpool are quaking 
Two them need to be shipped out! Big Ben can stay.
Two them need to be shipped out! Big Ben can stay.
Re: " BEN TURNER/KAGISHO DIKGACOI/ANTHONY PILKINGTON "
Fri Apr 24, 2015 9:20 am
arri potta wrote:I bet Blackpool are quaking
Two them need to be shipped out! Big Ben can stay.
Can't see the point in bringing them back in for the last game anyway. Seems to be a pointless exercise.
Re: " BEN TURNER/KAGISHO DIKGACOI/ANTHONY PILKINGTON "
Fri Apr 24, 2015 9:33 am
bridgendbluebird30 wrote:arri potta wrote:I bet Blackpool are quaking
Two them need to be shipped out! Big Ben can stay.
Re: " BEN TURNER/KAGISHO DIKGACOI/ANTHONY PILKINGTON "
Fri Apr 24, 2015 9:49 am
I have to ask, is there any point them playing 
they will last 60 mins at most and at what intensity they can play after months off is anyone's guess.
Regaining match fitness to go on holiday???? Bizarre!
they will last 60 mins at most and at what intensity they can play after months off is anyone's guess.
Regaining match fitness to go on holiday???? Bizarre!
Re: " BEN TURNER/KAGISHO DIKGACOI/ANTHONY PILKINGTON "
Fri Apr 24, 2015 11:32 am
I think Kagisho Dikgacoi will a great player for us next season ..
Re: " BEN TURNER/KAGISHO DIKGACOI/ANTHONY PILKINGTON "
Fri Apr 24, 2015 12:11 pm
ThomasC wrote:I have to ask, is there any point them playing
they will last 60 mins at most and at what intensity they can play after months off is anyone's guess.
Regaining match fitness to go on holiday???? Bizarre!
I don't see the point either
Re: " BEN TURNER/KAGISHO DIKGACOI/ANTHONY PILKINGTON "
Fri Apr 24, 2015 2:44 pm
scooby1973 wrote:I think Kagisho Dikgacoi will a great player for us next season ..
Agree ,pulis said he was awesome for them in the premier league just needs to keep fit
Re: " BEN TURNER/KAGISHO DIKGACOI/ANTHONY PILKINGTON "
Fri Apr 24, 2015 10:23 pm
wez1927 wrote:scooby1973 wrote:I think Kagisho Dikgacoi will a great player for us next season ..
Agree ,pulis said he was awesome for them in the premier league just needs to keep fit
I was told he will never put a city shirt on wez so will be interesting to see if he plays any part in the last two games