" NOT LOOKING GOOD FOR CARDIFF'S PR-SEASON TOUR "

Its not been looking good for a while
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viewtopic.php?f=2&t=159360&p=1682403&hilit=+Amsterdam#p1682403

Cardiff City pre-season tour blow as Bluebirds struggle to arrange matches against top flight opposition

20th JUNE 2015

BY CHRIS WATHAN


Russell Slade's side have long had a trip to the Netherlands in the diary, but as yet there are no games booked in against any top Dutch outfits

Cardiff City’s preparations for the new campaign could be hit by complications over their pre-season tour to the Netherlands.

Russell Slade’s side are set to travel to the Amsterdam area as part of their build-up to the new Championship season next month with the Bluebirds boss having set out plans to take on top-flight Dutch sides during the week trip.

But sources in Holland have suggested Cardiff are struggling to arrange a game against top-level opposition because of issues with local permission – and time is fast running out to come up with contingency plans.

It could mean the Bluebirds are forced to make do with friendlies against lower level opponents while on the continent, which would be a blow to Slade’s preparation ahead of a crunch start to the side’s bid to make a viable push for promotion.



Slade had said the club were in negotiations with two top flight Dutch clubs more than a month ago with the names to be announced within a week. It is understood one of those sides was NAC Breda, yet no agreement has been made.


It has been suggested to WalesOnline that the issue could be in gaining the green light from the local administration who are wary of the costs and complications of hosting a high-profile British club.

Swansea City have experienced similar problems in the past with a game – also against Breda – cancelled at the last minute when the local mayor refused to sanction the game.

Cardiff are tight-lipped on the speculation but have maintained that the trip will go ahead, although they have still not said who the Bluebirds will face and what standard they play at.

We have been told Cardiff had confirmed one match, but pulled out of the clash after discovering the opposition played on a 4G pitch. We understand they were concerned about potential injuries to players.

Slade spoke of the importance of his first full pre-season at the end of the last campaign and has instructed players to return to the club’s training base next week for individual fitness testing before embarking on a boot camp in Leicestershire.

Games against Forest Green Rovers and Shrewsbury precede the planned trip to the Netherlands where games were scheduled for July 21 and July 24.

Cardiff are due to announce one home friendly – planned to be against Premier League or foreign top-flight opposition – before a game at last year’s Championship winners Bournemouth on July 31

Cardiff kick off the new season with a home fixture against Fulham on August 8.

Tour of Essex maybe? Colchester, Saafend and Braintree Town.

Tour of Essex maybe? Colchester, Saafend and Braintree Town.

I would be all for that.

Nothing wrong with pulling out due to a 4G pitch, we wanna protect our players

Can't stand Chris Wathan. A Jack shouldn't be allowed to write articles for us.

Can't stand Chris Wathan. A Jack shouldn't be allowed to write articles for us.

Haha, it's not his fault we couldn't find opposition.

I do agree though. If it was completely independent writing then I'd have no problem with a Jack writing on us. However, he's shown previously that he can't keep his true feelings out of his writing.

Great organisation and start to the pre season well done city!

Denmark/Sweden was good in 2003

Scotland what of been a good pre season

Denmark/Sweden was good in 2003

Scotland what of been a good pre season

Wasn 't Scotland mentioned as a possible trip?

They should come to ireland. They always used to