RUSSELL SLADE " IRONS IN THE FIRE "

" Cardiff City boss Russell Slade says Bluebirds have 'irons in the fire' in transfer market "

16 JULY 2015

BY TERRY PHILLIPS

Slade wants to bring in an experienced central midfield player before the start of the new season which kicks off against Fulham next month

Manager Russell Slade believes the Championship transfer market is ‘beginning to liven up’ as he strives to bring in a new central midfield player.

Cardiff City manager Slade’s priority seems to be an experienced leader to take control through the middle, having already added winger Sammy Ameobi and centre-back Semi Ajayi to his squad.

He won’t confirm who his targets might be, but Slade said: “The transfer market is just starting to liven up.

“It’s been slow so far by most peoples standards, but I am pleased with the little business we’ve done so far.

“We brought in Ajayi and he did well against Forest Green in his first match, while Ameobi will be involved at Shrewsbury on Saturday.

“We have irons in the fire and that will always be the case.”

The Bluebirds made a strong bid to sign midfield player Stephen Quinn from Hull City, but he opted to sign for Reading, while they have also been linked with Wales international Emyr Huws at Wigan Athletic.

More: Cardiff City desperately need a midfield leader... could one of these 11 potential candidates be the right fit?

Wales international Huws, a 21-year-old former Manchester City player from Llanelli, hasn’t played first team football since January after suffering an ankle injury, but is back in pre-season training.

It has been reported that Burnley and Cardiff are keen on Huws, but a Bluebirds source said the Wigan man is not on their list of possible targets.

Huws is highly talented, but City want an experienced midfield player who can dominate and play a leading role for the team.

Only 3 for me would Kevin Nolan, Joey Barton or Karl Hendry.

Squad can be really exciting. I hope Slade had his eyes open last night a real promotion chance if he
Ditches 4 4 2 on occasions.

There was some pace and energy in second half.

My team at the moment would look like;

Marshall

Adjai. Manga. Oshilaja. . Fabio

Gunnarson. KD/Ralls

Kennedy. Whitts. Ameobi

Mason

Subs: Doyle, Jones, Noone, Connelly, Moore, Pilkington, KD/Ralls

I hope he's bluffing

We need more than 1 player to be competitive

I hope he's bluffing

We need more than 1 player to be competitive

Mr Moo Cow, if only signing one more player means we keep the likes of Marshall, Manga, Fabio, and Gunnarsson then I will take that! I came into this window fully expecting at least Marshall, Manga, and Fabio to leave.

I still think we need another winger because Pilkington won't be fit all season and Noone isn't consistent enough but I think after that we only need a commanding centre midfielder and we've got a very strong squad. Ideally, I'd like a better right back and centre back in there too but we're Championship, not Champions League!

Unfortunately I wouldn't count on anything coming out of the headlines. So far the club has not spent a penny on transfer fees and spent very little in the January transfer window. Even though we still get the parachute payments none of that seems to be re invested in strengthening the squad.

The club had to tighten the purse strings but it's gone from one extreme to another.

I hope he's bluffing

We need more than 1 player to be competitive

Mr Moo Cow, if only signing one more player means we keep the likes of Marshall, Manga, Fabio, and Gunnarsson then I will take that! I came into this window fully expecting at least Marshall, Manga, and Fabio to leave.

I still think we need another winger because Pilkington won't be fit all season and Noone isn't consistent enough but I think after that we only need a commanding centre midfielder and we've got a very strong squad. Ideally, I'd like a better right back and centre back in there too but we're Championship, not Champions League!

What a brilliant post - totally agree with you here. The best bit of business we can do this window is keeping our biggest assets

Keeping our biggest assets will see us stagnate

We need to move forward but alas under slide we will not

Keeping our biggest assets will see us stagnate

We need to move forward but alas under slide we will not

Agree. It's great keeping your best players but after last seasons dire performances you have to strengthen to improve. Unlike Derby, Boro, Brentford Etc who have added real quality we have done nothing. Needed to bring in 3/4 quality players to push us above mid table. If Slade sticks to the same tactics as last season it could be a very long season of boring football.

Keeping our biggest assets will see us stagnate

We need to move forward but alas under slide we will not

Yes, totally agree but we are strengthening if we add Ameobi and a governor in central midfield. It's a careful balancing act. Sign too many players and we do an Ole completely unbalancing the team or ruining any cohesion the squad had.

Keeping our biggest assets will see us stagnate

We need to move forward but alas under slide we will not

Yes, totally agree but we are strengthening if we add Ameobi and a governor in central midfield. It's a careful balancing act. Sign too many players and we do an Ole completely unbalancing the team or ruining any cohesion the squad had.

Thats why i don't want us signing to sign much players because of that.

But thats why people are not renewing

They want to see good football and a winning team

Sadly we got neither under Slade

But thats why people are not renewing

They want to see good football and a winning team

Sadly we got neither under Slade

Spot on.

And why are so many on here certain that the same players playing in the same way under the same manager will suddenly improve on what they acheived last season?

Why is everyone on about a 4 4 2 we played some of our best ever football playing that formation, under Dave Jones, it's not the formation but the players, if they are good enough then a 4 4 2 is fine, and by the way if anyone has forgotten, Marshall is banned for the first three games

But thats why people are not renewing

They want to see good football and a winning team

Sadly we got neither under Slade

Spot on.

And why are so many on here certain that the same players playing in the same way under the same manager will suddenly improve on what they acheived last season?

Because at beginning home record very good but dropped off, but away record then excellent at end season! So signs that we can do well with players we have!

I hope he's bluffing

We need more than 1 player to be competitive

We finished 11st last season and that was from 17th having taken over Ole's bloated and unfit squad. We'll be in and around the top six.

I hope he's bluffing

We need more than 1 player to be competitive

Mr Moo Cow, if only signing one more player means we keep the likes of Marshall, Manga, Fabio, and Gunnarsson then I will take that! I came into this window fully expecting at least Marshall, Manga, and Fabio to leave.

I still think we need another winger because Pilkington won't be fit all season and Noone isn't consistent enough but I think after that we only need a commanding centre midfielder and we've got a very strong squad. Ideally, I'd like a better right back and centre back in there too but we're Championship, not Champions League!

I quite agree, although I wouldn't mind if Fabio left.

IMO we either need to invest and push to go up (won't happen under slade)
Or make proper cut backs and sell the assets but have enough to stay up.

I hope he's bluffing

We need more than 1 player to be competitive

We finished 11st last season and that was from 17th having taken over Ole's bloated and unfit squad. We'll be in and around the top six.

We ended up the same place as when Ole left the club hence no progress under Slade. We have no chance whatsoever of getting anywhere near the top 6. Mid table at best & we could end up as low as 20th. Unfortunately some quality players have been shipped out and replaced with bargain basement signings.