" EMYR HUWS "
Wed Jul 22, 2015 8:20 pm
" Emyr Huws would be a perfect Cardiff City signing... but a quiet transfer window is just what the Bluebirds need "
22 July 2015
Scott Johnson says the capture of the young, Welsh prospect would enthuse supporters if Russell Slade is looking for new faces
It would appear Cardiff City are set for their quietest transfer window in quite some time, which is just what the doctor ordered.
Ordinarily, the number of players brought in usually approaches double figures, but Cardiff already have a very good squad.
The need to trim is far more pressing than the need to add, while a little stability and continuity wouldn’t go amiss.
Semi Ajayi and Sammy Ameobi are sensible additions, but it looks like Cardiff remain in the market for a central midfielder.
Some might argue, myself included, that Tom Adeyemi was a perfectly good option in that position, but what’s done is done and Cardiff’s loss is Leeds’ gain.
The reality of the situation is that if they want a central midfielder of a suitable standard, they are probably going to have to spend a bit of money now.
Their chance to fill that particular void with a quality free agent passed when Stephen Quinn opted for Reading.
But there are still options available.
One player that fits the bill is Wigan’s Emyr Huws.
Currently stranded in League One with Wigan, who are in freefall, Huws is probably out of sight, out of mind and out of fashion at present.
But the talented, deep-lying midfielder is certainly destined for a higher stage.
Still only 21, the Llanelli-born prospect could not have had a better footballing education, progressing through the youth systems at Swansea and Manchester City.
Unfortunately, as is the case at the very best clubs, the chances of progression through to the seniors and regular first-team football was remote and Huws ended up doing the rounds on loan.
Having adapted and thrived among the cut and thrust of League Two, during a three-month loan spell at Northampton, he moved up the food chain to Birmingham City. Here, he made a name for himself with a couple of stunning long-range strikes.
The first, in a 3-3 draw with Burnley, saw him control the ball on his chest before burying a volley from 25-yards.
He bettered that with a 35-yard screamer against Middlesbrough.
Last summer, Huws joined Wigan on loan, but the deal was soon made permanent, with a four-year term agreed.
He could not prevent their second relegation in two years and now remains one of their few remaining saleable assets.
It is believed the fee Wigan paid for Huws was around £2m and they will be keen to recoup as much of that as possible.
But the reality is that they are not in a strong bargaining position and his value will not have increased since joining.
Chances are that he will move for just north of £1m, which is ironically about what Cardiff paid and are looking to recoup for Adeyemi. It would be money well spent, for a number of reasons.
Firstly, if Cardiff were to sign Huws, it would capture the imagination of supporters – no mean feat at present.
Not only is he an exciting prospect, he is a young exciting Welsh prospect. Part of the talented generation that has propelled Wales in to the top-10 of the Fifa rankings, Cardiff could certainly do with a sprinkle of the national side’s stardust.
Although Huws has yet to make his breakthrough in the national side, anyone that witnessed his debut in the friendly against Iceland last year will be well aware of his talent and know his time will come, sooner rather than later.
Anchoring the midfield in the absence of Aaron Ramsey and Joe Ledley, Huws looked at ease and starred in a 3-1 win.
Starring at Championship level again would give his international prospects a timely boost with the European Championships on the horizon.
Huws would also be an asset. Barring serious injury, he will improve and his transfer value will at the very least hold and could potentially rocket.
Speaking of which, Huws rolled his ankle in training earlier this year and missed Wigan’s final 17 games last season
He was unavailable when they needed him most and assurances would therefore need to be sought that he has fully recovered.
The only other downside is that he has not played a great deal of first-team football yet.
If you were to total his senior starts to date, they would equate to about a full season’s worth of games. That is considerably less than Joe Ralls, who is the same age and still considered a relative rookie at Cardiff.
But the potential is apparent and sometimes, you have to speculate to accumulate.
It would appear that Russell Slade favours experience and I understand that, but Huws is good enough to lead by example.
He ticks all the boxes, looks a great fit and Cardiff need him as much as he needs them.
22 July 2015
Scott Johnson says the capture of the young, Welsh prospect would enthuse supporters if Russell Slade is looking for new faces
It would appear Cardiff City are set for their quietest transfer window in quite some time, which is just what the doctor ordered.
Ordinarily, the number of players brought in usually approaches double figures, but Cardiff already have a very good squad.
The need to trim is far more pressing than the need to add, while a little stability and continuity wouldn’t go amiss.
Semi Ajayi and Sammy Ameobi are sensible additions, but it looks like Cardiff remain in the market for a central midfielder.
Some might argue, myself included, that Tom Adeyemi was a perfectly good option in that position, but what’s done is done and Cardiff’s loss is Leeds’ gain.
The reality of the situation is that if they want a central midfielder of a suitable standard, they are probably going to have to spend a bit of money now.
Their chance to fill that particular void with a quality free agent passed when Stephen Quinn opted for Reading.
But there are still options available.
One player that fits the bill is Wigan’s Emyr Huws.
Currently stranded in League One with Wigan, who are in freefall, Huws is probably out of sight, out of mind and out of fashion at present.
But the talented, deep-lying midfielder is certainly destined for a higher stage.
Still only 21, the Llanelli-born prospect could not have had a better footballing education, progressing through the youth systems at Swansea and Manchester City.
Unfortunately, as is the case at the very best clubs, the chances of progression through to the seniors and regular first-team football was remote and Huws ended up doing the rounds on loan.
Having adapted and thrived among the cut and thrust of League Two, during a three-month loan spell at Northampton, he moved up the food chain to Birmingham City. Here, he made a name for himself with a couple of stunning long-range strikes.
The first, in a 3-3 draw with Burnley, saw him control the ball on his chest before burying a volley from 25-yards.
He bettered that with a 35-yard screamer against Middlesbrough.
Last summer, Huws joined Wigan on loan, but the deal was soon made permanent, with a four-year term agreed.
He could not prevent their second relegation in two years and now remains one of their few remaining saleable assets.
It is believed the fee Wigan paid for Huws was around £2m and they will be keen to recoup as much of that as possible.
But the reality is that they are not in a strong bargaining position and his value will not have increased since joining.
Chances are that he will move for just north of £1m, which is ironically about what Cardiff paid and are looking to recoup for Adeyemi. It would be money well spent, for a number of reasons.
Firstly, if Cardiff were to sign Huws, it would capture the imagination of supporters – no mean feat at present.
Not only is he an exciting prospect, he is a young exciting Welsh prospect. Part of the talented generation that has propelled Wales in to the top-10 of the Fifa rankings, Cardiff could certainly do with a sprinkle of the national side’s stardust.
Although Huws has yet to make his breakthrough in the national side, anyone that witnessed his debut in the friendly against Iceland last year will be well aware of his talent and know his time will come, sooner rather than later.
Anchoring the midfield in the absence of Aaron Ramsey and Joe Ledley, Huws looked at ease and starred in a 3-1 win.
Starring at Championship level again would give his international prospects a timely boost with the European Championships on the horizon.
Huws would also be an asset. Barring serious injury, he will improve and his transfer value will at the very least hold and could potentially rocket.
Speaking of which, Huws rolled his ankle in training earlier this year and missed Wigan’s final 17 games last season
He was unavailable when they needed him most and assurances would therefore need to be sought that he has fully recovered.
The only other downside is that he has not played a great deal of first-team football yet.
If you were to total his senior starts to date, they would equate to about a full season’s worth of games. That is considerably less than Joe Ralls, who is the same age and still considered a relative rookie at Cardiff.
But the potential is apparent and sometimes, you have to speculate to accumulate.
It would appear that Russell Slade favours experience and I understand that, but Huws is good enough to lead by example.
He ticks all the boxes, looks a great fit and Cardiff need him as much as he needs them.
Re: " EMYR HUWS "
Wed Jul 22, 2015 8:36 pm
Injury record is a concern hes gonna be 22 in September needs to start 30+ games this season were ever he ends up
Re: " EMYR HUWS "
Wed Jul 22, 2015 8:41 pm
We need someone who can go straight into the team and grab a hold of the midfield, drive us forward and provide a goal threat as well.
I know that's a big ask but is this young man honestly the answer?
If he wasn't Welsh would we even be mentioning him
I know that's a big ask but is this young man honestly the answer?
If he wasn't Welsh would we even be mentioning him
Re: " EMYR HUWS "
Wed Jul 22, 2015 10:01 pm
davids wrote:We need someone who can go straight into the team and grab a hold of the midfield, drive us forward and provide a goal threat as well.
I know that's a big ask but is this young man honestly the answer?
If he wasn't Welsh would we even be mentioning him
He is quality no matter what his nationality is.
Re: " EMYR HUWS "
Thu Jul 23, 2015 6:44 am
He's a quality player but... is he experienced enough? can he remain fit? and is he what we need right now.
Surely I'd be happy to see him sign for us but I am not sure he is the midfield general we need. So if there is ONE opportunity to bring someone in in the midfield position I would probably go for someone else.
Surely I'd be happy to see him sign for us but I am not sure he is the midfield general we need. So if there is ONE opportunity to bring someone in in the midfield position I would probably go for someone else.
Re: " EMYR HUWS "
Thu Jul 23, 2015 6:44 am
davids wrote:We need someone who can go straight into the team and grab a hold of the midfield, drive us forward and provide a goal threat as well.
I know that's a big ask but is this young man honestly the answer?
If he wasn't Welsh would we even be mentioning him
Apologies... I just said almost exact same thing.
Not sure he is the answer for us at this stage
Re: " EMYR HUWS "
Thu Jul 23, 2015 7:39 am
AfricanBluebird wrote:davids wrote:We need someone who can go straight into the team and grab a hold of the midfield, drive us forward and provide a goal threat as well.
I know that's a big ask but is this young man honestly the answer?
If he wasn't Welsh would we even be mentioning him
Apologies... I just said almost exact same thing.
Not sure he is the answer for us at this stage
No you don't win anything with youngsters do you ?
Re: " EMYR HUWS "
Thu Jul 23, 2015 10:02 am
Would never object to signing a player of his quality but I wouldn't see him starting regularly if we signed him on top of this box to box warhorse we need. He's certainly not the sort of midfielder we need as a priority.
Re: " EMYR HUWS "
Thu Jul 23, 2015 10:07 am
sounds like we will sign him! as such a random post and not mentioned before? 
Re: " EMYR HUWS "
Thu Jul 23, 2015 10:13 am
He's exactly the player Dave Jones would've snapped up. And he'd have sold him for a profit too!!
Re: " EMYR HUWS "
Thu Jul 23, 2015 10:21 am
langley wrote:AfricanBluebird wrote:davids wrote:We need someone who can go straight into the team and grab a hold of the midfield, drive us forward and provide a goal threat as well.
I know that's a big ask but is this young man honestly the answer?
If he wasn't Welsh would we even be mentioning him
Apologies... I just said almost exact same thing.
Not sure he is the answer for us at this stage
No you don't win anything with youngsters do you ?
I just wonder, with the lack of leadership in the team, that we should probably be getting in a captain and someone proven to dominate the midfield.
Of course huws would be very welcome but we also need someone else to boss the midfield and be a leader.