" UPDATE ON KAGISHO DIKGACOI "
Thu Jul 30, 2015 5:10 pm
" Kagisho Dikgacoi told he could be bedrock of a Cardiff City promotion push "
BY TERRY PHILLIPS
Dikgacoi, 30, caught the eye in a 2-1 win over Watford having been the missing man throughout last term as he struggled with injuries
Thursday 30th July 2015
Kagisho Dikgacoi has been told he can be the man to make all the difference to Cardiff City’s misfiring midfield this season.
But Russell Slade knows he will have to assess whether the South African will be sharp enough to start the new campaign as the countdown to the Championship kick-off continues tonight with a second Premier League test inside 72 hours.
Bluebirds boss Slade has accepted the former Palace star – who missed the vast majority of his first season in South Wales – still has work to do as he looks to prove his fitness for the season opener against Fulham next weekend.
And he’s set for a further chance to gain valuable game time as Cardiff head to take on Premier League newcomers Bournemouth on the back of a impressive pre-season success over fellow top-flight new boys Watford.
Dikgacoi, 30, caught the eye in the 2-1 win having been the missing man throughout last term as he struggled with injuries, but now he’s been backed to provide a missing link to a midfield that came in for heavy criticism – with one team-mate claiming he can bring the same credentials of promotion-winners of the past.
“He’ll be a key player for us and it’s great to see him fit,” said Matt Connolly, who has been part of four different sides to have made it out of the second-tier. “He mops up everything in front of the back four, it’s great to see him back there – every team needs a player of that type if they are to challenge for promotion.
“Shaun Derry did that job for QPR when they went up when I was there and Ben Watson did the same role for Watford last season. He had a bad injury last season, but he’s worked really hard and it’s good to see him back.”
Dikgacoi, a high-profile arrival from Palace at the start of last season, managed just 74 minutes of Championship football last term as a lack of conditioning and knee and muscle injuries wrecked his hopes of making an impression.
But, in a bid to rescue his Cardiff City Stadium career, the 54-cap international has been handed a personal training programme which saw him sent to a personal boot-camp ahead of pre-season as well as undertaking boxing sessions with Nathan Cleverly trainer Darren Wilson.
Slade has said his potential return is a boost to his squad after admitting his work is sending the midfielder in the right direction for the kick-off against Kit Symons’ Fulham and will hope he takes another step forward against the Cherries.
Slade will also want to run the rule over striker Kenwyne Jones who has linked back up with the Bluebirds following lengthy international duty with Trinidad & Tobago over the summer with the striker set to be involved with the squad on the south coast.
Slade reiterated he sees the 30-year-old as a “big part” of his plans for the new campaign but Jones has again been linked with an exit with Sheffield Wednesday the latest to be touted as ready to move for the frontman.
Wednesday, under new Thai owners, are reported to be prepared to cover Jones’ wages on a season-long loan deal in a similar agreement that took the forward to tomorrow night’s opponents for the second-half of last season.
BY TERRY PHILLIPS
Dikgacoi, 30, caught the eye in a 2-1 win over Watford having been the missing man throughout last term as he struggled with injuries
Thursday 30th July 2015
Kagisho Dikgacoi has been told he can be the man to make all the difference to Cardiff City’s misfiring midfield this season.
But Russell Slade knows he will have to assess whether the South African will be sharp enough to start the new campaign as the countdown to the Championship kick-off continues tonight with a second Premier League test inside 72 hours.
Bluebirds boss Slade has accepted the former Palace star – who missed the vast majority of his first season in South Wales – still has work to do as he looks to prove his fitness for the season opener against Fulham next weekend.
And he’s set for a further chance to gain valuable game time as Cardiff head to take on Premier League newcomers Bournemouth on the back of a impressive pre-season success over fellow top-flight new boys Watford.
Dikgacoi, 30, caught the eye in the 2-1 win having been the missing man throughout last term as he struggled with injuries, but now he’s been backed to provide a missing link to a midfield that came in for heavy criticism – with one team-mate claiming he can bring the same credentials of promotion-winners of the past.
“He’ll be a key player for us and it’s great to see him fit,” said Matt Connolly, who has been part of four different sides to have made it out of the second-tier. “He mops up everything in front of the back four, it’s great to see him back there – every team needs a player of that type if they are to challenge for promotion.
“Shaun Derry did that job for QPR when they went up when I was there and Ben Watson did the same role for Watford last season. He had a bad injury last season, but he’s worked really hard and it’s good to see him back.”
Dikgacoi, a high-profile arrival from Palace at the start of last season, managed just 74 minutes of Championship football last term as a lack of conditioning and knee and muscle injuries wrecked his hopes of making an impression.
But, in a bid to rescue his Cardiff City Stadium career, the 54-cap international has been handed a personal training programme which saw him sent to a personal boot-camp ahead of pre-season as well as undertaking boxing sessions with Nathan Cleverly trainer Darren Wilson.
Slade has said his potential return is a boost to his squad after admitting his work is sending the midfielder in the right direction for the kick-off against Kit Symons’ Fulham and will hope he takes another step forward against the Cherries.
Slade will also want to run the rule over striker Kenwyne Jones who has linked back up with the Bluebirds following lengthy international duty with Trinidad & Tobago over the summer with the striker set to be involved with the squad on the south coast.
Slade reiterated he sees the 30-year-old as a “big part” of his plans for the new campaign but Jones has again been linked with an exit with Sheffield Wednesday the latest to be touted as ready to move for the frontman.
Wednesday, under new Thai owners, are reported to be prepared to cover Jones’ wages on a season-long loan deal in a similar agreement that took the forward to tomorrow night’s opponents for the second-half of last season.
Re: " UPDATE ON KAGISHO DIKGACOI "
Thu Jul 30, 2015 5:16 pm
He will be like a new signing. 
Re: " UPDATE ON KAGISHO DIKGACOI "
Thu Jul 30, 2015 6:18 pm
Rydogsccfc wrote:He will be like a new signing.
Effectively, he IS a new signing!
Re: " UPDATE ON KAGISHO DIKGACOI "
Thu Jul 30, 2015 6:22 pm
Sven wrote:Rydogsccfc wrote:He will be like a new signing.
Effectively, he IS a new signing!
Re: " UPDATE ON KAGISHO DIKGACOI "
Thu Jul 30, 2015 6:26 pm
The main reason he caught my eye was because I couldn't believe how out of shape he was!
No way is he capable of playing for 90 minutes at the moment and when you consider he was meant to be in contention at the end of last season
it makes you wonder what exactly he's been doing for the last three months, including his solitary boot camp.
How long does it take a well paid professional sportsman to get into a condition where he can play for the entire duration of a game?
No way is he capable of playing for 90 minutes at the moment and when you consider he was meant to be in contention at the end of last season
it makes you wonder what exactly he's been doing for the last three months, including his solitary boot camp.How long does it take a well paid professional sportsman to get into a condition where he can play for the entire duration of a game?
Re: " UPDATE ON KAGISHO DIKGACOI "
Thu Jul 30, 2015 6:32 pm
davids wrote:The main reason he caught my eye was because I couldn't believe how out of shape he was!
No way is he capable of playing for 90 minutes at the moment and when you consider he was meant to be in contention at the end of last season
How long does it take a well paid professional sportsman to get into a condition where he can play for the entire duration of a game?
Given the size of him its not difficult to catch the eye
Re: " UPDATE ON KAGISHO DIKGACOI "
Fri Jul 31, 2015 3:06 pm
When he played on Tuesday he still looked about 3 stone overweight so won't b getting hopes up yet. But definatly has the potential to b a great player but need to be much fitter and there was quiet a few wayward passes as well so I would be jumping the gun just yet.