SLADE: "THERE WAS NOT AN AWFUL LOT OF WORK TO BE DONE"
Fri Aug 07, 2015 8:46 pm
The Cardiff City boss revealed he is pleased with how pre-season preparations have gone and is optimistic ahead of the new season
" There was not an awful lot of work we had to do "
Walesonline
Friday August 7th
Question: How do you assess pre-season and what are your hopes for the new campaign?
Answer: We are really pleased with the way pre-season has gone. There’s been a lot of detail, a lot of preparation work went into it.
We are in a good place. Pre-season is about fitness levels and getting to a certain level. It’s about an acceptable level because you can’t get that elsewhere once you lose those six weeks.
The games have come on top of that too. We think we made progress in the pre-season games and that really what it is about.
The back end of last season we had two defeats in 10 games, now we’ve had a strong pre-season. We are ready to go.
The signs are promising, very encouraging. It’s not just fitness, it’s the structure and the strategy too. You’ve got time to work with the players.
They know what is required of them. The whole attitude, the unity around the place, the general conduct is strong. We’ve got a code of practice in place now, it feels much more like everybody is pulling in the same direction and everyone is buying into what we are trying to do.
There is a belief and a trust in what we are trying to achieve.
We are looking forward to getting off to a good start, but every club is saying that right now.
Optimism is probably at its highest before a ball is kicked. But we are not after perfection, we are after progress.
More: The bold claim made by the Bluebirds' new captain
Q: There’s been little movement in the transfer market. Was that deliberate?
A: Firstly the window is still open for the best part of another month so things can change rapidly. There was not an awful lot of work we had to do.
I still want to make maybe a couple of additions or at least one addition, for sure. Managers are always looking to put that final piece or two together for a campaign and I’m no different.
Given the size of the squad we had to take that into consideration at the same time.
The likes of (Kagisho) Dikgacoi had not played a game for me and (Anthony) Pilkington did not play too many either, we’ve added Sammy (Ameobi), too, and it’s all like a bit of a bonus for us because they are good players and we did not see too much of them last season.
Q: What’s the latest with David Marshall and his potential move to West Brom?
A: I don’t think there is a latest. I don’t think there has been any dialogue in recent days between the two clubs, so I can’t give you any more information. The interest could have cooled.
Originally there was a formal bid, but naturally the numbers have to be right if we are going to lose a quality goalkeeper.
You know my thoughts on him, we all respect him and would like him to stay, but obviously it would be a financial issue and if the money was a right, then the club would have to consider it.
But it has clearly not got to that stage. The chairman is dealing with it and I’m sure if there was any change he would tell me about it.
Q: Is it a case you can’t bring anyone in until David Marshall is sold or other players go out?
A: Of course you have to balance the books, don’t you? At the end of the day it’s about finances.
It does not necessarily mean we can’t do any signings right now. It does not mean that. But obviously, if you were to target someone of a certain value we would have to look at that seriously in terms of the numbers.
If the numbers were too high. If we don’t have that finance available then we would not be in a position to move on that despite finding someone we think might be suitable.
Q: If you want to bring in a big player do you have to sell David Marshall first?
A: That would probably be the case. Yes.
Q: You’ve got Simon Moore in goal for the Fulham game, but if David Marshall left would you bring in a new goalkeeper?
A: Simon was going to start the season anyway, the first three games because Marshall is suspended. We planned that during pre-season, that’s why Simon had the majority of games and Marshall just filled in when he could to keep him ticking over.
There’s nobody works harder than Simon Moore, he’s a model professional and he will take this opportunity with both hands. I’m sure he is looking forward to it. He will want to do well for the club.
Q: The likes of Javi Guerra, Etien Velikonja and Filip Kiss, who are not in your plans; are they any closer to going?
A: Those three are looking to move on. It changes daily, but we are trying to move them out.
They know that of course. Javi was possibly going to Malaga, but that fell through, there was some interest from another Spanish side, but that did not come to fruition either, so we will have to wait and see.
His preference is to go to Spain, and that is who he and his representatives, are speaking to.
Q: What are your thoughts on the captaincy this season?
A: Just to say really that nothing has changed at this moment in time. Sean (Morrison) is captain against Fulham and he’s done that well during pre-season. He’s developed as a player. He’s a leader, a natural leader, so to have him leading the lads out is a real positive.
Q: If David Marshall leaves will Morrison become full-time captain?
A: We will look at that then.
Q: Fulham manager Kit Symons said this game will be a clash of promotion contenders. Do you agree?
A: We want to move on and improve again on what we did last season. We want a continuation of the form of the last 10 games. That was top-six form and we want to improve on that. That’s what we are doing.
We are taking it step by step and we think we are making little steps and progress. Look, we start a long journey against Fulham. It’s just the first step.
We are looking forward to it and we want to get off to a good start as I’m sure Kit does as every manager up and down the country does.
We can only do what we have done. Our preparations have gone well, we are happy with it.
The 11 have played together a bit now so there will not be too many changes for the Fulham game. That is for sure.
Q: What is the latest with Ben Turner and Bruno Manga’s injuries?
A: It’s slightly disappointing they are out. You want everyone over the line at the start of the season to give you a bit of a headache.
That’s not quite happened. But Bruno (knee) is maybe just a matter of weeks. He’s been to see a specialist in Paris.
He should start running before long. Ben Turner loses the boot in the next week, he will start more active rehabilitation.
We hope to have him back in seven to eight weeks.
" There was not an awful lot of work we had to do "
Walesonline
Friday August 7th
Question: How do you assess pre-season and what are your hopes for the new campaign?
Answer: We are really pleased with the way pre-season has gone. There’s been a lot of detail, a lot of preparation work went into it.
We are in a good place. Pre-season is about fitness levels and getting to a certain level. It’s about an acceptable level because you can’t get that elsewhere once you lose those six weeks.
The games have come on top of that too. We think we made progress in the pre-season games and that really what it is about.
The back end of last season we had two defeats in 10 games, now we’ve had a strong pre-season. We are ready to go.
The signs are promising, very encouraging. It’s not just fitness, it’s the structure and the strategy too. You’ve got time to work with the players.
They know what is required of them. The whole attitude, the unity around the place, the general conduct is strong. We’ve got a code of practice in place now, it feels much more like everybody is pulling in the same direction and everyone is buying into what we are trying to do.
There is a belief and a trust in what we are trying to achieve.
We are looking forward to getting off to a good start, but every club is saying that right now.
Optimism is probably at its highest before a ball is kicked. But we are not after perfection, we are after progress.
More: The bold claim made by the Bluebirds' new captain
Q: There’s been little movement in the transfer market. Was that deliberate?
A: Firstly the window is still open for the best part of another month so things can change rapidly. There was not an awful lot of work we had to do.
I still want to make maybe a couple of additions or at least one addition, for sure. Managers are always looking to put that final piece or two together for a campaign and I’m no different.
Given the size of the squad we had to take that into consideration at the same time.
The likes of (Kagisho) Dikgacoi had not played a game for me and (Anthony) Pilkington did not play too many either, we’ve added Sammy (Ameobi), too, and it’s all like a bit of a bonus for us because they are good players and we did not see too much of them last season.
Q: What’s the latest with David Marshall and his potential move to West Brom?
A: I don’t think there is a latest. I don’t think there has been any dialogue in recent days between the two clubs, so I can’t give you any more information. The interest could have cooled.
Originally there was a formal bid, but naturally the numbers have to be right if we are going to lose a quality goalkeeper.
You know my thoughts on him, we all respect him and would like him to stay, but obviously it would be a financial issue and if the money was a right, then the club would have to consider it.
But it has clearly not got to that stage. The chairman is dealing with it and I’m sure if there was any change he would tell me about it.
Q: Is it a case you can’t bring anyone in until David Marshall is sold or other players go out?
A: Of course you have to balance the books, don’t you? At the end of the day it’s about finances.
It does not necessarily mean we can’t do any signings right now. It does not mean that. But obviously, if you were to target someone of a certain value we would have to look at that seriously in terms of the numbers.
If the numbers were too high. If we don’t have that finance available then we would not be in a position to move on that despite finding someone we think might be suitable.
Q: If you want to bring in a big player do you have to sell David Marshall first?
A: That would probably be the case. Yes.
Q: You’ve got Simon Moore in goal for the Fulham game, but if David Marshall left would you bring in a new goalkeeper?
A: Simon was going to start the season anyway, the first three games because Marshall is suspended. We planned that during pre-season, that’s why Simon had the majority of games and Marshall just filled in when he could to keep him ticking over.
There’s nobody works harder than Simon Moore, he’s a model professional and he will take this opportunity with both hands. I’m sure he is looking forward to it. He will want to do well for the club.
Q: The likes of Javi Guerra, Etien Velikonja and Filip Kiss, who are not in your plans; are they any closer to going?
A: Those three are looking to move on. It changes daily, but we are trying to move them out.
They know that of course. Javi was possibly going to Malaga, but that fell through, there was some interest from another Spanish side, but that did not come to fruition either, so we will have to wait and see.
His preference is to go to Spain, and that is who he and his representatives, are speaking to.
Q: What are your thoughts on the captaincy this season?
A: Just to say really that nothing has changed at this moment in time. Sean (Morrison) is captain against Fulham and he’s done that well during pre-season. He’s developed as a player. He’s a leader, a natural leader, so to have him leading the lads out is a real positive.
Q: If David Marshall leaves will Morrison become full-time captain?
A: We will look at that then.
Q: Fulham manager Kit Symons said this game will be a clash of promotion contenders. Do you agree?
A: We want to move on and improve again on what we did last season. We want a continuation of the form of the last 10 games. That was top-six form and we want to improve on that. That’s what we are doing.
We are taking it step by step and we think we are making little steps and progress. Look, we start a long journey against Fulham. It’s just the first step.
We are looking forward to it and we want to get off to a good start as I’m sure Kit does as every manager up and down the country does.
We can only do what we have done. Our preparations have gone well, we are happy with it.
The 11 have played together a bit now so there will not be too many changes for the Fulham game. That is for sure.
Q: What is the latest with Ben Turner and Bruno Manga’s injuries?
A: It’s slightly disappointing they are out. You want everyone over the line at the start of the season to give you a bit of a headache.
That’s not quite happened. But Bruno (knee) is maybe just a matter of weeks. He’s been to see a specialist in Paris.
He should start running before long. Ben Turner loses the boot in the next week, he will start more active rehabilitation.
We hope to have him back in seven to eight weeks.
Re: ' RUSSELL SLADE Q+A '
Sat Aug 08, 2015 4:25 am
I'm not comfortable about the Manga Turner situation.
Just got a feeling we will be playing catch up due to missing them.
Just got a feeling we will be playing catch up due to missing them.
Re: SLADE: "THERE WAS NOT AN AWFUL LOT OF WORK TO BE DONE"
Sat Aug 08, 2015 7:17 am
I thought this bit was interesting
Slade: Firstly the window is still open for the best part of another month so things can change rapidly. There was not an awful lot of work we had to do.
Slade: Firstly the window is still open for the best part of another month so things can change rapidly. There was not an awful lot of work we had to do.
Re: SLADE: "THERE WAS NOT AN AWFUL LOT OF WORK TO BE DONE"
Sat Aug 08, 2015 7:36 am
I think Slade is pushing the "close-knit squad" thing, Annis and will have his basic team and formation already sorted for the season; hence the departure of certain individuals who appear to have less chance of a game at the CCS than you or me! 
Like you, I believe we have a strong squad of players and the First XI that was suggested yesterday is far from shabby. All it needs now is the manager and coaching staff to gel them into a unit and play to their potential
Despite remaining reservations about Slade as manager, I am prepared to give him the chance to prove me wrong and I will be behind he team 100% when they run out on to the pitch later this morning!
Like you, I believe we have a strong squad of players and the First XI that was suggested yesterday is far from shabby. All it needs now is the manager and coaching staff to gel them into a unit and play to their potential
Despite remaining reservations about Slade as manager, I am prepared to give him the chance to prove me wrong and I will be behind he team 100% when they run out on to the pitch later this morning!
Re: SLADE: "THERE WAS NOT AN AWFUL LOT OF WORK TO BE DONE"
Sat Aug 08, 2015 7:37 am
Sven wrote:I think slide is pushing the "close-knit squad" thing, Annis and will have his basic team and formation already sorted for the season; hence the departure of certain individuals who appear to have less chance of a game at the CCS than you or me!
Like you, I believe we have a strong squad of players and the First XI that was suggested yesterday is far from shabby. All it needs now is the manager and coaching staff to gel them into a unit and play to their potential
Despite remaining reservations about Slade as manager, I am prepared to give him the chance to prove me wrong and I will be behind he team 100% when they run out on to the pitch later this morning!
Spot on Chris
Re: SLADE: "THERE WAS NOT AN AWFUL LOT OF WORK TO BE DONE"
Sat Aug 08, 2015 8:33 am
That statement could come back and bite Slade on the bum!
Re: SLADE: "THERE WAS NOT AN AWFUL LOT OF WORK TO BE DONE"
Sat Aug 08, 2015 1:49 pm
arri potta wrote:That statement could come back and bite Slade on the bum!
I think we can already see there is an awful lot of work still needed.
Re: SLADE: "THERE WAS NOT AN AWFUL LOT OF WORK TO BE DONE"
Sat Aug 08, 2015 2:10 pm
Sven wrote:I think Slade is pushing the "close-knit squad" thing, Annis and will have his basic team and formation already sorted for the season; hence the departure of certain individuals who appear to have less chance of a game at the CCS than you or me!
Like you, I believe we have a strong squad of players and the First XI that was suggested yesterday is far from shabby. All it needs now is the manager and coaching staff to gel them into a unit and play to their potential
Despite remaining reservations about Slade as manager, I am prepared to give him the chance to prove me wrong and I will be behind he team 100% when they run out on to the pitch later this morning!
