' The 13 Cardiff City players signed by Russell Slade '

The 13 Cardiff City players signed by Russell Slade... and how most of them can't make his starting XI

6 OCT 2015


BY STEVE TUCKER

Over the last 12 months, players have arrived, whether on permanent deals or on loan, and it is time to take stock of the way Slade has gone about his business

Many of Slade's signings can't make the Cardiff City teamMany of Slade's signings can't make the Cardiff City team

There are many aspects to the role of being a football manager. Tactics, man-management, the ability to inspire, but right at the head of the list must be having the skills and knowledge to prosper in the transfer market.

It is a year now since Russell Slade took over at Cardiff City following the bizarre and ultimately tragi-comic reign of his predecessor, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.



Scott Malone (from Millwall in January, £100,000)
Scott Malone competes for the ball against HuddersfieldScott Malone competes for the ball against Huddersfield
Appearances - Championship: 17+3, FA Cup: 1, Capital One Cup: 0.
Total goals: 1

The full-back’s arrival at the club sort of indicated the big spending days were over. A defender from Millwall hardly set the pulses racing, but Malone settled in quickly even if it was not to last. Has found himself well and truly supplanted by the resurgence of Fabio and only gets a look in if the Brazilian is called upon to play at right-back.




Alex Revell (from Rotherham in January, undisclosed)
Alex Revell pictured in action for Cardiff City against FulhamAlex Revell pictured in action for Cardiff City against Fulham
Appearances - Championship: 11+9. FA Cup: 1, Capital One Cup: 2+1.
Total goals: 3

A mystifying signing from Slade in so many ways. How was a 32-year-old striker used to operating with a side struggling to avoid relegation in the Championship supposed to prosper at a club hoping to be pushing at the top end? The answer was he wouldn’t. Despite Slade consistently trying to give Revell a chance, including a madcap attempt to start this season with him leading the line, the frontman has never impressed and you can’t see that situation changing any time soon.




Lee Peltier (from Huddersfield in January, nominal fee)
Lee Peltier gets in a challenge for Cardiff City against HullLee Peltier gets in a challenge for Cardiff City against Hull
Appearances - Championship: 23+1, FA Cup: 0, Capital One Cup: 1.
Total goals: 0

Arguably the most successful of Slade’s signings, the full-back is certainly the one most consistently used. Recently he was the only one of the current manager’s signings to regularly make the starting XI. A right-back of limited scope, but limitless honesty, when you look up ‘Championship full-back’ in the dictionary there is a picture of Peltier there.



Stuart O’Keefe (from Crystal Palace in January, undisclosed)
Stuart O'Keefe on a rare Cardiff City start against MK DonsStuart O'Keefe on a rare Cardiff City start against MK Dons
Appearances: Championship: 4+2, FA Cup: 0, Capital One Cup: 2.
Total goals: 0

He came with a reasonable pedigree from Palace, but his Cardiff career to date has been one of modest ambition and near silence. Indeed, sightings of Bigfoot are more common than those of O’Keefe actually on the pitch for Cardiff City. His problem is that the enforcer midfield role he specialises in has been grabbed by Kagisho Dikgacoi and the South African shows no signs of relinquishing his place in the first team after a really impressive start to the current season.




Matthew Kennedy (from Everton in January, undisclosed)
Matthew Kennedy made a big impression for Cardiff last season, but has missed out on first-team selection this time around
Appearances; Championship: 9+5, Fa Cup 0, Capital One Cup 0.
Total goals: 0

The wideman’s time at Cardiff since arriving from Everton has followed a bizarre trajectory. At the back end of last season he was virtually a first-team regular and impressing at that. This season he has not set foot on the pitch and, with a list of players ahead of him, his chances of making the breakthrough seem remote. Although, at 20, he still has time on his side.



Conor McAleny (in on loan from Everton in January)
Conor McAleny pictured against Charlton during his Cardiff City loan spellConor McAleny pictured against Charlton during his Cardiff City loan spell
Appearances: Championship 6+2, Fa Cup: 0, Capital One Cup: 0.
Total goals: 2

Now McAleny looked like real class during his brief sojourn in the Welsh capital. He grabbed himself a couple of goals at the back end of last season, but Everton were never likely to make the move permanent. He signed a new three-year contract at Goodison Park this summer, but is now out on loan again until next month at Championship side Charlton.


Semi Ajeyi (brought in from Arsenal on loan, but signed permanently in summer, free)
Semi Ajeyi has joined AFC Wimbeldon on loan to get first-team experienceSemi Ajeyi has joined AFC Wimbeldon on loan to get first-team experience
No appearances

Slade has also had a tendency to look at players who are still developing and seem to have a future at the club at least at some point down the line. The young centre-half falls into that category. Fans have seen nothing of him in terms of first team action and he has now been sent out on loan to AFC Wimbledon in search of some pitch time.



Eoin Doyle (from Chesterfield in January, undisclosed, thought to be £1m)
Eoin Doyle in action for Cardiff City this season before his departure on loan to PrestonEoin Doyle in action for Cardiff City this season before his departure on loan to Preston
Appearances: Championship: 11+5, FA Cup: 0, Capital One Cup: 0.
Total goals: 5

The 27-year-old striker was setting League One on fire with his goal scoring antics and Slade was tempted by that. The Cardiff manager seems keen to look to lower divisions to find goals, but it seems not to have worked again. Doyle could not find a route to the first team this season, with the already in place Joe Mason, preferred, and he has now been shipped out to Preston on loan.





Jordan Blaise (from Bordeaux in summer)
Jordan Blaise makes his entranceFrenchman Jordan Blaise makes his Cardiff City debut as a substitute during the pre-season fixture at Forest Green Rovers
No appearances

After a trial in pre-season, the teenage defender earned himself a three-year deal. Another of Slade’s long-term projects who will operate within the development squad this term.




Gabriel Tamas (free agent arrived in summer)
Gabriel Tamas has been welcomed to Cardiff City, but hasn't been in the first teamGabriel Tamas has been welcomed to Cardiff City, but hasn't been in the first team
No appearances

The Romanian international is a utility defender who is experienced and can play right along the back-line. Another strange signing who is presumably only at the club in case of a massive injury crisis in defence. Is yet to get close to first-team action.




Idriss Saadi (in from Clermont this summer, undisclosed)

No appearances

One of Slade’s most enigmatic captures although Patrick Turcq, sporting manager at KVK Kortrijk in Belgium, one of Vincent Tan’s other clubs, claims he did the deal. Saadi has had a dreadful knee injury, but is now fit and edging towards match fitness. The striker could just be the man Cardiff are looking for up-front or he could be a complete dud. Obviously.





Marco Weymans (a free agent, arrived this summer)

No appearances

The young Belgian, who can play at left-back or on the wing, was at PSV Eindhoven previously, so must have class. He is another for the future though as he slots into the Bluebirds development squad.





Sammy Ameobi (in on loan from Newcastle)
Russell Slade has wanted Sammy Ameobi to make an impact off the benchRussell Slade has wanted Sammy Ameobi to make an impact off the bench
Appearances: Championship: 1+8, FA Cup: 0, Capital One Cup: 2.
Total goals: 1

The exciting young talent from Newcastle was the big arrival of a quiet summer really. Many expected him to dominate the Cardiff first team, but that has not really happened so far with Slade seeing him more as an impact player. This has proved correct on a few occasions, his only goal in the win over Wolves proving a classic example, but whether Ameobi can force himself into the Bluebirds' starting XI remains very much to be seen.

All may be true but there is a pattern of undermining Slade on this board at the moment! It really doesn't matter who he plays as long as results are good! As been pointed out lord malky played very thew if any of his signings? So Slade is doing same thing big deal!!

In fairness to Slade most of those were probably signed by Tan without telling him!

All may be true but there is a pattern of undermining Slade on this board at the moment! It really doesn't matter who he plays as long as results are good! As been pointed out lord malky played very thew if any of his signings? So Slade is doing same thing big deal!!

Agree

All may be true but there is a pattern of undermining Slade on this board at the moment! It really doesn't matter who he plays as long as results are good! As been pointed out lord malky played very thew if any of his signings? So Slade is doing same thing big deal!!

partly true i guess.

The only position where he has signed and we have seen success has been the full backs, where we have been poor for a while.

Ameobi as well, although unfit, has altered games off the bench.

But looking at the permenant signings its slim pickings. The signings of Doyle and Kennedy being the main ones for me. Both had runs in the side and looked promising last season, only for one to be shipped out on loan and the other not able to get on the bench.

he hasnt spend a ton of money, but players like o'keefe, tamas, Revell and ajeyi as well as the two above have been poor.

saadi we will just have to wait and see what he does with him when fit.

Blaise and Weymens werent brought here to go straight into the first team this season

All may be true but there is a pattern of undermining Slade on this board at the moment! It really doesn't matter who he plays as long as results are good! As been pointed out lord malky played very thew if any of his signings? So Slade is doing same thing big deal!!

partly true i guess.

The only position where he has signed and we have seen success has been the full backs, where we have been poor for a while.

Ameobi as well, although unfit, has altered games off the bench.

But looking at the permenant signings its slim pickings. The signings of Doyle and Kennedy being the main ones for me. Both had runs in the side and looked promising last season, only for one to be shipped out on loan and the other not able to get on the bench.

he hasnt spend a ton of money, but players like o'keefe, tamas, Revell and ajeyi as well as the two above have been poor.

saadi we will just have to wait and see what he does with him when fit.

Blaise and Weymens werent brought here to go straight into the first team this season

Its easy for people on outside to say play him and play him? But can only put 11 on Field. So unless Slade brings in 24players and gets rid of all player's he hasn't signed, there is going to be a mismash of different managers signings that play in 1st team

All may be true but there is a pattern of undermining Slade on this board at the moment! It really doesn't matter who he plays as long as results are good! As been pointed out lord malky played very thew if any of his signings? So Slade is doing same thing big deal!!

Allan, the topic has been written by Steve Tucker and like you say, all virtually true,except many wee signed by Tan

I think you will find fans like myself who actually go to the matches are being won over by Slade and as I've said before I am really enjoying my football this season

Those that actually go to the matches will see and hear for themselves,that nobody is against Slade,in fact,he is cheered at the end of the matches

Adds up to how much?

Brayford 2.5 million right back never played under Malky.
Cornelius 9.5 million striker never played under Malky.

Ole signed some good players but probably too many in all honesty.

Best eye for a player we have had has been DJ.

The thing is though Slades signings are worth peanuts so if some are not successful it wont cost the club much.

Yeah they are mostly on the cheap but it seems a bit pointless as hardly any of them makes the team.His team is made up of Malky and Ole signings for the most part.
I don't think he is very good at scouting players at this level. Or is it that he can't get them to come to Cardiff because he's not a big name manager?

The thing is though Slades signings are worth peanuts so if some are not successful it wont cost the club much.

I was going to say the same.

Malone I think his decent and shame Kennedy isn't getting a look in anymore.

The rest a load of average players.

Palts ,Marlone and Sammy are decent players

And Guerra was let go

Adds up to how much?

Brayford 2.5 million right back never played under Malky.
Cornelius 9.5 million striker never played under Malky.

Ole signed some good players but probably too many in all honesty.

Best eye for a player we have had has been DJ.

Probably too many! you rekon?

Let's it forget Malone was playing very well until he suffered from a virus and was replaced by Fabio. I'm sure Malone would have played most of the games but when Fabio came in,there was no way he could be dropped. Now Fabio is out suspended against Preston,it'll be interesting to see how Malone plays and if he stays in the team.

Let's it forget Malone was playing very well until he suffered from a virus and was replaced by Fabio. I'm sure Malone would have played most of the games but when Fabio came in,there was no way he could be dropped. Now Fabio is out suspended against Preston,it'll be interesting to see how Malone plays and if he stays in the team.

you know malone played on saturday right?

Tamas was on the bench the other day so he isnt that far off.

OKeefe was Named by Kenwynne as one of his 5 a side players on the In the City programme the other day, so obviously viewed as a talent by some of his fellow players

Malone played ahead of Peltier on saturday

Revell is on the bench every game.

As much as this article may see most of slades signings as failiures, If they are the ones pushing for a place in the starting 11, it is them that are keeping the starting players on their toes and in form.

Tucker sureley realises its a squad game doesnt he? or would that sell enough papers?

Yes I know he played Saturday as he was the player that crossed the ball for Mason to score. The point I was trying to make was,that Tucker implies that Fabio has been the first choice all season which was not the case. I apologise for not making that point clear.

Whether you agree with Tucker or not,the facts don't lie,most of Slade's signings has not added to the quality of our squad, which suggests to me his ability or lack of it when it comes to the transfer market is very worrying

Whether you agree with Tucker or not,the facts don't lie,most of Slade's signings has not added to the quality of our squad, which suggests to me his ability or lack of it when it comes to the transfer market is very worrying

Improved the squad just not the team much.

However he is getting more out of the players he has so not all bad.