' One luxury Cardiff do not have '

The race to the Premier League

By Gareth Rogers

One luxury Cardiff do not have is time. With the introduction of a bumper new TV deal in the summer, the time is now for Championship clubs aiming to catch the Premier League gravy train, before the gulf between the two divisions gets any bigger. The parachute payments they currently receive are also dwindling with every passing year.

Another luxury they do not have is money. A combination of huge debts and Financial Fair Play ensures that Cardiff cannot buy their way out of the second tier.

The success of the Welsh national side could not have come at a worse time for Cardiff because they simply cannot compete.

It may have created a greater appetite for football in the area, but despite recent improvements, Cardiff at their very best is unfortunately a pale imitation.

People talk like its now or never ffs get a grip our time will come again weather its this season or next.

People talk like its now or never ffs get a grip our time will come again weather its this season or next.

Logic tells me its going to get much harder as money pours into the Premier League from next season

People talk like its now or never ffs get a grip our time will come again weather its this season or next.

Logic tells me its going to get much harder as money pours into the Premier League from next season

I'm not worried.

Fact of the matter is, it is going to take time - and a lot of it.

I think that it is unrealistic to expect us to go up this season, and even if we did - due to many off the field problems - I believe we would end up going straight back down.

Whilst it is true that success on the field can improve the fortunes of a football club, we just have to remember our disastrous premier league season to remind us that is does not solve every problem.

What the club need to focus on in my opinion is:

1. Improving trust between Club and Fans - which I believe can be done by being transparent about more of the clubs internal procedures, listening to fans regarding the stadium arrangements - singing section, switching canton end to family stand, improves steward relations and arranging a more reasonable pricing structure - especially for season ticket holders with young families.

2. Managing the debt - fairly self explanatory and for those of you who may say 'easier said than done' it basically a glorified monthly shopping budget which is analyzed by qualified accountants - its difficult, but it can be done and if it is done with transparency it also allows the fans to understand what cuts are being made and the impact it will have on the pitch.

What the fans need to focus on in my opinion is:

In a nutshell, being patient. We have been through a lot over the last few years and it is obvious from attendance numbers that many fans have reached the end of their tether. But we wont get anywhere by bemoaning the past or finding scapegoats to blame. It is a collective issue we face and must be tackled as one.

I truly believe that if both club and fans come to the above conclusions simultaneously - we can move forward turn this club around. The race for the premier league - in my opinion - is the last thing we need to be focusing on now.

I read earlier that nrxt years play-off final is worth £178m under the new structure and that's if the team came straight back down including relevant parachute payments.

I read earlier that nrxt years play-off final is worth £178m under the new structure and that's if the team came straight back down including relevant parachute payments.

Yes about right as new deal worth minimum of £120m just for being there!

People talk like its now or never ffs get a grip our time will come again weather its this season or next.

OK for you. I spent well over 40 years waiting to see us at the top level, I don't have another 40 years left.

People talk like its now or never ffs get a grip our time will come again weather its this season or next.

Logic tells me its going to get much harder as money pours into the Premier League from next season

Not really money as gone up expiditially every time new contract comes, but so do overheads! wages , fees, ect ect, you will still find someone who gets relegated from premier do not go straight back up like previous years. So leaving space for 1or 2 to make it from champ.

People talk like its now or never ffs get a grip our time will come again weather its this season or next.

OK for you. I spent well over 40 years waiting to see us at the top level, I don't have another 40 years left.

Does it have to be 40 years?

People talk like its now or never ffs get a grip our time will come again weather its this season or next.

OK for you. I spent well over 40 years waiting to see us at the top level, I don't have another 40 years left.

Does it have to be 40 years?

Don't tell me, Saadi to the rescue.

People talk like its now or never ffs get a grip our time will come again weather its this season or next.

OK for you. I spent well over 40 years waiting to see us at the top level, I don't have another 40 years left.

Does it have to be 40 years?

Don't tell me, Saadi to the rescue.

You bet.

Last time I looked, it's was three up, 3 down so when teams come up is immaterial, I don't see the money as a big thing as the only winners are the players and their agents, clubs will spend more money on the same talent pool and if clubs don't join in, they will get left behind, I'm confident that Huw Jenkins will continue to add value for money to our squad, finding talent whilst they are hungry for it is the trick.

Last time I looked, it's was three up, 3 down so when teams come up is immaterial, I don't see the money as a big thing as the only winners are the players and their agents, clubs will spend more money on the same talent pool and if clubs don't join in, they will get left behind, I'm confident that Huw Jenkins will continue to add value for money to our squad, finding talent whilst they are hungry for it is the trick.

I was thinking the same thing. I used to pay 12p for a pint of beer. Closer to £3 now but it's all relative. All that the extra money means is that the cost to buy top players will go up, their wages will become more obscene than they already are, and agents will stuff their pockets with even more cash. The fans will still pay sky high prices to watch Premier League football.

Some great posts here!

The points about the growing chasm between Champ and PL has always worried me, but as some have said, 3 go up, 3 come down and as money goes up, PL. clubs spend more on players.

I have mixed feeling about this year. Would it be better long-term to consolidate and build a core or just go for it and buy big players afterwards?? I'm not too sure. It's a tricky one.

There may not be time, but time will tell.

People talk like its now or never ffs get a grip our time will come again weather its this season or next.

What has the weather got to do with it?

The club is nowhere near prepared for a promotion push whether it rains or not.

People talk like its now or never ffs get a grip our time will come again weather its this season or next.

What has the weather got to do with it?

The club is nowhere near prepared for a promotion push whether it rains or not.

really beyond me how some of the fans think its possible under slade the footballs shocking i aint seen one bit of attacking quality from cardiff since He's been in charge all our goals come from set pieces

People said the same the year Cardiff went up, look at Bournemouth it's not always about money.

I don't think you need to worry about going up this season, just think Monday night, that team in the PL would be pointless, literally, take a few years, build a philosophy and stick to it, the drawbridge isn't being pulled up, so what if it takes 5 years, no good getting there unless you can make a fist of it.
Tough one for us but we always have a chance and with them being a footballing side I'd like to think we can turn them over, again, wish us luck

People talk like its now or never ffs get a grip our time will come again weather its this season or next.

Logic tells me its going to get much harder as money pours into the Premier League from next season

I'm not worried.

You don't have to be as it's not your money

People talk like its now or never ffs get a grip our time will come again weather its this season or next.

Logic tells me its going to get much harder as money pours into the Premier League from next season

I'm not worried.

You don't have to be as it's not your money

Well that's a relief.

People talk like its now or never ffs get a grip our time will come again weather its this season or next.

What has the weather got to do with it?

The club is nowhere near prepared for a promotion push whether it rains or not.