' Cardiff City Say they will hold firm over winger '

Cardiff City to Hold Firm Over Blackburn Rovers Interest in Winger

Tuesday 5 Jan 2016

Vital football


​Cardiff City are preparing to dig their heels in over Blackburn Rovers' interest in star winger Anthony Pilkington, and keep him in Wales.

Blackburn are looking to boost their chances of a play-off spot and have identified Wigan Athletic striker Grant Holt and Bluebirds winger Pilkington as their top two targets for the January transfer window.

However, while a reunion for Rovers boss Paul Lambert and Holt could well be on the cards, a switch for Pilkington will not be anywhere near as likely with Cardiff bracing themselves for any bids.

The Welsh side are determined to keep the 27-year-old Republic of Ireland international according to ​Wales Online, especially with the wings being a problematic situation for Cardiff with manager Russell Slade openly seeking to add more depth in that area.


What could swing in Blackburn's favour is that Pilkington was born there and spent a year at Ewood Park in his youth development, so a possible return to his home-town could tug on his heart strings - but that would be the only real reason aside from finance as Cardiff are currently much more likely to finish top six at present than Blackburn.

Even the financial barrier may prove to be an issue as Cardiff will demand a much higher fee than the £1m they paid to prise Pilkington away from Norwich City, with Pilkington becoming an established part of the team.

He has made 42 appearances for the Bluebirds since arriving in 2014, scoring four goals, but with his contract still valid until the end of the 2016/17 season, Cardiff have no intention of simply recouping what they spend on the former Manchester United youth academy pupil.

Keep.

1 million will not do much to improve our team and what winger could we get for 1m that is as good as Pilks?

Hasn't played really bad this season and has scored a few decent goals as a winger. Regularly in the team so knows how Slade wants him to play.

Unless an outrageous offer comes in (which I doubt) then no reason to sell.

I'd sell him for a million.

But only if Noone stays.

We would then have a million in the bank, quite high wages (I'm guessing!)saved and still have Noone, Ameobi, Kennedy, Kadeem and (at a push I grant you) Whitts who can play out wide.

If need be we could look to a cheaper loan option too.

If Noone goes then I think we probably need to keep Pilkington.

I'd sell him for a million.

But only if Noone stays.

We would then have a million in the bank, quite high wages (I'm guessing!)saved and still have Noone, Ameobi, Kennedy, Kadeem and (at a push I grant you) Whitts who can play out wide.

If need be we could look to a cheaper loan option too.

If Noone goes then I think we probably need to keep Pilkington.

I agree David as even though Pilkington is good,he is very injury prone.

Noone on his day, is high Championship quality.

If the wings are a problematic position for Cardiff why hasn't Slade tried Kennedy or Harris?

I'd sell him for a million.

But only if Noone stays.

We would then have a million in the bank, quite high wages (I'm guessing!)saved and still have Noone, Ameobi, Kennedy, Kadeem and (at a push I grant you) Whitts who can play out wide.

If need be we could look to a cheaper loan option too.

If Noone goes then I think we probably need to keep Pilkington.

I agree David as even though Pilkington is good,he is very injury prone.

Noone on his day, is high Championship quality.

Annis I completely disagree.

Pilkington is a much better player than Noone, and has been injury-free for most of this season.

I'd rather sell Noone than Pilkington.

I would sell for 1 mill and get a pact winger in.

Every player in the world is available at the right price? I,d take 2million for Pilkington?

Where are you going to get a winger as good for 1M? Your not. So why sell him in the first place let alone a team in your division.
Makes zero sense.

Where are you going to get a winger as good for 1M? Your not. So why sell him in the first place let alone a team in your division.
Makes zero sense.

We got him for a million quid 18 months or 33 games ago. In 18 months he'll be worth nothing. Over 18 month we could have played 68 games, he hasn't.

Elliott Bennett: Blackburn Rovers sign winger from Norwich City
Championship side Blackburn Rovers have signed winger Elliott Bennett from Norwich on a two-and-a-half-year deal.
It will be the third time Bennett will have played under Rovers boss Paul Lambert, following spells at Brighton and with the Canaries.
The 27-year-old has moved for an undisclosed fee.
Bennett made 79 appearances for Norwich, scoring three goals. He had a spell on loan at Bristol City earlier this season.