" So where does this leave Cardiff City? "
Sun Apr 10, 2016 6:49 am
" So where does this leave Cardiff City? "
By Phil Smith
Sunday 10th April 2016
Yesterday reinforced that the core of this team is worth persevering with
There remains a richly promising future if this team can be held together.
They had almost sealed this on the break, when Bruno Manga leapt to meet Peter Whittingham’s corner, desperately unlucky to see it bounce back off the past.
In the end, it may be those few inches that could end their play-off hopes.
Had they taken a two goal lead into the break, it would surely have been unassailable.
It would have sent the travelling fans into raptures, and that would have been no less than they deserved.
They were magnificent all afternoon, roaring their team on, loud and proud.
The Bluebirds’ support seem savvy enough to know that this is a hard-working side who are both talented and committed, their generous reception at the final whistle a nod too that.
But this truly is the cruellest of divisions. Slade’s team have navigated their way through a serious of challenges since the turn of the year, and they looked in rude health as the opening period ended.
That one lapse, the worst and most disappointing for a while, will be infuriating.
They have worked so hard to put themselves in the play-off picture.
After this, those hopes are very much in the balance.
We should be reaching a point now, whether Cardiff sneak into the top six or not, where planning for next season begins.
Yesterday reinforced that the core of this team is worth persevering with.
The Dutchman Lex Immers was serenaded by his adoring fans again, and he rewarded them not just with a goal but a determination to cover every blade of grass in search of a win.
It will be hard to keep him away from the admiring clutches of other teams, as will be the case with the likes of Manga and Marshall.
It will be a shame if the lack of a play-off place means their talents are lost, because they have proven in recent times that they will deliver more moments of joy than the heartbreak felt at the final whistle.
With his own contract situation up in arms, Slade’s late gamble was all the more creditable.
He will look at the energy, class and talent of Moussa Dembele and know he is one or two similar players away from a top Championship outfit.
If he does not get the chance to build it, how he will rue those thirty inexplicable seconds a the start of the second half.
By Phil Smith
Sunday 10th April 2016
Yesterday reinforced that the core of this team is worth persevering with
There remains a richly promising future if this team can be held together.
They had almost sealed this on the break, when Bruno Manga leapt to meet Peter Whittingham’s corner, desperately unlucky to see it bounce back off the past.
In the end, it may be those few inches that could end their play-off hopes.
Had they taken a two goal lead into the break, it would surely have been unassailable.
It would have sent the travelling fans into raptures, and that would have been no less than they deserved.
They were magnificent all afternoon, roaring their team on, loud and proud.
The Bluebirds’ support seem savvy enough to know that this is a hard-working side who are both talented and committed, their generous reception at the final whistle a nod too that.
But this truly is the cruellest of divisions. Slade’s team have navigated their way through a serious of challenges since the turn of the year, and they looked in rude health as the opening period ended.
That one lapse, the worst and most disappointing for a while, will be infuriating.
They have worked so hard to put themselves in the play-off picture.
After this, those hopes are very much in the balance.
We should be reaching a point now, whether Cardiff sneak into the top six or not, where planning for next season begins.
Yesterday reinforced that the core of this team is worth persevering with.
The Dutchman Lex Immers was serenaded by his adoring fans again, and he rewarded them not just with a goal but a determination to cover every blade of grass in search of a win.
It will be hard to keep him away from the admiring clutches of other teams, as will be the case with the likes of Manga and Marshall.
It will be a shame if the lack of a play-off place means their talents are lost, because they have proven in recent times that they will deliver more moments of joy than the heartbreak felt at the final whistle.
With his own contract situation up in arms, Slade’s late gamble was all the more creditable.
He will look at the energy, class and talent of Moussa Dembele and know he is one or two similar players away from a top Championship outfit.
If he does not get the chance to build it, how he will rue those thirty inexplicable seconds a the start of the second half.
Re: " So where does this leave Cardiff City? "
Sun Apr 10, 2016 8:05 am
Not a bad article and I agree the planning for next season should now begin with Slade being offered a new contract whatever the outcome of our play-off hopes.
There are plenty of positives to come out of this season and we have definitely made progress. Lex should be a priority if we can afford it, if not then we look for a similar affordable player. I would however either bring back Fabio or look for another left-back as I am convinced Malone is the weak link in our defence and needs to be addressed.
I would like to see Zohore and Saadi given a chance over the final few games. We NEED goal scorers so let's find out if we already have them
The core of this team is very good and it would be sensible to keep as much of it as possible.
There are plenty of positives to come out of this season and we have definitely made progress. Lex should be a priority if we can afford it, if not then we look for a similar affordable player. I would however either bring back Fabio or look for another left-back as I am convinced Malone is the weak link in our defence and needs to be addressed.
I would like to see Zohore and Saadi given a chance over the final few games. We NEED goal scorers so let's find out if we already have them
The core of this team is very good and it would be sensible to keep as much of it as possible.
Re: " So where does this leave Cardiff City? "
Sun Apr 10, 2016 8:27 am
1st thing we have to do for next season is get the transfer embargo lifted, sell one or two of the highest paid players will do that.
Then we need to bring in a quality striker as that is where we have fallen down this season.
As for giving Slade a new contract I'm 50/50 on that one, at the start of the season he would not change from 442 for anything as soon as we changed we looked a different team, the problem was the change was made to late in the season, if we had done it just before Christmas then a playoff place would have been nailed on.
Biggest problem next season is in 3 words, Villa, Newcastle and Sunderland not counting whoever misses out in the playoffs.
Then we need to bring in a quality striker as that is where we have fallen down this season.
As for giving Slade a new contract I'm 50/50 on that one, at the start of the season he would not change from 442 for anything as soon as we changed we looked a different team, the problem was the change was made to late in the season, if we had done it just before Christmas then a playoff place would have been nailed on.
Biggest problem next season is in 3 words, Villa, Newcastle and Sunderland not counting whoever misses out in the playoffs.