Cardiff must make a beeline for his signature.
Thu Apr 20, 2017 12:48 pm
Why a Cardiff City move for Barnsley star Marley Watkins makes perfect sense
Cardiff must make a beeline for his signature.
By Dominic Booth
Thursday 20th April 2017
Some transfers are hugely appealing to supporters. Others are more considered moves made in the best interests of the club.
For Cardiff City fans, the prospect of signing Welsh players always tugs at the heart strings.
Be it a potential return for Joe Ledley, a stunning swoop for Wayne Hennessey or a second stint for Welsh starlet Tom Lawrence, Cardiff fans have seen every option suggested in the past few months. They've also seen Jazz Richards and Emyr Huws arrive in South Wales with mixed results.
But for Neil Warnock there is no place for sentiment. He only wants value in the transfer market. He wants players good enough to improve his squad, who will be available at a cut-price.
Scouting will be meticulous and targets will be assessed with a fine tooth comb.
Which brings us perfectly to Barnsley midfielder Marley Watkins. Young, talented, versatile — and with a point to prove — he'll also be available as a free agent in the summer. What a combination. That he's Welsh is just a bonus.
Discussions on Bluebirds forums have been abuzz in the past few weeks with Watkins' name. Dropped by Swansea City as a 17-year-old, he's worked his way back up the leagues with a serious of unglamorous clubs.
Cheltenham Town, Bath City, Hereford United, Inverness Caledonian Thistle... and now Barnsley. Watkins is a player on the rise and, having scored 10 goals from the right wing for the Tykes this season, he's already piqued the interest of Bristol City and Ipswich Town, and will surely move on at the end of the season with his contract running down.
Cardiff must make a beeline for his signature.
Conor Hourihane and Sam Winnall have already left Barnsley this season, as Oakwell continues to prove a brilliant breeding ground — with a glass ceiling — for many players with bigger ambitions.
Ambition certainly isn't a problem for Warnock and Cardiff. Promotion isn't a naughty word around Cardiff City Stadium these days and Watkins surely sees his future at Premier League or maybe even international level with Wales.
Judging on this season's performances, the 26-year-old could be capable.
And while the Bluebirds should perhaps heed caution when signing Welsh players, after mixed results last summer with Paul Trollope's 'Welsh model' under which Richards and Huws were acquired, Watkins is a hungry Welsh footballer uninhibited by previous ties.
Sure he spent seven years with Swansea as a boy, but his dual nationality and history in the West Country means he wouldn't arrive at Cardiff with the emotional baggage that would be inevitable if, say, Ledley were to return.
On the pitch, Watkins is a busy, aggressive footballer with an eye for goal.
Warnock has made no secret about his desire for more goals from midfield and out wide. Kadeem Harris and Junior Hoilett have only scored six between them this season, with Craig Noone adding two.
Talk is already rife that Matty Kennedy could play a part next season. But Warnock will need prolific options to lift the goal burden off Kenneth Zohore.
Watkins ticks too many boxes for the Bluebirds to overlook him. Not just that he's Welsh.
Cardiff must make a beeline for his signature.
By Dominic Booth
Thursday 20th April 2017
Some transfers are hugely appealing to supporters. Others are more considered moves made in the best interests of the club.
For Cardiff City fans, the prospect of signing Welsh players always tugs at the heart strings.
Be it a potential return for Joe Ledley, a stunning swoop for Wayne Hennessey or a second stint for Welsh starlet Tom Lawrence, Cardiff fans have seen every option suggested in the past few months. They've also seen Jazz Richards and Emyr Huws arrive in South Wales with mixed results.
But for Neil Warnock there is no place for sentiment. He only wants value in the transfer market. He wants players good enough to improve his squad, who will be available at a cut-price.
Scouting will be meticulous and targets will be assessed with a fine tooth comb.
Which brings us perfectly to Barnsley midfielder Marley Watkins. Young, talented, versatile — and with a point to prove — he'll also be available as a free agent in the summer. What a combination. That he's Welsh is just a bonus.
Discussions on Bluebirds forums have been abuzz in the past few weeks with Watkins' name. Dropped by Swansea City as a 17-year-old, he's worked his way back up the leagues with a serious of unglamorous clubs.
Cheltenham Town, Bath City, Hereford United, Inverness Caledonian Thistle... and now Barnsley. Watkins is a player on the rise and, having scored 10 goals from the right wing for the Tykes this season, he's already piqued the interest of Bristol City and Ipswich Town, and will surely move on at the end of the season with his contract running down.
Cardiff must make a beeline for his signature.
Conor Hourihane and Sam Winnall have already left Barnsley this season, as Oakwell continues to prove a brilliant breeding ground — with a glass ceiling — for many players with bigger ambitions.
Ambition certainly isn't a problem for Warnock and Cardiff. Promotion isn't a naughty word around Cardiff City Stadium these days and Watkins surely sees his future at Premier League or maybe even international level with Wales.
Judging on this season's performances, the 26-year-old could be capable.
And while the Bluebirds should perhaps heed caution when signing Welsh players, after mixed results last summer with Paul Trollope's 'Welsh model' under which Richards and Huws were acquired, Watkins is a hungry Welsh footballer uninhibited by previous ties.
Sure he spent seven years with Swansea as a boy, but his dual nationality and history in the West Country means he wouldn't arrive at Cardiff with the emotional baggage that would be inevitable if, say, Ledley were to return.
On the pitch, Watkins is a busy, aggressive footballer with an eye for goal.
Warnock has made no secret about his desire for more goals from midfield and out wide. Kadeem Harris and Junior Hoilett have only scored six between them this season, with Craig Noone adding two.
Talk is already rife that Matty Kennedy could play a part next season. But Warnock will need prolific options to lift the goal burden off Kenneth Zohore.
Watkins ticks too many boxes for the Bluebirds to overlook him. Not just that he's Welsh.
Re: Cardiff must make a beeline for his signature.
Thu Apr 20, 2017 3:10 pm
Annis is there any legs in this and the right back from Hearts?
Is Warnock started identifying players and trying to make contact now?
Is Warnock started identifying players and trying to make contact now?
Re: Cardiff must make a beeline for his signature.
Thu Apr 20, 2017 4:18 pm
Can't remember him specifically from the home game vs. Barnsley but I do remember being impressed with their fast direct midfield players of which I assume he was one?
Re: Cardiff must make a beeline for his signature.
Thu Apr 20, 2017 5:07 pm
Tony Blue Williams wrote:Can't remember him specifically from the home game vs. Barnsley but I do remember being impressed with their fast direct midfield players of which I assume he was one?
I'm sure he either scored or assisted against us at the CCS
Re: Cardiff must make a beeline for his signature.
Thu Apr 20, 2017 6:43 pm
nubbsy wrote:Tony Blue Williams wrote:Can't remember him specifically from the home game vs. Barnsley but I do remember being impressed with their fast direct midfield players of which I assume he was one?
I'm sure he either scored or assisted against us at the CCS
Pretty sure he came on with like 10-15 minutes to go
but a good player none the less though