' Mendez-Laing Cardiff City's New Signing '

' Mendez-Laing Cardiff City's New Signing '
By Dominic Booth

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=144783



Mendez-Laing has agreed to move to Cardiff as a Free agent when his current contract expires on June 30.



He'll join the Bluebirds for pre-season on July 1 having impressed for Rochdale last season.

Mendez-Laing has been around a number of clubs in his short career, but he joins the Bluebirds on a Bosman deal with boss Warnock keen to add depth to his squad.


But who is Mendez-Laing and what has made the Bluebirds so keen on bringing him to south Wales?


Who is he?

Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, a 25-year-old English winger.

He started his career in the Wolves youth ranks before brief loan stints with Peterborough and Sheffield United. He then made a permanent move to Peterborough before loan spells at Shrewsbury and Cambridge United.

Mendez-Laing has spent the last two seasons at Rochdale, scoring 20 times in 79 competitive games for the Spotland club.


Why have Cardiff City signed him?

The winger's impressive form over the past season — as well as his availability on a free — have prompted the Bluebirds to take an interest.

Millwall and Southend United were the other parties interested in the 25-year-old, but Mendez-Laing arrives as wide cover with Craig Noone expected to leave Cardiff City Stadium this summer.

Mendez-Laing scored 10 goals in all competitions for Rochdale last season, helping Dale to ninth place and the brink of the League One play-offs.


Where will he fit into Warnock's squad?

That depends on the futures of Junior Hoilett and Kadeem Harris, two Bluebirds wingers whose new contracts have yet to be agreed.

Hoilett is expected to sign a new Bluebirds deal while Warnock is hopeful Harris will stay as well.

Given the fact Noone will depart, Mendez-Laing may find himself a substitute option for Cardiff, offering pace and an 'X-factor' late in games. He's shown an eye for goal in League One, so Warnock will hope the 25-year-old can provide a goal threat from the Bluebirds bench.


What has Warnock said about him?

Warnock is excited about Mendez-Laing, saying he had a "hunch" the former Dale winger would turn into a good piece of business for the Bluebirds.

“I’ve watched him this season in particular and you get hunches about players, as a manager,” said the boss. “I just feel that he can contribute a lot to us next season.

“I think he’ll be a very good squad player and it’s up to him to get into the first-team and make the position his own. He’s only a young lad still, but he’s got explosive pace and a lot to prove and I think it’s the right place for him. I think the fans will enjoy watching him.”

Warnock added: "We've been working hard since the season ended and we're hoping to continue with further exciting announcements in the coming months."

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viewtopic.php?f=2&t=144783

Quite looking forward to seeing this boy, looks like he could be a real gem if he gets his head down & listens to Warnock.

Quite looking forward to seeing this boy, looks like he could be a real gem if he gets his head down & listens to Warnock.

So am I Norms and I fully trust Warnocks Judgement

Seems to me Warnock is filling the gaps in the squad with reasonable value. That being if they don't work out we lose nothing. We still have a good enough squad to challenge next season.

It's the further exciting announcements that will give us a real feeling of how next season will go.

Seems to me Warnock is filling the gaps in the squad with reasonable value. That being if they don't work out we lose nothing. We still have a good enough squad to challenge next season.

It's the further exciting announcements that will give us a real feeling of how next season will go.

Totally agree Ian, Cant wait

Welcome Laing, a squad player on a modest wage is what we need who is willing to fight for his spot.

watched his youtube video, reminds me of another Kadeem Harris

What he does better than most he chases back and can tackle so think he can well with us ... lets hope

http://www.cardiffcityforum.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=144783

I'm wondering are these two signings an indication of Tan wanting things done on the cheap or will Warnock be able to bring in some real quality signings

To be fair, NW said that he'd be bringing a few 'squad players' as well as 3 or 4 that would be seen as first 11.

http://www.cardiffcityforum.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=144783

I'm wondering are these two signings an indication of Tan wanting things done on the cheap or will Warnock be able to bring in some real quality signings

Tan definitely wants things done on a shoestring mate, and personally I'm happy with that, free transfers on losers wages is the way to go, the days of wasting big bucks on time wasters are gone hopefully.

i dont think its Tan wants it done, its the fact it needs to be done due to FFP.
nothing we can do about it, stay away fans moan about the "lack of quality" in our signings. but then what do you expect with 15-18K Cardiff fans in a stadium over 30K.

Personally im excited by Mendez-Laing, watched him a few times. As someone said its similar to Harris, which it is. But he tends to have a better final ball than Harris.

i dont think its Tan wants it done, its the fact it needs to be done due to FFP.
nothing we can do about it, stay away fans moan about the "lack of quality" in our signings. but then what do you expect with 15-18K Cardiff fans in a stadium over 30K.

Personally im excited by Mendez-Laing, watched him a few times. As someone said its similar to Harris, which it is. But he tends to have a better final ball than Harris.

To be fair, NW said that he'd be bringing a few 'squad players' as well as 3 or 4 that would be seen as first 11.

I hope your right about the quality signings because without them we are just going to mid table team with no hope of getting to the playoffs, guess it's a wait and see situation

Fingers crossed eh. I'm sure I heard / read somewhere that the 3 or 4 main ones NW is after are 'names that we will know of

I will judge him on how he performs but I think it’s just the type of signings we should be looking at.

We need to reduce the wage bill we know that, so replace the likes of Pilkington and Noone who have just been going through the motions and on a high wage year with someone young and hungry and on a free just makes sense.

Make savings in and around the fringe of the squad bringing in new players who have something to prove and to push their way into the squad and then use the funds and wages we have on key players.

I have been told by quite a few Posh fans that during his time there, he was a good impact player off the bench, but not so good when he started a game.

I have been told by quite a few Posh fans that during his time there, he was a good impact player off the bench, but not so good when he started a game.

I hope that this is not right otherwise it will be like Kadeem Harris who is usually better coming off the bench.
Anyway good luck to him and our new goalie

Welcome Laing, a squad player on a modest wage is what we need who is willing to fight for his spot.

http://www.cardiffcityforum.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=144783

I'm wondering are these two signings an indication of Tan wanting things done on the cheap or will Warnock be able to bring in some real quality signings

Tan definitely wants things done on a shoestring mate, and personally I'm happy with that, free transfers on losers wages is the way to go, the days of wasting big bucks on time wasters are gone hopefully.

Exactly this is what most of us wanted, playing in blue and spending sustainably. We don't want to fully rely on huge investments from tan or any other owners, we've learnt our lesson it's not sustainable. Some people just want it all and they want it yesterday.

Fingers crossed eh. I'm sure I heard / read somewhere that the 3 or 4 main ones NW is after are 'names that we will know of

paul ambandanato said that on blakeys bootroom