' Cardiff City's £4m man Greg Cunningham '

Cardiff City's £4m man Greg Cunningham reveals his frustrations at lack of Bluebirds first-team action


By Katie Sands

Wednesday 29th May 2019



Cardiff City's Greg Cunningham has addressed his frustrations at a lack of first-team action with the Bluebirds.

The left-back was Neil Warnock's second signing of the summer last year in a move that saw him brought in for £4million from Preston North End.

But Cunningham has hardly featured since joining the Bluebirds and has been limited to just seven league appearances this season, with Warnock staying loyal to the consistent Joe Bennett.

Called up by Ireland for a training camp ahead of Euro 2020 qualifiers against Denmark and Gibraltar, Cunningham has addressed frustration around a lack of game-time and explains the conversations he has had about it with Warnock.

The 28-year-old defender told the Irish Examiner : "When you’re not playing I don’t go in banging doors down but we had a chat and I asked what I could improve on and what I've done wrong and where he sees I can get back into the team.

"I still worked hard and kept my head down and waited for my chance. It kind of came in little blocks with a few games here and there which was hugely frustrating, but that’s football.

“He’s got to pick 11 players and the boys playing are happy, the boys not playing are not happy. I’m not content being a squad player and picking up a wage.

"I want to be playing every game. That hunger is still there and will be until I retire. I think he understood the frustration.”


Cunningham is hoping to survive the cull when Mick McCarthy knocks his training squad down to size for the games against Denmark and Gibraltar.

"I'm delighted with the call-up and it's a good opportunity to be around the new gaffer and make a good impression," said Cunningham.

"A few injuries stopped me in my tracks but you have to stay mentally strong, do your work and make sure you come back stronger for it.

"I'm only 28 and my best years are ahead of me. It's about being consistent, getting back into games at club level and going from there."

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Unfortunately for him he is back up wether he likes it or not.

Bennett is the better player and rightly keeps his place

He is looking at another season of bench warming unless we sell Bennett or he gets injured

Agree, that’s football as someone has to be a back up.
I’m sure the championship will suit him better but I haven’t been at all impressed from what I’ve seen of him.

With the sheer number of games in the Championship he is bound to be needed more often next season. Not as visible as Bennett but has done little wrong when he has played in the Premier League. If Bennett was injured for any length of time then I would have no worries about Cunningham stepping in.

He has to realise that he is now at a bigger club than Preston with a bigger squad and so he may not play so often.

i'm left scratching my head over this, all the years of financial troubles at the club, and we go and spend £4m on a back up defender. who's re-sale value will undoubtedly drop.

Another terrible signing from Wornock.

Seems to have a good attitude and im sure any player who's not playing wont be happy, and its good that he's asking Warnock's advice about what he can improve on but im afraid Joe Bennett's just better every time ive seen them both play. Bennett is better defensively, better going forward, and doesn't make as many sloppy passes as Cunningham does. However with a long Championship season ahead im sure he'll get a lot of games next season and he's a good Championship full back.

most stupidist signing made by Warnock! Joe bennet is our one of th best lb in the championship or even the best! great attacking presence aswell

It does make you wonder what he was told when signed?

We really should start thinking whether we want players in the team before we spend so much money on them.
I think if I were a player I'd think twice before signing for Cardiff' because we seem to repeatedly take talented players and ruin their careers by denying them game time.
I'm sure this gets noticed you know, so it probably creates another obstacle to signing people.

We really should start thinking whether we want players in the team before we spend so much money on them.
I think if I were a player I'd think twice before signing for Cardiff' because we seem to repeatedly take talented players and ruin their careers by denying them game time.
I'm sure this gets noticed you know, so it probably creates another obstacle to signing people.

yes ive noticed it myself.....apart from anything else its proper not fair that all the other teams can sign and then pick their entire 25 while we are restricted to just 11...