' IS THE CCFC SQUAD GOOD ENOUGH FOR PROMOTION? '

What Cardiff City fans can expect in final days of transfer window amid Harry Arter links and second striker talk


Madine,Tomlin, Damour and Bogle are so far not named in official squad?



By Paul Abbandonato

Wednesday 31st July 2019

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IS THE CCFC SQUAD GOOD ENOUGH FOR PROMOTION?

That's the £90m question, with the riches on offer for reaching the Premier League.

The defence is as good as any in the division. So too Etheridge when it comes to the goalkeeping department.

Reid can score goals by the bucketload at this level, Warnock expects Glatzel to be hugely influential, while Mendez-Laing, Josh Murphy, Junior Hoilett and Whyte offer genuine creative options on the flanks.

The jury is out on the quality of the midfield, but Warnock possesses a bumper squad and depth other managers will be envious of.

Fulham and West Brom have real talent in their starting sides, but they can't boast Cardiff's depth.

The Bluebirds also have a manager with a better record than any other at taking teams up.

He's spent the summer chasing, and acquiring his targets.


Warnock is happy with his lot... here we go, with Fulham, West Brom, Cardiff, Leeds and possibly Stoke and dark horses Brentford likely to be in the mix.






Cardiff City boss Neil Warnock has compiled the squad he believes is good enough to win promotion, given licence by owner Vincent Tan to bring in six new signings this summer.

The star turn, of course is £5.5m German capture Robert Glatzel, who replaces Kenneth Zohore.

But money has also been spent on defenders Aden Flint (£6m) and Curtis Nelson (unknown fee), midfielder Will Vaulks (£3m), winger Gavin Whyte (£2m) while Newport goalkeeper Joe Day joined on a free transfer.

The Bluebirds did recoup £11m through the sales of Kenneth Zohore and Bruno Manga, but Warnock feels his acquisitions are a statement of intent as he seeks an instant return to the Premier League.

But with the transfer window closing next Thursday, Cardiff's summer dealings are not over yet.

These are things that we should still keep an eye out for...






ANOTHER STRIKER TO BACK UP GLATZEL

This wasn't really on Warnock's early shopping list, but he could yet land another target from overseas who we're told would be a real bargain for the Bluebirds at around £2m.

The player in question is believed to be big, yet would even outstrip whippets Nathaniel Mendez-Laing and Josh Murphy as the quickest player at the club.

That could be some capture.

Cardiff are keeping their cards close to their chest, the player would be back-up to Glatzel rather than first choice, but he's thought to be young and could serve the club well for years to come.

We'll have to see how it pans out, but it could be another string to Warnock's bow.

The manager has very much got his first-choice in Glatzel, though, and has been keen on him for some time. At 6ft 4in tall the German possesses stature and his capture is evidence the Bluebirds will play in a direct manner, although Glatzel is no slouch for a big man.

He's not a lumbering centre-forward, is mobile enough, with good control.

Cardiff's game-plan will be built around him.

The Bluebirds have not had the greatest time when it comes to spending money on strikers in recent years. Malky Mackay paid £8m on Andreas Cornelius and a further £3m on Etien Velikonja (remember him?), while Warnock's £6m outlay for Gary Madine hasn't really been justified.

So that's £17m Tan will feel could have been utilised better. However, there is real belief that Glatzel is good value at £5.5m. Significantly, at 25 he is ready, unlike Cornelius and Velinkonja who lacked experience at the time.






THE TRUTH ABOUT HARRY ARTER

Cardiff fans would love to see Harry Arter return to the club. He became an instant hit as supporters identified with his incredible work ethic, tigerish tackling and passion for the cause.

Warnock did dabble with the possibility of bringing Arter back again, the Irish international's days at Bournemouth clearly numbered following Eddie Howe's £15m capture of Philip Billing from Huddersfield.

Bournemouth want £8m for Arter, but could consider letting him out on loan again for the season.

But the cost could still be prohibitive to the Bluebirds because of Arter's wages. It's one thing to pay those in the Premier League, another entirely as a Championship club where you have to be more prudent with the finances.

Cardiff's likely promotion rivals Fulham and Stoke are keen on Arter, while Sheffield United are also considering a swoop.

Arter loved his time in South Wales last season and could be tempted by a return. Cardiff aren't totally ruling it out just yet, but it seems unlikely and he may well end up in London with Fulham.






WILL WARNOCK GET ANOTHER MIDFIELDER THEN?

The manager has talked of signing a midfielder on loan towards the end of the window when other opportunities present themselves with players desperate for game time and clubs keen to offload.

But as things stand, Warnock is happy with his midfield lot despite the loss of Arter, Victor Camarasa and Aron Gunnarsson from the Premier League team.

He feels Joe Ralls can have a big season in the Championship and has been an admirer of Wales international Vaulks for some time. Leandro Bacuna greatly impressed in the engine room during the last competitive match, the 2-0 win at Manchester United, while Callum Paterson is also there in the mix. Warnock loves the battling qualities the versatile Scot brings and could utilise him in central midfield this season.

New centre-back capture Curtis Nelson has also been played in the holding midfield role during pre-season, while Warnock has used Sol Bamba there before. That may be a way of getting Bamba, Flint and Sean Morrison in the team when they are each fit.

Loic Damour is still on the books, but he may be one of those who leaves in search of more regular foootball.

Warnock feels he has enough options, although whether there's a real midfield controller in there is open to question.

Cardiff can reassess where they are in January. It is at that point big money could potentially be spent on a dominant box to box midfielder.





A NEW RIGHT-BACK

Again, Warnock could make a move right at the end of the window for someone on loan.

But Lee Peltier is very much first-choice, Jazz Richards is still there as back up.

It is possible Warnock could consider Nelson as a right-back to fit him into the side, much as he did with Bruno Manga, another more regular centre-half.




WILL NEIL ETHERIDGE BE LEAVING?

The summer grapevine has buzzed with suggestions Cardiff's number one goalkeeper would be joining Aston Villa for £8m. If that sum of money had been put on the table, Warnock would probably have snapped it up given he also has Alex Smithies, still to play despite joining from QPR a year ago for £4m, and Joe Day on the books.

Warnock rates Day highly, feeling he has unearthed another Etheridge in terms of spotting an unsung keeper from the lower divisions who can shine at a much higher level.

But only one of the three can play.






Neil Etheridge is number one

Warnock appeared relaxed about Etheridge leaving if the price was right, but Villa have since struck a deal to sign ex-Bluebird Tom Heaton so their interest in Cardiff's number one is over.

Will another Premier League club swoop? It seems unlikely.

Etheridge, it appears, will be in goal for Saturday's Championship opener at Wigan and that has to be good news for Bluebirds fans.





BIDS CARDIFF HAVE TURNED DOWN

Earlier in the summer interest from other clubs was expressed in Sean Morrison and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing.

A Premier League side are believed to have come in for Cardiff's skipper.

As the closure of the window approaches, offers may yet be put on the table.

But Warnock wants to keep the pair and it seems they are staying.

Again, good news.





THE MEN WHO MIGHT BE LEAVING

You can't bring in six new players, with up to three more potentially on the horizon, without balancing the books so logic says we will see departures in the coming days.

Greg Cunningham, it has been reported, wants to be playing regularly and could quit. A number of Championship clubs are keen on him , with Joe Bennett very much Cardiff's first choice.

Loic Damour may return to France. Lee Tomlin says he is in the shape of his career and is desperate to play a part, with many Bluebirds fans equally desperate to see his mercurial talent in the blue of Cardiff again. But with Bobby Reid seemingly nailed on for a starting berth, it seems Tomlin may have to go out on loan again to get game time.

Loic Damour may be going...



What happens further forward, though? Glatzel is on board, a second striker may also come in, Reid can play up top, so too Paterson.

However, Gary Madine, Danny Ward and Omar Bogle are also still with the club and something will need to give here.

Bogle has offered an extra dimension in pre-season, impressing with his goals and performances, and he may have unexpectedly leaped to the top of the back-up queue.

That means one of Madine or Ward will most likely have to be moved on, much as Warnock likes what each man brings to the table.


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Won’t be far away in my opinion.

But Madine, Tomlin, Damour and Bogle are so far not named in official squad?


' CARDIFF CITY 2019-20 '

Current Squad.

GK
Etheridge
Smithies
Day

Defenders
Peltier (RB)
Richards (RB)
Coxe (RB)
Bennett (LB)
Cunningham (LB)
Morrison (CB)
Bamba (CB)
Flint (CB)
Nelson (CB)
Connolly (CB)

Midfielders
Paterson
Ralls
Vaulks
Damour
Bacuna
Tomlin

Wingers
Mendez-Liang
Hoilett
Murphy
Gavin Whyte



Strikers
Reid
Ward
Bogle
Madine
Robert Glatzel

Much stronger than the season we went up

Possible get off to slow to average start but will grow as season progresses top 6 minimum I'd say

But Madine. Tomlin, Damour and Bogle are so far not named in official squad?

But Madine, Tomlin, Damour and Bogle are so far not named in official squad?

The official squad has not been announced yet.

But Madine, Tomlin, Damour and Bogle are so far not named in official squad?

The official squad has not been announced yet.

Go on the Cardiff City Official site and you won't see their photos or names with the rest of the squad, even the new ones are there.

I believe they will only end up on there if we can't move them on.

But Madine, Tomlin, Damour and Bogle are so far not named in official squad?

The official squad has not been announced yet.

Your right it gets done once the transfer window shuts next thursday

Much stronger than the season we went up

Absolutely. There’s barely any comparison between the two, really. The only place you could argue that we are lacking, compared to that team 2 years ago, is a holding midfielder. Beyond that, the additions of Reid, Murphy, etc., to what is essentially the team that took us up last time, ensures we’ve got a better squad than before.

The real question will be whether we can start as brightly (equalling those 5 wins on the trot at the start of 17/18 will be a tall order, especially given just how fantastic a brand of football we played in those particular games), as those points deffo came in handy last time out, come end of the season. I’d like to think we wouldn’t fall apart at Xmas like we did that season though (think it was December, anyway).

I think we'll get to the play offs at least

Check out Warnock's post Nice interview.

He started off by saying that his starting midfielders done the hard yards for Tomlin later in the game. He also was non committal on whether Tomlin will be in our squad.
Although I would like to see him given another crack the signs are not favourable.

Not sure where this official squad thing came from.

Do we even need to name a squad for the championship? Not like the prem where we are limited to the 25.

I think the squad is decent but I also think some fans are massively underestimating the championship.

I also think we will see quite a few leave and some more come in yet.

Persoanlly I'd like to see a good right back and CM come in at least 1 more striker.

Are we stronger than the year we went up, I would say yes because of Reid and Murphy who are more than capable of being big players for us.

I think we really need this stiker to come good for us though and we need someone else to push him.

Intersying week or so ahead.

Can't see us losing a match

Do we even need to name a squad for the championship? Not like the prem where we are limited to the 25.

I think the squad is decent but I also think some fans are massively underestimating the championship.

I also think we will see quite a few leave and some more come in yet.

Persoanlly I'd like to see a good right back and CM come in at least 1 more striker.

Are we stronger than the year we went up, I would say yes because of Reid and Murphy who are more than capable of being big players for us.

I think we really need this stiker to come good for us though and we need someone else to push him.

Intersying week or so ahead.

Funny when we went up both times championship was weak other seasons it is strongest been in years ? But this season it is probably the strongest been in many years only need to look at whats been spent and the teams in it to see that

Think there will be three teams vying for the two automatic promotion places Cardiff Leeds and Fulham and it will be touch and go whether we go up automatically. I would be very surprised if we did not at the very least make the playoffs.

without a shadow,off doubt,,,,,

Yes the vast majority of other champ managers would snap our hands off to swap squads.

Think there will be three teams vying for the two automatic promotion places Cardiff Leeds and Fulham and it will be touch and go whether we go up automatically. I would be very surprised if we did not at the very least make the playoffs.

YES C'MON CITY let's make the same level of noise as last year

Think there will be three teams vying for the two automatic promotion places Cardiff Leeds and Fulham and it will be touch and go whether we go up automatically. I would be very surprised if we did not at the very least make the playoffs.

YES C'MON CITY let's make the same level of noise as last year

Personally don’t think Fulham will be anywhere near promotion. And Leeds will blow it in the playoffs again. Us and Stoke have the best squads.

Possible get off to slow to average start but will grow as season progresses top 6 minimum I'd say

My thoughts exactly mate.

We'll piss the league with the squad like that, championes this year without a doubt

Opening 4 games will decide if we make it hard work or not there must wins or atleast 8 points

Think there will be three teams vying for the two automatic promotion places Cardiff Leeds and Fulham and it will be touch and go whether we go up automatically. I would be very surprised if we did not at the very least make the playoffs.

YES C'MON CITY let's make the same level of noise as last year

Personally don’t think Fulham will be anywhere near promotion. And Leeds will blow it in the playoffs again. Us and Stoke have the best squads.

Phil they are going to lose sessighnon last year contract wants to go so spurs preparing a bid ssn.. so I'm glad about that as he scores near6every game against us

That central midfield worries the shit out of me

More than good enough. With this team we could use pace and power to destroy teams. Our Ariel threat at set pieces as well looks awesome
I am looking forward to this season now more so than at the same stage last year. Enjoy the ride folks and don’t be negative

Check out Warnock's post Nice interview.

He started off by saying that his starting midfielders done the hard yards for Tomlin later in the game. He also was non committal on whether Tomlin will be in our squad.
Although I would like to see him given another crack the signs are not favourable.

Someone else said that NW said after the match that LT had done the hard yards before this match - indicating that LT had got himself really fit.

But Madine, Tomlin, Damour and Bogle are so far not named in official squad?

The official squad has not been announced yet.

We don’t need to announce an official squad like the PL. we can use all our senior players at any given time during the season.

The 25 man squad is PL only.

Is the squad good enough?
I'm really not sure. The holding midfield role is something we are missing. Arter did a phenomenal job there and he will be missed. Coupled with the fact that Gunnar has left I think this will be amplified.
I'm usually such an optermist but I don't think the loss of these two players can be underestimate
We really need Vaulks to have a good season as that position will be imperative.
C'mon you Mighty Bluebirds. Let's do this.