‘A tough one to weigh up’ – Cardiff City facing decision ove

‘A tough one to weigh up’ – Cardiff City facing decision over player’s future: The verdict

By Jacob Potter


Friday 9 April 2021


This article is part of Football League World’s ‘The Verdict’ series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Cardiff City are set for an interesting summer ahead, with a number of players heading towards the final few months of their current contracts with the club.

The Bluebirds are currently sat eighth in the Championship table, and will know that they face a tough task if they’re to finish in the top-six this term under the management of Mick McCarthy.

That job of finishing in the top-six became that little bit tougher in their most recent match, as they were thrashed 5-0 by relegation-threatened Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough.

One player whose future at the club remains somewhat ‘up in the air’ is Junior Hoilett’s, with the winger heading into the final few months of his current deal with the Bluebirds.

Hoilett has made 23 appearances in all competitions for Cardiff City this season, and will be eager to finish this year’s campaign strongly.

But should Cardiff be looking at offering Hoilett a new deal ahead of the 2021/22 season?





We discuss….




Sam Rourke:

Personally, I’d be extending his deal for another year.

But, he’s rarely featured since Mick McCarthy has taken the helm at the Cardiff City Stadium and in truth I can see him being moved on.

Hoillett is an experienced player who on his day can produce a moment of magic to win a game, it’s perhaps that lack of consistency in performances that has deterred McCarthy from using him too much.

He has been at Cardiff for a fair few seasons now and McCarthy may well be looking to revamp the squad in the summer, so they can launch an assault on promotion next season, assuming they don’t get it this season.

I still think Hoillett’s experience and guile on the flank could prove useful, and just having him involved in the squad can only be a positive in my mind.





Alfie Burns:

I’ll be honest, I’m not sure that I would given his impact this season in the Championship.

The three years previous, Hoilett had really impressed me at Cardiff, but I’ve been disappointed with what I’ve seen so far this season.

However, there’s also the pandemic to consider and the fact that the coming summer is going to be a really difficult one to deal in with regard to transfers.

With that in mind, are Cardiff better off extending the contract of Hoilett rather than sourcing a replacement? It’s a tough one to weigh up.

In a footballing sense, I wouldn’t, but the wider financial picture might sway the club the opposite way.








Toby Wilding:

I’m not sure whether it is worth Cardiff doing this to be honest.

Hoilett has undoubtedly been a very useful player for Cardiff over the past few seasons, and his contribution to the club should certainly be appreciated by those of a Cardiff persuasion.

This season however, the Canadian’s influence on the Bluebirds feels like it has waned somewhat, and considering that given he will be 31 by the start of next season, and starting to approach the latter stages of his career, you wonder whether that is something he will be able to change.

As a result, given Cardiff do have a number of other attacking midfield options available, it does seem as though this may be one worth letting go, especially since they well need space in their squad and wage budget to bring in new recruits during the summer transfer window.

You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.

Next stop Boro for junior

Time to move him on. Been a great player for us but been off form for a while now. Probably a high earner at the club as well. Free up his wages and bring some younger players in.

personally i like him and would like to see him here next season... but if Mick aint picking him then best he goes...

personally i like him and would like to see him here next season... but if Mick aint picking him then best he goes...

I like Junior too. Been a very good servant to the Club. Don't understand why Mick doesn't pick him. He's the sort of guy who, on his day, can get you a goal or create an assist and change a game. He hasn't become a bad player overnight. I hope we offer him a contract. He's certainly better than some who Mick chooses to play and I think he can operate in more than one position. But as you say, if Mick isn't going to pick him he might as well move on.
.

personally i like him and would like to see him here next season... but if Mick aint picking him then best he goes...

I like Junior too. Been a very good servant to the Club. Don't understand why Mick doesn't pick him. He's the sort of guy who, on his day, can get you a goal or create an assist and change a game. He hasn't become a bad player overnight. I hope we offer him a contract. He's certainly better than some who Mick chooses to play and I think he can operate in more than one position. But as you say, if Mick isn't going to pick him he might as well move on.
.

he picked him for his first game at Barnsley... which apparently was picked on efforts in training...then when asked yesterday about him playing wing back Mick replied... not sure but he wouldnt be found wanting trying ..thats for sure.... but went on to say he is a better forward..... doesnt sound as if there are any issues there re fitness or attitude yet no game time..?

Time to move him on. Been a great player for us but been off form for a while now. Probably a high earner at the club as well. Free up his wages and bring some younger players in.

Wouldn't be surprised if he's in the top 5 for highest wages. We spent a fair bit on bonuses when we got promoted, could've been a decent wage bump in that. At the time he was one of the most important players as well.
I'm guessing Morrison, Bacuna and Ralls might be on a bit more but Jr's probably high on the list.

Time to move him on. Been a great player for us but been off form for a while now. Probably a high earner at the club as well. Free up his wages and bring some younger players in.

Wouldn't be surprised if he's in the top 5 for highest wages. We spent a fair bit on bonuses when we got promoted, could've been a decent wage bump in that. At the time he was one of the most important players as well.
I'm guessing Morrison, Bacuna and Ralls might be on a bit more but Jr's probably high on the list.

Add Bennett and smithies as well. Hoilet has been a very important player for us and if he was playing regularly it would probably be worth keeping him on. But its a lot of wages for a player not to be playing.

Time to move him on. Been a great player for us but been off form for a while now. Probably a high earner at the club as well. Free up his wages and bring some younger players in.

Wouldn't be surprised if he's in the top 5 for highest wages. We spent a fair bit on bonuses when we got promoted, could've been a decent wage bump in that. At the time he was one of the most important players as well.
I'm guessing Morrison, Bacuna and Ralls might be on a bit more but Jr's probably high on the list.

i would hope that along with bonuses and wage bumps going into the premier league that any increase in the wage itself would only apply while at the higher level...

Yes a tough one it is ,balance his age , length contract high earnings I guess it becomes a commercial one and leaves .

Time to move him on. Been a great player for us but been off form for a while now. Probably a high earner at the club as well. Free up his wages and bring some younger players in.

Wouldn't be surprised if he's in the top 5 for highest wages. We spent a fair bit on bonuses when we got promoted, could've been a decent wage bump in that. At the time he was one of the most important players as well.
I'm guessing Morrison, Bacuna and Ralls might be on a bit more but Jr's probably high on the list.

i would hope that along with bonuses and wage bumps going into the premier league that any increase in the wage itself would only apply while at the higher level...

Not a clue to be honest, I'm sure in some cases it's determined by whether you stay up but I wouldn't be surprised if some players/agents push for it to be a permanent increase. Probably varies massively depending on clubs and agents.