" I HONESTLY BELIEVE MALKY WILL NOW KEEP HIM "

Cardiff's Blake

Linked
Thu 05th Jan 2012 14:07
Town and Portsmouth are reportedly targeting Cardiff’s Welsh international defender Darcy Blake. The Blues were previously mentioned in connection with the 23-year-old in November when manager Paul Jewell dismissed the claim.





Cardiff Defender Linked

Town and West Brom are eyeing Cardiff City’s out-of-favour central defender Darcy Blake, according to one of this morning’s tabloids. The 22-year-old Welsh international is concerned he might lose his place in Gary Speed's side if he remains out of the Bluebirds’ first team.



Born in New Tredegar, Blake came through the ranks at Cardiff, making his debut towards the end of the 2005/06 season.

Also comfortable in midfield and at full-back, 6ft-tall Blake was on loan at Plymouth during the first half of 2009/10 and Town fans may recall his sending off for a crude lunge on Alan Quinn during a 1-1 draw at Home Park.

Capped eight times at full level by Wales, scoring once, Blake was a regular in Dave Jones’s side last season but has been less involved since Malky Mackay took over as boss.

Speaking last week, he said he planned to speak with Mackay about his situation: “I’m disappointed I’m not playing but hopefully I’ve shown him what I can do.

“Cardiff’s my team and it’s the team I want to play for – but I want to be playing week-in, week-out.

“I’m going to go back, have a sit down with the manager and tell him that I need to play games.

“It’s going to be hard to get in the Wales team with the players we’ve got if I don’t play regular for my club.”

Blake, who is contracted until 2013, has made 56 Cardiff starts plus 42 appearances as a substitute, but is yet to score a domestic goal.

Last week, Blues boss Paul Jewell said he wanted to add another central defender to his squad with Town's current centre-halves having suffered a number of injuries this season – Ibrahima Sonko and Damien Delaney are both sidelined at present - and with Blake’s fellow Wales international Danny Collins due to return to Stoke at the end of his loan in mid-December.

Meanwhile, Blake's former Cardiff team-mate Michael Chopra has tweeted his thanks to the Blues support at Nottingham Forest at the weekend: "Would like to thank Ipswich fans for Saturday, they were great again.

"Just at training waiting to do a run. Wonder what's in store today. Need a good week's training and hopefully put things right again."

“Cardiff’s my team and it’s the team I want to play for – but I want to be playing week-in, week-out.

“I’m going to go back, have a sit down with the manager and tell him that I need to play games.

From that to me it's clear he has to be sold. No where near good enough for the starting 11 when everyone's fit.
If we can get around 500k for him then sell him.

“Cardiff’s my team and it’s the team I want to play for – but I want to be playing week-in, week-out.

“I’m going to go back, have a sit down with the manager and tell him that I need to play games.

From that to me it's clear he has to be sold. No where near good enough for the starting 11 when everyone's fit.
If we can get around 500k for him then sell him.

Luke, I am 50-50 regarding if he is good enough for the first 11.
But as a home grown player I really want him to make it and stay.

I thought he was awful last game but he has had good games before so he has the ability.
His versatility is his value to us, great to have on the bench because he can cover a number of positions.

But as for starting to me he is
3rd choice RB
3rd choice LB
5th choice CB
And I just wouldn't play him in midfield unless we had a mass mass mass amount of injuries.

“Cardiff’s my team and it’s the team I want to play for – but I want to be playing week-in, week-out.

“I’m going to go back, have a sit down with the manager and tell him that I need to play games.

From that to me it's clear he has to be sold. No where near good enough for the starting 11 when everyone's fit.
If we can get around 500k for him then sell him.

Luke, I am 50-50 regarding if he is good enough for the first 11.
But as a home grown player I really want him to make it and stay.

I'm the same, 50-50.

But if he wasnt a local lad id say sell i think.

His distribution is shocking

I hope gerrard and Blake start at west brom to prove the quality they have !

darcys best position is centre back all day long and personally id like to see him be given a chance there on saturday,but could you make a case to pick him in that position above Turner,hudson or gerrard on a regular basis?-no in my opinion,i even think malky would put kev CB and bring in quinny or naylor before playing Darcy there

I dont think he will, as much as I like seeing local players in our team I think Darcy has a lot to improve on before becoming first choice.

I am sure if he knuckled down and put in the work he would get there, but he has to be professional off the pitch.

I hope gerrard and Blake start at west brom to prove the quality they have !

You mean the quality in Gerrard making more mistakes than Hudson yet getting less stick and Blake tackling well but giving the ball away every time he tries to pass?

For me it's sad that we forget so easily how well Darcy played at CB when Hudson was injured during season 2009/10. He was either partnered by Gerrard, Gypes or Quinn (That Leicester game) and in a run of 12 games we conceded only 9 goals.

He has also played really well for Wales this season so he has the quality to play CB on the international stage, so why not Cardiff City?

I don't think he will let us down if MM asks him to play at CB, but will he ?

If he dosent admit that his off the Field antics and lifestyle is wrong then he has to go. You cant have just one player doing what he wants (as the song goes ) and the rest towing the line. If Blakey can sort himself out he can become a legend here, and that is my view.

For me it's sad that we forget so easily how well Darcy played at CB when Hudson was injured during season 2009/10. He was either partnered by Gerrard, Gypes or Quinn (That Leicester game) and in a run of 12 games we conceded only 9 goals.

He has also played really well for Wales this season so he has the quality to play CB on the international stage, so why not Cardiff City?

I don't think he will let us down if MM asks him to play at CB, but will he ?

But was Blake the reason for that or was it just we were on a decent run?

Every game he's played this season, his distribution has been shocking. Numerous potentially promising attacks snuffed out, putting us on the back foot because he can't pass the f*cking football, somewhat of a problem for a footballer.

Great tackling, yes, give him his credit. But what is the worth of that if he then gives the ball away 10 yards away putting us back under pressure?

Internationally, he's played ok. People raved about the England game but let's be honest England, as usual, were overrated and pretty poor.

If he wasn't a local, he'd be slated by everybody.

Hope he stays!
He's versitile. Commited and passionate about his club. A proven international.
When you are 'only' allowed 5 subs, one will be a goalkeeper, so it makes sense to keep a player that can play well in 4 positions.

Reasons to be cheerful.

For me it's sad that we forget so easily how well Darcy played at CB when Hudson was injured during season 2009/10. He was either partnered by Gerrard, Gypes or Quinn (That Leicester game) and in a run of 12 games we conceded only 9 goals.

He has also played really well for Wales this season so he has the quality to play CB on the international stage, so why not Cardiff City?

I don't think he will let us down if MM asks him to play at CB, but will he ?

But was Blake the reason for that or was it just we were on a decent run?

Every game he's played this season, his distribution has been shocking. Numerous potentially promising attacks snuffed out, putting us on the back foot because he can't pass the f*cking football, somewhat of a problem for a footballer.

Great tackling, yes, give him his credit. But what is the worth of that if he then gives the ball away 10 yards away putting us back under pressure?

Internationally, he's played ok. People raved about the England game but let's be honest England, as usual, were overrated and pretty poor.

If he wasn't a local, he'd be slated by everybody.

Darcy was the one constant during that run so I for one will give him a little credit, I agree his distribution was very poor on Monday but he did provide the cross which gave Rudt the chance. Macnaughton cannot pass the ball to save his life at times but defensively he is great and he is growing into this new role that MM is asking him to play.

Nukes has outlined his biggest problem I think, his lifestyle, and maybe he is being found out by the more scientific approach to player fitness that MM and his backroom team have introduced this season.

Whatever the reason for him not being picked as Bluebird fans we all love a player who gives his all for the shirt, and I think Darcy is one such player. But if 6 months into MM reign he hasn't got the "Lifestyle" message then maybe we should allow him to leave, but for that reason and not any doubt about his ability because for me he has plenty of that.

ffs £500k might aswell let him go for nothing if thats all you think he is worth imo £2 million more likely mcnoughton cant fuc.ing pass any better but everyone loves kev me included ,if mm played him cb im sure he would shine

Darcy was the one constant during that run so I for one will give him a little credit, I agree his distribution was very poor on Monday but he did provide the cross which gave Rudt the chance. Macnaughton cannot pass the ball to save his life at times but defensively he is great and he is growing into this new role that MM is asking him to play.

Last game he played CB for us V Leciester in the Carling Cup he had his chance to prove MM wrong but sadly (like last game) he was awful, distribution shocking. The goal he gave away in that Carling Cup game sums him up for me. (thankfully rudy saved us or we would have been out).

Kev isnt a great passer otherwise he would certainly be in the prem but he offers so much more than Darcy in any position. Kevs passing isnt great, infact average to poor but still a hell of a lot better than Blakes.

If as reported his liefstyle leaves a lot to be desired still then he wont make it at any club at this level.

Darcy is Waxk. Remember when he came on as sub at Norwich away a few years ago. His first touch was to actually stand on the ball near the touchline and fall over. The ball went out for a throw in to them and the crowd sand fucxing usless da da da ra. He has not improved since. Sell and get what we can for him.

theres no doubting his commitment, being from roughly the same neck of the woods and regularly seeing him out on an thurs eve i really want him to do well...

but his distribution on saturday, even when he had time was awful...

in all honesty, he wants first team football but i really dont think he is good enough if we have the ambitions.. great and versatile to have as a squad member , first team.. not really..

if he can knuckle down, improve his fitness and distribution then who knows. but when given the op to step in and show what he can do, he doesn't do enough to warrant a starting place next time...

i really like darcy as a bloke and being a local lad want him to succeed , but if we got an offer on the table anywhere around 1 mil, i would have to take it..