REID AND SMITHIES SIGN FOR CARDIFF
REID AND SMITHIES SIGN UP AS CARDIFF TAKE SPENDING CLOSE TO £30M MARK:
BOBBY Reid is a Cardiff City player.
For the second summer in succession, Neil Warnock has snared Bristol City’s star man and made him a Bluebird.
It is a transfer that has gone down swimmingly on the Welsh side of the Severn Estuary and not so well on the English side.
But there is no doubt Reid will bring a vim and vigour to Cardiff’s frontline – he boasts versatility, pace and an eye for goal as he has proven for Bristol City.
But, like Lee Tomlin before him, why has Reid chosen to make such a controversial move? He is a self-confessed Robins fan, born and bred a Bristolian.
These are the full reasons why the 25-year-old left Ashton Gate for Cardiff City Stadium in his own words and those who have watched him at close quarters and who know him best...
Reid – I’ve got ambitions
“I’ve got ambitions and aspirations I want to fulfil and one of those is the Premier League and I have an opportunity now to showcase my talent on the big stage,” said Reid in a heartfelt statement to Bristol City fans.
“I want you to understand that for any other reason it wouldn’t have been that.”
With the Severnside rivals now separated by a division after Cardiff’s brilliant promotion to the Premier League, you can’t argue with Reid’s reasoning.
He has attracted interest from West Brom and Derby, but the pull of top-flight football was enough to make a move happen.
“It’s the Premier League and I may only get one opportunity to play there,” he added.
“I didn’t want to let that pass me by and regret that in the future.
“The past 18 years, since I was seven, I’ve been with Bristol City and I’ve loved every single minute of it.
“I’ve shared every single moment with you and the memories we’ve made will live with me forever so I want to thank all for that.”
As far as the vitriol that will now come his way, Reid’s statement showed maturity and a sheer desire to forge his own future in the game.
“I gave everything on and off the field for the club, fans may hate me and fans may still like me,” he said.
“You’re all entitled to your own opinions and, however you feel, I’ll still love the club and will still be looking out for the results and hopefully the club can progress in the future.”
Gregor MacGregor of the Bristol Post explains the move...
“While Bobby Reid’s move to Cardiff City has divided the fans over in the west country, it seems the club are united in their appreciation for the player and happiness to see ‘one of their own’ make it to the Premier League,” said MacGregor, summing up the reaction to the move.
“There is, of course, sadness – and a little bitterness – that the academy graduate couldn’t do that with his hometown club, but most recognise this as a great opportunity for Reid and they are glad to see him achieve his ambitions one way or another.
“The club has really trumpeted his breaking through from the academy and there have been plenty of pats on the back for all the coaches at Ashton Gate who have had a hand in the striker’s development. Reid and Joe Bryan are the poster boys for what City hope to achieve: bringing through talent from their academy.”
MacGregor also explains how and why Reid can make the step up to Premier League level after enjoying a breakthrough campaign in 2017/18.
“We believe that he can really make it in the Premier League,” added Gregor. “There’s nothing he can’t do: goals, assists, tackles, tenacity, energy, industry... Reid made more tackles than any other forward who played regularly last season apart from one (Atdhe Nuhiu).
“He’s ideal for pressing. He’s a team player and has a great attitude. He’ll likely improve further as he hones his game, and at a relatively mere £10m Neil Warnock has once again come up trumps in the transfer market. It may take the 25-year-old Bristolian a little time to adjust to the higher pace and intensity of top-level English football but we have no doubts that he will.”
Warnock a long-term admirer of Reid
Like with Alex Smithies, who also joined the Bluebirds yesterday, Warnock had been admiring Reid from afar for a number of months, clearly impressed with his performances for Bristol City.
“I’ve been after Bobby for a while now. I like the lad,” said Warnock.
“By all accounts he’s great around the dressing room. He can play in a number of positions and his best is yet to come. Players like Bobby and Josh Murphy are hungry, and that is what we need now. We’re very happy to bring Bobby in.”
Lee Johnson ‘proud’ of Reid
“I am naturally saddened with Bobby’s departure but he goes with our best wishes,” said the Robins’ head coach as the reaction from Ashton Gate was mainly one of well-wishers and pride of his achievements in a red shirt.
Reid will now look to take his Bristol City form and translate that to performances in the Premier League, albeit wearing the shirt of the Robins’ fierce rivals.
“He has been with the club for 18 years and on a personal level, I am proud of his achievements,” added Johnson. “He is going to play Premier League football and that’s fantastic for him, he deserves it.
“I would like to take this opportunity to give credit to Bobby’s rise, not only to the player, but every coach in the Academy and beyond that’s helped him be the player and person he is today.”