Business to be done by Cardiff when transfer window opens
CARDIFF City will already be thinking about what business needs doing when the January transfer window opens.
With 11 games gone, we have a more reasoned assessment of how Neil Warnock’s squad is shaping up and the reinforcements he might need in the New Year.
Elsewhere, there could well be players seeking more game time. There are some high-profile names currently occupying the bench, or jettisoned from the match-day squad all together, who will be champing at the bit to get some minutes under their belts.
Here, we assess the business that could be done by the Bluebirds when the window opens on January 1. senior appearances to his name. So it appears right-back should be somewhere near the top of the priorities come January.
Left-back
A position which is becoming an increasing problem. Joe Bennett is Warnock’s nailed-on first choice there, and rightly so, but God forbid he pick up an injury.
Cardiff certainly look thin on the ground at left-back, especially following Greg Cunningham’s potentially season-ending injury while on loan at Blackburn Rovers.
Warnock had a recall clause to bring the player back early, however that plan must now be rethought. Young Ciaron Brown has been tried at left- back in the Carabao Cup, but he is still wet behind the years and, again, is actually a centre-back.
So it leaves Warnock with something of a dilemma. He either signs someone on loan to provide cover for Bennett until the end of the season or gets someone in longer term and allows Cunningham’s contract to expire next summer. No.10
The manager this summer said he was preparing to build his team around Bobby Reid, but when his exit transpired on deadline day, that all fell to pieces.
It looked as though trust would be placed in playmaker Lee Tomlin and it has been to an extent. But Warnock clearly doesn’t like the thought of playing him away from home and that becomes a big concern for the Bluebirds, whose record on the road this season is extremely poor.
It means Cardiff need a player who can unlock doors away from home and it should be a priority, as discussed on last week’s Blakey’s Bootroom podcast.
What will hurt the most is that Victor Camarasa, who endeared himself to Cardiff fans while in the Premier League last season, would be the perfect player to do that, but he is currently occupying the bench at Crystal Palace.
What a coup that would be to bring the Spaniard back to the Welsh capital on loan – it might well make all the difference. Gary Madine
Warnock has admitted City tried to find the right suitor for Gary Madine in the summer, but it proved more difficult than first anticipated.
The Bluebirds just couldn’t shift Madine, who has had a rotten time of it since his £6million move from Bolton in January 2018.
The striker has failed to score in any of his 21 appearances for the club and has featured just once in the league this season, the openingday defeat away to Wigan.
So it appears the most likely option is for him to go out in January, whether that be on loan or permanently, in order to free up some funds.
Omar Bogle
City brought in Isaac Vassell from Birmingham in the summer and it looked as though it was going to spell the end for one of their strikers – but they all stayed at the club.
There appears to be a slight imbalance at the club at present, with Warnock always opting for just one striker but with five senior ones to choose from.
If both Madine and Bogle, who appear to be the lowest in the pecking order, leave in January, it would still leave three senior strikers -Robert Glatzel, Danny Ward and Vassell – to battle it out for that one spot.
Will Vaulks
We know Will Vaulks has voiced his concerns to the manager in recent weeks, having played 59 minutes of Championship football this term.
It is a big climb down for a man who was so central to Rotherham’s season last season, indeed donning the captain’s armband.
Many were excited when the midfielder signed at the beginning of the season, however there were equally as many sceptics.
Both Vaulks’ pride and confidence will have taken a knock this season and it is not beyond the realms of doubt that he could seek football elsewhere, albeit on loan, in January.