' My honest opinion on Cardiff City '

There's quite a few days supporting Cardiff City that I will never forget. One in particular in the last few years.

Promotion to the Premier League? Watching City in an FA Cup and League Cup final? Relegation? No, none of those. The moment I am talking about is the evening of May 7 2012. I had been at work all day, and unable to go to Upton Park to watch us in the play-off semi-final second leg.

I saw the result, and thought "well, we've had a good season, there's always next year". But little did I know. Later, I logged on to this forum. I saw a thread from a new poster, claiming that the club was to be rebranded. That Cardiff City would now play in red. That raised a smile to my face.

I thought, credit to whoever this poster is - they've made a terrible effort at trying to wind people up! But then I found out it wasn't a wind-up, it was the truth. We all know the rest.

I didn't turn my back on the club, I couldn't. Now this part I don't like to admit. A family member bought me the red shirt, thinking that I'd want it. I wasn't happy. But I couldn't be rude, I had to wear it. I wore it once or twice, but never to a match. I could not get used to wearing it. And I am ashamed about that. You will never ever see me in anything like that again.

Let me be clear, though, I never supported or embraced the red. How could I? How could anyone? I, like many others, simply tolerated it. But I was never happy with it. You could say that day was just the beginning of Cardiff City's problems.

But this isn't just about the rebrand anymore. It goes a lot further than that. Let me be clear that this thread is just my opinion, I'm not saying everybody should agree - and I'm sure some won't.

Our football club is on its knees. It is clear to me that Vincent Tan wants out. But he won't get a good price for a second-tier team. He needs to get us back up to the Premier League. That has resulted in him getting desperate. He has lost a lot of respect in Malaysia over everything that has gone on in South Wales.

The one question on my lips though is, why has he not converted debt to equity? We have to remember that we owe him millions at this point. If he's going to sell the club, why would he convert those debts to equity? That's why I can't see it happening.

But, on to the football side of things this season, where are we? Well, we were the bookmakers' favourites for promotion. We spent a lot of money, while keeping a large amount of last season's squad. But Ole Gunnar Solskjaer didn't get the results. He showed he is incapable of managing at this level and I will find it very hard to get back into English football.

We have a squad that should be at least challenging for the top six. Yet we sit in the bottom half. The squad of our quality should not be losing to the likes of Blackpool and Bournemouth.

So Ole got sacked, rightly so. Let's look at the quality of some managers out there. There's Chris Hughton and Tony Pulis for a start. Who does Tan employ? Russell Slade. A man who came within a whisker of getting sacked by a League One club. Is he really the man to take Cardiff City to the Premier League?

I'll be fair to Slade though. He has done a good job at, no disrespect, and average League One club. Leyton Orient should not be pushing for promotion to the Championship. But he nearly got them there. He deserves respect for that. I feel we should show him respect. He has, after all, been in football management a long time. A lot longer than Solskjaer and Malky Mackay.

He has my full support, and I hope the owner gives him the time he needs to make an impact on the club. He could prove us all right, many are expecting him to crash and burn. But, he could be the man to take us back to the Premier League. A place we need to be for all sorts of reasons.

But, I've stated my opinion. I believe the problems at the club stem a lot further than both the new manager and our performances on the pitch. I'm sorry I can't be more positive, but I have been 100% honest here.

Thanks for taking the time to read

Thanks for taking the time to write it fella! I totally agree with you. I endured the red because I love my football club. It actually hurts to see my kids in the red kid but it's the era they know Cardiff City as. If we get promoted and Tan sells up and pays off at least half the debt. I think we can survive & go back being bluebirds

A well written piece that im sure will echo with alot of like-minded fans, tolerance at the time of the rebrand, and later perhaps a few regrets.

One thing I would like to bring up though is all this 'Club on its knees' business. I do agree that our football club is 'off course' at the moment, we desperately need a man who can realign and steer this ship (club) back in the direction it needs to be heading. Vincent Tan has implied that he will probably be moving on when he can, and lets be honest, it will probably be the best course of action for all involved, but lets not forget that Tan has to get the club into a position where it is sellable before that can happen, and in my opinion that means that Tan will have to improve our financial situation via debt to equity conversations and continued investment. Tan has always stated that he will only move on when the club is in a sound position.

Russell Slade has a big job to do, he has 20 years experience in the football league dugouts and he is going to need every minute of it to motivate the team that we have seen on the pitch this season, but one thing is undeniable, we have 'on paper' the best squad one players in the division, if Slade can get them playing as a team then success will come, then you have got to give VT some credit for acting swiftly to get the hopeless Ole out as early in the season as he did! I for one pray that happens. I dread to think of the outcome for the club if Slade is the wrong amn for the job.

I don’t think the club it’s on its knees, I think certain elements of the fan base want us to think that, same with the laughing stock title, how are we a laughing stock, look at whats happening at Watford and Leeds? a few wins and some good decisions on ticket pricing for both this season and next season will see a moral improvement at the club and amongst the fans.

Loadz feel the same way mate put it this Way I used to come on here and talk a out football now I come on here moaning about the same things that agreve you .

We have every right to moan ive never supported the rebrand at all or vt since day one.
Hope he sells up the snag is over 100 mill in debt that vt promised to turn to equity but hasn't and that was the agreement in rebranding us to his own cultural tast I might add.

No it goes deap with me ive never felt hatred before and I am ashamed I feel it and I feel the hate for vt is a horrible emotion im not proud of but im sorry I really do hate tan for what hes done and is doing. We all have are own take on tan problem is many fans feel the same which has huge effect on the club you can feel it in the ground its not a happy place for me anymore.

35 years a fan ive never once even come close to feeling like this before supporting my club.
The op is right in his own way but me .Well tan has to go now he had his chances to change but simply doesn't give a crap whatt a weirdo.

Gavin, good post!

The problem that everybody seems to be missing is that... No manager can solve the problem we have, it runs deeper than a few players lacking confidence.

There is something wrong with the scouts, the training, confidence, fans, manager and tan.

tan is controlling this club and getting involved in parts of the club he should not be as he knows nothing about football.

Until he realises that he is the business man and not the football manager, scout or trainer we are fucked and so Is he

The problem that everybody seems to be missing is that... No manager can solve the problem we have, it runs deeper than a few players lacking confidence.

There is something wrong with the scouts, the training, confidence, fans, manager and tan.

tan is controlling this club and getting involved in parts of the club he should not be as he knows nothing about football.

Until he realises that he is the business man and not the football manager, scout or trainer we are fucked and so Is he

Sorry for turning this into a rebrand thread but I think the problem is the rebrand Tan wants to go one direction the majority of fans want to go another, fans don't feel passionate about the club anymore. It's almost as if the life has been sucked out of it with the rebrand , The atmosphere in the ground is terrible now (I know it wasn't the best before but was alot better when we played in blue).
The only way I feel this club can move forward is if Mr Tan reverses the rebrand , that way we wouldn't have anymore anti chanting going on the fans would be more behind the players rather than focussing on the red/blue issue . Everyone then is moving in the same direction

Can't believe you wore the red .. absolute disgrace.

Enjoyed reading that, its how many of us City fans feel

Excellent post,but disagree with supporting Slade.The bloke is a loser and will be looking forward at Christmas time when the Slade Out posts start.

A well written piece that im sure will echo with alot of like-minded fans, tolerance at the time of the rebrand, and later perhaps a few regrets.

One thing I would like to bring up though is all this 'Club on its knees' business. I do agree that our football club is 'off course' at the moment, we desperately need a man who can realign and steer this ship (club) back in the direction it needs to be heading. Vincent Tan has implied that he will probably be moving on when he can, and lets be honest, it will probably be the best course of action for all involved, but lets not forget that Tan has to get the club into a position where it is sellable before that can happen, and in my opinion that means that Tan will have to improve our financial situation via debt to equity conversations and continued investment. Tan has always stated that he will only move on when the club is in a sound position.

Russell Slade has a big job to do, he has 20 years experience in the football league dugouts and he is going to need every minute of it to motivate the team that we have seen on the pitch this season, but one thing is undeniable, we have 'on paper' the best squad one players in the division, if Slade can get them playing as a team then success will come, then you have got to give VT some credit for acting swiftly to get the hopeless Ole out as early in the season as he did! I for one pray that happens. I dread to think of the outcome for the club if Slade is the wrong amn for the job.

I don’t think the club it’s on its knees, I think certain elements of the fan base want us to think that, same with the laughing stock title, how are we a laughing stock, look at whats happening at Watford and Leeds? a few wins and some good decisions on ticket pricing for both this season and next season will see a moral improvement at the club and amongst the fans.

I feel that you have just inadvertently highlighted the reason why this is all going to end badly. The club needs promotion so badly, if only to get rid of an owner that has caused so much negativity among the fan base. So, you would think that as it's imperative, he would appoint the most qualified manager out there? Yet, he has gone for an option of a manager that has never managed at this level and not won anything significant in 20 years. We would all love it to work out, however the fact is, that this is another mis-judged appointment that will back fire as all of VTs decisions have. Apart from the fact that VT has kept on bank rolling the club, which is the easiest thing in the world to do, when your worth over a billion pound, every other decision he has taken has been mis-judged. That is why I fear for the future of our club.

The problem that everybody seems to be missing is that... No manager can solve the problem we have, it runs deeper than a few players lacking confidence.

There is something wrong with the scouts, the training, confidence, fans, manager and tan.

tan is controlling this club and getting involved in parts of the club he should not be as he knows nothing about football.

Until he realises that he is the business man and not the football manager, scout or trainer we are fucked and so Is he

Sorry for turning this into a rebrand thread but I think the problem is the rebrand Tan wants to go one direction the majority of fans want to go another, fans don't feel passionate about the club anymore. It's almost as if the life has been sucked out of it with the rebrand , The atmosphere in the ground is terrible now (I know it wasn't the best before but was alot better when we played in blue).
The only way I feel this club can move forward is if Mr Tan reverses the rebrand , that way we wouldn't have anymore anti chanting going on the fans would be more behind the players rather than focussing on the red/blue issue . Everyone then is moving in the same direction

Sorry darran, I don't agree.
The fans have short memories,they follow like sheep when times are hard, it gives us something to moan about.We all need to be a bit more honest with our selves.
A year ago when we were beating Man city, Fulham and nicking unexpected points here and there and we were above the relegation 3 looking down on Palace and Sunderland etc. etc. there was very little anger against the rebrand and Tan being voiced in and out of the ground.Most fans don't and won't accept the rebrand, but while things weren't too bad on the pitch it was tolerated.(At this point many keyboard warriors are typing how they were always vocal re the rebrand and fought it from day one..... but actually, it's bollox, they are just doing the sheep thing again, and aligning themselves with certain groups who they think are "real City fans").

When Malky was sacked (and the weeks prior to it)most fans, me included couldn't understand what Tan was playing at, we now have some idea,and, in many ways Tan was justified in his actions.

Ogs was then appointed and briefly we thought things may improve, however they went from bad to worse.
However,if Ogs had come in, we had played attractive football and comfortably escaped the drop, do you all really feel we would be still be blaming Tan for everything that is shite about us? No, we wouldn't.

So my point is simple, as in all football clubs it is what happens ON the pitch that dictates the atmosphere, the
anger and the disillusion felt by all.As it also dictates the number of fans attending.It always has been and always will be.

On the positive side, the 19:27 protests,and the huge majority wearing the blue is now firmly established, mainly because of Malkys sacking and because we were so shit and were relegated. Now this won't change now until we return to blue. (which we will).
If Slade turns this team around and we are in with a shout of promotion next April/May , rebrand apart, most fans will be fairly happy again,numbers will return,as will the atmosphere at the ground, which is shit because the players aren't giving us much to shout about, so we pick on Tan instead, which doesn't help the team one bit.

We need our team performing on the pitch, f**k all else really matters now.So we need to support them.
The only way Tan will leave this club is if we are in the Prem. He wants away from us as much as we want him out.(only so we can go back to blue)but we should at least be pleased that he won't just walk away and leave us in the shit.His worldwide reputation prevents him from doing so.

So let's see what Mr Slade can bring to the party!

Can't believe you wore the red .. absolute disgrace.

Just being honest.

A lot will claim they never wore it once, when they really loved it.

A well written piece that im sure will echo with alot of like-minded fans, tolerance at the time of the rebrand, and later perhaps a few regrets.

One thing I would like to bring up though is all this 'Club on its knees' business. I do agree that our football club is 'off course' at the moment, we desperately need a man who can realign and steer this ship (club) back in the direction it needs to be heading. Vincent Tan has implied that he will probably be moving on when he can, and lets be honest, it will probably be the best course of action for all involved, but lets not forget that Tan has to get the club into a position where it is sellable before that can happen, and in my opinion that means that Tan will have to improve our financial situation via debt to equity conversations and continued investment. Tan has always stated that he will only move on when the club is in a sound position.

Russell Slade has a big job to do, he has 20 years experience in the football league dugouts and he is going to need every minute of it to motivate the team that we have seen on the pitch this season, but one thing is undeniable, we have 'on paper' the best squad one players in the division, if Slade can get them playing as a team then success will come, then you have got to give VT some credit for acting swiftly to get the hopeless Ole out as early in the season as he did! I for one pray that happens. I dread to think of the outcome for the club if Slade is the wrong amn for the job.

I don’t think the club it’s on its knees, I think certain elements of the fan base want us to think that, same with the laughing stock title, how are we a laughing stock, look at whats happening at Watford and Leeds? a few wins and some good decisions on ticket pricing for both this season and next season will see a moral improvement at the club and amongst the fans.

Make some good points there Gavin

Seems we're in agreement on a few things

Thanks for a frank, well written piece. You are not alone! Many remember the fateful day of the changes with the same disbelief. As for wearing the shirt, family first mate! You only wore it to show gratitude, a bit like wearing granny's hand knitted jumper Christmas Day! Keep the top safe. Hopefully it'll be a rarity one day. Lol.

Whether RS is the right manager only time will tell. My policy is always to support 100% and give time. Looks like VT is going to do the same. We'll see.

C'mon Bluebirds!

Thanks for a frank, well written piece. You are not alone! Many remember the fateful day of the changes with the same disbelief. As for wearing the shirt, family first mate! You only wore it to show gratitude, a bit like wearing granny's hand knitted jumper Christmas Day! Keep the top safe. Hopefully it'll be a rarity one day. Lol.

Whether RS is the right manager only time will tell. My policy is always to support 100% and give time. Looks like VT is going to do the same. We'll see.

C'mon Bluebirds!

Spot on

I let the bin-men have the shirt after Brighton at home.

Ned, I really enjoyed reading how you felt and went through being a City fan and the whole rebrand. Your right questions regarding our Debt to equity have still not been answered or resolved.

Me and the lads were driving past the new Olympic Stadium when we read forum.
Thought it was a joke at first, we all had a laugh about it.
The day it changed forever and a privilege to be at Upton Park, the last time we had proper passion, albeit, we got dicked

"f**k Man Utd, it's Barnsley Away"

Ned, I really enjoyed reading how you felt and went through being a City fan and the whole rebrand. Your right questions regarding our Debt to equity have still not been answered or resolved.

I believe the debt to equity could have happened if we had stayed in the premier for around 4 years.

If Tan decided to do the move now his hearing would drop dramatically. For the sharing to rise he will need at least 4 years stability in the premier. Well that is what I am told.

The problem that everybody seems to be missing is that... No manager can solve the problem we have, it runs deeper than a few players lacking confidence.

There is something wrong with the scouts, the training, confidence, fans, manager and tan.

tan is controlling this club and getting involved in parts of the club he should not be as he knows nothing about football.

Until he realises that he is the business man and not the football manager, scout or trainer we are fucked and so Is he

Sorry for turning this into a rebrand thread but I think the problem is the rebrand Tan wants to go one direction the majority of fans want to go another, fans don't feel passionate about the club anymore. It's almost as if the life has been sucked out of it with the rebrand , The atmosphere in the ground is terrible now (I know it wasn't the best before but was alot better when we played in blue).
The only way I feel this club can move forward is if Mr Tan reverses the rebrand , that way we wouldn't have anymore anti chanting going on the fans would be more behind the players rather than focussing on the red/blue issue . Everyone then is moving in the same direction

Sorry darran, I don't agree.
The fans have short memories,they follow like sheep when times are hard, it gives us something to moan about.We all need to be a bit more honest with our selves.
A year ago when we were beating Man city, Fulham and nicking unexpected points here and there and we were above the relegation 3 looking down on Palace and Sunderland etc. etc. there was very little anger against the rebrand and Tan being voiced in and out of the ground.Most fans don't and won't accept the rebrand, but while things weren't too bad on the pitch it was tolerated.(At this point many keyboard warriors are typing how they were always vocal re the rebrand and fought it from day one..... but actually, it's bollox, they are just doing the sheep thing again, and aligning themselves with certain groups who they think are "real City fans").

When Malky was sacked (and the weeks prior to it)most fans, me included couldn't understand what Tan was playing at, we now have some idea,and, in many ways Tan was justified in his

Ogs was then appointed and briefly we thought things may improve, however they went from bad to worse.
However,if Ogs had come in, we had played attractive football and comfortably escaped the drop, do you all really feel we would be still be blaming Tan for everything that is shite about us? No, we wouldn't.

So my point is simple, as in all football clubs it is what happens ON the pitch that dictates the atmosphere, the
anger and the disillusion felt by all.As it also dictates the number of fans attending.It always has been and always will be.

On the positive side, the 19:27 protests,and the huge majority wearing the blue is now firmly established, mainly because of Malkys sacking and because we were so shit and were relegated. Now this won't change now until we return to blue. (which we will).
If Slade turns this team around and we are in with a shout of promotion next April/May , rebrand apart, most fans will be fairly happy again,numbers will return,as will the atmosphere at the ground, which is shit because the players aren't giving us much to shout about, so we pick on Tan instead, which doesn't help the team one bit.

We need our team performing on the pitch, f**k all else really matters now.So we need to support them.
The only way Tan will leave this club is if we are in the Prem. He wants away from us as much as we want him out.(only so we can go back to blue)but we should at least be pleased that he won't just walk away and leave us in the shit.His worldwide reputation prevents him from doing so.

So let's see what Mr Slade can bring to the party!

Good pist and absolutely right

The problem that everybody seems to be missing is that... No manager can solve the problem we have, it runs deeper than a few players lacking confidence.

There is something wrong with the scouts, the training, confidence, fans, manager and tan.

tan is controlling this club and getting involved in parts of the club he should not be as he knows nothing about football.

Until he realises that he is the business man and not the football manager, scout or trainer we are fucked and so Is he

Tan picked slade himself so what you say is right lots of things wrong at ccf

Can't believe you wore the red .. absolute disgrace.

Just being honest.

A lot will claim they never wore it once, when they really loved it.

Yeah, I was joking to be fair lad.

Interesting points, agree with most of it apart from personally never accepted it etc..

Went to Uni in Worcester in 05, first day there I saw a fellow blue.. however, in my three years following I never saw one again!

Cracking post Worcester CCFC


and heres my quick opinion....FRANCHISE CLUB

Great read, that's pretty much how I feel

A well written piece that im sure will echo with alot of like-minded fans, tolerance at the time of the rebrand, and later perhaps a few regrets.

One thing I would like to bring up though is all this 'Club on its knees' business. I do agree that our football club is 'off course' at the moment, we desperately need a man who can realign and steer this ship (club) back in the direction it needs to be heading. Vincent Tan has implied that he will probably be moving on when he can, and lets be honest, it will probably be the best course of action for all involved, but lets not forget that Tan has to get the club into a position where it is sellable before that can happen, and in my opinion that means that Tan will have to improve our financial situation via debt to equity conversations and continued investment. Tan has always stated that he will only move on when the club is in a sound position.

Russell Slade has a big job to do, he has 20 years experience in the football league dugouts and he is going to need every minute of it to motivate the team that we have seen on the pitch this season, but one thing is undeniable, we have 'on paper' the best squad one players in the division, if Slade can get them playing as a team then success will come, then you have got to give VT some credit for acting swiftly to get the hopeless Ole out as early in the season as he did! I for one pray that happens. I dread to think of the outcome for the club if Slade is the wrong amn for the job.

I don’t think the club it’s on its knees, I think certain elements of the fan base want us to think that, same with the laughing stock title, how are we a laughing stock, look at whats happening at Watford and Leeds? a few wins and some good decisions on ticket pricing for both this season and next season will see a moral improvement at the club and amongst the fans.

Well said, Gavin. Saved me a fair bit of typing! LOL

Great Read!