' WHO NEIL WARNOCK COULD STILL BRING IN '

' WHO NEIL WARNOCK COULD STILL BRING IN? '

By Dominic Booth


Thursday 8th June 2017



" Another Goalkeeper "

While Philippines international Etheridge is a solid addition, there's no doubt Warnock is in the market for another gloveman. Allan McGregor and Ben Amos will both return to their respective parent clubs after loans, so the Cardiff boss will want a second 'keeper to apply some pressure on Etheridge.

The Cardiff boss said throughout the final months of the season that he wanted two new stoppers, with Brian Murphy remaining in the squad as a solid third choice.


Who could they get? — Rotherham keeper Lee Camp is the favourite to re-join his old boss in south Wales, with his Millers contract due to expire at the end of June. The Bluebirds have also been linked with sensational moves for Wales No.1 Wayne Hennessey and former hero David Marshall, though the wage expectations of both players will prove major hurdles to overcome.






' Centre-back '

The arrival of Paterson suggests Warnock may play with wing backs next season. Both the Scottish international and Joe Bennett appear tailor-made for the roles, with Jazz Richards able to play on either flank.

But that would require the Bluebirds to field a three-man central defence, and with Bruno Manga unlikely to renew his contract, only Sol Bamba, Sean Morrison and Matt Connolly remain on the staff as recognised centre backs. Lee Peltier could be an option on the right side of a three-man back line.

The coming weeks may see Warnock dip into the market for a new centre back, though he retains a glimmer of hope Manga might stay. Further talks are set to take place.

Who could they get? — Motherwell centre-back Ben Heneghan has been linked with a Bluebirds switch so too has Newcastle United's Grant Hanley, but if Manga does sign a new deal, Warnock could call off the search for a new face in this position.





' Centre midfield '

Whether Warnock will sign a new midfield player depends so much on the futures of three Cardiff midfielders: Emyr Huws, Stuart O'Keefe and, of course, Peter Whittingham.

With every week that has passed by, it's looked more unlikely Whittingham will leave the club. The stalwart of 10 years has been offered a cut-price new contract, but many Bluebirds fans seem resigned to losing their playmaking kingpin.

Huws could prove an ideal replace for Whittingham, especially after enjoying a successful loan spell at Ipswich Town in the latter part of last season. The talented Welshman remains an enigma for many Cardiff fans yet he'll surely get a chance to impress Warnock in pre-season. O'Keefe meanwhile, could be a useful squad player next season, but may choose to seek pastures new.

Who could they get? — If Warnock chooses to look elsewhere for a Whittingham replacement, the experience of players like Joe Ledley and Charlie Adam shouldn't be overlooked. Both have been strongly linked with a move to south Wales but neither possess the creative flair of Whittingham, or indeed Huws.





' Striker '

Warnock has reiterated his desire to add goals to this Cardiff team, with Kenneth Zohore carrying a heavy burden from Christmas onwards last season.

And while much of the manager's work will revolve around getting the best from the Big Dane once again and encouraging him to hit the 25-goal mark for the campaign, Zohore will need support.

Rickie Lambert is another who could depart, leaving Frederic Gounongbe — who'll get a chance to prove his worth — and Idriss Saadi as back-up strikers. Saadi impressed on loan with Belgian side Kortrijk last term, scoring 16 goals, but Cardiff are still short of options.

Who could they get? — Both Danny Ward and Sam Gallagher have been linked with Cardiff moves in recent weeks and both players could bring something new to Cardiff. Warnock must look to add pace to his frontline as well as goals.

Ward, 25, netted 12 times for Rotherham last season while 21-year-old Southampton forward Gallagher hit the same number on loan at Blackburn Rovers.

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How would a back three work if we've just renewed the contracts for Hoilett & Harris, and just brought in Mendez-Laing?

Surely it'll be 4-5-1 or a 4-3-3

Shoddy journalism once again.

I prefer reading comments from fellow board members on here who have more of a clue about signings, formations and so forth than these newspaper collumnists.

Shoddy journalism once again.

I prefer reading comments from fellow board members on here who have more of a clue about signings, formations and so forth than these newspaper collumnists.

It'll be 4-5-1 I'd guess

Etheridge/ New Keeper

Jazz/Paterson, Bamba, Morrison/Manga Bennett
Gunnar, Ralls/New player (Ledley? )
Mendez- Laing / New player ( Hayes? ) Harris
New player (ward/Adam?) / Hoilett
Zohore

Above = best case scenario for me.

I can see a 4-2-3-1 system being a regular occurance. Modern, effective system in today's game. This could be our potential team:

GK - N.Etheridge
RB - C.Paterson
RCB - S.Bamba
LCB - S.Morrison
LB - J.Bennett
RDM - A.Gunnarsson
LDM - J.Ledley
RM - N.Mendez-Liang
LM - J.Hoilett
CAM - J.Ralls
ST - K.Zohore

Potential 'impact' subs: B.Ecuélé Manga, K.Harris, etc.

The only thing I'd like to see is a creative attacking midfielder coming in, within our budget of course. So far, I'm very happy with Warnock's signings. Hope there's plenty more to come!

How would a back three work if we've just renewed the contracts for Hoilett & Harris, and just brought in Mendez-Laing?

Surely it'll be 4-5-1 or a 4-3-3

easy, you would have 3 CB 2 WB 2 Holding midfielders 2 wingers and a striker.

Etheridge

Manga Morrison Bamba

Patterson Bennett

Gunnarsson Ralls

Hoilett Harris

Zohore

I don't get why we would need a CB. even if we went with a back 3 and Manga left we would still have Bamba, Morrison, Peltier, Connolly and Halford (who people seem to forget) so even with 3 CB's and no manga you would still have 2 back up CB's in Connolly and Halford. I would rather we look at a GK, CM, W, and a ST. personal preference would be Hennessey, Kenny MC Lean (very creative midfielder, compared to Xavi in the way he plays and a great passer who scored goals and worth 1m) Danny Ward and Sam Gallagher.

Some of these may be out of our reach but I would like to see us go for Adam from Stoke, we have been crying out for a leader, a right horrible b*stard, somebody to pull the strings bit like Nolan did for West Ham.
Next I would look at Boyd from Burnley, last I heard Derby were in for him, his work rate and pace Warnock type of player.
On the Wing Russell from Derby pace workrate again right up Warnocks street.
Striker wise has to be Gallagher from Southampton, this guy has huge potential he ran us ragged up at Blackburn towards the end of the season scored 12 goals in a poor side and a player who we could cash in on further down the line. Failing that Emnes off the Jacks again plenty of pace great workrate and scores goals.
We wouldn't get all these but I believe apart from Gallagher the rest are all out of contract, yes we still may need further additions like goalkeeper but these or some of them added to what we have and next season I think we could be a real force.

Some of these may be out of our reach but I would like to see us go for Adam from Stoke, we have been crying out for a leader, a right horrible b*stard, somebody to pull the strings bit like Nolan did for West Ham.
Next I would look at Boyd from Burnley, last I heard Derby were in for him, his work rate and pace Warnock type of player.
On the Wing Russell from Derby pace workrate again right up Warnocks street.
Striker wise has to be Gallagher from Southampton, this guy has huge potential he ran us ragged up at Blackburn towards the end of the season scored 12 goals in a poor side and a player who we could cash in on further down the line. Failing that Emnes off the Jacks again plenty of pace great workrate and scores goals.
We wouldn't get all these but I believe apart from Gallagher the rest are all out of contract, yes we still may need further additions like goalkeeper but these or some of them added to what we have and next season I think we could be a real force.

I was with you right until you said Emnes

Emnes scores goals as well we know, has pace and works hard, all the things we have been lacking and will tick all the boxes Warnock looks for in a player.

Shoddy journalism once again.

I prefer reading comments from fellow board members on here who have more of a clue about signings, formations and so forth than these newspaper collumnists.

Agreed see Bluedredd above

How would a back three work if we've just renewed the contracts for Hoilett & Harris, and just brought in Mendez-Laing?

Surely it'll be 4-5-1 or a 4-3-3

easy, you would have 3 CB 2 WB 2 Holding midfielders 2 wingers and a striker.

Etheridge

Manga Morrison Bamba

Patterson Bennett

Gunnarsson Ralls

Hoilett Harris

Zohore

It seems a bit pointless playing wing-backs and wingers so basically it's a 5-4-1 system which is a bit defensive?