BOBBY REID: SIGNING NOT PAID OFF TO DATE

Cardiff's expensive gamble on Bobby Reid hasn't paid off
By Crippy Cooke


Tuesday 18th December 2018


Cardiff City forward Bobby Reid scored just his second goal of the season in Saturday’s defeat to Watford. He hadn't found a Premier League net in two months prior to the tap-in. It wasn't nearly enough to mask his poor start to the campaign. Reid's struggled for form since making the switch from Bristol City over the summer.

The Bluebirds spent 37% of their summer kitty on Reid after he scored 19 goals in 46 Championship games last season. He’s failed to make the step up to Premier League quality. Cardiff’s toils in the division don’t help but Reid has been so ineffective that Neil Warnock recently dropped him from the starting lineup.

The top flight is a culture shock for many successful Championship players. Defenders rarely allow an inch of space. Goalkeepers save more shots. Midfielders don't give time on the ball. Cardiff have grappled on all fronts since their promotion. Reid is one of many who haven't come out on top.


With the Robins last season, the 25-year-old averaged 27 passes [79% completion ratio], 1.2 chances created, 1.4 dribbles completed and 1.9 shots taken [45% accuracy] per game. At Cardiff, he’s averaged only 10.7 passes [68.3%], 0.5 chances, 0.7 dribbles completed and 1.2 shots taken [33%].

He’s encountered tougher opponents and so far failed to adapt. The forward has made 13 Premier League appearances this season but has only amassed 50 minutes of playing time since early-November. Reid’s last three outings came from the bench. Warnock has avoided bringing him on at all on three separate occasions during this period.

There’s good reason to suggest Reid was signed a year too early by Cardiff. He had the best season of his career in 2017/18 but may have needed another 12 months in the Championship to solidify himself as a top player outside the top division. It’s worth noting he only scored eight goals in 106 games for Bristol City before last season’s heroics. Cardiff gambled that 2017/18 was a breakthrough when it may have been an anomaly. Reid hadn’t managed more than three league goals in any previous season at Ashton Gate or for Cheltenham Town, Oldham Athletic or Plymouth Argyle when on loan.

Warnock’s decision to leave Reid out of the starting lineup may baffle many people given Cardiff average only one goal scored-per-game but the player's performance forced his hand. Reid has completed only four passes in his last three league appearances, failed to create a chance in his last five league appearances, failed to complete a dribble in his last four league appearances and has registered only three shots on target since late-September.

Reid clearly isn’t cutting it in the top-flight. What choice does Warnock have but to drop him? Cardiff hoped the forward would replicate his Championship form in a higher division but, like the Bluebirds, he’s not making the adjustment. The 25-year-old is Cardiff’s second-most expensive transfer. Their gamble has not paid off. Sitting 16th, only two points from the drop, the consequences could be severe.

You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.

I'm not sure I agree with this, as he's not really been given an extended run to get himself going

What an awful piece of writing that is and the guy that wrote it has a great name, Crippy Cooke FFS

I think he's the closest we have to a "goalpoacher" both his goals for us,was him reacting quicker than anyone else.

He’s scored two goals in those 50mins..you might suggest he’s improving. Needs to start.

Where did you get a name like Crippy from. Your mother probably could not spell, she probably meant Crappy which is more apt for your article.

Where did you get a name like Crippy from. Your mother probably could not spell, she probably meant Crappy which is more apt for your article.

I really like the little I've seen of him, sadly he doesn't fit our system which made him an odd bit of business when other positions were needed.

I have no doubt if he was a regular he would do well.

Completely disagree. Apart from the Leicester game at home every game I've seen him play he's been one of our best players. And every time he comes on he makes an impact. He always finds pockets of space between the opposition midfield and their defence and I think he's been very unlucky to be on the bench this season.

Completely disagree. Apart from the Leicester game at home every game I've seen him play he's been one of our best players. And every time he comes on he makes an impact. He always finds pockets of space between the opposition midfield and their defence and I think he's been very unlucky to be on the bench this season.

Agree with that.

pretty sure crispy has not watched us play and probably does not know where Cardiff is..

How about going 44 f*cking 2 with with tammy abraham and bobby reid up front, now that could be f*cking deadly m8

Other than the previous post, the article about Bobby Reid is the most ridiculous thing on this page .
He's a luxury player who can jump onto half chances but in order to be in that position contributes less to more vital areas ,and we can give him more game time as the team standard improves. As has been pointed out he's hardly had enough time in the team to moan at his goal rate, which given this is quite remarkably high.
He's got tremendous potential

What a poorly written article!

Bobby Reid has pace, movement and good instincts. He hasn't been able to get much game time for us so far but I always like the look of him when he comes on.