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GREG CUNNINGHAM TALKS FRUSTRATION AT CITY

PostPosted: Tue Aug 13, 2019 5:29 pm
by Sven
Cardiff City's £4m star reveals his frustration over continued Neil Warnock selection snubs
By Glen Williams

Greg Cunningham was bought by the Bluebirds for £4million last summer

Greg Cunningham only played seven times for Cardiff City


Greg Cunningham has admitted he grew frustrated by his role as a squad player at Cardiff City and vowed to prove his worth at Blackburn Rovers.

Cunningham moved to the Welsh capital last summer in a £4million deal ahead of the Bluebirds' return to the Premier League and was set to challenge Joe Bennett for the starting berth at left back.


However Bennett was Neil Warnock's nailed-on first choice, and one of the bright sparks in an ultimately disappointing campaign, which left Cunningham firmly rooted to his seat on the bench.

The role of first reserve didn't sit right with the Irishman and following a chat with Warnock after the club's pre-season tour of North America, he and his agent set about engineering a move away.


He learned of Blackburn's interest and spent all of Wednesday emptying his house and waiting for the call. It came on Thursday, deadline day, and he quickly started on the 220-mile drive up the M6.

After a chat with Rovers manager Tony Mowbray, Cunningham was confident that Blackburn was the place for him and he signed a season-long loan deal.


"I just want to play football," he told the Lancashire Telegraph . "Some players are happy to fill that role, and you do need people to fill that role, but I don’t want to be one of them.

"I’m not forging a career to be a squad player. I have a lot to offer and the gaffer had his opinion at Cardiff and I didn’t play as much.

"But I hope to work my way in to the plans here and show the gaffer what I’m about."



For the Republic of Ireland international, who had impressed at Preston and Bristol City before that, last season represented a chance for him to prove his ability at the highest level and press his case to the national selectors.

But Cunningham made just seven top-flight appearances for the Bluebirds and while he is grateful for the opportunity, he conceded his time in south Wales did not go according to plan.


"I had some great years at Preston, but not very often does the door open to the Premier League," he added. "I don’t think anyone could blame for me making that decision.


"It didn’t go to plan, that is an honest assumption. I saw it going differently in my head but that’s how things can go in football.

"I kept my head down and did what I could when called upon, as rarely as it was.

"I had the opportunity to play some top sides. Unfortunately the team got relegated, to go close was disappointing, but this is a new season and a new chapter for me."

Re: GREG CUNNINGHAM TALKS FRUSTRATION AT CITY

PostPosted: Tue Aug 13, 2019 5:37 pm
by Sven
I have some respect for Greg Cunningham making the decision to move on and admitting he was increasingly frustrated at his lack of game time under Neil Warnock

Best for all concerned and that, for me, is the mark of a professional footballer, i.e. wanting to play football

However, unsettling the dressing room with others is not what the doctor ordered and it appears his discussion with the boss was a major part in his decision

I hope it works out for him at Blackburn; after all, this is currently a relatively short-term loan and one both sides would surely like to make permanent :thumbright:

Re: GREG CUNNINGHAM TALKS FRUSTRATION AT CITY

PostPosted: Tue Aug 13, 2019 5:38 pm
by 2blue2handle
Just not up to the standard of Bennett.

Re: GREG CUNNINGHAM TALKS FRUSTRATION AT CITY

PostPosted: Tue Aug 13, 2019 5:41 pm
by dorsetblue
Sven wrote:Cardiff City's £4m star reveals his frustration over continued Neil Warnock selection snubs
By Glen Williams

Greg Cunningham was bought by the Bluebirds for £4million last summer

Greg Cunningham only played seven times for Cardiff City


Greg Cunningham has admitted he grew frustrated by his role as a squad player at Cardiff City and vowed to prove his worth at Blackburn Rovers.

Cunningham moved to the Welsh capital last summer in a £4million deal ahead of the Bluebirds' return to the Premier League and was set to challenge Joe Bennett for the starting berth at left back.


However Bennett was Neil Warnock's nailed-on first choice, and one of the bright sparks in an ultimately disappointing campaign, which left Cunningham firmly rooted to his seat on the bench.

The role of first reserve didn't sit right with the Irishman and following a chat with Warnock after the club's pre-season tour of North America, he and his agent set about engineering a move away.


He learned of Blackburn's interest and spent all of Wednesday emptying his house and waiting for the call. It came on Thursday, deadline day, and he quickly started on the 220-mile drive up the M6.

After a chat with Rovers manager Tony Mowbray, Cunningham was confident that Blackburn was the place for him and he signed a season-long loan deal.


"I just want to play football," he told the Lancashire Telegraph . "Some players are happy to fill that role, and you do need people to fill that role, but I don’t want to be one of them.

"I’m not forging a career to be a squad player. I have a lot to offer and the gaffer had his opinion at Cardiff and I didn’t play as much.

"But I hope to work my way in to the plans here and show the gaffer what I’m about."



For the Republic of Ireland international, who had impressed at Preston and Bristol City before that, last season represented a chance for him to prove his ability at the highest level and press his case to the national selectors.

But Cunningham made just seven top-flight appearances for the Bluebirds and while he is grateful for the opportunity, he conceded his time in south Wales did not go according to plan.


"I had some great years at Preston, but not very often does the door open to the Premier League," he added. "I don’t think anyone could blame for me making that decision.


"It didn’t go to plan, that is an honest assumption. I saw it going differently in my head but that’s how things can go in football.

"I kept my head down and did what I could when called upon, as rarely as it was.

"I had the opportunity to play some top sides. Unfortunately the team got relegated, to go close was disappointing, but this is a new season and a new chapter for me."



Undoubtedly a good championship player, but as the article states he needed to displace a player who in amongst a struggling team performed consistently. Why go public though, he could have bided his time and the chance might of come like it has for Etheridge back ups this season. We will never know, had a couple if chances in the Cup and was sub standard. Wish him all the best but another high waste of cash.

Re: GREG CUNNINGHAM TALKS FRUSTRATION AT CITY

PostPosted: Tue Aug 13, 2019 6:03 pm
by davids
Decent Championship defender for sure and fully understand why he would not want to sit on the bench in this division.

However I am a bit disappointed for two reasons.

1. If Bennett gets injured we have no experienced cover at left back
2. Bennett has no real competition at left back. It's always better for a player to feel that if he doesn't perform that there is somebody waiting in the wings to take his job - Bennett will not be under that pressure this season as he knows that there is no real challenge for his position. I don't think that is particularly healthy.

If Bennett gets injured or loses form I'm worried we are going to really struggle in that position.

Re: GREG CUNNINGHAM TALKS FRUSTRATION AT CITY

PostPosted: Tue Aug 13, 2019 6:48 pm
by Crayfish
He was a bit unlucky in that Bennet both had an excellent season and remained almost entirely uninjured throughout the season. Who do we play there if he does get injured?

Re: GREG CUNNINGHAM TALKS FRUSTRATION AT CITY

PostPosted: Tue Aug 13, 2019 7:10 pm
by Bluebird Warrior
Unfortunately for him Bennett is just a better LB. He's a good LB in the championship and comes across as a good pro but imo Joe Bennett is one of the best LB's in the league and it was always going to be tough for him to dislodge him. I have to say I am a bit concerned if Bennett gets injured as the only cover we've got then is Jazz who's permanently a month away from being fit, Ciaron Brown who's main position is a CB I think, and Cameron Coxe who Im unsure if he's comfortable in that position or is ready for the Championship.

Re: GREG CUNNINGHAM TALKS FRUSTRATION AT CITY

PostPosted: Wed Aug 14, 2019 12:44 am
by RangerRank
Crayfish wrote:He was a bit unlucky in that Bennet both had an excellent season and remained almost entirely uninjured throughout the season. Who do we play there if he does get injured?

I saw on twitter the other day that Armand Traore is training with us. :thumbup: decent player IMO

Re: GREG CUNNINGHAM TALKS FRUSTRATION AT CITY

PostPosted: Wed Aug 14, 2019 3:20 am
by Fergy1927
RangerRank wrote:
Crayfish wrote:He was a bit unlucky in that Bennet both had an excellent season and remained almost entirely uninjured throughout the season. Who do we play there if he does get injured?

I saw on twitter the other day that Armand Traore is training with us. :thumbup: decent player IMO


He played a few games for us last year didn't he? If that's the same guy then I agree, he looked alright.

Re: GREG CUNNINGHAM TALKS FRUSTRATION AT CITY

PostPosted: Wed Aug 14, 2019 11:27 am
by Blueman39
Wish him well and good to hear a player who isn’t just happy to pick up the bucks and sit on the bench ....end of day tho he was a no 2 to one of the better players last season....pity he can’t play rb!!!