This was never going to be an easy transfer window for Cardiff City. There was no money available, but the squad had clear limitations that needed to be addressed. There is also always constant speculation regarding their best player, and did I mention that there was no money to spend?
It was a baptism of fire for Steve Morison, who is still finding his feet in a new profession, but he kept calm, carried on and in the end, in my own opinion passed with flying colours. Cardiff look leaner, meaner and ready for the challenge ahead, which is to dig themselves out of a hole of their own making.
Cody Drameh, Tommy Doyle, Alfie Doughty, Jordan Hugill and Uche Ikpeazu all reported, ready for action and all look set to play a key part in the second half of the season. Ikpeazu has yet to feature, having only arrived late on Monday, but will likely play some part at Barnsley on Wednesday. First impressions of those that have played are very positive.
Let’s start with Doyle because he looks a real talent.
A chip off the old Manchester City block, Doyle may only be 20, but he plays with the experience and wise head of a 10-year veteran. Technically excellent, I’ve yet to see him make a mistake and his cross for James Collins’ goal at Bristol City was lethal. He’s already organising the side, leads by example and drives them forward. His display against Nottingham Forest was a masterclass and he’s one of those players that you already miss because you know he has to leave eventually. A stellar Premier League career surely awaits and we are fortunate to have him.
Cody Drameh has frequently featured for his parent club Leeds and his request to leave during an injury crisis seemed to spark a mini civil war, but he clearly wanted to play more. Plenty of young players would rather stick around for the status and prestige of their surroundings, so it takes courage to drop down a level, against their club’s wishes. He looks a dynamic, aggressive presence on the right and will get better the more he plays. Drameh struggled in the second half at Bristol, but he was not alone and will learn from it.
It was a shame that Cardiff couldn’t bring back Ryan Giles, but Doughty looks a solid addition in his place. Where Giles most enjoyed the winger aspect of the wing back role, Doughty looks more defensively minded and that may prove to be a better fit for Cardiff just now. He had a real challenge on his hands at the weekend, facing both Djed Spence and Brennan Johnson along his flank, but I feel Doughty more than held his own and eventually prevailed.
Hugill is every inch the traditional Cardiff City striker. Brave, heart on his sleeve and prepared to do the hard yards. Since thriving at Preston, he has bounced around a lot since securing a big move to West Ham and has admitted that he was in need of an arm around his shoulder when Morison got in touch. His goal will do him the world of good and he ran himself into the ground for the cause.
Morison admitted that he targeted players with a point to prove and that sort of hunger is exactly what Cardiff need. The last couple of seasons have taken their toll, with three different managers, games behind closed doors and ongoing contract uncertainty. These players have given Cardiff a shot in the arm and hopefully they can begin to incrementally creep away from danger.
Of course, its not all sunshine and rainbows. Its still Cardiff after all.
The king is dead. Kieffer Moore has finally departed, in a move that has felt inevitable. He wanted to go, and Bournemouth represent a better chance of him realising his dream of playing in the Premier League, so no hard feelings. He has not looked the same player this season, whether due to his head being turned by interest from Wolves in the summer, or the cumulative effect of playing all summer, missing pre-season, contracting Covid twice and niggly injuries.
However you choose to dress it up, it’s a significant blow. Cardiff have lost their best player, for a fee that I believe is less than market value. Collins, Hugill and Ikpeazu are all broadly similar players and I’m not sure that any of them will be able to suitably replace him, but maybe a combination of two of them, if Morison is now intent on playing two up top, can compensate.
It took Cardiff many years and a small fortune to find their perfect striker, so replacing him will not be easy, but Moore was no longer that player by the end.
I was also sad to see Tom Sang depart on loan and I was hoping to see more of him in the coming months, but it sounds like he has a difference of opinion with Morison regarding his best position. It does not bode well, but hopefully a resolution can be found because he looks a talent.
Things are suddenly looking up for a new look Cardiff, but there have been a few false dawns already this season. They now need to find some consistency and string some results together. With so many players set to depart in the summer, it does feel like Cardiff are building on sand rather than solid foundations, but those are now concerns for the summer and beyond. For now, Morison, operating with at least one hand tied behind his back, has given Cardiff a fighting chance and it'[s my belief that for that he should be applauded.
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