Money is thin on the ground in this transfer window for Cardiff City.
As a result, we have been told repeatedly that loan signings are the only means by which the Bluebirds will be getting players through the door.
While that might narrow their options somewhat, their work in the loan market has been largely flawless in recent seasons and serve as a source of encouragement for Cardiff supporters.
Cardiff's hand has been forced by the recent pandemic. It has decimated businesses across the globe and City's owner Vincent Tan has been caught in the crossfire with his own leisure business.
But while one door closes, another opens. The days of multi-million-pound Championship transfers are over and, as such, Cardiff have to be far more shrewd in their dealings. Loan moves, while are not completely free of charge, are far more viable and have treated Cardiff well over the last two years or so.
As we scroll through the list of loan signings the Bluebirds have made since Neil Harris took charge, it is fair to say they have a terrific hit rate.
Credit where its due, Cardiff's scouting network and recruitment department must be given kudos for their work on bringing in loans. Below, we take a look at every player who has come in on loan over the last two years...
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Dion Sanderson – A real bright spark when he joined from Wolves in January 2019. Wrestled the right-back spot off Jazz Richards and showed real attacking endeavour and excitement down that flank. It was no coincidence Cardiff surged up the table and into the play-offs, either side of the Covid shutdown, with him in the side. Harris reverted to Leandro Bacuna when it got to the business end of the campaign and that might just have been a mistake. Has a bright future at Wolves.
Albert Adomah – Took the winger on loan from Nottingham Forest and never let the side down. Was incredibly dependable, added a solidity in defence and was more than capable in attack, even if perhaps his numbers didn't show it. A little change of tack in the sense that 'Uncs' was a more experienced campaigner, as opposed to a young whippersnapper, but he did well in a Cardiff shirt.
Brad Smith – A disappointing one for the player in the sense he barely got a kick of the ball. He was brought in to provide cover for Joe Bennett but he never got a look-in. Made just three substitute appearances during his time at the club, but through no fault of his own, really.
Jordi Osei-Tutu – Wow, did this boy look a talent. The Arsenal prodigy lit up the right side of defence following his loan move in the summer of 2020. He looked to be a real find and an addition which got the fans really excited. After just six games, though, his hamstring injury wrecked his season and he didn't play again until the following April. Cardiff were gutted with his injury troubles, because he had the potential to make a real impact on Cardiff's season last year.
Sheyi Ojo – The Liverpool loanee blew hot and cold but was definitely a useful inclusion in that summer of 2020. He started very brightly and was one of the better players during an underwhelming start to the campaign. He provided five goals and six assists in his first 28 Championship appearances for the Bluebirds, but his form, and game time, dipped after Mick McCarthy's arrival.
Harry Wilson – A top performer who did some excellent things in a Cardiff shirt. The Bluebirds were fortunate to get him on loan from Liverpool and there looked to be a time when the Wales international could have spearheaded City's charge to the play-offs. However they fell just short. His hat-trick at Birmingham City was a highlight, but his return of seven goals and 12 assists in his only Cardiff season will be remembered fondly by all Bluebirds fans, even if they weren't allowed in stadiums to see it.
Filip Benkovic – Arguably the only real 'flop' on the list. Had just one appearance, away at Wycombe Wanderers as an early substitute, and was later blamed for both goals during Cardiff's loss. He has recently had his contract terminated at Leicester City, who obviously believed he wasn't up to the task. One Cardiff got wrong following Aden Flint's loan move to Sheffield Wednesday.
Ryan Giles – A classy operator on the left flank for this first half of the season. Was an assist machine, topping the league charts in that particular metric with nine, before being recalled by Wolves. That is no mean feat in this goal-shy Cardiff side. Acquitted himself equally well at wing back as he did on the left-hand side of a front three early in the season. Just about the only positive from those bleak few months at the beginning of the campaign.
Cody Drameh – Too early to make definitive judgments, of course, after his only appearance against Blackburn Rovers on Saturday, but the signs are positive. He looks sharp, eager, hungry to impress and it's encouraging he forced a move here, against his manager's will, from Premier League side Leeds United. He has a point to prove and the bit between his teeth. He will provide some pace on that right-hand side and it is a signing Cardiff fans are rightly excited about.
So, that brings us to Tommy Doyle. The club are hopeful that the 20-year-old Manchester City midfielder will be the next man to add to the list over the coming days.
Given he is a midfielder, it throws up a big selection headache for Steve Morison, but the manager will be optimistic that he will join the other successful loanees Cardiff have had over the last two years.
Benkovic is the only one who really did not work out, while Smith and Osei-Tutu's lack of game time would have disappointed for different reasons. But the point is Cardiff have got far more loan signings right than wrong in recent years and they will hope that trend continues.
It is unlikely that money will immediately be pumped back into football and all will be restored as it was pre-pandemic. A shift to good loans looks to be here to stay.
If Doyle's transfer gets over the line, Cardiff fans can take solace in the fact that City's scouting and transfer department have a pretty decent track record to refer to in recent seasons.
On a grander scale, there is a big overhauling job to be done in the summer, with nine players running out of contract. They will have to be replaced, one way or another.
There will be promotions from the academy and permanent transfers, no doubt, but it is likely City will lean on the loan market next season and beyond, too.
After all, why not? They are quietly building themselves a strong reputation in that department and are rarely getting them wrong.
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