Former Cardiff City goalkeeper Neil Etheridge insists he has joined a sleeping giant after his painful exit from Cardiff City.

Etheridge had been Neil Warnock’s first choice when Cardiff were in the Premier League and he was tipped to remain in the top flight even after the Bluebirds’ relegation. 

But a move didn’t materialise and the Philippines international then slipped behind Alex Smithies in the pecking order until his switch to St. Andrew’s on the eve of the season.  “I feel like this club is a sleeping giant that’s ready to wake up,” said Etheridge.

“The manager has brought in experience through his signings. We’re obviously going to hit patches in the season where results won’t go our way and we understand that. 

 

Name a better goalkeeper in the championship than Neil Etheridge, you can’t

— Ben 🇵🇭 (@benwilsonbcfc) September 19, 2020

“But I think with the experience the manager has brought in, we’ll be able to get out of that and grind through it.”  

The Philippines international was outstanding as Aitor Karanka’s side held Swansea City to a 0-0 draw in south Wales on Sunday. The Blues goalkeeper marked his debut with an outstanding late save to earn his side a well-earned point.

And despite enjoying the majority of his time in the Welsh capital Etheridge admits he was left frustrated towards the end due to a lack of game time.

He said: “For any player not playing, it’s frustrating. When you throw in the period of time that we weren’t playing due to Covid, and then coming back and Cardiff going on a fantastic run into the play-offs, then falling short, it was difficult. 

 

“This club obviously wanted me for a long time and I knew that. They have given me the security and also the confidence to sign me on a long term deal. It shows that this club really want to go in the right direction.”