The transfer window is about to close, or “slam shut” as Jim White likes to excitedly tell us on Sky Sports News. Cardiff City have had a low key month so far, but Josh Thomas identifies players manager Neil Warnock should be backed to bring in.
It’s that time of the year again when the nerves in your stomach can only mean one thing. The January transfer window moves to deadline day and as speculation draws near, deals edge closer, you are left wondering who your team will sign or sell.
Cardiff City have already signed Greg Halford, Ibrahim Meite and Allan McGregor to boost their squad but with little money to hand, who else affordable can fit into and improve City’s playing system?
Halford was signed from fellow Championship club Rotherham United as Warnock thought highly of his work rate and said this of his new signing at the time. “I’m glad to get him on board, he’s a good utility player, he can play in loads of positions. “
New striker Meite, who had a trial with Premier League champions Leicester City early on in the season, is seen by Warnock as “a really exciting prospect. I just like the look of him, it’s not a difficult situation, there’s no fee or anything.”
After selling David Marshall to Hull City the goalkeeping spot was vacant and it has been filled by no less than three different players: Ben Amos, Brian Murphy and Ben Wilson. But with someone of experience needed, McGregor was seen as the successor to fellow Scottish international Marshall.
“Marshy said this was a great place to play with a great set of lads and obviously in the short time I’ve been down here, (It’s been) really good,” said McGregor.
But with players still being linked to Cardiff City, Warnock could still do some more business.
In recent weeks players such as Abdoul Camara, David Davis and Paul Anderson have been linked to Cardiff and they also had a bid rejected by Blackburn Rovers for Liam Feeney.
Earlier on in the window, Abdoul Camara was linked with Cardiff and I, for one, would love to have him here. With the club finding goals hard to come by, and with Camara facing difficult times with limited opportunities, the move could do him the world of good – even though he only signed for Derby County last January.
Moving to Cardiff would enable him to play week-in, week-out. He is known for his ability to play on the wing as well as up front, as evidenced through international football for Guinea, where he has scored four goals in 10 caps.
He is exciting to watch, has electric pace, and would be a welcome addition to the club.
But with goals needed in order to win games the midfield has to play its part. City need to strengthen and widen their options here with Feeney looking worthy of a fresh offer.
Warnock is still looking to establish his identity on the team and after signing Junior Hoilett on a free transfer last year, the manager is still looking for another winger to help add pace to his midfield.
Feeney is known to this division, having played in the Championship for a number of years. His experience could prove invaluable to the Bluebirds and he might prove an inspired signing.
A player linked with Cardiff throughout the window is Republic of Ireland international Jonny Hayes of Aberdeen. After having two bids turned down, could City go in again and make a third offer?
If they did, this is what they would get – a player who can score goals, be a threat from set pieces, and bring something creative to the team.
City should aim to sign both Feeney and Hayes – established, experienced and versatile wingers who could also spice up the midfield. With Warnock looking to set up a team full of hope and desire for the future, then Hayes, in particular, could easily fit into the current system. Longer term, he and Feeney might give Warnock a chance of achieving his ambition of an eighth promotion with his 15th club.
So, with one day left, Warnock, who has been in this position many times before, sums it up by saying, “It’s always right to back your judgement and take a look.
“You are probably never going to change someone’s character and, the chances are, there’s going to be a reason why they are available in the first place.
“But that doesn’t mean they can’t bring something to the table or that they aren’t any good.”
Cardiff should back his late window decision-making and give him the tools for the rest of this season and next. They might then discover he is able to follow his success at Sheffield United and Queens Park Rangers – clubs he guided to the Premier league – by doing the same at Cardiff City.