Cardiff City news 12/05/00

Fri 12th May 2000 - Shall they stay or shall they go.

Billy Ayre will next week announce his retained list. There are many arguments over Billy Ayre himself. Will he be given the managers job on a permanent basis? He was only asked to do it until the end of the season. Personally I think Billy will given the chance to get City back up into the second division next season. He has worked with, and been involved in the selection of these players for over 2 years. Billy still has a contract with the club so he appears to be the obvious choice. From what I understand he is well respected by the board and the players. While we did not manage to survive the drop Billy was a big influence on the return to form of Mark Bonner and the return to the team of Rob Earnshaw. Jason Bowen has improved after being put into the midfield. Many players had become disillusioned under Frank Burrows and Billy has reinstated some hunger into the team. While the jury is still out on his tactics at times especially over substitutes I think we will kick of next August with Billy at the helm. This of course may all change if we get a takeover. This again is all speculation so I have based my thoughts on the situation as it is now. Obvioulsy new investment / owners could change all this.

If Billy does continue then he has to decide on who stays and who goes.

Firstly there are the players out of contract.

Jon Hallworth. I think Jon will leave. Seamus Kelly still has a year left on his deal but I think City will look to bring in a new first team goalkeeper, Seamus will then return to the bench.

Jeff Eckhardt. I think Jeff is good for another season. We will need hard committed defenders for Div 3 and Jeff could do well for another season. I have heard rumours of a possible player / coaching role for Jeff in the LoW.

Richard Carpenter. Chippy I understand has been offered a contract. Negotiations are under way and I would like to see him sign a new deal.

Danny Hill. Danny is a quality player. He needs games though. Both Frank and Billy have underused Danny and without the guarantee of regular first team football Danny may leave. Danny proved himself last Saturday and I think it would be a great loss if he were to go.

Mike Ford. As I have speculated this week I think Mike will finish playing and go into coaching. Probably at Oxford.

Jason Fowler. Jason is an extremely talented player. He does not turn it on enough though. He is able to dictate games and his skills are sublime. I feel that his inconsistency maybe a factor and I could see Jason moving to another club.

Lee Phillips. If I was typing this seven days ago my advise would be to wave bye bye to Lee. I always though he had talent but lack discipline and fitness. Then last Saturday he came on for Jeff Eckhardt and was a revelation. His physique has changed. He was fitter and keener. On his performance last Saturday I would offer him a new deal. I see no reason that Lee could not stake a claim in the squad for next season.

Then the players on the transfer list.

Winston Faerber. What did Winnie do wrong? Are their mind games at play here. No doubt Winnie went off the boil. He was placed on the transfer list and then given a chance back in the first team. Since his return he has peformed well and last Saturday after switching to centre half put in a man of the match performance. I think Winnie will go if someone puts in an offer for him, there has been rumour that a deal may already have been done with a team back in Holland. Personally I would keep him.

Schwinke. Well. Whats all this about. On the very rare occasion he made the first team he showed promise. He is a very strange case. Against Reading on Boxing Day he made some storming runs and could have scored a few. But off the field the word is he is lazy and injury prone. He is a 6'5 player that can jump 6'4. His height proved no advantage in the air. If an offer comes in for him he will be gone. If he stays then he should be given a chance. Maybe he needs a few games. There's no doubt he confuses the opposition and as the Reading game showed he can cause havoc in the attacking penalty area.

The rest.

The rest of the squad are under contract for next season. Billy will be looking to the likes of Andy Legg and Jason Bowen to extend their contracts. Should Billy decide to drop several of these contrcated players I think they are placed on the transfer list or paid off.

I can see a future at City for Legg, Bowen, Nugent, Boland, Bonner, Perrett, Earnshaw, Nogan, Kelly, Young, Low.

I would not be surprised to see Thomas, Brazier, Roberts, Hughes placed on the transfer list.

So my retained list prediction is

Released. Ford, Hallworth,

Looking to move. Fowler, Hill.

T/ list. Hughes, Thomas, Brazier, Roberts, Schwinke, Faerber.

Stay. Legg, Bowen, Nugent, Boland, Bonner, Perrett, Earnshaw, Nogan, Kelly, Young, Low. Eckhardt, Carpenter, Phillips.

I'm not sure about Buttery and Jennings. I think they will stay as youth / reserve keepers.

Players in.

So far the most probable is a contract for Paul Brayson. Reading though will want a fee.

Should my prediction come anywhere near close we will be looking to bring in several players. Especially a keeper, a quick solid central defender and cover in attack. I would like to see a left back come in and allow Legg to replace Brazier in left midfield. If Brazier stays then Legg at left back.

These are my thoughts.