Back at the Top Table after 51 years.
It’s been a long time coming, but the new season is nearly upon us - at last! The fact that if we had still been in the lower division we would have started playing 2 Saturdays ago means that the appetite is well and truly whetted for the new season.
But perhaps the biggest reason for excitement are the two big signings since my last post. On the 31st July, the signing of 20 year old Steve Caulker was completed from Spurs. I’ve always been impressed by Caulker - I remember him playing for Bristol City against us at the age of 18 and thinking how mature he looked. He then had a season of Premier League football on loan with Swansea (but we won’t hold that against him!) and looked ready to step up. He had a number of appearances for Spurs last year and I thought he could do a good job for them as well as further his England career. But it seems that he was only likely to be 4th choice Centre Back at Spurs this season, and in a year when he needs to play regular first team football in order to get a place in the England World Cup squad. Malky impressed him, and the deal was done very quickly for around £9million.
Steve Caulker signs
This signing was a good statement of intent, as the thought of a player of Caulker’s ability and potential coming to the Bluebirds was beyond the scope of most fans. It certainly made me realise that we meant business in the transfer market.
However, this was not as big a surprise as the club’s next big signing. Late Friday evening the news began to break that Malky had gone to Manchester on a mission - and came back with a new player! This player turned out to be Chilean international Gary Medel, who has been playing in La Liga for Sevilla for the last 2 years. Before that he had been playing in the Argentinian League for Boca Juniors. He also has over 50 caps for Chile - not bad for a 25 year old!
I have to confess at this point that I had never heard of this man before the news broke. However, subsequent information suggests that this guy is a really classy defensive midfield player. He is known in Spain as the only man who could keep Lionel Messi under control - not a bad recommendation! And his nickname is “El Pitbull”! The only negative thing about him is that he had 7 red cards in 90 matches for Sevilla, but Malky was looking for a solid no-nonsense midfield player (see previous bids for Wanyama and Epoue) and this man certainly seems to fit the bill!
Assuming that Malky will mainly be havinga form of 4-5-1 formation, the central “spine” of the formation is now Marshall - Cauker - Medel - Cornelius. This certainly looks good enough for the Premier League, although time will tell!
Gary “El Pitbull” Medel
PREMIER LEAGUE SURVIVAL?
It’s difficult to be objective when you have been waiting 51 years for a crack at the top league again. If the team manages to finish 17th and avoid relegation back to the Championship, then that will be considered a really successful season. I’d like to think we can finish safely mid-table, but that might be a bit too ambitious this time around.
The recent signings have definitely strengthened the squad, and the rumour is that there will be another 2 signings before the transfer window closes on September 2nd. Crystal Palace and Hull, the teams promoted with us, both now look weaker on paper (although both have managers with Premier League experience). In recent years, there has always been one or 2 teams who unexpectedly perform below the standards expected. Last season this was particularly Sunderland, as well as Aston Villa and Stoke. Swansea also had a poor finish to the season, and Norwich also had a bad run but made it in the end. If I have to make a prediction, then I would say that one of those 5 will join our promoted colleagues back in the Championship.
If we are to survive then we have to take points against the teams outside the top 7. Any points we get from the games against Manchester United, Manchester City, Tottenham, Arsenal, Chelsea, Everton and Liverpool can be considered as a bonus. We have 3 of those in our first 3 home games, so lets hope the early season pressures on those teams causes them to play below par and the euphoria for the Bluebirds helps us to perform above expectations.
Whatever happens, its going to be one hell of a ride!
11th August 2013
