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Notes for the New Season — Part Five: Birmingham, Wolves and Cardiff
Wednesday, 30th Jul 2014 12:10 by HarryFromBath

In the fifth of a series of pre-season reports, HarryFromBath assesses the mood around the Championship clubs by delving into their forums. Birmingham City, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Cardiff City are under the spotlight in today’s notes.

Birmingham City — Fearing the Worst

“We may surprise people, but I say that much more out of hope than belief or expectation”, “I’m still giving next season the benefit of the doubt until I am proved wrong”, “I just hope we can get off to a decent start and grow in the second part of the season, and not go the other way, as happened last year.”

Expectations at Birmingham City for the coming season have been shaped by last year’s campaign, a season which yielded just two home wins and which saw them survive on goal difference courtesy of a 93rd minute Paul Caddis equaliser in their last game of the season at Bolton.

“I hope for the best while fearing the worst”, “We’ll find out soon enough if the freebies from League One, League Two and the Conference are all up to it. If not, we may have to play as many defensive players as possible to avoid humiliation. Lee Clark may already know this.”

Lee Clark

“We still have Clark in charge. Towards the end of last season, he struck me as someone who was out of their depth. He was working his way through line-up after line-up and formation after formation, hoping something would stick.

“I struggle to see what his strong points are beyond player recruitment. Clark is good at getting players in, but I don’t think he really knows what he wants to do with them. Given that we have so many new players, I believe that Clark will struggle to resist his impulsive tendencies as soon as something goes wrong.”

“Clark made quite a number of decisions last season that really made no sense, no matter how you try to work them out”, “He has been guilty of over-thinking at times and setting us up to combat the opposition too much. We often don’t play with a pattern or style. I can’t tell you what type of football we try to play two seasons in.”

Modest Expectations

“We had a stronger squad last season and only stayed up on goal difference. It is inevitable we will decline further and that can only mean relegation.” One survey has 4% of Blues expecting automatic promotion and 10% forecasting the play-offs, while 64% expect a lower table finish, and 16% have forecast relegation.

“I can’t see a great deal to be positive about. I think it’s going to be another tough season with the manager we have and the standard of players that have come in”, “I think a few Blues think we are going to finish in the top half. Fair enough, but I can’t get over-excited by what has gone on so far.”

Plenty of Ins and Outs

“Clark has gone about his business well in bringing in players quickly. This definitely is his team, so that should stand us in good stead”, “I’m impressed with Clark’s business this summer, but until we start winning home games and look like we know what we’re doing, I’ll want someone else in.”

There has been a clear-out of established out-of-contract players at St Andrew’s. Wade Elliott (to Bristol City), Haydn Mullins (to Notts County) and Chris Burke (to Forest) have found new clubs, but Nikola Zigic, Peter Lovenkrands, Brian Howard and former ITFC midfielder Darren Ambrose are unattached.

Several fringe players - Aaron Martin (to Yeovil) and Jack Deaman (to Cheltenham) — have also left, and City have made a raft of new signings to replace them.


New signing Gunning

In defence, 22-year-old Grant Hall has arrived on a season-long loan from Spurs, Gavin Gunning (from Dundee United) and Jonathan Grounds (from Oldham) have arrived on two-year deals. Utility player David Edgar has also signed after being released by newly promoted Burnley.

Midfield has seen the arrival of Stephen Gleeson from MK Dons, along with two former Doncaster wingers in David Cotterill and Mark Duffy, while strikers Clayton Donaldson (Brentford’s top scorer last season) and Wes Thomas (from Rotherham) have also been signed by the Blues.

Pre-Season Indications

“I think that defensively we need to be a lot harder to beat, and the players brought in will help with that”, “The squad is obviously lacking quality, but we’ll have plenty of defensive options”, “It looks like Gleeson — a passing midfielder — could be squeezed out to make way for two brutes in the middle.”


Cotterill

The two former Doncaster wingers have widely impressed. “Cotterill and Duffy both cover their full-backs and aren’t afraid to get stuck in”, “Duffy looks a threat. He’s a decent replacement for Burke, and does more to get back and help out his defender which Burke never really did.”

“The quality of this season’s squad is less worrying that the options Clark has to tinker with things”, “Crumbs. I hope Lee Clark isn’t serious and he starts his usual trick of playing individuals out of position.”

Clark’s decision to play David Edgar in the centre of midfield in the pre-season win at Kidderminster really alarmed people, as it echoed the lack of thinking evident last season. Despite strengthening the squad defensively, Blues are worried that having such range of new players will leave them vulnerable to similar confusion if they don’t make a good start.

“This is shocking stuff from Clark. He’ll never learn — never, ever. Let’s stop pretending he will. It’s incredibly concerning that he thinks right-back Paul Caddis and Edgar are central midfielders. It’s going to be another season of the same old, same old from this guy.”

Wolverhampton Wanderers — Back to Basics

“I shall enjoy the season, and I hope we will be up there at the optimistic end of the table, which is really where we should be.” There is no great sense of euphoria on Wolves message boards after last season’s League One title-winning campaign. The impression is more about closing a dark chapter in their recent history.


“I really wish the club hadn’t said we were going for promotion.” This comment from a club statement has riled many fans. They feel it is unrealistic as an aim, and it echoes back to their recent chaotic past.

“We are now going with a logical ‘back to basics’ rebuild”, “It’s about finding decent players on small fees”, “The worst thing that could happen is for Kenny Jackett to get the club straight back up. If we are serious, we should build solid foundations for the next two to three years.”

Kenny Jackett

“We have an excellent manager in Jackett who understands the traditions and history of the club. I hope he gets the necessary time and backing to lead us to the Promised Land”, “The optimism I have comes from the way in which Kenny has changed our playing style over the course of the last season.”

“I think Jackett is doing a fantastic job. I have hopes that he will find a way to succeed despite limitations imposed from above”, “Kenny Jackett has built a team with a unity of purpose.” The former Millwall boss has won over the overwhelming majority of supporters over with his patient management style.


Manager Jackett

“With the so-called big stars not being used, it seems clear we have a manager prepared to do things his way. He’s not afraid to give younger players a chance and has created a team playing enjoyable and winning football”, “We are a team, with no big-time Charlies who want to be the stand-out stars.”

“Kenny has turned the club around both on and off the pitch. There is an air of professionalism and honesty, coupled with a genuine desire to re-engage with fans. It has got this old cynic back in love with the club.”

A Quiet Transfer Window

“With two weeks to go before the start of the season, I hoped a bit more business would have been done by now”, “We aren’t prepared to spend this summer.” Wolves have done little business so far this summer, relying on the squad which delivered last season’s promotion to sustain them in the Championship.

Former Netherlands U21 international Roger van la Parra, a 23-year-old winger has arrived from Heerenveen on a three-year contract and 25-year-old Tommy Rowe has arrived from Peterborough on a two-year deal. “I think Rowe will be a useful, if unspectacular player.” The two arrivals have generated little excitement.

“Many clubs are far more active and getting their targets, while we seem content in tuning the current team through friendly matches.” There has been some frustration that the “couple of magic signings people keep going on about” have yet to arrive. “Welcome to Club Static.”


Defender Batth

Wolves are most anxious about their options up front. Nouha Dicko is unproven and Leon Clarke has been inconsistent at this level. Chelsea frontman Patrick Bamford and Chris Wood are the latest in a litany of names being hopefully discussed. Fans would also welcome a centre-back as cover or a replacement for Danny Batth.

A Millstone on our Wage Bill

“I’m more disappointed that we haven’t moved any players on. I’m sick of hearing about them”, “There is the small matter of £130,000 per week going out on players who were given longer-term contracts than was wise, and who will never play for the club again.”

There has been little movement in terms of departures. George Elokobi has been released with his contract expiring, but several high earners are still on the clubs books. Kevin Doyle, Roger Johnson and Stephen Ward have contracts which expire next summer, with Jamie O’Hara’s deal runs until 2016.


Doyle

“Clubs are not going to pick up wages for players during the close season while they are not playing. I suspect that all that moved on loan last season will again move on this year.”

Consolidation

“I think we will finish around tenth. This is more a season of consolidation”, “I don’t think Wolves have enough to mount a play-off challenge. Certain areas are weak and we have little cover. We need to remain injury and suspension free, and I don’t believe for a second that we can or will.”

“It took us three years to be genuine contenders under Mick McCarthy and it will be a similar process under Jackett”, “Let’s not forget that we spent 17 years in this God-forsaken league. It is a league with big historic clubs like ourselves. We will need some serious backing if we are going to progress.”

“Am I concerned about the lack of signings? You bet I am. After last season, my aspirations were to see the club really step up. Today, retaining Championship status is about it.”

Some supporters are more nervous: “We have enough quality to finish comfortably above relegation trouble. That could really change if we get a few injuries.”

A Difficult August

“To tell you the truth, I’m getting worried, for we have difficult matches in the first weeks of the season — all the relegated teams plus Blackburn in the first five games. We have a number of inexperienced players who may find it difficult to recover from four defeats.”

“We’ve got a tough start and I hope we don’t get battered by the three relegated teams early on. If last season’s momentum and confidence get knocked out of us, it will end up being a long, hard season.” With such a difficult start, most Wolves believe that they will know within weeks if they have enough quality to survive the season.

Cardiff City

“We have managed to put together the most attacking Cardiff City team we’ve ever had”, “Ole’s had the pre-season to put his stamp on the team. Morale looks great. New faces seem sharp and our attacking football in the pre-season has been great.”

Bluebirds are graciously adjusting to life back in the Championship after a season away in the top flight. There has been little discussion of owner Vincent Tan, and plenty of confident chat about the team, the manager and how pre-season is shaping up on the football field.

“The team we have at the moment can play football, and will demolish any other team in the Championship on their day”, “Who knows what the season is going to bring? At Championship level you can affect results more with good tactics, good coaching and a strong work ethic.”

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

“This season could be as important for Ole as it is for us. He looks positive, excited and professional. If his style of football works, we can become the 12th man again. We could really storm this league and be back among the big boys.”

City supporters are fond of their manager, but they have doubts about his inexperience. They are concerned that he could be out-thought in a league “where it’s crucial you get the tactics right for each individual game”, “His only success has been in Norway, which is comparable with League One.”


Solskjaer

“I have no faith in Ole’s ability to organise and motivate the players”, “I have doubts about his management style and especially his tactics, “I don’t think he’ll get the squad to gel and play consistently. They can blow this league apart if they do gel.”

“Even though I’m not confident that Ole is the man to take us up, I will be supporting him until the bitter end. He is a really nice guy and wants to play attacking football. I really want him to succeed with us.” Bluebirds love the Norwegian’s stylish brand of football, but many fear that it could be his undoing.

Our Defence Will Cost Us

“It is vital that we strengthen the defence”, “The problem is that we are ridiculously attack-minded. We cannot play a midfield full of playmakers without their being collectively willing to track their players”, “If he can sort out the defence, Cardiff will be fine. Ole’s not a bad manager, but can be naïve.”

“Attack, attack, attack Ole, but every now and then we need to defend”, “We need to work on a more balanced style if we want to get back to the Premier League”, “I would like us to sign Michael Keane (from Manchester United) and Jose Fonte (from Southampton) in the heart of defence.”

“Under Malky Mackay we were a solid unit, set up to keep things tight and grind out results. The balance of the team was always tipped towards defence”, “Malky’s and Ole’s teams are like chalk and cheese. This season’s style of play will reflect that, but it will take more than half a season for the squad to adapt.”

Wide Expectations

“With the current squad, anything other than winning the league will be a failure. We currently have the best squad of players in this division. They should walk it with the right management and tactics”, “Play-offs are an absolute minimum. We should be challenging for automatic promotion.”

“I genuinely haven’t a clue how this season is going to go for us”, “My heart says top two, but my gut tells me it won’t be that easy. This is a crazy league where promoted teams can get promoted again, and relegated teams can struggle.”

Bluebirds are split between those who expect the team to coast to automatic promotion and those who foresee a mid-table finish. “The Championship is a cruel mistress, and even the best squads can struggle”, “It’s going to be tough and we’re the team to beat. I predict a mid-table finish next May.”

“For God’s sake, let’s not get on Ole’s and the players’ backs and create pressure for them if we lose a few games early on”, “With the best will in the world, it’s going to be difficult for fans to be patient after last season. Ole drew the short straw last season, but we still finished bottom under him.”

Rebuilding After Relegation

Cardiff have lost four regular first team players following last season’s relegation, with a fifth likely to depart. Craig Bellamy has retired, and midfielder Don Cowie has joined Wigan on a two-year deal. Defender Stephen Caulker has left for QPR and striker Fraizer Campbell has joined Crystal Palace.

Chile international midfielder Gary Medel has been linked with Inter Milan and Galatasaray. City are keen to recoup the £11 million they paid to Sevilla for the player, and a rumoured £1 million plus add-ons from the Italian team was seen as “an insult”. “Pay up or jog on”, was the consensus.


Sought-after Medel

Frazier Campbell has left with much goodwill. “He will fit the Pulis work ethic and he’ll weigh in with a few goals. Good luck Fraizer and thanks for the 100% effort you have always given us”. Caulker “moved to QPR because he wanted an extra £20k to £30k a week and QPR were mug enough to pay it.”

Cardiff have brought no fewer than in three strikers, 32-year-old Javi Guerra from Real Valladolid, 22-year-old Federico Macheda from Manchester United and 27-year-old Adam Le Fondre from Reading. They also have brought in 29-year-old Kashigo Dikgacoi from Palace and 25-year-old wide midfielder Guido Burgstaller from Rapid Vienna.


New signing Le Fondre

The manager’s recent comment about existing striker Kenwyne Jones “having a role at the club” has raised a few eyebrows. “The problem with Jones is that he is an excellent player when he wants to be. Can he be bothered? If he can, we will have a hell of a player. If not, he might as well get lost.”

“Although changing the playing style from ultra-defensive to possession orientated and attacking isn’t easy, I feel very optimistic indeed”, “Let’s give Ole a chance to prove himself.” While one senses that things could turn unpleasant quite quickly if City don’t make their anticipated good start, the mood for now is upbeat and positive.

On Friday, the spotlight will fall on the south coast when we will look at Bournemouth and Brighton, and we will see also how things are progressing at Reading.

Message Boards

Birmingham's best board is Small Heath Alliance, Molineux Mix is a good Wolves site, while, a Wolves forum worth visiting. Cardiff's top board is Cardiff City Forum.

You can find Part One of Harry’s pre-season notes here, Part Two here, Part Three here and Part Four here.


Photo: Action Images



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