Cardiff City Premier League Squad 2013-14

I've just had a look at the rules regarding the size and make up of squads in the Premier League and have come to the conclusion that Malky's got a real problem on his hands.
The maximum size of a squad is 25 players. Any players under the age of 21 on of after January 1992 will not have to be included in the 25 nominated players.
So Ralls, Nugent and Harris could be in the City squad in additon to the 25 players registered with the Premier League.

At present we have 26 players, 27 if Leon Barnett is included, who have contracts until the end of this season and beyond and are over 21 years of age.
So if Malky is to bring in, let us say 6 players, he will have to get rid of at least 7 players.
Only four player, McNaughton, McPhail, Helguson and Jarvis are out of contract at the end of the season.
The other point he will have to consider is the imbalance within the squad.
Six strikers have contracts to at least June 2014, there are eleven midfield players but only six defenders. The three goalkeepers bring the total to twenty six.
The full squad excluding players who will be regarded as under 21 next year is:

Marshall
Lewis
Parrish

McNaughton
Taylor
Lappin
Hudson
Turner
Connolly

Whittingham
Gunnarson
Mutch
Kim Bo Kyung
Bellamy
Noone
Smith
Kiss
McPhail
Conway
Cowie

Maynard
Campbell
Helguson
Mason
Gestede
Vilikonja

So who will be shown the door once the season is over?
What a horrible task for MM to have to deal with after the elation of promotion.

By 2113 I think most of these players will be goners.

Helguson, Gestede??, kiss, cowie, mcphail, lappin, parrish all to leave??? velcro on loan or will malky let him play in prem despite not kickin a ball in championship bar fa cup

R-DONO wrote:By 2113 I think most of these players will be goners.

Ops!
I've edited now I think!

Marshall
Lewis
Parrish

McNaughton
Taylor
Lappin
Hudson
Turner
Connolly

Whittingham
Gunnarson
Mutch
Kim Bo Kyung
Bellamy
Noone
Smith
Kiss
McPhail
Conway
Cowie

Maynard
Campbell
Helguson
Mason
Gestede
Vilikonja

I think those 8 will be gone, so that leaves 18; Helguson is the one I think least likely to leave, so let's say 19 for argument's sake.

Leon Barnett makes 20, so that leaves 5 regular squad positions to be filled- two defenders (possibly in the mould of Connolly- able at fullback and centre back), a winger and a striker and I think we've got more than enough about us to muster a lower mid-table finish next season.

I pretty much agree with CRH, but I think Conway could be added to that list too. I think Noone will need to bulk up a bit for next season, I like him, but he is flimsy.

Colin's Reversible Hat wrote:Marshall
Lewis
Parrish

McNaughton
Taylor
Lappin
Hudson
Turner
Connolly

Whittingham
Gunnarson
Mutch
Kim Bo Kyung
Bellamy
Noone
Smith
Kiss
McPhail
Conway
Cowie

Maynard
Campbell
Helguson
Mason
Gestede
Vilikonja

I think those 8 will be gone, so that leaves 18; Helguson is the one I think least likely to leave, so let's say 19 for argument's sake.

Leon Barnett makes 20, so that leaves 5 regular squad positions to be filled- two defenders (possibly in the mould of Connolly- able at fullback and centre back), a winger and a striker and I think we've got more than enough about us to muster a lower mid-table finish next season.

I don't think that any of the out of contract players will be offer a new contract. We will certainly be in the market for a new striker and at least one right-back, and it's cheaper for the club to release players who are out of contract. Bit harsh on McNaughton in particular, but I really can't see him cutting it in the Premier League.

Mutch is only 21 currently so does that mean he is also excluded from the 25?

Release/sell/loan out:

McNaughton, Lappin, Smith, Kiss, McPhail, Helguson

Under threat:

Conway, Cowie, Velikonja

Retain these:

GK = Marshall, Lewis, Parrish

DF = Taylor, Hudson, Turner, Connolly

MF = Whittingham, Gunnarson, Kim Bo Kyung, Bellamy, Noone

ST = Maynard, Campbell, Mason, Gestede

That frees up 6 to 9 places in the 25 man squad (Barnett should probably be one of these if the price is right).

Need a first-choice right back, plus cover at left-back.
Some new pacy wingers would be useful and another forward please.

marshall
lewis

Taylor
Hudson
Turner
nugent

Whittingham
Gunnarson
Mutch
Kim Bo Kyung
Bellamy
Noone
ralls
campbell

Maynard
Mason
Gestede

been quite ruthless. think about playing campbell opposite bellamy on the other flank. on that basis the midfield seems ok, but defence needs a lot of work to be done and soon if they are going to gel

G-ster wrote:Mutch is only 21 currently so does that mean he is also excluded from the 25?

Release/sell/loan out:

McNaughton, Lappin, Smith, Kiss, McPhail, Helguson

Under threat:

Conway, Cowie, Velikonja

Retain these:

GK = Marshall, Lewis, Parrish

DF = Taylor, Hudson, Turner, Connolly

MF = Whittingham, Gunnarson, Kim Bo Kyung, Bellamy, Noone

ST = Maynard, Campbell, Mason, Gestede

That frees up 6 to 9 places in the 25 man squad (Barnett should probably be one of these if the price is right).

Need a first-choice right back, plus cover at left-back.
Some new pacy wingers would be useful and another forward please.

Unfortunately Mutch misses qualifying as an under 21 by one month!

I wonder actually whether this might be the time that CCFC and Peter Whittingham part company?

It is difficult to see how he can fit into the new more up tempo style of midfield play and his sale could free up significant additional purchase funds......

Phil Blue/Red wrote:
Unfortunately Mutch misses qualifying as an under 21 by one month!

Damn, oh well I would add him to the retained midfielders then.