Cardiffs first signings

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CITY SIGN ETHERIDGE AND MENDEZ-LAING
The Bluebirds in double transfer swoop…


Cardiff City FC has agreed to sign goalkeeper Neil Etheridge and winger Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, subject to completion of paperwork and international clearance.

Both Etheridge and Mendez-Laing will officially join up with the Bluebirds from 1st July 2017, following the expiration of their respective contracts at Walsall and Rochdale.

Etheridge, who has made over fifty international appearances for the Philippines, began his career with the Chelsea academy, before going on to play for the likes of Fulham, Bristol Rovers, Oldham Athletic and Charlton.

“We haven’t had a big goalkeeper, and this lad is 6”2,” Neil Warnock said. “He’s always come out on top when we’re talking about goalkeepers and we’re delighted that he’s agreed to sign from 1st July.

“He’s looking forward to the challenge ahead and trying to establish himself as the number one ‘keeper. He’s at a very good age and will be a very good addition to the squad.”

After starting out his career with Wolverhampton Wanderers, Mendez-Laing enjoyed loan spells at Peterborough United and Sheffield United, before later joining the Posh on a permanent basis. He has since made over seventy appearances for League One side, Rochdale.

“I’ve watched him this season in particular and you get hunches about players, as a manager,” added Warnock. “I just feel that he can contribute a lot to us next season.

“I think he’ll be a very good squad player and it’s up to him to get into the first-team and make the position his own. He’s only a young lad still, but he’s got explosive pace and a lot to prove and I think it’s the right place for him. I think the fans will enjoy watching him.”

Warnock concluded: "We've been working hard since the season ended and we're hoping to continue with further exciting announcements in the coming months."

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Cyncoedslumdog wrote:Just read that Rotherham are looking for a striker to replace Danny Ward who is set to join us.

I think there was something on Wales Online about Ward. Isn't he quite versatile and can play as a winger or striker?

Lot of sense been spoken, Warnock does know what he looking for, been here before, and if he's getting these signings done early then all the better. No doubts the fact that playoffs and relegation were out of the way with some time to spare helped too.

Slimfog's Son™ wrote:Let's be honest though I'd rather these signings coming from someone who knows what he's doing and understands the EFL like Warnock than the big money cock-ups we saw under Mackay/Moody, OGS, Spade and Paul Bollocks. Only a few players under all of those managers stick out for good reasons, far more were huge flops. Remember Odemwingie? Cornelius? Burgstaller? Guerra? Caulker? Theophile-Catherine? Le Fondre? Kenwyne? Velikonja? Amondorain? Brayford? These are just a few and none were cheap in wages. The only good signing from that era that wasn't cheap was Medel and even he had lost interest by the February of his only season with us. I admit some were mismanaged and are clearly good players but if they don't play well for City then it's irrelevant. Bring in Etheridge and Mendez-Laing for naff all money but a lot of determination, give them a chance and that's a lot more rewarding than the above list which cost us over £50million but produced little or no return on the invested capital

If Slade made these signings he'd have been crucified.

Cleve van Leef wrote:

Slimfog's Son™ wrote:Let's be honest though I'd rather these signings coming from someone who knows what he's doing and understands the EFL like Warnock than the big money cock-ups we saw under Mackay/Moody, OGS, Spade and Paul Bollocks. Only a few players under all of those managers stick out for good reasons, far more were huge flops. Remember Odemwingie? Cornelius? Burgstaller? Guerra? Caulker? Theophile-Catherine? Le Fondre? Kenwyne? Velikonja? Amondorain? Brayford? These are just a few and none were cheap in wages. The only good signing from that era that wasn't cheap was Medel and even he had lost interest by the February of his only season with us. I admit some were mismanaged and are clearly good players but if they don't play well for City then it's irrelevant. Bring in Etheridge and Mendez-Laing for naff all money but a lot of determination, give them a chance and that's a lot more rewarding than the above list which cost us over £50million but produced little or no return on the invested capital

If Slade made these signings he'd have been crucified.

That's very true, but comparing the managerial (esp man-management) capabilities and reputation of Slade and Warnock is like comparing a Skoda Yeti and a Range Rover.

Mendez-Laing, from what I've seen, does not seem like a particular upgrade on what we have. It's not a terrible signing but I'd like to see a proven player brought in for £1.5-2m for that position.

I'm kinda with gloves here, although Mendez does appear to have buckets more pace than Noone. If nothing else, gives us another attacking dimension.

I think Warnock believes that he can obtain £1.5-4 million by selling Noone and/or Pilkington plus freeing up lots of wages by bringing in hungrier alternatives that cost less, so that he can redistribute the money into weaker areas of the squad. Granted, Mendez-Laing, Etheridge, Hayes and the like aren't big names but there isn't much point going down that route because Derby spend a fortune every year, Villa did last year but it doesn't mean they obtain promotion because of a substantial outlay on players. Mendez-Laing is openly a squad option and someone who will come off the bench and on that basis I don't think that we should be spending a lot on a player like that considering our finances and the impact of FFP so I'd rather take a punt on a guy that wants to prove himself and is signed off by a canny operator like Warnock

TDA wrote:

Cleve van Leef wrote:

Slimfog's Son wrote:Let's be honest though I'd rather these signings coming from someone who knows what he's doing and understands the EFL like Warnock than the big money cock-ups we saw under Mackay/Moody, OGS, Spade and Paul Bollocks. Only a few players under all of those managers stick out for good reasons, far more were huge flops. Remember Odemwingie? Cornelius? Burgstaller? Guerra? Caulker? Theophile-Catherine? Le Fondre? Kenwyne? Velikonja? Amondorain? Brayford? These are just a few and none were cheap in wages. The only good signing from that era that wasn't cheap was Medel and even he had lost interest by the February of his only season with us. I admit some were mismanaged and are clearly good players but if they don't play well for City then it's irrelevant. Bring in Etheridge and Mendez-Laing for naff all money but a lot of determination, give them a chance and that's a lot more rewarding than the above list which cost us over £50million but produced little or no return on the invested capital

If Slade made these signings he'd have been crucified.

That's very true, but comparing the managerial (esp man-management) capabilities and reputation of Slade and Warnock is like comparing a Skoda Yeti and a Range Rover.

Can't beat a Skoda!

Calum Paterson done deal just awaiting confirmation also a new name into the ring is kenny McLean From Aberdeen

Tans Tache wrote:Calum Paterson done deal just awaiting confirmation also a new name into the ring is kenny McLean From Aberdeen

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lenny_McLean

He's a bit old?

Slimfog's Son wrote:

Tans Tache wrote:Calum Paterson done deal just awaiting confirmation also a new name into the ring is kenny McLean From Aberdeen

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lenny_McLean

He's a bit old?

He's also been dead 20 years............

TDA wrote:

Slimfog's Son wrote:

Tans Tache wrote:Calum Paterson done deal just awaiting confirmation also a new name into the ring is kenny McLean From Aberdeen

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lenny_McLean

He's a bit old?

He's also been dead 20 years............

So Warnock isn't infallible...