jordan mutch

it would appear his absence has been caused by injury
http://www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/news/article/malky-on-mutch-723601.aspx

He could add the creativity our midfield sorely lacks. Mutch can work in tighter spots than Whitts and the two linked really well early in the season.

Interesting to read Malky's view of his long-term potential.

Anyone who was England u21 has to be good. He's a long term signing so I'm not worried he hasn't featured much.

At the start of the season he showed plenty of potential. Then suddenly he waned. We could do with that start of season form now!

Slumdog's Son™ wrote:Anyone who was England u21 has to be good. He's a long term signing so I'm not worried he hasn't featured much.

Malky certainly seems to think long term (unless that is his excuse for signings that are not quite working out). Mutch, Ralls, Kiss, Kimbo, Velikonja. All players who most fans would have expected to see more of who have had very limited time for different reasons. Each of them Malky has insisted is still part of his plans for the club.

Time will tell how that works in practice but i sense that all those players will need to make a step forward next season if they are to have much of a future at the club (Ralls maybe would be given a little longer).

Toast Boy wrote:

Slumdog's Son™ wrote:Anyone who was England u21 has to be good. He's a long term signing so I'm not worried he hasn't featured much.

Malky certainly seems to think long term (unless that is his excuse for signings that are not quite working out). Mutch, Ralls, Kiss, Kimbo, Velikonja. All players who most fans would have expected to see more of who have had very limited time for different reasons. Each of them Malky has insisted is still part of his plans for the club.

Time will tell how that works in practice but i sense that all those players will need to make a step forward next season if they are to have much of a future at the club (Ralls maybe would be given a little longer).

Also Kadeem Harris.

Mutch, Ralls, Kiss, Kimbo, Velikonja and Harris will all play for us more regularly in the future. They all have bags of potential

Our 'not quite there yet' XI is starting to look pretty dangerous -

3-5-2 formation
Lewis
------,-------,Nugent
Declan John, Mutch, Kiss, Ralls, Harris
Velikonja, Rhys Healey

If someone could kindly fill in the two gaps I currently don't have the knowledge to fill, we're looking at a good side.

The right back, Coulsen (?) also looks a good prospect.....but Declan John is left back, so why not 4 4 2?

He's 'doing a Bale', proving his bags of pace is better utilised up the other end of the pitch.http://www.walesonline.co.uk/footballnation/football-news/2013/01/05/legend-gary-bell-backing-rookie-declan-john-to-shine-in-cardiff-city-defence-91466-32546976/

Luke Coulsen looks excellent, an attacking right back with a good cross. Scored a few goals. Oshilaja really impressed me in the two games I saw the development team, he seemed a very cultured centre back with a good long pass. Not sure if he's normally like that though!

Ah this could become a thread of its own very soon.

My two options are drop Harris then play John wide left and Coulsen wide right in a 3-5-2, giving them both the freedom to drop back into defence or join an attack at will. Or alternatively I turn the formation into 4-4-2 and play them in their 'natural' roles.

TDA you are Redbluebirds Alternative Cardiff City manager right? Can I make a case to be the youth squad coach?

I'd keep John as left-back. Harris looked seriously impressive when I saw him last and Malky really rates him.

I'd like to see him continuing to grow into that midfield role, so I'm reluctant to shackle him back into the defence. But you're also right that Harris is too good to not make the team - position rotation it is.