Comments on: FLC Predictions and Guide Part 1: Positions 19-24 http://cardiff.theoffside.com/cardiff-city-news/flc-predictions-and-guide-part-1-positions-19-24.html News from Cardiff City FC football team Wed, 25 Nov 2009 16:42:37 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Martyn http://cardiff.theoffside.com/cardiff-city-news/flc-predictions-and-guide-part-1-positions-19-24.html#comment-33 Martyn Tue, 05 Aug 2008 07:01:31 +0000 http://cardiff.theoffside.com/cardiff-city-news/flc-predictions-and-guide-part-1-positions-19-24.html#comment-33 Thank you for the insight. Very helpful and interesting. Perhaps my visions of Whaley are influenced by the fact he always seems to assist or net against us! Hawley has looked rather useless, granted, hence why I fancy him to surprise a few this season. I'll probably be totally wrong, but if Irvine is a good man-manager then perhaps he'll inject some new life into the player? And as for Brown: I was judging him on the 3 occasions I saw him for Norwich (you make a good point though - some players do seem to effortlessly blend into other squads in spite of struggles elsewhere) where he did look entirely useless. The signing of Nicholson reminds me of Cardiff acquiring Gavin Rae last year. A player with a reputation in the Scottish League, career at a bit of a crossroads. Rae was solid if not spectacular, so I expect similar from Nicholson. The kind of player who you become loathe to criticise because he does little wrong, but in reality, he brings little progressive to the table. If the club had spent the Nugent money on an admirable replacement or perhaps someone who scored a few more than Nugent did (his goal record wasn't outstanding), then things may look a bit rosier, but as it stands I foresee a struggle. Good luck mind! Thank you for the insight. Very helpful and interesting. Perhaps my visions of Whaley are influenced by the fact he always seems to assist or net against us! Hawley has looked rather useless, granted, hence why I fancy him to surprise a few this season. I’ll probably be totally wrong, but if Irvine is a good man-manager then perhaps he’ll inject some new life into the player? And as for Brown: I was judging him on the 3 occasions I saw him for Norwich (you make a good point though – some players do seem to effortlessly blend into other squads in spite of struggles elsewhere) where he did look entirely useless. The signing of Nicholson reminds me of Cardiff acquiring Gavin Rae last year. A player with a reputation in the Scottish League, career at a bit of a crossroads. Rae was solid if not spectacular, so I expect similar from Nicholson. The kind of player who you become loathe to criticise because he does little wrong, but in reality, he brings little progressive to the table. If the club had spent the Nugent money on an admirable replacement or perhaps someone who scored a few more than Nugent did (his goal record wasn’t outstanding), then things may look a bit rosier, but as it stands I foresee a struggle. Good luck mind!

]]> By: Keyser Söze http://cardiff.theoffside.com/cardiff-city-news/flc-predictions-and-guide-part-1-positions-19-24.html#comment-32 Keyser Söze Mon, 04 Aug 2008 19:48:39 +0000 http://cardiff.theoffside.com/cardiff-city-news/flc-predictions-and-guide-part-1-positions-19-24.html#comment-32 At the very least, this was a fantastic read, but I have to disagree with 90% of your predictions regarding Preston North End. Firstly I have to address Chris Brown, perhaps surprisingly for most; Brown has been a fantastic signing from Norwich, (Obviously one of those situations where a player just doesn't fit in one squad but slide in nicely to another). He's managed to bag a few goals in the short time he's been here and most importantly, he's managed to hold the ball up in an attack that gave the ball away far too much earlier last season. Despite the fact he's returned from pre-season resembling George Michael in his Wham days, I expect a good season from the guy. Secondly, you tipped Karl Hawley as a surprise force this year. However, despite a good spell lasting approximately 4 games last season, Hawley has done nothing to convince me that he is anything more than a short, slow, lacklustre waist of time in this league. Due to the fact that he is probably our 3rd choice striker, this is worrying, as if Neil Mellor (finally a decent bet for 15+ goals this season after 4years of injuries and a fantastic pre-season) gets injured, we have no obvious quality to replace him. The problems with investment at PNE has plagued us for years (something I blame Trevor Hemmings for and not the chairman) but what I see as paramount to the club is good man management, something Paul Simpson knew very little of (hence the backwards 1st half of last season) and Alan Irvine seems to have perfected (hence the recent successes of Everton and the fact that our form following Christmas last season was the 2nd best in the league). Simon Whaley is an undoubted talent but has remained inconsistent for a long time, McKenna is a legend and will always have a place at Preston, however I see StLedger, Chaplow, Nicholson and indeed Wallace making more of an impact this season. I would predict a finish between 9th and 13th this year. A work in progress that I believe may shock people in a year or two. Despite my grievances towards your predictions for my precious club, I accept that you cannot watch every club, every week, and so your views will be based on single individual performances you may have witnessed. Of course fingers crossed for Blackpool’s relegation of though! At the very least, this was a fantastic read, but I have to disagree with 90% of your predictions regarding Preston North End. Firstly I have to address Chris Brown, perhaps surprisingly for most; Brown has been a fantastic signing from Norwich, (Obviously one of those situations where a player just doesn’t fit in one squad but slide in nicely to another). He’s managed to bag a few goals in the short time he’s been here and most importantly, he’s managed to hold the ball up in an attack that gave the ball away far too much earlier last season. Despite the fact he’s returned from pre-season resembling George Michael in his Wham days, I expect a good season from the guy. Secondly, you tipped Karl Hawley as a surprise force this year. However, despite a good spell lasting approximately 4 games last season, Hawley has done nothing to convince me that he is anything more than a short, slow, lacklustre waist of time in this league. Due to the fact that he is probably our 3rd choice striker, this is worrying, as if Neil Mellor (finally a decent bet for 15+ goals this season after 4years of injuries and a fantastic pre-season) gets injured, we have no obvious quality to replace him.
The problems with investment at PNE has plagued us for years (something I blame Trevor Hemmings for and not the chairman) but what I see as paramount to the club is good man management, something Paul Simpson knew very little of (hence the backwards 1st half of last season) and Alan Irvine seems to have perfected (hence the recent successes of Everton and the fact that our form following Christmas last season was the 2nd best in the league). Simon Whaley is an undoubted talent but has remained inconsistent for a long time, McKenna is a legend and will always have a place at Preston, however I see StLedger, Chaplow, Nicholson and indeed Wallace making more of an impact this season. I would predict a finish between 9th and 13th this year. A work in progress that I believe may shock people in a year or two.
Despite my grievances towards your predictions for my precious club, I accept that you cannot watch every club, every week, and so your views will be based on single individual performances you may have witnessed. Of course fingers crossed for Blackpool’s relegation of though!

]]> By: Martyn http://cardiff.theoffside.com/cardiff-city-news/flc-predictions-and-guide-part-1-positions-19-24.html#comment-31 Martyn Mon, 04 Aug 2008 17:31:36 +0000 http://cardiff.theoffside.com/cardiff-city-news/flc-predictions-and-guide-part-1-positions-19-24.html#comment-31 Tim, thanks for the first-hand perspective: I was judging on the very few Forest games I have seen over the last two years and assorted titbits I've read about the team from a critical perspective. It's always useful to get the lowdown about teams from those who watch them on a regular basis. Maybe Commons is a turn it on the for the cameras type! We have one of them, Peter Whittingham, ironically of course a supposed target of yours! All the best for the season, but if you end up relying on Andy Cole and quite possibly the world's worst footballer when it comes to first touch (Robert Earnshaw) for survival, then God help you! Tim, thanks for the first-hand perspective: I was judging on the very few Forest games I have seen over the last two years and assorted titbits I’ve read about the team from a critical perspective. It’s always useful to get the lowdown about teams from those who watch them on a regular basis.
Maybe Commons is a turn it on the for the cameras type! We have one of them, Peter Whittingham, ironically of course a supposed target of yours! All the best for the season, but if you end up relying on Andy Cole and quite possibly the world’s worst footballer when it comes to first touch (Robert Earnshaw) for survival, then God help you!

]]> By: Tim http://cardiff.theoffside.com/cardiff-city-news/flc-predictions-and-guide-part-1-positions-19-24.html#comment-30 Tim Mon, 04 Aug 2008 17:09:20 +0000 http://cardiff.theoffside.com/cardiff-city-news/flc-predictions-and-guide-part-1-positions-19-24.html#comment-30 Hi there Martyn It's good to get a different perspective on Forest. I disagree with some of your points but obviously I'm biased! I think you're right about the defence, Calderwood seems to have neglected this area while trying to appease the Forest fans (rightly) calling for more firepower. I've lost count of how many times I've screamed in frustration at Wes Morgan or Breckin - Kelvin Wilson is the only Championship standard defender we've got. Us Forest fans could be in for a few high scoring games. Not too sure we'll miss Clingan and Commons all that much - Commons was a talent, no doubt about that, but sometimes it felt like Calderwood was trying to fit the team around him, making the team a bit unbalanced. His form was erratic to say the least, plus I think we've got cover in midfield with Anderson, Moussi and Cohen, and the youngsters we've got too. Our position will no doubt depend on the form of Cole and Earnshaw, but if we're really struggling by Christmas I think Calderwood will be heading for the door marked 'do one' Hi there Martyn

It’s good to get a different perspective on Forest. I disagree with some of your points but obviously I’m biased! I think you’re right about the defence, Calderwood seems to have neglected this area while trying to appease the Forest fans (rightly) calling for more firepower. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve screamed in frustration at Wes Morgan or Breckin – Kelvin Wilson is the only Championship standard defender we’ve got. Us Forest fans could be in for a few high scoring games. Not too sure we’ll miss Clingan and Commons all that much – Commons was a talent, no doubt about that, but sometimes it felt like Calderwood was trying to fit the team around him, making the team a bit unbalanced. His form was erratic to say the least, plus I think we’ve got cover in midfield with Anderson, Moussi and Cohen, and the youngsters we’ve got too. Our position will no doubt depend on the form of Cole and Earnshaw, but if we’re really struggling by Christmas I think Calderwood will be heading for the door marked ‘do one’

]]> By: Martyn http://cardiff.theoffside.com/cardiff-city-news/flc-predictions-and-guide-part-1-positions-19-24.html#comment-29 Martyn Sun, 03 Aug 2008 20:04:50 +0000 http://cardiff.theoffside.com/cardiff-city-news/flc-predictions-and-guide-part-1-positions-19-24.html#comment-29 Sounds top Jim; I plan to make the trip to Home Park this year (never been before), so it's certainly a game I'm anticipating. Yeah, I've written my pieces for every team, but posting them all at once would have made reading the Yellow Pages seem light! I just had a studied trawl through your predictions: Very good indeed; succinct too! We made some similar observations (Nick Carle is a player you'll see me raving about in my Palace and Brizzle summaries, and a fair few of our position guesses are near enough exact), but Cardiff in 16th!? We'll be a bit more teasingly mid-table than that! :-) And I'm tipping Paul Jewell to get the chop first, so Derby will salvage a better position than 17th in his absence! But hey, each to his own, and thanks for the comment/link to yours. p.s. Steve Maclean is awful. End of. Sounds top Jim; I plan to make the trip to Home Park this year (never been before), so it’s certainly a game I’m anticipating. Yeah, I’ve written my pieces for every team, but posting them all at once would have made reading the Yellow Pages seem light! I just had a studied trawl through your predictions: Very good indeed; succinct too! We made some similar observations (Nick Carle is a player you’ll see me raving about in my Palace and Brizzle summaries, and a fair few of our position guesses are near enough exact), but Cardiff in 16th!? We’ll be a bit more teasingly mid-table than that! :-) And I’m tipping Paul Jewell to get the chop first, so Derby will salvage a better position than 17th in his absence! But hey, each to his own, and thanks for the comment/link to yours. p.s. Steve Maclean is awful. End of.

]]> By: Jim http://cardiff.theoffside.com/cardiff-city-news/flc-predictions-and-guide-part-1-positions-19-24.html#comment-28 Jim Sun, 03 Aug 2008 18:37:59 +0000 http://cardiff.theoffside.com/cardiff-city-news/flc-predictions-and-guide-part-1-positions-19-24.html#comment-28 Belated welcome Martyn. Like the idea of spacing out the preview over 4 days. You can see a full one from me - all 24 clubs - at http://blog.greensonscreen.co.uk/2008/07/27/the-official-gosblog-championship-club-by-club-preview-2008-09 I'm also looking for contributors from opposition fans to the Argyle Podcast, so, if you fancy it when Cardiff are up against the Greens, give me a shout. Belated welcome Martyn.

Like the idea of spacing out the preview over 4 days. You can see a full one from me – all 24 clubs – at http://blog.greensonscreen.co.uk/2008/07/27/the-official-gosblog-championship-club-by-club-preview-2008-09

I’m also looking for contributors from opposition fans to the Argyle Podcast, so, if you fancy it when Cardiff are up against the Greens, give me a shout.

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