Cardiff City are flying high after a great start to the season and a couple of additions could make things even more positive
Cardiff City manager Brian Barry-Murphy (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd)
Cardiff City head into the final 36 hours of the transfer window with a sense of positivity oozing out of them.
Saturday’s 4-0 win over Plymouth Argyle at Cardiff City Stadium extended their unbeaten run under Brian Barry-Murphy to six league matches.
Bluebirds supporters could be forgiven for not recognising their club right now, such has been the uptick in mood and performances from recent seasons. Join the Cardiff City breaking news and top stories WhatsApp community.
In truth Cardiff didn’t get out of second gear against the Pilgrims but they head into the international break top of the league and deservedly so.
No break for Barry-Murphy though, albeit the former Manchester City coach says he isn’t expecting a huge amount of activity, raising the “really dangerous” prospect of potentially blocking a current player’s path if a substandard signing was added just for the sake of it.
“Kind of,” said Barry-Murphy when asked if he anticipated any new arrivals before Monday’s deadline. “We have a real appreciation of the players we have here, and I would say previous signings, Nathan Trott and Gabriel Osho, are the type of player that we want to bring into the squad.
“Based on that calibre of player that we’re bringing in, it can’t be a lot of players, because the moment you start bringing in a lot of players, the players who have done so much for us here will start to think they don’t have the same importance, and that’s really dangerous in my opinion.”
The head coach’s additions – so far at least – have been few in number but more than effective.
Trott has come in from FC Copenhagen and has been a revelation between the sticks, while Osho on a four-year deal looks to be a real coup for the club.
But Barry-Murphy would like a few more and considering the number of players who left earlier on this summer, having some depth in the squad would be a real tonic.
Three positions are being targeted before Monday’s 7pm deadline – a left-back, a winger and possibly a player in the middle of the park. Sign up to our daily Cardiff City newsletter here.
It’s no secret Cardiff are short on the left-hand side of defence, with Joel Bagan the only real senior option in the role, while Ollie Tanner’s broken leg has heightened Cardiff’s need for additions out wide.
Barry-Murphy stressed that Tanner’s four-month absence didn’t change his thinking in terms of recruitment, with an attacker seemingly already on his wishlist.
WalesOnline understands a Premier League player is being tracked in this position, but whether this comes to fruition before tomorrow remains to be seen, with top-flight clubs always keen to get their own houses in order before letting fringe talent leave for game-time.
Eli King’s season-ending injury could see Barry-Murphy dip into the market for a midfielder.
In terms of outgoings, expect a few out the door before deadline, but the boss isn’t too concerned about losing players.
“I would expect with the calibre of player we have in the changing room and the way they’ve played, there will be a lot of interest in our players,” he said yesterday.
“I would say that what I’ve felt as much as anything else is an amazing sense of support from the owner, the chairman, Mehmet (Dalman) and Ken (Choo) to keep these players here and try and create something special and give the supporters what they’re seeing at the moment.
“So I would say no in terms of [am I worried about] losing players.”
Jesper Daland has already gone though, joining German side Fortuna Düsseldorf on loan with a purchase option reportedly included. Calum Chambers, who has been linked with a move to Wrexham in the last few weeks, is one to watch, especially with Osho’s arrival, with Barry-Murphy’s options at centre-back now more bountiful. Could the captain yet leave south Wales?
Youngster Tanatswa Nyakuhwa has been linked with a loan move to Anderlecht this summer and the manager recognises there is a balance when it comes to the young talent he has in his squad.
“He is definitely in our plans,” he said earlier this week.
“The conversation with Tanatswa was that he did really well in pre-season and he was quite disappointed to not make the squad, when Ollie Tanner, Chris Willock, Cian Ashford and Isaak Davies were essentially the wide players.
“Things have changed a bit because Ollie is injured. So it’s important to see what he can do now.
“I think we have to make a decision. We really value him as a player. If we see him having significant game-time we will definitely keep him here. If Isaak is making good progress and we can’t justify him staying here, he will go on loan. I’m not sure yet.”
Luey Giles is another who could be primed for a loan, but that is unlikely to be sanctioned unless another left-back can be sourced to provide back-up for Bagan.