I undoubtedly agree with DJ's view about our squad.
It is nothing short of a sick joke that we're battling for a Premiership play-off berth with a squad of just 18 available players and that includes kids and 3 goalkeepers! (Fowler, Feeney, Sinclair and Scimeca are excluded from that number as none are likely to be a serious contender this season).
Regardless of the legal battle with Langston (and the increasingly strong rumour that all of our January £2.5M transfer money is heading to Langston/Hammam as part of a new settlement deal), Jones is being asked to do his job with a blindfold and both arms tied behind his back compared to the clubs and squads we are competing against at the business end of the season.
We also got rid of a couple of other players and to not even bring in a loan is an embarrassment. Oh to be Norwich who have 5 quality Premiership youngsters and 2 experienced men on loan to help their cause. It certainly told with their freshened up squad.
In those respects, he has my full sympathies but to say he has no options and can only go like-lfor-like is a little ignorant and dismissive too.
Here's a couple of pointers Dave;
- We've had the "move McNaughton left, put Blake right and rest Capaldi argument" several times this season and, to me, it's crying out to be done now. Capaldi looked better (better, in his case, being adequate) for a few games but now looks the below par player once more that we've endured for most of the season. Using McNaughton and Blake, at worst, doesn't make City the slightest bit weaker and, most likely, a stonger quicker side and one with better movement. (It'll also cut off the rubbish painful tactic of Capaldi's lofted long throws anywhere down the left from 25 yards out - it's getting to be a pet hate of mine!).
- Thommo for Jimmy. JFH is playing well at the mo but burns out by the hour and is not a serious threat in away games when City have to play on the break. It is poor decision making to bring on Thommo, home and away, inside the last 10 minutes only. I'd also be tempted to start Thommo away as he would offer more going forward and hold up play when we're under pressure. his distribution is way ahead of Jimmy's too.
- Ramsey. Whether he starts in place of McPhail (I'd do that) or is brought on to influence/change games (as we needed to at Stoke last weekend and home to Norwich at the weekend), it is a huge error to ignore him altogether. He is a playmaker, City have lacked sparked and creativity and he has nothing to prove in that area. It wasn'tt coincidence our best home performance came when McPhail was absent and Ramsey could show his talents, was it?
- Purse. Neither Johnson and Loovens have been too clever recently, both were bossed and given the run around to a certain degree at Stoke and against Norwich. I'm no fan of Purse but surely it's getting close to the time to consider something different? Maybe Johnson playing through the pain barrier would be better with a small rest? This is the least favoured change I'd do however.
Dave Jones may have a reasonable point but picking the same 11 to start no matter the form and perfromances then refusing to do anythign during a game other than Thommo for JFH inside the final 10 minutes is poor practise as far as I'm concerned.
Jones in today's Western Mail
http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/footballnation/cardiff-city-fc/2008/02/11/city-s-jones-feeling-the-frustration-91466-20459946/
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