Thursday, March 27, 2008

ANOTHER TRANSFER WINDOW CLOSES WITH NIL ACTIVITY AT CITY

THE SEASON'S FINAL TRANSFER WINDOW CLOSES (THIS ONE FOR LOANS) AND AGAIN, NOTHING HAPPENED AT CARDIFF CITY
DESPITE THEIR TALK CONFIRMING APPROACHES MADE TO PLAYERS (that it had little chance of getting!), THE NEED FOR AN EXTRA DEFENDER AND STRIKER PLUS A CLAIM OF GIVING IT THEIR BEST SHOT FOR THE PLAY-OFFS.
(Right - the interminable wait for transfer/loan activity in the market at CCFC!!!)
INSTEAD, THE ONLY MOVEMENT WAS DAVID FORDE'S EMERGENCY LOAN AT BOURNEMOUTH BEING EXTENDED FOR THE REST OF THIS SEASON.

Whilst entirely expected by seasoned Bluebirds observers - City are the only Championship club not to pay a transfer fee this season and few actually did get a loan player today) - it concluded a desparately disappointing season in the various transfer windows where, loan goalkeepers apart, Cardiff did not actually recruit a single player all season to freshen/strengthen after last summer's activity and sold/sent out a tremendous number of players.

Finances are tight, the new stadium, legal matters and mopre clearly do not help but you have to wonder where eactly all the money does go. City over the past couple of years have sold millions in player sales (Earnie, Ginge, Gabbs, Chops, Jerome, Gunter) yet never seem to reduce their debts or spend on replacements.

This season has seen unheralded levels of income arrive at the club with "small" matters like these;

- Cardiff City will surpass their stated break-even crowds

- They have sold £7.5 Million worth of players since pre-season

- They made a healthy amount for Carling Cup progress including £400k from Anfield, a bonus not in their budget.

- City will make infinitely more, a couple of million at least, with their incredible F.A. Cup run, tv money etc

- A £500,000 bonus arerived at the club with Birmingham's Premiership promotion triggering a bonus payment on the Cameron Jerome sale.

And yet they've not signed a single player all season, loan keeper apart and claim an inability to do so.

If they can't spend now and do anything in the market after a season with all those unexpected and unbedgeted bonuses, when will it ever happen?

Can all of this just bebrushed under the carpet by blaming a stadium and Langston?

What is worrying is that Bluebirds followers expect nothing less than more slaes over the summer with Aaron Ramsey and Joe Ledley uppermost in their thoughts.

You do have to wonder sometimes.





















No comments: