CARDIFF CITY midfielder Steve McPhail is reported to be informing friends that he wants out at Cardiff City this summer.
The 29 year Dubliner, widely regarded as one of the best midfielders outside the Championship, has been a bargain free transfer for City but has always been like Marmite to Bluebirds followers … you either love him or hate him.
The player was believed to be a tad upset at boos as he entered the pitch in Cardiff City’s 9 man 3-0 home loss to Sheffield United last Sunday although I tend to believe there were a huge minority and mostly about Dave Jones’ 2 quickfire subs after the red cards inside 35 minutes rather than the personnel involved.
Keith Cooper mentioned it on Monday night’s Cardiff City phone-in. The only question for me is, do Cardiff City need him to stay anyway?
He’d be the first to admit he’s had an awful season for Cardiff. A loss of form and condfidence, those 2 red cards at Liberty Stadium against Swansea City in huge profile games, no longer captain of the club on the pitch when he plays and in his few opportunities in recent months (injury playing a part as well), he hasn’t really taken any.
His slow, side and back passing and turning circle styles being the most one-footed player I’ve seen around doesn’t always seem compatible with City’s current style of play and his once-renowned vision and passing radar appears to have been mislaid.
I’m not knocking the player who has been a huge asset and more than played his part but whether City go up or stay down, it’s pretty clear central midfield needs to be completely revamped. Maybe the player moving on suits both the club and player in the long run?
One final observation – maybe McPhail would suits his own and the club’s interests if he didn’t say anything at all and leave talk like this until the end of the season. There’s plenty of time for decisions once the season finishes and he's still got a massive role to play over the next few weeks.
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