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Neil Harris says squad is 'too big'
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Cardiff City manager Neil Harris says some players will need to leave the club in January if he wants to make signings as his squad is "too big."
The Bluebirds head to Nottingham Forest this weekend having collected four points from Harris' first two games.
However, the boss admits he is expecting a balancing act in January.
"What I do know is it is a big squad and before we bring anyone in, in January, players will have to leave," he told BBC Sport Wales.
Harris, who succeeded Neil Warnock who left after three years in charge at the Cardiff City, says his squad size is proving problematic in training sessions.
"We are getting better all the time (with fitness), the players out are getting closer, it is getting to the stage where it is tough to put on XI v XI because of the amount of bodies we've got, in some way it is too many, it is too big a squad," he added.
"We work with it until January and then we start it there."
Harris admits fans will already be speculating as to what business the club will look to do but says he wants to give all his players an opportunity to impress.
"As a football fan myself following various teams I know how fans think, you start piecing plans together 'well he's not played, he has played, is he going to go, is he going to stay' it is far too early for all of that," he added.
"But it's what I am doing, I am sitting there thinking 'well I've not used him.' But it is nothing like that at the moment, everyone is getting an opportunity, because until you get everybody on the pitch, you just don't know about them."
Harris says he will be consulted over who replaces Andy Legg as Cardiff's under-23s manager. The Bluebirds announced Legg's departure last week.
"I want to work with the next under-23s manager very, very closely," he said.
"We want a free-flowing relationship between the academy and the first team.
"The club is crying out for opportunities for the youngsters to come through. It's not going to be overnight because of the size of the first team squad.
"But over the course of the next six to 12 months I want to see that pathway develop… the club and the fans want to see that as well. If they are good enough they will get the chance to play."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50600685
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Re: Neil Harris says squad is 'too big'
He's right about the squad size isn't he.
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Re: Neil Harris says squad is 'too big'
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Originally Posted by
the other bob wilson
He's right about the squad size isn't he.
Quantity rather than quality
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Re: Neil Harris says squad is 'too big'
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Originally Posted by
the other bob wilson
He's right about the squad size isn't he.
He is right but its has a sense of deja vu about it.
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Re: Neil Harris says squad is 'too big'
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Originally Posted by
J R Hartley
Quantity rather than quality
Do I smell a whiff of the Slade scenario or am I imagining things?
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Re: Neil Harris says squad is 'too big'
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Originally Posted by
J R Hartley
Quantity rather than quality
And unbalanced.
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Re: Neil Harris says squad is 'too big'
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Originally Posted by
Dorcus
Do I smell a whiff of the Slade scenario or am I imagining things?
It appears that way, but with the emphasis on bringing our own younger players through rather your Alex Revells.
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Re: Neil Harris says squad is 'too big'
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Originally Posted by
LeningradCowboy
And unbalanced.
Extremely
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Re: Neil Harris says squad is 'too big'
We have about 29 in the first team squad, and its ridiculous how unbalanced it is
4 first team keepers ffs
1 right back (I'm not counting Richards, because let's be honest, he doesn't count)
4 midfielders (Which is bizarre considering Warnock favoured a 3 man midfield)
5 strikers (Again bizarre considering Warnock only played 1 up front)
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Re: Neil Harris says squad is 'too big'
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Originally Posted by
City123
We have about 29 in the first team squad, and its ridiculous how unbalanced it is
4 first team keepers ffs
1 right back (I'm not counting Richards, because let's be honest, he doesn't count)
4 midfielders (Which is bizarre considering Warnock favoured a 3 man midfield)
5 strikers (Again bizarre considering Warnock only played 1 up front)
I thought Coxe was a right back?
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Re: Neil Harris says squad is 'too big'
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Originally Posted by
Hilts
I thought Coxe was a right back?
I knew I'd forgotten someone! That brings us up to 30 first teamers mind, throw in the likes of Bolger and we could get a C team going
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Re: Neil Harris says squad is 'too big'
Bamba, Connolly, Peltier, Tomlin, Richards, Ward and Bogle are all out of contract at the end of the season.
I'll be surprised if we offer new deals to more than a couple of them.
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Re: Neil Harris says squad is 'too big'
New manager speak , think a lot of us realise the squad needs a freshen up, we also have older players who stay injured a lot longer . And a few like Connolly that do know need to move on.
He will need to deal with the many under performing centre forwards if you add in Ward we have 4 .
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Re: Neil Harris says squad is 'too big'
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Originally Posted by
LeningradCowboy
Bamba, Connolly, Peltier, Tomlin, Richards, Ward and Bogle are all out of contract at the end of the season.
I'll be surprised if we offer new deals to more than a couple of them.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see them all go? He can then bring in his own players! It’s very difficult to get rid or loan out players under contract. Warnock conned Tan with his buys more than Malky and wouldn’t give any youngsters a chance! Our Squad must be the biggest in the Championship ?
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Re: Neil Harris says squad is 'too big'
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Originally Posted by
Dorcus
Do I smell a whiff of the Slade scenario or am I imagining things?
Slade couldn’t find the academy if he was bundled into a plane, flown above a big red cross in the middle of the kids training pitches and dropped out of a plane right in the middle of a ducking training match.
So while it may be a wage cutting exercise (maybe not as well who knows) it is t exactly the same..
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Re: Neil Harris says squad is 'too big'
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Originally Posted by
Ianto13
I wouldn’t be surprised to see them all go? He can then bring in his own players! It’s very difficult to get rid or loan out players under contract. Warnock conned Tan with his buys more than Malky and wouldn’t give any youngsters a chance! Our Squad must be the biggest in the Championship ?
Youve got to ask how the ****ing hell did we allow Jazz Richards and Matt Connolly contract extensions?
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Re: Neil Harris says squad is 'too big'
Our squad is like having a roast dinner in Wetherspoons - it leaves you overfilled and underwhelmed.
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Re: Neil Harris says squad is 'too big'
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Originally Posted by
The Hooded Claw
Our squad is like having a roast dinner in Wetherspoons - it leaves you overfilled and underwhelmed.
And cheap to wash down
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Re: Neil Harris says squad is 'too big'
Is Connolly our only player who was here pre-rebrand? Was ralls playing before it too?
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Re: Neil Harris says squad is 'too big'
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Originally Posted by
J R Hartley
Youve got to ask how the ****ing hell did we allow Jazz Richards and Matt Connolly contract extensions?
Connolly is probably the only defender on our books who can pass the ball. Warnock obviously didn't like him..
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Re: Neil Harris says squad is 'too big'
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Originally Posted by
City123
We have about 29 in the first team squad, and its ridiculous how unbalanced it is
4 first team keepers ffs
1 right back (I'm not counting Richards, because let's be honest, he doesn't count)
4 midfielders (Which is bizarre considering Warnock favoured a 3 man midfield)
5 strikers (Again bizarre considering Warnock only played 1 up front)
And 4 wingers/wide men.
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Re: Neil Harris says squad is 'too big'
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Originally Posted by
A Quiet Monkfish
Connolly is probably the only defender on our books who can pass the ball. Warnock obviously didn't like him..
Liked him enough to give him a 2 year extension and not use him.
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Re: Neil Harris says squad is 'too big'
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Originally Posted by
Optimistic Nick
Is Connolly our only player who was here pre-rebrand? Was ralls playing before it too?
Yeah Ralls was here before the rebrand.
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Re: Neil Harris says squad is 'too big'
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Originally Posted by
J R Hartley
Youve got to ask how the ****ing hell did we allow Jazz Richards and Matt Connolly contract extensions?
Richards has one this summer. Seemed very odd unless he had a clause in his contract.
I think Connolly got his the summer before. Also a bit odd. For 2 years as well ?
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Re: Neil Harris says squad is 'too big'
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Originally Posted by
Lawnmower
Richards has one this summer. Seemed very odd unless he had a clause in his contract.
I think Connolly got his the summer before. Also a bit odd. For 2 years as well ?
Unless the clause was to be unavailable for 95% of his initial contract I’m struggling to see any clauses he would have met.
Connolly got given a new 2 year deal after appearing just 5 times the season before. Bizarre.
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Re: Neil Harris says squad is 'too big'
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Originally Posted by
J R Hartley
Unless the clause was to be unavailable for 95% of his initial contract I’m struggling to see any clauses he would have met.
Connolly got given a new 2 year deal after appearing just 5 times the season before. Bizarre.
I can see players in this sort of situation being patted on the back and thanked for their services, with the youth brought up in their place. If he’s only going to be a squad player (backup for the backups) then we may as well bring someone younger in to fill the gap.
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Re: Neil Harris says squad is 'too big'
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Originally Posted by
LeningradCowboy
If he does manage to offload some players then he is expecting to replace them?
Squad size will remain the same.
By all means trim the squad to make it more manageable but only sign someone if that player is going to be a 1st team regular, not another bench warmer.
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Re: Neil Harris says squad is 'too big'
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Originally Posted by
Lawnmower
Richards has one this summer. Seemed very odd unless he had a clause in his contract.
I think Connolly got his the summer before. Also a bit odd. For 2 years as well ?
I think the club had an option to extend Richards' contract by 1 year, which they chose to take up.
Manga had a similar option, otherwise he could have left for nothing in the summer.
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Re: Neil Harris says squad is 'too big'
Goalkeeper:
Etheridge
Smithies
B. Murphy
Left Back:
Bennett
Centre Back:
Morrison
Flint
Bamba
Nelson
Brown
Right Back:
Peltier
Coxe
Midfielder:
Vaulks
Bacuna
Ralls
Pack
Tomlin
A. Bolger
Winger:
Hoilett
Mendez-Laing
Whyte
J. Murphy
Striker:
Glatzel
D. Ward
Bogle
Other:
Paterson
I was able to take out 6 players from current squad but we need a LB as cover now so really it's reduction by 5. A squad of 26 is probably about right
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Re: Neil Harris says squad is 'too big'
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Originally Posted by
Forest Green Bluebird
If he does manage to offload some players then he is expecting to replace them?
Squad size will remain the same.
By all means trim the squad to make it more manageable but only sign someone if that player is going to be a 1st team regular, not another bench warmer.
Hoping it’s 3 out 1 in in some cases!
Also, don’t think the kids count towards the squad size so if some of them start coming through it won’t bump up the numbers necessarily.
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Re: Neil Harris says squad is 'too big'
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Originally Posted by
J R Hartley
Unless the clause was to be unavailable for 95% of his initial contract I’m struggling to see any clauses he would have met.
Connolly got given a new 2 year deal after appearing just 5 times the season before. Bizarre.
Someone should find out who his agent is
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Re: Neil Harris says squad is 'too big'
Quote:
Originally Posted by
J R Hartley
Unless the clause was to be unavailable for 95% of his initial contract I’m struggling to see any clauses he would have met.
Connolly got given a new 2 year deal after appearing just 5 times the season before. Bizarre.
**** knows 👍
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Re: Neil Harris says squad is 'too big'
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Originally Posted by
surge
Goalkeeper:
Etheridge
Smithies
B. Murphy
Left Back:
Bennett
Centre Back:
Morrison
Flint
Bamba
Nelson
Brown
Right Back:
Peltier
Coxe
Midfielder:
Vaulks
Bacuna
Ralls
Pack
Tomlin
A. Bolger
Winger:
Hoilett
Mendez-Laing
Whyte
J. Murphy
Striker:
Glatzel
D. Ward
Bogle
Other:
Paterson
I was able to take out 6 players from current squad but we need a LB as cover now so really it's reduction by 5. A squad of 26 is probably about right
You have left out madine- the player harris is building the whole squad around!
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Re: Neil Harris says squad is 'too big'
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Originally Posted by
Father Dougal
You have left out madine- the player harris is building the whole squad around!
True, and when Madine finally scores he may have a place instead of Bogle.
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Re: Neil Harris says squad is 'too big'
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Originally Posted by
J R Hartley
Unless the clause was to be unavailable for 95% of his initial contract I’m struggling to see any clauses he would have met.
Connolly got given a new 2 year deal after appearing just 5 times the season before. Bizarre.
Perhaps someone was getting commision :wave:
