Vital Cardiff City reviews the season via a player-by-player analysis. First up is Ross Turnbull
Turnbull signed on a season long loan deal from Middlesbrough and began the season as number one at the club. He was quickly found out as his suspect kicking and decision making was exposed and he struggled for confidence. It was noticeable that his defenders had little confidence and the defining moment came away at Norwich City. Gunter`s passback was not perfect but Turnbull made a mess of his clearance, aiming long rather than out to safety and his miskick was gleefully fired into an empty net by Simon Lappin. Thankfully, City responded well and won the game 2-1 but Turnbull`s position looked in serious jeopardy.
Dave Jones is remarkably faithful to players but Turnbull was simply not performing and the experience and lack of confidence was harming his development and City`s season. He played his last game for City in a defeat to Watford and returned to Middlesbrough in early October not even 2 months into a proposed season-long deal and having made only 8 appearances for the Bluebirds. That was enough.
Turnbull seems to have recovered from his Ninian nightmare. He made three appearances in the Premiership including a fantastic win over Arsenal while Gareth Southgate has given him a huge boost by calling off his close season keeper search and allowing Turnbull to compete with Brad Jones.
A short stay in South Wales, and one that will not be remembered fondly by anyone – least of all the player himself.
We still havent found a keeper yet