A brief look at the individual contributions of all the major Cardiff City players over the course of the 2011/12 season. The ‘rating` as given is not purely based on performance but more the impact that player had compared to what we could realistically have expected at the start of the year and given their own standards and reputation.
A number of Cardiff City players simply didn’t get a look in this season, wither remaining with the club and eating up the wage bill, or, in some cases, being sent on loan – though it is unlikely the wages were met in full on any occasion.
Paul Quinn is one Scotsman Malky Mackay didn’t favour. The tenacious full-back had done well at times last season but was never in the reckoning and played just 22 minutes of Championship football this season – in a home defeat to Southampton. Quinn on his day can be a determined and solid defender, but was felt to be behind McNaughton and Darcy Blake so was frozen out. He underwent an operation later in the season, and is now looking for a new club.
b>Jon Parkin was somewhat of a panic buy by Dave Jones, looking to find the elusive back-up option for Jay Bothroyd. Parkin is not that. Although a character, and a big strong presence – Parkin was never likely to be a Mackay favourite and didn’t play a single minute of league football for City this term. Loan spells at Doncaster, Huddersfield and Scunthorpe at least let him be close to his young son in the North of England – but as a business decision, his spell at City was terrible. Best of luck to the Beast in his career elsewhere.
b>Gabor Gyepes was already halfway out of the door last summer having fallen out with Dave Jones. Mackay’s appointment offered a chance, but Hungarian Gyepes was unable to impress and played just two cup games. He even managed a goal, but was eventually released at the end of the season – what a waste of a year! Gyepes will always be remember for ‘that’ rugby tackle against Leicester City, but is now searching for a new club…. It’s highly unlikely to be Sheffield Wednesday!
Dekel Keinan was another unfortunate centre-back frozen out by the Hudson/Turner partnership with Gerrard & Blake in waiting. The Israeli is probably the most unlucky to be on this list, and remains a good player at this level but simply hasn’t had enough football in the last 24 months. The 27 year old saw a welcome opportunity of a loan spell at Crystal Palace wrecked by injury before ending the season with our rivals Bristol City. He played only moments of Championship football, coming on once….in injury time… Classy and assured at times, his shocker in the second leg play-off semi-final vs Reading proved his last memorable action as a City player, but will be remembered for all the wrong reasons.
b>Kadeem Harris is an exile in a wholly different sense to the others listed above, and ends the 2011/12 season review on a high. Harris joined from Wycombe Wanderers in the January transfer window – but didn’t make a single appearance. Malky Mackay confirmed that he would have blooded the youngster, but for the high pressure situation in the nervy run-in. A lightning-fast winger with tricky feet – Harris has shown real potential and will surely have a part to play next season.
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