Does Taiwo Have Cardiff City Future ?

Cardiff City potentially committed to pay £250k we clearly couldn’t afford towards the start of last season and the former Dagenham & Redbridge man proved a complete waste of money given his lack of appearances for the club and that he never broke into the first team.

A handful of substitutes appearances, including a simply soeful cameo in the away defeat to Swansea saw Taiwo’s confidence shot and he fell completely off the Bluebirds radar making just 8 appearances over the entire season.

His progress was hindered by knee and hip problems which contributed to our central midfield crises at various points but it was abundantly clear that he was behind McPhail, Ledley, Rae, Wildig and Blake in the pecking order – not withstanding we had expected experienced pro Riccy Scimeca to contribute somewhat last season before he was forced to retire.

A proposed loan move to Colchester United was agreed, and would surely have been beneficial to his career. However, we were struggling for numbers at the time, and Taiwo remained at CCS. Later, he would postpone a knee operation in order to fight for his future – Taiwo played 80 minutes of the dead rubber final day defeat at Derby County – we had already qualified for the play-offs.

During the close season, Taiwo agreed a £100k move to newly promoted Norwich City, a transfer that would have allowed him to start again but his persistent hip problem scuppered his Carrow Road medical and the Canaries were unwilling to wait until August for his to regain full fitness so Taiwo remains a Bluebird.

He, along with fellow crock and forgotten man Miguel Comminges were not on the pre-season trip to Portugal and instead remained to work on fitness. Of the two, Taiwo has time to break into the first time, while Comminges was handed just a 6 month deal. We have lost a terrific player, and first choice midfielder in Joe Ledley over the summer with the loan acquisition of Danny Drinkwater from Manchester United as a replacement.

With the Bluebirds currently under a transfer embargo, and having minimal funds with which to strengthen – we are unlikely to bring in real quality. That presents fringe players, albeit with significant potential, the chance to impress. There is absolutely no scope for Jones to bring in another player he deems is worth £250k for this position, therefore Taiwo must be considered.

The player himself is up for the challenge and told the Western Mail:

“I am determined to make the most of my second chance with Cardiff City. It`s an alien situation for me being out of the team. That`s something I haven`t really experienced before.”

“I have to fight for my place and I am fired up, ready to do that. There will be those who doubt me, but I will do everything possible to show the manager, coaches and fans I can be a success in the Championship.”


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