Keeper Dilemma For Cardiff City

Cardiff City hav completely changed around their goalkeeping staff since the turn of the year. The longest serving player, Neil Alexander, was released and his understudy Mark Howard has also left the club.


In January, Cardiff signed Irishman David Forde, who replaced Alexander for the run-in to last season. Then, in the close season, manager Dave Jones has brought in 33 year old Michael Oakes from Wolves, and youngster Ross Turnbull on loan from Middlesborough.


There have been some fears over our goalkeeping department. Richard Wright was our top target, with the likes of Roy Carroll and Stuart Taylor also linked.


A recent poll on this Vital Cardiff City website invited readers to choose who they would select between the posts on Saturday 11th August when Stoke kick-off the season:




David Forde


Forde has not convinced the fans at all so far. He polled just 7% of the vote despite being the only keeper the fans have seen in action. He hasnt had time to create much of an impression but the result appears to suggest that the Bluebirds supporters have little faith in Forde.




Michael Oakes


Michael Oakes is an experienced keeper but has been the number 2 in recent years. Nevertheless, 18% would select him in goals for the league opener. He has insisted he is not here just to make up numbers and wants to be the number 1.




Ross Turnbull


Turnbull is on loan with Cardiff and polled 51% of the vote despite being inexperienced. He spent last season on loan at Crewe, who found him a useful back-up but only an average keeper at League 1 level. However, he came out clearly the fans choice as starting keeper despite playing little part in the pre-season to date.







A significant 24% wanted to see another keeper come in before the start of the season. The feeling seems to be that we have 3 useful back-up goalkeepers but no one candidate as the number 1 and who can really marshall the defence and keep clean sheets. It seems highly unlikely that another goalie will be brought in and we will have to make do. Hopefully on of the keepers can step up and make an impression, and we dont waste time in finding the right man.





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