So, Craig Bellamy has signed for Cardiff then, he’s actually signed for Cardiff City, ok it’s a loan deal so he’s not actually ours, but still, he will be playing for Cardiff City for the rest of the season. Wow.
It seems as though everyone has had something to say about the controversial Bellamy signing and I’m struggling to think of any other loan signing in the history of the game to have prompted such media attention. Cardiff as a club has taken a hammering from a large section of the media over the last week or so, I’d write a response but ‘Cardiff City Mad’ main man Mike Morris (enough Ms?) has spoken for every bluebird fan in his much lauded, perfectly written and soon to become legendary (at least on the message board) ‘People in stone houses’ defence of our club. If you haven’t already read it please click on the link at the bottom of the blog, it’s well worth the read.
As I’m typing this, three days after it was confirmed, the signing still sounds too good to be true and I will concede that in the days leading up to the signing I was a bit sceptical about it all. I didn’t want to look foolish in case he didn’t sign, in fear of being mocked for thinking such a player would dream of playing for us, but now he has put pen to paper (and the football league have verified it's validity) I can admit I’m absolutely thrilled, excited even, and why not?
Ok so there are plenty of reasons as to why this may not turn out to be the fairytale it looks, none more so than his history of causing un-rest at nearly every club he has been to (and there have been a few), but it is a gamble that is certainly worth taking, one that could help take an already recently strengthened squad to the promised land that is the Premier League. The other reason is that this is Cardiff City we are talking about, not Manchester United, or Chelsea, but Cardiff City, so don’t worry Swansea, Bristol (City and Rovers) and every other club who dislikes (or hates) us, I’m sure it will go tits up soon.
How will Bellamy fit into the team then? Obviously he will start, it’s a no brainer, but in what position remains to be seen. The likelihood is that he will play either wide left or right, meaning either Whittingham or Burke will lose their place (probably the latter) or up front, meaning Chopra will be demoted to the subs bench. It’s a problem that Dave Jones will have to deal with, but nonetheless a problem most managers in the Premier League would like to have, let alone the Championship.
Regardless of who is dropped, they will still have a massive part to play in Cardiff’s promotion campaign, no matter who you have in the first 11, strength in depth is imperative, no team has ever won anything without a strong squad (please note this is probably untrue, it’s just the kind of thing ‘they’ say, whoever ‘they’ are). So whoever does make way for Bellamy and Koumas (let us not forger Koumas), it is important they are kept happy, because they will no doubt have a big part to play this season. Is there any defence in the Championship who won’t shudder at the sight of Burke warming up with 30 minutes to go after spending an hour running after Bellamy, Chopra and Bothroyd? I think not.
Anyway, back to Bellamy and what us Cardiff fans can expect to see from him this season. Well for a start devastating pace and 100% effort, something which - love or hate him - he always gives. Something else we will hope to see is some of the sublime finishing he produced for Man City when playing their red rivals last season. Anyone who watched the game at the City of Manchester Stadium can probably recall him curling in from 20 yards before skinning Rio Ferdinand and finishing from an acute angle for his second. Bellamy was on the losing side that day, but he showed what a class act he is and consequently became a fan favourite with the Citizen faithful.
Bellamy makes his debut for Cardiff at home to Doncaster Rovers tomorrow and I, as well as approximatley 26000 other Cardiff fans simply can’t wait for it. The atmosphere promises to be electric and everyone (apart from a few hundred Doncaster fan) will be hoping for a home win to complete what could be a special day. But anti-climaxes have been a regular occurrence for Cardiff City fans of late, the FA cup final, play off final and the last ever game at Ninian Park to name but a few and no-one would be surprised if the day went oh so familiarly wrong. So, who’s got their money on 1-0 Donny then?
‘People in stone houses’
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