Sky Bet Championship side Cardiff City are gifted with a large and talented squad, and with a large squad there is bound to be some outcasts, however some of Cardiff’s outcasts are highly talented and could challenge many other starting elevens’ in the second tier including Cardiff’s.
This gives Cardiff manager Russell Slade a selection dilemma in various areas of the pitch, demonstrated by the rotation which has featured this season.
The South Wales outfit currently sit in a disappointing ninth place, although are still just five points away from the final play-off spot, and could benefit from a degree of fresh blood to give them new dimensions.
However, it is inevitable that ‘you can’t keep everyone happy’ and for Slade to be able to cater for some fresh faces, others will have to suffer.
Here FLW’s Kieran Creeg takes a look at THREE Cardiff City outcasts who could come good in the second half of the season…
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PRESS THE IMAGE BELOW TO SEE THE THREE PLAYERS!
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Stuart O’Keefe
Many Cardiff City supporters questioned the signing of Stuart O’Keefe when he originally arrived for back in January 2015, from Premier League side Crystal Palace.
Many stakeholders at the football club were aware the club were in desperate need of a midfield general, however O’Keefe wasn’t exactly what most fans had in mind.
The 24-year-old made 51 appearances during four-and-a-half years at the Eagles, 14 of which came in the Premier League.
O'Keefe made just six appearances in his first period in South Wales, but is in a good place right now after benefiting, at last, from the hard-work ethic he possesses allowing him to transform from outcast to midfield regular making a total of 12 appearances for the first team this season in all competitions.
Out of all 12 appearances, Cardiff have only suffered one defeat whilst O’Keefe has featured which came in a 2-0 loss away to Derby, which demonstrates the effect the midfielder has in the engine room.
Matthew Kennedy
Kennedy first broke through the ranks at Kilmarnock, before transferring to Everton in 2012 and has spent time out on loan at three different clubs before joining Cardiff.
21-year-old Kennedy was originally signed by Cardiff City during Russell Slade’s first transfer window in South Wales from Everton, alongside McAleny who joined on loan before heading back to Goodison Park.
Fans became attached to Kennedy because he offered an alternative to Craig Noone, which the club lacked signified by his direct nature, allowing Kennedy to feature 14 times for the Bluebirds.
He is a skilful winger he can make things happen, arguably the type of player the current squad is crying out for, although Slade has opted not to use the Scot this season where he has featured just twice before spending time out of loan with Port Vale.
When Kennedy returns from loan on the 27th of February he will be looking to get back into the picture with the Bluebirds, to help them secure a place in the top-six.
Federico Macheda
Former Manchester United goal-scorer Macheda was signed by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on a free transfer back in July 2014, following Cardiff City’s relegation from the Premier League.
However, since arriving in the Welsh Capital the Italian who has also represented Sampdoria, QPR, Stuttgart, Doncaster and Birmingham City has only managed to find the net 8 times in 32 appearances and has failed to score in any of his 7 appearances so far this season.
After being plagued by injury for a lengthy period this season and a short term last season, the 24-year-old is now back and ready to go for the Bluebirds and will be looking to make an impact to help Cardiff finish in the top-six.
There is no doubting Macheda’s ability in front of goal however the recently loan arrivals of Kenneth Zohore, Lex Immers and Tom Lawrence have knocked Macheda further down the pecking order, and therefore ‘Kiko’ will have a tough fight on his hands to get minutes on the pitch.
Cardiff fans. Do you agree with our opinion? Can these three players come good in the second half of the season? Who else could enter the picture? Let us know in the comments below!