the most recent Cardiff City Stadium Bluebirds news
Here are the headlines for Cardiff City for Thursday, August 15.
O’Dowda: Recently signed ‘Special’ is Willock.
Callum “Special player” Chris Willock, in O’Dowda’s opinion, will be crucial to Cardiff City’s success this year.
After the two excelled in the preseason last year, O’Dowda appeared destined to play behind Karlan Grant; however, the Irishman’s ailments ended his season. Due to Jamilu Collins’ recent injury, he has now filled in at left-back and will probably play behind Willock for the time being.
“Chris Willock with the ball at his feet is silky; the way he manipulates it is probably one of the best I’ve seen,” O’Dowda remarked, referring to the summer addition Willock.
Because of his intelligence, he and I are growing accustomed to playing together. As a winger, I understand that sometimes I want to overlap him but that it’s best to leave him because you want to accomplish things on your own and don’t want to drag additional players over.
“We must play to his abilities since he is a unique player who will undoubtedly contribute a lot of quality, Chrissy. And I have to get the best performance out of him, so I’m constantly studying what works. He’s a terrific player.”
O’Dowda expressed encouragement at the change and thinks that the new system, too, can lead to success, even though it would take some time to hone in. Even still, he acknowledges that Isaak Davies’ injury is a serious setback.
“It’s enjoyable to play in,” he remarked. “Teams are falling behind. It is not like us continuing on from pre-season games, but that is what we did lack on Saturday—getting behind.
We felt the absence of a certain player, Isaak, who emphasizes his tendency to play behind teams. That is its cutting edge. A lot of how we arrive at it is gut feeling when it comes to the box.”
The Republic of Ireland international said he feels good heading into the season and has worked hard to make himself “bulletproof” and “robust” heading into the campaign. He also thinks Erol Bulut’s relentless messaging of improvement and the importance placed on mentality could make a big difference this term.
“I think you want your players to keep striving and not settle for that mediocrity, which it has been in previous seasons when I’ve been here,” he added.
“The vision is to push on and I truly believe we can. This season especially, last season, too, if certain situations went our way. But I do think we could be a real force.
“I’ve had messages from ex-team-mates who have retired now and send their best wishes and think we could stand a really good chance this season.”
Bulut: New training ground will be ‘big’ for club
Erol Bulut is delighted that the club have started work on their new training base at Hensol and believes it will help Cardiff City progress in years to come.
The Bluebirds have pledged a new training ground for years but in recent times that deadline has grown nearer. They currently share their Vale of Glamorgan training facility with the Football Association of Wales but have insisted they want to break away and build their own base.
And last week the first pictures emerged of the club breaking ground at Hensol, with diggers already pulling up the turf to begin the development. It is hoped the training ground will be open for use for the 2026/27 campaign.
“This will be really big progress for Cardiff City and for the team,” Bulut said.
“When that training centre is finished, the players and everybody will look differently at the club. For a player, it is always great to have their own training field, where they can be happy and go proudly on the street to say we also have a training ground which belongs to us.
“I see the structure, how it will go and we will build on it. Every year we can build on because we have enough space where you can build on it.”
Scott Parker, the manager of Burnley, is ecstatic about his team’s upcoming home opener against Cardiff this weekend at Turf Moor.
After defeating Luton Town, another team vying for promotion, 4-1 at Kenilworth Road on the first weekend of the season, the Clarets are riding high; nevertheless, they will go to Lancashire for their first home match of the year.
“Seeing the fans up close was really special,” Parker remarked prior to the Bluebirds’ journey to Luton. “I’m overjoyed that they return on a Monday night, return content with three points, and have work in the morning.
“They worked really well for us. The assistance they provided to the group, myself, and all others involved
“I can’t wait for the weekend again to get in front of the home fans and hopefully we can give them another good performance.”
On the Bluebirds themselves, Parker added: “They’re a good side, they will bring us different problems as to what we experienced on Monday night. They have a new manager, some talented players and it will be a test.
“They lost their first game and they’re going to be wanting a reaction but hopefully we can perform well again and get a result.”
