Here are your Cardiff City headlines for Monday, September 20.
Kadeem Harris set for shock Ukraine move
Free agent Kadeem Harris is set for a shock switch to Ukraine, according to The Telegraph.
The winger left Cardiff City in 2019 after making 79 appearances over the course of seven years, scoring seven goals in the meantime.
He was snapped up by Sheffield Wednesday and started brightly up at Hillsborough, but tailed off thereafter and left in the summer following the Yorkshire club's relegation to League One.
Some Bluebirds fans hoped he would return to Cardiff City Stadium, given their dearth of options in that position, however The Telegraph's Mike McGrath has claimed he is on his way to eastern Europe.
It is said the 28-year-old is close to joining Metalist Kharkiv in the second tier of the Ukrainian football pyramid.
Cardiff City's head of academy announces exit
Cardiff City's academy manager James McCarthy has announced that he will leave the club after eight years in the role.
The Bluebirds' youth system has come in for much praise of late, with a number of academy graduates now regulars in Cardiff's first-team squads.
After years of so few opportunities for budding young stars, great strides were made within the club over the last two years to allow the pathway to clear. Cardiff are now reaping the rewards on the pitch in that sense.
However, McCarthy's reign has also recently coincided with bullying allegations which have been levelled at the club, with Cardiff launching two investigations into its practices since 2019. The most recent probe, which began in March this year, saw members of staff suspended.
In a statement on social media, McCarthy thanked those who helped him along the way and said he is looking forward to watching the next crop of starlets making their mark with the first team.
"I can now confirm that today signals my last day as Academy Manager at Cardiff City as I move on to explore new and exciting opportunities," he wrote on Twitter. "It brings to an end a long affiliation with the club in many roles and nearly eight years as Academy Manager since leaving teaching.
"The role itself has been most enjoyable and thanks to my amazing staff, and our shared vision, the Academy has progressed beyond recognition and is now widely respected across the UK and Europe. Due to the hard work of everyone involved we now have a consistent pathway into the first team for our young players and this has been highlighted recently with the number of players regularly involved first-team match squads.
"Nothing has given us more satisfaction than seeing many of the Academy players we have worked with since they were eight years old run out onto the pitch at Cardiff City stadium in front of the fans!
"I would like to take the opportunity to thank Mr. Tan for giving me the opportunity eight years ago to develop and drive the Academy forward. I would also like to thank Steve Borley for his consistent guidance and support.
"A big thank you to all the first-team managers (seven in total!). I’ve learned lots from each of them. I have to say a massive thank you and well done to all the Academy staff who have helped me to shape and mould the programme into what it is now. Without your support none of it would have been possible.
"Finally thank you all current Academy players and parents for your constant support. The commitment required to be an Academy player and parent is growing all the time and all the staff appreciate the sacrifices you continue to make. I look forward to watching and hearing about how all the young players continue to develop in the future and hopefully see them gracing the pitch at Cardiff City Stadium. A huge thank you to all my family for their support, patience and understanding."
Bournemouth star brands Cardiff 'horrible'
Bournemouth's match-winner Philip Billing has voiced his delight after beating "physical and horrible" Cardiff City.
Billing's second-half strike was the only goal in the match, but the Cherries were by far the better side on the day.
It was the Bluebirds' second defeat in as many games, but, on a positive note, Billing believes few sides will come away from Cardiff City Stadium with many points this season.
“It was an unbelievable afternoon, you know," he said of the win.
“I think everybody showed today, everybody doubted us whether we could do it against a team like Cardiff, physical and horrible to play against, but I think we proved everybody who doubted us.
“We kept them from too any chances, showed them we can be physical, be horrible as well, but at the same time play. We got the three points away from home against Cardiff and I’m not sure many teams will come here and get too much.”
Cardiff's blunt attack laid bare
Cardiff City's attacking deficiencies were clear for all to see against the Cherries at the weekend.
Bournemouth are a top outfit and will no doubt be one of the contenders for automatic promotion this season under Scott Parker, of that there is no doubt.
However, the defensive manner in which Cardiff went about their business irked some home supporters in the Welsh capital.
Indeed, the data has been laid bare from the weekend and, of the 24 Championship teams in action, Cardiff were bottom when it came to expected goals, with an xG of just 0.60.
Room for improvement at the top end of the pitch against Blackburn Rovers, then.
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