Cardiff City News 24/7Writer: Bluebirdshroom 
Date:Tuesday November 11 2008
Time: 10:17AM
UK time is: 00:40:20
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McPhail & Rae Top Poll - But Are They Good Enough?
Cardiff City have had a settled midfield for well over a season now with Ledley, Rae and McPhail always starting whenever fit. The only question mark has hung on the right wing with Parry and Whittingham sharing duties.
However, it has to be admitted that despite individually good players - we rarely take control of the midfield area and are often out-muscled.
McPhail is a skillful player with excellent vision and passing qualities. However, he has a tendency to be passed by in games and can be crowded out and his threat nullified. Gavin Rae works tremendously hard to support defence and attack but his distribution can be poor and he lacks the cutting edge to hurt teams.
Nevertheless - we are genuine play-off contenders except that there is no depth. Scimeca remains injured and even if he does get himself fit - will he ever be the same presence after nearly 2 years out?
A recent poll of this Vital Cardiff website invited readers to choose their best midfield partnership from our current crop:
Get Darcy in there ! (29%)
McPhail / Rae. (24%)
Ledley / Scimeca. (17%)
McPhail / Scimeca. (14%)
McPhail / Ledley. (11%)
Unsure. (3%)
Ledley / Rae. (2%)
Most felt that McPhail and Rae are the best of our tried options. There was however strong support for Darcy Blake, a highly rated youngster though one we rarely see involved with the first team. Blake can play in defence or midfield though we haven't seen him play regularly anywhere but full-back.
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Your Comments
Very surprised that Blake hasn't had more time to develop in the first team. Dave Jones doesn't give enough opportunities/time to the younger players.. Gunter, Ramsey etc. Blake could easily take E.Johnson's spot on the bench every week - and probally have more luck finding the back of the net.
ozbluebird
Blake must be frustrated about being on the bench so often but very very rarely ever getting a chance. He's young, hungry and its often those sort of players that can make a difference!
bluebirdshroom
yes okay, he is hungry, and ambititons, but dave jones might not think he is ready, you cannot rush a youngster into the championship league, he is still young and learning, and the rubish ozbluebird was talking about with not enough chances, ramsey gunter, well where was he when they played, ramsey was a key player, so was gunter, he gave jerome chances, its just we are forced to sell them so soon when they break in, theres not point in breaking them straight into a squad thats going to sell them
bluebird04
totally disagree! Ramsey was barely a squad player last season never mind key... mostly as a sub and still not regularly. Gunter was not getting a look-in until Toshack picked him, he did brilliantly then DJ gave him a chance. Both were consistently overlooked.
bluebirdshroom
bluebird04 is darcy blake
smakerzthebluebird
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