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Winners and losers from transfer deadline day: Tottenham signed how many players?

By Benjamin Barkworth

Wolverhampton Wanderers' Joao Moutinho during the pre-season friendly match at Molineux, Wolverhampton. (Photo by Nick Potts/PA Images via Getty Images)
Wolverhampton Wanderers' Joao Moutinho during the pre-season friendly match at Molineux, Wolverhampton. (Photo by Nick Potts/PA Images via Getty Images) /
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CARDIFF, WALES – AUGUST 04: Neil Warnock, Manager of Cardiff City reacts during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Cardiff City and Real Betis at Cardiff City Stadium on August 4, 2018 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
CARDIFF, WALES – AUGUST 04: Neil Warnock, Manager of Cardiff City reacts during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Cardiff City and Real Betis at Cardiff City Stadium on August 4, 2018 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images) /

Loser: Cardiff

It was always going to be tough for Cardiff to eliminate the perception of them as the weakest team that achieved promotion and, therefore, the team most likely to finish bottom. Their business has lacked the ambition of the other promoted sides, though.

Neil Warnock has used his knowledge of the Championship to bring in some top performers from last season such as Bobby Reid and Josh Murphy. However, they’ll have to adapt to the Premier League along with the rest of the squad. Reid is a huge gamble as well because last season was the first time he had scored more than five goals in a season. There’s no guarantee he’ll be as clinical in Warnock’s set-up.

Murphy is another expensive risk because this is his first season in the Premier League. Warnock’s defensive system means he his attacking opportunities will be limited. Greg Cunningham and Alex Smithies bolster key areas, but neither stands out as a statement of intent or a massive improvement on what the Bluebirds already have.

Victor Camarasa is an intelligent signing because he has the necessary physical skill set as well as the attacking drive to influence games in central areas. Harry Arter adds Premier League experience to central midfield as well, but it isn’t enough to change the fortunes of the team.

They have also kept the main components from last season’s squad, but Warnock will struggle to keep them in the Premier League and their business pales in comparison to the ambition of the other promoted sides.

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