Tan Shows His True Colours

In an interview with the BBC Vincent Tan discussed the issues he has faced since arriving in the Welsh capital. From Malky Mackay to the kit change, the interview was a highlight reel of successive disasters since the Malaysian came in.

Has Tan been made a villain?

Tan believes that this reel of disasters is not as bad as first seems. He focuses on the successes rather than the failures of his tenure, which have seen promotion to the Premiership. He believes that he has been "made a villain" by the British press and that they have been very unfair to him. It is fair to say that Tan has become an 'easy' media story and the butt of many press jokers. However, the reputation of a villain does come from somewhere it is not that the press pick and choose who they will pick on. Tan did bring this upon himself in many respects, and still cannot see those mistakes.

Tan and Malky Mackay celebrate promotion

Tan talked about the fans, saying that 90% are supportive, the other 10% are more vocal. It is his belief that the fans have no business in the running of the club and should just enjoy the success of Cardiff. He believes that without him Cardiff City would have gone down last year rather than up to the Premiership. Tan obviously does not feel he gets the credit he deserves saying, "I came to your town, I save your club." The supporters have the final say on whether or not he has saved the club because in reality it is their club. They may not have the financial stake that Tan does, but if they do not attend games they can buy Tan out from below.

Tan's views on running a football club seem confused, he seems to know bits about the culture of football saying, "Supporters it is your club."  Only to follow this statement up with "why do you have to do stupid things." He seems to think he is working for the supporters and seems simply bemused that they do not appreciate all of what he see's as good work.

The most glaring line of this entire interview was on the topic of the kit. He defended his decision to change it to the 'lucky' red, and even said that the kit colour would keep them up. He said if the fans were that bothered by the kit they "could find a new owner who likes blue. Pay up and buy me out." Obviously then Cardiff could go back to their blue kit but Tan said simply "I'll go somewhere and build another great club." This single quote describes the views of Tan to Cardiff City and the views of many of the foreign investors into English football. They just don't care about the game or the clubs.

Tan shows off the red strip

It has been suspected for years by fans but no owner has ever come close to saying something like this. It is know wonder that Tan thinks that he is a 'villain' in the press when he carelessly says things like this in interviews. It proves that Cardiff City is merely his play-thing and he does not care about the the fans. In this one quote he says hat if bought out at Cardiff City he would go to another team and do the same. Just to play devils advocate, imagine him buying out Leeds and changing their shirt to red.

The striking part of the interview is that Tan seems to expect adoration from the fans for the promotion he gained them. He also expects them to accept the changes he makes at the club now that they are successful. The was a silver lining to what was a dire interview for Cardiff City fans to see. Towards the end of the interview Tan promised that this Summer's transfer budget would be far more wisely spent. This was good news, until he went on to explain the reason for that was because he would be "heavily involved."

Solskjaer is walking through a minefield at Cardiff

If Vincent Tan has involvement in transfers then good luck to everyone involved at Cardiff, particularly Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as arguments are sure to follow this latest decision.