CARDIFF CITY STRIKERS SHOULD BE EMBARRASSED...
Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2018 1:59 pm
Cardiff City's strikers should be embarrassed and insulted Callum Paterson is being picked ahead of them
By Nathan Blake
"I rate Paterson, although he's not a centre-forward yet may get the nod again against Fulham"
BY NATHAN BLAKE
Thursday 18th October 2018
So with the international break over, it's back to the Premier League for Cardiff City — and a real opportunity to finally nail that elusive first win.
The most interesting thing for me is who does Neil Warnock pick at centre-forward against Fulham.
Against Tottenham last time out it was Callum Paterson. Presumably, as the man with the shirt, he will get the nod again this weekend.
If so, the regular strikers on Cardiff's books need to be taking a hard look at themselves.
If I were one of them, I would be embarrassed and insulted that a full-back-cum-midfielder, who can play No.9 in an emergency, was playing ahead of me.
That would get me fired up, more than anything else, to prove a point to the manager myself in training and during games.
This is nothing against Paterson, let me stress. I rate him highly, but that's when utilised in the way he was last season when he offered support to Zohore and proved hugely effective and influential in the Championship.
But one thing Callum Paterson is not is a centre-forward himself. No, no, no, no. And no again. And I say that as someone who played the role myself, understands what is required there.
If we're in a position where Paterson is our No.9 because he wins flick-ons and is a bit physical, then part of me fears the writing might be on the wall already. We cannot be pinning our goal hopes in the Premier League on someone who joined the club as a right-back. We just can't.
Surely this needs to be a light-bulb moment for the other forwards. My issue is not whether Paterson is a striker or not — I've made it abundantly clear in my own eyes that he isn't — but more the form of those at Warnock's disposal who should be nailing that centre-forward berth.
None of them have done enough to warrant the shirt. Hence Warnock turning elsewhere. But it's not the solution, he needs his proper strikers firing.
Trouble is they're not, are they?
Kenneth Zohore was a £20million player a year ago, we thought he'd be fine in the Premier League where you have more time on the ball. He has physicality, pace, can run in behind, hold up the ball — yet, for whatever reason, Warnock preferred Paterson versus Spurs.
What on earth does that say to Zohore?
As I say, if I were him I'd be somewhat embarrassed.
Danny Ward is a fans' favourite and at least has managed a goal, but while decent he's not going to rip anyone for pace — let alone Premier League defenders.
We spent £11m on Bobby Reid. That's not worked out yet, although it's too early to judge.
As for Gary Madine, he came for £6m and has still to score a goal. While that hangs over him, his form will be questioned.
You'd think a club like Cardiff would make a £6m signing their number one. Whatever the goal output, 'the manager trusts and relies on me', that sort of thing.
When he was scoring goals for Bolton, Madine would have had a totally different frame of mind, confidence levels high. He's come here, seen the fans love Zohore and Ward, that he isn't the manager's first choice and that can play on your mind, affect your form.
It's not happening for any of them, hence the manager's Paterson decision at Wembley and, most probably, versus Fulham this weekend.
You just sense Warnock is desperate for Zohore to get going. He's always been his real first choice, but it's been fits and starts at best for Ken thus far this season.
My problem with Zohore is how does Paterson get in before him? Loss of form can happen to anyone, but Warnock must have seen things in training and made calls based upon that.
Trouble is it's square pegs in round holes. We don't have a regular starting XI, are chopping and changing. Hopefully this'll work, or that'll be okay.
What Cardiff need is a settled team so players can build partnerships, but having Paterson as the focal point of that side is not the way forward.
I'd be happy enough to see him just behind Zohore, where he played last season and took the pressure off by winning aerial duels, for tough away games at places like Spurs and Chelsea. But for home matches versus teams like Fulham, we need Victor Camarasa in the No.10 role to probe and open up defences.
I'd like to see Zohore properly nail down the centre-forward role again and put the debate to bed. Of the strikers available, he is the one with most attributes who you'd fancy to tear up the Premier League.
If it's not to be Zohore, then for me Josh Murphy is the man. He has pace, an awareness of where to run and a lethal finish.
Yes I know he's made his name as a wide-man, but he could easily play No.9. Paterson made his name as a right-back - there's a significant difference.
As for the game itself, the hoodoo will finally be broken in my view. The Bluebirds to sneak it by the odd goal.
By Nathan Blake
"I rate Paterson, although he's not a centre-forward yet may get the nod again against Fulham"
BY NATHAN BLAKE
Thursday 18th October 2018
So with the international break over, it's back to the Premier League for Cardiff City — and a real opportunity to finally nail that elusive first win.
The most interesting thing for me is who does Neil Warnock pick at centre-forward against Fulham.
Against Tottenham last time out it was Callum Paterson. Presumably, as the man with the shirt, he will get the nod again this weekend.
If so, the regular strikers on Cardiff's books need to be taking a hard look at themselves.
If I were one of them, I would be embarrassed and insulted that a full-back-cum-midfielder, who can play No.9 in an emergency, was playing ahead of me.
That would get me fired up, more than anything else, to prove a point to the manager myself in training and during games.
This is nothing against Paterson, let me stress. I rate him highly, but that's when utilised in the way he was last season when he offered support to Zohore and proved hugely effective and influential in the Championship.
But one thing Callum Paterson is not is a centre-forward himself. No, no, no, no. And no again. And I say that as someone who played the role myself, understands what is required there.
If we're in a position where Paterson is our No.9 because he wins flick-ons and is a bit physical, then part of me fears the writing might be on the wall already. We cannot be pinning our goal hopes in the Premier League on someone who joined the club as a right-back. We just can't.
Surely this needs to be a light-bulb moment for the other forwards. My issue is not whether Paterson is a striker or not — I've made it abundantly clear in my own eyes that he isn't — but more the form of those at Warnock's disposal who should be nailing that centre-forward berth.
None of them have done enough to warrant the shirt. Hence Warnock turning elsewhere. But it's not the solution, he needs his proper strikers firing.
Trouble is they're not, are they?
Kenneth Zohore was a £20million player a year ago, we thought he'd be fine in the Premier League where you have more time on the ball. He has physicality, pace, can run in behind, hold up the ball — yet, for whatever reason, Warnock preferred Paterson versus Spurs.
What on earth does that say to Zohore?
As I say, if I were him I'd be somewhat embarrassed.
Danny Ward is a fans' favourite and at least has managed a goal, but while decent he's not going to rip anyone for pace — let alone Premier League defenders.
We spent £11m on Bobby Reid. That's not worked out yet, although it's too early to judge.
As for Gary Madine, he came for £6m and has still to score a goal. While that hangs over him, his form will be questioned.
You'd think a club like Cardiff would make a £6m signing their number one. Whatever the goal output, 'the manager trusts and relies on me', that sort of thing.
When he was scoring goals for Bolton, Madine would have had a totally different frame of mind, confidence levels high. He's come here, seen the fans love Zohore and Ward, that he isn't the manager's first choice and that can play on your mind, affect your form.
It's not happening for any of them, hence the manager's Paterson decision at Wembley and, most probably, versus Fulham this weekend.
You just sense Warnock is desperate for Zohore to get going. He's always been his real first choice, but it's been fits and starts at best for Ken thus far this season.
My problem with Zohore is how does Paterson get in before him? Loss of form can happen to anyone, but Warnock must have seen things in training and made calls based upon that.
Trouble is it's square pegs in round holes. We don't have a regular starting XI, are chopping and changing. Hopefully this'll work, or that'll be okay.
What Cardiff need is a settled team so players can build partnerships, but having Paterson as the focal point of that side is not the way forward.
I'd be happy enough to see him just behind Zohore, where he played last season and took the pressure off by winning aerial duels, for tough away games at places like Spurs and Chelsea. But for home matches versus teams like Fulham, we need Victor Camarasa in the No.10 role to probe and open up defences.
I'd like to see Zohore properly nail down the centre-forward role again and put the debate to bed. Of the strikers available, he is the one with most attributes who you'd fancy to tear up the Premier League.
If it's not to be Zohore, then for me Josh Murphy is the man. He has pace, an awareness of where to run and a lethal finish.
Yes I know he's made his name as a wide-man, but he could easily play No.9. Paterson made his name as a right-back - there's a significant difference.
As for the game itself, the hoodoo will finally be broken in my view. The Bluebirds to sneak it by the odd goal.