Ex Cardiff City Man Lauds McPhail

Last season's Cardiff City hotshot Michael Chopra believes the differing personnel at new club Sunderland is the key behind his disappointing form.


Chopra moved North for a hefty £5m price tag, joining forces with Roy Keane and Co as they started the season well. However after netting in the opening two fixtures of the season, Chopra has struggled for form and opportunities. The former Cardiff City player has scored just once in 21 appearances for the black cats and as a striker, must be disappointed to have picked up more yellow cards than goals in his time on the pitch.


Now Chopra is ready to kick-start his season and believes that new Sunderland acquisition Andy Reid will be the catalyst he needs to get the goals we know he is capable of. Chopra told Radio Newcastle:



'What helps me is when people find my runs, and in Reid we've got a player who can.'


'At Cardiff we had Stephen McPhail and whenever I made a run he could find me and hopefully Reid can do this season.'


'I always knew how good a player Reid is. His passing ability is fantastic and I believe a lot of our players will benefit from that.'



Chopra's partnership and understanding with Stephen McPhail was a huge bonus for Cardiff last season. Until recently, there has been no-one of a similar mould as Chopra for McPhail to feed but the change of position of Paul Parry to a more advanced role has benefitted Cardiff and added a new dimension to their play with balls behind the opposition defence.