Is Chopra Really The Right Man For Cardiff City?

Cardiff City made a number of fans very happy late on Monday when we sensationally swooped for former favourite and top-notch striker Michael Chopra, a deal virtually everyone thought dead. However much of the talking prior to that unexpected capture was with our interest in several other strikers, deals which did not come off.

Chris Porter of Motherwell chose to join fellow Championship side Derby County (for personal reasons as his partner resides in Nottingham) We appear to have failed in a big money bid to land Steven Fletcher of Hibernian, while the capture of Welsh International Chedwyn Evans always looked a long shot.

With those options gone, we turned to Chopra - or was he our number one target throughout? I would argue not. Chops is a fantastic striker, well known to us and he can be a devastating force in the Championship and, I`m sure, a portent force at the highest level. However, we already have Ross McCormack in the side as a pacy, hustling attacker - willing to chase anything. We recently landed Quincy, while if Paul Parry is to be used as a striker - that is surely the role he would fill.

What we do not have is adequate cover for Jay Bothroyd who is crucial to the way we play. Jay has been battered, kicked and bullied this season but has done a superb job holding up possession for the team, and to my mind there is no more skilful 'target-man` at this level. He is very adept at bringing others into the game and has made himself a pivotal figure in our style of play. Back-up for this role is Eddie Johnson. Hmm.

Eddie is excitable and seems to be determined but looks a mere shadow of the standard expected from a £3m striker or USA International goalscorer. He is yet to score, or to threaten and is not what promotion seasons are made from.

Don`t get me wrong, Chopra will be a huge asset to us and I`m delighted to have him BUT can he play with McCormack and Quincy? How would we fare without Jay? Let us know!Leave your comments at the foot of this article…

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