Worries Remain Over Goal Shy Cardiff City

Cardiff City kick-off the new campaign amid optimism and hope after a season of rebuilding, some astute signings and a good feel around the club. Malky Mackay and the players have come across extremely professional and worked hard to prepare despite inheriting a difficult situation.

The pre-season campaign was well received, though an obvious potential problem is the lack of goals and cutting edge on show. That is backed up by the Bluebirds failure to hit the net in either of the two 'proper` friendlies against Parma (0-0) and Celtic (1-0). Neither game saw many chances fall to City and the lack of attempts on goal is a worry.

In other first team friendlies, Peter Whittingham, Andrew Taylor and Rudy Gestede all found the net in a draw (Yeovil Town), a victory (Charlton Athletic) and a defeat to Bournemouth. On no occasion have we scored more than one in a game - and only youngster Gestede is a striker to score.

Of course, Cardiff City as a whole are still gelling into a cohesive unit, while the strikers have yet to form any understanding based on a few short outings. Kenny Miller appears certain to lead the line and has only just joined, while Robert Earnshaw was forced to sit out earlier games through injury.

Miller and Earnshaw are favourites to start against West Ham and will look to form a formidable partnership up-front. Gestede, Jon Parkin and the lively Joe Mason will be hoping to make an impact from the bench. All the above are capable of getting goals and hopefully we won`t have to wait long to see the Bluebirds banging them in for fun.

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