Cardiff Strikers: Weakness In Depth?

Cardiff City undoubtedly suffered from a lack of firepower and scoring touch last season. It was a major weakness in the side and contributed to the alarming loss of form and subsequent plummet down the table.


It was a weak area and one that Dave Jones was keen to address in the January transfer market and now - in the close season. However, after a number of additions and losses - there are still doubts over the suitability of our strike force.

Quality or quantity???


Currently these players are on the books:



Michael Chopra

Top scorer and first choice. Chopra will certainly start the season as number 1 striker. He has just signed a new contract and is the club's prized asset.



Steven MacLean

A new addition. MacLean is not the 'big number 9' we were searching for but is an intelligent footballer with a good track-record and goalscoring pedigree. He is favourite to partner Chopra up-front.



Jason Byrne

Signed from Ireland in January, scored on debut but flopped since. Injury sidelined him for end of season but club have denied talks of a loan deal back in Ireland. Yet to justify £100k fee.



Warren Feeney

So far labelled a 'panic-buy'. Feeney was signed on emergency loan from Luton, and permanently at the end of the season. He gained numerous substitutes appearances but failed to impress. He has a poor goalscoring record and has yet to show what he can offer.



Matt Green

Teenage pace ace from Newport showed blinding pace and his long strdes took him away from defenders. Glimpses of potential in few appearances last season but unlikely to get much of a chance this year.



Steve Thompson

Big forward transfer-listed after poor return of 6 goals last term. Linked well with Chopra and showed good work-rate - the only thing lacking was goals. No interest shown in the big man and he remains on Cardiff's books.





Of course, Luigi Glombard and Andrea Feretti have been released but some Cardiff fans are optimistic that ANOTHER striker will be incoming - the big number 9 we were promised.

That seems unlikely, especially with the wage bill as it is. We can't justlfy so many strikers with the back-ups unlikely to get a prolonged run in the team.


Personally if either first choice striker was injured, I would turn to Steve Thompson from the above mentioned names (deemed not good enough for us).

So where does that leave Feeney and Byrne?

Neither has shown any great performance or promise - should a loan deal be considered? They both cost 5 figure sums and have done little to justify that so far and doubts must remain over their respective futures.


Matt Green is not ready to start matches in the Championship but could be a useful 'impact player' and inject pace for the last 10 minutes - he wont get that chance as things stands.



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