Cardiff working to finally reach
IT sounds obvious but you can’t win football matches without scoring goals, which is the problem facing Cardiff City right now.
After drawing blanks in their first two matches against Bournemouth and Newcastle, the Bluebirds are desperate to find the right formula up front.
And as Neil Warnock prepares his side to face Huddersfield Town – last season’s lowest Premier League scorers, yet one of the teams to survive against the odds – the Cardiff boss admitted his strikers have been working overtime in training.
The veteran manager is eager for the likes of Kenneth Zohore and Gary Madine to prove they can cut it in the Premier League, although the first two games left him with a headache.
“The worry is that we were in good positions last week that didn’t materialise into anything substantial,” said Warnock.
“We had one or two good heading situations which were like damp squibs really, so it was disappointing in that last third.
“We’re working on it all the time, but you need the correct balls, the desire and the right ability.
“They’re trying really hard, the lads, and I’m hoping we can get off the mark this weekend.”
Much of the criticism from fans – and to an extent from Warnock – has centred on Zohore, who squandered some good positions against the Magpies.
It remains to be seen whether Zohore will keep his place up front for the Huddersfield game, especially after Warnock’s brutally honest answer to a question asking who he believes is his best striking option at present.
“I don’t know. OK? I don’t know. No.
“Theoretically, Ken Zohore should be my main man. When he’s doing well he scores goals left, right and centre.
“Gary Madine has come back and lost a lot of weight.
“And when I look at Glenn Murray at Brighton, who I thought was fantastic the other night (against Manchester United), 34 years of age... I’m sure if Gary set his mind to it he could play a role like that.
“We’ve also got Danny Ward who is flying at the minute, so in the next few games I think I’ve got to try all of them.”
Another option for Warnock is Bobby Reid, signed from Bristol City for a reported £11million.
But despite being one of the top scorers in the Championship last season, scoring 21 goals in all competitions, Reid is not currently being considered to lead the line.
“Reidy will be given a chance in behind the striker. Not as a midfielder, but supplying the striker,” added Warnock.
“It’s difficult because Bobby does such a good job and he didn’t deserve to be left out (against Newcastle). But I think he’s more of a threat behind the striker.”
Goals remain a worry for Cardiff, however, until they find a way to score one with Warnock even saying (tongue-in-cheek) that nobody will be expecting the Bluebirds to score anytime soon.
He was asked: “What’s missing from this team?”
“I keep telling you... goals!”
“I don’t think anyone would put any money on us scoring at the moment if I’m honest. Who knows where it’s going to come from, Vincent (Tan) wants Neil Etheridge to shoot more!”
Warnock added that Zohore is being put through his paces on the training pitch, but hinted Madine’s aerial ability could lead to a start in the next few weeks.
“We’ve got to work out how we can do it (score goals), that’s what we’re doing in training,” he added.
“We’ve got the players, it’s just a matter of giving them a few more strings.
“Ken has shown he can go on a seven or eight goal-scoring run when he gets going, but we just need to get him over that initial barrier.
“He was in good positions two or three times last week and didn’t even get close.
“So I’m hoping this week’s training gets him a bit closer.
“With all our wide players we can get crosses into the box and either Ken learns more about heading, or we can try someone else.”