CCFC Squad 2014/15 > Strikers… Lots of Strikers

Forget stylish playmakers and chic false nines, when it comes to strikers (or, ‘proper’ number nines) Cardiff City have now got ten on their books.  Ten.

Coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer loves goals more than he loves United and Norway and wants his Cardiff team to score some in a new free-flowing swash-buckling style to boot. 

Whereas last season the Bluebirds set up for games in the Premier League cowering in the corner with just one lonely front man, this season could see a change in ethos.  

Ole has highlighted this area of the squad as his starting point in an overhaul, bringing in three strikers so far during the summer adding to the group already here.

Assuming that he won’t choose to play all ten with David Marshall backing up the rear, you would think that only a max of two can start each game with perhaps two joining in from the bench.

So, who’s going to play and who will be warming the bench in a trackie? Who will be left in the house and who will Ole try and get rid of? Here’s the CV take on tings: 

Starters:

It’s likely that Ole will give his new boys the responsibility of getting goals. Javi Guerra has joined for free from Real Valladolid after scoring goals in La Liga – looks like a tall and strong old school centre forward who enjoys a header.   

Then there’s 22-year-old Italian Frederico Macheda also joining on a free after being released by Manchester United. ‘Kiko’ burst onto the scene in 2009 but has since been on loan at several hundred clubs including Sampdoria, Stuttgart, QPR and Birmingham City. Time will tell on what he can offer City in the Championship but he should get game time under Ole who knows him from his time coaching him at United reserves.

Then there’s Adam Le Fondre who joined from Reading (top pic), the most exciting signing of the lot. City have been lacking a true predator for years, a real box striker who only cares about goals. 'Alfie' has twisted defenders blood every time I’ve seen the scamp play and he’s known (like his coach) for making an impact from the bench. His goals will be pivotal - scored 15 in the Championship last year.  

These three should have a healthy fight for two spots up front. 

In The Background:

Lurking in and around the subs bench will be the big fella Kenwyne Jones, brought in as part of what at the time seemed a good swap deal with Peter Odemwingie. It turned out to be a pretty weak deal for City with Ken scoring just once between January and the end of the season. 

He can be handy winning lots of aerial balls in both boxes but that’s about it. Ken doesn’t run, has the touch of a camel and takes home a reported 37k a week salary – what were the City officials thinking when setting up this contract, the mind boggles. His Excellency Sir Vincent of Tan himself is even said to be keen on shifting big lazy Ken off the wage bill but he appears to have a fifty year contract.

Ole seems to like him and he might get to play a bit here and there (if he can be bothered). If he’s fit he could be a real threat in the Championship. He probably won’t be though. Hope I’m wrong but I’m probably not. 

Then there’s Norwegian Jo Inge Berget (below right) who Ole brought in from former club Molde FK in January. Jo hasn’t really been given anything like a chance yet and the fact that Ole wouldn't let him near the field last season told its own story. Needs game time but can’t see him getting it unless City get injuries or he goes out on loan. 

Looks like a clever player but he needs to smash a goal in from at least forty yards when he gets his chance. He did bag one in pre-season at Bath of course.  

Similar to Jo is another Joe.

Young pup Joe Mason had shown mega potential when Malky signed the boy from Plymouth, even being referred to as ‘Joe Messi’ at one point by my friend Steve off the back of some slick performances in the hole behind Kenny Miller. Had a strong 2011-2012 season and who could forget his smooth CarlingCup Final goal against Liverpool? 

Since City had Tan's cash to throw around circa summer 2012 though, Joe has been a bit neglected like a plant wilting. He’s been out on loan at Bolton but could sneak into a few squads this season before probably definitely going out on loan again.  

Shame, because CV rates Joe Messi. 

At the bottom of this pile is 19 year old academy prodigy (and goal machine) Rhys Healey (above pic left) who made his debut from the bench on the last day of the season against Chelsea. Recently rewarded with a new contract after scoring 18 in 22 games for the under 21s last season, Rhys is highly-regarded within the corridors of power at City. 

This season could see him play a few cup games but sending the kid out on loan wouldn't be the worst idea in the world. 

On their way?:

Frazier Campbell worked hard for City in his short time here but looks likely to move back to the Premier League with Crystal Palace after being left behind from Cardiff’s pre-season trip to Austria. 

Although some fans seem to love that he ran around a lot, I never thought he scored enough and needs three chances to hit the net. 

Nicky Maynard’s City career has never really got going has it? First was his cruciate knee injury that kept him out for a season and then last year Ole farmed him out on loan to Wigan where he didn’t do a great deal except maybe eat pies. Now we’re hearing from the City pre-season camp that Nicky’s returned carrying some holiday weight after presumably spending his summer at KFC.

Can see him leaving before the window shuts.  

The Weird One:

Etien Velikonja is an enigma. He signed for City two years ago for £1.5 million bucks, but made only three league appearances under Malky and rumour has it that football genius Vincent Tan signed him himself off the back of a corrupt recommendation from his friend Jose Mourinho.

What a weird and disturbing story this is.

Anyway, when Solskjaer took charge at the start of this year he sent Velikonja out on loan to Portuguese club Rio Ave, presumably to remember what football was. Now he’s back with City for pre-season and Ole has even claimed he’ll get a chance. Whether he was poker faced or laughing at the time is unconfirmed. 

Although he looks like a bit of a lost soul, Etien knows where the net is and looks like a better option than a few of the above. You’d have to think he’ll be off though. Either that or he’ll score 30 next season.