News

Bothroyd Deserves Better From Cardiff City Fans

|
Image for Bothroyd Deserves Better From Cardiff City Fans

Cardiff City striker Jay Bothroyd is not everyone`s favourite player. His relaxed attitude and body language belies the immense talent and technique possessed by the journeyman forward. It`s common knowledge that Bothroyd was struggling to settle at any of his previous clubs and Wolves fans warned us not to expect too much save from the odd touch of class following his £300k move to South Wales.

The move has surely been one of the best in many years. No-other striker available for less than £3m could provide what we get from Jay Bothroyd. Marcus Bent? Daniel Cousin? Chris Killen? All close to moves to the Bluebirds, but none having the all-round game to match Jay.

It annoyed me last night that Cardiff City fans complained at Bothroyd at times yesterday. These were times when we were either level, or ahead of the best side in the league (probably?). Yet there were times when Bothroyd was on the floor, and did not immediately jump up. Yes, there were times where he didn`t sprint to close down a centre-back or goalkeeper. For me, Jay Bothroyd played the percentages to a tee last night and was worthy of high prise indeed for his performance.

He won plenty in the air, but both he and Chopra were consumed and given little space by our deep and un-balanced midfield Bothroyd also did a phenomenal amount of closing down, he just didn`t do it when he had 0% chance of getting there, or when there were two defenders. I cant blame him for that since our midfield was so deep, both he and Chops were impossibly outnumbered due to our deep midfield. On one such occasion, Bothroyd closed down his full-back only to see Carson roll the ball through the middle of the pitch to a midfielder – that should never happen.

His hold-up play was again very good, and he was strong in possession. That was hugely useful, since he normally had to drop deep if he ever wanted the ball the feet.

Of course, the other reason fans should certainly not have complained is that Bothroyd was rated doubtful before the game and is clearly carrying an ankle injury. He was almost ruled out against Chelsea but played a storming game, despite rating himself at around 50% fitness. THREE days later, again with painkilling injections, he was out again and put in another gutsy performance. It`s simply confounding that people questioned his commitment.

One further observation?..Of the last 3 goals we`ve scored in the league, all three came from Jay Bothroyd assists. Two headers, and a penalty. Not bad for a crock, and certainly worthy of more support. He is well liked by the Bluebirds support, but those fans who barrack him need to think again.

Jay Bothroyd Bothroyd, Much cheaper than Krissie Boyd, Much better than Jimmy Floyd, Jay Bothroyd.

Share this article

3 comments

  • gtsutton says:

    I was there last night, having travelled down from London as usual, I was not aware of any significant lack of appreciation for Jay – in fact his name was sung more often than anyone else’s .. I thought he and Michael Chopra were magnificent – Chops chased EVERYTHING .. a lack of as really creative midfielder is becoming desperate .. and when Gavin Rae has a real off-day and sends more passes to opponents than to his own forwards their job becomes almost impossible … if Whittingham’s injury keeps him out we’re really in trouble ..

  • bluebirdshroom says:

    Just get frustrated when I hear people near me getting on his back for ANYTHING, like McPhail last year seems they wait for him to do something just so they can chuck abuse – agreed, both strikers excellent last night

  • chrisgti says:

    the problem with jay is that he can lazy in the game, chops runs his heart out where jay can be slow, he tracks back to get the ball from midfield (not his fault tho due to poor balls from midfeld!) but then when pases the ball on he does’nt get back into the box quick enough, the barnsley game today showed this up today!!

Comments are closed.