Cardiff City have, for lengthy periods this season, looked toothless in attack and struggled to break sides down. Coventry City and Stoke City were able to shut us out and restrict our play.
Whilst we have so far failed to establish a partnership up-front, another key ingredient seems to have been lacking from our side of late – pace .
In Fowler, Hasselbaink, Feeney, MacLean, Byrne and even Steve Thompson- we do not possess any great pace in attack.
Matt Green is a pacy forward, but needs work before he is ready for regular Championship action.
This is manageable with pace coming from midfield, however, on the flanks we have the veteran Trevor Sinclair (who has impressed so far) and the cultured left footer Joe Ledley. Neither of these undoubtedly fine players possess the pace to burst through defenses or pull defenders out of position. Rather these two are players of the ball, who pass well and link up rather than ‘skin’ the opposition with a step-over. Do we have enough variation to succeed?
Against Norwich City, we were woeful first half and barely got a sniff. Then, with the introduction of Paul Parry on the wing – we looked threatening again and began to cause problems. I dont believe that Paul Parry is a better player than Ledley, but he did offer something different which allowed us to sneak the 3 points (probably undeservedly!).
Both Whittingham and Parry are more natural ‘wingers’ than Ledley, and with Sinclair impressing – Dave Jones may have signalled his intentions by replacing Ledley at half time.
The useful thing for Cardiff is that Parry, who adds the pace and variety, can play as a support striker or on either flank. While Ledley, can operate at left-back and in central midfield in addition to his usual wide role. We don’t want to ‘crowbar’ Parry into the side – but he does make a difference to our play and the added versatility throughout the side should allow us to adapt to different scenarios and improve.
Or alternatively, get in a pacy loan striker DJ !!!!
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You have trhe players to work through defences you just have to give them time. Jimmey has a proven goalscoring record everywhere he has been.