Cardiff City will name new striker Andy keogh in today’s squad to face Portsmouth, but the on-loan Wolves man will be looking to force his way into the starting XI and go one better than Ross McCormack – frustrated by a lack of opportunities.
However, we are strong in the striking department and even the loss of Michael Chopra, out injured for approximately 2 months does not mean that Keogh will be starting today. In fact, it seems highly likely that he will not be selected to start the match.
I can see Dave Jones lining up one of two ways:
4-4-2
Marshall,
Blake/Matthews, Hudson, Gyepes, McNaughton/Naylor
Burke, Olofinjana, Drinkwater, Whittingham
Bothroyd, Bellamy
or
4-1-2-3
Marshall,
Blake/Matthews, Hudson, Gyepes, McNaughton/Naylor
Olofinjana,
Drinkwater, Whittingham
Burke Bellamy
Bothroyd
Neither of those formations allows the inclusion of Keogh, though he and fellow loanee Jason Koumas would be able to replace any of the front 5 to add a further attacking option. Chris Burke was mightily unlucky to be dropped last weekend, and answered Dave Jones perfectly with an excellent display – capped by an impressive finish for the third goal.
There is real competition for places, and the likes of Koumas, Keogh and McPhail will struggle to break into the starting XI as is. Dave Jones has never been one to rotate and usually shows faith to a core of 12 / 13 players. It seems certain Keogh would only have joined if he thought he would get regular first team action…..we’ll have to wait and see!
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