Kenwyne's got his nose well in front with 5 goals before Alf got off the mark, and let's be honest, that was really an own goal although he was given it. At least Kenwyne has had the opportunities always being played at the sharp end, whereas Alf was played out of position by Solskjaer. Playing out wide and having to endure defensive duties are hardly the best roles for a known goal poacher. Having said that, when he has been used up top Alf's missed some glorious chances so far - the blast over the top at Blackpool was almost as bad as that effort from 6 yards against Forde. Has 5 goal Kenwyne just got lucky and Alf just been unlucky? Who will have scored the most come May? For me, I'll take Le Fondre to come good.
I hope your right Sparks, I had high hopes for ALF when he joined City, but OGS insisted on playing him out of position all the time which didn't work.
I don't care who scores them or how they go in, just as long as they do. An ALF miss hit that goes in off KWJ's arse is fine by me. Seriously though, I think it depends on how Slade moves the team forward. A back to basics 442 is a starting position. I'm sure he'll refine it from there. If Slade want's to play some football, It's ALF for me with KWJ as plan B.
Jones for me as ALF is very disappointing and contributes little. Jones is also useful when defending corners. Would Millwall have scored had Jones been playing?
Alf did everything right except putting the ball in the net. I know that's his main job, but that was all that was missing - his movement in that game was something else. His pace off the mark left the Leeds defenders flat footed and goals will surely come if Slade keeps faith in him. Jones is a totally different animal and got lucky. True, you tend to make your own luck but there wont be many comedy acts to come like that Leeds keeper and defender performed for him to get his goal. Having said that, he very nearly got a second with that towering header that crept just past the post - their keeper had no chance. That would have made it 4-1 and got my correct score in the prediction league. I still believe Le Fondre will get the goals to overtake Kenwyne.
Jones will miss the next 2 games. ALF needs to be benched. Id play Ravel instead of him. Other than that Maynard. Back to the OP - Jones. I think wed have had 6 or 7 if hed played yesterday.
ALF needs to be played - Macheda needs to be benched. I agree that if Jones had started, we would have got 6 or 7 and ALF would have got a few as well as a result. Can't understand this confidence thing that Slade keeps banging on about Macheda. He looks slow to me and has no presence in the air. Jones would be a far better option.
Im also not convinced about Macheda. However somehow he gets the ball in the net. ALF is missing clear cut chances. Those misses cost us points v Millwall and Blackpool and could have yesterday if wed played a half decent side. Weve strikers waiting for their chance and it cant be good for their morale not to be given an opportunity when the man in possession of the shirt continues to fail to do his job and stick it in the net. If we didnt have the back up I wouldnt be too concerned. Hes doing ok outside the box and getting in good positions. But when weve players waiting for a chance then I think they deserve the chance to do what hes failing to do.
Haven't been impressed my Maynard at all from what I've seen of him. Other than him there's Guerra - where the hell is he? Attitude problem? We could get Mason back and give him a go, but other than that, I'd stick with ALF and pair him with Jones.
Mason was the best finisher at the club but Ole released him on a seasons loan so cant return. Think Guerra will be gone in January.
Wasn't aware of that, but a no recall loan would just about sum up Ole's erratic management of the club.
ALF every time. Goals will come. His movement and contribution to the team effort are exceptional. While Jones got his goal he should scored a second. Don't forget him losing the ball Instead of making a simple pass to Noone cost us the goal. I agree he is an asset defending set pieces. Macheda also works hard for the team and appears to have the knack of finding the net which ALF has lost for now. We do not have the same movement and fluidity when KWJ starts. Good for plan B though. Agreed that Guerra must have another chance soon. I feel sorry for Maynard but not the same player since his last injury. Is Mason making Bolton's starting 11? If not then why would he be any better for us?
Well it's Alf for now.... http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/cardiff-city-star-kenwyne-jones-8035169
I'm amazed by the Macheda criticism! 3 in 4 starts. His touch is normally excellent, the ball sticks and we get to play out. He has enough ability and pace to move with the ball and be a threat. He's scored a scruffy tap in, a ( deflected) 20 yarder and a very neat run and finish. All accompanied by an excellent work ethic. How you could argue Alf stays and he goes?!? Alf is trying hard and I also rate his movement but he needs to start improving on a 1 in about 12 conversion rate pretty quickly or we need to use some else who can.
If you look, my comment about Macheda was a response to Hilts' post about dropping ALF, though I still stand by what I said. Macheda does not do it for me and hasn't done so since the pre-season games. I believe he loses the ball too often and runs up blind alleys instead of laying it off - a bit like a slower version of Odemwingie. To be fair, ALF has missed some shockers whereas Macheda has found the net. That's fair enough, but I rate Le Fondre's contributions far higher than his to the gameplan overall.
The game is all about goals though. A striker that helps you play the way you want but scores f** all needs others to cover him. Thankfully for us and Alf, Macheda has covered him in all the games except Milwall. I will add that I wouldn't drop either, 3 wins out of 4, I like Slade's approach of settling the team. If Pilks is still not feeling right I'd play Ralls as I thought his energy was a big boost 2nd half but if he is ok I'd give the same 11 another chance.
I'm sure the same 11 will start against Bolton subject to Pilks being OK. On the subject of goals scored (or not), you can't take away the fact that Macheda has slotted 3 times in 4 games and ALF has not. Macheda cannot be dropped after that sort of return, and as I said, my post suggesting that was a slightly tongue in cheek response to Hilts suggesting ALF should be benched. Having said that, I remain unconvinced about Macheda long term and would have no qualms in replacing him up front with Jones. ALF is ALF, and despite his cow's arse/banjo efforts of late, he is easily the best player we have to run the channels and pull defences out of position. His turn of speed over the first half dozen paces can leave defenders dead - all he has to do is find the bloody finishing we know he's capable of.
