OK maybe I'm being cynical, Everyone is over the moon about Earnie returning, fair enough One of Earnies main assets was pace over the first ten yards or so, quite naturally seven years on he will have very probably lost a bit of pace, so we are not going to get the same player back. I've no doubt Earnie will still score, but I can't see him being anything like as prolific. What Earnie will be is incredibly popular, and I wonder if he was brought back to please the fans, perhaps the club has realised that they have no chance of getting Bellamy back, or very little chance of getting Goodwillie for under £2 million, so they brought back someone "cheap" who they knew would please the fans and "show ambition" or maybe I'm being cynical?
Proph, I don't think that Malky would sign Earnie just for the fans, If he didn't think he could do a job for him there would be no way Malky would.
Well, it was pointed out he scored 43 goals in about 110 games at Forest....not too bad. Also there is the chance he will play even better back with us. I don't think we suggest he will be prolific but i think a 15 goal season is very possible and with the right support he may be a very valuable player for us. Also he will be great around the club, which has a immeasurable benefit. The main thing though is there is just no negative side to signing Earnie.
I get what your saying Proph but possibly a tad cynical. Not that I'm comparing the 2 but CB is not the speed merchant he used to be but we saw how he could run at defenses last year. We know how Whitts can pass on his day (assuming the rumours come to nothing) and if Conway's ability to hit his man from either flank is as good as they say, a decent ball in could (could) compensate for a lack of that extra yard of pace? He's never going to be the player we lost but I'm confident that 7 years older and 7 years wiser, he'll still do a job for us. Earnie's gonna get ya!! (couldn't resist that one). No question he'll be (is) popular but I can't see appeasing the fans playing a major part in his signing. Personally, I think the permanent capture of CB is possibly a logistical/financial step too far for us at the moment (I don't have any info so I hope I'm wrong) and god knows whats going on up in Scotland with Goodwillie but I'd rather be told "We tried but couldn't get them and are looking elsewhere" rather than MM/CCFC bringing in someone (yes, even Earnie) as a 'consolation prize' For the moment, I'm happily riding along the Earnie wave
I think you're a little bit off on this one Prophet... He's been scoring for the trees and as stated, can't see MM making any decision that isn't 100% his decision and based on footballing matters...
a win, win, win situation as I see it. For free (win) we get a player who is almost guaranteed to get into double figures and likely to get 15-20 (win) who the fans will adore (win). And as a bonus we got him from the trees. MM can't lose. Earnie is the icing on the cake......... .....................just want the cream to top the icing on the cake now.
If we'd had to pay cash for Earnie, I doubt we'd have got him back. There must be some element of truth in Proph's post. The fan-pleasing bit is certainly on the cards - he has such an immense following from those earlier years with us that efveryone will want to see him back home. There is also merit in questioning his pace - 7 years older will tell on anyone in that role. The thing that will stand Earnie (and us) in good stead was his uncanny knack of being in the right place at the right time - his positioning sometimes was awesome. Earnie was always a reaction player, and that awareness generally doesn't leave you as you get older - only the physical ability to do it!! If Earnie had too much time, he would often miss or hit it at the keeper - goal poacher extreme is his role and he could still do that.
No I'm with Broph. I think this IS a signing for the fans. Which is no bad thing. Bums on seats n' all. I don't think Earnie will fit in natuarally to MM's system. But what do I know? And again, this is no bad thing. Having a player like Earnie gives us a change of option, striker-wise, to what we might otherwise have come end of summer. It's what many have been screaming out for over the DJ years. PLAN B!!... ... Imagine 'Little n' Large' up top if we need a change of plan. That is if we keep Parkin (Which I think we should. Not a quick player, but everything else good technically). If the new style doesn't work then try something old. Earnie is a very clever player. One thing he never gets credit for is his movement - which is Premier League. No doubt. This is why the man has such a great scoring record. Right place right time.
he's a good player at this level. regardless of his status around here, i'd be pleased to sign him anyway, we need to replace the goals that bellamy, bothroyd and chopra gave us last season and earnie could easily get 15 plus goals.
I think 12-15 goals would be what I would expect off him. If it is a signing for the fans then its worked for me as im over the moon he's back, always been my favorite Cardiff player.
I think it's a signing for the fans but MM must think he can still do a job for us. I agree I think he's good for 15 goals and is an ideal impact player. Not too sure he' start too many games if Goodwille comes along but who knows at this stage of the season. Welcome back Earnie.
I tell you what it is good to see Earnie back home, i never felt he did himself justice after leaving cardiff, for you lads i really hope he bangs them in from all angles, The impression he gave me was that going from cardiff seemed to take something from his game, but he is now back among the cardiff faithful i would expect to see him do at least 20 ayatollahs this season They say there is no place like home
Yes Mabs, I think we will see genuine pleasure on Earnie's little face when he first appears at CCS. Also he can now do the Ayatollah without fear of retirbution from his own manager. I used to love seeing Billy Davies grimace every time Earnie did the AT for us when requested at Forest games.
Thanks Mabon. So many footballers aren't particularly good icons. Some are shameful. But it makes me proud that Earnie represents CCFC, regardless of his tally for next year. "WE'RE GOING TO THE BIG SHOW!!" Well maybe, maybe not. But hope he gets an excuse to say that again!
I think having Earnie on the park will add to our goal scoring potential even if he doesn't score, because he'll cause such chaos with Championship defences now he is back where he belongs that he will leave huge holes for others to come through and score. so even if he aint scoring them he'll be making them possible!
Can't see how this can be anything but tremendous news for us.We've just Chopra and gained another fox in the box in Earnie,but more than anything else someone who really knows what the club means to the fans.
One thing to consider is in seven years since he left how much first team football has he actually played? certainly not a lot at West Brom and Derby. As I understand he was a big favourite at Norwich but Davies seemed to play him every other game at Florist. I think Earnie comes back to us in good shape, he's only thirty and I don't think he will have lost much pace. If he stays free of injury and gets the ammunition I can see him scoring 20 this season.
he was a great goal scorer for you 7 years ago bu since then he has always been dropped to the bench by every team he has played for, now there must have been a reason why he was a bench warmer, you must have those rose tinted glasses on if you think he will get anywhere near 15-20 goals in a season, he would be worth a few million and not on a free, realistically his tally wont be more than 5 or 6 and that will be good for him now.....Micky Mouse might play him as an impact player coming on if needed that is where he would be more effective.
