Ok it was only Carmarthen Town and it was only the first pre-season game but his goal was top class. Any talk that he is surplus to requirements (rumours of a move to Reading) should be dismissed. He had a great few first seasons for the City, scored a top goal at Wembley v Liverpool and IMO should undoubtedly have been given a chance in the PL. The games he had at Bolton though would have done him good, and for one I really hope OGS sticks with him as he is a real talent. I'd hate him to leave for no good reason.
I've watched that Carmarthen game on Player and also thought Mason was very sharp. An eye for goal and he was unlucky not to get a hatrick before his 45 mins were up. Would like to see him stay even if only in the short term in case the seemingly more favoured recent striker imports actually "strike out" early in the season. I'm sure if Joe was given a chance at this level again, he would do us proud. Whether he could then step up to the next level is another matter, but we need to get back there first.
Rory donnelly was a star and scored some superb goals against much better opposition than carmarthen town last season but was lacking when we played better opposition in the league. You can be tempted to get a false impression of mason in these sort of games. non league might be his level who knows as he never shone bright in the league games he has played according to reading past match reports of games he has played in by cardiff fans...Pre season is all about getting match fit at the end of the day and the result is a good moral booster if you win...
he`s a good lad and I hope he makes a claim for throne this coming season......fingers crossed we will have some potency in the front for the first time in a few seasons now>>>>>>>im busting for the start now....get the players in and ooowt and away we go clean slate for another season
dai u got a thread for this type of bollox brother ....opinion you may have but its all smoke and mirrors for your anti Cardiff school yard bullsh.ite <have a nice day>
Dai - There are a couple things that don't stack up in your argument. First of all, Donnelly would have had to step up from pre-season friendlies to Premier League standard to "make the grade" in your side at league level - clearly a big jump for anyone. Secondly, when Joe played Championship football in his first couple of seasons under Jones and Mackay, he showed all the attributes that a young man (21 years of age) required to perform well at that level in the future. Last season was different in that he would have had to do it at Prem level and the club thought a loan out to Bolton was the best option for him. Now we're back in the Championship and Joe is 23 and has got some decent experience at Champ level with Bolton under his belt, he would be one I would trust to do us a very good job if given the chance. I'm trying to be polite as I think your post is well meaning, but like I've said before, when you're talking about our club, you don't half write some crap on times.
Joe Mason is a proven player at Championship level. Rory Donnelly looked hopelessly out of his depth when I saw him against our Development Team. No comparison between the two. Weve signed too many strikers. Mason can do the job and would be ideal for the number 10 role behind a striker up top.
Will he be an attacking midfielder or an Ole-esque supersub? You are correct though, too many strikers.
I think we should say too much ability rather than too much potential. I've had enough of players for the future. He's good enough now and could get better. We need to decide on his best position (an old fashioned inside right is where he seems most comfortable), get him some game time and get rid of half of the other strikers so his worth isn't diluted.
I'd liked him to have scored more goals for Bolton if we're going to depend on him as a major part of our attacking plans this season. I said last season I thought his movement and intelligence was PL class and wished he was given a chance with us in the PL. He works hard, he can score goals, I liked him played through the middle where his intelligent running in the channel between centre and full back was always a threat. I agree with the sentiments above though that he should be sold if he's not going to be given proper game time.
Mason is a decent finisher, intelligent player. Lacks pace. Better playing off a striker, so the much cliched "no 10" role. For me, he'd be backup to Daehi for that. Useful to have on the bench as an option. Is he someone who could contribute? Yes. Is he essential to the side? No. Could we live without him? Yes. If a decent offer came in, I'd sell him.
