I agree with all that except I think Macheda has the potential to be the best striker at the club by a country mile. He rarely misses a chance which is a rare attribute in the 2nd tier. His touch is excellent, he has decent vision and is surprisingly mobile for a 6.2" lump. If anything it's his lack of physicality he could improve most as he should be more of a handful in the air too. His movement isn't in the same league as Alf's but if it was he'd be in a PL team for sure. His goals record at Brum suggests we can expect the goals to keep coming if we leave him in the side.
Macheda brings so much more to the team game than KWJ. He is not the quickest but, like ALF, his work ethic is very good. When he came into the side some 6 weeks or so ago he clearly knackered after 30 minutes due to the running and covering he was asked to do. He has improved his fitness and is now normally subbed after 70/75 minutes - the norm for strikers these days. Also we play the ball on the ground so much more with him and ALF up front. I agree with Steve that he needs to improve his aerial ability for someone of his size and this can be worked on. This is not a criticism of KWJ who is what he is and has a good scoring rate this season. However, any subtlety in our forward play tends to go out of the window when he is on and we have a tendency to revert to route 1. Okay it worked for our third v Leeds but the ALF/Macheda pairing gives us a lot more variety. Talking of the third goal, there was a similar situation earlier when either ALF or Noone was chasing a long ball. Their keeper saw who it was and was happy to make the effort to get to the ball first. However, when he saw KWJ bearing down on him, he was not so keen and a little slower to come out resulting in a nice easy goal for KWJ. Pity he missed with that later header though, that would have made a nice finish to the game.
What a great forum this is. I still think Jones' presence would provide more chances for the likes of Le Fondre - yes, I can see you saying how many bloody more does he need.... Macheda has everything in his armoury to make a great striker, height, physical build, two good feet and a decent attitude, but it doesn't seem to come together often enough for me. Jones is a lump who's shown a disappointing lack of effort on occasions, but causes defenders a different problem than Macheda. He can bully them when needed - Macheda can't. Despite the enthusiasm for Kiko amongst the posters on here, his lack of authority up front as a target man shows on times.
What a great forum this is. Totally agree Sparks. Good discussions and a wide range of views with no one trying to bite someone's head off - unlike some other boards where toeing the party line is required.
I think Macheda's getting there. He's looked ponderous and unfit; he's taken the ball too far; gets into trouble; hasn't looked confident. Hwoever, you can't argue with his recent record, and getting game time means he's getting back to match fitness. I think ALF's movement and work rate are excellent and goals will come. With Jones out for a little while, there's no point changing it for the time being. However, I'd love to see Ravel starting every game, but where does he fit into a 442 formation other than up front. His football brain and athleticism are something else, and I just hope that everything works out and that we can have him for the rest of the season.
Nice to have the options we have available up front. Not a bad problem to have. Still think KWJ is the plan B. As for Ravel, 451 away from home with him the more attacking midfielder.
Looks like you were wrong about Mason on a season long loan Hilts - it was McNuggs that Bolton took until May. Joe could be back in January. http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/cardiff-city-star-joe-mason-8148244
I hope Joe returns, always liked him, and out of the list in the article, i hope we keep hold of Healey
I am caught between the devil and the deep blue sea. I want ALF to play because half of you pick him as a goalscorer in Sheeps League however I have money on you to get promoted so get Jones in there, at least he can score