Steve Claridge's view: [FONT=arial, sans-serif]"They have not got the armoury up front that they had last year and that has been made worse by Rudy Gestede's absence. Cardiff like to get the ball down and dominate in midfield, but he gives them a completely different option if their passing game is not working."[/FONT] [FONT=arial, sans-serif]Anyone think Rudy is that important to us??[/FONT] [FONT=arial, sans-serif]22 league games = 2 goals![/FONT]
Bit harsh Siam. Most appearances have been from the bench so goal scoring time is limited. He gives us another option, i.e. when we kick the leather sack up in the air he has a better chance of sticking his head on it than Miller/Earnie/Mason. Personally I think he is more effective in the air than Bothroyd ever was in that he does try to find his own players and not just close his eyes and hope when he heads it. If he can have a good summer's fitness training and work done on his weak hamstrings he could prove to be a valuable asset next season. As for Claridge though, his breath always smells like ****e as he continually talks out of his ar$e. Mason has proven to be our little gem this season and we missed the variety he provides on Monday.
Well of course he gives us a completely different option - he's probably 6 inches taller than Miller and about 3 feet taller than Earnie......... Claridge is a classic exponenet of the art of "stating the bleedin' obvious". Don't get me wrong, I like Rudy for a number of reasons as a player and a person, but he is way, way off being the answer up front in the role of target man. Yes, he is good in the air and does trouble the opposing CBs, but has looked off the pace and to be honest, a bit amateurish on times. All down to fitness I reckon, and his injury prone nature seems to have scuppered this season for him as a viable alternative. Agree with the above comments about Mason - difficult to find adequate words to praise the lad enough. Different mould, but a far better prospect than Rudy. That doesn't mean to say Rudy should be discarded, but he needs some serious work done on him by the staff.
No Hasselbank, Fowler , Bothroyd , Chopra or Bellemy types anymore . Doing quite well as a simple team , saving a fortune & probably making the playoffs IMO . Can't see CCFC resorting back to there old " Big Player " ways after this season , regardless of what the season's end brings . A superb accomplishment by the manager & his little band of achievers
Well, I wasn't saying that Rudy can't develop into a good player, just that I hardly think he would be making much difference to our results right now. Mason has put Rudy in the shadows for me. It would be nice to think that in a couple of seasons time Mason and Rudy are a solid tall / short combo
The limited times I've seen Rudy and afraid to say he hasn't overly impressed me. Too injury prone and a confidence player, at 24 he should be commanding a start (imo) not be labelled "one for the future".
To be honest I think we are all desperate for Gestede to be special and maybe he will come good, who knows! Mason is the one, great season so far and much more in prospect. I bet Celtic are looking at him as we speak.......buggers!
