ETIEN VELIKONJA VOWS TO BUILD ON IMPRESSIVE DEBUT
Sun Jul 29, 2012 11:11 pm
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/footballna ... -31501272/ 
SLOVENIAN striker Etien Velikonja introduced himself to Cardiff City fans with a 45-minute performance of power and pace.
Although not the biggest at 5ft 10ins, the man known as ‘Ety’ can look after himself and on his Bluebirds debut he played impressively off the shoulders of defenders and left them gasping at times with well-timed runs.
There were a couple of flick headers which went close as well as one or two blocked shots.
“I really enjoyed that and I will improve,” promised the 23-year-old Slovenia international, who started up front in Gloucestershire alongside Robert Earnshaw.
Velikonja had only been in the UK for three days, flying in after Champions League duty with his former club NK Maribor in Bosnia, and completed his medical on Thursday.
“I felt a little tired after the training session on Friday, but I was ready for the match,” he said.
“I know I have to work hard because movement is a big factor in the way I play.
“I love scoring goals, but moving here is a huge change for me.
“This is a bigger country with a different language, but I will settle in as quickly as possible and it feels good to be here.”
Bluebirds boss Malky Mackay was satisfied with his new striker’s debut, saying: “He was bright and alive and on another day he might have nicked a goal.”
The pedigree is there. Velikonja scored 20 goals in 46 matches for Maribor last season and will be better for this run-out at Cheltenham tomorrow, with his 45-minute involvement set to be extended to an hour.
Mackay used 23 players in this first pre-season friendly, but fell foul of referee Steve Tanner’s insistence that he must stick rigidly to Football Association rules.
Both Mackay and Forest Green manager David Hockaday had agreed the use of rolling substitutes and City changed all 11 players at half-time.
When Stephen McPhail, City’s second-half captain, limped off with a hamstring strain three minutes after half-time Mackay tried to send on first-year pro Kevin St Luce.
But Somerset official Tanner refused the introduction of any more substitutes. City were forced to carry on with 10 players and that took the edge off what had been a decent pre-season match until that point.
The Conference club won the day with a 25th-minute goal created through the sizzling pace of James Norwood, who roared past full-back Deji Oshilaja and Mark Hudson down the left before cutting the ball across.
Former Gambian international Omar Koroma forced the ball home from 15 yards and that proved the only goal of the game.
Filip Kiss and Joe Mason both produced moments of quality during what was a battling display.
Winger Craig Conway underlined that he is now fully recovered from the ankle and foot injury which put him out of the run-in last season, giving it everything he had during the opening 45 minutes.
Goalkeeper Joe Lewis, like Velikonja, was handed his first City run-out, but Mackay took the precaution of resting Don Cowie, Kevin McNaughton, Rudy Gestede and summer signing Jordon Mutch.
All four have minor niggles and stayed in South Wales, while first-year pros Ben Nugent, Oshilaja, Jesse Darko and St Luce, all fresh out of the trainee ranks, were given a chance to shine.
Darko, a striker who played out of position in midfield, and St Luce played 20-plus minutes of each half.
There will certainly be more chances for Darko, who scored regularly for the youth and reserve teams before landing a senior contract, as well as the pacy winger St Luce.
The 6ft 4ins Nugent impressed at full-back and overall this was a solid workout against a useful Forest Green team.
The main benefit, however, from this friendly was that it was another step along the fitness trail as City build up to their Championship opener against Huddersfield on August 17.
SLOVENIAN striker Etien Velikonja introduced himself to Cardiff City fans with a 45-minute performance of power and pace.
Although not the biggest at 5ft 10ins, the man known as ‘Ety’ can look after himself and on his Bluebirds debut he played impressively off the shoulders of defenders and left them gasping at times with well-timed runs.
There were a couple of flick headers which went close as well as one or two blocked shots.
“I really enjoyed that and I will improve,” promised the 23-year-old Slovenia international, who started up front in Gloucestershire alongside Robert Earnshaw.
Velikonja had only been in the UK for three days, flying in after Champions League duty with his former club NK Maribor in Bosnia, and completed his medical on Thursday.
“I felt a little tired after the training session on Friday, but I was ready for the match,” he said.
“I know I have to work hard because movement is a big factor in the way I play.
“I love scoring goals, but moving here is a huge change for me.
“This is a bigger country with a different language, but I will settle in as quickly as possible and it feels good to be here.”
Bluebirds boss Malky Mackay was satisfied with his new striker’s debut, saying: “He was bright and alive and on another day he might have nicked a goal.”
The pedigree is there. Velikonja scored 20 goals in 46 matches for Maribor last season and will be better for this run-out at Cheltenham tomorrow, with his 45-minute involvement set to be extended to an hour.
Mackay used 23 players in this first pre-season friendly, but fell foul of referee Steve Tanner’s insistence that he must stick rigidly to Football Association rules.
Both Mackay and Forest Green manager David Hockaday had agreed the use of rolling substitutes and City changed all 11 players at half-time.
When Stephen McPhail, City’s second-half captain, limped off with a hamstring strain three minutes after half-time Mackay tried to send on first-year pro Kevin St Luce.
But Somerset official Tanner refused the introduction of any more substitutes. City were forced to carry on with 10 players and that took the edge off what had been a decent pre-season match until that point.
The Conference club won the day with a 25th-minute goal created through the sizzling pace of James Norwood, who roared past full-back Deji Oshilaja and Mark Hudson down the left before cutting the ball across.
Former Gambian international Omar Koroma forced the ball home from 15 yards and that proved the only goal of the game.
Filip Kiss and Joe Mason both produced moments of quality during what was a battling display.
Winger Craig Conway underlined that he is now fully recovered from the ankle and foot injury which put him out of the run-in last season, giving it everything he had during the opening 45 minutes.
Goalkeeper Joe Lewis, like Velikonja, was handed his first City run-out, but Mackay took the precaution of resting Don Cowie, Kevin McNaughton, Rudy Gestede and summer signing Jordon Mutch.
All four have minor niggles and stayed in South Wales, while first-year pros Ben Nugent, Oshilaja, Jesse Darko and St Luce, all fresh out of the trainee ranks, were given a chance to shine.
Darko, a striker who played out of position in midfield, and St Luce played 20-plus minutes of each half.
There will certainly be more chances for Darko, who scored regularly for the youth and reserve teams before landing a senior contract, as well as the pacy winger St Luce.
The 6ft 4ins Nugent impressed at full-back and overall this was a solid workout against a useful Forest Green team.
The main benefit, however, from this friendly was that it was another step along the fitness trail as City build up to their Championship opener against Huddersfield on August 17.
Re: ETIEN VELIKONJA VOWS TO BUILD ON IMPRESSIVE DEBUT
Sun Jul 29, 2012 11:14 pm
He didn't score against a non-League side. Not that impressive, in my opinion, but there's time for him to come good.
The only player who impressed me yesterday was Craig Conway.
The only player who impressed me yesterday was Craig Conway.
Re: ETIEN VELIKONJA VOWS TO BUILD ON IMPRESSIVE DEBUT
Sun Jul 29, 2012 11:21 pm
Nedd Glas wrote:He didn't score against a non-League side. Not that impressive, in my opinion, but there's time for him to come good.
The only player who impressed me yesterday was Craig Conway.
Yeah lets all judge him on his first ever 45 minutes in the English leagues, although he has been in this country for 3 days and has had only 1 training session, he isn't that impressive.
Personally I thought he didn't do anything bad, I noticed one thing and that was his workrate, he didn't stop running.
Re: ETIEN VELIKONJA VOWS TO BUILD ON IMPRESSIVE DEBUT
Sun Jul 29, 2012 11:23 pm
rhys1927ccfc wrote:Nedd Glas wrote:He didn't score against a non-League side. Not that impressive, in my opinion, but there's time for him to come good.
The only player who impressed me yesterday was Craig Conway.
Yeah lets all judge him on his first ever 45 minutes in the English leagues, although he has been in this country for 3 days and has had only 1 training session, he isn't that impressive.
Personally I thought he didn't do anything bad, I noticed one thing and that was his workrate, he didn't stop running.
Like I said, there's time for him to come good.
Re: ETIEN VELIKONJA VOWS TO BUILD ON IMPRESSIVE DEBUT
Sun Jul 29, 2012 11:25 pm
Nedd Glas wrote:rhys1927ccfc wrote:Nedd Glas wrote:He didn't score against a non-League side. Not that impressive, in my opinion, but there's time for him to come good.
The only player who impressed me yesterday was Craig Conway.
Yeah lets all judge him on his first ever 45 minutes in the English leagues, although he has been in this country for 3 days and has had only 1 training session, he isn't that impressive.
Personally I thought he didn't do anything bad, I noticed one thing and that was his workrate, he didn't stop running.
Like I said, there's time for him to come good.
Re: ETIEN VELIKONJA VOWS TO BUILD ON IMPRESSIVE DEBUT
Mon Jul 30, 2012 6:04 am
Impressive?! FFS
Re: ETIEN VELIKONJA VOWS TO BUILD ON IMPRESSIVE DEBUT
Mon Jul 30, 2012 8:48 am
Nedd Glas wrote:He didn't score against a non-League side. Not that impressive, in my opinion, but there's time for him to come good.
The only player who impressed me yesterday was Craig Conway.
Craig Conway didn't score against a non league side. Not that impressive
Re: ETIEN VELIKONJA VOWS TO BUILD ON IMPRESSIVE DEBUT
Mon Jul 30, 2012 11:09 am
5-10" ???????
didnt seem taller than me when he stood next to me and im 5-8"
http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos- ... 8537_n.jpg
didnt seem taller than me when he stood next to me and im 5-8"
http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos- ... 8537_n.jpg
Re: ETIEN VELIKONJA VOWS TO BUILD ON IMPRESSIVE DEBUT
Mon Jul 30, 2012 11:29 am
Trust me! He is clearly at least 2 inches taller than you.
Re: ETIEN VELIKONJA VOWS TO BUILD ON IMPRESSIVE DEBUT
Mon Jul 30, 2012 12:26 pm
Nedd Glas wrote:He didn't score against a non-League side. Not that impressive, in my opinion, but there's time for him to come good.
The only player who impressed me yesterday was Craig Conway.
i thought kiss played well and was unlucky not to get the penalty
Re: ETIEN VELIKONJA VOWS TO BUILD ON IMPRESSIVE DEBUT
Mon Jul 30, 2012 12:33 pm
steve davies wrote:Nedd Glas wrote:He didn't score against a non-League side. Not that impressive, in my opinion, but there's time for him to come good.
The only player who impressed me yesterday was Craig Conway.
i thought kiss played well and was unlucky not to get the penalty
I'd have to agree about Kiss, as I thought he was our stand out player!
Taylor pushed him close though and I thought Conway also did well linking up with Taylor, along with Keinan, Gerrard & Nugent!
Re: ETIEN VELIKONJA VOWS TO BUILD ON IMPRESSIVE DEBUT
Mon Jul 30, 2012 2:36 pm
BluebirdForever wrote:Nedd Glas wrote:He didn't score against a non-League side. Not that impressive, in my opinion, but there's time for him to come good.
The only player who impressed me yesterday was Craig Conway.
Craig Conway didn't score against a non league side. Not that impressive
Neither did our goalkeeper. What's your point?