Nathan Blake: Helguson key figure for Cardiff City

HEIDAR Helguson has made his mark in terms of goals with four so far this season – and I’m backing the Cardiff City centre-forward to score plenty more in the push for the Premier League.

Yet there still seem to be those who don’t appreciate what he brings to the team.

Helguson scored Cardiff’s goals in the win at Ipswich and I hope his many critics took note. Personally, I was delighted to see him hit the mark with two well-taken efforts. He was in the right place, waiting for any little error, for his first and finished with a clinical header for the winner.

There is no doubt the Bluebirds have a powerful squad this season, but they still need a mix of players. It wouldn’t be any good having 11 players of the identical style out there.


Malky Mackay will need gritty defenders, he needs pace, guile, quick feet and so much more over the season.

He will also need the 100 per-centers, those whose work can go unseen. They do the ugly work, make things a misery for opposing teams in ways which are not always obvious.

Helguson is a team man and, believe me, the work he does will be fully appreciated by those around him.

He puts his body on the line to help the side. Peter Whittingham, Craig Bellamy and Co need the help of others – and Helguson does such a lot of work.

It grieves me to hear City supporters criticising Helguson when he is doing a cracking job for the team. We’d each like to have Nicky Maynard fit and available, but even if he was Helguson would be a major part of the squad.

He is an experienced international and leads City’s line with great authority.

Nottingham Forest defenders certainly won’t enjoy the experience when Cardiff visit the City Ground this Saturday.

I was seen as a potential match- winner in my playing days, but every team I played in had a Helguson or two. They could be at centre-back, right-back, midfield or attack. But they do their job with efficiency, ease the burden on team-mates, always give 100% and battle for their worth.

As for Forest this weekend, the Bluebirds go there top of the Championship, having won six of their last seven matches and that really should have been a perfect seven.

I’m still not sure how City allowed a two-goal lead to slip away against Crystal Palace, but let’s not dwell on that. The positives – six wins – far outweigh that blip at Selhurst Park.

Cardiff haven’t been at their best at times in terms of team performance, but they give it everything they have and, importantly, know how to win.

Next, I want to see belief and confidence; yes, arrogance. There is nothing wrong with a little arrogance at the right times.

I’m sure I came across as arrogant to opposing players and even fans when I was playing, but I would hope I didn’t then and don’t come across now as an arrogant person.

But there are times in football when it’s good to have a bit of swagger. City have shown that belief at home with five successive wins to start the 2012-13 season.

Next they must do likewise away. Mackay’s men have won at Millwall plus Ipswich and they must build on that.

The Bluebirds are already in a position where any team coming to Cardiff City Stadium know they are in for a tough time, but they must let opposition know that City are also going to give them a hard time away, too.

Every player must be convinced that home or away they are more than capable of winning. I truly believe City have the ability to run away with the Championship this season.

There are a lot of teams who can challenge for the play-offs, but only a few who can really take this division by the scruff of the neck.

Cardiff are among that small group. They have the squad to score 100 goals – and top 100 points. Why not?

Mackay was without Tommy Smith, Craig Bellamy and Jordon Mutch for the win at Ipswich. The three, for me, would be certainties to start when fit. They will be fit for the trip to Forest.

Every other team in the Championship knows how much potential there is in this squad. The test for Mackay is to bring out the best in that squad – and keep those who are not involved match-to-match fit, ready and happy.

Forest away is going to be tough. They will see the Bluebirds as a scalp they want to take in front of their own fans. But this Cardiff team are capable of beating anybody. They just have to go out and do it at the City Ground.



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Blakey's hit the nail on the head, exactly what I've been saying from day 1 about Helguson. Don Cowie is a similar player, albeit maybe less effective. But Helguson puts in the hard graft, disrupts defences and chips in with a few goals. When it comes to the league, I can't see us getting 100 points (doesn't seem to be the City way ) but like he said, we should still be going to away games and imposing ourselves, playing the same way as we do at home. I think Malky's still leaning on the more defensive side when it comes to playing away (like was neccessary last season), like he still hasn't got the confidence that we can really destroy teams away, so it seems like he's just telling the players to be a bit more cautious. We need to break out of that. Other than that it's all looking good

Spot on Blakey.

I actually agree with him.

People expect to much of Helguson. Hes 34 and hes exactly not someone who chases the ball down for the full 90.

He has been a key figure in the squad and his experience will pay off wherever we finsh in the league.

Helguson is a brilliant player, and some of the criticism he gets is quite frankly shameful and totally unwarranted.

I agree with him about Helguson, but 100 points and 100 goals ? He needs to lay off the strong stuff.

Nathan Blake once again proves to me that he was a better player than he is a pundit

Nathan Blake once again proves to me that he was a better player than he is a pundit

Quite possibly, but he's bang on about Helguson!