' KENWYNE JONES '

He's still here,on £37,500 a week, plus bonuses, City's top scorer,so start him Russell Slade


Why Cardiff City's Kenwyne Jones omission was ludicrous and players should share Fabio's enthusiasm

Wed 3 February 2015

BY SIAN MATHESON

Derby home was a case of same old, same old to cue hoofing the ball away, slow, sloppy passing and failing to get out of their own half.

But ultimately there’s still little by way of creativity.

The biggest question for me was why Slade did not start Kenwyne Jones?


Whilst I understand Slade is still trying to discover his best side and can’t possibly play everyone at his disposal, surely naming top scorer Jones as a sub diminishes any surefire threat the Bluebirds possess in the first place?

And, sure enough when Jones came on, Cardiff had their first real threat on goal, with the big Trinidadian having a powerful header saved.

Had that gone in, the Bluebirds may have stood a chance of scraping something from the game, who knows?

Maybe they wouldn’t have, but to be 2-0 down and only then bring on your top scorer seems ludicrous to me.

Of course, it’s all very well in hindsight but no-one can argue that Jones is able to create something.

And, maybe I am clutching at straws here, but it is possible Derby’s second may not have gone in, as Jones has made a few goalline clearances whilst on defensive duty this season.

Although, to be honest, when the big man does have the ball at his feet, I can’t help but wonder whether he has much confidence in those around him.

When he had possession he seemed to opt to take a few more touches himself instead of passing to a team-mate in a better position.


His partner up front, Alex Revell, seems to be full of running, although he barely had the ball to show what he can do, apart from one shot straight at the Derby keeper.

And at one point when he was in possession of the ball near the corner line, there was not one player who went to help the striker out.

As it was, he did well to hold up play, but overall that missing team ethic and the willingness to help out your colleagues is still woefully lacking to see all round.

Someone else who sat on the bench whom I would have preferred to have seen zipped straight back into the starting lineup up was Bruno Manga.

Maybe Slade was giving him a rest after his Africa Cup of Nations stint, but it would have been good to see him back in the heart of defence either alongside either Matthew Connolly or Sean Morrison or both even?

But playing a back three may not be to Slade’s tastes but it was good to see the side trying out a 4-2-3-1 formation.

I thought the midfield coped better with that system, although, to be fair, Derby did not get out of second gear.

Another change saw sub Fabio out on the wing for a guest 20-minute appearance. I honestly think he could be successful in that position if given a proper chance.

Fabio wins a header for Cardiff CityFabio wins a header for Cardiff City
Indeed,I think even the Brazilian could not fail to notice to sighs of relief around the ground amid the chanting of his name.

And the ironic applause should have spoken volumes to his fellow team-mates – from the off, Fabio was chasing and closing down Derby defenders.

And he put in a few tackles, after his initial first dodgy two-footed challenge.

But that champing at the bit to play is great to see.

How I would love to see more players share Fabio’s enthusiasm.

Now Slade has started to build his own side, if he is unable to get energy and commitment from his favoured starting 11, he needs to wield the axe and turn things around and soon.

Or he will find that those voices already calling for him to be given the axe will get louder and stronger the longer this dire run continues.

Maybe he needs to start giving the youngsters or fringe players a chance – Declan John and Joe Ralls instantly spring to mind – or those who actually want to play for the Bluebirds.

There’s now 18 games left this season and City are only seven points above 22nd place.

At the end of the day, the Bluebirds desperately need a victory in terms of points and confidence.

However ugly the style – or lack of it – both players and fans need a lift and soon.

Yeah I think he has to start as he's the only proven scorer we have at moment at this level. Introduce Doyle into the mix but it'll be difficult as a 4-4-2 is obviously not working for us.
Eventually Jones will be gone I would imagine & Doyle & Ravell will be the main men.

If slade has been told to reduce the wage bill, maybe , just maybe Jones also gets a starting bonus , so if he don't start he dont get that ,but he can bring him on later.

I was told he was on £45,000 a week but I guess with bonuses I guess he could be up near that £45,000
A good manager if he wants to win ,will always put out his best side, and of course ,his best striker, silly not to.

I don't rate Slade at all but in his defence on this occasion there was at least some logic in what he did. When you play 451 you do need a hard working and mobile front man to make it work. N o one would argue that Kenwyne has those qualities! Revell has but is nearly useless in every other respect unfortunately. With our weakness in midfield we really do need to play 451. I hope Doyle can do the job but I suspect it will be back to 442 and being overrun in every match.

I doubt if Kenwyne would have stopped the second goal,as it came from open play and Kenwyne normally comes back at set plays.

As Doyle likes to play off the last defender , I think Kenwynne and him would make a good partnership Kenwynne nearly always wins balls in the air and always knocks them on for a striker to run onto

I can see why he didn't start with Jones, although I think it was a mistake and I can see why he didn't start Manga, given that he'd only just arrived back from Africa, but I hope he's back in the starting 11 for Saturday's match!

As for the report by Matheson, I hate it when people say that our opponents didn't get out of second gear, indicating that they were doing only what they needed to do and playing within themselves!

This is a load of bollocks IMO, as we'll never know whether they were able to go up a gear and it doesn't give our players any credit at all, when in reality, apart from a flukey first goal and poor defending for their second, we restricted the top of the table team to 3 efforts at goal and apart from a ridiculous penalty given to them, Moore barely had a save to make!

The whole performance wasn't brilliant, but we created the better chances, had more efforts at goal, only slightly less possession and an all round better performance than most of our games this season!

I'm heading to Sheffield in a far more positive frame of mind on Saturday after last weekend's performance and also buoyed by yesterday's transfer activity!

I can see why he didn't start with Jones, although I think it was a mistake and I can see why he didn't start Manga, given that he'd only just arrived back from Africa, but I hope they're both back in the starting 11 for Saturday's match!

As for the report by Matheson, I hate it when people say that our opponents didn't get out of second gear, indicating that they were doing only what they needed to do and playing within themselves!

This is a load of bollocks IMO, as we'll never know whether they were able to go up a gear and it doesn't give our players any credit at all, when in reality, apart from a flukey first goal and poor defending for their second, we restricted the top of the table team to 3 efforts at goal and apart from a ridiculous penalty given to them, Moore barely had a save to make!

The whole performance wasn't brilliant, but we created the better chances, had more efforts at goal, only slightly less possession and an all round better performance than most of our games this season!

I'm heading to Sheffield in a far more positive frame of mind on Saturday after last weekend's performance and also buoyed by yesterday's transfer activity!

Start Jones is fine but then what do you do second half? As Jones is never ging to last ! Or do you think he can play 70mins? Because up to now he only plays for 20 mins if he feels like it, which I isn't often enough.

Start Jones is fine but then what do you do second half? As Jones is never ging to last ! Or do you think he can play 70mins? Because up to now he only plays for 20 mins if he feels like it, which I isn't often enough.

You need to start going to games again mate, as you're referring to the Jones of last season!

Start Jones is fine but then what do you do second half? As Jones is never ging to last ! Or do you think he can play 70mins? Because up to now he only plays for 20 mins if he feels like it, which I isn't often enough.

You need to start going to games again mate, as you're referring to the Jones of last season!

Exactly. To say that he can play for only 45 minutes is ridiculous & insulting.

Start Jones is fine but then what do you do second half? As Jones is never ging to last ! Or do you think he can play 70mins? Because up to now he only plays for 20 mins if he feels like it, which I isn't often enough.

You need to start going to games again mate, as you're referring to the Jones of last season!

Exactly. To say that he can play for only 45 minutes is ridiculous & insulting.

Agreed. His role is to be a focal point, Revell may run the channels better but if you hit Jones with the ball to chest or on the floor he will hold it up and bring others into the game as well as providing a real threat in the box if supply is good enough.

I was one of those who wanted Jones gone in the summer but this season I only wish he'd started very game because we only ever look like scoring with him on the pitch. He's also been one of the few vocal players/leaders on that field and I actually think, without a better option, he's worth trying with the armband. He might really rise to that.

Similarly he has shown a good attitude; he had a terrible family tragedy early in the season and only missed 1 or 2 games even played (and scored in) the game in the immediate aftermath before flying out for the funerals. I can think of any number of players we've had in recent seasons that wouldn't have bothered in the same circumstances

Start Jones is fine but then what do you do second half? As Jones is never ging to last ! Or do you think he can play 70mins? Because up to now he only plays for 20 mins if he feels like it, wich Into isn't often enough.

You need to start going to games again mate, as you're referring to the Jones of last season!

I have missed cup and derby game as on hols, but do you honestly believe he commits every game? Because he doesn't that is a fact! If hes in cant care less mood may as well not be on pitch, or are people on here referring to another Jones when they complain about being lazy not bothered??

Start Jones is fine but then what do you do second half? As Jones is never ging to last ! Or do you think he can play 70mins? Because up to now he only plays for 20 mins if he feels like it, wich Into isn't often enough.

You need to start going to games again mate, as you're referring to the Jones of last season!

I have missed cup and derby game as on hols, but do you honestly believe he commits every game? Because he doesn't that is a fact! If hes in cant care less mood may as well not be on pitch, or are people on here referring to another Jones when they complain about being lazy not bothered??

not disputing ability/quality just him lasting 70 mins and commitment every game!

If he does f**k all every game but scores a goal that would do for me!

He's still here,on £37,500 a week, plus bonuses, City's top scorer,so start him Russell Slade


Why Cardiff City's Kenwyne Jones omission was ludicrous and players should share Fabio's enthusiasm

Wed 3 February 2015

BY SIAN MATHESON

Derby home was a case of same old, same old to cue hoofing the ball away, slow, sloppy passing and failing to get out of their own half.

But ultimately there’s still little by way of creativity.

The biggest question for me was why Slade did not start Kenwyne Jones?


Whilst I understand Slade is still trying to discover his best side and can’t possibly play everyone at his disposal, surely naming top scorer Jones as a sub diminishes any surefire threat the Bluebirds possess in the first place?

And, sure enough when Jones came on, Cardiff had their first real threat on goal, with the big Trinidadian having a powerful header saved.

Had that gone in, the Bluebirds may have stood a chance of scraping something from the game, who knows?

Maybe they wouldn’t have, but to be 2-0 down and only then bring on your top scorer seems ludicrous to me.

Of course, it’s all very well in hindsight but no-one can argue that Jones is able to create something.

And, maybe I am clutching at straws here, but it is possible Derby’s second may not have gone in, as Jones has made a few goalline clearances whilst on defensive duty this season.

Although, to be honest, when the big man does have the ball at his feet, I can’t help but wonder whether he has much confidence in those around him.

When he had possession he seemed to opt to take a few more touches himself instead of passing to a team-mate in a better position.


His partner up front, Alex Revell, seems to be full of running, although he barely had the ball to show what he can do, apart from one shot straight at the Derby keeper.

And at one point when he was in possession of the ball near the corner line, there was not one player who went to help the striker out.

As it was, he did well to hold up play, but overall that missing team ethic and the willingness to help out your colleagues is still woefully lacking to see all round.

Someone else who sat on the bench whom I would have preferred to have seen zipped straight back into the starting lineup up was Bruno Manga.

Maybe Slade was giving him a rest after his Africa Cup of Nations stint, but it would have been good to see him back in the heart of defence either alongside either Matthew Connolly or Sean Morrison or both even?

But playing a back three may not be to Slade’s tastes but it was good to see the side trying out a 4-2-3-1 formation.

I thought the midfield coped better with that system, although, to be fair, Derby did not get out of second gear.

Another change saw sub Fabio out on the wing for a guest 20-minute appearance. I honestly think he could be successful in that position if given a proper chance.

Fabio wins a header for Cardiff CityFabio wins a header for Cardiff City
Indeed,I think even the Brazilian could not fail to notice to sighs of relief around the ground amid the chanting of his name.

And the ironic applause should have spoken volumes to his fellow team-mates – from the off, Fabio was chasing and closing down Derby defenders.

And he put in a few tackles, after his initial first dodgy two-footed challenge.

But that champing at the bit to play is great to see.

How I would love to see more players share Fabio’s enthusiasm.

Now Slade has started to build his own side, if he is unable to get energy and commitment from his favoured starting 11, he needs to wield the axe and turn things around and soon.

Or he will find that those voices already calling for him to be given the axe will get louder and stronger the longer this dire run continues.

Maybe he needs to start giving the youngsters or fringe players a chance – Declan John and Joe Ralls instantly spring to mind – or those who actually want to play for the Bluebirds.

There’s now 18 games left this season and City are only seven points above 22nd place.

At the end of the day, the Bluebirds desperately need a victory in terms of points and confidence.

However ugly the style – or lack of it – both players and fans need a lift and soon.

I think he will be gone in the summer together with, Marshall, John, Turner, Gunnarson, Noone and Macheda

Perhaps he just left him out because the club was hoping to sell him and they did not want to risk him getting injured prior to the end of the transfer window. I think he would have started him normally.

Start Jones is fine but then what do you do second half? As Jones is never ging to last ! Or do you think he can play 70mins? Because up to now he only plays for 20 mins if he feels like it, wich Into isn't often enough.

You need to start going to games again mate, as you're referring to the Jones of last season!

I have missed cup and derby game as on hols, but do you honestly believe he commits every game? Because he doesn't that is a fact! If hes in cant care less mood may as well not be on pitch, or are people on here referring to another Jones when they complain about being lazy not bothered??

You've not been paying attention to the games then if you've been to so many, cos to repeat myself, you are talking about the Jones of last season!

He has played 90 minutes in games this season as well and kept going and urging his team mates onward, which is more than can be said for many other players in the team, who have let their heads drop!

Don't know what was up with him last season, as he certainly didn't seem to be putting the effort in that he has this season, so perhaps he was unfit, or his attitude has changed for the better this season!

I dont think personally that jones has more than 45 minutes in him infact I prefer him as a second half inforcer.
I cant see jones ever having a full 90 minutes in him fitness wise.

If doyle shows he can score like he has been and slade works the ball I can see jones and doyle bombing in the second half.

First halfs are a massive problem so maybe 4 5 1 to start

I dont think personally that jones has more than 45 minutes in him infact I prefer him as a second half inforcer.
I cant see jones ever having a full 90 minutes in him fitness wise.

If doyle shows he can score like he has been and slade works the ball I can see jones and doyle bombing in the second half.

First halfs are a massive problem so maybe 4 5 1 to start

Jones has played 90 minutes in games this season and kept going and urging his team mates onward, which is more than can be said for many other players in the team, who have let their heads drop!

Simples.

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So why do you think 3 managers chose to sub him alot of the time ?

And why were there not any bids for him ?

These are just questions and im not knocking jones in any way .. as even at stoke they did say he blew hot and cold in training and pretty much said he was on strike

So why do you think 3 managers chose to sub him alot of the time ?

And why were there not any bids for him ?

These are just questions and im not knocking jones in any way .. as even at stoke they did say he blew hot and cold in training and pretty much said he was on strike

Start Jones is fine but then what do you do second half? As Jones is never ging to last ! Or do you think he can play 70mins? Because up to now he only plays for 20 mins if he feels like it, which I isn't often enough.

You need to start going to games again mate, as you're referring to the Jones of last season!

I think he's spot on. Jones has NEVER been more than a 20 minute player since he stepped through the door. You don't even have to look beyond our last game to confirm that. Ravell headed the ball on several times and Jones just couldn't be arsed to run on to anything, there was even one ocassion when Ravell had to turn and chase down his own flick on.

Last edited by Skewett on Tue Feb 03, 2015 6:14 pm, edited 1 time in total.

So why do you think 3 managers chose to sub him alot of the time ?

And why were there not any bids for him ?

These are just questions and im not knocking jones in any way .. as even at stoke they did say he blew hot and cold in training and pretty much said he was on strike

A lot of players, especially strikers get subbed!

You need to be specific about when you're talking about, because the Jones of last season, is nothing like the Jones of this season!

So why do you think 3 managers chose to sub him alot of the time ?

And why were there not any bids for him ?

These are just questions and im not knocking jones in any way .. as even at stoke they did say he blew hot and cold in training and pretty much said he was on strike

A lot of players, especially strikers get subbed!

You need to be specific about when you're talking about, because the Jones of last season, is nothing like the Jones of this season!

Your right strikers do get subbed !

What I see is a lazy striker that unless the ball is perfect then he cant score.

In my eyes a good striker will take the ball and do something with it and not be hand fed a ball that a defender can score.

So why do you think 3 managers chose to sub him alot of the time ?

And why were there not any bids for him ?

These are just questions and im not knocking jones in any way .. as even at stoke they did say he blew hot and cold in training and pretty much said he was on strike

A lot of players, especially strikers get subbed!

You need to be specific about when you're talking about, because the Jones of last season, is nothing like the Jones of this season!

Your right strikers do get subbed !

What I see is a lazy striker that unless the ball is perfect then he cant score.

In my eyes a good striker will take the ball and do something with it and not be hand fed a ball that a defender can score.

So why do you think 3 managers chose to sub him alot of the time ?

And why were there not any bids for him ?

These are just questions and im not knocking jones in any way .. as even at stoke they did say he blew hot and cold in training and pretty much said he was on strike

A lot of players, especially strikers get subbed!

You need to be specific about when you're talking about, because the Jones of last season, is nothing like the Jones of this season!

Your right strikers do get subbed !

What I see is a lazy striker that unless the ball is perfect then he cant score.

In my eyes a good striker will take the ball and do something with it and not be hand fed a ball that a defender can score.

You may well have seen a lazy striker last season, but I can't agree that he's been lazy this season, far from it!

Jones isn't ever going to be your Fraizer Campbell type striker either, as if he did the amount of work Campbell did for us, he'd definitely be burnt out by half time at least!

He's hardly been hand fed this season either, as the vast majority of the service that has been supplied into any of the forwards has been dire, but unlike Le Fondre who has missed a glut of chances, Jones has taken a fair proportion of his!

The majority of balls that have been played into the forwards this season and quite often during the past couple of seasons has been skywards, so that even if we were to win the ball in the air, it most often drops to an opponent!

If you go back a couple of seasons to the 3-1 home loss we suffered to Brighton, where they kept hitting long and short accurate passes into the feet or body area of Mackail-Smith, this is the sort of passes we ought to be playing from out of defence into our strikers!

Jones is STILL a 30 minute player.

Also you can kiss goodbye to possession as the opposition defence will be able to knock it around unchallenged.

A naive article.

Switch to 3 at the back halfway through the season with no preparation. FFS our lads are struggling with the most simple set ups without adding extra complications.

Same for Manga. Slade said he was considering him, but he had only just arrived back.

This isn't feckin FIFA 15

Slade has made mistakes, for sure, but it seems that some fans have got blinkers about other considerations that he has and are, maybe intentionally showing a lack of understanding of any factors beyond those which they can use to beat Slade up with.

Didn't hear anyone saying how happy they were that Fábio was coming on... Definitely our most overrated player by far!