Odemwingie set for wingers role

Cardiff City`s new signing peter Odemwingie looks set to be used as a wing outlet by manager Malky Mackay, rather than the out-and-out striker that he has usually adopted in British football. It was well known that City were in the market for a winger, and we were thwarted in attempts to sign both Tom Ince and Jefferson Montero - despite deals being agreed in principle for both players. Therefore it was somewhat of a surprise when Mackay turned to West Brom outcast Odemwingie - usually described as a striker.

There will be many occasions whereby we operate with just a lone striker, and with Campbell, Cornelius, Bellamy, Maynard, Gestede and Mason all available in that role - a wing option did seem the more rational choice with only Craig Noone named in the finalised squad and the likes of Whittingham, Bellamy and Smith able to provide width also.

However, in a brief interview with WalesOnline regarding the omission of Craig Conway from that squad, Malky Mackay cited Odemwingie`s arrival as a key factor behind the decision to leave Conway out of - further suggesting the Nigerian attacker is likely to be used in a wide role this season.

Although Odemwingie`s time with WBA saw him used as a striker, he did occasionally feature on the wing and his former manager Roy Hodgson has previously explained that role is something Odemwingie is comfortable and familiar with:


"He came to the club as a right-winger so it's nothing new for him. It is not unusual for him to play there and he did it last year for us on a few occasions."

"If he's getting enough of the ball then I`m sure he's happy out there, otherwise he'll be wanting to move back into the centre."


Odemwingie has impressed the CCFC staff with his fitness since arriving and after the International break gave him further time to catch up - he is likely to go straight into the matchday squad to face Hull City on Saturday.

I think Odemwingie is a good signing but I worry he will be totally wasted out on the wing. I hope I'm wrong, but our 25 man squad is overloaded with strikers and not enough wingers.