' LAY OFF ANDREAS CORNELIUS '

Friday 24th Jan 2014.

' LAY OFF ANDREAS CORNELIUS '

Terry Phillips

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/foot ... cs-6557369?

Cardiff City coach Kevin Cooper has called on the critics to lay off struggling striker Andreas Cornelius – and claimed he can still be a Premier League hit for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Kevin Cooper, the former City, Wolves and Wimbledon midfielder heading up the Bluebirds’ under-21 side, believes the £8m Dane will come good for the club after becoming a record signing in the summer before the captures of Steven Caulker and Gary Medel.

But he has warned Cornelius needs to be nurtured after admitting the rookie is raw, claiming he hasn’t deserved to have been put in the spotlight.

The failure of Cornelius to make an impact in South Wales has been scrutinised in the aftermath of Malky Mackay’s departure with the transfer questioned by many following the 20-year-old’s expensive switch from FC Copenhagen.

But he is yet to start a Premier League game even after coming back from the injury that ruled him out for much of the start of the season.

Cornelius could yet get the nod for tomorrow’s FA Cup clash at Bolton having enjoyed a lengthy run out in the devleopment side’s 3-1 win over rivals Swansea in midweek.

And Cooper said: “Give Andreas time – he will come good. He is 20-years-old and still developing. He picked up a couple of injuries this season that kept him out, but he’s regaining full fitness.

“We spent a lot of money on him, but he is still a boy who needs a lot of coaching, a lot of work. He’s raw and a lot of people have to understand he is still a boy and we will work with him. A lot of things which have been said are not his fault but he’s a good kid, he is wiling to work hard and will come good in the end.

“We will look after him, get him game time and help Andreas progress to where he needs to be.”

Given City’s failures in front of goal this year – where only relegation rivals Crystal Palace have scored fewer in the league – new boss Solskjaer could well do with Cornelius living up to the high hopes had for him when he arrived in June, deemed to be the powerful frontman the Bluebirds were looking for.

And Solskjaer has previously talked up the talents of the seven-cap forward, giving him a start in his first game in the third round win at Newcastle that set up tomorrow’s visit to the Reebok Stadium.

Cornelius, who helped set up Rhys Healey’s first goal in the reserve Welsh derby at the Liberty, will be aiming to catch the eye, while Healey himself has been told to keep doing what he’s doing in the development side to try and press his own first-team claim.

Signed from Welsh Premier League side Connah’s Quay Nomads a year ago, Healey has impressed in Cooper’s side with his two in midweek taking his tally to 11 in 12 Professional Development League.

And Cooper said: “We saw him playing Welsh Premier football and that prepared him for the step up.

“Physically he can compete and he is a natural goalscorer. We don’t need to rush him. There is no pressure. We can take our time and can map out a plan for home over the next couple of years.”

It's not him, it's the price tag. If we bought Joe Mason for 8 million he wouldn't be anywhere near as popular as he is. Which ever way you look at it, an 8 million pound player should already be nurtured and banging in goals, or at least showing the potential.

I think Keith Cooper needs to tell Tan and Lim to lay of Cornelius

I agree "Taff from the Merseyside', that and the reported wages. Far too much for a "raw" talent. But to be fair that isn't Cornelius' fault. Just wish he actually looked like a sportman when he ran instead of that geek who is forced to join in ganmes at school or to help ouit the works team!!

I agree "Taff from the Merseyside', that and the reported wages. Far too much for a "raw" talent. But to be fair that isn't Cornelius' fault. Just wish he actually looked like a sportman when he ran instead of that geek who is forced to join in ganmes at school or to help ouit the works team!!

Spot on mate

I agree "Taff from the Merseyside', that and the reported wages. Far too much for a "raw" talent. But to be fair that isn't Cornelius' fault. Just wish he actually looked like a sportman when he ran instead of that geek who is forced to join in ganmes at school or to help ouit the works team!!

Could just have been a tough transition for the kid ... from growing up and playing for his hometown team to go abroad where no one speaks your mother tongue language - can't say at his age I would adjust much better.

Hopefully with some fellow Scandanvians coming in, he continues to adjust and grow on and off the field

Yes Kevin we understand all that and you can make as many excuses as you like, what cannot be excused is what Moody have negotiated we pay for him, and what we are reportedly paying in wages.

Everything in that article re-affirms to me how ridiculous the signing of cornelius was, "he's raw, just a boy, he needs a lot of coaching etc", it's cringe worthy, what the hell was malky doing spending £8 million and £45k a week on someone who is miles away from what we needed at the beginning of the season??? a blind man could see we needed an experienced striker to help keep us up and we get someone who is one for the future (i've no doubt he'll become a great player somewhere) no wonder malky was sacked. Even the biggest of tan haters must see why he was furious about this signing??? put it this way, how would you feel if it was YOUR money?????

Its obvious who the blame lies with this mess. Its not Cornelius's fault though is it.

The way some of our so called fans have turned on Cornelius is disgusting. Well played Kevin Cooper (or Keith! ), about time our club started fighting the big mans corner.

I think Keith Cooper needs to tell Tan and Lim to lay of Cornelius

Annis, we need to give the boy a break, none of this is his doing and fans on his back don't help, lots of people at fault for the money the kid is on but if someone offered you 65k or whatever a week you are not going to say ' no thanks I'm not worth that' are you?

when all is said and done he is a City player and should be supported but we always need a scapegoat don't we?

Keep the Faith

Its obvious who the blame lies with this mess. Its not Cornelius's fault though is it.

The way some of our so called fans have turned on Cornelius is disgusting. Well played Kevin Cooper (or Keith! ), about time our club started fighting the big mans corner.

How have the fans turned on him, just by having an opinion about wether or not he is good enough on a forum?

I dont hear anyone booing him or groaning at him, he gets the fans support when he has his cameo appearences.

He will get my 100% support when he pulls on the jersey, same as all our players. Same as Rudy did even though i thought he wasnt up to it.

At 45 k a wk!? I'm bet Rooney or Ronaldo weren't on that when they first signed for UTD.

Like the kid didn't understand that signing a contract at 45pw wasn't gonna put
Pressure on his young shoulders.

I don't blame Acorn but I do blame the people who thought it would be a good idea to pay the money on fees and wages on a piece of Raw Talent.
Harris and Mason both signed as Raw Talent.

The supporters always give him a good cheer when he comes on fair play but and it is a big but, if man city or any of the top 4 spent 8 million on a striker to build for the future then fine but we are a club who needed players to save us from relegation NOW so really it was bad business.

I totally agree with Cooper we need to look after him in the hope we get something back from him but Mackay did mess up on this one and it cost him his job with some other small things but this was the main thing that cost mackay

I am sorry guys , Cornelius is a very poor player . I agree its not his fault that we signed him for £8million and pay him I have heard £45,000 a week.
He couldnt trap a bag of cement , his runs are laughable (he is like a headless chicken). The ball bounces off him like he is a 50 pence piece. Its dreadful.
I just cannot see how they can turn this guy into a top premiership or even championship striker.
But I will say this , I relly hope they prove me wrong and I will be the first to apologise.

why the hell was he bought if he is raw......something went on with this deal.....we never had the time or money to waste on someone who is RAW...

It's not the boy's fault, but its a very disappointing situation. These things happen in football, I suppose. Cornelius may well come good in the future, but we need a goal scorer now. He's obviously low on confidence. If he could just get a goal, then who knows. Sometimes that's all it needs for a striker to regain his touch. Either way, Cornelius should not be singled out for criticism. There are always ten others out there with him.

Would have been better bringing in Grant Holt for a season. Experienced, knows what the Premiership is all about and guaranteed he will do his bit to chip in with goals for Villa as a bit part target man to keep them up.

Keith Cooper has not done AC any favours with these remarks
It is not AC's fault and he should now be given some time to prove himself albeit on a massive salary
The people to blame are the "football experts" who brought him to City

It's not the boy's fault, but its a very disappointing situation. These things happen in football, I suppose. Cornelius may well come good in the future, but we need a goal scorer now. He's obviously low on confidence. If he could just get a goal, then who knows. Sometimes that's all it needs for a striker to regain his touch. Either way, Cornelius should not be singled out for criticism. There are always ten others out there with him.

agreed its not his fault.....but as regard the other 10 players,he has to put a shift in,having watched him in developement games then he should of been in a different league to the other 21 players out there..

Everything in that article re-affirms to me how ridiculous the signing of cornelius was, "he's raw, just a boy, he needs a lot of coaching etc", it's cringe worthy, what the hell was malky doing spending £8 million and £45k a week on someone who is miles away from what we needed at the beginning of the season??? a blind man could see we needed an experienced striker to help keep us up and we get someone who is one for the future (i've no doubt he'll become a great player somewhere) no wonder malky was sacked. Even the biggest of tan haters must see why he was furious about this signing??? put it this way, how would you feel if it was YOUR money?????

Good post especially the part about how we needed an experienced striker.
We still do IMO but OGS doesn't appear to be addressing this issue as yet.
Makes me wonder as he's bringing in all these Norweigan players, if it all fails will a lot of supporters turn on him as they have done with Malky?

Everything in that article re-affirms to me how ridiculous the signing of cornelius was, "he's raw, just a boy, he needs a lot of coaching etc", it's cringe worthy, what the hell was malky doing spending £8 million and £45k a week on someone who is miles away from what we needed at the beginning of the season??? a blind man could see we needed an experienced striker to help keep us up and we get someone who is one for the future (i've no doubt he'll become a great player somewhere) no wonder malky was sacked. Even the biggest of tan haters must see why he was furious about this signing??? put it this way, how would you feel if it was YOUR money?????

Great points

I think that Cornelius is definitely for the future and will give him my support, but that 8 million could have gone towards other players to enable us to stay up. Its no good paying out 8 million if we are going to use him in championship is it?

Everything in that article re-affirms to me how ridiculous the signing of cornelius was, "he's raw, just a boy, he needs a lot of coaching etc", it's cringe worthy, what the hell was malky doing spending £8 million and £45k a week on someone who is miles away from what we needed at the beginning of the season??? a blind man could see we needed an experienced striker to help keep us up and we get someone who is one for the future (i've no doubt he'll become a great player somewhere) no wonder malky was sacked. Even the biggest of tan haters must see why he was furious about this signing??? put it this way, how would you feel if it was YOUR money?????

Good post especially the part about how we needed an experienced striker.
We still do IMO but OGS doesn't appear to be addressing this issue as yet.
Makes me wonder as he's bringing in all these Norweigan players, if it all fails will a lot of supporters turn on him as they have done with Malky?

I agree with you that we still need an experienced striker and i'm sure OGS is doing something about it, (don't be surprised to see a top named striker come in on loan in the last minute of the window) i also don't think that the fans will turn on OGS i personally thought that he never had enough time to turn this mess around for me he could have done with the transfer window opening now not just about to close, as for Cornelius, i don't put any of the blame at his feet, he would have been mad to turn down the offer we made him.

just reading this thread..and its one of many..no one blames the boy for his price tag or wage packet..

its just opinions on whether he is worth that sort of cash.

the overwhelming opinion is no he is not.

so why is Tan not allowed to think this too?

just reading this thread..and its one of many..no one blames the boy for his price tag or wage packet..

its just opinions on whether he is worth that sort of cash.

the overwhelming opinion is no he is not.

so why is Tan not allowed to think this too?

If Tan thought this, he would have stopped Malky from signing him like he did with Wanyama and Montero.

just reading this thread..and its one of many..no one blames the boy for his price tag or wage packet..

its just opinions on whether he is worth that sort of cash.

the overwhelming opinion is no he is not.

so why is Tan not allowed to think this too?

If Tan thought this, he would have stopped Malky from signing him like he did with Wanyama and Montero.

my point is, tan is not a scout. like us he knew nothing or very little about the boy until his arrival..........since his arrival opinions have been formed on his worth...you have an opinion..i have an opinion..why should tan not have one

just reading this thread..and its one of many..no one blames the boy for his price tag or wage packet..

its just opinions on whether he is worth that sort of cash.

the overwhelming opinion is no he is not.

so why is Tan not allowed to think this too?

If Tan thought this, he would have stopped Malky from signing him like he did with Wanyama and Montero.

my point is, tan is not a scout. like us he knew nothing or very little about the boy until his arrival..........since his arrival opinions have been formed on his worth...you have an opinion..i have an opinion..why should tan not have one

I just find it bizarre how Tan stopped Malky signing Wanyama because Celtic asked for a million or two more than Tan thought he was worth and we didn't sign Montero because his agent got greedy. Yet Tan allowed the Cornelius transfer to go ahead when he's looking nowhere near that price so far.

just reading this thread..and its one of many..no one blames the boy for his price tag or wage packet..

its just opinions on whether he is worth that sort of cash.

the overwhelming opinion is no he is not.

so why is Tan not allowed to think this too?

If Tan thought this, he would have stopped Malky from signing him like he did with Wanyama and Montero.

my point is, tan is not a scout. like us he knew nothing or very little about the boy until his arrival..........since his arrival opinions have been formed on his worth...you have an opinion..i have an opinion..why should tan not have one

I just find it bizarre how Tan stopped Malky signing Wanyama because Celtic asked for a million or two more than Tan thought he was worth and we didn't sign Montero because his agent got greedy. Yet Tan allowed the Cornelius transfer to go ahead when he's looking nowhere near that price so far.

i doubt that tan stopped either of those transfers because he thought the players were not good enough.......the price was being hicked up, Celtic in particular were playing a game with both us and Saints............if youd arranged to buy a 2nd hand car for 10k,,arrive with the cash,and the seller says no its 11k now because he cud see both u and another were keen, wouldnt you pull out?.........i would

us about.

Tan had a recruitment team in place to decide on the value and negotiate on our behalf and quite frankly that team has seriously, seriously failed him on Cornelius and he is rightly pissed.