Robert Earnshaw 'unimpressed' with Macheda

Former Wales and Cardiff City striker Robert Earnshaw believes the Bluebirds’ new hit-man Federico Macheda has ‘one hell of a long way to go’ to prove himself.

Macheda, 22, who has not yet made his City debut, fired 10 goals in 10 Championship starts for Birmingham City last season, but Earnshaw says: “He has a hell of a way to go to prove himself.

“Macheda burst onto the scene, scored a couple of goals which were highlighted and since then he has not really proved himself.

“He has potential, but there is one hell of a way to go. As a natural goalscorer you would want to be playing 30 or more matches in a season and scoring 15 goals at least. Macheda still needs a lot of improvement.”

Italian Macheda signed his first professional contract with Manchester United at the age of 17 and made a scoring debut against Aston Villa, firing an injury time winner after Cristiano Ronaldo had equalised.

He was on target again in his second appearance, going on for Dimitar Berbatov and scoring within a minute.


Earnshaw, who scored more than 100 goals for Cardiff and has netted in excess of 200 club goals during his career, is keen to see whether Macheda can at last fulfil his potential under the guidance of Bluebirds boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

“Macheda has talent and hopefully Solskjaer can bring out the best in him,” said Earnshaw.

Macheda scored twice in pre-season fixtures against Carmarthen and TSV 1860 Munchen, but has been ruled out by a back injury over the last few weeks.

He won’t be ready for tomorrow’s Capital One Cup tie at Coventry, but Solskjaer is hopeful he will return to the squad for their home clash with Huddersfield this weekend.

Kenwyne Jones and Nicky Maynard started in attack in their 1-1 draw at Blackburn last Friday night, while Macheda, Javi Guerra and Adam Le Fondre are among those battling it out for places up front.

City now have back-to-back Championship home fixtures against Huddersfield and Wigan with Earnshaw keen to see the Bluebirds stamp their authority on matches.


'Earnie' was a huge hit with the Ninian Park faithful

“Cardiff’s performance in their 1-1 draw at Blackburn was steady, but I felt they could have come out firing a bit more,” he says. “Anybody would have taken a point from what was a difficult away match, but I want to see a team full of belief and working to win every single match.

“Teams who don’t care who they are playing, and focus on winning any match they go into, tend to do well in the Championship. City should forget who they are playing and go for the win.”

Meanwhile Earnshaw is still without a club for the new season, having left Blackpool in May.

But he’s intent on returning to action quickly.

“I’m in talks with several clubs, both here in Britain and abroad,” said Earnshaw. “I expect to agree something pretty soon. I’ve kept myself fit and it won’t take me long to regain full match fitness.”

It would be nice to give the boy some encouragement.

What a ridiculous and pointless article by the Western mail.

Has Earnshaw forgotten he was hardly impressive at understanding the offside rule and doing his defensive duties?

What a ridiculous and pointless article by the Western mail.

Has Earnshaw forgotten he was hardly impressive at understanding the offside rule and doing his defensive duties?

A strikers job is to score goals not defend and earnshaw was very good at scoring goals club legend!

What a ridiculous and pointless article by the Western mail.

Has Earnshaw forgotten he was hardly impressive at understanding the offside rule and doing his defensive duties?

A strikers job is to score goals not defend and earnshaw was very good at scoring goals club legend!

Spot on, Earnie will get some abuse for this I'd imagine

earnie was sent out on loan himself a couple of times, we don't know how any player will do this season but it's a bit early to start taking cheap shots at players just to get your name in the paper

Bit of weird article, not sure why he would rather randomly single out macheda. It's like they were trying to think up an article and this is the best they could.

Not even made his city debut yet he's getting critics??? Absolutely laughable, from someone like Earnshaw as well?

It's hard to tell if that article is more of a dig at Macheda or an opportunity for Earnie to put himself in the shop window.

Macheda has proved nothing, Earnie is right although the article makes what he said look worse than it is.

Macheda has proved nothing, Earnie is right although the article makes what he said look worse than it is.

The article fails to mention scoring 10 goals in 18 games, only 5 of what Earnshaw said a striker should be getting

Respect for Earnshaw the Bluebird aside, this is a bit premature and not really helpful when players are trying to settle in. Macheda is injured, so why not kick a man when he's down?

I hope this article has taken things Earnie said out of context. If not, I'm disappointed he had to wade in on a new player before he's even played a league game for the club.

Let's give our players support at the beginning of a gruelling campaign.

Said it before on here that Macheda was one of the worst players I've seen for QPR & believe me I've witnessed some shit down the years.

If he does well for you fantastic but I can't see it myself personally. Saw enough of him to show me the fella just hasn't got it. No wonder Utd have never given a run & he's farmed out every 5 mins.

I'll be watching intently to see his progress. Why is he not involved at the moment? Injury I presume?

I'm ok at my job but if you highlighted the best of everything I have ever done and assumed that was me then I would be running my own company now. Fans are too quick to look at everything thats good and ignore the bad. I wish any of our players were as good as their you tube video!

Probably just bitter how he's more famous than him through a single goal.

Macheda has proved nothing, Earnie is right although the article makes what he said look worse than it is.

what ...so a player hasnt played a game.....but is open to critisism....jesus....

Macheda has proved nothing, Earnie is right although the article makes what he said look worse than it is.

what ...so a player hasnt played a game.....but is open to critisism....jesus....

Its hardly criticism.

“He has a hell of a way to go to prove himself.

“Macheda burst onto the scene, scored a couple of goals which were highlighted and since then he has not really proved himself.

“He has potential, but there is one hell of a way to go. As a natural goalscorer you would want to be playing 30 or more matches in a season and scoring 15 goals at least. Macheda still needs a lot of improvement.”

“Macheda has talent and hopefully Solskjaer can bring out the best in him,”

Wise words from Earnie.

Macheda has proved nothing, Earnie is right although the article makes what he said look worse than it is.

what ...so a player hasnt played a game.....but is open to critisism....jesus....

Its hardly criticism.

“He has a hell of a way to go to prove himself.

“Macheda burst onto the scene, scored a couple of goals which were highlighted and since then he has not really proved himself.

“He has potential, but there is one hell of a way to go. As a natural goalscorer you would want to be playing 30 or more matches in a season and scoring 15 goals at least. Macheda still needs a lot of improvement.”

“Macheda has talent and hopefully Solskjaer can bring out the best in him,”

Wise words from Earnie.

Of course it's criticism, come on!
How can you state (or quote someone else and endorse it by implication) that someone has a hell of a way to go, not really proved himself, needs a lot of improvement, etc. and go on to say it's hardly criticism?

It is taken as read that pressures come with the job as a pro player, but give the man a chance and give the manager some room to manage his players. Earnie should know better IMO as he knows what it's like as a player when you are negatively judged.

In the meantime, watch the games and hopefully enjoy a great season!