' Cardiff City's Wing Options? '

Cardiff City's wing options - Who should manager Russell Slade turn to with Anthony Pilkington out injured?

Pilkington is likely to be out for around a month with a hamstring problem... we assess the contenders to replace him:-

So with impressive wing Anthony Pilkington set to miss the three to four weeks with a hamstring injury, just who should manager Russell Slade turn to to fill the void?

Norwegian teenager Mats Daehli is favourite, but stylish South Korean Kim Bo-Kyung – remember him? – could also be in contention.

Kadeem Harris, Joe Ralls, Ravel Morrison, Fabio and Declan John are all in the mix as well...and don’t forget Guido Burgstaller who has become a peripheral figure after promising much when he first signed for the club under the tenure of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Kim and Harris made their bid to impress Slade when they played for City’s development team in a 3-0 home win against Bristol City.

They were the wide men and Kim produced a sparkling 60 minutes before he went off, having set up goals for Etien Velikonja and Harris.

Harris, too, had his moments, and Slade, watching along with his assistant Scott Young, was left with plenty to think about.

Which way will he turn? Here’s a more detailed look at each option....

Mats Daehli
I love watching the young Norwegian player. He has a sublime touch, quick feet at close quarters, great touch and the vision and ability to pick a pass.

If Daehli had pace alongside his other assets the teenager would be with one of Europe’s leading clubs.

It will take big money to prise Daehli away from Cardiff in January, but the kid needs regular first team football.

Perhaps this is the golden opportunity he has been waiting for and Daehli will be given the start against Rotherham.

Kim Bo-Kyung
South Korean master Kim was at his best when he played for Cardiff’s development team against Bristol City. Championship football is, of course, played at a higher tempo and there is far more at stake, but Kimbo was magnificent and the visiting Robins simply could not cope with his tricky runs.

He roamed across midfield, starting right and then going over to the left. He popped up in central positions, too, and pulled Bristol City here, there and everywhere.

Kim found the right positions, turning quickly and picking out team-mates with deft passes.

City’s first two goals were created by Kim’s sheer quality. Etien Velikonja scored the first and Harris netted the second.

Kim played with desire, hunger and energy. He impressed throughout his 60-minute outing and even carved out a chance for himself with a sharp turn which sent defenders the wrong way.

But finishing isn’t Kim’s strong point, he delayed his shot and it was blocked.

Slade, though, must have been impressed by Kim. If he does leave Cardiff in January the Bluebirds will want a hefty fee - and they may even prefer to keep him.

Kadeem Harris
Quick and direct. Harris excelled during a loan spell with Brentford and has been a shining, goalscoring light for Cardiff’s under-21 development team. Plays in a very different style to Daehli and Kim.

He is an out-and-out winger who hugs the touchline and loves running at defenders, can go past them with pace and has scored plenty of goals.

Harris produced moments of real quality in the 3-0 development win against Bristol City and scored , but there was one big lapse when he played the ball back into Cardiff’s half with the outside of a boot and presented it straight to an opposition player.

Slade could not risk that happening in the Championship and Harris may have to wait a little longer.

Ravel Morrison
There are four matches left before his loan spell from West Ham comes to an end on Boxing Day. The talented Morrison would be an ideal player to slot in, but he has suffered from niggling injuries and has not played enough football lately.

Even if he is fit for this weekend, I don’t expect Slade to give him a start.

Joe Ralls
A solid midfield player who could play on the left and do an excellent job defensively. City, though, will want the extra attacking flair which Daehli, Kim, Harris or Morrison can inject.

Ralls will be among the substitutes against Rotherham - and he can cover at full-back or through midfield.

Fabio
I’d love to see Fabio back in the City starting line-up. He is a dazzler at left-back and could certainly make an impact if he stepped forward into a wide midfield role.

Slade is clearly concerned by Fabio’s defensive skills and is working with the Brazilian to improve that side of his game.

Fabio’s best chance is a return at full-back and I don’t expect him to play on the wing.

Declan John
It was good to see the Welshman darting down the left for City in their development team win against Bristol City. He played on the left of Cardiff’s back four and produced some hugely effective runs forward.

The Merthyr Tydfil-born flier is a winger turned defender and would love the chance to face Rotherham, but John’s future is at left-back and I would not expect him to play in midfield against Rotherham.

Guido Burgstaller
The Austrian is a big, imposing midfield player who impressed during pre-season and showed he can pick a pass. But he hasn’t had much of a look in this season, won’t be involved against Rotherham and is one of the players who will be moving on in the January transfer window.

Terry’s Phiilips’ verdict:-

Daehli and Kim are the main contenders to replace Pilkington and both will undoubtedly be in Cardiff’s 18-man matchday squad on Saturday. Kim almost tipped the balance in his favour with a dazzling midweek display at development level and has a real chance, but my feeling is that Slade will turn to Daehli for a crucial midfield job.

Both are a different type of player to Pilkington, whose influence on the Bluebirds team has been growing. They will miss ‘Pilks’, but Daehli will grab his chance and do all he can to have a happy Christmas.

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/foot ... ho-8209917?

Kadeem Harris for me.

Disappointed he has not been given the chance yet. I can't see it happening but would be delighted if it did.

Kadeem Harris for me.

Disappointed he has not been given the chance yet. I can't see it happening but would be delighted if it did.

he is not gonna use Harris, he doesnt have the defensive ability.if he was gonna use someone whose game is going forward he would use Daehli or Ravel who are proven on a much higher level

It will be Ralls imo or maybe he will move Whitts out wide and use adeyemi in central midfield.

I'd be disappointed if Ralls were to be used on Saturday.

Two obvious choices is Burgstaller and Daehli, But will probably be Ralls

Has to be the boy with magic in his boots! Daehli to step up to it and produce the goods!

Id be amazed if it isnt Ralls, he might go for Fabio though.

For me its Daehli

rols as he is our future

rols as he is our future

Sadly I think you may be right, its the kind of quality we will attract from here on in.

rols as he is our future

That being Championship football for foreseeable future?

rols as he is our future

That being Championship football for foreseeable future?

yes maybe so but people on here complain about our acedemy not producing so what do you do send them all out on loan or put your future in them? and he is good enough so why not?

you really make victor meldew seem happy!

rols as he is our future

That being Championship football for foreseeable future?

yes maybe so but people on here complain about our acedemy not producing so what do you do send them all out on loan or put your future in them? and he is good enough so why not?

you really make victor meldew seem happy!

Im only as happy as my football

rols as he is our future

That being Championship football for foreseeable future?

yes maybe so but people on here complain about our acedemy not producing so what do you do send them all out on loan or put your future in them? and he is good enough so why not?

you really make victor meldew seem happy!

Im only as happy as my football

well wont be that watching city! after 44 yrs watching city i've learned that

rols as he is our future

That being Championship football for foreseeable future?

yes maybe so but people on here complain about our acedemy not producing so what do you do send them all out on loan or put your future in them? and he is good enough so why not?

you really make victor meldew seem happy!

I don't understand your point. Ralls may be the future but he isn't a winger. He offers very little going forward. So he is not our future on the wing.

Fabio or Harris for me ..

I am sorry..but Ralls is nowhere near good enough..he is Div 1 standard at best... as we are at home and will attack it has to be DAEHLI OR KIM

rols as he is our future

That being Championship football for foreseeable future?

yes maybe so but people on here complain about our acedemy not producing so what do you do send them all out on loan or put your future in them? and he is good enough so why not?

you really make victor meldew seem happy!

If you watched City & Ralls (rols) live regularly you'd realise that he's not good enough & offers very little going forward. That's not to say he'll improve as he's still a young player. Nothing to do with the academy.
We have much better & more skilful players available here to play & this is why people do not want to see Ralls start at the moment.