' Sammy Ameobi/Wilfred Zaha '
Fri Jul 10, 2015 6:49 am
Why Cardiff City must do everything possible to make sure Sammy Ameobi is not another Wilfried Zaha
Friday 10 July 2015
By Chris Wathan
Chris Wathan argues it's high time a temporary acquisition lived up to the big build-up after Zaha and Morrison failure to impress
This season will not be the first time Cardiff City have hoped a bit of loan flair can fire their side.
The aim must be, however, that this proves to be the first time such hope does more than simply flatter to deceive.
Big things seem to be expected of Sammy Ameobi after he agreed a season-long stay in South Wales. Courted by significant Championship others, like Wolves, news of the forward’s capture has been trailed as something of a coup in a summer so far marked by transfer frustration.
He was, said club chief executive Ken Choo, “hand-picked” as a priority arrival “specifically for his creativity and skill” with a nod to a half-century of Premier League appearances as to why there should be such confidence placed in the 23-year-old.
But confidence has been misplaced in recent seasons when it’s come to loan signings, who were supposed to bring about a change in Bluebird fortunes.
Wilfried Zaha was billed as the headline signing of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first transfer window, a temporary talisman coming to prove his Manchester United worth and spearhead a surge away from Premier League trouble.
It began well enough, a key role in both goals as Cardiff came from behind to beat Norwich on his debut and credited as the game-changer after Solskjaer controversially benched Peter Whittingham before half-time.
It is easy to chuckle or cringe with the benefit of hindsight, but first impressions were of an instant idol while the Norwegian boss spoke of Zaha being among the best players he had seen going forward. Solskjaer was unable to resist the hyperbole, with a comparison to Cristiano Ronaldo, no less.
By the end of the season – and having appeared just once more in a winning side for Cardiff – Zaha was being publicly criticised from the Match of the Day sofa for his attitude while his performances imposed more on his teammates than opposition full-backs.
There is an air of familiarity about the tale of Ravel Morrison’s time at Cardiff. Also making his debut off the bench in a 2-1 home win, his obvious quality on the ball and “wonderful touches” were enough to prompt questions as to whether he could be the most exciting Bluebird ever. For the record, the majority of fans responded that the West Ham loanee would be.
Yet, again with just one more win in South Wales to speak of, Morrison was gone with only a handful of substitute outings to show for his time at Cardiff City Stadium.
“On his day he can hurt anyone at this level,” said caretaker manager Scott Young of Morrison after the 21-year-old’s first game. “When the new man comes in, it will be his job to get some consistency in Ravel Morrison’s play.”
Russell Slade could not, although the player’s back-story and subsequent failure to impress at Lazio or even find a British club to return to suggest it’s a tall order for any manager.
Still, Zaha’s form for Crystal Palace last season proves that environments and encouragement can bring the best out of players. Watching the once-capped England international fly for the Eagles makes it seem as though a Zaha twin had signed for the Bluebirds, such is the contrast.
With Zaha’s Cardiff spell before his time, Slade has no case to answer on that particular example and can perhaps point to mitigating circumstances over Morrison’s failure to inspire beyond a few minutes before his U-turn to Upton Park.
But it will be down to the Cardiff chief to make the most of Ameobi, even if it can be fairly argued that the Toon product does not have the same raw talent as the previous two.
Slade should have a head start in that regard. Ameobi does not come shorn of confidence but with a new contract at St James’ Park in the bank and buoyed by a series of appearances with Newcastle in which he showed plenty of the trickery, quick feet and a willingness to run past defenders which had former boss Alan Pardew convinced of his potential and Cardiff confident he can make an impact in the Championship.
He also arrives in plenty of time to bed in, already part of Slade’s ‘Boot Camp’ in Leicestershire and able to get to know his teammates and his new club well ahead of the campaign kick-off against Fulham in four weeks’ time.
Friday 10 July 2015
By Chris Wathan
Chris Wathan argues it's high time a temporary acquisition lived up to the big build-up after Zaha and Morrison failure to impress
This season will not be the first time Cardiff City have hoped a bit of loan flair can fire their side.
The aim must be, however, that this proves to be the first time such hope does more than simply flatter to deceive.
Big things seem to be expected of Sammy Ameobi after he agreed a season-long stay in South Wales. Courted by significant Championship others, like Wolves, news of the forward’s capture has been trailed as something of a coup in a summer so far marked by transfer frustration.
He was, said club chief executive Ken Choo, “hand-picked” as a priority arrival “specifically for his creativity and skill” with a nod to a half-century of Premier League appearances as to why there should be such confidence placed in the 23-year-old.
But confidence has been misplaced in recent seasons when it’s come to loan signings, who were supposed to bring about a change in Bluebird fortunes.
Wilfried Zaha was billed as the headline signing of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first transfer window, a temporary talisman coming to prove his Manchester United worth and spearhead a surge away from Premier League trouble.
It began well enough, a key role in both goals as Cardiff came from behind to beat Norwich on his debut and credited as the game-changer after Solskjaer controversially benched Peter Whittingham before half-time.
It is easy to chuckle or cringe with the benefit of hindsight, but first impressions were of an instant idol while the Norwegian boss spoke of Zaha being among the best players he had seen going forward. Solskjaer was unable to resist the hyperbole, with a comparison to Cristiano Ronaldo, no less.
By the end of the season – and having appeared just once more in a winning side for Cardiff – Zaha was being publicly criticised from the Match of the Day sofa for his attitude while his performances imposed more on his teammates than opposition full-backs.
There is an air of familiarity about the tale of Ravel Morrison’s time at Cardiff. Also making his debut off the bench in a 2-1 home win, his obvious quality on the ball and “wonderful touches” were enough to prompt questions as to whether he could be the most exciting Bluebird ever. For the record, the majority of fans responded that the West Ham loanee would be.
Yet, again with just one more win in South Wales to speak of, Morrison was gone with only a handful of substitute outings to show for his time at Cardiff City Stadium.
“On his day he can hurt anyone at this level,” said caretaker manager Scott Young of Morrison after the 21-year-old’s first game. “When the new man comes in, it will be his job to get some consistency in Ravel Morrison’s play.”
Russell Slade could not, although the player’s back-story and subsequent failure to impress at Lazio or even find a British club to return to suggest it’s a tall order for any manager.
Still, Zaha’s form for Crystal Palace last season proves that environments and encouragement can bring the best out of players. Watching the once-capped England international fly for the Eagles makes it seem as though a Zaha twin had signed for the Bluebirds, such is the contrast.
With Zaha’s Cardiff spell before his time, Slade has no case to answer on that particular example and can perhaps point to mitigating circumstances over Morrison’s failure to inspire beyond a few minutes before his U-turn to Upton Park.
But it will be down to the Cardiff chief to make the most of Ameobi, even if it can be fairly argued that the Toon product does not have the same raw talent as the previous two.
Slade should have a head start in that regard. Ameobi does not come shorn of confidence but with a new contract at St James’ Park in the bank and buoyed by a series of appearances with Newcastle in which he showed plenty of the trickery, quick feet and a willingness to run past defenders which had former boss Alan Pardew convinced of his potential and Cardiff confident he can make an impact in the Championship.
He also arrives in plenty of time to bed in, already part of Slade’s ‘Boot Camp’ in Leicestershire and able to get to know his teammates and his new club well ahead of the campaign kick-off against Fulham in four weeks’ time.
Re: ' Sammy Ameobi/Wilfred Zaha '
Fri Jul 10, 2015 3:59 pm
we got a great habit of getting the worst out of players......we shall see.... 
Re: ' Sammy Ameobi/Wilfred Zaha '
Fri Jul 10, 2015 4:15 pm
I don't get why he's comparing them, zaha came from man utd and a lot was expected of him and ameobi has played a bit for newcastle but not had the same hype as zaha did. Hopefully sammy will be a bigger hit though!
Re: ' Sammy Ameobi/Wilfred Zaha '
Fri Jul 10, 2015 5:22 pm
Never read what Whatham says about us he's a one eyed jack.
Re: ' Sammy Ameobi/Wilfred Zaha '
Sat Jul 11, 2015 11:56 am
Compare zaha to amadonkey boy are you cardiff. Fans in for a shock amadonkey is terrible please don't send him back to us even the boro sent him back 3 weeks in to his loan period please ddont think you hace got a decent player in amadonkey he would not get a game for sunday pub team he is that bad. FACT!!!
Re: ' Sammy Ameobi/Wilfred Zaha '
Sun Jul 12, 2015 3:53 pm
One of the better players at Newcastle at times last season so