Russell Slade : ' Joe Mason '

Cardiff City striker Joe Mason 'at another level' in pre-season says Bluebirds boss Russell Slade.


Friday 17th July 2015


Cardiff City’s pre-season preparations are only one match old, but striker Joe Mason has already made it clear he is going to be a key player.

Mason’s fifth season with the Bluebirds already looks highly promising after his outstanding personal display during the 1-1 draw at Forest Green Rovers in midweek.

The Plymouth-born hitman scored Cardiff’s goal, won a penalty which was saved and was denied by two magnificent stops by goalkeeper Jonny Maxted.

Mason looked sharper and stronger in training before taking that form into City’s opening match - and he is certain to play at Shrewsbury Town on Saturday (2pm).
Manager Russell Slade was ecstatic with Mason’s form as he combined with Craig Noone after going on at half-time, making an incisive run before firing low past Maxted to put Cardiff in front.



“Joe has returned in great shape and looking good,” says Slade. “He has clearly worked hard through the summer and has come back at another level again.”

Mason, 24, is under contract at Cardiff until 2018, but former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer sent him out on loan to Bolton Wanderers last season where he suffered a serious hamstring injury.

There is no question that Mason, whose intelligent running allows him to drift away from defenders, has a major role in Slade’s plans.

He won’t be allowed out in 2015-16 and looks a near certainty to be in the starting line-up against Fulham at home in City’s first Championship match.

That could be alongside Kenwyne Jones, currently playing international football for Trinidad and Tobago in America, or Eoin Doyle.

Mason and Doyle linked up at Forest Green when their movement and instinctive understanding caused major problems for the home team. They created chances for each other and were only denied by goalkeeper Maxted’s alert agility.

“It seems to work with Joe dropping deeper and me peeling the other way,” said Doyle. “We seem to have a good connection. Long may it continue,”

That Mason/Doyle combination, two smaller strikers joining forces, ensures City pass the ball to feet and build attacks as they did at Forest Green.

Slade loves having a striker in the number 10 role and Mason fits the bill perfectly. If he maintains form over the next few weeks former Republic of Ireland under-21 international will be handed a starting role against Fulham.

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/foot ... on-9680971

Great to know.

Sounds promising so far with mason and we do need someone to play that role imo, hopefully this will be masons break through season where he shows everyone the quality we know he has

He's been waiting long enough, sent out on loan etc and I'm sure been very frustrated but he has maintained professionalism throughout not like some cry babies we've had recently.

Hopefully jo will get a good run and I'm sure hel have a good year!

Someone altered my post title and Spelt Slade wrong I wonder who that could be?

Someone altered my post title and Spelt Slade wrong I wonder who that could be?

I didn't even notice until you said

Someone altered my post title and Spelt Slade wrong I wonder who that could be?

I didn't even notice until you said

Shit if I'd had the chance I would have altered it to something Spanish like "Russell El Sad"

Someone altered my post title and Spelt Slade wrong I wonder who that could be?

I didn't even notice until you said

Shit if I'd had the chance I would have altered it to something Spanish like "Russell El Sad"

how many stellas have you had Phil, you're on the ball tonight pal