' You haven't seen the best of me yet says City player '
Wed Jul 22, 2015 4:09 pm
Cardiff City winger Anthony Pilkington says Bluebirds supporters have seen nowhere near the best of him yet
22 July 2015
By Steve Tucker
Pilkington has struggled with injuries in the Welsh capital since his move from Norwich but has impressed in Russell Slade's pre-season campaign so far
Anthony Pilkington has vowed Cardiff City supporters have not seen anywhere near the best of him yet as he looks to put his ‘nightmare’ debut season in the Welsh capital behind him.
This summer the 27-year-old winger, who signed for the Bluebirds from Norwich for £1m a year ago, has started to show what supporters missed out on during an injury-hit campaign last term.
His strike in the 2-2 draw at Shrewsbury was followed up with the Bluebirds’ second goal as Russell Slade’s men beat Israeli outfit Ironi Kiryat Shmona 2-0 in the opening game of their current pre-season tour of Holland.
Pilkington nets a goal against Shrewsbury
MORE: Cardiff City sign French teenage defender Jordan Blaise after successful trial
The Republic of Ireland international is now looking forward to the forthcoming campaign with renewed optimism hoping there will be no repeat of last season.
After being signed by former Cardiff manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Pilkington took time to settle but just as he was finding his feet, disaster struck as he suffered a hamstring problem in his side’s win at Watford in late November.
As he struggled to regain fitness, and after a number of set-backs, Pilkington did not see any action at all again for nearly five months.
The wideman has outlined how devastated he was by the situation and has vowed the new campaign will be the one where supporters finally get to see what he is capable of.
Pilkington had a season to forget last year
“Last season was definitely a nightmare for me,” said Pilkington.
“I missed a lot of games which every player hates. I hate missing one game let alone as many as I did. It was massively disappointing.
“Ole signed me and what seemed like just a few weeks later, the manager changed and there were a lot of changes going on at the club.
“I was still trying to find a house then to be honest.
“Then just as I was getting going, my hamstring had a different idea.
“Then it kept going and it kept pushing me back. In the end I think I only played the last five games of the season coming off the bench.”
Pilkington added: "The Cardiff fans just did not see the best of me last season.
“I missed so many games.
“I want a run of games, I need that, but the Cardiff fans have not seen anything yet.
“It’s going to be a long hard season and we have all got to be right on it.”
Anthony Pilkington celebrates after scoring a goal for Cardiff during the Cardiff City v Sheffield Wednesday Championship match
Pilkington celebrates a rare goal last season
MORE: The Cardiff City Dutch Debrief... Bluebirds suffer scraps while playing in a field
Pilkington reflects the wider positivity that is currently spreading through the Cardiff camp ahead of the big kick-off against Fulham on August 8.
The winger has become the latest Bluebirds player to outline the scope of ambition within the squad in the Championship next term.
Pilkington added: “Being realistic we are targeting a top-six finish.
“We will be striving for that.
“We have to, a club the size of Cardiff has to be there or thereabouts come the end of the season.”
Pilkington’s optimism for the new season has been matched by that of his manager too.
After seeing his team beat the Israeli outfit in a physical game thanks to an opener from defender Bruno Manga and then Pilkington’s late header, Slade himself believes having the winger back fully fit and raring to go is as good as making a new signing.
Slade commented: “He could be a big player for us next season. I only really had him for a short time last season.
“It’s like having a new player really.
“He’s working hard and it’s good to see and he is getting sharper by the day.
“He could well be a key player for us next season.
“He can score and create things that others can’t.
“He’s clever and cute in the final third and capable of unlocking a back four.
“He’s got a smile on his face at the moment and we hope it stays that way.”
22 July 2015
By Steve Tucker
Pilkington has struggled with injuries in the Welsh capital since his move from Norwich but has impressed in Russell Slade's pre-season campaign so far
Anthony Pilkington has vowed Cardiff City supporters have not seen anywhere near the best of him yet as he looks to put his ‘nightmare’ debut season in the Welsh capital behind him.
This summer the 27-year-old winger, who signed for the Bluebirds from Norwich for £1m a year ago, has started to show what supporters missed out on during an injury-hit campaign last term.
His strike in the 2-2 draw at Shrewsbury was followed up with the Bluebirds’ second goal as Russell Slade’s men beat Israeli outfit Ironi Kiryat Shmona 2-0 in the opening game of their current pre-season tour of Holland.
Pilkington nets a goal against Shrewsbury
MORE: Cardiff City sign French teenage defender Jordan Blaise after successful trial
The Republic of Ireland international is now looking forward to the forthcoming campaign with renewed optimism hoping there will be no repeat of last season.
After being signed by former Cardiff manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Pilkington took time to settle but just as he was finding his feet, disaster struck as he suffered a hamstring problem in his side’s win at Watford in late November.
As he struggled to regain fitness, and after a number of set-backs, Pilkington did not see any action at all again for nearly five months.
The wideman has outlined how devastated he was by the situation and has vowed the new campaign will be the one where supporters finally get to see what he is capable of.
Pilkington had a season to forget last year
“Last season was definitely a nightmare for me,” said Pilkington.
“I missed a lot of games which every player hates. I hate missing one game let alone as many as I did. It was massively disappointing.
“Ole signed me and what seemed like just a few weeks later, the manager changed and there were a lot of changes going on at the club.
“I was still trying to find a house then to be honest.
“Then just as I was getting going, my hamstring had a different idea.
“Then it kept going and it kept pushing me back. In the end I think I only played the last five games of the season coming off the bench.”
Pilkington added: "The Cardiff fans just did not see the best of me last season.
“I missed so many games.
“I want a run of games, I need that, but the Cardiff fans have not seen anything yet.
“It’s going to be a long hard season and we have all got to be right on it.”
Anthony Pilkington celebrates after scoring a goal for Cardiff during the Cardiff City v Sheffield Wednesday Championship match
Pilkington celebrates a rare goal last season
MORE: The Cardiff City Dutch Debrief... Bluebirds suffer scraps while playing in a field
Pilkington reflects the wider positivity that is currently spreading through the Cardiff camp ahead of the big kick-off against Fulham on August 8.
The winger has become the latest Bluebirds player to outline the scope of ambition within the squad in the Championship next term.
Pilkington added: “Being realistic we are targeting a top-six finish.
“We will be striving for that.
“We have to, a club the size of Cardiff has to be there or thereabouts come the end of the season.”
Pilkington’s optimism for the new season has been matched by that of his manager too.
After seeing his team beat the Israeli outfit in a physical game thanks to an opener from defender Bruno Manga and then Pilkington’s late header, Slade himself believes having the winger back fully fit and raring to go is as good as making a new signing.
Slade commented: “He could be a big player for us next season. I only really had him for a short time last season.
“It’s like having a new player really.
“He’s working hard and it’s good to see and he is getting sharper by the day.
“He could well be a key player for us next season.
“He can score and create things that others can’t.
“He’s clever and cute in the final third and capable of unlocking a back four.
“He’s got a smile on his face at the moment and we hope it stays that way.”
Re: ' You haven't seen the best of me yet says City player
Wed Jul 22, 2015 4:13 pm
When he's not injured I think he's a terrific player! Good winger in this league. Hope he proves me right this season. 
Re: ' You haven't seen the best of me yet says City player
Wed Jul 22, 2015 4:15 pm
He is a great player no doubt as long as he stays injury free. 
Re: ' You haven't seen the best of me yet says City player
Wed Jul 22, 2015 4:22 pm
Rydogsccfc wrote:He is a great player no doubt as long as he stays injury free.
Totally agree, keep him off the injury table and fit he will be a star for us if everyone around him plays to the best of there ability
Re: ' You haven't seen the best of me yet says City player
Wed Jul 22, 2015 4:26 pm
Bluebird1977 wrote:Rydogsccfc wrote:He is a great player no doubt as long as he stays injury free.
Totally agree, keep him off the injury table and fit he will be a star for us if everyone around him plays to the best of there ability
He is our best winger i think.
Re: ' You haven't seen the best of me yet says City player
Wed Jul 22, 2015 7:01 pm
If we keep him fit he'll be our best winger and he'll pitch in with goals,better than johny Russell and could still play premier league football imo
Re: ' You haven't seen the best of me yet says City player
Wed Jul 22, 2015 7:32 pm
Reza wrote:If we keep him fit he'll be our best winger and he'll pitch in with goals,better than johny Russell and could still play premier league football imo
Hes good at his best but I wouldn't agree hes better than Russell
Re: ' You haven't seen the best of me yet says City player
Wed Jul 22, 2015 7:52 pm
Anyone ask him about the dedicated professional bit and his Twitter picture?
Re: ' You haven't seen the best of me yet says City player
Wed Jul 22, 2015 7:56 pm
Last March? Because if that wasn't him he needs to clear that image.
Re: ' You haven't seen the best of me yet says City player
Wed Jul 22, 2015 8:36 pm
Let's hope he's right and we haven't seen the best of him yet because what we've seen of him so far has been disappointing.
Needs to shrug off his image as a "sicknote" and try to keep fit and make a telling contribution throughout a whole season.
Could be a valuable asset if, and it's a big if, he can stay fit for the full season.
Needs to shrug off his image as a "sicknote" and try to keep fit and make a telling contribution throughout a whole season.
Could be a valuable asset if, and it's a big if, he can stay fit for the full season.
Re: ' You haven't seen the best of me yet says City player
Wed Jul 22, 2015 8:41 pm
Bluebird1977 wrote:Reza wrote:If we keep him fit he'll be our best winger and he'll pitch in with goals,better than johny Russell and could still play premier league football imo
Hes good at his best but I wouldn't agree hes better than Russell
I'd disagree when pilks was fit for Norwich he was scoring goals and giving full backs a torrid time but that's why they let him come here he's always in and out the team,it's all about keeping him fit,as for Russell I don't see him as a winger and he's not done it on as big a stage as pilks
Re: ' You haven't seen the best of me yet says City player
Thu Jul 23, 2015 1:08 pm
Hopefully he stays injury-free as he will be a key player for us