" CARDIFF CITY STRIKE FORCE COULD BE BUILT AROUND "

"Russell Slade hints Cardiff City strike force could be built around Joe Mason"

BY STEVE TUCKER

SATURDAY 25TH JULY 2015

Cardiff City boss Russell Slade has given his clearest indication yet that his strike-force in the Championship next season is likely to be built around Joe Mason.

“At this stage I’m really looking at partnerships up front,” said the Cardiff manager.

“I’m pretty much making sure they all get to play with each other by mixing those partnerships up.

“But to be honest it’s difficult to get past Joe Mason right now. He looks like he has gone up another notch again. Physically he’s looking in good shape after always playing catch-up before. He had an injury, was playing catch up so he wasn’t 100 per cent, but now he is looking very sharp.

“We don’t know yet anything could happen, but Joe has put himself very much in contention although all my strikers are working very hard.”

Ffs now i know we are struggling
get Ameobi, Piks and Noone switching behind a striker like Doyle or Jones in a 4-2-3-1
sort it out Russ and get rid of this 4/4/2 or 4/4/1/1 mun ffs

Cant wait i love Mason.

I would like to see mason given a go for a season and i'd expect him to do well. If hes not getting a chance we might aswell sell him now

Mason will be lucky to get into double figures this season.

We need a target man like Jones. Mason has no presence and feeds off scraps. We will be struggling if this happens.

Mason will be lucky to get into double figures this season.

We need a target man like Jones. Mason has no presence and feeds off scraps. We will be struggling if this happens.

Mason is a natural finisher, always has been. While I agree he has no presence he will definitely not struggle to hit double figures. Go Jo deserves his chance

Mason will be lucky to get into double figures this season.

We need a target man like Jones. Mason has no presence and feeds off scraps. We will be struggling if this happens.

Mason is a natural finisher, always has been. While I agree he has no presence he will definitely not struggle to hit double figures. Go Jo deserves his chance

He impressed me at FGR (didn't go to Shrewsbury)

I thought that whitts played higher up - movement of noone, fabio, ajayi and Doyle was great.
It was high tempo and slick and Mason was integral.

Not sure about double figures but will be effective definitely

Mason will be lucky to get into double figures this season.

We need a target man like Jones. Mason has no presence and feeds off scraps. We will be struggling if this happens.

Mason is a natural finisher, always has been. While I agree he has no presence he will definitely not struggle to hit double figures. Go Jo deserves his chance

I would not call him a natural finisher based on his goals/ games ration. He could not hold a place here or at Bolton last season so unless he has improved dramatically I cannot see us progressing with everything based around him.

It's not definite about him being main man just that he's put himself in contention! nothing unusual about that for pre season talk.

Mason can do the job

I don't see it.
Those rumoured bids of 1m fantasy imo.

Does slade have a front two? Do type seems a pointless signing if he is going with mason. Especially as doyle was already behind revell, Macheda, Jones and guerra and let fondre are about someone where.
A total mess

Mason will be lucky to get into double figures this season.

We need a target man like Jones. Mason has no presence and feeds off scraps. We will be struggling if this happens.

Mason is a natural finisher, always has been. While I agree he has no presence he will definitely not struggle to hit double figures. Go Jo deserves his chance

I would not call him a natural finisher based on his goals/ games ration. He could not hold a place here or at Bolton last season so unless he has improved dramatically I cannot see us progressing with everything based around him.

He is a good finisher & very composed in front of goal.
According to our esteemed manager, Mason has improved & 'gone up a notch' I think he will look at playing him just behind a main striker of Jones first & then Doyle.
I've always liked Mason but he's always seemed to be lacking something. Hopefully he has stepped up & he deserves a run in the starting 11.

Slades problem then is his midfield especially if he's sticking with a 4.
Ameobi virtually has to start & Pilkington has to start due to his pre-season form so that just leaves 2 in the middle! Slades also hinted at Whitts playing a more forward role so could he at last be looking at a 5 in midfield??

I think Mason as a no.10 in a dual strikeforce with Doyle could be very effective as a starting 2 provided they get decent service from the midfield. If Kenwynne stays he is another great option as a supersub

Desperate or what? This is basically saying 'we won't spend on another striker' and fans are lapping it up. No wonder tan thinks all the fans are mugs.

Desperate or what? This is basically saying 'we won't spend on another striker' and fans are lapping it up. No wonder tan thinks all the fans are mugs.

Unfortunately this doesn't seem far off tbh...and if we're pinning play off/promotion hopes on mason and Doyle then we'll be floating around mid table again.

Mason will be lucky to get into double figures this season.

We need a target man like Jones. Mason has no presence and feeds off scraps. We will be struggling if this happens.

Mason is a natural finisher, always has been. While I agree he has no presence he will definitely not struggle to hit double figures. Go Jo deserves his chance

I would not call him a natural finisher based on his goals/ games ration. He could not hold a place here or at Bolton last season so unless he has improved dramatically I cannot see us progressing with everything based around him.

He is a good finisher & very composed in front of goal.
According to our esteemed manager, Mason has improved & 'gone up a notch' I think he will look at playing him just behind a main striker of Jones first & then Doyle.
I've always liked Mason but he's always seemed to be lacking something. Hopefully he has stepped up & he deserves a run in the starting 11.

Slades problem then is his midfield especially if he's sticking with a 4.
Ameobi virtually has to start & Pilkington has to start due to his pre-season form so that just leaves 2 in the middle! Slades also hinted at Whitts playing a more forward role so could he at last be looking at a 5 in midfield??