He says he has been studying the best strikers in the Prem
Mon Feb 29, 2016 8:24 am
How Anthony Pilkington's study of Premier League strikers could fire Cardiff City into the play-offs
Pilkington says he has been studying the best strikers in the Premier League .
MONDAY 29 FEB 2016
BY SIMON GASKELL
Pilkington revealed after the win over North End that he had taken inspiration from the top forward operators at the very highest level
Cardiff City goal hero Anthony Pilkington says he has been studying the best strikers in the Premier League as he looks to fire the Bluebirds into the play-offs.
Boss Russell Slade has deployed Pilkington as a striker following the January departures of Tony Watt, Joe Mason and Kenwyne Jones and the 27-year-old has responded with five goals in his last seven Championship outings.
His latest - the two spot kicks that earned victory over Preston - have put Cardiff back on the edge of the play-off picture three points behind Sheffield Wednesday in sixth.
Anthony Pilkington goal streak
5
Goals
7
Games
Pilkington revealed after the win over North End that he had taken inspiration from the top forward operators at the very highest level as he adapts to his new role as the fulcrum of the Bluebirds’ attack.
Read more: Russell Slade tells fans 'I believe' as he urges them to return and support team's play-off push
He said: “I find myself watching the Premier League and looking how the strikers move and trying to pick little bits up off them boys.
“Whenever there is a game on, I try to watch the strikers because I am learning a new position.
“I have played on the wing for most of my career. But like anything in life you have to learn different roles.
“I played for my Dad’s team a long time ago. I used to play upfront when I was young and in non leauge too. I am trying how to remember how to do it.”
Pilkington now has eight goals this season but Slade has said he hopes the former Huddersfield and Norwich man can go well into double figures by the end of the campaign.
The Bluebirds travel to Ashton Gate on Saturday for the Severnside derby and Pilkington says he will be more than happy to lead the line again.
“I am always happy to go out there and pull a shirt on,” he said.
“That’s all I ever wanted to do as a kid, so whatever that is, centre forward, centre half, right back, left back, it doesn’t matter. I am always going to work hard for the team.
“It’s a different game playing up front to playing on the wing. You’ve got to try and be a lot more aggressive and make different kind of runs.
“But I am enjoying it and learning every day.”
The Bluebirds have stayed in the play-off hunt despite only stringing a run of consecutive wins together once this season.
Pilkington says he believes the fight for the top six will go down to the last day and is now urging the Bluebirds to seize the chance for a shot at the Premier League.
View from the Press Box: 13 proves to be Cardiff City's lucky number after hard fought win over Preston
He added: “I think there are a couple of places up for grabs in the play offs when you look at the results today and last night.
“Its going to go right to the wire and hopefully we can pick up enough points between now and the end of the season to get in there.”
Pilkington says he has been studying the best strikers in the Premier League .
MONDAY 29 FEB 2016
BY SIMON GASKELL
Pilkington revealed after the win over North End that he had taken inspiration from the top forward operators at the very highest level
Cardiff City goal hero Anthony Pilkington says he has been studying the best strikers in the Premier League as he looks to fire the Bluebirds into the play-offs.
Boss Russell Slade has deployed Pilkington as a striker following the January departures of Tony Watt, Joe Mason and Kenwyne Jones and the 27-year-old has responded with five goals in his last seven Championship outings.
His latest - the two spot kicks that earned victory over Preston - have put Cardiff back on the edge of the play-off picture three points behind Sheffield Wednesday in sixth.
Anthony Pilkington goal streak
5
Goals
7
Games
Pilkington revealed after the win over North End that he had taken inspiration from the top forward operators at the very highest level as he adapts to his new role as the fulcrum of the Bluebirds’ attack.
Read more: Russell Slade tells fans 'I believe' as he urges them to return and support team's play-off push
He said: “I find myself watching the Premier League and looking how the strikers move and trying to pick little bits up off them boys.
“Whenever there is a game on, I try to watch the strikers because I am learning a new position.
“I have played on the wing for most of my career. But like anything in life you have to learn different roles.
“I played for my Dad’s team a long time ago. I used to play upfront when I was young and in non leauge too. I am trying how to remember how to do it.”
Pilkington now has eight goals this season but Slade has said he hopes the former Huddersfield and Norwich man can go well into double figures by the end of the campaign.
The Bluebirds travel to Ashton Gate on Saturday for the Severnside derby and Pilkington says he will be more than happy to lead the line again.
“I am always happy to go out there and pull a shirt on,” he said.
“That’s all I ever wanted to do as a kid, so whatever that is, centre forward, centre half, right back, left back, it doesn’t matter. I am always going to work hard for the team.
“It’s a different game playing up front to playing on the wing. You’ve got to try and be a lot more aggressive and make different kind of runs.
“But I am enjoying it and learning every day.”
The Bluebirds have stayed in the play-off hunt despite only stringing a run of consecutive wins together once this season.
Pilkington says he believes the fight for the top six will go down to the last day and is now urging the Bluebirds to seize the chance for a shot at the Premier League.
View from the Press Box: 13 proves to be Cardiff City's lucky number after hard fought win over Preston
He added: “I think there are a couple of places up for grabs in the play offs when you look at the results today and last night.
“Its going to go right to the wire and hopefully we can pick up enough points between now and the end of the season to get in there.”
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Re: He says he has been studying the best strikers in the Pr
Mon Feb 29, 2016 9:28 am
Even when factoring in his positional inexperience he looks a better striker than our previous strikers looked. I think Al jezeera or whoever Kenwynne is playing for would have a better option from pilks had they gone for him.
He works hard, has a powerful shot and takes people on. All the things we complained Mason DIDNT do.
I personally am more than happy with him up front.
Incidentally one thing that we seem to be doing now which we did not do before is actually take opposition players on. We were trying to pass around so much before usually to no avail. Now all of a sudden we have immers, lawrence and pilks in a more threatening area aggressively taking defenders on and making things difficult for them. I know noone has a go but he usually does it in wide areas with little support or end product. We are doing things more centrally at the moment and long may it continue.
He works hard, has a powerful shot and takes people on. All the things we complained Mason DIDNT do.
I personally am more than happy with him up front.
Incidentally one thing that we seem to be doing now which we did not do before is actually take opposition players on. We were trying to pass around so much before usually to no avail. Now all of a sudden we have immers, lawrence and pilks in a more threatening area aggressively taking defenders on and making things difficult for them. I know noone has a go but he usually does it in wide areas with little support or end product. We are doing things more centrally at the moment and long may it continue.
Re: He says he has been studying the best strikers in the Pr
Mon Feb 29, 2016 10:20 am
Can't wait to see him when he's learned how to play up front! Doing a brilliant job at present 
Re: He says he has been studying the best strikers in the Pr
Mon Feb 29, 2016 5:01 pm
welshrarebit wrote:Even when factoring in his positional inexperience he looks a better striker than our previous strikers looked. I think Al jezeera or whoever Kenwynne is playing for would have a better option from pilks had they gone for him.
He works hard, has a powerful shot and takes people on. All the things we complained Mason DIDNT do.
I personally am more than happy with him up front.
Incidentally one thing that we seem to be doing now which we did not do before is actually take opposition players on. We were trying to pass around so much before usually to no avail. Now all of a sudden we have immers, lawrence and pilks in a more threatening area aggressively taking defenders on and making things difficult for them. I know noone has a go but he usually does it in wide areas with little support or end product. We are doing things more centrally at the moment and long may it continue.
Good post
Re: He says he has been studying the best strikers in the Pr
Mon Feb 29, 2016 5:59 pm
Top man shows passion and always gives 100%