' THE BIG MAN IS BACK '
By Nathan Blake
Wednesday 14th December 2016
The biggest bonus from the night for me, other than the win of course, was the performance of Kenneth Zohore when he helped turn the game on its head as a second-half substitute.
For me, his excellent display almost came from nowhere... yet that said, I've always felt he has the attributes needed to be a very good Championship player. He just needs to do it.
Actually, Zohore reminds me in some ways of a Championship version of Salomon Rondon, who joined West Brom for a record £12m transfer from Russian football.
The two men are physically strong, hold up the ball well, can run in behind defenders, win free kicks, are an aerial threat at set-pieces.
The criticism of Rondon is that he doesn't score enough goals, 10 or 12 a season, 15 at most. But the other stuff he does in general play makes him a pivotal member of Tony Pulis' team.
Zohore needs to become that with Cardiff because he's certainly got the physical frame and ability to be highly effective at this level.
The problem with him, as I see it, is one of confidence. He needs a run of games not only to get match sharp, but more to have belief he really can contribute to this team.
Look at Junior Hoilett. he has enormous talent, but it took him six or seven games before we began seeing him at his best.
Strikers are judged on goals and Zohore will never be that prolific. But provided he keeps doing those other things for the team, as Pulis feels Rondon does with West Brom, then he will get the nod from Warnock.
If Zohore can carry on like this, it'll be a real bonus and one Warnock wasn't anticipating.
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