' CARDIFF CITY STRIKERS? '

' CARDIFF CITY STRIKERS? '


Warnock teased us all in the build-up to the clash with his former club Leeds by suggesting that Madine could well play up front alongside Kenneth Zohore as opposed to starting in place of the Danish forward.


In the end, the man signed from Bolton led the line while Zohore was left on the bench, only to replace the Bluebirds' new striker midway through the second half.

It was certainly more of a solid rather than a spectacular debut for Madine at Elland Road, and the damage had already been done by the time Zohore was introduced in the 72nd minute.

And it will be very interesting to see how the pair perform as a partnership if given the chance.


It's already known that Danny Ward will miss the rest of the season while Omar Bogle will spend the remainder of the campaign on loan at Peterborough United.

So it looks like being a straight shootout between Madine and Zohore for the lone striker role if Warnock opts against deploying two up top.


But given the stunning reintroduction of Anthony Pilkington along with Rhys Healey's return from injury, there will certainly be pressure on Madine and Zohore to deliver the goods in the final months of the campaign.

And then there's new signing Jamie Ward to consider too.

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yeah dont think we will be seeing two up top, not from the start of matches anyway

He got it right and while I fancied having a look at both up top, in my opinion zohore needed dropping. I can forgive most things but that lads head isn't right. I said it before and I will say it again, he is not showing any hunger desire or passion ( that doesn't mean running about like a headless chicken ) he's powder puff, I think he had his head turned or got caught up in his purple patch. The Madine arrival will either see zohore step up to it or sulk. The reason I get so frustrated is because he's a big lump with a talent and he's shown us what he's like, but he's like a gentle giant and without that competitive edge or streak he will never be a top player. Rant over.

He got it right and while I fancied having a look at both up top, in my opinion zohore needed dropping. I can forgive most things but that lads head isn't right. I said it before and I will say it again, he is not showing any hunger desire or passion ( that doesn't mean running about like a headless chicken ) he's powder puff, I think he had his head turned or got caught up in his purple patch. The Madine arrival will either see zohore step up to it or sulk. The reason I get so frustrated is because he's a big lump with a talent and he's shown us what he's like, but he's like a gentle giant and without that competitive edge or streak he will never be a top player. Rant over.

Been a big defender of Zohore but I have to agree with everything said here

He got it right and while I fancied having a look at both up top, in my opinion zohore needed dropping. I can forgive most things but that lads head isn't right. I said it before and I will say it again, he is not showing any hunger desire or passion ( that doesn't mean running about like a headless chicken ) he's powder puff, I think he had his head turned or got caught up in his purple patch. The Madine arrival will either see zohore step up to it or sulk. The reason I get so frustrated is because he's a big lump with a talent and he's shown us what he's like, but he's like a gentle giant and without that competitive edge or streak he will never be a top player. Rant over.

Spot on. It's sink or swim time for Zahore.

We know he's got the ability, the key now is has he got the attitude and desire to fight for his place. Time will tell but for his and our sakes I hope he gets it back and starts performing again.

He got it right and while I fancied having a look at both up top, in my opinion zohore needed dropping. I can forgive most things but that lads head isn't right. I said it before and I will say it again, he is not showing any hunger desire or passion ( that doesn't mean running about like a headless chicken ) he's powder puff, I think he had his head turned or got caught up in his purple patch. The Madine arrival will either see zohore step up to it or sulk. The reason I get so frustrated is because he's a big lump with a talent and he's shown us what he's like, but he's like a gentle giant and without that competitive edge or streak he will never be a top player. Rant over.

Been a big defender of Zohore but I have to agree with everything said here

You have indeed and am not one to criticise players, unless it's pat heard. Am just waiting for that Bite, and it's not coming. It could well still happen but the only time we saw that was when his career as a footballer was threatened. Since then it's comfort zone, Warnock won't have that which is why he was on the bench Saturday. It's all in his head because when he wants it he's unplayable. Look at pilkington as an example, he's kept at it for himself fit and looks far more likely to score than zahore which he has done. I don't even think Madine needs to be prolific, but he will offer far more than zohore is at the moment just by holding it and bringing others in to play.

Stringfellow is 100% spot on with his analysis of Zohore. The majority heavily criticised me when I did a post about his pathetic attitude in the Preston home game, but I was happy with his performance at Sheffield Wednesday and I hoped his hunger would come back. That hasn’t happened though and as Stringfellow says, he needed to be dropped. It’s up to Zohore how he responds now.

It don't seem the Warnock way to play two up front,sadly,but a lone striker for me now has to be Madine,Zohore's had his chance to prove himself and at this stage of the season you can't afford to keep on saying he might come good again.

Stringfellow is 100% spot on with his analysis of Zohore. The majority heavily criticised me when I did a post about his pathetic attitude in the Preston home game, but I was happy with his performance at Sheffield Wednesday and I hoped his hunger would come back. That hasn’t happened though and as Stringfellow says, he needed to be dropped. It’s up to Zohore how he responds now.

You did indeed have a bashing, maybe a bit early with your post but you could clearly see what was going on and since then others have also realised this. I guess a lot of people didn't want to accept that one day we had a powerhouse unplayable at times, with a thumping left foot and at a good age and valued around 20m was a different player.

If you think about it, and most share the opinion that they had never seen such a drastic change in a player ever. He was a waste of time, then suddenly he was incredible and it wasn't just a purple patch scoring wise the guy was causing havoc and while the goals didn't flow at the start of season he was decent. I watched him at wolves and they couldn't handle him, he was unlucky not to score that day. Since then he's gradually gone back to the old zohore, not quite back to where he was at but if he carries on he will be. The lad clearly has something, his goal Boxing Day was no fluke. Yeah he needs confidence but if a 30 yard goal doesn't give it to you then what will? Would love nothing more than him to snap out of it.

It don't seem the Warnock way to play two up front,sadly,but a lone striker for me now has to be Madine,Zohore's had his chance to prove himself and at this stage of the season you can't afford to keep on saying he might come good again.

Yep he will now have to wait for his chance, and when he gets it he needs to take it.

At least got several options upfront if we are losing? That's if NW decides to put on subs before 80th minute?

Can see Madine featuring more than zohore now. Madine is much better suited to our style of play as he’s a lot stronger in the air. Would love to see them both up top together though! But Can’t see it with Warnocks more defensive set up.

I think Zohore is one of those players that needs to be 98% ~ 100% fit and confident to be at his best. I know that sounds obvious, but some players that don't rely on such physical attributes can get away with it. Gunnars always played injured. He does still look a little heavy but he may have been in the gym for the last three months.

NML and Zohore rely on that gazelle like speed and if they are not in zone they become average (at best). I remember the first time i saw giggs live early Wales, days when we were mixing it at the lower levels and was surprised how little he was involved in the game after a top end sprint. I think we expect too much running from him. How many miles did Madine put in saturday.

Another theory is the ground.....I am ready for the mocking here. But in horse racing you get world class horses that flies on good to firm, throw a little juice into the ground and they lose that edge over the competition. Does he need firmer pitches or sun on his back.

I still think he can be a top player, that miss won't do anything for his confidence though

Can see Madine featuring more than zohore now. Madine is much better suited to our style of play as he’s a lot stronger in the air. Would love to see them both up top together though! But Can’t see it with Warnocks more defensive set up.

I agree, his strength is channels or in to his chest but sometimes tendency to whack it when you have a big guy, just one problem is that he can't head the ball. Madine will bring more players in to the game.

I think Zohore is one of those players that needs to be 98% ~ 100% fit and confident to be at his best. I know that sounds obvious, but some players that don't rely on such physical attributes can get away with it. Gunnars always played injured. He does still look a little heavy but he may have been in the gym for the last three months.

NML and Zohore rely on that gazelle like speed and if they are not in zone they become average (at best). I remember the first time i saw giggs live early Wales, days when we were mixing it at the lower levels and was surprised how little he was involved in the game after a top end sprint. I think we expect too much running from him. How many miles did Madine put in saturday.

Another theory is the ground.....I am ready for the mocking here. But in horse racing you get world class horses that flies on good to firm, throw a little juice into the ground and they lose that edge over the competition. Does he need firmer pitches or sun on his back.

I still think he can be a top player, that miss won't do anything for his confidence though

It's good to have a different opinion or it would be a bit of a non debate, a lot of truth in what you say my only argument was when he came off the bench against wolves last season he was over weight with hardly any game time. He was immense and improved week after week, and its not the running about which bothers me. It's that edge, the balls of you like it's just doesn't seeem to be in him.

I think Zohore is one of those players that needs to be 98% ~ 100% fit and confident to be at his best. I know that sounds obvious, but some players that don't rely on such physical attributes can get away with it. Gunnars always played injured. He does still look a little heavy but he may have been in the gym for the last three months.

NML and Zohore rely on that gazelle like speed and if they are not in zone they become average (at best). I remember the first time i saw giggs live early Wales, days when we were mixing it at the lower levels and was surprised how little he was involved in the game after a top end sprint. I think we expect too much running from him. How many miles did Madine put in saturday.

Another theory is the ground.....I am ready for the mocking here. But in horse racing you get world class horses that flies on good to firm, throw a little juice into the ground and they lose that edge over the competition. Does he need firmer pitches or sun on his back.

I still think he can be a top player, that miss won't do anything for his confidence though

If the ground is the reason for his performances we have a bit of a problem. This is Britain after all, and football is a Winter sport. Not sure what the pitches were like in Denmark, but they did'nt suit him any better as far as goal scoring was concerned. I just don't share everyone else's enthusiasm and I don't believe he will score a bucket full of goals whatever surface he plays on. A decent player but a poor scoring record.

I think Zohore is one of those players that needs to be 98% ~ 100% fit and confident to be at his best. I know that sounds obvious, but some players that don't rely on such physical attributes can get away with it. Gunnars always played injured. He does still look a little heavy but he may have been in the gym for the last three months.

NML and Zohore rely on that gazelle like speed and if they are not in zone they become average (at best). I remember the first time i saw giggs live early Wales, days when we were mixing it at the lower levels and was surprised how little he was involved in the game after a top end sprint. I think we expect too much running from him. How many miles did Madine put in saturday.

Another theory is the ground.....I am ready for the mocking here. But in horse racing you get world class horses that flies on good to firm, throw a little juice into the ground and they lose that edge over the competition. Does he need firmer pitches or sun on his back.

I still think he can be a top player, that miss won't do anything for his confidence though

If the ground is the reason for his performances we have a bit of a problem. This is Britain after all, and football is a Winter sport. Not sure what the pitches were like in Denmark, but they did'nt suit him any better as far as goal scoring was concerned. I just don't share everyone else's enthusiasm and I don't believe he will score a bucket full of goals whatever surface he plays on. A decent player but a poor scoring record.

Steve you have always said this, but I don't think there is a lot of enthusiasm from people any longer. Without doubt we are all just hoping that history repeats itself. He carried us last season at times. It's just a really unusual situation, garbage, fantastic then mediocre at best all in a year.

Madine is a proper Warnock centre forward he made a massive diffrence with holding the ball up and the 2nd goal wouldn't have happened if it wasn't for him I can see him making an effect in getting us to hopefully an Automatic spot but play offs which I think with Warnock's experience we will finally get over that final hurdle.

I’ve seen a few people say we wouldn’t have scored the second if it wasn’t for Madine

It sailed right over his head didn’t it?

I’ve seen a few people say we wouldn’t have scored the second if it wasn’t for Madine

It sailed right over his head didn’t it?

He bullied the defender and made space for Patterson so yeah he did play a part in it.

I think Zohore is one of those players that needs to be 98% ~ 100% fit and confident to be at his best. I know that sounds obvious, but some players that don't rely on such physical attributes can get away with it. Gunnars always played injured. He does still look a little heavy but he may have been in the gym for the last three months.

NML and Zohore rely on that gazelle like speed and if they are not in zone they become average (at best). I remember the first time i saw giggs live early Wales, days when we were mixing it at the lower levels and was surprised how little he was involved in the game after a top end sprint. I think we expect too much running from him. How many miles did Madine put in saturday.

Another theory is the ground.....I am ready for the mocking here. But in horse racing you get world class horses that flies on good to firm, throw a little juice into the ground and they lose that edge over the competition. Does he need firmer pitches or sun on his back.

I still think he can be a top player, that miss won't do anything for his confidence though

If the ground is the reason for his performances we have a bit of a problem. This is Britain after all, and football is a Winter sport. Not sure what the pitches were like in Denmark, but they did'nt suit him any better as far as goal scoring was concerned. I just don't share everyone else's enthusiasm and I don't believe he will score a bucket full of goals whatever surface he plays on. A decent player but a poor scoring record.

Steve you have always said this, but I don't think there is a lot of enthusiasm from people any longer. Without doubt we are all just hoping that history repeats itself. He carried us last season at times. It's just a really unusual situation, garbage, fantastic then mediocre at best all in a year.

I think you have described him perfectly. Like I said, I do not think he will ever be a prolific scorer, but to be fair, I think he is better than the player we have seen recently. I am sure we will see a few goals from him over the next couple of months, and they will probably all be contenders for goal of the season. Unlikely that many of them will come from close range, and even more unlikely that many will come from his head. I don't think he is a bad player, but I was stunned to see valuations of £15m to £20m back in the Summer. I would have said around £5m for an unproven striker at this level, £7m max.