Why Cardiff City's Robert Glatzel isn't playing and the

Why Cardiff City's Robert Glatzel isn't playing and the transfer chase which must have puzzled him

We-don't-play-to-his-strengths.


By Glen Williams

Monday 17th February 2020

Neil Harris says he does not want Glatzel to leave and he is part of his plans.

How many times have Cardiff City fans had this debate down the years? How many strikers have come in, flattered to deceive and walked back out the door a year or two later?

In terms of transfer strategy, the Bluebirds' hit rate when it comes to strikers has been indifferent at the very best.

So, a penny for Glatzel's thoughts, then, when he is warming the bench, game after game, as the Bluebirds go through their biggest purple patch of the season.

Because it's not as though he has been a failure since his £5.5m move from Heidenheim last summer, not by any stretch.

He has five goals in 22 outings in all competitions. In fact, he has shown just how cool he is in front of goal; his strikes against Leeds United in the league back in December and against Reading in the Cup at the start of this month were proper striker’s goals.

Few others, if any, in this Cardiff City squad could have dispatched those chances with such slick execution.

But, in other instances, he looks too lightweight for this division. He can go large periods without really affecting the game at all.

Cardiff might not play to his strengths, he might be better with the ball at his feet, but that is Championship football. That is what all top strikers in this division have to cope with and you either sink or swim.

It speaks volumes that the most successful striker this season is Callum Paterson, a player who is combative, abrasive and wins those aerial duels. And, lest we forget, he signed as a right-back.

In January, reports emanating from Germany claimed that Bundesliga club Werder Bremen were interested in taking Glatzel on loan until the end of the season, with their main striker Niclas Fullkrug sidelined owing to a nasty ACL injury.

However Neil Harris emphatically rubbished those claims, believing the striker to be a crucial part of the squad moving forward.


NEIL HARRIS:

"I don't want him to leave and there's nothing in those reports," the Bluebirds boss said.

“He is a big part of my plans.”


It was quite the backing from the manager and fans, on the whole, were happy to see the striker was part of Harris' vision.

But Glatzel has been benched for the last four games, with Paterson grabbing his chance with both hands and impressing in recent weeks.

Danny Ward has also been the impact substitution of choice, which is perhaps understandable, but it means, now that Cardiff are out of the FA Cup, Glatzel will likely be thinking where his next appearance is coming from.



And what must he have thought of Cardiff's January bid for Kieffer Moore?

With both Paterson and Ward seemingly ahead of him, were the Bluebirds going to add another obstacle to Glatzel muscling his way into the starting lineup.

Moore is far more of the Paterson ilk than he is the Glatzel mould, too, so does that point to how Harris wants to play moving forward?

No team has scored more goals from set pieces than Cardiff this season (18), with Will Vaulks' long throw-ins becoming a more potent weapon with each passing week.

Are Cardiff expecting Glatzel to be a bruising No.9, roughing up Championship defenders and winning knock-downs for the likes of Lee Tomlin and Josh Murphy? Because that's not his game and that is a surefire way of ensuring he will not be a success in a Cardiff City shirt.

The picture just seems a little muddled at present for the German, especially with the direct, set-piece ploy working so well of late.

And, again it must be stressed, Glatzel has not done badly at all, three goals in his last 11 outings is nothing to be sniffed at.

There is a real player in there and if the Bluebirds are to employ a more progressive style of football, as we are led to believe will be the case going forward, he could genuinely be the man to lead the line for years to come. There are swathes of fans who subscribe to that school of thought and they are well within their rights to do so.

But, it's fair to say, given that less than a year ago he was scoring hat-tricks against Bayern Munich, sitting on the bench at Stoke City this weekend will feel a world away for him.

Poor signing, did not suit warnock ball one bit and doesnt seem to be suiting the current style either. He's just not quite good enough for this level. Or maybe he's taking a while to adjust who knows.

I think Ward or Glatzel will go at the end of this season so that Harris can bring in his own Striker. Which one will depend on how they perform for the rest of the season and which division we are in?

Two thirds of a season in and what are his strengths in relation to championship standards ?

He has seven months to get stronger and tougher for next season, its plausible, but likely ? I don't think so. We are going to need to take a loss on this one.

Waste of money again

He tries hard and has a good first touch but that is about it.

He doesnt even look like scoring most games. Hes missed chance after chance and cost us points all season

not everyone hits the ground running, I dont think he is anywhere near S bad as people would like to make out.

imo Paterson deserves his place but I dont see him as a long term option so other than him Glatzel starts for me ahead of Ward who I think will go in the summer.

Another futile article by a WoL journo. "Not exactly been a failure". Have no interest in their opinion and attach more credence to posts on here by avid fans who are contributing good views for free.

not everyone hits the ground running, I dont think he is anywhere near S bad as people would like to make out.

imo Paterson deserves his place but I dont see him as a long term option so other than him Glatzel starts for me ahead of Ward who I think will go in the summer.

I'm in your camp,people have their opinions,rightly so,but if Harris is to be believed and Glatzel is part of his plans,then he won't be playing "lump it up to him" football,I like the sound of that,ffs he's scored 6 more than the more expensive madine managed,and in a lot less time too!

not everyone hits the ground running, I dont think he is anywhere near S bad as people would like to make out.

imo Paterson deserves his place but I dont see him as a long term option so other than him Glatzel starts for me ahead of Ward who I think will go in the summer.

I'm in your camp,people have their opinions,rightly so,but if Harris is to be believed and Glatzel is part of his plans,then he won't be playing "lump it up to him" football,I like the sound of that,ffs he's scored 6 more than the more expensive madine managed,and in a lot less time too!

Me too, I like him and the more we evolve into the way Harris wants us to play then hopefully the more suited he will become.

Probably the most gifted centre forward we have but our style does not suit him. The ball needs to be played into his feet and not lumped up to him from defence.

Probably the most gifted centre forward we have but our style does not suit him. The ball needs to be played into his feet and not lumped up to him from defence.

I think it would have been better for you to have said the 'most able' centre forward we have... gifted/Glatzel just doesn't sit right.

Probably the most gifted centre forward we have but our style does not suit him. The ball needs to be played into his feet and not lumped up to him from defence.

I think it would have been better for you to have said the 'most able' centre forward we have... gifted/Glatzel just doesn't sit right.

Nah I disagree mate. Paterson is the most able forward. He scores but technically he’s not much cop where as Glatzel is technically better.