‘ Striker's sizzling form continues ‘

‘ Striker's sizzling form continues ‘

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, Chanka Zimba looked like a first-team striker in waiting against Millwall on Monday afternoon.


Released by Blackburn Rovers last year, 19 year old Zimba has just got better and better for Cardiff


He was lively, strong and smart in his forward play and was a constant thorn in the side of the Millwall defence.

The variety in his play was particularly eye-catching. Zimba was strong and powerful in the air and tenacious in closing down the Lions defenders when on the ball.

But it is in attack where he flourishes. His first-half goal was marksman-like.

Kieron Evans slid through an inch-perfect pass through the defence and Zimba, without hesitation, lashed a low, left-footed shot into the bottom corner. It was confident, assured, everything you would expect, really, from a young man who netted his fifth goal in his last four outings.

Minutes later he was in poacher mode, turning home after Eli King headed smartly to the back post, only to be adjudged offside by the official on the far side.

And he looked a shoo-in for his second when Isaak Davies did brilliantly to chase down a Millwall defender, only for the young Bluebirds forward to choose the wrong option of pulling the ball back to Keenan Patten instead of squaring a pass across the box to the wide-open Zimba.

But fortunately for Davies, Zimba's decision-making was far better than his for the second Cardiff goal.

Zimba showed great awareness during City's breakaway chance to slot the ball through for Davies and the young Welshman did not need a second invitation to slot home the second of the match.



Mick McCarthy yesterday went and watched Zimba for the second time in a week.

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Lets put him in the squad vs West Brom

Harris or Collins havent exactly been on form so lets mix it up

I'm sure Tan would love it if another u23 came onto the pitch anyway

Lets put him in the squad vs West Brom

Harris or Collins havent exactly been on form so lets mix it up

I'm sure Tan would love it if another u23 came onto the pitch anyway

I would def put Zimba in our first team squad , he is 19 yrs old perfect.

James Collins a total waste of time, Mark Harris nearly 23 yrs old and still not done it.

Deserves a chance we really need to think about changing things this week drastically

If anyone deserves a chance it’s this guy.

I am lucky that I get to watch all the U23 games live online.

In fact when there is an u23 game I even move appointments around so I can head to the treadmill and watch the games when I am running.

So much more enjoyable than the first team.

The thing about Zimba is not only his great goalscoring run, but is work rate and assists. A lovely assist yesterday.

He has a bit of everything.

I would certainly have him in the first team squad. But then he would need some better delivery and balls to run onto... so if in the team can only be in there when Giles is playing.

Lets put him in the squad vs West Brom

Harris or Collins havent exactly been on form so lets mix it up

I'm sure Tan would love it if another u23 came onto the pitch anyway

I would def put Zimba in our first team squad , he is 19 yrs old perfect.

James Collins a total waste of time, Mark Harris nearly 23 yrs old and still not done it.

He's certainly worth a shot. It won't be tonight after playing a full game yesterday but why not for Saturday ?

I thought Collins was very good when he came on in the Bournemouth game but I don't think he's anything more than backup.

I'll reserve judgement on Harris. Prior to this season I just couldn't see him making it but in his games this season, for us and Wales, he's certainly improving so maybe a late developer. Certainly needs to make it this season if it's going to happen as he's already 23.

So yes, give Zimba a shot, even if it's a bit early at least we'll then know that he's not quite ready. I'd be very surprised if he doesn't make it in the near future based on what I've seen.

We have got nothing to lose really as our current strikers are failing. We could really do with his pace up top. Could do a job playing off Moore.

Until we can pass it better we are never going to see the best of any of the youngsters coming through.

Lets put him in the squad vs West Brom

Harris or Collins havent exactly been on form so lets mix it up

I'm sure Tan would love it if another u23 came onto the pitch anyway

I would def put Zimba in our first team squad , he is 19 yrs old perfect.

James Collins a total waste of time, Mark Harris nearly 23 yrs old and still not done it.

He's certainly worth a shot. It won't be tonight after playing a full game yesterday but why not for Saturday ?

I thought Collins was very good when he came on in the Bournemouth game but I don't think he's anything more than backup.

I'll reserve judgement on Harris. Prior to this season I just couldn't see him making it but in his games this season, for us and Wales, he's certainly improving so maybe a late developer. Certainly needs to make it this season if it's going to happen as he's already 23.

So yes, give Zimba a shot, even if it's a bit early at least we'll then know that he's not quite ready. I'd be very surprised if he doesn't make it in the near future based on what I've seen.

Yes Saturday v Reading would be perfect for Zimba to come on as a sub

As to Collins I still believe lower league and past his sell by date. Last season the majority of his goals were pens.
Luton fans feel they had the best out of him.

Hsrris it’s make or break for him with City this season in my opinion. He should of done it by now.

Sounds like he's a real prospect, but I really hate it when some people have a go at our current strikers when the team is creating so little. We need changes that will create more chances for our strikers with crosses and decent passes.

Zimba sounds like a decent striker in the making, but not necessarily a magician.

will he have an impact playing up front on his own with one winger supporting him ? Balls being aimlessly lumped into the box? Bringing him in now would smash his confidence.

Sounds like he's a real prospect, but I really hate it when some people have a go at our current strikers when the team is creating so little. We need changes that will create more chances for our strikers with crosses and decent passes.

Zimba sounds like a decent striker in the making, but not necessarily a magician.

Agreed. Our issues are really not at centre forward. Feel for the kids who have played progressive football for ten years through the ranks and then are asked to play the shite we play for the first team. It's lunacy.

Sounds like he's a real prospect, but I really hate it when some people have a go at our current strikers when the team is creating so little. We need changes that will create more chances for our strikers with crosses and decent passes.

Zimba sounds like a decent striker in the making, but not necessarily a magician.

Agreed. Our issues are really not at centre forward. Feel for the kids who have played progressive football for ten years through the ranks and then are asked to play the shite we play for the first team. It's lunacy.

Agree with everything from both. The problem is not with our strikers (even if collins is a donkey). They are feeding on less than scraps.

Bringing Zimba in now under MM could be a disaster for the lad.

Let’s include him Saturday, but we will have to play some football as well

Sounds like he's a real prospect, but I really hate it when some people have a go at our current strikers when the team is creating so little. We need changes that will create more chances for our strikers with crosses and decent passes.

Zimba sounds like a decent striker in the making, but not necessarily a magician.

Agreed. Our issues are really not at centre forward. Feel for the kids who have played progressive football for ten years through the ranks and then are asked to play the shite we play for the first team. It's lunacy.

Agree with everything from both. The problem is not with our strikers (even if collins is a donkey). They are feeding on less than scraps.

Bringing Zimba in now under MM could be a disaster for the lad.

Dont get this knocking of Collins not one person on this forum would do any better if they were messi and Ronaldo combined given the fact that we play with our backs to opposition goal and need to be 7ft tall to even get the ball in 1st place.. .. we need to play 442 with strikers playing in tandem not 10 man defence and 1 man versus 3 defenders upfront... we are only team I've seen this season play 11 defenders at corners no wonder we dont score in 1st half as we spend it inside own half until ball is booted upfield after 2 mins of passing between defence midfield
and goalkeeper ... it's not even predictable it's simply uncoesive playing tactics with no defined purpose.