" JOE MASON AND MALKY SPEAK ABOUT EARNIE "

Joe Mason expresses sympathy for out of favour Rob Earnshaw

Joe Mason says he has sympathy for Rob Earnshaw as the striker continues to struggle for a place at Cardiff City.
Earnshaw has not featured in the Championship since October as Mason, Kenny Miller and Rudy Gestede have been the favoured attacking options.
"He's a top bloke and he helps me out in training every day," said Mason.
"I feel bad for him because he's a very good player. I look up to him. He's a top finisher and I can still go and ask him for advice any time I want."
Earnshaw failed to make the substitutes bench for Saturday's match at Bristol City, having also been omitted from the squad for the two previous Championship games.
The 30-year-old started the season as Miller's regular strike partner after rejoining the club on a free transfer in the summer, scoring three goals in his first six games, but the Wales striker has not started in the league since the 4-3 defeat at Peterborough in October.



"My squad was my squad and I picked who I wanted to pick," said manager Malky Mackay when asked about Earnshaw's continued absence.



"I wouldn't expect any player who's not in the 16 to be happy. It's a squad thing and it's about a group of players together. Some are called upon, some aren't called upon but you've got to make sure you're fit, ready and available.
"But it's not about an individual. To make a story or anything like that at the moment is ridiculous."
Mason justified his starting place against Bristol City as he played a crucial role in helping Cardiff win for the first time in four games.
Two attempted crosses resulted in goals, with the second arriving two minutes from time after the home side had twice gone close to grabbing a late winner of their own.
"Both of them were probably own goals but it's still nice to get the assists," said the 20-year-old, who scored his ninth goal in the midweek draw at Brighton.
"The main thing is we got three points. I did claim the goals - I'm a striker so naturally I am going to claim them but I think they were own goals."
Mason has now made 33 appearances in his debut season with Cardiff since a £250,000 summer move from Plymouth Argyle.
He admits to be surprised by how often he has played, but adding he has much to learn from experienced international such as Earnshaw and Miller.
"It's a big step up to what I was used to last season [in League One]," he said.
Mason's form, and his goal in the Carling Cup defeat to Liverpool in particular, has led Robbie Keane to suggest he is ready to break into the Republic of Ireland squad.
"That's not really something I've thought about," said Mason, and Under-21 Republic of Ireland international. "I'm more focused on doing well for Cardiff and what happens will happen I suppose."

Should at least be on bench

Should at least be on bench

Instead of who now we can only name 5 subs, if we could name the 7 Im sure he'd be on the bench.

Well he's got a chance of grabbing a goal then the options on the bench

Well he's got a chance of grabbing a goal then the options on the bench

agreed but would you sacrifce any of our bench for him

Kiss

Kiss

No chance, Kiss is the perfect replacement when we want to hold onto a lead.

Fact is, Earnie can't replace anyone at the moment

Kiss

No chance, Kiss is the perfect replacement when we want to hold onto a lead.

Fact is, Earnie can't replace anyone at the moment

Thats opinion not fact

Kiss

No chance, Kiss is the perfect replacement when we want to hold onto a lead.

Fact is, Earnie can't replace anyone at the moment

Thats opinion not fact

Your f*cking nuts mun

Kiss

No chance, Kiss is the perfect replacement when we want to hold onto a lead.

Fact is, Earnie can't replace anyone at the moment

Thats opinion not fact

Your f*cking nuts mun

True though innit.

If he prefers Kiss fine thats his opinion but its not fact.

Personally would rather have game changers.

The brutal fact of the matter is that Earnshaw has never remotely had the ability to play as a target man in a 451 system. Furthermore Kenny holds the ball up far better than Earnshaw can wherever it comes to him. Again Mason's performances this season have been really good and I'm sure no-one is saying he should be replaced. With only 5 subs available and 2 smallish players in the starting line up Rudy or 'Harry' Vukic must be on the bench to offer an alternative up front.

StT.

The brutal fact of the matter is that Earnshaw has never remotely had the ability to play as a target man in a 451 system. Furthermore Kenny holds the ball up far better than Earnshaw can wherever it comes to him. Again Mason's performances this season have been really good and I'm sure no-one is saying he should be replaced. With only 5 subs available and 2 smallish players in the starting line up Rudy or 'Harry' Vukic must be on the bench to offer an alternative up front.

StT.

So we cant have a plan b then? If earnie is required off the bench then 451 obviously isnt working so put him on and change it up. He might not be able to hold the ball up but hes the best finisher at the club

Should at least be on bench

Instead of who now we can only name 5 subs, if we could name the 7 Im sure he'd be on the bench.

Heaton, never use him so waste of a bench space. Take the gamble!

Should at least be on bench

Instead of who now we can only name 5 subs, if we could name the 7 Im sure he'd be on the bench.

Heaton, never use him so waste of a bench space. Take the gamble!

You'd be happy to drop Heaton the guy that almost won us the cup, anyway City fans would be up in arms if anything happened to Marshall and no keeper on the subs bench.

He's been dropped anyway lol.
Unless Marshall has a slight injury concern before the game I wouldn't stick a keeper on the bench. Goals win you games and earnie gets em as his record proves.

Malky's got his reasons , this debate is getting boring !

He's been dropped anyway lol.
Unless Marshall has a slight injury concern before the game I wouldn't stick a keeper on the bench. Goals win you games and earnie gets em as his record proves.

He's not been dropped from the squad though, dont get me wrong Id love to see Earnie on the bench but the fact is that we can only name 5 now is that now Rudy is out Malkys signing of Vudic get get the nod before him, Earnies past record counts for nothing. He had his chance to prove himself at the beginning of the season when MM played him with Miller is a simple 4-4-2 and he couldnt hack it then. He really needs to prove himself in training and get to full fitness and not the fitness he thinks is required.

Can anyone who's actually calling for Earnie to be picked honestly claim that his fitness levels are what is required in this City team

I think he looks like he's carrying half a stone and for a player that solely depends on sharpness in and around the box that has to be a factor in Malky's thinking.

Malky has often talked about how he looks at players in training and assesses their levels.