' The Forgotten Striker '

Etien Velikonja the forgotten striker within the Cardiff ranks!!

With the injuries sustained to Craig Bellamy and Nicky Maynard as well as Earnshaw being sent on loan, our striking options have been hit. But with goals coming from Helguson and Mason, have we really been hit with a striker crisis?

Whilst its good news that our injured players are returning to training, there were calls to dip into the loan market, with recent inquiry regarding the availability of Fraizer Campbell. So, where does this leave Etien? we know he can score goals, with a hat-trick against Millwall in the development team and a goal against a premiership Newcastle team in pre-season.

Whilst its been great to bring in Frei from Fulham, who I believe will be a quality player in the coming years for Fulham, ideally we should have been looking at defenders to bring in.

My only issue with Etien at the moment is, once he'll be given the opportunity to start, will he take the opportunity fully. My main concern is, he'll have one bad game, and the fans will form their opinion similar to those of Warren Feeney and cry out for a new striker in January.

I believe that whilst Feeney was at our club, he wa never really given the opportunity to play many games....and we know he had the talent to score goals (regularly for N.Ireland and on loan for the Jacks and Dundee). Similarly, Malky has taken his time with Kim-Bo, and the benefits have paid off. Is it just a matter of the waiting game for Etien?

So whats everyones opinion, shall we dip into the loan market, or is it time to bring on Etien in the last 10 mins of the game to build his game time on the pitch as well as confidence in the championship football?

Didn't we pay about a million for Etien? He should at least be making the bench to be brought on in the last few minutes, build up his match fitness and confidence to come into the side regularly. I have faith in what Malky's doing though, worked for Kim Bo

none of us have seen enough of him really to fully judge. I think he should be on the bench at least, but we have to assume Malky knows what hes doing.

Only Malky knows the answer of why he's not playing.

I'd love to see him smash one in the top corner on Saturday - could be like a new signing.

Only Malky knows the answer of why he's not playing.

I'd love to see him smash one in the top corner on Saturday - could be like a new signing.

Is he meant to be playing?

Like Kim I knew nothing about either I really don't. But Kim is looking quality fair play and now I am interested in what the other Chief can do. Would be good to have on the bench and if we are beating someone sound like let's take a goose at this Chief

Hardly forgotten, we have a new thread on him every couple of hours

Im surprised he hasn't featured more but if MM doesnt think he is ready then he is doing the right thing and keeping him back.

Its nice to see MM is a strong enough manager to hold back players like Kimbo or Etien.

He looked sluggish and weak in pre season, he does make clever runs playing on the shoulder of the last man, but he doesn't really get involved with the build up play. In pre season he was getting bullied off the ball a lot, a number of times the ball was getting played up to him to hold it up and the defender was outmuscling him or getting to the ball before him. I think Etien is the type of player who will flourish in a good team creating chances for him as he's proved he can score goals, but he's a very similar type of player to Earnie imo, with the fact he plays on the shoulder of the last man. Away from home however when we are in a battle and holding on, I fear Etien would be a luxery player and largely anonymous. He isn't blessed with frightening pace to catch teams on the break and against bigger defenders, he was getting physically dominated in pre season. I remember people saying he reminded them of Ferretti, showing flashes of talent but looking sluggish, and I agreed. Obviously I have only watched him during pre season mind, so hopefully if he gets sharper and physically stronger, he will be a success with us. I would loan him out to a League 1 club to see how he does, as the only way he will adapt to the physical nature of the british game is by playing regular first team games.

He looked sluggish and weak in pre season, he does make clever runs playing on the shoulder of the last man, but he doesn't really get involved with the build up play. In pre season he was getting bullied off the ball a lot, a number of times the ball was getting played up to him to hold it up and the defender was outmuscling him or getting to the ball before him. I think Etien is the type of player who will flourish in a good team creating chances for him as he's proved he can score goals, but he's a very similar type of player to Earnie imo, with the fact he plays on the shoulder of the last man. Away from home however when we are in a battle and holding on, I fear Etien would be a luxery player and largely anonymous. He isn't blessed with frightening pace to catch teams on the break and against bigger defenders, he was getting physically dominated in pre season. I remember people saying he reminded them of Ferretti, showing flashes of talent but looking sluggish, and I agreed. Obviously I have only watched him during pre season mind, so hopefully if he gets sharper and physically stronger, he will be a success with us. I would loan him out to a League 1 club to see how he does, as the only way he will adapt to the physical nature of the british game is by playing regular first team games.

Spot on. I went to Forest Green and Oxford in pre-season, so I was disappointed with him, too. I'd rather give Jarvis a chance and we didn't pay for him.

For £1 Mill give the boy a start or a run off the bench.

He looked sluggish and weak in pre season, he does make clever runs playing on the shoulder of the last man, but he doesn't really get involved with the build up play. In pre season he was getting bullied off the ball a lot, a number of times the ball was getting played up to him to hold it up and the defender was outmuscling him or getting to the ball before him. I think Etien is the type of player who will flourish in a good team creating chances for him as he's proved he can score goals, but he's a very similar type of player to Earnie imo, with the fact he plays on the shoulder of the last man. Away from home however when we are in a battle and holding on, I fear Etien would be a luxery player and largely anonymous. He isn't blessed with frightening pace to catch teams on the break and against bigger defenders, he was getting physically dominated in pre season. I remember people saying he reminded them of Ferretti, showing flashes of talent but looking sluggish, and I agreed. Obviously I have only watched him during pre season mind, so hopefully if he gets sharper and physically stronger, he will be a success with us. I would loan him out to a League 1 club to see how he does, as the only way he will adapt to the physical nature of the british game is by playing regular first team games.

Hmmm so i wonder why he signed him for then. Not exactly 16 years old is he. Is he another Gestede ?

We do need another striker in. If Heidar or Joe pick up a knock Etien will be the only option...I don't think Rudy is up to the challenge even though he has improved massively over the last 2-3 games

I'm sick of hearing this!

He is obviously not cutting it in training to make the team! Look at Kiss on the weekend was well off the pace for all we know Etien could be the same. A hat trick in a development game against kids is completely different to playing against the best defenders in England's 2nd tier of football!

Also there is nothing wrong with our attack as we must be one of the top scorers in the league!

Only Malky knows the answer of why he's not playing.

I'd love to see him smash one in the top corner on Saturday - could be like a new signing.

He is a new signing