Velikonja close to breakthrough says Malky
Sat Nov 17, 2012 6:13 am
This is a story I think we missed from yesterday, don't think it has been mentioned on the board yet....
ETIEN Velikonja is a Bluebirds goals ace in the making, insists manager Malky Mackay.
Slovenian international Velikonja has made only two Championship appearances this season, but Mackay says: “He is a young footballer with a big future.
“We believe in him and he is not far off now.”
The 23-year-old signed for City in a £1m transfer from MK Maribor last summer, committing to the Bluebirds on a four-year contract which runs until 2016.
He has, though, had to stay patient while waiting for his chance to shine.
It’s been a frustrating time for a player who scored 20 goals in Slovenian League football last season, but Mackay will not plunge him into the Championship full-time until he believes he is ready.
Velikonja is putting in extra work on a daily basis and the club’s new strength and conditioning coach Callum Walsh is his mentor.
“Etien needs to be a little stronger because that’s what is required in the Championship,” says Mackay. “That body strength is the big difference from the football he has played before.
“He is a striker who will always play off the shoulder of defenders, cause problems and be dangerous around goal. His attitude is excellent and he is working hard in training.
“Etien is part of our first team squad and he will break through. He will step forward when we feel he is ready and if he keeps making the progress we want to see in terms of body strength that won’t be too far off.”
Velikonja has had brief Championship appearances off the subs bench at Brighton and Bristol City, while he has also played Under-21 Development League football.
He fired a hat-trick in City’s 4-0 win against Millwall and was only denied a couple more by experienced keeper Steve Mildenhall, while he played 90 minutes as the Bluebirds won 2-1 against Swansea City this week.
“Playing 90 minutes in the development matches and the work he is doing with Callum will help him,” says Mackay, who regularly talks to Velikonja and all the players who are outside the starting line-up.
Mackay waited for South Korean international Kim Bo-kyung to adjust to the demands of British football and the £2m signing from Japanese club Cerezo Osaka only completed his first 90 minutes during the 2-1 win against Hull City last weekend.
“We see the players in training and know when they are ready,” says Mackay. “I talk to them about what is needed and the progress we are striving for all the time.
“In Etien’s case he goes to the Vale of Glamorgan Resort gymnasium with Callum Walsh on a regular basis and is putting in the work. We all believe in Etien and his ability to become a Cardiff City first team footballer.”
Velikonja came through what was a tough Development League test against Swansea and promises Mackay: “I’ll be ready when you need me.”
His progress this season was hampered by a hamstring injury which kept him out of training for almost a month and he says: “That came at the wrong time, but I’m back to full fitness now.
“I truly believe I can be back in the first team pretty soon. Kim waited patiently and took his chance when it came. It’s difficult coming from one country to another and settling in, but Kim has shown how important it is to be ready.
“I want to play now, of course. I would love to run out in front of Bluebirds fans at Cardiff City Stadium, but the team have been in great form at home and I have had to wait.
“The injury set me back, but I am ready now and when the time is right I am sure he will give me the nod.”
Velikona fired 20 goals in 46 appearances for NK Maribor last season and says: “Cardiff have given me a big chance to improve as a player and make my career better.
“I am determined to make the most of this opportunity.”
Velikonja’s career started at Slovenian club Gorica and his big breakthrough came during 2008-09 when he netted 17 goals in 32 matches, finishing that season as the top scorer in Slovenian Division One.
He joined Maribor during January 2011 and last summer signed for Cardiff.
Velikonja made his full international debut for Slovenia against San Marino two years and has won three full caps.
His current target, though, is to break into Cardiff City’s first team starting line-up. Mackay and his staff are monitoring his progress with a strong belief he is a young man who has the potential to be a hit at Championship and Premier League levels.
While Velikonja waits for his first team chance, right-back Kevin McNaughton is still in the treatment room.
He suffered a thigh strain during the win against Hull and assistant manager David Kerslake says: “It’s a grade one injury and he will probably be out for another week.”
Read more: Wales Online http://www.walesonline.co.uk/footballna ... z2CSRex4KK
ETIEN Velikonja is a Bluebirds goals ace in the making, insists manager Malky Mackay.
Slovenian international Velikonja has made only two Championship appearances this season, but Mackay says: “He is a young footballer with a big future.
“We believe in him and he is not far off now.”
The 23-year-old signed for City in a £1m transfer from MK Maribor last summer, committing to the Bluebirds on a four-year contract which runs until 2016.
He has, though, had to stay patient while waiting for his chance to shine.
It’s been a frustrating time for a player who scored 20 goals in Slovenian League football last season, but Mackay will not plunge him into the Championship full-time until he believes he is ready.
Velikonja is putting in extra work on a daily basis and the club’s new strength and conditioning coach Callum Walsh is his mentor.
“Etien needs to be a little stronger because that’s what is required in the Championship,” says Mackay. “That body strength is the big difference from the football he has played before.
“He is a striker who will always play off the shoulder of defenders, cause problems and be dangerous around goal. His attitude is excellent and he is working hard in training.
“Etien is part of our first team squad and he will break through. He will step forward when we feel he is ready and if he keeps making the progress we want to see in terms of body strength that won’t be too far off.”
Velikonja has had brief Championship appearances off the subs bench at Brighton and Bristol City, while he has also played Under-21 Development League football.
He fired a hat-trick in City’s 4-0 win against Millwall and was only denied a couple more by experienced keeper Steve Mildenhall, while he played 90 minutes as the Bluebirds won 2-1 against Swansea City this week.
“Playing 90 minutes in the development matches and the work he is doing with Callum will help him,” says Mackay, who regularly talks to Velikonja and all the players who are outside the starting line-up.
Mackay waited for South Korean international Kim Bo-kyung to adjust to the demands of British football and the £2m signing from Japanese club Cerezo Osaka only completed his first 90 minutes during the 2-1 win against Hull City last weekend.
“We see the players in training and know when they are ready,” says Mackay. “I talk to them about what is needed and the progress we are striving for all the time.
“In Etien’s case he goes to the Vale of Glamorgan Resort gymnasium with Callum Walsh on a regular basis and is putting in the work. We all believe in Etien and his ability to become a Cardiff City first team footballer.”
Velikonja came through what was a tough Development League test against Swansea and promises Mackay: “I’ll be ready when you need me.”
His progress this season was hampered by a hamstring injury which kept him out of training for almost a month and he says: “That came at the wrong time, but I’m back to full fitness now.
“I truly believe I can be back in the first team pretty soon. Kim waited patiently and took his chance when it came. It’s difficult coming from one country to another and settling in, but Kim has shown how important it is to be ready.
“I want to play now, of course. I would love to run out in front of Bluebirds fans at Cardiff City Stadium, but the team have been in great form at home and I have had to wait.
“The injury set me back, but I am ready now and when the time is right I am sure he will give me the nod.”
Velikona fired 20 goals in 46 appearances for NK Maribor last season and says: “Cardiff have given me a big chance to improve as a player and make my career better.
“I am determined to make the most of this opportunity.”
Velikonja’s career started at Slovenian club Gorica and his big breakthrough came during 2008-09 when he netted 17 goals in 32 matches, finishing that season as the top scorer in Slovenian Division One.
He joined Maribor during January 2011 and last summer signed for Cardiff.
Velikonja made his full international debut for Slovenia against San Marino two years and has won three full caps.
His current target, though, is to break into Cardiff City’s first team starting line-up. Mackay and his staff are monitoring his progress with a strong belief he is a young man who has the potential to be a hit at Championship and Premier League levels.
While Velikonja waits for his first team chance, right-back Kevin McNaughton is still in the treatment room.
He suffered a thigh strain during the win against Hull and assistant manager David Kerslake says: “It’s a grade one injury and he will probably be out for another week.”
Read more: Wales Online http://www.walesonline.co.uk/footballna ... z2CSRex4KK
Re: Velikonja close to breakthrough says Malky
Sat Nov 17, 2012 8:08 am
Velikonja close to breakthrough says Malky
You would think so sitting in the stands is not good when you pay so much for a player.
You would think so sitting in the stands is not good when you pay so much for a player.
Re: Velikonja close to breakthrough says Malky
Sat Nov 17, 2012 9:24 am
bluebird1977 wrote:Velikonja close to breakthrough says Malky
You would think so sitting in the stands is not good when you pay so much for a player.
Like Malky says, he talks to them, he watches them train and progress in the gym with Callum etc etc.. They will know when these lads are ready.
Problem is Fans want NOW NOW NOW, but Malky is balancing between current quality and a stable future. I've watched lots of NK Maribor last season as they always seem to stream lots of these leagues on BET 365 during the in-play betting, and to say the Slovenia league is piss poor is an understatement no matter how many goals he scored. He is a good player though, although alot of his appearances last season were coming off the bench - and he still netted 20 goals.
We will see him soon I guess..... for now, and at home, Helgusson & Mason and the others are all working hard to get the goals to be where are right now, - ONE GAME away from being the only team in the whole of Europe to have won 9 games in a row at home from the start of the season. Thats one HELL of a title!
Re: Velikonja close to breakthrough says Malky
Sat Nov 17, 2012 12:46 pm
Merlin wrote:bluebird1977 wrote:Velikonja close to breakthrough says Malky
You would think so sitting in the stands is not good when you pay so much for a player.
Like Malky says, he talks to them, he watches them train and progress in the gym with Callum etc etc.. They will know when these lads are ready.
Problem is Fans want NOW NOW NOW, but Malky is balancing between current quality and a stable future. I've watched lots of NK Maribor last season as they always seem to stream lots of these leagues on BET 365 during the in-play betting, and to say the Slovenia league is piss poor is an understatement no matter how many goals he scored. He is a good player though, although alot of his appearances last season were coming off the bench - and he still netted 20 goals.
We will see him soon I guess..... for now, and at home, Helgusson & Mason and the others are all working hard to get the goals to be where are right now, - ONE GAME away from being the only team in the whole of Europe to have won 9 games in a row at home from the start of the season. Thats one HELL of a title!
Seems simple enough to me. The lad wasn't strong enough when he got here and has had to spend a few months in the gym. To be honest he looked lightweight against Newcastle, despite having good movement. The boys playing up front have done a good job.
I'd trust Malky's knowledge over armchair experts any time.
Its a very long season and if Velikonja is good enough he'll get his chance.
Re: Velikonja close to breakthrough says Malky
Sat Nov 17, 2012 9:31 pm
He was not up to much against the Jerks the other night,missed a couple of one on ones with their keeper and a few good chances when he shot straight to the keeper.
Does not look like we will get value from the money we spent on him????
Does not look like we will get value from the money we spent on him????
Re: Velikonja close to breakthrough says Malky
Sat Nov 17, 2012 10:27 pm
Hes going to be a goal machine says the man who wont even put him on the bench.. logic. 
Re: Velikonja close to breakthrough says Malky
Sat Nov 17, 2012 10:52 pm
He can't be that far behind Joe Mason who again failed to impose himself on a game.
Re: Velikonja close to breakthrough says Malky
Sun Nov 18, 2012 1:01 am
I would love Velikonja to get some game time, he should atleast come on for the last 10 minutes of a game
Re: Velikonja close to breakthrough says Malky
Sun Nov 18, 2012 1:09 am
llan bluebird wrote:He can't be that far behind Joe Mason who again failed to impose himself on a game.
exactly my feelings on the matter,
their can't be much beetween the 2