Neil Warnock is pondering his options in attack as he works on plans to find the goals that could save Cardiff City’s Championship status.
The Bluebirds are third from bottom and, with Rickie Lambert rated doubtful for Tuesday’s home match against Wolves, has to be creative with his selection ideas.
Frederic Gounongbe and Kenneth Zohore haven’t yet shown they can be the answer, while Anthony Pilkington, Craig Noone, Lex Immers and Kadeem Harris are all players who can open up the opposition.
Warnock wants Bluebirds fans to lift the atmosphere at Cardiff City Stadium against fellow relegation strugglers Wolves, who are two points ahead of his team.
City have a Championship double-header at home this week with Barnsley visiting Cardiff on Saturday (3pm).
Manager Warnock is keen for home supporters to turn out in force and make themselves heard, saying: “The fans are going to play a big role, particularly over the next two home games.
“They can help by making themselves heard and getting behind the players.”
He must find a solution to Cardiff’s lack of goals – they have netted only 19 in 20 matches.
“I’ve been here eight games now and I’m still learning about them (the players),” he said.”We need to create more, we need more quality up the field. We need more goals. I thought we were poor against Ipswich over the halfway line.
“Credit to Gunnarsson and Whittingham. They were excellent in midfield, but we didn’t have enough going forward.
“To be fair to Rickie, he hadn’t trained for 10 days before Saturday.
“So I’m looking to see what we can do to get more goals in the team.
“I’m still looking at options, we’ve got to find something so I’ll keep changing things up between now and January.”
Cardiff will be without Sol Bamba, who has been suspended for two matches after his dismissal during the 1-1 draw at Ipswich.
They played a three-man central defensive unit at Ipswich, but may change that.
If so Matt Connolly and captain Sean Morrison will surely link up with Joe Ralls back in midfield.
Bruno Manga would be involved if Warnock sticks with 3-5-2.
Wolves are hoping their number one goalkeeper Carl Ikeme could be fit to play against Cardiff.
With both Ikeme and Andy Lonergan sidelined, 19-year-old Harry Burgoyne made his Wolves debut in Saturday’s 4-4 draw with Fulham.
“Andy won’t be available for Cardiff, but Carl, we’ll wait and see,” said head coach Paul Lambert said.
“He’s looking to be the better out of the two of them.”
Probable team, Cardiff City, 4-4-2: Amos; Peltier, Connolly, Morrison, Bennett; Harris or Noone, Ralls, Gunnarsson, Whittingham, Hoilett, Pilkington.
