By David Williams
Kieffer Moore has been labelled as “horrible” for opponents to deal with by his Cardiff City clubmate Perry Ng, who is grateful the striker is on his side.
Moore is the man spearheading the Bluebirds’ climb back up the Championship table with five goals in as many games, to give him 13 in 25 league matches this season.
But it is the Wales forward’s overall contribution as much as his goals that have impressed Ng since the full-back joined from Crewe in the last transfer window.
Moore is 6ft 5in tall and powerfully built, but anyone who thinks he is a one trick pony should watch his contribution in the 3-1 victory over Coventry last weekend or the win at Bristol City the week before.
“I haven’t played in the Championship for very long, but I already know he’s an unbelievable striker,” said Ng.
“You think he’s a big lad, but he’s a genuine all-round striker. He runs his socks off and his quality is really good.
“Even though he’s scoring goals at the moment, the other side of his game in unbelievable. He helps the team so much – especially defenders.
“That’s what you need when you’re clearing balls – someone who can hold it up like that, working his socks off for the team. He’s brilliant.
“He’s horrible to have to mark in a training session, too. He’s done me on the weights a few times already, so I think I need to get in the gym with him.”
Ng, who set up Cardiff’s third goal against Coventry for Josh Murphy after Moore had already blown Coventry’s house down with two predatory goals of his own, adds of Moore, “To work with him every day is a pleasure. He’s incredible in what he does.”
Moore had only scored three goals for Cardiff by mid-November, but has since struck 10 in his last 14 games.
He has responded to the arrival of new manager Mick McCarthy by repeating the purple patch he enjoyed under former boss Neil Harris in December.
That has ensured Cardiff have stayed unbeaten since McCarthy’s arrival five matches ago with two draws followed by three successive victories, taking the club from 15th in the table up to seventh.
But while the supporters may already be chattering about a place in the play-offs at the end of the season, Ng – who has fitted in seamlessly at wing-back since his move up from League One – added: “No-one in the dressing room is talking about the play-offs just yet.
“I think we have to just keep our head down and keep working to maintain this run. Who knows what can happen?
“A few games ago, everyone was talking about going the other way and teams catching us. Now, we are looking ahead of us and want to keep climbing.”
Ng, an English defender with a Singaporean background, has quickly settled since moving club and solved a problem position for Cardiff following the injury to Arsenal loanee Jordi Osei-Tutu.
The 24-year-old has been an ever-present under McCarthy and added: “I’m buzzing – over the moon. The main reason for coming here was to play football and I’ve been playing football.
“We are getting results, too, so I couldn’t be happier.
🔝🏴 | Fantastic composure from Kieffer Moore to give Cardiff City the lead against Coventry City 🤩 pic.twitter.com/Y2RCStEpNk
— welshfootie (@welshfootie) February 13, 2021
“I wanted to move somewhere where I would be playing. There was talk of me going to a few other places where I woudn’t have played and I wasn’t happy with that. Playing was the main thing for me, so to come in and play, and start winning has been brilliant.
“The gaffer (David Artell) had huge trust in me at Crewe. I was one of the most experienced there because there was a lot of young lads who’ve come through the academy. To be captain was a huge achievement for me and it gave me confidence in coming here.
“There were times last year and the year before when the Crew gaffer told me, ‘you’re not ready to go yet.’ I stayed, kept developing, and played a lot of games. I think that’s helped me massively.
“Playing in the Championship is a tough league. But I’ll keep working hard and hopefully the results will keep coming.”
