By Ian Gordon
Russell Slade reckons Anthony Pilkington could play striker for the rest of his career after urging him to hit the double figures tally for the season.
Pilkington’s two penalties in the win over in-form Preston – which left the Bluebirds three points off the play-offs- made it eight for the season.
And five of those have come since the Republic of Ireland wide-man was switched to a central role following the departures of Kenwyne Jones, Joe Mason and Alex Revell in the January transfer window.
Slade, 55, said: “People initially called him a makeshift centre forward, but I think that’s a little bit harsh because I really do believe he can make a career there.
“He is very bright and clever, he’s athletic, he can stretch opposition and he can finish.
“He’s loving it there, scoring goals and enjoying the responsibility. I’m pleased with his contribution and he’s been unfortunate not to have scored more.
“He’s been a real plus and while we know he can always play wide – and I’m sure he will do again – he’s doing a terrific job for us where he is.
“I’ve seen enough in training and in games that if he wanted to play the rest of his career up front then he could.
“He’s growing in confidence, creating chances for teammates or himself in every game and I think he could go into double figures.”
Pilkington also hit the post in Saturday’s win against a Lilywhites side that had won it’s last four games as City recovered from the defeat at Middlesbrough.
Slade is refusing to give up on the play-offs dream especially given their home form as they made it 13 without defeat at the CCS.
And Slade, whose side have 12 games left, added: “I believe and that’s the most important thing.
“Hopefully that gets through to the players. Certainly at home I feel the belief we can win games and we have got good momentum with us, a togetherness and a strong attitude.
“You hope others will see it and fans will return to the stadium.
“With 12 games to go it’s the business end of the season and we’re at a stage where the result becomes more important than the performance.
“We have to find a way to win and we’ve done that against a side on a run. We’re in the form we want to be going into the final third of the season.”
