Cardiff City boss Steve Morison has admitted that a lack of outside help has hindered James Collins’ career in the Wales capital.
Collins scored again for Cardiff during the side’s 1-1 draw with West Brom on January 2. This was his second goal for the club, having joined in the Summer on a free transfer from Coventry City.
"I thought he was excellent today," said Morison, via Wales Online.
"He scored a good header. Obviously he's going to be judged on goals. He hasn't got the support around him from the outside that Kieffer's got, being number nine for Wales etc etc.
"I asked him to perform today and he did. He was excellent. I'm really, really pleased for him."
When asked further why Collins doesn’t receive the same level of support as Kieffer Moore, Morison replied: “He’s not Kieffer Moore is he? Kieffer’s Wales’ number 9.”
Collins scored his first goal in November against Preston North End. However, with Moore missing from the side, Collins stepped up and was unlucky his goal wasn’t the winner.
A close offside call meant Callum Robinson’s goal stood for West Brom’s equaliser, and nothing else could separate the teams besides the goals from their respective Irish internationals.
Cardiff City find themselves in a relegation battle halfway through the season. The Bluebirds are 20th in the Championship table.
Morison’s side have not won in their last four league games. Their most recent game was that 1-1 draw with West Brom. The club ended 2021 with a 3-0 loss to league leaders Bournemouth.
Cardiff’s next game comes at home to Preston North End in the FA Cup Third Round on January 9. The side’s next league game is also at home, to promotion challengers Blackburn Rovers, on January 15.
The Verdict
It’s been a few months now since Collins was signed.
Morison should have recognised the issues the striker could have earlier than this to allow him to settle in more easily.
Collins has scored on the international stage in his own right, for the Republic of Ireland.
Cardiff will need another reliable source of goals to safely avoid a relegation battle, and it is encouraging that Collins is starting to now bag some for the team.