Chris Lakey Arturo Lupoli has been told to go easy on himself - or suffer the consequences. The Italian striker has had an extra spring in his step this week after bagging a brace at Ninian Park last weekend as City came back from two down to grab a point.

Chris Lakey

Arturo Lupoli has been told to go easy on himself - or suffer the consequences.

The Italian striker has had an extra spring in his step this week after bagging a brace at Ninian Park last weekend as City came back from two down to grab a point.

His goals have boosted his confidence, but City boss Glenn Roeder admits he is concerned at Lupoli's self-analysis.

“I feel at times he's too hard on himself, too analytical of the mistakes he makes,” said Roeder. “I think he dwells on it sometimes - I'm talking about in training as well. And in one way that's a good thing because it shows how much he cares - but in another it can hold you back, it can become a ball and chain around your leg being too analytical.”

Lupilo came to Carrow Road after a barren season with Serie A side Fiorentina, where he failed to score from open play - and the relief at breaking his duck was clear to see at Cardiff when he celebrated with typical Italian enthusiasm.

“Obviously that has done him a world of good scoring those couple of goals, especially one off his right foot, which he admits is not his strongest, and a header, which we didn't know he was too clever at either,” added Roeder.

“You would have thought for sure his first goal would have come off the very good left foot he has got. I spoke to Liam Brady (at Arsenal) and he asked how Arturo was going and he said, 'when he was here, Glenn, he was a really good little finisher'. He said at times he might be a bit greedy but that is quite a good thing in a striker to have. He just lost his way a little bit and hopefully he can rediscover that goalscoring form with us.”

Lupoli was dropped to the bench at Cardiff after a disappointing outing at home to Blackpool a fortnight ago - and it may have proven to be the perfect motivation.

“Possibly,” said Roeder. “But I think since the moment he has been here even when he was completely unfit he did put a lot of effort into his game. The amount of closing down he does and the amount of running he does is very much a strength of his game, but I suppose it is a bit of added motivation when you get on the pitch when you want to start matches and you suddenly find yourself sitting on the bench instead of starting.”

“He is much happier this week and he will now have to wait and see whether he makes the starting line-up or not.”