" Expecting big things "
Thu Jun 21, 2012 6:41 am
Cardiff City expecting big things from Aron Gunnarsson in 2012/13
Jun 21 2012
Aron Gunnarsson has captained his country
CARDIFF City are expecting big things from their Icelandic ‘Viking Warrior’ during 2012-13.
Aron Gunnarsson, still only 23 years old, has been a Championship regular for the Bluebirds and manager Malky Mackay says: “He can go from strength to strength.”
Mackay was certainly impressed by Gunnarsson’s latest performance when he wore the captain’s armband for Iceland against France, who were preparing for Euro 2012.
“I watched the match on television, Aron was skipper and Iceland were 2-0 ahead,” said Mackay. “I just thought ‘Wow, that’s one of our Cardiff City boys.
“Okay, France turned on the ultra-burners and ran out 3-2 winners, but Aron led his country really well for a long time and had the French team under severe pressure.
“Aron is still a young player, but he has gained experience in the Championship with Coventry City and Cardiff City. He has also learned a lot at international level.
“I demand and expect a lot from him. You realise his age, but the amount of football Aron has played for club and country is outstanding. Last season he played in the European Championships and now he has been captain against France.”
Gunnarsson played in the majority of Cardiff’s Championship matches in 2011-12, missing only four, plus six cup-ties. He scored five goals for City, all in the Championship and including two in a 5-3 win against Barnsley at home.
His playing career started in Iceland with hometown club Por Akureyri before he moved to AZ Alkmaar in Holland and then came to the UK in 2008, signing for Coventry City.
He has made 164 Championship appearances and is looking to sweep past the 200 mark next season.
‘Gunnar’ has also made 30 senior international appearances and is a player Mackay believes will play a major role for the Bluebirds over the next few seasons.
He was out of contract at Coventry City when Mackay signed him on a three-year contract which takes him through to 2014. The Bluebirds paid a bargain £350,000 in compensation because he was aged under 24 and the all-action, tenacious midfield player’s value has shot up over the last year.
“I did a lot of homework on Aron before signing him, talking to people who knew him,” says Mackay. “Nobody had a bad word to say. We paid compensation and I knew what a bargain that would end up being – and already is.
“The amount of football he has played in different positions for a young player is remarkable. I asked him to play in challenging roles.
“He was at the top of a diamond, top of a three. They are not his natural positions and playing those roles are maybe not his natural game. But I see things in Aron which allow him to do that.
“He is a strong boy physically with a strong mentality. He has such a calm demeanour.
“Aron has that Icelandic thing – he is a Viking warrior. They get on with things and give everything they have to their team.
“Signing Aron Gunnarsson was a great bit of business for the team. I believe he will kick on again next season and go from strength to strength.
“He is still learning the game and learning about his body. That education includes when to work on the ball, when to work off the ball, when to move his head and when to move his feet.
“He works hard to improve. Aron chips away all the time and is a good character to have at Cardiff City. We are proud to have him here.”
Gunnarsson and his Bluebirds clubmates report back for the start of pre-season training on July 11 – and four days later Mackay takes his first-team squad to Switzerland for a week-long training camp.
City coaching staff will focus on double training sessions, morning and early evening, during their stay at the Uefa headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, and there will not be any matches.
Mackay has arranged an open day when Bluebirds supporters who make the trip can join the players, while the first pre-season game for the team will be against Forest Green Rovers at their New Lawn Stadium in Gloucestershire on Saturday, July 28 (3pm).
The Bluebirds also play Cheltenham Town, Oxford United and AFC Bournemouth before their only pre-season home match against Newcastle United on Saturday, August 11.
Read More http://www.walesonline.co.uk/footballna ... z1yPK8gwIK
Jun 21 2012
Aron Gunnarsson has captained his country
CARDIFF City are expecting big things from their Icelandic ‘Viking Warrior’ during 2012-13.
Aron Gunnarsson, still only 23 years old, has been a Championship regular for the Bluebirds and manager Malky Mackay says: “He can go from strength to strength.”
Mackay was certainly impressed by Gunnarsson’s latest performance when he wore the captain’s armband for Iceland against France, who were preparing for Euro 2012.
“I watched the match on television, Aron was skipper and Iceland were 2-0 ahead,” said Mackay. “I just thought ‘Wow, that’s one of our Cardiff City boys.
“Okay, France turned on the ultra-burners and ran out 3-2 winners, but Aron led his country really well for a long time and had the French team under severe pressure.
“Aron is still a young player, but he has gained experience in the Championship with Coventry City and Cardiff City. He has also learned a lot at international level.
“I demand and expect a lot from him. You realise his age, but the amount of football Aron has played for club and country is outstanding. Last season he played in the European Championships and now he has been captain against France.”
Gunnarsson played in the majority of Cardiff’s Championship matches in 2011-12, missing only four, plus six cup-ties. He scored five goals for City, all in the Championship and including two in a 5-3 win against Barnsley at home.
His playing career started in Iceland with hometown club Por Akureyri before he moved to AZ Alkmaar in Holland and then came to the UK in 2008, signing for Coventry City.
He has made 164 Championship appearances and is looking to sweep past the 200 mark next season.
‘Gunnar’ has also made 30 senior international appearances and is a player Mackay believes will play a major role for the Bluebirds over the next few seasons.
He was out of contract at Coventry City when Mackay signed him on a three-year contract which takes him through to 2014. The Bluebirds paid a bargain £350,000 in compensation because he was aged under 24 and the all-action, tenacious midfield player’s value has shot up over the last year.
“I did a lot of homework on Aron before signing him, talking to people who knew him,” says Mackay. “Nobody had a bad word to say. We paid compensation and I knew what a bargain that would end up being – and already is.
“The amount of football he has played in different positions for a young player is remarkable. I asked him to play in challenging roles.
“He was at the top of a diamond, top of a three. They are not his natural positions and playing those roles are maybe not his natural game. But I see things in Aron which allow him to do that.
“He is a strong boy physically with a strong mentality. He has such a calm demeanour.
“Aron has that Icelandic thing – he is a Viking warrior. They get on with things and give everything they have to their team.
“Signing Aron Gunnarsson was a great bit of business for the team. I believe he will kick on again next season and go from strength to strength.
“He is still learning the game and learning about his body. That education includes when to work on the ball, when to work off the ball, when to move his head and when to move his feet.
“He works hard to improve. Aron chips away all the time and is a good character to have at Cardiff City. We are proud to have him here.”
Gunnarsson and his Bluebirds clubmates report back for the start of pre-season training on July 11 – and four days later Mackay takes his first-team squad to Switzerland for a week-long training camp.
City coaching staff will focus on double training sessions, morning and early evening, during their stay at the Uefa headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, and there will not be any matches.
Mackay has arranged an open day when Bluebirds supporters who make the trip can join the players, while the first pre-season game for the team will be against Forest Green Rovers at their New Lawn Stadium in Gloucestershire on Saturday, July 28 (3pm).
The Bluebirds also play Cheltenham Town, Oxford United and AFC Bournemouth before their only pre-season home match against Newcastle United on Saturday, August 11.
Read More http://www.walesonline.co.uk/footballna ... z1yPK8gwIK
Re: " Expecting big things "
Thu Jun 21, 2012 8:38 am
Must admit, was very impressed with Aaron last year, future captain if you ask me, Even at 23.
Re: " Expecting big things "
Thu Jun 21, 2012 8:46 am
one of the stand out performers for me last season 
hopfullly he can up his goal tally this season
hopfullly he can up his goal tally this season
Re: " Expecting big things "
Thu Jun 21, 2012 12:45 pm
My player of the year last year
Towards the 2nd half of the season when Whitts went tired Aaron was the only player who stood out for me.
Was always looking to make things happen and always appeared to give 100%.
Would be my choice for captin in 2012/13
Towards the 2nd half of the season when Whitts went tired Aaron was the only player who stood out for me.
Was always looking to make things happen and always appeared to give 100%.
Would be my choice for captin in 2012/13
Re: " Expecting big things "
Thu Jun 21, 2012 3:50 pm
A cracking signing by MM, if we can pick up another like him I'd be delighted.
Re: " Expecting big things "
Thu Jun 21, 2012 6:25 pm
personally dont rate him,dont think he brings anything to the team
Re: " Expecting big things "
Thu Jun 21, 2012 6:27 pm
caerblue wrote:personally dont rate him,dont think he brings anything to the team
Re: " Expecting big things "
Thu Jun 21, 2012 7:05 pm
bluebird1977 wrote:caerblue wrote:personally dont rate him,dont think he brings anything to the team
