Craig Conway out to impress for City after injury woe
Wed Jul 11, 2012 11:14 pm
THE Pitbull is snarling again ... and ready for Bluebirds action.
Craig Conway, given that nickname by his team-mates, is back in full training and vows: “I will be flying when the Championship season starts.”
The Scottish international, Malky Mackay’s first signing last summer, has made a full recovery from the ankle injury which ended his first season in English football.
He is desperate to make up for lost time in 2012-13 after having a large chunk of last season hindered by the problem.
“It’s good to be back training and the banter carried on as though we had never been away,” said Conway.
“The players started to call me Pitbull last season – and it was Jon Parkin who started it. I assume that’s because I have a strong build and it seems to have stuck.
“A lot of the players have some kind of nickname within the group and the banter is great for team spirit. We are genuine about playing for Cardiff City and what we want to achieve in the coming season, but it’s also good that we can laugh together.”
It has been a busy summer for Conway, who reported back early for treatment and rehabilitation after his ankle injury.
Conway, aged 27 and from Irvine in Ayrshire, made 38 first-team appearances during a hit and miss first season in English football.
He fired three goals in his first six appearances and finished with five in total, but was hampered by injuries and the worst came in his final match against Watford during April.
Conway needed surgery after picking up a broken bone in a foot plus ankle ligament damage.
“I tried to play on for a few minutes,” he says. “In my mind I thought I might be able to run it off, but I could hardly walk let alone run.
“I soon realised it was a significant injury. Even then my thought was that I would be out for a few weeks and then back playing again.
“But it ended my season and that was incredibly frustrating. We were in with a great chance of making the Championship play-offs at the time and instead of being part of the team I had to sit back and watch.
“The team did a fantastic job over that last month. If we are honest, looking back then a top-six finish and reaching the Carling Cup final against Liverpool were fantastic achievements.
“Promotion was our aim, the players gave it everything and Bluebirds fans did such a good job getting behind the team and cheering us on.
“Generally it was a really good first season for the manager, the staff and players. We wanted to go up, but didn’t quite make it. Perhaps it was a step too far at that stage, but we have to build on last season and go for it again.”
Mackay snapped up 10 players last summer, while he has brought in goalkeeper Joe Lewis and Jordon Mutch, a £2m midfield signing from Birmingham City, in the current close season.
City also worked to bring extra pace and trickery in the wide midfield positions during January when they made a £1m-plus bid for Brighton’s Craig Noone and offered £1m to Blackpool for Matt Phillips.
That would have increased competition for Conway, while Mackay then brought in young winger Kadeem Harris from Wycombe.
“New signings and competition for places helps everybody,” says Conway. “I’m sure the gaffer will be bringing in more players for the new season ahead and that’s great for the squad.
“It freshens things up and we are all intent on ensuring City have a big season.
“My job is to work hard, make sure I am ready when the first pre-season matches come along and make an impact when I get my chance.”
Former Ayr and Dundee United player Conway reported back for pre-season work two weeks before his clubmates and says: “The medical team have had me following a rehabilitation programme since the injury back in April.
“I’m back in full training. The staff are monitoring my progress and making sure I don’t push too hard.”
Conway and his fellow Bluebirds players have followed the debate over the decision by Cardiff City’s owner to rebrand the club.
Their home kit has changed from blue to red and a new badge will be on the shirts.
“I understand it could be tough for supporters who have followed this club for many years,” says Conway.
“But from a players’ viewpoint we still play for Cardiff City and we’ll be doing our best to bring success to this football club.
“I’m sure if we get off to a good start as we did last season it’ll help.
“We know what a good manager we have and hopefully he can continue building on the quality in our squad. Our sole aim is to compete hard for automatic promotion.”
Conway will be in the City squad who fly out to Nyon in Switzerland for their week’s pre-season training camp this Sunday.
“It will be good for us to get away, focus on what we need to do and work hard,” he says. “I really enjoyed my first season in Championship football.
“The fixtures come thick and fast, but I learned a lot and can’t wait to put that knowledge into use.
“It was a new environment for a lot of us, but the players were brilliant in the way they helped the new signings settle in.
“The spirit within this squad is top notch and everybody will pull together from the start.”
Pitbull Conway and his fellow Scots, though, will step up the banter when it comes to the World Cup qualifier between Wales and Scotland at Cardiff City Stadium during October.
“I believe the Scots at our club may outnumber the Welsh,” he says. “There will be a few comments about the World Cup match, but every one of us is focused on Cardiff City and ensuring we make a big start to the new season.”
If Pitbull brings bite to City’s offensive play this season, the prospect of a decent year will be increased tenfold.
Read More http://www.walesonline.co.uk/footballna ... z20MIYAiXC
Craig Conway, given that nickname by his team-mates, is back in full training and vows: “I will be flying when the Championship season starts.”
The Scottish international, Malky Mackay’s first signing last summer, has made a full recovery from the ankle injury which ended his first season in English football.
He is desperate to make up for lost time in 2012-13 after having a large chunk of last season hindered by the problem.
“It’s good to be back training and the banter carried on as though we had never been away,” said Conway.
“The players started to call me Pitbull last season – and it was Jon Parkin who started it. I assume that’s because I have a strong build and it seems to have stuck.
“A lot of the players have some kind of nickname within the group and the banter is great for team spirit. We are genuine about playing for Cardiff City and what we want to achieve in the coming season, but it’s also good that we can laugh together.”
It has been a busy summer for Conway, who reported back early for treatment and rehabilitation after his ankle injury.
Conway, aged 27 and from Irvine in Ayrshire, made 38 first-team appearances during a hit and miss first season in English football.
He fired three goals in his first six appearances and finished with five in total, but was hampered by injuries and the worst came in his final match against Watford during April.
Conway needed surgery after picking up a broken bone in a foot plus ankle ligament damage.
“I tried to play on for a few minutes,” he says. “In my mind I thought I might be able to run it off, but I could hardly walk let alone run.
“I soon realised it was a significant injury. Even then my thought was that I would be out for a few weeks and then back playing again.
“But it ended my season and that was incredibly frustrating. We were in with a great chance of making the Championship play-offs at the time and instead of being part of the team I had to sit back and watch.
“The team did a fantastic job over that last month. If we are honest, looking back then a top-six finish and reaching the Carling Cup final against Liverpool were fantastic achievements.
“Promotion was our aim, the players gave it everything and Bluebirds fans did such a good job getting behind the team and cheering us on.
“Generally it was a really good first season for the manager, the staff and players. We wanted to go up, but didn’t quite make it. Perhaps it was a step too far at that stage, but we have to build on last season and go for it again.”
Mackay snapped up 10 players last summer, while he has brought in goalkeeper Joe Lewis and Jordon Mutch, a £2m midfield signing from Birmingham City, in the current close season.
City also worked to bring extra pace and trickery in the wide midfield positions during January when they made a £1m-plus bid for Brighton’s Craig Noone and offered £1m to Blackpool for Matt Phillips.
That would have increased competition for Conway, while Mackay then brought in young winger Kadeem Harris from Wycombe.
“New signings and competition for places helps everybody,” says Conway. “I’m sure the gaffer will be bringing in more players for the new season ahead and that’s great for the squad.
“It freshens things up and we are all intent on ensuring City have a big season.
“My job is to work hard, make sure I am ready when the first pre-season matches come along and make an impact when I get my chance.”
Former Ayr and Dundee United player Conway reported back for pre-season work two weeks before his clubmates and says: “The medical team have had me following a rehabilitation programme since the injury back in April.
“I’m back in full training. The staff are monitoring my progress and making sure I don’t push too hard.”
Conway and his fellow Bluebirds players have followed the debate over the decision by Cardiff City’s owner to rebrand the club.
Their home kit has changed from blue to red and a new badge will be on the shirts.
“I understand it could be tough for supporters who have followed this club for many years,” says Conway.
“But from a players’ viewpoint we still play for Cardiff City and we’ll be doing our best to bring success to this football club.
“I’m sure if we get off to a good start as we did last season it’ll help.
“We know what a good manager we have and hopefully he can continue building on the quality in our squad. Our sole aim is to compete hard for automatic promotion.”
Conway will be in the City squad who fly out to Nyon in Switzerland for their week’s pre-season training camp this Sunday.
“It will be good for us to get away, focus on what we need to do and work hard,” he says. “I really enjoyed my first season in Championship football.
“The fixtures come thick and fast, but I learned a lot and can’t wait to put that knowledge into use.
“It was a new environment for a lot of us, but the players were brilliant in the way they helped the new signings settle in.
“The spirit within this squad is top notch and everybody will pull together from the start.”
Pitbull Conway and his fellow Scots, though, will step up the banter when it comes to the World Cup qualifier between Wales and Scotland at Cardiff City Stadium during October.
“I believe the Scots at our club may outnumber the Welsh,” he says. “There will be a few comments about the World Cup match, but every one of us is focused on Cardiff City and ensuring we make a big start to the new season.”
If Pitbull brings bite to City’s offensive play this season, the prospect of a decent year will be increased tenfold.
Read More http://www.walesonline.co.uk/footballna ... z20MIYAiXC
Re: Craig Conway out to impress for City after injury woe
Wed Jul 11, 2012 11:32 pm
I enjoyed watching Conway from the start of the Parma match. It wasn't really fair on him mid-season when he wasn't getting a look in, and was being criticised by everyone. He came back in against Pompey and played outstanding, and again against Palace a few days later, and scored again against Saints soon after.
He also looked dangerous in the Watford game untill that tw*t Hogg broke his ankle.
Hopefully he is in the starting lineup more often this season, on the opposite side to Bellamy
He also looked dangerous in the Watford game untill that tw*t Hogg broke his ankle.
Hopefully he is in the starting lineup more often this season, on the opposite side to Bellamy
Re: Craig Conway out to impress for City after injury woe
Wed Jul 11, 2012 11:37 pm
Always thought he was class. He was in every game in the unbeaten run.
Re: Craig Conway out to impress for City after injury woe
Wed Jul 11, 2012 11:40 pm
DandoCCFC wrote:Always thought he was class. He was in every game in the unbeaten run.
Yeah but then he was dropped for no apparant reason untill Pompey.
He's a nice guy too, saw him down the bay when we had that nice weather in May
Re: Craig Conway out to impress for City after injury woe
Wed Jul 11, 2012 11:47 pm
DandoCCFC wrote:Always thought he was class. He was in every game in the unbeaten run.
we finally agree!
one of our best players at the start of the season!
Re: Craig Conway out to impress for City after injury woe
Thu Jul 12, 2012 6:35 am
Couldn't understand why he didn't get a start when we were having a difficult spell after the final and the team was crying out for a winger. He was a bit hit or miss occasionally with his crossing but I always thought he looked a threat when he ran at players. Was gutted for him when he got injured and ruled out for the season.
Re: Craig Conway out to impress for City after injury woe
Fri Jul 13, 2012 12:15 am
CalShepCCFC wrote:DandoCCFC wrote:Always thought he was class. He was in every game in the unbeaten run.
we finally agree!
Conway is in my avatar
Re: Craig Conway out to impress for City after injury woe
Fri Jul 13, 2012 12:19 am
Stavross wrote:Couldn't understand why he didn't get a start when we were having a difficult spell after the final and the team was crying out for a winger. He was a bit hit or miss occasionally with his crossing but I always thought he looked a threat when he ran at players. Was gutted for him when he got injured and ruled out for the season.
Nor me, I remember MM saying he had niggling injuries so put him on the bench incase but he wasn't fully fit.
I'd say he is the best crosser of a ball since Neil Ardley, Infact better.
Re: Craig Conway out to impress for City after injury woe
Fri Jul 13, 2012 11:04 am
he does put a good cross in its true, although cuts inside too much and doesnt have any pace considering he is supposed to be a winger.
Re: Craig Conway out to impress for City after injury woe
Fri Jul 13, 2012 12:04 pm
he has to earn his place more than ever now considering the quality we are supposidly bringing in
Re: Craig Conway out to impress for City after injury woe
Fri Jul 13, 2012 12:46 pm
CantonJack wrote:DandoCCFC wrote:Always thought he was class. He was in every game in the unbeaten run.
Yeah but then he was dropped for no apparant reason untill Pompey.
He's a nice guy too, saw him down the bay when we had that nice weather in May
liar....when have we had nice weather?!