Malky praises Bellamy as Bluebirds go top
Wed Oct 03, 2012 6:20 am
Malky Mackay hailed his table-topping talisman Craig Bellamy as his Bluebirds wrote their name in the club’s history books.
The Welsh international ace was at his mercurial best last night scoring Cardiff’s first goal against Birmingham that helped send the Bluebirds soaring to the top of the Championship table.
The 2-1 victory at the Cardiff City Stadium means Mackay’s Bluebirds have equalled their best ever winning start at home – five successive victories previously set by the championship-winning team of 66 years ago.
And the jubilant Scot was quick to praise the influence of hometown star Bellamy in helping City rewrite the history books.
David Marshall: Threw himself to deal with Lita's first half header, but helpless when the same player scored. Solid save from sub King late in the second half
“He was like a 20-year-old out there, the way he closes down opposing players is exceptional,” said Mackay.
“People talk about ability and technique, which he has, but everything starts with hard work. Craig produces that in every match and every training session. That attitude can run through a team and can bring the best out in others, particularly the younger guys.
“Look at the amount of panic he causes in dangerous areas.”
Goals from Bellamy and captain Mark Hudson earned City’s fifth successive league home win and Mackay said: “It’s good to be top, but we have to be consistent.
“I was delighted with the team again, but there is still a long way to go. Birmingham presented a different challenge to Blackpool.
“They play in a slightly different way and played very much in the way they did at Brighton when they won 1-0.
“They have a wealth of experience through their team and it was a difficult match, but we should have been out of sight.”
The Bluebirds have opened the season with 15 points from five Championship home matches – and can set a new all-time best home run from the start of a season when Mackay’s former club Watford come to Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday, October 23.
Mackay, though, is now focused on Ipswich Town away, the last fixture for Cardiff before a two-week international break.
Birmingham City players argued with referee Kevin Friend after Cardiff’s winning goal, claiming that Bellamy was offside before they had won the corner which led to Hudson’s goal.
But Birmingham manager Lee Clark said: “Bellamy wasn’t offside – it was a perfectly good goal.”
The Welsh international ace was at his mercurial best last night scoring Cardiff’s first goal against Birmingham that helped send the Bluebirds soaring to the top of the Championship table.
The 2-1 victory at the Cardiff City Stadium means Mackay’s Bluebirds have equalled their best ever winning start at home – five successive victories previously set by the championship-winning team of 66 years ago.
And the jubilant Scot was quick to praise the influence of hometown star Bellamy in helping City rewrite the history books.
David Marshall: Threw himself to deal with Lita's first half header, but helpless when the same player scored. Solid save from sub King late in the second half
“He was like a 20-year-old out there, the way he closes down opposing players is exceptional,” said Mackay.
“People talk about ability and technique, which he has, but everything starts with hard work. Craig produces that in every match and every training session. That attitude can run through a team and can bring the best out in others, particularly the younger guys.
“Look at the amount of panic he causes in dangerous areas.”
Goals from Bellamy and captain Mark Hudson earned City’s fifth successive league home win and Mackay said: “It’s good to be top, but we have to be consistent.
“I was delighted with the team again, but there is still a long way to go. Birmingham presented a different challenge to Blackpool.
“They play in a slightly different way and played very much in the way they did at Brighton when they won 1-0.
“They have a wealth of experience through their team and it was a difficult match, but we should have been out of sight.”
The Bluebirds have opened the season with 15 points from five Championship home matches – and can set a new all-time best home run from the start of a season when Mackay’s former club Watford come to Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday, October 23.
Mackay, though, is now focused on Ipswich Town away, the last fixture for Cardiff before a two-week international break.
Birmingham City players argued with referee Kevin Friend after Cardiff’s winning goal, claiming that Bellamy was offside before they had won the corner which led to Hudson’s goal.
But Birmingham manager Lee Clark said: “Bellamy wasn’t offside – it was a perfectly good goal.”
Re: Malky praises Bellamy as Bluebirds go top
Wed Oct 03, 2012 10:10 am
Well done Lee Clarke. He seems to say all the right things and will go on to be a top class manager. He was one I would have liked here, although MM seems to be doing Ok , so better stick with him. 