Kim will only start when he's ready says Malky

KIM Bo-Kyung is ready to face his Championship challenge and manager Malky Mackay says: “There is no doubting the qualities he has – Kim is ready when I need him.”

South Korean international Kim may not start against Ipswich this evening, with Don Cowie favourite to take over from injured pair Craig Bellamy and Tommy Smith, but his full debut is not far away.

Kim is likely to be among the substitutes at Portman Road before heading off to join the Korean Republic squad for their World Cup qualifier against Iran in Tehran on Tuesday, October 16.

“We knew we were bringing a player with great potential to our club,” says Mackay.


“He came from the other side of the world and doesn’t speak a lot of English, but we were always prepared to give him the time needed.

“Kim said good morning to me this morning, which is a breakthrough, and he is blending into the group.

“He is picking up words quickly now.

“He is, massively now, feeling part of what is happening here.

“Pop into our treatment room any morning and a lot of guys are in there trying to teach him Welsh words or Scottish words.

“That’s been an ongoing process and there is no doubt in my mind he is ready when I need him.”

Kim, 22, has now made four Championship appearances for the Bluebirds, playing a total of 36 minutes.

He is also training every day at City’s Vale headquarters and Mackay has ensured there he feels comfortable as he integrates into the new club and a new culture.

“He has good back-up from his family and his agent.

“They have been here helping Kim settle in, while he has an interpreter with him all the time.

“We have been blending him gently into the group and he is starting to feel settled.

“One of the factors we looked at before signing Kim was how players from South Korea settle in British football.

“We talked to Manchester United (about Ji-Sung Park) and Bolton Wanderers (about Lee Chung-Yong) about how they coped with the change.

“Those players who have already played somewhere else, away from Korea, seem to settle quicker.

“Kim did that by playing for Cerezo Osaka in Japan.

“The people of South Korea are a workmanlike race of people who embrace hard work and have a discipline attached to their life.

“Kim is training every day – and blending in really well now.”

Close friend Ki Sung-Yeng is playing for Swansea City and his form underlines Mackay’s view that those players to have played elsewhere outside Korea settle quicker.

Ki played for Scottish Premier League Celtic before signing for the Swans a month after Kim made his commitment to the Bluebirds.

Ki and Kim met up in Cardiff last Sunday to catch up.

Cardiff paid just over £2m to Japanese club Cerezo when Kim signed in July. He was then in the South Korean team during the London Olympics, playing a key role as they finished in the bronze medal position, and last month flew off to Tashkent where he helped his country earn a 2-2 draw against Uzbekistan.

He is in the City squad to face Ipswich before heading to Tehran for Korea’s latest World Cup qualifier against Iran.

That is Korea’s final cup clash before next March and he will have every chance to break into Mackay’s team and establish himself over the next four or five months.




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I honestly thought he had a chance of starting tonight....

Oh well I don't see him in training like Malky does, he is obviously still learning to play 'the championship way'

I honestly thought he had a chance of starting tonight....

Oh well I don't see him in training like Malky does, he is obviously still learning to play 'the championship way'

I think it's brilliant that we are in a position where Malky doesn't have to rush his integration into the team, it may well set Kim back months if that was to happen, by picking up an injury or having a few bad games and losing confidence all because he tries too hard to impress or has just not had time to pick up the pace and tactics of the Championship. Malky knows exactly what he's doing with him.

Learning the language or 'key phrases' is vital. Especially when MM or his team mates are tryng to issue instructions. MM is going about it the right way.

I honestly thought he had a chance of starting tonight....

Oh well I don't see him in training like Malky does, he is obviously still learning to play 'the championship way'

I think it's brilliant that we are in a position where Malky doesn't have to rush his integration into the team, it may well set Kim back months if that was to happen, by picking up an injury or having a few bad games and losing confidence all because he tries too hard to impress or has just not had time to pick up the pace and tactics of the Championship. Malky knows exactly what he's doing with him.

This shows we have a quality squad with depth.

Learning the language or 'key phrases' is vital. Especially when MM or his team mates are tryng to issue instructions. MM is going about it the right way.

I had to laugh yesterday when MM said during his interview that Kim had said "Good Morning" to him for the first time. Malkay said he normally just nods his head "So things are getting better".

Seriously I think we have a player here and it won't be long before he makes the starting 11. Would love to know why Velikonja isn't being given a chance but in fairness to MM his is invariably right in picking the moment with new players.
Would just like to have a look at this guy.

Learning the language or 'key phrases' is vital. Especially when MM or his team mates are tryng to issue instructions. MM is going about it the right way.

I had to laugh yesterday when MM said during his interview that Kim had said "Good Morning" to him for the first time. Malkay said he normally just nods his head "So things are getting better".

Seriously I think we have a player here and it won't be long before he makes the starting 11. Would love to know why Velikonja isn't being given a chance but in fairness to MM his is invariably right in picking the moment with new players.
Would just like to have a look at this guy.

I think hes doing the same with Velikonja and letting him settle and get used to the team hes also still young and he will get games this season

Makes a lot of sense. We could throw him in only for him to struggle, lose his confidence and we may then never see the best if him. Short term pain long term gain so to speak.

Velikonja is a different kettle of fish.

Right now Helguson is using all his experience and guile up there and making room
for others and tying up defenders. His role IS a bit sacrificial. Its unlikely Velikonja
could play the same role right now. When he DOES get his chance we might have to
change the way we play slightly to accommodate him and his strengths. But right
now, obviously, we have to stick with Helguson, cos whatever he is doing up there...

it works!

Velikonja is a different kettle of fish.

Right now Helguson is using all his experience and guile up there and making room
for others and tying up defenders. His role IS a bit sacrificial. Its unlikely Velikonja
could play the same role right now. When he DOES get his chance we might have to
change the way we play slightly to accommodate him and his strengths. But right
now, obviously, we have to stick with Helguson, cos whatever he is doing up there...

it works!

Only seen Velikonja once in the friendly with Newcastle and he impressed me we his pace, movement and strength, in fact he showed all of those qualities in scoring his goal.

This may surprise you Taff but I think Helguson may come under pressure for his place from Rudy Gestede in the coming weeks.

Malkay has a lot of confidence in Rudy and it is interesting that MM has included him in the travelling squad today.

Well Malky, I have news for you, maybe now he needs to be ready because we have 11 players out there now on park who are certainly not ready.

Velikonja is a different kettle of fish.

Right now Helguson is using all his experience and guile up there and making room
for others and tying up defenders. His role IS a bit sacrificial. Its unlikely Velikonja
could play the same role right now. When he DOES get his chance we might have to
change the way we play slightly to accommodate him and his strengths. But right
now, obviously, we have to stick with Helguson, cos whatever he is doing up there...

it works!

Only seen Velikonja once in the friendly with Newcastle and he impressed me we his pace, movement and strength, in fact he showed all of those qualities in scoring his goal.

This may surprise you Taff but I think Helguson may come under pressure for his place from Rudy Gestede in the coming weeks.

Malkay has a lot of confidence in Rudy and it is interesting that MM has included him in the travelling squad today.

Rudy ftw!