' Malky: Squad only needs "Tweaking" '

Cardiff City boss Malky Mackay: 'My squad only needs tweaking for Premier League'

The man who took Cardiff City to the Premier League 'promised land' says he will keep faith with the players who got him there.

Despite the Bluebirds already being installed as one of the favourites to face the drop next term, the Cardiff manager said he will be keeping faith with many of the players who stormed to the Championship title this season.

Mackay has already revealed he believes up to five new players might be needed as Cardiff face their first top flight campaign in more than half a century.

Billionaire-backer Vincent Tan has also said up to £25m will be at his manager’s disposal for team strengthening, but Mackay insists he will not splash the cash just for the sake of it in the Premier League.

And he is adamant those who served him so well in the Championship will get their chance to shine amongst the Premier League big boys.

“I don’t think it is vastly different building from the Championship to the Premier League. It is like the first season to second season I’ve had at Cardiff,” said Mackay. "The first season we got to the Carling Cup final with a very small squad. Players had to play an incredibly high number of games.

“Then last summer we managed to bring in a better quality of player to add to the group and we also let some go. It will now be the exact same this summer. We need to bring in some quality players, but there are a lot of players who helped us win the Championship who now will be able to go on and play in the Premier League. The standards we already have in training here means players have to be of a certain level of fitness and have to be comfortable on the ball. So we’ve got all that and then it is all about tweaking. I’ve no doubt we are going to need to add quality, but there’s a lot of guys who are already here who have very good quality and who will be able to play in the Premier League. I’ve had to be prudent from the start as a manager and nothing is going to change. Of course as the levels rise you have to be cute about things, but I document every penny that I spend. It’s not about gut feeling, it’s about having sound business reasons for signing a player.”

Mackay is currently casting his net across the globe when it comes to looking for new personnel with scouts having visited South America and currently searching for the right faces across much of Europe. Despite his protestations that his Championship winners will bulk out much of his Premier League side, Mackay will inevitably have to disappoint some of his current squad next season. Mackay himself as a player experienced helping a side gain promotion to the top-flight only not to have the chance then to play. But he insists he will do what is required and believes if a decision is good for the club then the individuals involved are of secondary importance.

“Obviously you get guys you have become friendly with and who have worked hard for you, but then you have to think can they make it to the next level?” said Mackay."I have to do that every year as a manager, but I think if you just put the good of the club front and centre of things I don’t think you’ll go far wrong. It is all about what is good for the club at the end of the day.”

Mackay’s ethos since arriving in the Welsh capital two years ago has indeed always been about the importance of Cardiff City itself over the needs of any one person. Mackay has been lauded for the part he played in a season which saw the Bluebirds grab promotion and them the title itself.
But the modest manager is keen to share the plaudits with others, particularly the Cardiff City board. Mackay said it was the trust and backing he received from the hierarchy at the club which had enabled him to get on with his job in his own fashion.

“Promotion of course was a big achievement for everyone at the club,” added Mackay. When I came here I put a plan to the directors as to where I saw the club going forward and they agreed with that. They allowed me to structure the club in the way that I wanted. They left me to put my plans in place for different departments. In particular the player recruitment department. That has been important. The board gave me a lot of backing. I also had some staff who followed me here and who have backed me too. It was all that which really gave us the platform to go on and win the Championship.

“It’s important for any manager to stamp their authority on a club. First off you have to be given time to do that and have the ability to do it. There’s been a huge turnover of players at this club over the last two years. I only started with ten players in the first place which was probably quite good because it really gave me a blank canvas. It allowed me to bring new people in and build things.

“There is a formula to challenging for promotion in the Championship. The right blend of youth and experience. The way you should be able to play at any given time in this relentless league. Having that gave us the chance to challenge at the top.”

Cardiff City boss Malky Mackay: 'My squad only needs tweaking for Premier League'

The man who took Cardiff City to the Premier League 'promised land' says he will keep faith with the players who got him there.

Despite the Bluebirds already being installed as one of the favourites to face the drop next term, the Cardiff manager said he will be keeping faith with many of the players who stormed to the Championship title this season.

Mackay has already revealed he believes up to five new players might be needed as Cardiff face their first top flight campaign in more than half a century.

Billionaire-backer Vincent Tan has also said up to £25m will be at his manager’s disposal for team strengthening, but Mackay insists he will not splash the cash just for the sake of it in the Premier League.

And he is adamant those who served him so well in the Championship will get their chance to shine amongst the Premier League big boys.

“I don’t think it is vastly different building from the Championship to the Premier League. It is like the first season to second season I’ve had at Cardiff,” said Mackay. "The first season we got to the Carling Cup final with a very small squad. Players had to play an incredibly high number of games.

“Then last summer we managed to bring in a better quality of player to add to the group and we also let some go. It will now be the exact same this summer. We need to bring in some quality players, but there are a lot of players who helped us win the Championship who now will be able to go on and play in the Premier League. The standards we already have in training here means players have to be of a certain level of fitness and have to be comfortable on the ball. So we’ve got all that and then it is all about tweaking. I’ve no doubt we are going to need to add quality, but there’s a lot of guys who are already here who have very good quality and who will be able to play in the Premier League. I’ve had to be prudent from the start as a manager and nothing is going to change. Of course as the levels rise you have to be cute about things, but I document every penny that I spend. It’s not about gut feeling, it’s about having sound business reasons for signing a player.”

Mackay is currently casting his net across the globe when it comes to looking for new personnel with scouts having visited South America and currently searching for the right faces across much of Europe. Despite his protestations that his Championship winners will bulk out much of his Premier League side, Mackay will inevitably have to disappoint some of his current squad next season. Mackay himself as a player experienced helping a side gain promotion to the top-flight only not to have the chance then to play. But he insists he will do what is required and believes if a decision is good for the club then the individuals involved are of secondary importance.

“Obviously you get guys you have become friendly with and who have worked hard for you, but then you have to think can they make it to the next level?” said Mackay."I have to do that every year as a manager, but I think if you just put the good of the club front and centre of things I don’t think you’ll go far wrong. It is all about what is good for the club at the end of the day.”

Mackay’s ethos since arriving in the Welsh capital two years ago has indeed always been about the importance of Cardiff City itself over the needs of any one person. Mackay has been lauded for the part he played in a season which saw the Bluebirds grab promotion and them the title itself.
But the modest manager is keen to share the plaudits with others, particularly the Cardiff City board. Mackay said it was the trust and backing he received from the hierarchy at the club which had enabled him to get on with his job in his own fashion.

“Promotion of course was a big achievement for everyone at the club,” added Mackay. When I came here I put a plan to the directors as to where I saw the club going forward and they agreed with that. They allowed me to structure the club in the way that I wanted. They left me to put my plans in place for different departments. In particular the player recruitment department. That has been important. The board gave me a lot of backing. I also had some staff who followed me here and who have backed me too. It was all that which really gave us the platform to go on and win the Championship.

“It’s important for any manager to stamp their authority on a club. First off you have to be given time to do that and have the ability to do it. There’s been a huge turnover of players at this club over the last two years. I only started with ten players in the first place which was probably quite good because it really gave me a blank canvas. It allowed me to bring new people in and build things.

“There is a formula to challenging for promotion in the Championship. The right blend of youth and experience. The way you should be able to play at any given time in this relentless league. Having that gave us the chance to challenge at the top.”

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/foot ... ay-3877055

This is the correct approach, and the only one you have a chance of staying up with.

Changed his room from, 'no room for sentiment'

Major overhaul more like.

" No room for sentiment" in the headlines last week now " just a bit of tweaking"
If he thinks we will survive with a tweak then sadly hes wrong as it will only be defeat after defeat IMO.

If Malky's only going to "tweak" the squad then we're doomed.

We should do the QPR approach.......oh wait........

We should do the QPR approach.......oh wait........

Lets do nothing then as we will defo be safe with what we got rite craig...... oh wait....

We should do the QPR approach.......oh wait........

Lets do nothing then as we will defo be safe with what we got rite craig...... oh wait....

Malky hasnt said do nothing though

He said tweaking like last season, which was adding 5 or 6 quality players

We should do the QPR approach.......oh wait........

Lets do nothing then as we will defo be safe with what we got rite craig...... oh wait....

Malky hasnt said do nothing though

He said tweaking like last season, which was adding 5 or 6 quality players

Exactly, this team of ours was built by him and there is a sense of togetherness. There are certain ways of saying and doing things. Its called man management. No need to unsettle players believing they aren't good enough.

We should do the QPR approach.......oh wait........

Lets do nothing then as we will defo be safe with what we got rite craig...... oh wait....

Even the jack is agreeing, shall we spend millions like qpr then?

What is it with these forever negative bloody fans, take anything said and put a negative spin on it.

We should be praising him. The base of the team is solid, they've had a cracking season together and play well together and understand eachothers game bring too many in or change it too much and you risk spoiling it. A few quality 1st team players and afew in bback up will see us good. Take a happy pill ffs.

We should do the QPR approach.......oh wait........

Lets do nothing then as we will defo be safe with what we got rite craig...... oh wait....

Even the jack is agreeing, shall we spend millions like qpr then?

What is it with these forever negative bloody fans, take anything said and put a negative spin on it.

We should be praising him. The base of the team is solid, they've had a cracking season together and play well together and understand eachothers game bring too many in or change it too much and you risk spoiling it. A few quality 1st team players and afew in bback up will see us good. Take a happy pill ffs.

Well said!

Who said that we needed to spend millions like QPR?

Doing a QPR or simply just "tweaking" our squad will see us relegated. But I guess it depends on what Malky means by "tweaking".

If Malkey seriously thinks that some minor alterations will suffice to keep us up next season then much as i like and admire him i have a feeling he may well be off the mark and believe that with 5 new players and the vast majority of the team from last season it will be akin to the Alamo week in and week out for us next season

Even with the facts staring them in the face, people are still totally oblivious

tweaking, ajor service i would say, stick with last years team. and bring in a few nobodies, relegation candidates

If Malky's only going to "tweak" the squad then we're doomed.

Jon, Were not managers, but I will be very worried if Malky only tweaked it.

If Malky's only going to "tweak" the squad then we're doomed.

Jon, Were not managers, but I will be very worried if Malky only tweaked it.

I think people underestimate the quality of the championship.

Personally I feel there is a good backbone in the squad with players who I believe will relish the premier. I have a feeling a number of them will come through and I think some of us are going to be surprised. The tweaking is that bit needed to encourage that.

Just for a comparison from the last 2 seasons of the promoted teams of players numbers signed in the 1st season in the Prem

2011/12 1st season prem
QPR - 14 players signed(although stayed up 1st season)
http://www.transferleague.co.uk/premier ... s/qpr.html
Norwich -7 players signed
http://www.transferleague.co.uk/premier ... sfers.html
Swansea 10 players signed
http://www.transferleague.co.uk/premier ... sfers.html

2012/13 1st season in prem
Reading -12 players signed
http://www.transferleague.co.uk/footbal ... sfers.html
Southampton - 10 players signed
http://www.transferleague.co.uk/footbal ... sfers.html
West Ham - 11 players signed
http://www.transferleague.co.uk/premier ... sfers.html

Teams in Red now relegated

Last edited by darran1927 on Mon May 20, 2013 8:02 pm, edited 2 times in total.

If Malky's only going to "tweak" the squad then we're doomed.

Jon, Were not managers, but I will be very worried if Malky only tweaked it.

I think people underestimate the quality of the championship.

Personally I feel there is a good backbone in the squad with players who I believe will relish the premier. I have a feeling a number of them will come through and I think some of us are going to be surprised. The tweaking is that bit needed to encourage that.

Ian, I hope your right

Yeah, about 4 or 5 players in, like MM said should tweak it nicely!

People need to look at Norwich..

Pilkington was from Huddersfield in League 1.

Holt has been from the bottom of the leagues.

Howson, Snodgrass, Hoolohan(however you spell his name).

Norwich had Championship players but they proved they can big up in the Prem, so don't see why some of our players can too.

I think the term "tweaking" has been picked up on and set a panic

Malky knows what he is doing and he knows what we need, I think his statement is designed to give existing players encouragment for next season, obviously we will see a higher standard of player come in but the message is that train hard and impress and everyone gets a chance.

Malky is a quality manager. Stop the mini panic ffs. Christ imagine you lot after we lose 4 on the bounce be telling us all our 8million quid striker isn't good enough and Malky should of gone to Everton

Evolution NOT Revolution...

In Malky we trust

Simple really, eh??

It's more or less what I said yesterday . Making whole sale changes at the beginning of the season is a recipe for disaster . I agree , lets bring in 5 quality players and see how things pan out. I can already predict that this board will be calling Tans head first, followed by Malky after we loose a few games . Batten down the hatches and lets be realistic ...Rome wasn't built in day.

Malky is right. Only tweaking is needed. Quality of player is not everything. Chemistry and understanding between players is important. I remember Luiz at Chelsea when he first moved there, he was dreadful as was Evra when he first went to United but over time after errors, De Gea made a few too, they got accustomed with playing with each other.

We need to assault the Prem from day one with a unit and not take risks in too many areas by bringing in a complete collection of individuals. A few players of real quality will do it. 1 or 2 in each area max with 2 subs/back ups and happy days.

6-8 players and I'll be happy. If Charlie Adam can make the step up then most of our squad can FFS.

I think your all missing the point.If we talk like Chelsea were gonna be changed for players just like them.I'd rather we go into the silly season with a reputation of being skint.

Keeping most of this squad together is a must. Releasing fringe players that are not going to cut the mustard is also a must. But we do need to strengthen with between 3 & 5 quality signings. But not in the QPR mode but players that are hungry for success. In the mold of Jordan Rhodes ETC. And of cosrse a very noisy CCS
Your welcome

He's just allowed Steve McPhail go.... he's already shown there's no room for sentiment!

As for tweaking... I'm with him! You look at Norwich, Swansea... they have only tweaked things. Norwich probably have a Championship squad but punch above their weight, why can't we do that?

A complete overhaul is not needed, if we do that there'll be no team just a bunch of individuals playing for themselves (i.e. QPR). We've got a good number of quality players that are definitely capable of challenging in the bottom half of the Premier. A few quality signings and a some back up players would be fine. Malky is probably going to want to keep some funds back for the January transfer window.