Bellamy to captain City at West Ham as Hudson misses out

Thursday 15th August 2013.


WalesOnline understands manager Malky Mackay has virtually decided on his team for the Upton Park opener and is ready to throw in 18-year-old Merthyr product Declan John for his dream league debut.

Craig Bellamy will lead his hometown club out on their first ever outing in the Premier LeagueCraig Bellamywill lead his hometown club out on their first ever outing in the Premier League
Teenager Declan John is set for a sensational start as Cardiff City make their Premier League bow at West Ham on Saturday... but inspirational Championship title-winning skipper Mark Hudson will miss out.

WalesOnline understands manager Malky Mackay has virtually decided on his team for the Upton Park opener and is ready to throw in 18-year-old Merthyr product John for his dream league debut.

John will get the nod at left-back in the absence of the suspended Andrew Taylor, part of a new-look defence which will feature Ben Turner and new signing Steven Caulker as the preferred combination in the middle.

Declan John gets a foot on the ball against ChievoDeclan John gets a foot on the ball against Chievo
Mackay’s decision means there is no place for club captain Hudson, City’s player of the year as they surged to promotion last season.

Hudson will have to make do with a place amongst the substitutes, with Craig Bellamy chosen as the man to lead the Bluebirds into battle on their big day.

Mackay will not reveal his team until just before kick-off on Saturday, but it seems the only question still to be answered in his mind is whether Chilean international Gary Medel goes straight in.

City’s £9.5m club record signing from Sevilla has not yet trained with his new team-mates and doesn’t arrive back from international duty until this evening, Chile having met Iraq in a friendly last night.

But the likelihood is Mackay will also go with Medel, backed up in the midfield by the creative flair of Peter Whittingham and Kim Bo-kyung.

Matt Connolly, is expected to be selected ahead of John Brayford, will get the nod at right-back, accompanied by teenager John on the other flank.

Manager Mackay pondered whether to bring in an extra left-sided defender to his squad for the game, but John played for 90 minutes in wins over Italians Chievo (1-0) and La Liga club Athletic Bilbao.

His promising performances have earned former Cyfarthfa High School pupil John the chance of a starting place against the Hammers.

Danish centre-forward Andreas Cornelius returned to training this week, having sustained an ankle injury in training, and could join Hudson among the substitutes at Upton Park.

Fraizer Campbell takes the attack to Athletic BilbaoFraizer Campbell takes the attack to Athletic Bilbao
City (probable): D Marshall; M Connolly, S Caulker, B Turner, D John; P Whittingham, G Medel, Kim; T Smith, C Bellamy (capt); F Campbell.

I think it'd be stupid to put Medel straight in. I don't think he's even linked up worth the squad yet. He won't know the Prem at all so it's best to keep him on the bench and start Gunnar IMO

I think it'd be stupid to put Medel straight in. I don't think he's even linked up worth the squad yet. He won't know the Prem at all so it's best to keep him on the bench and start Gunnar IMO

I reckon he will start Gunnar and Bring Medel on after 60 minutes. But if Medel does start then Malky must feel that it's the right decision and I'll go with that.

Medel is in action and away from home I wouldn't be shocked if he was picked.

In fairness weve got quite a decent team going on reading all that, i hope Declan John turns out to be a diamond in the rough and takes to the prem like a duck to water. and same with Kimbo, i got a feeling hes going to have a awesome season for us too.

I know were not the finished article yet but hopefully we can smash the hammers silly and have some marque reinforcements by Man City at home, ready for a good season ahead

Declan John looks a good prospect and playing in the first game carries a lot of responsibility, West Ham will target him as a weak link so Bellers will have to help him as much as poss.
Great experience for the lad though and one he will no doubt relish.

If Hudson is dropped that is sickening. The guy is bluebird through and through. How can you drop our captain just like that? im gutted.

Whatever Malky does he deserves to be backed. Our leader has not put a foot wrong and is showing that he is capable of making tough decisions too.
There is no room for sentiment in the biggest league in the world. If Turner is picked ahead of Hudson then it is the right decision. Turner has more pace than Huds who had a fantastic season which saw us go up as champions. Pace will be a major factor in this campaign as the strikers are a yard or 2 quicker. Turner undoubtedly needs to work on his distribution but I expect Malky to address this with immediate effect.
Turner and Caulker looks is the pairing I would go for myself so I hope the above write up is correct.
Remember it's a marathon and not a sprint and I expect every one of the squad to get game time over the long arduous season ahead.
.

That team will get stuffed

That team will get stuffed

What do you regard as a stuffing MOO?
I personally think the team will hold their own and Nolan aside last season I think West Ham were no better than us. He was the Dirty horrible player that all clubs need and he run and bossed the show.
We have more leaders now and are far better equipped to deal with the likes of him.
In all fairness Nolan was Fantastic against us and bullied us but I can't see that happening again.

We have to trust malky in this. As another poster has said, he doesn't mind dropping players if its going to benefit the side. That's what's brought the level of competition and respect to the squad since the departure of DJ. It must just be down to form in training and fair play to him if this is the case

That team will get stuffed

What do you regard as a stuffing MOO?
I personally think the team will hold their own and Nolan aside last season I think West Ham were no better than us. He was the Dirty horrible player that all clubs need and he run and bossed the show.
We have more leaders now and are far better equipped to deal with the likes of him.
In all fairness Nolan was Fantastic against us and bullied us but I can't see that happening again.

Simply not good enough - I hope I'm wrong but that team will get drubbed

Whitts is a passenger at the best of times - pre season means nothing

But only time will tell

That team will get stuffed

What do you regard as a stuffing MOO?
I personally think the team will hold their own and Nolan aside last season I think West Ham were no better than us. He was the Dirty horrible player that all clubs need and he run and bossed the show.
We have more leaders now and are far better equipped to deal with the likes of him.
In all fairness Nolan was Fantastic against us and bullied us but I can't see that happening again.

Simply not good enough - I hope I'm wrong but that team will get drubbed

Whitts is a passenger at the best of times - pre season means nothing

But only time will tell

I hope you are wrong too and to be honest I think you are.
I believe the team stated will stay up though it may need tweaking and time to gel.
Out of interest what team would you pick to beat West Ham?

That team will get stuffed

What do you regard as a stuffing MOO?
I personally think the team will hold their own and Nolan aside last season I think West Ham were no better than us. He was the Dirty horrible player that all clubs need and he run and bossed the show.
We have more leaders now and are far better equipped to deal with the likes of him.
In all fairness Nolan was Fantastic against us and bullied us but I can't see that happening again.

Simply not good enough - I hope I'm wrong but that team will get drubbed

Whitts is a passenger at the best of times - pre season means nothing

But only time will tell

I hope you are wrong too and to be honest I think you are.
I believe the team stated will stay up though it may need tweaking and time to gel.
Out of interest what team would you pick to beat West Ham?

We needed more players Smith & Connolly not premiership players .....I don't know what Smith gives us

Brayford and gunnarsson not playing? Cant see it myself

That team will get stuffed

What do you regard as a stuffing MOO?
I personally think the team will hold their own and Nolan aside last season I think West Ham were no better than us. He was the Dirty horrible player that all clubs need and he run and bossed the show.
We have more leaders now and are far better equipped to deal with the likes of him.
In all fairness Nolan was Fantastic against us and bullied us but I can't see that happening again.

Simply not good enough - I hope I'm wrong but that team will get drubbed

Whitts is a passenger at the best of times - pre season means nothing

But only time will tell

I hope you are wrong too and to be honest I think you are.
I believe the team stated will stay up though it may need tweaking and time to gel.
Out of interest what team would you pick to beat West Ham?

We needed more players Smith & Connolly not premiership players .....I don't know what Smith gives us

Malky has strengthened in most areas and more strengthening is undoubtedly needed but he has prioritized very well so far. I'm not a fan of negativity although I can understand your concerns. We obviously have a budget and I don't believe Malky could have done anything any different. He's spent well so far and strengthened the most important positions 1st. More will undoubtedly follow in the coming weeks. This season is all about staying up and I believe we are more than capable of doing that and indeed I think we will surprise a few.
C'mon you mighty Bluebirds
I

I can't see Brayford not being picked. He was bought as a first team member surely what with Malky calling him the best RB in the league last season. Also I'd rather Noone was picked over Smith, although I suppose Smith has some PL experience, but we definitely need a new winger.

Malky never lets stuff like this out so why would he do it for one of the biggest games in his career yet

That wont be the team

The team in the OP is a probable one guessed by the reporter.

No one knows yet what team MM will pick. Have a bit of faith, weve not even kicked a ball in the prem yet and some of you think we are already defeated

The team in the OP is a probable one guessed by the reporter.

No one knows yet what team MM will pick. Have a bit of faith, weve not even kicked a ball in the prem yet and some of you think we are already defeated

I can't see Brayford not being picked. He was bought as a first team member surely what with Malky calling him the best RB in the league last season. Also I'd rather Noone was picked over Smith, although I suppose Smith has some PL experience, but we definitely need a new winger.

I would personally start Smith before Noone as I see Noone as more of an impact player, at the moment he's not quite ready and tries too hard to make an impact. I think he will come good but just needs to mature a little and Smith has that mental maturity if not the pace.

Where has the echo/phillips got this info from???? surely brayford, an out and out right back will start before a centre half playing out of position??? (conolly) as for smith on the wing, then i would have thought noone or conway will be ahead of him.

If Hudson is dropped that is sickening. The guy is bluebird through and through. How can you drop our captain just like that? im gutted.

Because Turner and Caulker have been superb in pre season and Hudson has been off the pace. Malky said he can't have sentiment and its good that he is following it up with actions. I'm not Turner's biggest fan, but he deserves his place ahead of Hudson on merit at the moment.

the team is only a probable, but its a fiar guess considering Connelly and Turner started ahead of Hudson and Brayford in our last friendly before the season.

This team highlights how weak we are on the wings imo. Smith isnt good enough and Malky clearly doesnt trust Noones work ethic. We desperately need another winger.

What's happened to Maynard?? I think he would
Be well up for it against his old club!

He might be starting Connolly ahead of Brayford due to West Ham's physical game. Connolly offers more in the air and will be vital when it comes to defending set pieces against the Hammers

Turners a good defender but just hoofs it everytime he has the ball

If Hudson is dropped that is sickening. The guy is bluebird through and through. How can you drop our captain just like that? im gutted.

Because Turner and Caulker have been superb in pre season and Hudson has been off the pace. Malky said he can't have sentiment and its good that he is following it up with actions. I'm not Turner's biggest fan, but he deserves his place ahead of Hudson on merit at the moment.

I still can't believe that people take pre-season seriously

Playing Connolly at RB against West Ham will be a fatal blow! The man is not a full back!

Please not tommy smith