CRAIG BELLAMY URGES PATIENCE

Fair play..

CRAIG BELLAMY has urged Cardiff City fans to show patience as the great Championship promotion race heats up.

Bellamy was at his inspirational best as City recovered from a goal down on Boxing Day to see off Crystal Palace and move five points clear of the Championship pack.

The Wales striker set up both goals in the 2-1 win but admitted City had to “battle and scrap” for the victory – their 11th in 12 home games this season.

And with another home game against Millwall next tomorrow, Bellamy has told the Bluebirds faithful that direct action is not always the best approach.

“The fans were okay, but I still remember the first 10 and 15 minutes when one or two passes went backwards and there were one or two boos,” said Bellamy.

“Sometimes you have to keep the ball. We went a bit direct too early and, credit to Palace, they soaked that up and knew what we were doing. We had to be a bit more patient.”

Bellamy’s man-of-the-match performance came on the back of his stunning pre-Christmas strike at Leicester which handed City another precious three points.

Now the 33-year-old veteran is set for his third game in the space of a week despite well-documented concerns over his knee.

“We have played two tough games, but we’ve got another two coming up,” Bellamy told Cardiff City Player. “It’s a busy period for us. The Palace game was hard, we had rain and wind and it was a tough ask.

“We had to battle and scrap and one thing we really do is work hard for the three points.

“It’s what got us through. To get the goal before half-time was a big bonus for us.

“The second half was more like us and it’s great to be top.”

Bluebirds boss Malky Mackay has some fascinating selection dilemmas ahead of the Millwall game, especially with the New Year’s Day trip to Birmingham coming a few days later.

Kevin McNaughton put a strong case to keep his place at right-back – “he was outstanding against a winger (Wilfried Zaha) who has caught the nation’s attention” said Mackay – after stepping in for the suspended Matthew Connolly on Boxing Day.

Likewise, Aron Gunnarsson, who also impressed and scored the winner after coming on at half-time for the disappointing Jordon Mutch.

“We have a squad with depth and that means players go in and go out on performance,” said Mackay.

“Craig Conway is a good example. Four or five weeks ago he was putting in a transfer request, but he has grabbed his chance well.

“The key is to take chances which come your way and Aron certainly did that.

“Not only did he score, but he was exceptional during the second half.”

So, too, was Rudy Gestede who has provided fresh impetus from the bench just as the demanding Championship season has appeared to be catching up with Heidar Helguson.

The 34-year-old has carried a heavy burden up front because of injuries to Bellamy and Nicky Maynard, who has been ruled out of the rest of the campaign with cruciate ligament damage.

But Gestede, the 24-year-old former Metz and Cannes ace, has yet to start a first-team match this term with all his 13 appearances coming from the bench.

Mackay clearly sees him as an impact player right now and that judgement would appear sound given his contributions against Leicester and Palace.

“The boy has some great strengths,” he said.

“We first saw him in Spain when he came on trial, scored against Charlton and he played exceptionally well.

“Rudy has huge potential, he’s young and has a great willingness to learn.

“Our job is to nurture and develop our young players and Rudy is one we have great hopes for.

“Championship football has thrown up many different challenges to those he was used to before, but he has a great willingness to learn.

“Rudy has been frustrated because of injuries, but he is a big part of our group.

“It’s good that he is able to learn from a player like Heidar on where to move, what runs to make and so much more.”

With Joe Mason – who has perhaps been unlucky to see first-team opportunities limited this season – and the return of Tommy Smith imminent, Mackay will not be short of attacking options in the new year.

Smith has been out since October with a hamstring injury and will miss the chance of lining up against his younger brother Jack, the Millwall full-back, tomorrow.

“Tommy is close, maybe seven to 10 days away,” said Mackay.

“When he is back and available that will be like a new signing for us.

“If I get him in for our last 20 matches and he plays anywhere like the standard he hit during the eight games he has played so far, it will be like a new signing.”

Smith could possibly feature in Cardiff’s third-round FA Cup tie on the first weekend of January, with Macclesfield and Barrow set to resolve their delayed second round game tomorrow.

Read more: Wales Online http://www.walesonline.co.uk/footballna ... z2GKSxI8np

I really dont see what Malky does in Gestede. Baffles me to be honest. But hey ho, top
of the League by 5 points. He knows more than I do

I really dont see what Malky does in Gestede. Baffles me to be honest. But hey ho, top
of the League by 5 points. He knows more than I do

I reckon his worth is because he is big and awkward. He comes on fresh and commands the attention of a couple of defenders, which frees others.
It would be good to see the stats as to how many goals we have scored whilst he is on the pitch.

I must say I absolutely cringe when our so called fans boo when the ball get played back to Marshall! They are retaining possession due to limited options going forward ffs

Very wise of the club getting Craig to put this comment out, needed saying (not that it will change some of our numpty fanbase)

I must say I absolutely cringe when our so called fans boo when the ball get played back to Marshall! They are retaining possession due to limited options going forward ffs

Very wise of the club getting Craig to put this comment out, needed saying (not that it will change some of our numpty fanbase)

Massive clueless numptys down there these days

Two games of note last term (WestHam&Liverpool) Rudy was outstanding, simply because the opponents had no idea who or what he would bring.
Still I think we need to bring in another striker with a proven scoring record, Malky surely realises this as he has said on numerous times "Those who spend big and well in January,Tend to do Well".

Can't see him spending big on a striker though, probably a BIG loan signing.

I must say I absolutely cringe when our so called fans boo when the ball get played back to Marshall! They are retaining possession due to limited options going forward ffs

Very wise of the club getting Craig to put this comment out, needed saying (not that it will change some of our numpty fanbase)

The team should never be booed but I think it was more out of frustration that for the first 20 minutes they did nothing at all.

I have no problem with the team keeping the ball. But when they pass it back to Marshall , only for him to boot it forward and us lose possession it seams a bit pointless.

I have no problem with the team keeping the ball. But when they pass it back to Marshall , only for him to boot it forward and us lose possession it seams a bit pointless.

You have absolutely hit the nail of the head.

Possession is great and really frustrates the opposition. By all means utilise Marshall as another outfield player so he can be the conduit between both sides of the field, but if there are no options going forward what makes us think Marshall hoofing it up in the air is a better option.

I laugh when fans boo possession football, you can then easily pick out the fans with no idea about the game, but I suppose they pay their money and their opinion counts.

I must say I absolutely cringe when our so called fans boo when the ball get played back to Marshall! They are retaining possession due to limited options going forward ffs

Very wise of the club getting Craig to put this comment out, needed saying (not that it will change some of our numpty fanbase)

Agree with this.Some of our fans clearly have their heads still back in the old kick and rush days.

I've never once booed in the stadium and anyone who does should stay at home.

Rudy came on and won every header in a game where Helguson won virtually none because the Palace centre backs played very well (not a dig at Helguon who I think is a great player). Rudy is not the best with the ball at his feet but that will come because he's big, quick and he's got Bellers and Helguson to work with.

Some of our fans have always been numpties! I've been there in crowds of 1,800 or even less and there have always been arseholes complaining who you can tell they have never played a game of football in their lives.

And to those who were moaning in the first 20 minutes, did they not realise we were playing against the 3rd placed side in the division with a winger in their team who has been linked with a move for £20m and a striker who has 20 goals this season? I suspect some of them have only ever attended City matches this season and as a result simply expect us to turn up and win. What they made of Peterborough beating us is beyond me!

We have some clueless fcukwits as fans but our club is in the best position during the 30 years or so I have supported them!

What the fcuk is there to complain about? *

* Please don't turn this into a rebrand thread!

Too be honest I've never booed a City team. However I did get frustrated with Ben Turner constantly knocking the ball long and aimlessly, when he could easily be patient and pick a pass. He could learn a thing from Hudson, who has improved his distribution and always looks to keep possession with a pass or a defensive header.

I've got no problem with us keeping possession and being patient and picking a pass and I'm sure the majority of the crowd don't.

Well said Bellamy we only seem to get behind the team when we have scored and that only lasts for ten mins.

The golden rule is NEVER boo your on team no matter what.

Well said Bellamy we only seem to get behind the team when we have scored and that only lasts for ten mins.

The golden rule is NEVER boo your on team no matter what.

I agree with this^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^