" MALKY MACKAY IS ADAMANT,WE CAN WIN & I WANT TO WIN "

Cardiff City adamant new-look team can progress in FA Cup

Jan 4 2013


“The FA Cup has been special to me since I moved from Scotland to play in the English football system,” said Mackay.

“We want to win at Macclesfield and make progress in the competition.


MALKY Mackay is set to leave EVERY member of his table-topping Championship team out of tomorrow’s FA Cup third round tie with Macclesfield.

The Bluebirds boss will make sweeping changes to his line-up and rest key men like Craig Bellamy, David Marshall, Mark Hudson and Craig Noone.

Instead, a young Bluebirds team will be tasked with taking on the Blue Square Conference side at their Moss Rose ground.

Mackay has clearly prioritised promotion over the FA Cup and wants his key men fit, fresh and firing for the next Championship clash with Ipswich on Saturday week.



His Premier League chasing Bluebirds stand top of the table, seven points clear of their nearest rivals, and manager Mackay is keen to take advantage of a break from Championship action after a hectic and successful Christmas and new year period.

Mackay’s men won four successive matches in 11 days, keeping three clean sheets and conceding only one goal, in maintaining their powerful drive at the top. The players behind that march clear at the top gave everything to the cause and Mackay believes they will be better off at home tomorrow, while he picks a second string XI.

Veteran Stephen McPhail, pictured, and goalkeeper Joe Lewis are likely to be the only experienced players involved, although young Joe Ralls will also figure. He has impressed at Championship level when given his chance this season, but has taken a step back out of first team action.

Mackay’s decision should see Kadeem Harris make his first team debut, while Luke Coulson, a talented young full-back signed from Manchester City, and Ronnie Hawkins, the midfield player who joined Cardiff from Spurs, also travel to Cheshire.

Listen back to the highlights from this week's live Blakey's Bootroom show. Is the FA Cup a distraction for Cardiff?


Mackay won’t name his team until just before kick-off, but the City manager has made it clear he will ‘freshen up’ his squad for the trip.

He will turn to his young pros and under-21 squad players, while McPhail is ready for action after playing in a number of those development matches with the youngsters.

Filip Kiss and Etien Velikonja, the Bluebirds’ forgotten striker, should figure, with front man Nat Jarvis also in the shake-up for selection.

Defenders Declan John, Ben Nugent and Adedeji Oshilaja could also be involved.

Macclesfield will fancy their chances of springing an upset, but Mackay maintains the team he sends out should be good enough to win and clinch a place in the fourth round for the Bluebirds.

“The FA Cup has been special to me since I moved from Scotland to play in the English football system,” said Mackay.

“We want to win at Macclesfield and make progress in the competition.

“I will field a team I believe can achieve that.”

Tommy Smith was hoping to be ready for the FA Cup clash, but will not be risked.

No point in rushing Tommy Smith with this break.. I would like him to be kept ready for the league games.

I will be a bit gutted if we lose this game as it would be great to see the youngsters get a win and progress.

I For one want to see MM give some of our squad players a run out,and try and win these games.

It would give players game time,and give MM more options with players for the run in to the championship.

IMO Smith should be on the bench in case we are cruising in the second half, would be great for him to get a run out.
Also I'd be disappointed if Kiss, Mason and Rudy weren't featured. 3 young players who need the game time and don't play a lot this year, especially Mason as he's been on the bench a lot, I'm sure he'd love to go there and get a goal or two for his confidence.

its not all bad this, players like nugent and ralls are on the fringes of the first team anyway, while mcphail should help those around him.

Would be absolutley mortified if we lose this.

Not sure if resting players is always a good thing. Newport County played only one game over Christmas due to postponments and then crashed 5-0 at home on their first game of the New Year

On the fence with this one,

Wanna win every game but, I'd like to watch city v Wurzels on my 40th weekend in Cardiff.
But if we get a home 5th round draw ill be happy

Could be an away game that day and me and a load of mates will be in caerdydd.

Good management by Malky I think because he rests the first team and puts the league first but then gives the FA cup the respect it deserves by testing the youngsters.

There is not doubt he will work the bollocks of the youngsters and all this helps them improve and we can gauge where they all are in there development.

My opinion is if you are mid table give the FA cup the kitchen sink but if you sit top of the league like us with big games coming think and fast then you have to put those games first.

I just think this year we have to go for promotion and I think Malky has got it right.

I do love the FA cup though but you cant have it all can you.