Hudson: We are going for more than EPL survival
Wed Jul 10, 2013 5:20 am
Cardiff City skipper Mark Hudson has dismissed suggestions the Bluebirds will be happy will just surviving in the Premier League, insisting: "We aim to make an impact".
Hudson, who has signed a new contract which takes him through the next two seasons with an option for an extra year, says: “Every one of us must improve now. We must all start the new season in even better condition than we were in a year ago.
“That’s what Premier League football demands. We have to hit higher standards as individuals and as a group. There is no way round that.
“The team work ethic was fantastic last season and that was a big factor in winning the Championship, but now we have to go higher.
“We will be ready for that opening match at West Ham in mid-August – and those huge first two home matches against Manchester City and Everton.
“Believe me, we are not aiming to finish fourth from bottom. We are not getting above ourselves, but why aim for the minimum? Our aim is to give this a right go and make an impact.
“We understand how difficult this will be, but nobody will shy away from that challenge. We won’t go in feeling scared of what might happen, we won’t fear any opposition.
“There will be a few more players coming in to strengthen the squad and we’ll be ready to play and battle every step of the way this season.”
August 24: Man City (home)
The first Premier League match in the Welsh capital and a real chance for the Bluebirds to test their credentials against the best, as Sergio Aguero, Carlos Tevez, David Silva and co come to town.
http://i2.walesonline.co.uk/incoming/ar ... 569511.jpg
November 2: Swansea (home)
The first of the mouth-watering Welsh derby clashes against the Bluebirds’ big rivals. The return game takes place at the Liberty Stadium in early February.
http://i1.walesonline.co.uk/incoming/ar ... 569514.jpg
November 23: Manchester United (home)
David Moyes brings the champions to Cardiff City Stadium in one of the most eagerly awaiting fixtures of the Bluebirds' Premier League bow. Ryan Giggs gets his chance to take on his hometown team at long last.
http://i2.walesonline.co.uk/incoming/ar ... 569520.jpg
December 21: Liverpool (away)
The trip to iconic Anfield comes just before the festive fixtures kick in with former Swans boss Brendan Rodgers welcoming his former assistant Malky Mackay to Merseyside as Cardiff get to experience the Kop in Premier League flow for the first time.
http://i2.walesonline.co.uk/incoming/ar ... 569507.jpg
May 11, 2014: Chelsea (home)
Cardiff wrap-up their Premier League adventure with the visit of the Special One to South Wales in what could yet prove a title decider for the Londoners - with the Bluebirds hopefully having tied up safety before this point.
It’s been one of the most momentous starts to a pre-season in Hudson’s playing career. Wife Marie-Louise gave birth to their second child, 7lb 7ozs Leo Eden, last Friday and captain Huds is preparing to lead the Bluebirds into their first Premier League season armed with a new contract.
Their first son, Ollie, celebrates his third birthday next month and Hudson, 31, says: “My aim is to be playing for Cardiff the next three years. As long as I stay fit and playing I expect be here doing everything possible to help this club established themselves at the top level.
“It will take a lot of commitment, hard work and courage along the way, but everybody here is working together. On a personal not I love playing for Cardiff, my family and I love living in South Wales.
“The key now is to make sure Cardiff do everything possible to maintain Premier League status. It’s going to be a fantastic season for players, staff, fans and directors.
“Together we can achieve our targets at the top level.”
There were certainly a few eyebrows raised among fans when City paid just over £1m for Hudson four years ago, but that has proved to be a bargain price for a centre-half who has proved a solid, reliable player and a key leader.
Manager Malky Mackay has no doubts, describing his captain as ‘the ultimate professional, an inspirational leader of men.’
“Securing our captain on a longer-term deal this summer was on our list of priorities and I’m sure he will have the same impact for us in the Barclays Premier League as he did in captaining the players to promotion.”
Hudson admits it took a little time to persuade his extended family that a move to Cardiff, his first long-term transfer away from London, was the right one.
“I knew from the start that Cardiff City were a club intent on promotion, but I had to make sure family members knew exactly why I was going away from London,” says Hudson.
“It was the right decision and I could not be happier. Okay, it took us slightly longer than anticipated to earn promotion, Cardiff are now a Premier League club and that feels great.
“There is a buzz about the training ground, an excitement about what is to come. But we are also focused on staying focused on the new challenge and exactly what we have to do.
“Yes, we will be playing teams who have been challenging for Premier League honours over many, many seasons. THey have big budgets and are used to the challenges. We are under no illusions about what is ahead for us.
“But we believe in what we are doing and I have no doubts we will be competitive in the coming season.”
New centre-forward Andreas Cornelius, City’s £8.5m signing from Danish club FC Copenhagen, is due to start training with his new club today (Wednesday) and will be in the party who head off to Lausanne, Switzerland for a week-long training camp this Sunday.
“We went on a Swiss training camp a year ago and it was perfect preparation,” says Hudson. “Yes, it was tough at the time, but we got through an awful lot of good work and built towards the new season.
“The weather in Switzerland is going to be spot on and we can get through a lot of work.”
Yesterday, Hudson and his fellow City players were working with boxing World champion Nathan Cleverly’s conditioning coach, this morning they are out on the pitches at Vale of Glamorgan Resort and next week they will be working by the banks of Lake Geneva.
“Whatever happens this season we will work together, work for each other and give it everything we’ve got,” says Hudson.
“In our hearts we believe we can do well and there is no doubt we will compete hard.
“The training camp next week is a key part of our preparations and when we get back pre-season matches will come thick and fast.
“We spent a long time working towards our promotion dream and, having got there, we don’t intent giving up Premier League status. We believe we can stay there, we really do.”
Hudson, who has signed a new contract which takes him through the next two seasons with an option for an extra year, says: “Every one of us must improve now. We must all start the new season in even better condition than we were in a year ago.
“That’s what Premier League football demands. We have to hit higher standards as individuals and as a group. There is no way round that.
“The team work ethic was fantastic last season and that was a big factor in winning the Championship, but now we have to go higher.
“We will be ready for that opening match at West Ham in mid-August – and those huge first two home matches against Manchester City and Everton.
“Believe me, we are not aiming to finish fourth from bottom. We are not getting above ourselves, but why aim for the minimum? Our aim is to give this a right go and make an impact.
“We understand how difficult this will be, but nobody will shy away from that challenge. We won’t go in feeling scared of what might happen, we won’t fear any opposition.
“There will be a few more players coming in to strengthen the squad and we’ll be ready to play and battle every step of the way this season.”
August 24: Man City (home)
The first Premier League match in the Welsh capital and a real chance for the Bluebirds to test their credentials against the best, as Sergio Aguero, Carlos Tevez, David Silva and co come to town.
http://i2.walesonline.co.uk/incoming/ar ... 569511.jpg
November 2: Swansea (home)
The first of the mouth-watering Welsh derby clashes against the Bluebirds’ big rivals. The return game takes place at the Liberty Stadium in early February.
http://i1.walesonline.co.uk/incoming/ar ... 569514.jpg
November 23: Manchester United (home)
David Moyes brings the champions to Cardiff City Stadium in one of the most eagerly awaiting fixtures of the Bluebirds' Premier League bow. Ryan Giggs gets his chance to take on his hometown team at long last.
http://i2.walesonline.co.uk/incoming/ar ... 569520.jpg
December 21: Liverpool (away)
The trip to iconic Anfield comes just before the festive fixtures kick in with former Swans boss Brendan Rodgers welcoming his former assistant Malky Mackay to Merseyside as Cardiff get to experience the Kop in Premier League flow for the first time.
http://i2.walesonline.co.uk/incoming/ar ... 569507.jpg
May 11, 2014: Chelsea (home)
Cardiff wrap-up their Premier League adventure with the visit of the Special One to South Wales in what could yet prove a title decider for the Londoners - with the Bluebirds hopefully having tied up safety before this point.
It’s been one of the most momentous starts to a pre-season in Hudson’s playing career. Wife Marie-Louise gave birth to their second child, 7lb 7ozs Leo Eden, last Friday and captain Huds is preparing to lead the Bluebirds into their first Premier League season armed with a new contract.
Their first son, Ollie, celebrates his third birthday next month and Hudson, 31, says: “My aim is to be playing for Cardiff the next three years. As long as I stay fit and playing I expect be here doing everything possible to help this club established themselves at the top level.
“It will take a lot of commitment, hard work and courage along the way, but everybody here is working together. On a personal not I love playing for Cardiff, my family and I love living in South Wales.
“The key now is to make sure Cardiff do everything possible to maintain Premier League status. It’s going to be a fantastic season for players, staff, fans and directors.
“Together we can achieve our targets at the top level.”
There were certainly a few eyebrows raised among fans when City paid just over £1m for Hudson four years ago, but that has proved to be a bargain price for a centre-half who has proved a solid, reliable player and a key leader.
Manager Malky Mackay has no doubts, describing his captain as ‘the ultimate professional, an inspirational leader of men.’
“Securing our captain on a longer-term deal this summer was on our list of priorities and I’m sure he will have the same impact for us in the Barclays Premier League as he did in captaining the players to promotion.”
Hudson admits it took a little time to persuade his extended family that a move to Cardiff, his first long-term transfer away from London, was the right one.
“I knew from the start that Cardiff City were a club intent on promotion, but I had to make sure family members knew exactly why I was going away from London,” says Hudson.
“It was the right decision and I could not be happier. Okay, it took us slightly longer than anticipated to earn promotion, Cardiff are now a Premier League club and that feels great.
“There is a buzz about the training ground, an excitement about what is to come. But we are also focused on staying focused on the new challenge and exactly what we have to do.
“Yes, we will be playing teams who have been challenging for Premier League honours over many, many seasons. THey have big budgets and are used to the challenges. We are under no illusions about what is ahead for us.
“But we believe in what we are doing and I have no doubts we will be competitive in the coming season.”
New centre-forward Andreas Cornelius, City’s £8.5m signing from Danish club FC Copenhagen, is due to start training with his new club today (Wednesday) and will be in the party who head off to Lausanne, Switzerland for a week-long training camp this Sunday.
“We went on a Swiss training camp a year ago and it was perfect preparation,” says Hudson. “Yes, it was tough at the time, but we got through an awful lot of good work and built towards the new season.
“The weather in Switzerland is going to be spot on and we can get through a lot of work.”
Yesterday, Hudson and his fellow City players were working with boxing World champion Nathan Cleverly’s conditioning coach, this morning they are out on the pitches at Vale of Glamorgan Resort and next week they will be working by the banks of Lake Geneva.
“Whatever happens this season we will work together, work for each other and give it everything we’ve got,” says Hudson.
“In our hearts we believe we can do well and there is no doubt we will compete hard.
“The training camp next week is a key part of our preparations and when we get back pre-season matches will come thick and fast.
“We spent a long time working towards our promotion dream and, having got there, we don’t intent giving up Premier League status. We believe we can stay there, we really do.”
Re: Hudson: We are going for more than EPL survival
Wed Jul 10, 2013 5:22 am
There will be a few more players coming in to strengthen the squad
Re: Hudson: We are going for more than EPL survival
Wed Jul 10, 2013 6:56 am
Great to have such positive words from our Captain and one would except that from a leader but the team that we put out at the start of the season and the squad we have will determine our destiny. We look a bit lightweight at the moment and need strengthening but who knows. 
Re: Hudson: We are going for more than EPL survival
Wed Jul 10, 2013 12:00 pm
Current squad will struggle and isn't good enough - that's why we're favourites for the drop. Malky is going after 5/6 players. Cornellius will be a gem in my opinion, however, we need to have a very good defence to survive and that's the area where we are vulnerable.
Re: Hudson: We are going for more than EPL survival
Wed Jul 10, 2013 3:33 pm
Tevez going to be loaned back from juventus to play against his boyhood club is he? Heard his kids are enrolled in Cardiff School for the 2014/15 season
Re: Hudson: We are going for more than EPL survival
Wed Jul 10, 2013 5:02 pm
He must be on a high after getting a big pay rise.
Current squad is going to struggle especially against a high tempo team.
Current squad is going to struggle especially against a high tempo team.
Re: Hudson: We are going for more than EPL survival
Wed Jul 10, 2013 9:22 pm
Current squad is not good enough for the prem, some people need to get real, Hudson can talk this bullshit as much as he likes, the truth is, if malkey cannot/does'nt get players to come to the club, we will be destined for the drop i'm afraid.