' Cardiff City back four? '

Malky Mackay must clearly state the case for Cardiff City defence

Is it good enough?

Who would you play?

20th Aug 2013

South Wales Echo takes a look at Cardiff City's defensive options as they prepare to face the might of Manchester City


Malky Mackayhas food for thought

One game in and Cardiff City boss Malky Mackay must already clearly state the case for his Bluebirds defence.

A tentative opening Premier League defeat at West Ham provided Mackay with plenty of food for thought, raising plenty of questions when it comes to the best Cardiff XI.

This was particularly true in the Cardiff back four which came under intense pressure from the Hammers and buckled twice at Upton Park.

A goal in each half from Joe Cole and Kevin Nolan ruthlessly exposed the Bluebirds defence and illustrated the size of the step up they now face after cruising to the Championship title last season.

The case for the Bluebirds defence: Watch our Blakey's Boot Room show back

Back in the second-tier, which they topped by a clear eight points in the end, Cardiff’s success was heavily built on the parsimony of their defending.

No side last season kept more clean sheets, no side conceded fewer goals and Mackay, a mean centre-half back in the day himself, will want to get back to that meanness, irrespective of the quality of the opposition this time around.

Despite it being just one game and a long season ahead, the defensive performance at West Ham raised concerns.

The Hammers were allowed too much time and space at times and got down the flanks way too easily.

There appeared to be a frightening lack of pace within City ranks.

Matt Connolly at right-back had a torrid afternoon, particularly when England winger Matt Jarvis was running straight at him.

Mackay will spend this week considering his defensive options for the visit of Manchester City on Sunday.

The nature of defeat at Upton Park will also hand credence to calls from those who believe that Mackay must make more defensive signings, particularly at full-back.

The Scot has moved in the summer to strengthen his defensive options, going both ends of the scale really when it comes to fresh faces.

The highly-rated John Brayford was taken out of the Championship for £1.5m after earning good reviews at right-back for Derby.

But Mackay pushed the boat out at centre-half, paying a then club record £8.5m for Steven Caulker from Tottenham.

The move came as a surprise to many with Caulker seemingly on the verge of big things at Spurs.

Despite being only 21, he possesses what Cardiff are short of, namely top-flight experience, much of it coming during a highly successful season lon loan at Swansea.

Caulker unsurprisingly slipped straight into the heart of defence...but who would he play alongside.

In the end Ben Turner got the nod and the upshot was, of course, that captain Mark Hudson moved to the bench.

It was a shock in many ways after Hudson’s excellent campaign last year.

Those calling for Hudson to be the first XI will also have had their case strengthened by events at West Ham.

Caulker and Turner may still be bedding in, but what the Bluebirds seemed to miss was the quiet authority, the guiding hand of Hudson.

Mackay’s decision to dispense with his skipper’s services is one that will be closely scrutinised over the coming few weeks.

But if Mackay will persevere with his centre-back pairing and allow time to prove themselves, it could be all change when it comes to full-backs and Manchester City.




Andrew Taylor will certainly return at left-back after his suspension last weekend.

Mackay surprised many with the inclusion of 18-year-old Declan John in place of Taylor.

The youngster held his own for most of the game but the experienced Taylor will come back in to add precious experience.

At right-back Mackay will surely be toying with the idea of a change too.

Connolly, whose preferred position is centre-half, did well at full-back last season but he looked off the pace from the start in East London.

The Bluebirds boss maybe loathe to ring the changes so soon, but he does have options at his disposal.

Brayford, at least, is a specialist right-back who will be itching to make his mark in the top flight.

There is even the option of stalwart full-back Kevin McNaughton, who will be seen as many as a fringe player but who has excelled in many a skirmish over the years.

With the transfer window open until September 2 there will be plenty, too, who believe the way to a solid Cardiff defence still lies in bringing in fresh faces.

Whatever the permutations or potential changes to be made though, Mackay knows that a solid Bluebirds back-line must be fixed upon sooner rather than later.

Indeed, in just a matter of days, Sergio Aguero, David Silva and company will arrive in Cardiff – and you do not get much more of a sterner test against anyone.

Last season's stats in relation to goals conceded were pretty impressive but we are now in a different league , literally & metaphorically ! To go into our first PL game with MC & DJ as full-backs was baffling ! John's time will come but for me Connoly's time is gonna be limited , he doesn't inspire me with any confidence particularly at FB ! BT is old school ,more of a centre-half then central-defender if that makes sense , on the deck he's limited and his distribution is sadly , nowhere near PL class , hoofball is not going to succeed this time around ! Kev for many is a legend , but in reality , not a long-term option,again poor distribution ! I'm not convinced AT is the solution either , his defensive frailties were exposed @ Championship level last season & I see more of the same this ! Hudson deserves his chance , certainly think he's a better option than BT or MC at centre-back !

Caulker , was a coup for me , and Malky is to be applauded for a great piece of business !

Man City looked impressive last night , some of their interplay was top drawer , sadly I think DM ( if he plays ? ) will have his busiest game for us ! The defence needs bolstering with some quality , in short, two FBs and another CB , players better than we currently have, not to provide a challenges to the current incumbemts places , but to take them !

We also need two players who can provide width and hit that bye-line !

Malky , is learning his trade , he needs time & a busy cuppla weeks @ the shops !

Last season proved we need Hudson, our back line panics without him. Why he was dropped Ill never know. Taylor, Hudson, Caulker and Brayford on Sunday plz Malky.

Indeed, in just a matter of days, Sergio Aguero, David Silva and company will arrive in Cardiff – and you do not get much more of a sterner test against anyone.

Thought he was injured for Sunday?

Brayford. Caulker. Hudson. Taylor.

you can play any back four you want on sunday, man city have speed and quality - it'll be the longest 90 minutes any of those players have had!!

Brayford. Caulker. Connolly. Taylor.
This would be my preferred back four from what we have available.

We simply need to get in their faces on Sunday and bully them off the park. Medel needs to show us some of that fight (maybe he'll come alive with the crowd behind him) and our defenders need to get stuck in. I wouldn't put Connolly at again - sooner have JB or KM instead.

The crowd need to get stuck in as well and play their part.

Brayford. Caulker. Connolly. Taylor.
This would be my preferred back four from what we have available.

No Hudson?

Any 1 butt Connally hes shocking!

Last season's stats in relation to goals conceded were pretty impressive but we are now in a different league , literally & metaphorically ! To go into our first PL game with MC & DJ as full-backs was baffling ! John's time will come but for me Connoly's time is gonna be limited , he doesn't inspire me with any confidence particularly at FB ! BT is old school ,more of a centre-half then central-defender if that makes sense , on the deck he's limited and his distribution is sadly , nowhere near PL class , hoofball is not going to succeed this time around ! Kev for many is a legend , but in reality , not a long-term option,again poor distribution ! I'm not convinced AT is the solution either , his defensive frailties were exposed @ Championship level last season & I see more of the same this ! Hudson deserves his chance , certainly think he's a better option than BT or MC at centre-back !

Caulker , was a coup for me , and Malky is to be applauded for a great piece of business !

Man City looked impressive last night , some of their interplay was top drawer , sadly I think DM ( if he plays ? ) will have his busiest game for us ! The defence needs bolstering with some quality , in short, two FBs and another CB , players better than we currently have, not to provide a challenges to the current incumbemts places , but to take them !

We also need two players who can provide width and hit that bye-line !

Malky , is learning his trade , he needs time & a busy cuppla weeks @ the shops !

MC & DJ played because they both did well in the final pre-season game vs. A Bilbao and of course Andrew Taylor was suspended giving Declan John his opportunity.

Unlike 99% of other posters I actually see how the long ball up to Campbell Frazer could work. Unfortunately it is the accuracy of the long ball which is the problem rather than the long ball itself, although the point that we shouldn't rely on that alone is correct.

I agree with you over Turner he is a 'stopper' in old currency and should be judged on that rather than his failure to play a 40 yard ball with same accuracy as David Beckham.

As for Connelly he is a good player but not a RB. I sometimes wonder if his inclusion in the team has more to do with his goal threat from set-pieces rather than his ability in that position. It must be hugely appealing to MM to play John Beckford against Man City.

We do need wingers but we actually have some good ones already. I wish MM would ditch the ploy of playing Left on the Right and Right on Left. When you play that that the temptation is to cut inside instead of getting to the bye-line and putting balls into the oppositions box where anything could then happen.

Taylor coming back Sunday isn't going to solve any problems because he's crap.

thats a constructive comment 'he's crap'

Hudson and Brayford in, I don't mind between John and Taylor but would expect Taylor more likely to be back in.

Brayford Hudson Caulker Taylor


I think we need an experienced left back Sunday, the nerves might get to John, as for Connolly and Turner...they were poor at the weekend

Brayford Hudson Caulker Taylor


I think we need an experienced left back Sunday, the nerves might get to John, as for Connolly and Turner...they were poor at the weekend

Be surprised if that's not the starting line-up @ the back !