" Maynard looking to impress "

Thursday 29th August 2013.

Nicky Maynard hopes he has given Cardiff manager Malky Mackay some "food for thought" after his stunning goal helped knock Accrington out of the Capital One Cup.

The 26-year-old striker was handed his first Bluebirds start in 11 months at the Crown Ground and broke the deadlock just after the hour mark with a sublime strike as he flicked the ball over a defender's head before rolling his effort into the left corner.

Strike partner Rudy Gestede added a second barely a minute later to ensure the 2012 finalists set up a meeting with Maynard's former employees West Ham in the third round.

It has not been easy for Maynard since he swapped Upton Park for the Cardiff City Stadium and he was largely a frustrated spectator during their march to the Championship title last term after damaging knee ligaments.

But now, back to full fitness and part of a Premier League squad, Maynard is keen to make up for lost time.

"I was out for eight months last season and I've had a decent pre-season and been looked after well," said Maynard.

"I've not been able to go gung-ho because I still need to manage my knee but I feel fit, I feel sharp and I'm just hungry to get as many minutes as possible.

"Whenever I play I always expect to be scoring or getting chances. Thankfully I got a run-out and showed I can still score goals."

Mackay is likely to recall Fraizer Campbell for Saturday's match against Everton after his two goals earned the win over Manchester City on Sunday, the Bluebirds' first victory in the top flight for over half a century.

Maynard added: "It's a disappointment that I've not played as many minutes as I would have liked but it's a squad game.

"We had a fantastic result on Sunday and I was as chomping at the bit to get a run-out but hopefully I can give the gaffer some food for thought and whenever I get the chance I'm looking to take it.

"I'd like to think me and Fraizer have been taking that chance and obviously it's given the gaffer a few headaches which he'd probably like."

Mackay's side were made to work hard for their 2-0 victory in Lancashire against a team currently propping up the Football League.

Yet the Scot saw enough of James Beattie's men to claim they will soon be making an ascent of the League Two ladder.

Mackay said: "You look at teams and you say, 'Are they playing for the manager? Are they working hard or are they going through the motions?'.

"Accrington absolutely applied themselves for their manager. They worked hard, ran hard and I don't think it'll be long before they're off the foot of the table."

Beattie, yet to taste victory in the league, will undoubtedly welcome such testaments but he realises Stanley must now produce similar performances on Saturday afternoons.

"It's a different style of football in the league," he said.

"I've just got to try to make the players aware of what's at stake in the league and try to relax them as well as I can."

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Don't think Malky rates him that much. Wanted him for the Championship but the injury forced his hand to get Campbell who has more to his game (especially as a lone striker).

i like maynard he took his goal really well and was sharp great sub to have or replacement for campbell i think

Don't think Malky rates him that much. Wanted him for the Championship but the injury forced his hand to get Campbell who has more to his game (especially as a lone striker).

I disagree with this. Maynard not at his best yet after his injury and before he got injured he looked superb playing as a lone striker

set up a meeting with Maynard's former employees West Ham in the third round.

love the idea of him running things at west ham, new nickname? The boss?

Don't think Malky rates him that much. Wanted him for the Championship but the injury forced his hand to get Campbell who has more to his game (especially as a lone striker).

I disagree with this. Maynard not at his best yet after his injury and before he got injured he looked superb playing as a lone striker

I agree with your assessment and I think that Robin, who is usually a sensible poster, may have been sniffing too much Ether in work!

Maynard was looking sharp prior to his injury at Millwall and if he keeps his performance & commitment level up, he'll undoubtedly get his chance!

Campbell is the man in possession atm though and nobody apart from possibly Angelis could argue with his right to be top dog currently!

Things could obviously change throughout the season, if Campbell suddenly loses form, gets injured or suspended!

Don't think Malky rates him that much. Wanted him for the Championship but the injury forced his hand to get Campbell who has more to his game (especially as a lone striker).

I disagree with this. Maynard not at his best yet after his injury and before he got injured he looked superb playing as a lone striker

I agree with your assessment and I think that Robin, who is usually a sensible poster, may have been sniffing too much Ether in work!

Maynard was looking sharp prior to his injury at Millwall and if he keeps his performance & commitment level up, he'll undoubtedly get his chance!

Campbell is the man in possession atm though and nobody apart from possibly Angelis could argue with his right to be top dog currently!

Things could obviously change throughout the season, if Campbell suddenly loses form, gets injured or suspended!

Im not saying he's a bad player or anything, just feel FC is a superior option and i'm not sure Maynard would fancy being second choice. Then factor in AC who came in on big money may make NM 3rd place.

It's more a statement on our team and Malky's thinking than any issue with him.

And I'll have you know i've had 3 hours sleep in the last 30 hours due to nightshifts.

Don't think he's nothing more than a good striker to have on the bench as this level, I really hope he will make an impact though.

It was a world class goal!

Also he can do a job for us.

Don't think Malky rates him that much. Wanted him for the Championship but the injury forced his hand to get Campbell who has more to his game (especially as a lone striker).

I disagree with this. Maynard not at his best yet after his injury and before he got injured he looked superb playing as a lone striker

I agree with your assessment and I think that Robin, who is usually a sensible poster, may have been sniffing too much Ether in work!

Maynard was looking sharp prior to his injury at Millwall and if he keeps his performance & commitment level up, he'll undoubtedly get his chance!

Campbell is the man in possession atm though and nobody apart from possibly Angelis could argue with his right to be top dog currently!

Things could obviously change throughout the season, if Campbell suddenly loses form, gets injured or suspended!

Im not saying he's a bad player or anything, just feel FC is a superior option and i'm not sure Maynard would fancy being second choice. Then factor in AC who came in on big money may make NM 3rd place.

It's more a statement on our team and Malky's thinking than any issue with him.

And I'll have you know i've had 3 hours sleep in the last 30 hours due to nightshifts.

Well you didn't explain yourself very clearly in your previous post and if you think 3 hours sleep in 30 hours is bad, don't ever apply to join the Army mate!

Were at 35 now fella

I prefer to comment on what I think Malky will do. It seems far more plausible than the people here who used to say Smith should play central midfield or Yossi Benayoun wouldn't improve our squad. Just my bit though what works works.

Feel for Maynard (if i'm right) because he looked cracking when he started and could have done massive damage last year. Was estatic when he scored that penalty v Hull. But I think he's third choice when everyone's fit and it's been mooted that Malky would like another striker. He deserves to be playing games.

Were at 35 now fella

I prefer to comment on what I think Malky will do. It seems far more plausible than the people here who used to say Smith should play central midfield or Yossi Benayoun wouldn't improve our squad. Just my bit though what works works.

Feel for Maynard (if i'm right) because he looked cracking when he started and could have done massive damage last year. Was estatic when he scored that penalty v Hull. But I think he's third choice when everyone's fit and it's been mooted that Malky would like another striker. He deserves to be playing games.

I agree, but shouldn't you be asleep mate?

You don't post here all that much sleep deprivation to speak to OTM is worth it.

You don't post here all that much sleep deprivation to speak to OTM is worth it.

You definitely need to go to sleep, as I don't understand any of that, but just in case it's me instead, I'm off to bed myself!