Proud of his players,but “It’s about the harsh realities,”
Sun Sep 22, 2013 10:34 pm
'I'm proud of my players' insists Cardiff City boss Malky Mackay after Tottenham Hotspur defeat
22 Sep 2013
Malky Mackayis proud of his players,but “It’s about the harsh realities,” said Mackay.
Cardiff City manager Malky Mackay says his team were terrific after coming so close to a precious point against Tottenham Hotspur
Cardiff City boss Malky Mackay said he was proud of his players after they went ‘toe-to-toe’ with one of the sides he believes can win the Premier League.
Only a goal deep into injury time from Tottenham’s Paulinho denied the Bluebirds a point in the Welsh capital and Mackay said he was left deeply impressed by his players’ commitment to the cause.
“To a man we were terrific against a top team,” said the manager.
“We’ve played three teams that finished in the top six last year and absolutely went at them.
“Our fans have seen that. We are disappointed, but going forward we are proud and I’m certainly glad I’m in the trenches with them.
“They are a fit bunch and they are running hard for each other. That is not going to change this season no matter what happens in terms of results.
“It hasn’t happened for two years and it’s not going to start.”
Despite Spurs dominating, Cardiff were left rueing a clutch of chances that might have seen them take the three points for themselves.
Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris appeared to handle outside the box when striker Fraizer Campbell was running at goal.
Aron Gunnarsson missed a good chance in the second half and just before the break the home side had a goal ruled out by referee Mark Clattenburg after Ben Turner headed home from a corner, but it was ruled out because of a foul the official had seen.
“It’s about the harsh realities,” said Mackay.
“They were clinical in the last minute or so and we weren’t early on when we were right through on goals and Fraizer read it really well and wasn’t clinical on one against one.
“People will look if it was in or out of the box, but we had a one on one and Fraizer is usually excellent at those. Whether it was a foul is another question.
“I’m more disappointed with the ruled-out goal, Hugo Lloris will see it and realise he’s a lucky man and the referee will de disappointed in his decisions.
“When you look at it, it’s Lloris who actually has his hand on Gunnarsson and completely misses the flight of the ball. For me it’s a clear goal.
“Then Gunnarsson has to do better with the one when it’s cut back with 10 minutes to go and it’s seven yards out. He realises that himself.
“We had some really good chances, but it is about being clinical. They were in the last minute and they are a terrific team.”
Andre Villas Boas at the Cardiff City Stadium
Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas said his side had emerged deserved 1-0 winners over Cardiff City in the Welsh capital.
“There could only be one winner. We created so much that it would have been unfair for us to finish only with a point. I think we were rewarded in the end,” said Villas-Boas.
“I think with the amount of chances we created, if it wasn’t for Cardiff goalkeeper David Marshall, we could have played a more comfortable game here.
“It was a very satisfying win because I don’t think it is going to be easy for teams to come here. It is a difficult stadium to play at and the team is very well managed and very well organised so I’m very happy with the three points.
22 Sep 2013
Malky Mackayis proud of his players,but “It’s about the harsh realities,” said Mackay.
Cardiff City manager Malky Mackay says his team were terrific after coming so close to a precious point against Tottenham Hotspur
Cardiff City boss Malky Mackay said he was proud of his players after they went ‘toe-to-toe’ with one of the sides he believes can win the Premier League.
Only a goal deep into injury time from Tottenham’s Paulinho denied the Bluebirds a point in the Welsh capital and Mackay said he was left deeply impressed by his players’ commitment to the cause.
“To a man we were terrific against a top team,” said the manager.
“We’ve played three teams that finished in the top six last year and absolutely went at them.
“Our fans have seen that. We are disappointed, but going forward we are proud and I’m certainly glad I’m in the trenches with them.
“They are a fit bunch and they are running hard for each other. That is not going to change this season no matter what happens in terms of results.
“It hasn’t happened for two years and it’s not going to start.”
Despite Spurs dominating, Cardiff were left rueing a clutch of chances that might have seen them take the three points for themselves.
Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris appeared to handle outside the box when striker Fraizer Campbell was running at goal.
Aron Gunnarsson missed a good chance in the second half and just before the break the home side had a goal ruled out by referee Mark Clattenburg after Ben Turner headed home from a corner, but it was ruled out because of a foul the official had seen.
“It’s about the harsh realities,” said Mackay.
“They were clinical in the last minute or so and we weren’t early on when we were right through on goals and Fraizer read it really well and wasn’t clinical on one against one.
“People will look if it was in or out of the box, but we had a one on one and Fraizer is usually excellent at those. Whether it was a foul is another question.
“I’m more disappointed with the ruled-out goal, Hugo Lloris will see it and realise he’s a lucky man and the referee will de disappointed in his decisions.
“When you look at it, it’s Lloris who actually has his hand on Gunnarsson and completely misses the flight of the ball. For me it’s a clear goal.
“Then Gunnarsson has to do better with the one when it’s cut back with 10 minutes to go and it’s seven yards out. He realises that himself.
“We had some really good chances, but it is about being clinical. They were in the last minute and they are a terrific team.”
Andre Villas Boas at the Cardiff City Stadium
Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas said his side had emerged deserved 1-0 winners over Cardiff City in the Welsh capital.
“There could only be one winner. We created so much that it would have been unfair for us to finish only with a point. I think we were rewarded in the end,” said Villas-Boas.
“I think with the amount of chances we created, if it wasn’t for Cardiff goalkeeper David Marshall, we could have played a more comfortable game here.
“It was a very satisfying win because I don’t think it is going to be easy for teams to come here. It is a difficult stadium to play at and the team is very well managed and very well organised so I’m very happy with the three points.
Re: Proud of his players,but “It’s about the harsh realities
Sun Sep 22, 2013 11:03 pm
The harsh realities are that we missed two very good chances, Campbell one on one with the 'keeper, and Gunnarson with the goal at his mercy. And that we need to try to keep possession as we clear our lines. At times today it was wave after wave of Tottenham attacks. We did have a decent spell in the second half, but we need to find our men in the box. Some decent wide play. Tottenham were not exactly rattled, but they did have some anxious moments. And when we get a free kick within striking distance, have a pop. Whittingham and Bellamy can score some great set-piece goals. Perhaps we are a bit naive as well. Staying up after Tottenham players were committing fouls, giving the clown of a ref a chance to avoid giving us free kicks in dangerous positions. Kim, more than once. Honourable, but naive. Tottenham were good, but quite cynical.
Re: Proud of his players,but “It’s about the harsh realities
Sun Sep 22, 2013 11:16 pm
Calling out your own players? Really?
Re: Proud of his players,but “It’s about the harsh realities
Mon Sep 23, 2013 3:22 am
Latest News wrote:“We’ve played three teams that finished in the top six last year and absolutely went at them.
“We had some really good chances, but it is about being clinical.
What planet is MM on we never got a shot off on target, sticking ten men behind the ball and smashing it back up field to them will get us nowhere, atleast have a go and lose for god sake
Re: Proud of his players,but “It’s about the harsh realities
Mon Sep 23, 2013 7:30 am
Damned Yank wrote:Calling out your own players? Really?
What does 'calling out your own players' mean?
Re: Proud of his players,but “It’s about the harsh realities
Mon Sep 23, 2013 2:21 pm
The Premier league is the toughest in the world and its going to be a tough/hard season and many harsh decisions will come our way, but also like Ive said before, many decisions go your way and they even out over a season 
Re: Proud of his players,but “It’s about the harsh realities
Mon Sep 23, 2013 2:38 pm
Forever Blue wrote:The Premier league is the toughest in the world and its going to be a tough/hard season and many harsh decisions will come our way, but also like Ive said before, many decisions go your way and they even out over a season
Spot on, Annis. We were unlucky yesterday, but we got a bit of luck in the Everton game with that Leighton Baines 'penalty'!
Re: Proud of his players,but “It’s about the harsh realities
Mon Sep 23, 2013 2:40 pm
llangainbluebird wrote:Forever Blue wrote:The Premier league is the toughest in the world and its going to be a tough/hard season and many harsh decisions will come our way, but also like Ive said before, many decisions go your way and they even out over a season
Spot on, Annis. We were unlucky yesterday, but we got a bit of luck in the Everton game with that Leighton Baines 'penalty'!
Yes it evens out over a season, u make your own luck in football.
