" Malky’s the Special One, Malky’s the Special One. "
Sun Oct 20, 2013 7:21 pm
Paul Abbandonato: The Cardiff City fans confirmed their love for Malky Mackay at Stamford Bridge
20th Oct 2013
Head of Sport Paul Abbanonato was at Stamford Bridge for Cardiff City's first match since the Iain Moody saga blew up. It was defeat against Chelsea but a big moral victory for Malky Mackay as the travelling army of fans showed solidarity to the manager.
Malky Mackay got a thumbs up from the Cardiff City fans at Chelsea
‘Malky’s the Special One, Malky’s the Special One.’
His team having just been pummelled 4-1, Malky Mackay made his way at the final whistle down the touchline towards the 1,500 Cardiff City fans packed into a corner section of the Shed End at Stamford Bridge.
There must have been a little sense of trepidation at the reaction he would receive, given the magnitude of the scoreline. If so, it was wiped away in an instant as the Bluebirds supporters, pretty much to a person, immediately broke into a ‘Malkeee’s, Barmy Army chant.’
The under-the-cosh Cardiff boss held his hands above his head in applause, blew the fans a kiss and then made his way back towards the tunnel area where he was about to hold referee Anthony Taylor to account for Eden Hazard’s opening goal.
Ninety minutes earlier, Mackay had made a similar trek down the touchline towards the fans at the start of the game. It was his first opportunity to see them since the Iain Moody fiasco blew up.
Once again, in unison, the supporters to a person gave him a standing ovation, one of warmth which displayed the genuine endearment in which they hold their manager and indicated they were 100 per cent behind him in the behind the scenes rumpus which has erupted over the past couple of weeks.
I’m struggling to think of a top manager at the moment quite as popular amongst his fan base as Malky. His esteem was always high anyhow, but what has happened with his trusted aide Iain Moody seems to have catapulted it onto a whole new level. There appears to be genuine sympathy for Mackay over the hand he has been dealt.
How many other managers can you envisage receiving such rapturous backing from the fans after their team has just been thrashed 4-1?
Perhaps the only one who rivals Mackay for popularity is Jose Mourinho, the bloke in the other dugout who is similarly feted by Chelsea followers. Throughout the match, Bluebirds supporters made it clear who they believed was the kingpin by chanting ‘Malky’s the Special One, Malky’s the Special One.’
A point they rammed home even more when Mourinho was dismissed to the stands midway through the second half after furiously protesting Taylor’s decision to tell Branislav Ivanovich to ‘get on with it’ at a throw-in.
Intriguingly, it was just about the only time during the game when Mourinho displayed any demonstrative passion. He has become renowned for strutting down the touchline, urging on his players, remonstrating with officials.
For the 60-odd minutes he stood next to Mackay, it was noticeable that Mourinho was motionless, arms folded for the most part, while the Cardiff manager was the one shouting, bawling and using the hand actions to emphasise his points.
I guess as far as Mourinho is concerned, deeds talk a lot louder than actions and he proved a managerial master a cut above his Premier League peers by turning this encounter around with his shrewd, and extremely bold, substitutions.
With the game tied at 1-1, and Cardiff for the first time in the ascendancy, Mourinho took off a left-back, Ryan Bertrand, and sent on Fernando Torres as an extra striker.
It was almost crying out for an instant and equally bold response from Mackay. The pacy Peter Odemwingie pushed wide to exploit the lack of defensive cover down Chelsea’s left, Fraizer Campbell sent on up front and the ineffective Don Cowie taken off.
Suddenly, very briefly, you could envisage Chelsea’s 67-game unbeaten Stamford Bridge record under Mourinho being in jeopardy from these little Cardiff upstarts.
But Mackay, his team, playing their best football of the match at the time, understandably hesitated while Mourinho, as the home manager expected to win, went for the jugular.
The move worked. Shortly afterwards Samuel Eto’o made it 2-1 to Chelsea. Mackay duly did send on Campbell, although it was Odemwingie who made way, not Cowie, who in my view should have done.
Mourinho responded instantly. Off went Eto’o, despite the goal he had bagged seconds earlier, and on came Cesar Azpilicueta, a full-back asked to shore up the very gaps on the Chelsea left that had momentarily been left.
Chasing the game, Cardiff were exposed by lightning quick Chelsea counters for the third and fourth goals, scored by Oscar and man of the match Hazard, who ripped Mackay’s men to shreds throughout despite the defensive presence of Cowie and Kevin Theophile doubling up on him.
In the end 4-1 was a harsh scoreline on Cardiff who, for 20 minutes at the start of the second half, played some of their best football of the season given the standard of the opposition.
Jordon Mutch was magnificent, Kim Bo-Kyung, sent on for Gary Medel, perhaps demonstrated he should have started in the first place ahead of Cowie, David Luiz was just one more foul away from being sent off.
At that point it really was game on, with the Bluebirds looking as likely victors as Chelsea. Then Mourinho, the managerial maestro, stuck to outfox Cardiff and the battering most of us had predicted before kick-off duly ensued.
He is clearly still the ‘Special One’ over tactics, systems and substitutions. In terms of popularity amongst the fans, Mackay has overtaken Mourinho as the current kingpin.
20th Oct 2013
Head of Sport Paul Abbanonato was at Stamford Bridge for Cardiff City's first match since the Iain Moody saga blew up. It was defeat against Chelsea but a big moral victory for Malky Mackay as the travelling army of fans showed solidarity to the manager.
Malky Mackay got a thumbs up from the Cardiff City fans at Chelsea
‘Malky’s the Special One, Malky’s the Special One.’
His team having just been pummelled 4-1, Malky Mackay made his way at the final whistle down the touchline towards the 1,500 Cardiff City fans packed into a corner section of the Shed End at Stamford Bridge.
There must have been a little sense of trepidation at the reaction he would receive, given the magnitude of the scoreline. If so, it was wiped away in an instant as the Bluebirds supporters, pretty much to a person, immediately broke into a ‘Malkeee’s, Barmy Army chant.’
The under-the-cosh Cardiff boss held his hands above his head in applause, blew the fans a kiss and then made his way back towards the tunnel area where he was about to hold referee Anthony Taylor to account for Eden Hazard’s opening goal.
Ninety minutes earlier, Mackay had made a similar trek down the touchline towards the fans at the start of the game. It was his first opportunity to see them since the Iain Moody fiasco blew up.
Once again, in unison, the supporters to a person gave him a standing ovation, one of warmth which displayed the genuine endearment in which they hold their manager and indicated they were 100 per cent behind him in the behind the scenes rumpus which has erupted over the past couple of weeks.
I’m struggling to think of a top manager at the moment quite as popular amongst his fan base as Malky. His esteem was always high anyhow, but what has happened with his trusted aide Iain Moody seems to have catapulted it onto a whole new level. There appears to be genuine sympathy for Mackay over the hand he has been dealt.
How many other managers can you envisage receiving such rapturous backing from the fans after their team has just been thrashed 4-1?
Perhaps the only one who rivals Mackay for popularity is Jose Mourinho, the bloke in the other dugout who is similarly feted by Chelsea followers. Throughout the match, Bluebirds supporters made it clear who they believed was the kingpin by chanting ‘Malky’s the Special One, Malky’s the Special One.’
A point they rammed home even more when Mourinho was dismissed to the stands midway through the second half after furiously protesting Taylor’s decision to tell Branislav Ivanovich to ‘get on with it’ at a throw-in.
Intriguingly, it was just about the only time during the game when Mourinho displayed any demonstrative passion. He has become renowned for strutting down the touchline, urging on his players, remonstrating with officials.
For the 60-odd minutes he stood next to Mackay, it was noticeable that Mourinho was motionless, arms folded for the most part, while the Cardiff manager was the one shouting, bawling and using the hand actions to emphasise his points.
I guess as far as Mourinho is concerned, deeds talk a lot louder than actions and he proved a managerial master a cut above his Premier League peers by turning this encounter around with his shrewd, and extremely bold, substitutions.
With the game tied at 1-1, and Cardiff for the first time in the ascendancy, Mourinho took off a left-back, Ryan Bertrand, and sent on Fernando Torres as an extra striker.
It was almost crying out for an instant and equally bold response from Mackay. The pacy Peter Odemwingie pushed wide to exploit the lack of defensive cover down Chelsea’s left, Fraizer Campbell sent on up front and the ineffective Don Cowie taken off.
Suddenly, very briefly, you could envisage Chelsea’s 67-game unbeaten Stamford Bridge record under Mourinho being in jeopardy from these little Cardiff upstarts.
But Mackay, his team, playing their best football of the match at the time, understandably hesitated while Mourinho, as the home manager expected to win, went for the jugular.
The move worked. Shortly afterwards Samuel Eto’o made it 2-1 to Chelsea. Mackay duly did send on Campbell, although it was Odemwingie who made way, not Cowie, who in my view should have done.
Mourinho responded instantly. Off went Eto’o, despite the goal he had bagged seconds earlier, and on came Cesar Azpilicueta, a full-back asked to shore up the very gaps on the Chelsea left that had momentarily been left.
Chasing the game, Cardiff were exposed by lightning quick Chelsea counters for the third and fourth goals, scored by Oscar and man of the match Hazard, who ripped Mackay’s men to shreds throughout despite the defensive presence of Cowie and Kevin Theophile doubling up on him.
In the end 4-1 was a harsh scoreline on Cardiff who, for 20 minutes at the start of the second half, played some of their best football of the season given the standard of the opposition.
Jordon Mutch was magnificent, Kim Bo-Kyung, sent on for Gary Medel, perhaps demonstrated he should have started in the first place ahead of Cowie, David Luiz was just one more foul away from being sent off.
At that point it really was game on, with the Bluebirds looking as likely victors as Chelsea. Then Mourinho, the managerial maestro, stuck to outfox Cardiff and the battering most of us had predicted before kick-off duly ensued.
He is clearly still the ‘Special One’ over tactics, systems and substitutions. In terms of popularity amongst the fans, Mackay has overtaken Mourinho as the current kingpin.
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Re: " Malky’s the Special One, Malky’s the Special One. "
Sun Oct 20, 2013 8:05 pm
Interesting, I wonder if this piece will get the same treatment as my views on yesterday's game did.
Abandonato points to the same point of play and substitution of the left back as I did and also states that Mourinho's tactics and substitutions outwitted those of Malky's.
Doesn't mean that we are both correct but I am glad I am not the only one who thought it
Abandonato points to the same point of play and substitution of the left back as I did and also states that Mourinho's tactics and substitutions outwitted those of Malky's.
Doesn't mean that we are both correct but I am glad I am not the only one who thought it
Re: " Malky’s the Special One, Malky’s the Special One. "
Sun Oct 20, 2013 11:58 pm
carlccfc wrote:Interesting, I wonder if this piece will get the same treatment as my views on yesterday's game did.
Abandonato points to the same point of play and substitution of the left back as I did and also states that Mourinho's tactics and substitutions outwitted those of Malky's.
Doesn't mean that we are both correct but I am glad I am not the only one who thought it
It was a good tactical switch my Mourinho which paid off. But how can you say he outwitted Malky? You know we played Chelsea and there's a huge gulf in resources between our squads? Mourinho put on 50 million pounds Fernando Torres when he wanted to go more attacking, Malky had to put on Rudy when he wanted to go more attacking. Saying Mourinho outwitted Malky is complete and utter nonsense! Mourinho put Azpilicueta on to go back to a back 4 as soon as Eto'o scored to make it 2-1 by the way, not at 3-1 as you stated in your other post.
Re: " Malky’s the Special One, Malky’s the Special One. "
Mon Oct 21, 2013 12:01 am
carlccfc wrote:Interesting, I wonder if this piece will get the same treatment as my views on yesterday's game did.
Abandonato points to the same point of play and substitution of the left back as I did and also states that Mourineho's tactics and substitutions outwitted those of Malky's.
Doesn't mean that we are both correct but I am glad I am not the only one who thought it
Sorry only have seen the heading of yours. I think Malky played it right yesterday. Frustrated them and then got them on the break in the first half. Medel was knackered and he didn't have a defensive midfield cover so changed the set up and as good defensively as we looked in the first half we looked attack wise in the second. Chelsea have a vastly greater budget and superior squad than us, how could we realistically compete against them away from home? Other to teams get a poor performance and slip up at home I agree, but Mourinho's style is basics first and foremost and they do not get beat at home.
Re: " Malky’s the Special One, Malky’s the Special One. "
Mon Oct 21, 2013 1:28 pm
we dont have the players to match chelsea so in theory any switch by chelsea is a good one I dont think malky was out thought.
we would of lost 2-1 or 3-1 with a marginal chance of a set piece goal if we had not switched.
or we could take a chance to get back in the game for a higher risk.
kim for cowie would of been logical but medal needed the rest, if he gets injured we dont win a game fora period of time
we would of lost 2-1 or 3-1 with a marginal chance of a set piece goal if we had not switched.
or we could take a chance to get back in the game for a higher risk.
kim for cowie would of been logical but medal needed the rest, if he gets injured we dont win a game fora period of time