" We need to continue the fighting spirit "
Fri Nov 08, 2013 8:17 am
Defender Ben Turner demands derby-day spirit from Cardiff City at Aston Villa
8 Nov 2013
Malky Mackay’s men travel to face Aston Villa bubbling with confidence after seeing off arch-rivals Swansea City in last Sunday.
Cardiff City defender Ben Turner has warned that the fighting spirit which saw the Bluebirds triumph in the South Wales derby must be applied at Villa Park tomorrow.
Malky Mackay’s men travel to face Aston Villa bubbling with confidence after seeing off arch-rivals Swansea City in last Sunday’s big clash in the Welsh capital.
It was a precious three points which moved Cardiff up to 12th in the Premier League, above the Swans, and also a point above tomorrow’s opponents.
After two defeats and a draw in their last three outings, Turner admits the victory over the Swans may have been good in terms of bragging rights, but was also a very welcome three points as he and his team mates aim to ensure the club remains in the top-flight.
“Sunday was a big game, the first South Wales derby in the Premier League,” said Turner.
“I don’t know how much is known about the rivalry outside of Wales, but it’s a huge derby. The fans demand 100 per cent effort in those games. I think we got that bit right and tactically we got it right too.
“What’s more, we needed to start getting points on the board again so it’s important that we were able to do that.”
As it turned out, the Bluebirds’ hero against the Swans was Turner’s defensive partner Steven Caulker.
The Cardiff captain headed home the winner against his former club in the second-half with a thumping near-post effort from a Craig Bellamy corner.
But the goal capped an impressive rearguard action from Turner and Caulker which proved the foundation on which the historic victory was built.
The pair have proved this season that they possess a mean streak in terms of keeping the opposition out, but Turner admitted that in the Premier League he was having to kerb his battling instincts.
“In the modern game, tackling is almost like a last resort now because every time you do tackle you run the risk of getting it wrong and getting booked,” said Turner.
“You need to put yourself in position and get the timing right. Luckily we got that right against Swansea.”
As the Bluebirds head to Villa Park, discontent between manager Mackay and majority shareholder Vincent Tan seems currently to be on the back-burner. Turner insisted off-pitch matters had never been allowed to have an impact on dressing room morale.
“We’ve got a tight-knit group at Cardiff City,” said Turner.
“I think anyone who knows something about the club knows that.
“The manager won’t have anything else.
“Everyone he brings in, he almost has them vetted to the point that he knows what kind of character he’s dealing with.
“I’m happy to be in that kind of environment. I think that’s the way, in any walk of life, that you’re going to get the best out of each other – by having good people around you.
“It’s standing us in good stead so far, we’ve made that step to the top flight and now it’s important that we stay here.
“We’re looking forward to going to Villa Park now for another big game. I’ve got quite a lot of family and friends coming to that one as I’m from Birmingham originally, so they’ll be hoping we win the game too.”
Following tomorrow’s clash the Bluebirds go into a two-week international break with four of their squad called away to represent their nations.
Midfielder Aron Gunnarsson is hoping to help Iceland to next year’s World Cup via a two-legged play-off against Croatia whilst Gary Medel will turn out for Chile in friendlies against England at Wembley and Brazil in Canada.
Goalkeeper David Marshall joins Scotland for friendlies against the United States and Norway.
Kim Bo-Kyung has been called up by South Korea for their friendly encounters against Russia and Switzerland.
8 Nov 2013
Malky Mackay’s men travel to face Aston Villa bubbling with confidence after seeing off arch-rivals Swansea City in last Sunday.
Cardiff City defender Ben Turner has warned that the fighting spirit which saw the Bluebirds triumph in the South Wales derby must be applied at Villa Park tomorrow.
Malky Mackay’s men travel to face Aston Villa bubbling with confidence after seeing off arch-rivals Swansea City in last Sunday’s big clash in the Welsh capital.
It was a precious three points which moved Cardiff up to 12th in the Premier League, above the Swans, and also a point above tomorrow’s opponents.
After two defeats and a draw in their last three outings, Turner admits the victory over the Swans may have been good in terms of bragging rights, but was also a very welcome three points as he and his team mates aim to ensure the club remains in the top-flight.
“Sunday was a big game, the first South Wales derby in the Premier League,” said Turner.
“I don’t know how much is known about the rivalry outside of Wales, but it’s a huge derby. The fans demand 100 per cent effort in those games. I think we got that bit right and tactically we got it right too.
“What’s more, we needed to start getting points on the board again so it’s important that we were able to do that.”
As it turned out, the Bluebirds’ hero against the Swans was Turner’s defensive partner Steven Caulker.
The Cardiff captain headed home the winner against his former club in the second-half with a thumping near-post effort from a Craig Bellamy corner.
But the goal capped an impressive rearguard action from Turner and Caulker which proved the foundation on which the historic victory was built.
The pair have proved this season that they possess a mean streak in terms of keeping the opposition out, but Turner admitted that in the Premier League he was having to kerb his battling instincts.
“In the modern game, tackling is almost like a last resort now because every time you do tackle you run the risk of getting it wrong and getting booked,” said Turner.
“You need to put yourself in position and get the timing right. Luckily we got that right against Swansea.”
As the Bluebirds head to Villa Park, discontent between manager Mackay and majority shareholder Vincent Tan seems currently to be on the back-burner. Turner insisted off-pitch matters had never been allowed to have an impact on dressing room morale.
“We’ve got a tight-knit group at Cardiff City,” said Turner.
“I think anyone who knows something about the club knows that.
“The manager won’t have anything else.
“Everyone he brings in, he almost has them vetted to the point that he knows what kind of character he’s dealing with.
“I’m happy to be in that kind of environment. I think that’s the way, in any walk of life, that you’re going to get the best out of each other – by having good people around you.
“It’s standing us in good stead so far, we’ve made that step to the top flight and now it’s important that we stay here.
“We’re looking forward to going to Villa Park now for another big game. I’ve got quite a lot of family and friends coming to that one as I’m from Birmingham originally, so they’ll be hoping we win the game too.”
Following tomorrow’s clash the Bluebirds go into a two-week international break with four of their squad called away to represent their nations.
Midfielder Aron Gunnarsson is hoping to help Iceland to next year’s World Cup via a two-legged play-off against Croatia whilst Gary Medel will turn out for Chile in friendlies against England at Wembley and Brazil in Canada.
Goalkeeper David Marshall joins Scotland for friendlies against the United States and Norway.
Kim Bo-Kyung has been called up by South Korea for their friendly encounters against Russia and Switzerland.
Re: " We need to continue the fighting spirit "
Fri Nov 08, 2013 8:32 am
Turner and his family are all Brum supporters! So he will have a little extra incentive to get the win 
Re: " We need to continue the fighting spirit "
Fri Nov 08, 2013 8:40 am
Other than the Hoof ball he seems to enjoy in certain games he has been excellent this season, id go as far as to say slightly better than Caulker defensively. bother have been excellent tho.
Re: " We need to continue the fighting spirit "
Fri Nov 08, 2013 9:08 pm
2blue2handle wrote:Other than the Hoof ball he seems to enjoy in certain games he has been excellent this season, id go as far as to say slightly better than Caulker defensively. bother have been excellent tho.
He has suprised me, I though he was a very good Championship Centre half, but he is now an excellent Premirship centre half and the pair of them look comfortable, better than Williams and Chico
