' Kevin McNaughton '
Fri Jan 03, 2014 9:02 am
Cardiff City defender Kevin McNaughton determined to get more Premier League football after surprise call-up
Friday 3rd Jan 2014
Right-back McNaughton was recalled from his loan spell at Bolton Wanderers and made his Premier League debut against Arsenal
Kevin McNaughton is delighted Cardiff City have moved quickly to appoint a new manager – and can’t wait to get started under Ole Gunnar Solskaer.
Right-back McNaughton was recalled from his loan spell at Bolton Wanderers and made his Premier League debut against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, saying: “I loved it – and want more.”
Today, McNaughton and his Cardiff team-mates train under Solskjaer for the first time – and they will head off to Newcastle United just after lunch.
“It’s good the club have moved quickly,” said McNaughton. “The club was in limbo and now the new manager is in and can put his own ideas into how he wants to play. That will certainly help the boys.
“For me personally maybe it’s the chance for a new start under a new manager. Fingers crossed, but let’s wait and see what happens.
“It was only after the match at Arsenal that we heard about a prospective new manager being at the ground. We hadn’t been told anything and nobody mentioned it.
“Certainly there was no time to look up into the stands and see who was there, I was too busy trying to cope with Arsenal players running at me.”
Malky Mackay left Cardiff City only a week ago following their 3-0 home defeat against Southampton and now Solskjaer has taken charge in time for the FA Cup third round tie against Newcastle at St James Park.
McNaughton revealed he was set to watch television on New Year’s Day after his loan spell at Bolton came to an end when he got the call to play against Arsenal.
“It was a baptism of fire against the Premier League leaders, while it was also a moment I have dreamed of for many years,” said McNaughton. “I have waited seven and a half years to play Premier League football and now have done it. I want more, of course, but that’s only natural.
“It came out of the blue because 40 hours before the match I was planning to be on my couch watching the results come in.
“Then one of the lads (Kevin Theophile) dropped out injured and I was lucky enough to get the nod.”
French defender Theophile, who injured a knee in training just before the Arsenal match, looks certain to be out again, while Jordon Mutch pulled up with a hamstring strain at the Emirates and will not play against Newcastle.
Gary Medel, who went off during the second half with a back strain, is also likely to be rested.
Cardiff were beaten 2-1 at home by Newcastle during October, but they will taken positives from their much improved second half display in that match.
McNaughton also believes Bluebirds players don’t need to feel too disappointed with themselves after the 2-0 defeat against Arsenal.
“We were playing the Premier League leaders and ran them close,” he said. “Everybody was gutted at the end because it looked as though we could earn a point.
“We defended well as a team for the best part of the match, while we also caused Arsenal problems on the counter-attack.
“As the game went we were defending well and believed we had a chance. Arsenal dominated after half-time and will feel they deserved to win, but we were close.
“We have a lot of tough matches coming up and we can feel good about our overall performance even though we were gutted by the result.”
Cardiff could have turned to John Brayford, Cardiff’s £1m signing from Derby County, or Matt Connolly when Theophile was hurt, but caretaker manager David Kerslake turned to McNaughton, who said: “Having played 13 Championship matches for Bolton was certainly a massive help.
“It would have been even harder if I had not been playing at all.”
Tomorrow, at Newcastle, Solskjaer will select a Cardiff City team for the first time – and will start to plan for a bright Premier League future for the Bluebirds.
West Ham, who come to Cardiff City Stadium for a Premier League match on Saturday, January 11, will be without Kevin Nolan.
He has been suspended for four matafter being sent off for the second time this season, during West Ham’s 2-1 New Year’s Day defeat at Fulham.
Friday 3rd Jan 2014
Right-back McNaughton was recalled from his loan spell at Bolton Wanderers and made his Premier League debut against Arsenal
Kevin McNaughton is delighted Cardiff City have moved quickly to appoint a new manager – and can’t wait to get started under Ole Gunnar Solskaer.
Right-back McNaughton was recalled from his loan spell at Bolton Wanderers and made his Premier League debut against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, saying: “I loved it – and want more.”
Today, McNaughton and his Cardiff team-mates train under Solskjaer for the first time – and they will head off to Newcastle United just after lunch.
“It’s good the club have moved quickly,” said McNaughton. “The club was in limbo and now the new manager is in and can put his own ideas into how he wants to play. That will certainly help the boys.
“For me personally maybe it’s the chance for a new start under a new manager. Fingers crossed, but let’s wait and see what happens.
“It was only after the match at Arsenal that we heard about a prospective new manager being at the ground. We hadn’t been told anything and nobody mentioned it.
“Certainly there was no time to look up into the stands and see who was there, I was too busy trying to cope with Arsenal players running at me.”
Malky Mackay left Cardiff City only a week ago following their 3-0 home defeat against Southampton and now Solskjaer has taken charge in time for the FA Cup third round tie against Newcastle at St James Park.
McNaughton revealed he was set to watch television on New Year’s Day after his loan spell at Bolton came to an end when he got the call to play against Arsenal.
“It was a baptism of fire against the Premier League leaders, while it was also a moment I have dreamed of for many years,” said McNaughton. “I have waited seven and a half years to play Premier League football and now have done it. I want more, of course, but that’s only natural.
“It came out of the blue because 40 hours before the match I was planning to be on my couch watching the results come in.
“Then one of the lads (Kevin Theophile) dropped out injured and I was lucky enough to get the nod.”
French defender Theophile, who injured a knee in training just before the Arsenal match, looks certain to be out again, while Jordon Mutch pulled up with a hamstring strain at the Emirates and will not play against Newcastle.
Gary Medel, who went off during the second half with a back strain, is also likely to be rested.
Cardiff were beaten 2-1 at home by Newcastle during October, but they will taken positives from their much improved second half display in that match.
McNaughton also believes Bluebirds players don’t need to feel too disappointed with themselves after the 2-0 defeat against Arsenal.
“We were playing the Premier League leaders and ran them close,” he said. “Everybody was gutted at the end because it looked as though we could earn a point.
“We defended well as a team for the best part of the match, while we also caused Arsenal problems on the counter-attack.
“As the game went we were defending well and believed we had a chance. Arsenal dominated after half-time and will feel they deserved to win, but we were close.
“We have a lot of tough matches coming up and we can feel good about our overall performance even though we were gutted by the result.”
Cardiff could have turned to John Brayford, Cardiff’s £1m signing from Derby County, or Matt Connolly when Theophile was hurt, but caretaker manager David Kerslake turned to McNaughton, who said: “Having played 13 Championship matches for Bolton was certainly a massive help.
“It would have been even harder if I had not been playing at all.”
Tomorrow, at Newcastle, Solskjaer will select a Cardiff City team for the first time – and will start to plan for a bright Premier League future for the Bluebirds.
West Ham, who come to Cardiff City Stadium for a Premier League match on Saturday, January 11, will be without Kevin Nolan.
He has been suspended for four matafter being sent off for the second time this season, during West Ham’s 2-1 New Year’s Day defeat at Fulham.
Re: ' Kevin McNaughton '
Fri Jan 03, 2014 9:10 am
he always gives his all n didn't look out of place at all.Hope he gets more game time.
Where does this leave brayford tho
Where does this leave brayford tho
Re: ' Kevin McNaughton '
Fri Jan 03, 2014 9:33 am
Doesn't say much for brayford as something isnt right as he is nowhere near the squad,superkev wasn't in malkys plans yet he comes back from on loan and dave kerslake puts him in the team,well deserved and I hope he now gets back in the match day squads to play or just as cover .
Re: ' Kevin McNaughton '
Fri Jan 03, 2014 9:47 am
He has been playing for Bolton, so match ready I expect.
Brayford and Connelly would have been put in a deep end v arsenal.
Could have been a nightmare for them.
I think brayford and Connelly will be looked at by the Viking as he assesses the squad.
Brayford and Connelly would have been put in a deep end v arsenal.
Could have been a nightmare for them.
I think brayford and Connelly will be looked at by the Viking as he assesses the squad.
Re: ' Kevin McNaughton '
Fri Jan 03, 2014 11:29 am
Mmust have been the goal he scored a couple of weeks ago
great to have him back,if anyone deserves a shot at the premiership its super kev mcnaughton
great to have him back,if anyone deserves a shot at the premiership its super kev mcnaughton
Re: ' Kevin McNaughton '
Fri Jan 03, 2014 5:11 pm
englishbluebird wrote:great to have him back,if anyone deserves a shot at the premiership its super kev mcnaughton
Absolutely - I hope he plays a few more games for us this season.
Re: ' Kevin McNaughton '
Fri Jan 03, 2014 5:51 pm
Still French Kev over super Kev for me.
Also, hope Brayford makes a fresh start and tries to impress OGS as obviously he & Malky didn't see eye to eye?
Also, hope Brayford makes a fresh start and tries to impress OGS as obviously he & Malky didn't see eye to eye?
Re: ' Kevin McNaughton '
Fri Jan 03, 2014 6:44 pm
eddiep wrote:He has been playing for Bolton, so match ready I expect.
Brayford and Connelly would have been put in a deep end v arsenal.
Could have been a nightmare for them.
I think brayford and Connelly will be looked at by the Viking as he assesses the squad.
This is the bit most people tend to ignore
Re: ' Kevin McNaughton '
Fri Jan 03, 2014 7:34 pm
Love McNaughton, however his distribution is always a bit iffy. 
Re: ' Kevin McNaughton '
Fri Jan 03, 2014 10:47 pm
Too slow for 90 mins....useful sub tho 
Re: ' Kevin McNaughton '
Sat Jan 04, 2014 12:00 am
No time for sentiment. Done well v Arsenal though.
Re: ' Kevin McNaughton '
Sat Jan 04, 2014 3:37 pm
d20 wrote:Doesn't say much for brayford as something isnt right as he is nowhere near the squad,superkev wasn't in malkys plans yet he comes back from on loan and dave kerslake puts him in the team,well deserved and I hope he now gets back in the match day squads to play or just as cover .
im sure kev got the nod ahead of brayford at west han in lge cup...............Malky could hardly send brayford out on loan,so kev went, it does suggest Malky did a u turn with his opinion..........not the only u turn