" Malky takes a long term view "
Thu May 03, 2012 7:23 am
Malky Mackay: Nothing decided until Monday
" MACKAY TAKES LONGER-TERM VIEW "
Cardiff manager Malky Mackay insists his side's play-off semi-final hopes do not rest on securing a first-leg advantage when they host West Ham on Thursday night.
The Hammers are the favourites to progress to the Wembley final having been in the top three for the majority of the season and narrowly missing out on automatic promotion to Southampton.
With the Bluebirds hosting the first leg at Cardiff City Stadium there are many who believe the Welsh side will need to establish a lead to take into Monday's return clash at Upton Park if they are to see off Sam Allardyce's charges.
But Mackay said: "We have to win the tie. It is not about winning a home game.
"Will it be cagey? I don't know, I'm not going to second guess how West Ham are going to play.
"Each of us have been better away from home so it will be interesting. But it's a 180-minute game of football. Nothing will be decided until 6.15pm on Monday.
"When you get to this stage it is about who is the calmest on the day, who gets that bit of luck, but also who tactically gets it right over the 180 minutes.
"But we are looking forward to it because it's something we've worked towards all season."
For Cardiff the play-offs have only provided misery in recent seasons.
The Bluebirds lost out to Blackpool in a thrilling Wembley final two seasons ago, before being downed by Reading at the last-four stage last term.
The club, then under the guidance of former boss Dave Jones, had to watch as Welsh rivals Swansea took the tag of being the first side from the principality to make it to the promised land of the Premier League.
But given the major overhaul that took place last summer following Mackay's arrival, there are many in the squad who were not involved in those previous disappointments.
And manager Mackay points to Cardiff's run to the Carling Cup final as proof they can handle the pressure.
"That's in the past, you have to take the individual games on their own merit," he said.
"As far as we're concerned this is a group that has got to a Carling Cup final and taken a club like Liverpool all the way to penalties.
"That shows there's a strength in character here to enable us to handle a two-legged semi-final."
http://www.sportinglife.com/football/cc ... ackay.html
180 mins of torture(just like palace)me thinks.0-0 or 1-0 the best we can hope for?
" MACKAY TAKES LONGER-TERM VIEW "
Cardiff manager Malky Mackay insists his side's play-off semi-final hopes do not rest on securing a first-leg advantage when they host West Ham on Thursday night.
The Hammers are the favourites to progress to the Wembley final having been in the top three for the majority of the season and narrowly missing out on automatic promotion to Southampton.
With the Bluebirds hosting the first leg at Cardiff City Stadium there are many who believe the Welsh side will need to establish a lead to take into Monday's return clash at Upton Park if they are to see off Sam Allardyce's charges.
But Mackay said: "We have to win the tie. It is not about winning a home game.
"Will it be cagey? I don't know, I'm not going to second guess how West Ham are going to play.
"Each of us have been better away from home so it will be interesting. But it's a 180-minute game of football. Nothing will be decided until 6.15pm on Monday.
"When you get to this stage it is about who is the calmest on the day, who gets that bit of luck, but also who tactically gets it right over the 180 minutes.
"But we are looking forward to it because it's something we've worked towards all season."
For Cardiff the play-offs have only provided misery in recent seasons.
The Bluebirds lost out to Blackpool in a thrilling Wembley final two seasons ago, before being downed by Reading at the last-four stage last term.
The club, then under the guidance of former boss Dave Jones, had to watch as Welsh rivals Swansea took the tag of being the first side from the principality to make it to the promised land of the Premier League.
But given the major overhaul that took place last summer following Mackay's arrival, there are many in the squad who were not involved in those previous disappointments.
And manager Mackay points to Cardiff's run to the Carling Cup final as proof they can handle the pressure.
"That's in the past, you have to take the individual games on their own merit," he said.
"As far as we're concerned this is a group that has got to a Carling Cup final and taken a club like Liverpool all the way to penalties.
"That shows there's a strength in character here to enable us to handle a two-legged semi-final."
http://www.sportinglife.com/football/cc ... ackay.html
180 mins of torture(just like palace)me thinks.0-0 or 1-0 the best we can hope for?
Re: " Malky takes a long term view "
Thu May 03, 2012 8:21 am
MM comments (about 180 mins) make me believe he will play 4-5-1.
Justifying it by, its over 2 games, not just the home game.
Not knocking it, but before people complain about negative tactics used at home.
Justifying it by, its over 2 games, not just the home game.
Not knocking it, but before people complain about negative tactics used at home.
Re: " Malky takes a long term view "
Thu May 03, 2012 9:56 am
Anyone expecting us to play an open game tonight are deluded. One because we haven't got the players to do it, and two because on the evidence of all of our home games since probably Reading, Portsmouth & Peterborough, we've struggled against the way opponents shape up against us.
I just cannot predict how the game will pan out tonight
I just cannot predict how the game will pan out tonight