" OUR YOUNGSTERS SHINE AND MALKY PRAISES THE TEAM "

I love it when our youngsters do well


Cardiff manager Malky Mackay praised the desire in his side following their hard-fought 1-0 npower Championship victory over promotion rivals Middlesbrough.

Matt Connolly's 19th-minute header was the match winner as the Bluebirds equalled a club record with a ninth successive home win at the Cardiff City Stadium.

The Welsh club were forced to overcome injuries to defenders Ben Turner and Andrew Taylor, before holding on for a precious three points which lifts them above Tony Mowbray's men into second spot in the table.

Mackay said: "I'm delighted with the character of the team and the fact we kept another clean sheet at home. But that is no surprise to me because I see that from the players every day.

"It became tougher when we lost two players after 20 minutes. We had to put young players in and they did brilliantly well.

"To show that resilience against a good team showed the commitment to the cause and that there are no egos at this club."

I was particularly pleased with Joe Ralls at left back - just shows how important it is to have someone with a left peg in that slot. He has good pace and a good football brain.

Nugent I thought did really well although understandably got muscled off the ball a few times - was he wearing Turner's shorts, they looked like 3 sizes too big

The spirit yesterday was like the spirit last season - dogged, determined, a bit disjointed at times, but above all else - fighting to the last man. Loved it.

Up the City

I was particularly pleased with Joe Ralls at left back - just shows how important it is to have someone with a left peg in that slot. He has good pace and a good football brain.

Nugent I thought did really well although understandably got muscled off the ball a few times - was he wearing Turner's shorts, they looked like 3 sizes too big

The spirit yesterday was like the spirit last season - dogged, determined, a bit disjointed at times, but above all else - fighting to the last man. Loved it.

Up the City

I am well chuffed that Joe Ralls is back this season and doing well.

Malky also praised VT and TG for their support.

The key for me is that even if nugent or ralls had made a mistake MM would still have backed them publicly. If DJ had done something similar maybe Adam Matthews would still be a bluebird.

Our young player development is in safe hands now and great to see a few getting their chance and shining

Malky also praised VT and TG for their support.

More than our fans do

there is more youngsters to come ...declan john ...coulson ..and i have a sneaky feeling mansaray and the kid from tottenham could be be something special .....imo if your good enough your old enough.....sterling ,,oxlade chamberline ,, wiltshire,, to name but a few ...plus in the past how old was rooney/giggs/sharpe /beckham/the nevilles etc and they were doing it in the premier at a young age

the youngsters did themselves proud .....but hudson was awesome continuously talking to them checking their positioning and even ripping into kimbo for being out of position , surely we have the best Captain in the championship
HUDSON IS A LEADER BY EXAMPLE

Malky Mackay paid tribute to Cardiff's humble approach after victory over Middlesbrough took them second.

Matt Connolly's header settled a tight game between the promotion hopefuls and gave City a record-equalling ninth straight win at the Cardiff City Stadium.

The result was all the more impressive given early injuries to Ben Turner and Andrew Taylor which forced Mackay to use teenagers Ben Nugent and Joe Ralls.

Mackay said: "I'm delighted with the character of the team and the fact we kept another clean sheet at home, but that is no surprise to me because I see that from the players every day.

"Middlesbrough had been on a roll and we knew it would be a tough game. But it became tougher when we lost two players after 20 minutes. We had to put young players in and they did brilliantly well.

"To show that resilience against a good team showed the commitment to the cause and there are no egos at this club."