Hes impressed Mackay enough to earn a new Bluebirds contract
Mon Jan 21, 2013 12:44 am
" Malky Mackay delighted with young Cardiff City star Ben Nugent. "
Jan 21 2013
Nugent, 20, has impressed Mackay enough to earn a new Bluebirds contract and took his chance in style.
Malky Mackay paid tribute to Ben Nugent after the central defender was plunged into Cardiff City’s Championship clash with Blackpool just after half-time.
Nugent formed a new partnership with Matt Connolly at the heart of City’s back four and they played a major role in a 2-1 win.
“He was exceptional and has a great future with this club if he keeps working to improve and progress,” says Mackay.
“Nugent’s attitude is spot on, he listens to the coaches and, even at his young age, is a leader on the pitch.
“The maturity of a youngster his age is exceptional. He stepped in at Championship level in the heat of battle and, to do what he did out there, shows he has a big future if he keeps applying himself.
“I would pick him out as a Cardiff captain in years to come.
Nugent, 20, has impressed Mackay enough to earn a new Bluebirds contract and took his chance in style.
The former City trainee has made five first-team appearances and confidently took his place in the back four. At one stage he headed clear and then shouted at his fellow defenders, demanding they move out together.
The loss of Ben Turner with a hamstring injury before the match forced Mackay to reshuffle his defence with Connolly joining Mark Hudson in the middle with Kevin McNaughton recalled at right-back.
When Hudson went off with an ankle injury after 48 minutes, City pressed ahead with Connolly and Nugent forming a new pairing.
City’s match at Blackpool was goalless at half-time and Mackay revealed he demanded a more offensive approach in the second 45 minutes.
“We had to step things up and I changed things slightly tactically,” he said. “We need to get on the front foot a little more. I knew that if we could break fast on the counter we could hurt them.”
Tommy Smith, making his first start since October, was about to be taken off when he scored a 64th-minute winner.
“I am sharp, but I’m not yet 100 per cent after such a big time out and I came off pretty soon after scoring,” said Smith.
City are unbeaten in their last six away matches, having earned 16 points out of a possible 18, and they follow the win at Blackpool with two more trips.
Mackay’s men take on Leeds at Elland Road on Saturday, February 2 (12.30pm) and then Huddersfield at Galpharm Stadium a week later (3pm).
“We’ve earned four away wins in a row and must keep that momentum going,” says Mackay. “It’s crucial that we look at each match as it comes along and don’t try to look further ahead.
“One defeat in our last 13 matches is a run of results we are proud of and there is no secret to that. We have quality, but we also work hard for each other and play for each other.”
Blackpool’s pitch was badly cut up and City suffered when substitute goalkeeper Joe Lewis fell heavily in the pre-match warm-up. He was able to take his place on the bench after treatment.
Then came Hudson’s ankle injury, a result of the poor surface, and Mackay said: “Both teams tried to play football on it as best they could. There was a lot of slipping and sliding.”
“But it was a great effort by Blackpool to get the game on, particularly with 1,000 City fans making the trip to watch their team.”
Jan 21 2013
Nugent, 20, has impressed Mackay enough to earn a new Bluebirds contract and took his chance in style.
Malky Mackay paid tribute to Ben Nugent after the central defender was plunged into Cardiff City’s Championship clash with Blackpool just after half-time.
Nugent formed a new partnership with Matt Connolly at the heart of City’s back four and they played a major role in a 2-1 win.
“He was exceptional and has a great future with this club if he keeps working to improve and progress,” says Mackay.
“Nugent’s attitude is spot on, he listens to the coaches and, even at his young age, is a leader on the pitch.
“The maturity of a youngster his age is exceptional. He stepped in at Championship level in the heat of battle and, to do what he did out there, shows he has a big future if he keeps applying himself.
“I would pick him out as a Cardiff captain in years to come.
Nugent, 20, has impressed Mackay enough to earn a new Bluebirds contract and took his chance in style.
The former City trainee has made five first-team appearances and confidently took his place in the back four. At one stage he headed clear and then shouted at his fellow defenders, demanding they move out together.
The loss of Ben Turner with a hamstring injury before the match forced Mackay to reshuffle his defence with Connolly joining Mark Hudson in the middle with Kevin McNaughton recalled at right-back.
When Hudson went off with an ankle injury after 48 minutes, City pressed ahead with Connolly and Nugent forming a new pairing.
City’s match at Blackpool was goalless at half-time and Mackay revealed he demanded a more offensive approach in the second 45 minutes.
“We had to step things up and I changed things slightly tactically,” he said. “We need to get on the front foot a little more. I knew that if we could break fast on the counter we could hurt them.”
Tommy Smith, making his first start since October, was about to be taken off when he scored a 64th-minute winner.
“I am sharp, but I’m not yet 100 per cent after such a big time out and I came off pretty soon after scoring,” said Smith.
City are unbeaten in their last six away matches, having earned 16 points out of a possible 18, and they follow the win at Blackpool with two more trips.
Mackay’s men take on Leeds at Elland Road on Saturday, February 2 (12.30pm) and then Huddersfield at Galpharm Stadium a week later (3pm).
“We’ve earned four away wins in a row and must keep that momentum going,” says Mackay. “It’s crucial that we look at each match as it comes along and don’t try to look further ahead.
“One defeat in our last 13 matches is a run of results we are proud of and there is no secret to that. We have quality, but we also work hard for each other and play for each other.”
Blackpool’s pitch was badly cut up and City suffered when substitute goalkeeper Joe Lewis fell heavily in the pre-match warm-up. He was able to take his place on the bench after treatment.
Then came Hudson’s ankle injury, a result of the poor surface, and Mackay said: “Both teams tried to play football on it as best they could. There was a lot of slipping and sliding.”
“But it was a great effort by Blackpool to get the game on, particularly with 1,000 City fans making the trip to watch their team.”
Re: Hes impressed Mackay enough to earn a new Bluebirds cont
Mon Jan 21, 2013 12:46 am
I can see why we haven't brought in another CB, I've been impressed by him. 
Re: Hes impressed Mackay enough to earn a new Bluebirds cont
Mon Jan 21, 2013 9:23 am
I had the pleasure of meeting Ben Nugent a couple of weeks ago. A very personable young man who was really excited about being part of the first team squad. If his performances for City this season are any indication, he is going to be a top, top player for the us in the not too distant future.
Re: Hes impressed Mackay enough to earn a new Bluebirds cont
Mon Jan 21, 2013 11:40 am
Hes a young lad in a thin squad when it comes to defence and we are top of the league so there is a lot of pressure to do well but he does it well and he looks like a gem.
Re: Hes impressed Mackay enough to earn a new Bluebirds cont
Mon Jan 21, 2013 5:05 pm
From what I've seen of him so far he's been brilliant. Onwards and upwards for the young lad
Re: Hes impressed Mackay enough to earn a new Bluebirds cont
Mon Jan 21, 2013 7:10 pm
The_Onion_Knight wrote:From what I've seen of him so far he's been brilliant. Onwards and upwards for the young lad
I've been waiting in storms end for 16 months ya focker, hurry up
Re: Hes impressed Mackay enough to earn a new Bluebirds cont
Mon Jan 21, 2013 7:41 pm
The Douce wrote:The_Onion_Knight wrote:From what I've seen of him so far he's been brilliant. Onwards and upwards for the young lad
I've been waiting in storms end for 16 months ya focker, hurry up
Haha!
Re: Hes impressed Mackay enough to earn a new Bluebirds cont
Mon Jan 21, 2013 9:19 pm
From what I've been told, the work malky does with nugent on the training ground, he is certainly becoming captain material, He learns a lot from mark Hudson, so our current captain has been brilliant with him too.
Re: Hes impressed Mackay enough to earn a new Bluebirds cont
Mon Jan 21, 2013 9:24 pm
lost count of the amount of headers and clearances he made against Blackpool on Saturday 
Re: Hes impressed Mackay enough to earn a new Bluebirds cont
Mon Jan 21, 2013 10:46 pm
CalShepCCFC wrote:lost count of the amount of headers and clearances he made against Blackpool on Saturday
He must be loving the fact he has been involved, okay we lack depth in defence but I prefer this guy than a young CB on loan from the Prem