Jack Collison backs Cardiff City for Premier League
Mon Feb 04, 2013 5:25 pm
After playing a starring role in their play-off downfall last season, Wales star Jack Collison is backing the Bluebirds to make the Premier League in 2013.
The 24-year-old West Ham midfield maestro scored twice at the Cardiff City Stadium in last year’s Championship play-off semi-final first leg and was part of the team that unceremoniously ended Malky Mackay’s men’s season at Upton Park the following week.
But this time around the consistent Bluebirds seem set to finally realise their Premier League dream after 10 years of trying.
He said: “Fingers crossed Cardiff won’t mess it up this time.
“Welsh club football is absolutely flying at the moment.
“Swansea did so well last year and the quality of football they play is very nice to watch.
“It would be nice to see Cardiff City in the Premier League next year too.”
The popular Hammer has found both his club career and international progress blighted by injury, particularly a long-running knee problem.
Since making his senior debut for Wales back in May 2008, Collison has won just 11 caps and last turned out for the Dragons in their 1-0 home defeat to Costa Rica almost a year ago.
But Collison is back for the Hammers now, scoring the consolation as they lost 5-1 last week against Arsenal, and he admits he is just glad to be back in action after so much time spent on the sidelines.
“It’s been great to be back out on the pitch because it’s been a bit of a long time once again,” he said.
“I have had dark days, perhaps more than my fair share for someone of my age, but I’m lucky that I have a good support group behind me.
“There is no point in being down, you have to pick yourself up, dust yourself down and go again.
“Obviously, it’s been frustrating so it’s good to be back and I’ve had some good games since I’ve returned. I’m looking to build on those now and prove myself again.”
Wales boss Chris Coleman will get his first real chance to run the rule over Collison in tomorrow night’s friendly against Austria in Swansea.
It was nearly 12 months ago in a game to honour former boss Gary Speed – Coleman taking a very much back-seat role on the evening – when Collision last played for Wales.
It’s been a tough time for Wales on the pitch since with World Cup qualification hopes already virtually over.
But Collison said: “I’ve always enjoyed playing for Wales, but due to injury and other reasons I haven’t played as many games as I would have liked.
“Hopefully I’ll be involved against Austria and it will give me the opportunity to pull the red shirt on and have a go.
“It’s been massively difficult with Gary passing. You could see by the way the lads played that they took to him and it wasn’t an accident – they respected him and wanted to do well for him as their manager.
“It’s a great shame and it’s up to the boys in the squad now to try and take Welsh football on.
“The boys seem to like Chris Coleman so hopefully we can go forward and, sooner rather than later, qualify for a major tournament.
“We’ve made a bit of a disappointing start to the World Cup qualifiers but you can never say never because stranger things have happened.
“With the quality in our squad, there is no reason why we cannot string a few wins together.”
The 24-year-old West Ham midfield maestro scored twice at the Cardiff City Stadium in last year’s Championship play-off semi-final first leg and was part of the team that unceremoniously ended Malky Mackay’s men’s season at Upton Park the following week.
But this time around the consistent Bluebirds seem set to finally realise their Premier League dream after 10 years of trying.
He said: “Fingers crossed Cardiff won’t mess it up this time.
“Welsh club football is absolutely flying at the moment.
“Swansea did so well last year and the quality of football they play is very nice to watch.
“It would be nice to see Cardiff City in the Premier League next year too.”
The popular Hammer has found both his club career and international progress blighted by injury, particularly a long-running knee problem.
Since making his senior debut for Wales back in May 2008, Collison has won just 11 caps and last turned out for the Dragons in their 1-0 home defeat to Costa Rica almost a year ago.
But Collison is back for the Hammers now, scoring the consolation as they lost 5-1 last week against Arsenal, and he admits he is just glad to be back in action after so much time spent on the sidelines.
“It’s been great to be back out on the pitch because it’s been a bit of a long time once again,” he said.
“I have had dark days, perhaps more than my fair share for someone of my age, but I’m lucky that I have a good support group behind me.
“There is no point in being down, you have to pick yourself up, dust yourself down and go again.
“Obviously, it’s been frustrating so it’s good to be back and I’ve had some good games since I’ve returned. I’m looking to build on those now and prove myself again.”
Wales boss Chris Coleman will get his first real chance to run the rule over Collison in tomorrow night’s friendly against Austria in Swansea.
It was nearly 12 months ago in a game to honour former boss Gary Speed – Coleman taking a very much back-seat role on the evening – when Collision last played for Wales.
It’s been a tough time for Wales on the pitch since with World Cup qualification hopes already virtually over.
But Collison said: “I’ve always enjoyed playing for Wales, but due to injury and other reasons I haven’t played as many games as I would have liked.
“Hopefully I’ll be involved against Austria and it will give me the opportunity to pull the red shirt on and have a go.
“It’s been massively difficult with Gary passing. You could see by the way the lads played that they took to him and it wasn’t an accident – they respected him and wanted to do well for him as their manager.
“It’s a great shame and it’s up to the boys in the squad now to try and take Welsh football on.
“The boys seem to like Chris Coleman so hopefully we can go forward and, sooner rather than later, qualify for a major tournament.
“We’ve made a bit of a disappointing start to the World Cup qualifiers but you can never say never because stranger things have happened.
“With the quality in our squad, there is no reason why we cannot string a few wins together.”