CARDIFF CITY MORE A THREAT UNDER MACKAY
Fri Nov 18, 2011 11:07 am
Reading striker Noel Hunt has warned team-mates: “Cardiff City are far more dangerous under Malky Mackay,” writes Terry Phillips.
Republic of Ireland international Hunt started in both legs of last seasons Championship play-off semi-final against the Bluebirds when Reading stormed to a 3-0 win.
Waterford-born Hunt, 27, is in Reading’s squad for this Saturday’s Championship clash with Cardiff at the Madejski Stadium and says: “They are more of a team now than they were last season.
“Cardiff are a totally different side because they don’t have as many loanees.
“Dave Jones did an incredible job to get them playing like a team with all the loan players, but this time they are far more together and stronger than last season.”
Former Cardiff player Brian McDermott is Reading manager and he steered his team to a 3-0 win at Cardiff City Stadium after a goalless first leg.
McDermott’s Royals were then beaten 4-2 by Swansea City in the play-off final at Wembley Stadium and they, like the Bluebirds, were left devastated by defeat.
Reading are 14th in the Championship table now, while Cardiff are fourth under new manager Mackay.
There were eight loan players in the City squad at the end of last season, including Wales captain Craig Bellamy, while Mackay this term has only Filip Kiss from Slovan Bratislava.
Hunt insists home fans will need to help their team on Saturday, saying: “Cardiff always bring quite a few and they will make some noise.
“It should be a good atmosphere and hopefully the Reading fans are nice and loud. Standing on the pitch, the difference between a quiet crowd and a noisy one could win you the game. It’s mad, but that’s the truth.
“Fans can give you that extra energy if you have almost nothing in the tank. With their encouragement you find it from somewhere.”
Hunt is a former team-mate of Cardiff winger Craig Conway from their days together at Dundee United, saying: “He’s a close friend of mine from my time in Scotland.
“I have a few friends there, but not on the day.”
CARDIFF City will play Bury away in the FA Youth Cup third round.
The tie will be played at Gigg Lane on or before December 17.
The Bluebirds have entered the competition at this stage, while Bury defeated Accrington Stanley to move into the third round.
It took League One club Bury extra time before they secured victory against Accrington, who went ahead at Gigg Lane when Alex McPollin netted on 54 minutes.
Tommy Toth equalised on 75 minutes and then Tom Pratt fired Bury’s winner after 12 minutes of extra time.
Republic of Ireland international Hunt started in both legs of last seasons Championship play-off semi-final against the Bluebirds when Reading stormed to a 3-0 win.
Waterford-born Hunt, 27, is in Reading’s squad for this Saturday’s Championship clash with Cardiff at the Madejski Stadium and says: “They are more of a team now than they were last season.
“Cardiff are a totally different side because they don’t have as many loanees.
“Dave Jones did an incredible job to get them playing like a team with all the loan players, but this time they are far more together and stronger than last season.”
Former Cardiff player Brian McDermott is Reading manager and he steered his team to a 3-0 win at Cardiff City Stadium after a goalless first leg.
McDermott’s Royals were then beaten 4-2 by Swansea City in the play-off final at Wembley Stadium and they, like the Bluebirds, were left devastated by defeat.
Reading are 14th in the Championship table now, while Cardiff are fourth under new manager Mackay.
There were eight loan players in the City squad at the end of last season, including Wales captain Craig Bellamy, while Mackay this term has only Filip Kiss from Slovan Bratislava.
Hunt insists home fans will need to help their team on Saturday, saying: “Cardiff always bring quite a few and they will make some noise.
“It should be a good atmosphere and hopefully the Reading fans are nice and loud. Standing on the pitch, the difference between a quiet crowd and a noisy one could win you the game. It’s mad, but that’s the truth.
“Fans can give you that extra energy if you have almost nothing in the tank. With their encouragement you find it from somewhere.”
Hunt is a former team-mate of Cardiff winger Craig Conway from their days together at Dundee United, saying: “He’s a close friend of mine from my time in Scotland.
“I have a few friends there, but not on the day.”
CARDIFF City will play Bury away in the FA Youth Cup third round.
The tie will be played at Gigg Lane on or before December 17.
The Bluebirds have entered the competition at this stage, while Bury defeated Accrington Stanley to move into the third round.
It took League One club Bury extra time before they secured victory against Accrington, who went ahead at Gigg Lane when Alex McPollin netted on 54 minutes.
Tommy Toth equalised on 75 minutes and then Tom Pratt fired Bury’s winner after 12 minutes of extra time.
Re: CARDIFF CITY MORE A THREAT UNDER MACKAY
Fri Nov 18, 2011 12:45 pm
Great that it's recognised by other players about the difference MM is making 