Cardiff City boss Mackay impressed by dropped Kevin McNaughton's response

KEVIN McNaughton is facing probably the biggest challenge of his six years with Cardiff City, but manager Malky Mackay is delighted by his reaction.

Right-back McNaughton was left out of Mackay’s Bluebirds team for wins against Watford and Burnley with Matt Connolly switched from centre-back to the right.

Dundee-born McNaughton, 30, has rarely been left out of City’s starting line-up since he joined them from Aberdeen in 2006.

It was former manager Lennie Lawrence who first tried to bring McNaughton to Cardiff from Scotland, while Dave Jones eventually signed the quick and decisive defender.

He remains a key player in Mackay’s squad and the Bluebirds manager Mackay said: “Kevin has reacted in exactly the way I expected. He is a top professional and, as always, is working to ensure he is pushing for a starting place and ready when needed.”

That could come quickly with captain Mark Hudson on four bookings, one caution away from suspension, but McNaughton is likely to be among the substitutes for Saturday’s Championship trip to Bolton Wanderers.

McNaughton has been among the most consistent players for City during 265 first-team appearances and there is no doubt he has a major role to play this season.

“There are no egos in our squad and we all dig in for each other,” says McNaughton. “The guys did a fantastic job against Watford and Burnley in what were important matches.

“We have re-established ourselves at the top of the Championship and now we have to show, in away games at Bolton Wanderers and Charlton Athletic over the next week, we deserve to be there.”

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/footballnation/cardiff-city/cardiff-city-fc/2012/10/31/91466-32132825/?#ixzz2ArtdEhfT


This is all well and good, but in my view, it should be Andy Taylor to get the chop and not McNaughton.

Agreed Rhys boi.

Caldi Blue wrote:Agreed Rhys boi.

1 out 2 agreement is not bad Caldi

The both needed dropping/replacing. If its positively affected McNaughton brilliant, now Taylor should get the same treatment on the other wing and hopefully our fullback positions will stop being so glaringly weak.

Consider this half an agreement Rhys

Taylor really looks Jaded or can't be arsed at the moment.

Do we have another L/B that could cover though?

Perhaps the lack of Competition, Taylor knows he will always get picked.

Dr_Socks wrote:Taylor really looks Jaded or can't be arsed at the moment.

Do we have another L/B that could cover though?

Perhaps the lack of Competition, Taylor knows he will always get picked.

Connolly is a defensive jack of all trades, he is confident in whatever back row position you need him in. He favours centre back, but he can't be a worse LB than Taylor is right now.

Red614 wrote:The both needed dropping/replacing. If its positively affected McNaughton brilliant, now Taylor should get the same treatment on the other wing and hopefully our fullback positions will stop being so glaringly weak.

Consider this half an agreement Rhys

Blimey, it's hard to get an agreement on anything from you Red

Yes, Taylor should be given the same treatment, somehow, I'm not sure he would respond in the same way.


LB a priority area for January Transfer Window?

Another Striker first and foremost in my opinion. Bellamy is of more use to us on the wing wherever possible, which leaves us Helguson and Mason. It's still unclear whether Mason is ready to start every week, and as much as I like Helguson he's getting on and can't continue starting every week like he is.

Targets -
Striker
LB
RB
CB

In that order preferably.

50/50