Malky: 'It was a test for us but we had to be brave'

29 September 2011 01:05
The boss was proud of his team and it's togetherness as Cardiff beat Southampton at CCS. Ian Adkins gets spoken to after his attemptto speed up a potential throw in resulted in him kicking theball while it was still in play 

 

Reflecting on the game, Malky Mackay said: "We were looking to try and make sure we even had a bench tonight. The options were probably not what we'd have hoped for, but, in terms of positions, it was what we had left fit in the building.

"It was a test for us but we had to be brave and believe in the players and tactics we had to beat Southampton.

"There is a togetherness in the squad and that has grown as the weeks have gone along, and everyone wants to do well for each other. There are no fractures in our team and that is paying off."

Miller's first goal came in the 56th minute courtesy of a classic piece of route-one football as the former Rangers hitman latched onto David Marshall's long punt downfield and headed over Kelvin Davis.

Then the 31-year-old doubled his tally for the evening seven minutes later with a cool close-range finish to leave Cardiff just three points behind their opponents in the table.

Mackay added: "I'm delighted for Kenny. He has been a proven goalscorer throughout his career and his hard work has finally paid off with goals.

"The first goal was a really good counter-attack as David (Marshall) kicks it early to Kenny and he's been ever so brave because the goalkeeper can easily smash him in that situation.

"Then he took his second goal incredibly well. It was a lovely finish. But he also put in a lot of work off the ball and channel runs that he deserved those two goals."

Southampton manager Nigel Adkins, who had witnessed his side lose only once in the division - at Leicester - this term, saw his men create numerous chances in the second period.

But Saints' wastefulness in front of goal came back to haunt them as they left the Welsh capital empty-handed.

Adkins said: "I counted that we had six real good chances in the latter part of the game. Rickie Lambert had two headers which you would put your mortgage on him to score.

"Richard Chaplow has shaved the post and de Ridder also missed before he scored. But we're still top and that is a positive for us."

Source: FOOTYMAD