It is a loving morning and I'm happy to have seen my team bag three points last night at the Cardiff City Stadium not just the points, but the manner they achieved it. They were plenty of guts on show last night for the fan at the game and those listening on the radio. Maybe the manager/players and fans put up a circle for protection around the stadium expecting the worst form a free scoring top of the table Southampton. I know many fans who when to the game thinking a point would be a good outcome.
Everyone at the game and listeners around the world would have noticed the atmosphere a 100% better than recent game something we need to hear at every game. Last night was also helped along by a great turnout from Southampton (2,000).
The doom and gloom surrounding the game, injuries and all that was washed away with a brace of goals from Kenny Miller.The Cardiff City striker has come in for some stick over his lack of goals, but tonight even any doubters have to stand up a give him a chap. His first goal of two come via the old route-one style of football with goalkeeper David Marshall credited with the assist with Miller on handed to head the ball over the Southampton keeper into the back of net. Aron Gunnarsson provided the assist for his second goal it was a close range effort into the bottom right corner of the Southampton goal.
About last night he said,
“I always want to score goals, but chances have been few and far between. I was fortunate to get on the end of a couple tonight."
It was a pity Cardiff could not keep a clean sheet keeper Marshall deserved one along with the back four who could a useful visitors attack. Warning lights were flash when Cardiff lost Kevin McNaughton and Filip Kiss both nursing knocks but hopefully both will make the trip to Hull City Saturday.
Cardiff City boss Malky Mackay said after the game,
"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.
"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 boss Nigel Adkins who was doing some punditry at the Leicester game Sunday must have had jumped up and down watching Mackay injury problems mount.However, he was truly mugged last night and told the press after the game,
"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."
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