MALKY: GREAT FORM AT RIGHT TIME

Malky Mackay was justifiably buoyant on Saturday evening, following his side's comprehensive defeat of Nottingham Forest at Cardiff City Stadium.

The victory means that a point at home to Charlton on Tuesday evening would be enough to confirm City a top-two Championship finish - and consequently, a place in the Premier League.

“I was really pleased with the way that we played up until the sending-off because we were playing against a team who are really in form," the Gaffer began. "They have been flying with six wins and four draws in their last ten games, but we knew that we had to go toe-to-toe with them up until the last minute which I thought we did today. We had Craig Bellamy really causing them problems down the left side.

A red card for Forest forward Darius Henderson was a significant event in the course of the game, but Malky and his opposite number Billy Davies were in agreement that the sending-off was deserved.

“To be fair, it can be difficult to play against ten men, but I thought we were absolutely on the money today. I know Darius really well. I’ve played with him and I know there’s no malice in him at all. But it was an elbow flush in the face and I think everybody agrees that it was a sending-off. There was no malice in it, but it was a sending-off."

Two goal hero Rudy Gestede described his own performance as his best yet in a Cardiff City shirt - and Malky was just as complimentary about his French striker.

“Rudy is somebody that we’ve nurtured for two years," he stated. "Initially it was his attitude that I loved – when he arrived here he wanted to throw himself into everything so we decided to take a chance on him. Over the last year or so his rough edges have been smoothed. At times he looks unplayable.”

"Heiðar had a tightness in his calf. He’s done incredibly well since coming to this club, especially at this stage in his career, where he might have thought he was coming here to play a bit-part role. But he’s absolutely stepped up to the plate – he’s one of the bravest players I’ve ever been involved with. He’s a top professional and it was a trademark Heiðar Helguson goal today, peeling off at the back post and timing his header.

“We had another record attendance today. It’s incredible how many fans came out and credit must go to Nottingham Forest as well for bringing 2,000 people down with them. I would imagine that there’s not a ticket to be had for Tuesday night. We will go into it in the same vein as we have always done at home.

"To lose a goal with four seconds to go after the way we played against Barnsley hurt, but I think the last two or three home performances have been as good as we’ve played this season, and that’s coming at a nice time. The players are stepping up to the plate when it’s most needed, and that’s a mark of really good character. The game against Charlton down at The Valley was probably our poorest performance of the year, and it’ll be another tough game against them up here.”