MARSHALL READY FOR CITY STARS

City 'keeper looking forward to first game at CCS

City stopper David Marshall is ready to thwart the potent attacking line of Sunday’s visitors Manchester City as Cardiff prepares for the arrival of Barclays Premier League football.

Disappointed by the opening day defeat against West Ham United at Upton Park last weekend, the Bluebirds are looking to improve on their performance against the 2011-12 Champions on Sunday, with the Scottish International ready to be called upon between the sticks to try and help bring a good result.

And ready to take his place as Premier League football makes its first appearance at Cardiff City Stadium, Marshall said: “Coming to our place, we’re obviously going to try and make it as hard a ground to come to, no matter what team is coming down.

“This is my fifth season here now and we were so close for so many years, at times it seemed this type of game was quite far away, it’s great to be here.” added Marshall, “The first home game in the Premier League is obviously massive for the fans and for it to be against Man City is great, we’re just looking forward to it and hopefully we can do ourselves justice with our performance.

“Everyone says that it’s tough to get your points on the road in the Premier League. I’d imagine that our home form will be big for us and hopefully we can do well.”



Manchester City got their season off to a flyer on Monday with a 4-0 win over Newcastle United taking them to the very top of the league from the outset, a place where some bookmakers have them favourites to stay the end of the season.

With that expectation comes its own pressure however, something Marshall believes the Bluebirds could look to capitalise on, saying: “We know what they’re going to be like, they’re going to be strong. They’re expected to beat the majority of the league comfortably and they looked good at home on Monday.

“There’s not as much pressure on us, there’s more on Manchester City because they’re probably expected to go on and win the title with the players they’ve got and brought in. It’s a good game for us, but we’re just looking to get a point on the board as soon as we can.

“It’s just the way it is. If we’re going to get anything I think we’re going to have to defend really well and I’m going to have to make a few saves during the game. I think going forwards we need to take any chance that comes our way because you don’t get many against sides like that.”

Soon after his pre-match press conference, Marshall received a call-up to the Scotland squad alongside City midfielder Craig Conway for their upcoming World Cup qualifying matches against Belgium and Macedonia.

Marshall will join up with the Scots’ squad following the Bluebirds home clash with Everton on 31st August looking to claim a seventh cap for his country.

Watch Malky Mackay and David Marshall give their pre-match views in full below.