MALKY: I WANT CCS ROCKING

Malky Mackay held his pre-match press conference on Monday ahead of Tuesday night’s nPower Championship meeting with Derby County at Cardiff City Stadium.

And while the Gaffer went on to speak about the advantages of playing at Cardiff City Stadium, first on the agenda was Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Middlesbrough at the Riverside.

“As far as our overall performance goes, I thought we were reasonable value," said the Gaffer.

"We started the game quite well; there was a ten or fifteen-minute spell where Middlesbrough were on top and got two goals and then I thought we finished the half really well. In the second half I thought it was total dominance by ourselves – the amount of pressure and territory we had was excellent.

"I was happy with the way the boys applied themselves again – you’ve got to look at the performance as well as the result. We’ll take all that into consideration before deciding on our team for Derby. It’s testament to the type of boys we’ve got at the club [that we’ve only lost two consecutive games once this season].

“In terms of injuries there’s no change from Saturday. Mark Hudson is still out with his ankle and Nicky Maynard is out, obviously. Everyone else is fit and available. Mark is working hard on his comeback – he’ll be working on the pitch later on this week. We’ll see how it goes as to whether he’ll be involved against Leicester or not. As our Captain he’s someone that brings a calmness to our back four. He’s been very consistent over the last eighteen months so we always miss him when he’s not playing.  Again I think Ben Nugent was very calm and composed when he came on on Saturday. His temperament impresses me, for someone of his age. He’s been excellent.”

With Derby County winless since February 2nd, Malky was asked whether it was a good thing to be playing them off the back of the weekend’s defeat.

“Derby County are as formidable a team in this division as anyone," he responded. "I’ve spoken before on how you’ve got to look at the form of teams but form can change at any given time in this division. I don’t think their current form will lighten our load tomorrow night. It will be a tough game, as it always is.

" Nigel has changed things around there – the team is a lot younger and more athletic than when he arrived. With twelve games to go I wouldn’t say Derby have nothing to play for –  firstly they are playing for pride, and the players are playing for their places next season.

"But we’ve got a passionate core of fans here. I’ve been delighted with the extra atmosphere that they have created. The crowds have been huge this season and now we’re coming to the business end – we want the stadium to be as rocking as it can be."