OGS: WE'RE PREPARED AND FOCUSED
Manager eyes three points in key Norwich clash
tomorrow in the first of seven games scheduled over the next 21 days.Norwich CityThe Bluebirds host
was thankful for the squad he has been able to mold as his own, but acknowledged that this is now the time to put in good performances.Ole Gunnar SolskjærWith matches coming thick and fast,
“Now we have got the squad working together,” said the Manager. “There are no ifs or buts anymore; now, we have to gel and improve our performances.
“If you look at the points tally it’s decent, but we’ve not been as good as I want us to be. We will get better and better - we will improve. It’s always happened with my teams and at Manchester United it was the way – we always got better and better throughout the season, so I’m sure we will.”
is available and fit for tomorrow’s fixture, but the Boss suggested he may yet hold back the Gabon international until a later time.Bruno Ecuele MangaDeadline day signing
“He is available and is in my thoughts”, Ole admitted. “I need to speak to him because he played Wednesday night, travelling a long way so I’ll make a decision tomorrow.
“These are the periods where it will definitely be handy to have such a big squad. Over a full season you need players but especially in these periods of Saturday-Tuesday games it’s going to be physically and mentally tough. There will be some changes – of course, in the Capital One Cup we will make some changes as we’ve done before – but we need points. That is the main thing, it’s not about giving the players minutes now.
“We must keep them ready to perform when they are asked to do so. That’s what it is about as a football player; you’re paid to play to the best of your ability when asked to do so. That’s the job.
“You want your spine as settled as possible. As long as they put the performances in and are fit I would like to stick with a main core; it’s been proven time and time again that it’s important. I would like to rotate more on the creative, physically demanding positions – you can win games by having strikers fresh and you can lose games by not having a settled unit at the back.”
On tomorrow’s opponents, Ole reflected upon the similar situation the Canaries are in having come down, saying: “Norwich have a big squad, probably the same amount of numbers [as us]. Neil [Adams] has a similar job to keep everyone happy and on their toes. I think I know what they are going to come with so we’re well prepared this week – the players have done extra sessions and are fresh.”
as the new Club Captain, paying tribute to outgoing Skipper Mark Hudson, now of Huddersfield Town.David MarshallThe Manager also commented on the appointment of
“Of course it’s a big decision letting your captain go because he [Hudson] has been the leader at this club for a long time,” Ole reflected.
“He had a difficult season last year, not too many games and was out injured after a couple of games. He never played before I came. When I got Bruno in the end then I had to give Mark the option of staying on as club captain but probably not playing too much. We thank him for the five years he’s had at the club and he played really well in the games he played for us – made a big contribution to the points.
“David is now our Captain. He leads by example, with authority. He proved last year that he is one of the best ‘keepers in the UK so for me it was a simple decision."
Watch Ole's pre-Norwich interview in full, now, on Cardiff City Player. A teaser can be viewed below:
