Post by QPR Report on Sept 22, 2009 8:49:34 GMT
Even though not going to make excuses 
Skipper Hudson backing Cardiff quality to shine through
Sep 22 2009 by Mark Bloom, South Wales Echo
CARDIFF City skipper Mark Hudson has insisted the Bluebirds have the quality to fight on two fronts.
Dave Jones’ men were rocked on Saturday when Queens Park Rangers took advantage of a dreadful home performance to coast to a 2-0 win at the Cardiff City Stadium.
Next up for the Bluebirds is a Carling Cup third round trip to in-form Aston Villa tomorrow night, with boss Jones ready to rest several regulars ahead of the weekend’s Championship trip to Sheffield Wednesday.
But Hudson insists that City do have the numbers and the quality to cope with demanding cup and league commitments.
“We have games virtually every Saturday and midweek from now on,” said the former Charlton and Crystal Palace defender.
“We take the mistakes on board and learn from them.
“What you can’t afford to do is dwell on it too much, otherwise it will get on top of you.
“If that happens, before you know it, it has a negative effect on your game.”
Summer signings Hudson and Anthony Gerrard have been regulars at the back this season, but the partnership is ready to get a break at Villa Park.
Jones’ shake-up is likely to find a place for Hungary defender Gabor Gyepes, whose only start this season came in the Carling Cup victory over Bristol Rovers.
Hudson – who is likely to get the nod over Gerrard in central defence at Villa Park – is adamant there will be no repeat showing of the Rangers disaster.
“We were flat and nowhere near the level we should have been,” he said.
“Especially at home, in front of our own supporters, it was simply not good enough and unacceptable.
“We need to get the simple things back and that starts with drive and determination.
“The basic elements you need to build on, the game plan, everything was missing from Saturday’s game and it should never happen again.
“I was just as surprised as the rest of the team, maybe the tough game in midweek at Reading had an effect.
“QPR had their game in midweek called off and they might have been a bit fresher coming into the game.
“But we’re not here to make excuses. We know we were poor and we’ve gone through the video, pin-pointing why we performed so badly.
“Now we must learn from it and put it into action.”
While City have lost three of their last four, Villa are flying on the back of five straight wins.
Martin O’Neill’s side have climbed into fifth place in the Premier League and England hopeful Gabriel Agbonlahor is in red-hot form.
“These are the grounds you want to play at,” said Hudson. “You always go into games thinking you have a chance of winning and this fixture is no different.
“As far as I’m concerned, it is no good talking about the Sheffield Wednesday game on Saturday until after this cup tie.
“Going to Villa is a big test for us but winning is not beyond us.
“It’s the sort of place where we can move the ball around quickly and it’s an opportunity to get back playing to our best.”
www.walesonline.co.uk/footballnation/football-news/2009/09/22/skipper-hudson-backing-cardiff-quality-to-shine-through-91466-24746563/
Skipper Hudson backing Cardiff quality to shine through
Sep 22 2009 by Mark Bloom, South Wales Echo
CARDIFF City skipper Mark Hudson has insisted the Bluebirds have the quality to fight on two fronts.
Dave Jones’ men were rocked on Saturday when Queens Park Rangers took advantage of a dreadful home performance to coast to a 2-0 win at the Cardiff City Stadium.
Next up for the Bluebirds is a Carling Cup third round trip to in-form Aston Villa tomorrow night, with boss Jones ready to rest several regulars ahead of the weekend’s Championship trip to Sheffield Wednesday.
But Hudson insists that City do have the numbers and the quality to cope with demanding cup and league commitments.
“We have games virtually every Saturday and midweek from now on,” said the former Charlton and Crystal Palace defender.
“We take the mistakes on board and learn from them.
“What you can’t afford to do is dwell on it too much, otherwise it will get on top of you.
“If that happens, before you know it, it has a negative effect on your game.”
Summer signings Hudson and Anthony Gerrard have been regulars at the back this season, but the partnership is ready to get a break at Villa Park.
Jones’ shake-up is likely to find a place for Hungary defender Gabor Gyepes, whose only start this season came in the Carling Cup victory over Bristol Rovers.
Hudson – who is likely to get the nod over Gerrard in central defence at Villa Park – is adamant there will be no repeat showing of the Rangers disaster.
“We were flat and nowhere near the level we should have been,” he said.
“Especially at home, in front of our own supporters, it was simply not good enough and unacceptable.
“We need to get the simple things back and that starts with drive and determination.
“The basic elements you need to build on, the game plan, everything was missing from Saturday’s game and it should never happen again.
“I was just as surprised as the rest of the team, maybe the tough game in midweek at Reading had an effect.
“QPR had their game in midweek called off and they might have been a bit fresher coming into the game.
“But we’re not here to make excuses. We know we were poor and we’ve gone through the video, pin-pointing why we performed so badly.
“Now we must learn from it and put it into action.”
While City have lost three of their last four, Villa are flying on the back of five straight wins.
Martin O’Neill’s side have climbed into fifth place in the Premier League and England hopeful Gabriel Agbonlahor is in red-hot form.
“These are the grounds you want to play at,” said Hudson. “You always go into games thinking you have a chance of winning and this fixture is no different.
“As far as I’m concerned, it is no good talking about the Sheffield Wednesday game on Saturday until after this cup tie.
“Going to Villa is a big test for us but winning is not beyond us.
“It’s the sort of place where we can move the ball around quickly and it’s an opportunity to get back playing to our best.”
www.walesonline.co.uk/footballnation/football-news/2009/09/22/skipper-hudson-backing-cardiff-quality-to-shine-through-91466-24746563/
