MARSHALL HAPPY WITH FORM

Club News

City number one not taking anything for granted

City goalkeeper David Marshall is a man at the very top of his game, but he isn’t getting carried away with his early season form ahead of the Bluebirds’ match with Newcastle United on Saturday.

Excellent performances in City’s positive start to the season so far have seen the Cardiff number one claim many plaudits so far, with the Scottish International also rewarded for his club form by being handed the number one jersey for his country during the last International break.

But despite being pleased with his early action in the Premier League, his first as a player in the top flight, Marshall refuses to take anything for granted, saying: “I’ve only played four or five games in the Premier League, I just take every game as it comes.

“I’ve been happy with my form coming into this game and as I say hopefully I can continue it going forward. It’s my first season at the top level with this club so you just look to test yourself and see if you can handle it.

“Goalkeeping is a hard position. Peoples thoughts can change in one game, one cross or shot - it can all change so you can’t take anything for granted.  You’re always under scrutiny, especially in the Premier League. Every player is a threat to your goal in the top flight so concentration is key.”

Looking to build on an excellent result against Fulham and a first away victory in the Premier League last weekend, City face Alan Pardew’s Newcastle United on Saturday a team just one point, but five places behind the Bluebirds given the tight nature of the league at this early stage.

“The league is so tight at the moment and you can jump a lot of places at this early stage of the season,” said Marhsall. “We’re looking to extend our good run at home and to get another three points at the weekend would be a huge boost.

“We’re aware that they want to put on a show for the fans that have travelled down. We know what they can do, but if we can play anywhere near how we’ve played in our first three home games then I’m sure we can get a positive result.

“The atmosphere has been incredible at the ground this season, and the fans have stuck behind us. You look at the Tottenham game, they enjoyed a lot of the play but the fans stuck with us and almost helped us get something from that game. If the fans stay behind us like they have been I’m sure it’ll give us a chance.”

Following the match with Newcastle on Saturday, Marshall will join up with Gordon Strachan and the Scotland squad for their final World Cup qualifier against Croatia.

Looking to maintain his position in goal for a third consecutive game for the Scots, Marshall is looking forward to meeting up with the squad once again, saying: “It’s our last qualifier, and we’re trying to build for the next campaign. We’ve done reasonably well since the new manager has come in and had a few good performances.

“We’ve beaten Croatia and Macedonia away last time out so things are looking good. It’s a big game coming up, being the final qualifier at Hampden and the higher up we can finish in this group will only benefit us going into the next campaign.”

WATCH MALKY MACKAY AND DAVID MARSHALL GIVE THEIR PRE-MATCH VIEW BELOW