Former Bluebird Nathan Blake
City have challenged in the leading bunch just about every step of the way, while they went toe-to-toe with Liverpool in the Carling Cup final and ran them desperately close.
Mackay’s men qualified for the play-offs and, going to West Ham today, there is still a glimmer of hope.
Certainly, nobody should write them off just yet.
Former Hammer Tony Cottee
“West Ham have to go out to try to win the game, but they can’t afford to be gung-ho in the search for a killer goal.
“The home form has not been good, and that’s my concern. Sam Allardyce will be telling them to keep it tight because they cannot afford to concede a goal or the fans might get edgy and that’s when the wobbles might start. But if we get a third goal that will kill the tie off.
“West Ham are massive favourites, but one of the most dangerous things is knowing a draw will be enough. Then you can get caught in two minds.
“I think West Ham are a better team than Cardiff, but if West Ham freeze a bit they might get taken down. They’ve got to be very careful.”
West Ham assistant Neil McDonald
“There will be a fantastic atmosphere, but it still won’t be an easy game to get through.
“Preparation and planning is the key. We’ve done it for one game – hopefully we can do it for the second.
“Our aim is to score a third goal in the tie.
“We’ll have to play off the front foot and kill the game off as quickly as we can.”
Malky Mackay
"We go into Monday afternoon trying to win the game.
"We have 90 minutes to score twice and, beyond that, to win the game. Right now we have a fighter's chance."
"We need to score, not necessarily early on, but we need to score first. If we do that then we get a toe hold back in the game again.
"We know it's a stiff test, we understand that. But it's still only half-time.
"We've got to go there and ease our way into the game, looking to nick the first goal, which could prove important.
Former Scotland manager Craig Brown
“Malky will lead Cardiff City into the Premier League and right now I wouldn’t completely rule that out for this season.
“If not, he has started the job really well and after his first season the progress from where he started can be seen. If City can get through the semi-final they’ll have a great chance in the final.”