Too Many Maulings Cost Cardiff City Dearly

Cardiff City`s potential promotion party was crushed by Middlesbrough who inflicted a heavy 3-0 defeat on the ragged Bluebirds. With automatic promotion dependent on Norwich City`s results, we knew a win was needed to put the pressure on the Canaries - however, that never even came close as we capitulated in horrific fashion to succumb to our heaviest defeat at the CCS.

QPR and Norwich City have now wrapped up the automatic promotion places, and both deserve to be promoted. They have shown fewer weaknesses that their rivals and have earned their places in the Premiership. Swansea City have been let down by their away form - from 14 defeats, 11 were away from the Liberty Stadium. Forest started very poorly, while Reading have needed a miraculous post January run to storm into the play-offs.

Cardiff City`s weaknesses are all too clear. We are weak at the back (including goalkeeping) while concerns remain over the spirit and character. When things go badly, we have no answers. Yesterday`s 3-0 defeat was a shock, but then again Watford (in 13th position) thrashed us 4-1 a few months ago with Bristol City (15th) also finding us easy prey with a convincing 3-0 win. Our rivals bounce back from defeats by grinding out results, but we seem more affected.

Norwich City were recently thrashed by Swansea City 3-0 (albeit away from home) and the Swans are certainly a better team than Boro, Bristol City or Watford. They followed that up with a draw away at Watford before trouncing rival Ipswich Town 5-1 just as you hoped they might fade. Their attitude and spirit have been hugely impressive and we can learn a lot from the Canaries.

The bottom line is that the promoted teams QPR (5 defeats) and Norwich City (8 defeats) are much more difficult teams to beat than the Bluebirds.(12 defeats). We`ve also won fewer games at home than either and that is what promotion campaigns are built upon.

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