Cardiff lose to Derby - Reaction

A bad day at the office for Cardiff City. Not only was Glenn Loovens ruled out, but Riccy Scimeca pulled out at the last minute with a tight groin and Stephen McPhail had spent the previous two days ill in bed. Hardly ideal preparation for a trip to one of the toughest sides in the division.

They showed character but the midfield were outplayed, and Cardiff lacked bite upfront after Chopra was withdrawn after 35 minutes. Nothing is yet known about the extent of Chopra's injury but he will have a scan today after giving the injury time to settle.

Cardiff were always going to struggle to win here and would have always been content with a point, and in the context of other results they did not lose out too badly.

There were some positives, Paul Parry took his goal exceptionally well and Chris Gunter contiued to show his promise. Cardiff looked in control of periods during the match but in the end, probably didnt deserve anything from the game after failing to take their chances in a good first half.

Its almost certainly play-offs that are now the target for Cardiff and both Wolves and West Brom could only draw leaving Cardiff lurking ominously below those sides. They need to keep picking up points to keep the pressure on, starting with a crunch game against Roy Keane's rejuvenated Sunderland side.

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