Cardiff Slump: McPhail Accepts Blame

Cardiff City midfielder Stephen McPhail believes he is at fault for our poor start to the season, and insists his own form is not what it should be.


At his best, McPhail is a joy to watch and hugely influential. However, we have seen only the most fleeting glimpses of that form in a disappointing campaign so far.


He has got his first goal for Cardiff City at last but its not enough from a natural ball-player and we have lacked the fluid passing and cutting edge that he can bring. Too often, passes are backwards, sideways or mis-placed and there is no urgency to our attacks.


McPhail admitted to the SW Echo:



'This is my fault. I will not shy away from that. I`m not playing to the standard I know I can and that`s not good enough for me or the team.'

'I have felt the pressure - it`s totally down to me.'

'The more I seem to try to get things going for the team the worst it seems to get, I`m not making excuses but I know the buck stops with me.'





It's not all down to McPhail in any shape or form. He has been one of the disappointments this season, but others have also underperformed. On balance, McPhail is probably not giving enough to the team, and games have passed him by - but it must also be down to the manager to pick him up, or, rest him in favour of another player e.g. Joe Ledley in the middle.



Its good to see one of our senior players accept responsibility, but its naive to suggest the current situation is all his fault. McPhail felt the burden of captaincy early this season, and has not shown his best form. It is however a team game, and virtually every player has cause to be frustrated by their own form so far.