Blues o Cardiff City 1.

With an injury list longer than Jimmy Savile’s victim list- playing against the league leaders with two midfielder’s up front, did we expect anything different than the end result? There was no faulting the desire of this young team, but Blues wouldn’t have scored if they were still playing now.

In truth, I’ve seen better teams than Cardiff this term, but they are now seven points clear, so they can’t be bad.

Nathan Redmond was used as the forward man- he didn’t fair too badly. However, Ravel Morrison needs to look at himself. Three times in the closing stages he had an opportunity to shoot from a decent position, but he opts for the fancy flick or the extra touch.

There seems to be a growing acceptance that Blues are in a relegation battle. We are. But if Peterborough can win four out of five games, surely Blues are capable.

The injury crisis shows no sign of letting up either. Hayden Mullins was injured in the warm up; his replacement in the line-up was Callum Reilly, he limped off injured and then eventually Will Packwood followed. What do they do in training? Beats me.

Lee Clark’s men were comfortable knocking it around the park and there’s no doubt that Cardiff’s ‘keeper was busier than Jack Butland. The only difference is, Blues are incapable of keeping a clean sheet.

Lady luck is a right bitch. Today, Joe Mason tapped in a shot that bounced off Butland’s head and then his shin- you can’t make this stuff up.

Craig Bellamy was a menace without really causing problems. He chased and harassed Blues’ defenders and chased down every back pass. Jordon Mutch, sporting his gloves, was anonymous.

Speaking of Mutch- it looked like he elbowed Jonathan Spector during a challenge, but got away with it. I can’t stand that arrogant excuse of a footballer.

Although today was another defeat, Blues can’t be too downhearted. Losing at Leeds in the FA Cup this coming Saturday may be a blessing in disguise- we need to put all of our energy in to this scrap that we find ourselves in. I want them to win, obviously, but I won’t be slitting my wrists if we don’t.

After a decent start, the atmosphere became flat. That was until Paul Robinson made a clattering tackle and lifted the stadium. The fans stuck with the team today, and that is what’s needed for the remainder of this horrible season.

Why are we in this position? Its a combination of injuries, bad luck, bad management, uncommitted players… We should not be in this position. I have stuck up for Clark overall, but he has to take some of the blame, as do the players.

Blues’ usually shambolic defending was ok today, they kept Cardiff quiet. But you sensed that Malky Mackay’s men weren’t too fussed about getting a second goal- if they could keep it tight at the back, Blues wouldn’t find a way through. And that proved the case.

Rob Hall kept plugging away, Redmond, who was decent in his more advanced role was full of running and huff and puff, but the team lacked a spark.

Morgaro Gomis came on for Reilly, and he was here, there and everywhere, jumping in and out of tackles. Maybe he is what we need in the middle of the park? A mini Diop!

Wade Elliott tried, too much at times. He ran infield, won the ball and then tried a back heel. Why? Keep it simple. And Morrison, is he capable of keeping anything simple? Jake Jervis came on in the second half, he put himself about a bit, but was feeding off scraps.

I don’t want to moan. In fact, I won’t moan. But we are in deep trouble. It is vital that our strikers get themselves fit. We need to win games, and fast. Starting at Huddersfield a week on Saturday. Relegation would be disastrous. Oh by the way, Happy New Year!

Blues ratings- Butland 6. Robinson 7. Caldwell 6. Davies 6. Packwood 6. Elliott 5. Spector 6. Reilly 6. Hall 6. Morrison 6. *REDMOND 7… SUBS USED- Gomis 6. Hancox 6. Jervis 5.

Match report by Rob Wildey.