CARDIFF CITY V QPR 2-1 FT

As long as we made an effort and give 100%
Then that's what matters to me no matter what the result
Warnock is a genius he even turned Rotherham round when they were struggling

This is my local game of the season, so one I almost always get to. Here's my take on what I saw.

First half was actually pretty even. No obvious sense of there being a big gap between us and the league leaders. Our opening goal had the away end in good spirits and we didn't look troubled when we went ahead. Then we pressed the self destruct button. Chief and Caulker were over by the far touchline with no obvious danger and then between them managed to create a half-chance for Hoilett to chase and benefit from the ball bouncing off him into the net. Absolute give-away of a goal, which had a bloke behind me thumping a seat in sheer frustration.

We didn't buckle and, in fact, Freeman (I think) hit the post. Soon after Cardiff attacked and Smithies made a fantastic save. Alas, only a temporary reprieve as Bamber seemed to almost walk it into the net from a corner. This sparked a lot of nervousness amongst the team and I was relieved to see half-time come.

Second half we were second-best (although not by a country mile). We just seemed to lose a bit of shape and were toothless going forward. It just didn't look like we would score again and I can't really remember bothering their keeper in any meaningful way. We made some changes, but Sylla and Yeni did not really add any more bite. We really, really need a striker with some pace and who can finish. We simply lacked threat in the final third. At times, players like Freeman and Mas were looking up to see movement, but instead saw static colleagues. No lack of effort or application here imho.

Best players = Smithies (Couple of top-drawer saves), Freeman (busy, kept pushing us forward, tenacious), Furlong (relatively solid and some good tackles/blocks). Bidwell worked hard. Wszolek added something when he came on. Most of the others were OK, without there being any of the 'spark' that was going to get us back in the game.

Not a terrible performance, but one that shows very clearly where we are short...

Caulker looked like a fella short of fitness and match practice, who has been through the emotional wringer. Fair play to him for sticking at it and I hope we get to see the best of him as the season progresses. I hope our fanbase will get behind him, rather than undermine his confidence even more.

For me it's all about replacing Onhuoa. He is not a leader, he is a poor defender that makes poor decisions. Before the game kicks off you just know that he will make a mistake and most of the time it leads to us conceeding a goal. What amazes me is that Holloway persists with him even when we have a fully fit squad.

You are right Northwest, JFK, Ramsey and Harry did persist with him and they either ended up getting sacked or jumping ship before they got the sack. I had hoped that Ollie would link these two factors and sort the situation out. I want to see my captain out there on the pitch showing a bit of inspiration and encouraging the other players. Onhuoa might be doing this off the pitch but we need to see it on the pitch.

My captain would be Hall.

Scowen looks good captain material too, he leads and fights by example.

Mackie would make a good club captain.