Malky Mackay gave credit to his squad and visiting Ipswich Town alike following the goalless Welsh capital draw, admitting that the point apiece was fair value on a day where adverse weather conditions played a big part.
“Today was a case of swirling winds, heavy rain and two teams going at it,” he said. “Both teams were working very hard and overall a point was probably the correct result today.
“We knew it was going to be tough as Mick has a team who have lost two games in ten on a real good run and they are one of the form teams in the league. You take that into consideration, more so than where they are in the league. Ipswich have a new manager and a new group of players, along with a work ethic that comes from him (McCarthy).
“That was always going to be the case and we knew that if we didn’t match that then we would have been beat today. But we did and along the way picked up our fourth clean sheet in five games. On another day we could have won it, on another day it could have been lost, so we view this as another point towards seeing how far we can go.”
Quality shots on goal were at a premium for both sides at Cardiff City Stadium, to which the manager added, “The lack of chances comes from two teams working hard against each other, not allowing each other space. I think it’s our second game without scoring in a game this whole season so far, though we certainly huffed and puffed, notching up twenty chances.
“But we know we’ve got to be more clinical at that end as a whole team. Saying that I’m delighted with the clean sheet, with the way we dug in and the fact that we’ve gone another point ahead. Another positive is to have Tommy Smith back in action. He’s a quality player and someone we’ve certainly missed. So to have him back with us in January for the last nineteen games is very pleasing.”