RUSSELL: WE MUST SEE GAMES OUT
Manager calls on Bluebirds to be more clinical
A disappointed Russell Slade spoke to the press and media after his Cardiff City side slipped to a 2-1 home defeat to Charlton Athletic.
The Bluebirds had performed well for large spells against the Addicks and went ahead through Kiko Macheda’s strike. However, Tony Watt’s finish and a late Yoni Buyens penalty stole the points for the visitors, leaving Slade frustrated.
“We dominated 75% of the game so it is a little bit frustrating to say the least,” said the Boss. “We’ve just got to learn to manage the game for the entire ninety minutes.
“We got ourselves into a position where we were in front, having dominated large periods of the match. From there, we should have put the three points to bed in all honesty.
“The top sides in the league, the top six, do what they’re good at for ninety minutes. For us to be successful in this league we’ve got to being doing the same thing. We are definitely doing it for longer periods now, as we did midweek away to Rotherham and for most of the match today, but it has to be 100% for the entire game.”
Russell was particularly upset with the Addicks’ 87th minute winner from the spot. According to the boss, the goal was certainly an avoidable one.
He continued: “It’s definitely a penalty – we’ve got no qualms about that. Sean [Morrison] and all of us were disappointed with that.
“We’ve been in front on a few occasions and then been pegged back very late on in the game, and the same thing has happened today.
“Of course, getting the second goal would make life easier, as it did on Tuesday, when the game was done and dusted by half time. As the home side, the onus is on us to dominate and create chances, which we didn’t do quite enough of in the second half.”
Despite the result, Russell picked out some positives from the encounter, including the performances of two of City’s new boys Conor McAleny and Matty Kennedy.
“I do believe we’re getting better,” he added. “Both the boys from Everton look after the ball very well. McAleny’s a real threat going forward I think, and he can score goals. It was really pleasing to see him score midweek and there’s more to come from him. There’s certainly more to come from young Kennedy too, so we’re pleased with those acquisitions for the team.
“We had quite a few shots today, but didn’t really create fantastic chances this afternoon. In terms of our organisation and our shape though, I was really happy.
“We were looking to get back-to-back wins today, after picking up back-to-back away wins in the week. We were really looking to build on that, but this game kicks you in the teeth sometimes. Now, we’ve got to pick ourselves up to work hard and ensure that we see games out in the future.”
