The Bluebirds payed the price for a passive performance as they lost 2-0 to league leaders Leicester City.
Leicester set the tempo early on and unlocked The Bluebirds defence with ease, as Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall was denied by a magnificent save by Jak Alnwick after just 14 minutes.
The Foxes took the lead not long later through Dewsbury-Hall. The midfielder slotted home from inside the box despite the best efforts of The Bluebirds defence to block his effort.
A huge blow came for The Bluebirds late in the first half as winger Karlan Grant was forced off with a reported hamstring rupture, Yakou Meite replaced the winger on 38 minutes.
Cardiff had a huge chance at the end of the first half as the ball fell to Kion Etete inside the Leicester box, however the forward lashed his effort wide from no more than ten yards out. The visitors went in at the break in front.
Just ten minutes into the second half, James Justin let fly from the edge of the back and found the top left corner to double Leicester City's lead. The Foxes almost made it three not long later, however, Dimitrios Goutas cleared Ndidi's effort off the line.
Manolis Siopis had a decent effort saved, arguably The Bluebirds best chance of the second half. Not long later, both Fatawu and Mavididi struck the woodwork. That's all she wrote, Leicester confirmed all three points.
Player Ratings:
Jak Alnwick (6) - Made an excellent save to prevent Dewsbury-Hall. Two good finishes so arguably can't do anything for either goal. Kicking was decent.
Perry Ng (4) - Admittedly not helped by the lack of support of the winger ahead of him, however, Ng's positional play was poor, Mavididi was free for almost 90 minutes, we were just lucky he didn't make the most of that. Offered next to nothung going forward.
Dimitrios Goutas (6) - Great clearence to deny Ndidi. Tried switching it up by going long every now and again. Unlucky for the first goal.
Mark McGuinness (4) - Extremely frustrating. Relies on playing back to Alnwick far too much, took Macca 85 minutes to start playing forward. Didn't offer a great deal defensively.
Jamilu Collins (5) - Improvement from the weekend, however, still not at the standard we know JC can perform at. As guilty as Ng for leaving his man free all game. Only slightly betters Ng has he tried progressing the team up the pitch.
Manolis Siopis (6.5) MOTM - Looked more like the Sio of the start of the season, disrupting the opposition and decent on the ball. Still can offer more but probably the pick of a bad bunch.
Joe Ralls (4) - Second best for his 60 minutes on the pitch, which is unlike The Bluebirds skipper. He struggled massively in a physical battle with Ndidi; plays a huge part in The Foxes' first goal.
Ryan Wintle (6) - Brought energy and some fight in the midfield, just a shame no one was on the same wave length on him. Spent the majority of the game as the lead presser, which tells you more about the others around him. Definitely gave his all, can't ask for much more.
Josh Bowler (4.5) - Too passive. Has to clear the ball for Leicester's second. Offered next to nothing defensively and offensively. Reluctance to drive at players is strange as that's his main strength.
Karlan Grant (6) - Looked up for it in his brief time on the pitch. Was linking well with JC and running at Leicester. Such a shame with the injury, could mean up to three months out for KG. Wishing him a speedy recovery.
Kion Etete (4.5) - Far too passive as well. Hermansen, Faes and Vestergaard were stood still at some points without any pressure. One or two nice pieces on the ball. Squandered a chance he should be scoring.
Subs:
Yakou Meite (6) - Similair to Wintle. Gave his all and you can't rubbish that, just unfortunate others weren't on his wave length. Caused Justin a couple of issues.
Rubin Colwill (6.5) - Showed a bit of fight. One of the only players that showed any attacking intent when he was on the pitch. Worked hard.
Ollie Tanner (6.5) - Similair story as Colwill. Showed some fight and creativity. Was more direct which saw him cause a few problems.
Callum Robinson (4) - Same story over the last few weeks. Something just not clicking for Robbo. Failing to complete the easiest of passes. Something needs to change if he wants to be back in the mix for the starrting eleven.
Summary:
Leicester's quality can't be rubbished and has a big part to play in the low player ratings. However, a lack of fight in the first 60 minutes is what has frustrated myself and others inside the CCS. New players and refresh are needed in January.
Next time out, The Bluebirds travel to Loftus Road to face QPR.
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