Cardiff lacked aggression in Rovers loss, says boss

Cardiff have won just once in the Championship this season [Huw Evans Picture Agency] Brian Barry-Murphy says his Cardiff side lacked an aggressive edge as they were ultimately "not good enough" during their 2-1 defeat at Blackburn Rovers. The Cardiff boss was left thoroughly disappointed, and noted their much-improved second-half performance only deepened his frustrations. Cardiff were two down at the break after Andri Gudjohnsen closed down Joel Bagan's clearance to score and Todd Cantwell swept home after an incisive Rovers counter. And though Calum Robinson pulled one back to give the travelling Bluebirds fans hope, Cardiff head home with nothing to show for their efforts and remain on one win. "I'm very disappointed with our performance. We didn't feel as though it was good enough to give ourselves a chance to win the game," said head coach Barry-Murphy. "We showed signs of what we are capable of in the second half, which probably only heightens our disappointment with how we played in the first half. "We created good chances in the second half and should have scored a second. We can't shy away from the fact that we weren't good enough in the first half." Cardiff have lost five of their past six away league games [Shutterstock] After that disappointing opening 45 minutes at Ewood Park, Barry Murphy felt his side created good chances in the second half and should have scored a second goal. Overall, however, he accepted his side fell short. "We can have no excuses," he added. "We knew how tough the challenge was going to be today. We gave the ball away in really dangerous areas. "By our standards, we weren't good enough in possession. We lacked aggressiveness. We stepped back today and didn't push forward. That cost us." Cardiff got themselves back into the game soon after the restart when Robinson drilled into the bottom corner to open his account for the season. Fellow Republic of Ireland international Jack Moylan went close to scoring two fine solo goals, but the Bluebirds lacked the clinical edge to find an equaliser. "We had really good situations, and with the players we have, we would back ourselves to find the correct solutions," said Barry-Murphy. "We pushed right until the end, I've got no qualms about that, but I do not want to shy away or make excuses. "We have to be really clear and honest with ourselves that we were not good enough today. We have to take it on the chin." Cardiff will get the chance to put things right when they host fellow Championship strugglers Watford on Tuesday, 13 October (19:45 BST). Latest Cardiff City news, analysis and fan views