Bluebirds Aiming To Cut Out Those Damaging Late Goals

Bluebirds manager Neil Warnock and captain Sean Morrison are in complete agreement over the frustration of conceding late goals.

“We’ve thrown away nine points over the last few weeks and that trend has to stop,” said Warnock.

Cardiff City were in front against Fulham, Queens Park Rangers, Blackburn and Birmingham, but could only earn three points from a possible 12.

Only bottom-club Rotherham have conceded more goals in the last 10 minutes than Cardiff and Morrison admits late goals have been ‘devastating’.

“The late goals are frustrating I am sure for the fans, but is devastating for especially a defender, all of us in the back four,” he said.

“It is something we have to improve on, the whole team, not just defenders. We have to see games out.

“We have controlled the last couple of games and then let it slip right at the end.

“We need to learn lessons now for next season. That nous and knowhow needed is down to us, the players. It just hasn’t been good enough.”

Cardiff are at home to Ipswich Town on Saturday when Warnock goes head-to-head with close friend Mick McCarthy.

The two men were at Barnsley together more than 40 years ago and Warnock says: “I was around 25-years-old and playing for Barnsley. Mick was an apprentice and used to clean my boots.

“He’s a great guy and I have loads of time for him.”

McCarthy’s Ipswich team are unbeaten in eight matches, but have drawn seven of those fixtures including the last six.

If they record a seventh successive stalemate, following draws against Brighton, Leeds, Norwich, Brentford, Wolves and Barnsley, Ipswich will equal the club record set by John Lyall’s team in 1990-91.

The visitors will include Wales international Tom Lawrence, who was with Cardiff last season, but Emyr Huws, who is on loan from the Bluebirds, is ineligible to play against his parent club.

Bruno Manga is back in Cardiff’s squad after training all week, while Rickie Lambert could also be available.

“Manga may be on the bench,” said Warnock. “He has worked hard on his rehabilitation from injury and he has made a good recovery.”

Lee Peltier and Rhys Healey are both long-term injury absentees, while Ipswich could be without Kevin Bru (knee) and Kieffer Moore (groin) are doubts for Ipswich Town’s visit to Cardiff City on Saturday.

Aron Gunnarsson, Kadeem Harris and Matthew Connolly are all expected to be in Cardiff’s squad/

Cardiff City, possible: McGregor, Richards, Morrison, Bamba, Bennett, Halford, Pilkington, Gunnarsson, Ralls, Hoilett, Zohore.

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