Manager Reaction Following Wigan's Victory

Frustrated
By Chris O'Brien
April 10 2005

Lennie Lawrence and Paul Jewell have had their say following Cardiff City's home reverse at the hands of Wigan Athletic. Lawrence is angered at his side's inability to take advantage of an impressive first-half side and at the shocking defending that led to Wigan's second.

Wigan's visit to Ninian Park was crucial for both managers for very different reasons. Paul Jewell's side are on the verge of the Premiership and the three points put the Lancastrian side back into the automatic promotion places, whilst Lennie Lawrence has relegation back very much at the front of his mind with the 2-0 reverse at Ninian Park putting his team only one point away from the dreaded bottom three.

The Bluebirds boss was left annoyed that his team failed to capitalise on a strong second-half and must now try and boost the confidence of his players, who had been on a fairly rich vein of form going into the game. However, he remains optimistic that Cardiff City can maintain their Football League Championship status despite the relegation zone drawing ever closer after Saturday's home setback.

"If it was a boxing match we would have had the fight won by half-time on points." said a frustrated Lawrence, who takes his Bluebirds side to Preston North End next weekend.

"But that is where Wigan punish you because they soak up the pressure and then hit you and the goal soon after the restart was like a knockout blow to us. The second goal was a complete cock-up and they were the only two chances that Wigan had.

"The ball didn't drop in the box for us. Neil Ardley put in some great crosses from left flank but we didn't finish them off, which is very disappointing. But that's why Wigan are where they are and why we are where we are, because they take chances and we don't. I'm still confident we'll be ok."

Paul Jewell must now be able to see the Premiership over the JJB Stadium horizon as his side secured a vital three points with a gutsy display, in complete contrast to Wigan's usual fluent passing style that has seen them challenge at the right end of the Football League Championship all season. The Latics chief confessed it wasn't the most attractive game of football his team have played this successful season.

"It was a great result for us because the last two games have gone against us at home, the pressure is now back on Ipswich." said the former Bradford manager.

"To come to Cardiff and not play free-flowing football but still get the result is a big boost to us, but you're not going to get good games at this stage of the season. We are fighting for our lives, Cardiff are fighting for their lives and there is so much at stake that it's just not conducive to good football."