SM
Bayern vs. Augsburg: 17 hrs 34 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
CC
Championship | Gameweek 23
Dec 21, 2019 at 12.30pm UK
 
PN

0-0

 
FT

Alex Neil disappointed to miss out on maximum points at Cardiff

:Headline: Alex Neil disappointed to miss out on maximum points at Cardiff: ID:383650: from db_amp
Preston were held to a goalless draw in the Welsh capital.

Preston manager Alex Neil was left frustrated by his side's lack of cutting edge in their dull 0-0 draw at Cardiff.

The visitors opened the door for their play-off rivals to move ahead in the race for the Premier League after failing to make their dominance count in Saturday's early kick-off.

Sean Maguire hit the side netting twice in the opening stages, before setting up a clear-cut chance in the 24th minute.

His disguised through ball put Billy Bodin clean through on goal, but Bluebirds goalkeeper Neil Etheridge reacted to deny the Preston winger from close range.

Preston midfielder Alan Browne should have done better after Cardiff defender Curtis Nelson gifted him possession 30 yards from goal. Browne had time and space to compose himself with the Bluebirds scrambling back, but he shot tamely into the hands of Etheridge.

Both sides had to settle for a share of the points after a lively four minutes of injury time, but Neil believes his side deserved all three points.

He said: "Everybody who watched the game would have recognised we were far the better team, Cardiff didn't have a shot on target.

"We had great opportunities, we dominated the game, had more of the ball and better chances, it was just that final bit.

"If you don't get the first goal against Cardiff, it's very difficult to break them down. That first goal makes them chase the game and you can create things off the back of that.

"I'm pleased with how we played but disappointed we didn't win because we've played worse than that this year and still won.

"It's frustrating, we'll score harder chances than we had today. That little bit of quality wasn't there, whether it be the final pass or shot.

"We had unbelievable opportunities in terms of overloads and transitions but the final pass wasn't good enough

"I've always said, if we're in the top six come the end of January, we would have had a fantastic season, but then we should really kick on."

Joe Ralls was a surprise absentee from the Cardiff side, and manager Neil Harris revealed he will be without the key man over Christmas after he suffered a broken hand.

He said: "It's a blow, we just got him back and now he will miss a period with a broken hand he picked up in the Leeds game.

"It is a shame as we just got him back and I have been clear he is going to be an instrumental player in my side.

"We also had Joe Bennett go down in training with an Achilles injury. Will he be ready for the Christmas period? I don't know. We will assess him again. The Achilles is a fatigue injury."

On the match, Harris added: "It was not the most exciting game, not the excitement we have been used to anyway.

"In some ways I am pleased, because we got a clean sheet and looked relatively reliable... but we lacked creativity.

"Credit goes to Preston. But we weren't good enough in possession today.

"I wouldn't say I am grateful for a point, there wasn't much in it, but Preston look a well-oiled ship after two years with Alex Neil."

amp_article__383650 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2019-12-21 17:00:49:
html db last update - 2019-12-21 17:00:49 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Alex Neil

Click here for more stories about Cardiff City

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Sunderland1594225111431
2Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd1510321971231
3Leeds UnitedLeeds158522491529
4Burnley157621861227
5West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom15672169725
6Watford158162322125
7Middlesbrough157352317624
8Millwall156541813523
9Blackburn RoversBlackburn156451917222
10Bristol City155732019122
11Swansea CitySwansea155461110119
12Derby CountyDerby155461919019
13Stoke CityStoke155461819-119
14Norwich CityNorwich154652322118
15Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds155371725-818
16Oxford UnitedOxford Utd154561718-117
17Coventry CityCoventry154472021-116
18Plymouth ArgylePlymouth154471526-1116
19Hull City153661620-415
20Preston North EndPreston153661523-815
21Luton TownLuton154381726-915
22Cardiff CityCardiff154381423-915
23Portsmouth152671628-1212
24Queens Park RangersQPR151771225-1310
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .