Kevin McNaughton, as the rest of the squad, management and supporters was pleased and relieved to open our 2008/09 account - the final year at Ninian Park - with three home points. And like everyone else, Kevin was keen to keep his feet firmly planted on the ground after the win over Southampton, knowing that there were some elements to work on if we are in any way to establish ourselves as a contender for any form of honours in May.

On the performance

It wasn't a great first half. We were a little sloppy and gave them a bit of a confidence, letting them get into the game. We gave them a few chances, a few early corners and a couple of dodgy back passes, but we did come into the match eventually.

We took our goal well and started to play a bit better in the second half. I don't think the general performance was brilliant. I think in the end three points was more important.

The Southampton equaliser

It was just a case of switching off really, like last season. We conceded a lot of scrappy goals at the start of last season.

It's a bit sloppy the goal. If you look back at it, I should have backed up Whitts as well. The cross has come in, maybe the challenge should have been put in on the boy as well. Last season these things cost us, especially at the back we were losing matches because of that.

You look back on the video; I don't think you want to harp on about it too much. You know as a defender if you've got things like that in the back of your mind constantly it becomes a bit of a problem. We were disappointed with that, but you have to think of the three points.

Difficult Weather

If you ask any of the players, then they probably enjoy it like that when there's a bit of zip of the grass. Obviously Ninian Park is quite good, it doesn't really get waterlogged. It creates good conditions for knocking the ball around, although unfortunately we didn't do a lot of that. Overall it wasn't really a big factor.

The Win

It's massive you go into the next match with more confidence. For the first game you're a wee bit nervy in your passing and that sometimes goes astray. That's what happened against Southampton with a couple of nervy back passes and things like that. It mounts a bit more pressure on you.

But it's massive that you get three points on the first game of the season. Last season we sort of got a wee smash and grab against us on the first day of the season and I think we have done exactly the same to them.

I spoke to a couple of the boys in the changing room after the match and that's been the first time in a while I think that's happened, so maybe our luck is changing a wee bit. Hopefully a few draws can turn into wins this season.

Play off ambitions

Every year that has been our major ambition. In my first season here we started so well and it was so disappointing we tailed off towards the end and never made the play offs. Last season we were pushing for the play offs, only six points off it.

I think you look back at a few games that we drew that we should have really won. You look at today's performance in a game that looked like it was going to fizzle out into a draw, but we've picked up the win. Hopefully these little breaks can happen for us throughout the season.

A more serious challenge than last year?

Yes I think so, we seem to be a team that seems to play better when we come up against quality opposition. When we come up against a team that are more physical and try not knock us around and that we used to struggle a bit.

When we come up against quality sides, we have shown through pre season we are more than capable of beating them. We have to keep picking up the three points like today.

Ninian Park atmosphere

It was brilliant, especially at the start of the season, the crowds are always great. So if we can continue that throughout the season then it makes a difference to the team. The adrenaline starts pumping towards the end of the match as well.

From the word go, even when Southampton were pressing us, we were a bit sloppy, but the crowd were brilliant. Sometimes if things go against you they can turn on you, but thankfully it didn't happen today, the crowd were different class.

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Next up for Cardiff is the Carling Cup First Round, where a trip to Bournemouth is on the cards, followed by an away Championship encounter this Saturday