Warnock: Deflated but determined

Neil Warnock reflected on his side’s 2-1 defeat to Queens Park Rangers on New Year’s Day, citing two critical decisions that he felt cost them at least a share of the spoils.

Joe Ralls’ 54th minute penalty kick had put City in a commanding position, before Matt Smith and Paul Smyth turned the game on its head in the home side’s favour.

And despite remaining in a healthy position in the race for promotion, the Gaffer admitted that a poor festive period has frustrated the camp.

"We're bound to be deflated," said the Manager. "It's hard enough for us to score goals without having them chalked off [in reference to Junior Hoilett’s effort being disallowed for a perceived offside].

"The referee thinks it's deflected, but it's clearly [Josh] Scowen who's touched it and he [Junior] can't be offside.

"The linesman asked him who played the ball and I don't think he knew really. He thought it might have been deflected which would have been offside. But it wasn't deflected. Scowen's played the ball."

The Bluebirds return to Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday afternoon for an F.A. Cup third round fixture with Mansfield Town, before Sunderland visit the Welsh capital the following week.

And the Gaffer looked ahead to a less congested January with an air of determination in regard to putting right some of the wrongs that have taken place over the past four games.

"I'll have to look at what we're doing,” Neil admitted. “We must be running over black cats though - that's three games where we've had crucial decisions go against us.”

Watch Neil Warnock’s QPR reaction in full on iFollow Cardiff City now.