Cardiff City Head Coach Brian Barry-Murphy spoke to the press ahead of the Bluebirds’ Boxing Day clash against Exeter City.
Reflecting on last weekend’s narrow defeat to Lincoln City, Brian said: “I think the players were naturally very disappointed after Saturday's game, and I like to see that. I like to see a real sense of deflation and disappointment when we work so hard to be ready for the game, and when you lose, the overriding emotion for me and the players is one of wanting to put it right straight away, and work really hard in training to give ourselves the best chance to do that.
“We want to be at the top of the table for as long as we can and push on, but we understand that the most important thing is what allows us to get there, and that’s by playing the way we play.
"I don’t believe that the table takes shape at this stage of the season. There will be a lot of twists and turns along the way, like the game last Saturday, but we have to keep focused and be ready to overcome all those eventualities.”
Exeter City will be the visitors on Friday afternoon, with the boss expecting a tough encounter against Gary Caldwell's Grecians.
He said: “We watched their last game against Barnsley where they arguably had their most impressive performance of the season. They were very aggressive and on the front foot. They are coming off the back of a very good performance, and they will be full of confidence.
“We are fully aware of the threats they pose and what their strengths are. Every single away game they’ve played this season; they have been in the game right until the last whistle. It’s going to be a big test of how well we can play and how patient we can be in the face of the quality that they have.”
Brian concluded by providing fitness updates on a number of squad members.
“Calum Chambers went home today with illness. He follows Will Fish and Joel Bagan, who have both been sick. Both Will and Joel were unwell at the game on Saturday.
“Nathan Trott hasn’t trained yet, and David Turnbull has a groin issue. Gabriel Osho was back on the pitch today, and if he continues to progress well, he could be back within a week or so, but he’s not back in full training yet.”