Ole Gunnar Solskjaer warned the rest of the Sky Bet Championship that Cardiff would improve after the Bluebirds climbed into second spot.
Nicky Maynard's second-half goal sunk his former club Wigan to give Cardiff seven points out of nine following relegation from the Barclays Premier League last season.
"It wasn't very pretty and we didn't play anywhere to the potential in the team, but the back five were magnificent," Cardiff manager Solskjaer said after the game.
"We didn't play well and the big thing for me is that I know we can improve.
"We're just happy we have shown we have developed and improved our defending as a unit in the box.
"Now it's about gelling this team together. We had two new players this week and it will take time to play the football we really want to.
"Once that transfer window has closed we'll get a run of games and we'll know each other better."
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