Neil Warnock holds talks with Cardiff City players to thrash out grievances over lack of professionalism and desire
The Bluebirds conceded injury time goals in both of their Christmas matches against Barnsley and Brentford
Neil Warnock has questioned the leadership abilities of his Cardiff City players after they threw away vital points in their festive fixtures against Brentford and Barnsley.
The Bluebirds fought back from two goals down to make it 3-3 in the dying minutes of their clash with Barnsley in their final match before Christmas but went on to lose the game at the Cardiff City Stadium as Ryan Williams netted for the visitors five minutes into injury time.
They endured another late horror show in their Boxing Day meeting with Brentford at Griffin Park where Sullay Kaikai struck in the 91st minute, only moments after Kenneth Zohore appeared to have snatched victory for the Bluebirds, to earn the hosts a share of the spoils.
And Warnock has revealed he held talks with a number of his players after the Christmas matches - admitting that he is unsure if those in question are capable of meeting his demands.
"We've had our friendly discussions," said the Cardiff boss.
"The lads know where I'm coming from. They all know what I'm expecting of them, a little bit more responsibility in all departments, more talking and a little more desire at times in certain areas.
"Whether the individuals I'm talking about have got it in their make up I don't know.
"We have to be better in certain areas and we have to be more disciplined. I'm not asking any of the lads that I had a word with to do anything they can't do.
"All I'm asking them to do is to be more professional in certain situations. I explained to them why I felt they were wrong and what they could've done.
"It wasn't rocket science really. They all put their hands up to what I’m telling them to do."
Warnock takes his troops to the south coast of England tonight to face in-form Championship leaders Brighton at the Amex Stadium.
The Bluebirds are the last team to prevent Brighton from claiming all three points in a league match - with the Seagulls winning all four of their games after being held to a goalless draw in the reverse fixture at the Cardiff City Stadium earlier this month.
But Warnock has called for his players to stand up and be counted for against Chris Hughton's table toppers as he admits his squad does not possess enough leaders.
I don't think we've got enough talkers or leaders," Warnock added.
"I was disappointed in our so called leaders (against Brentford and Barnsley). Even the lads you'd expect to talk held their hands up and said they didn't talk enough.
"We can't do everything on the bench. They've got to think for themselves. We've got leaders on the pitch and they've got to lead and not go in a shell.
"One of our strengths since I've been here has been our organisation. But against Barnsley, after the disappointment of not scoring at one end, to lose the game at the other end was criminal really.
"We should have at least five points more this week and at least nine or 10 points more from just doing the basic right thing at the right time."
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