Mon Feb 13, 2023 7:03 am
Boro class showed how far Cardiff have to go:
Saturday's game, especially the first half, showed the gulf in quality between the two sides. At one point, it genuinely looked like a Championship side taking on a League One team.
To their credit, in the second half, Cardiff improved drastically. But, again, as has so often been the case this season, it simply was not enough.
The visitors had a crisp, slick style of play. They pounced on every mistake and produced quality moments in the final third, something which has evaded Cardiff all season. That was why it was such a surprise when Callum Robinson did so well to capitalise on Zack Steffen's error to set up Sory Kaba for the Bluebirds' goal.
But, looking at those two teams for the first time, without any context as to where they were in the table, you could pick out the team challenging for the Premier League and the club battling to avoid a drop to League One within minutes of the first whistle.
It is to Cardiff's credit that they managed to stay in the tie for so long and, perhaps, could count themselves unlucky to lose by two goals in the end. But good teams at this level hurt you.
The problem for Cardiff is, if Middlesbrough is the standard for play-off or promotion-chasing sides, this Bluebirds squad is so far away from it. And it doesn't appear to be a gap which can be closed in a summer transfer window, if they do stay up - especially if they are unable to spend a fee.
That is the reality of the situation facing this club at the moment. Boro recruited strongly and have nailed down a style of play which is exhilarating and potent. Cameron Archer, Chuba Akpom and Marcus Forss were a formidable front line and looked so dangerous in every attack. Cardiff's goal, by comparison, came as an utter surprise. That's the difference.
Cardiff were not awful, of course. Most supporters concede that. But the trouble is, when Cardiff play averagely, they lose. Whether that is confidence or a lack of quality at both ends of the pitch - likely a bit of both - who knows? But playing well just isn't good enough anymore. They cannot eke draws or even wins out unless they are at their absolute best and that might be the most troubling thing of all at the moment.