THINGS WE LEARNED FROM CARDIFF’S REVERSE AT READING...

NEIL Warnock is expecting a quiet transfer deadline day – but there was a reminder at Reading that Cardiff will need more if they want more next season.

The creativity of Garath McCleary and the spark of Yann Kermogant was something Cardiff did not have an answer to.

Given that it wasn’t long ago that the Bluebirds were still sweating over whether they could properly pull away from a lengthy relegation fight, there is no doubt that Warnock has made them a tougher proposition for opponents as Reading – just like Brighton – were made to work for a win that keeps alive their promotion hopes.

There is steps still to be taken with this team and you do feel they will continue to improve as they continue to be shaped into a team by Warnock, but you can’t argue with the wily manager that they will need to have something different to call on if they want to truly build on the foundations laid down. KEEPER DELIGHT TURNS TO FRIGHT WARNOCK could hardly contain his delight when he snapped up Allan McGregor on loan. An experienced shot-stopper with Championship promotions behind him and itching to show he should still be a Premier League keeper, a no-brainer as the Bluebirds boss put it.

Three games into his arrival, and the Scot hasn’t exactly justified the joy brought about by his signing. At Brighton, it looked as though he had been beaten by a stunner – only for replays to suggest that it had been stoppable.

Here, the poor parry from Danny Williams’ initial effort allowed Swift the chance for his opener. Better was expected – and no doubt Warnock feels the same. TWO UP TOP CAUSES HAVOC SO often the Cardiff fans have had to watch a lone striker feeding off scraps - but Rhys Healey proved he is more than capable of forming a partnership with fellow forward Kenneth Zohore.

The youngster was handed his first start for Cardiff at the Madejski Stadium and rewarded Neil Warnock with an energetic display, showing strong ability to hunt the ball down as well as hold up play to bring supporting midfielders into the action.

Clear-cut chances for the pair were few and far between, but, with Healey doing plenty of the donkey work, space soon opened up for Zohore.

The Bluebirds at last had some kind of outlet in a game where they were forced to watch Reading spray the ball around the park at times which eased the pressure on the defence. LACK OF PACE CONTINUES TO BE A CONCERN WHILE the Bluebirds finally had an outlet in the shape of Healey’s new partnership with Zohore, Cardiff remain in desperate need of an injection of pace.

Junior Hoilett, one of few in the Cardiff squad who can provide genuine speed, lacked end product on numerous occasions against Jaap Stam’s side.

Joe Ralls produced another assured display in the centre of the pitch along with Aron Gunnarsson, but they were largely forced to sit not too far in front of the Cardiff defence to provide support - with Garath McCleary carving things up at times.

Morrison and Richards were both left dumbfounded by the Reading man’s trickery at times - and the Bluebirds’ defence showed that, when up against a side packed with speedy players, that they struggle to sing from the same hymn sheet. TRAVELLING SUPPORTERS SHINE ONCE AGAIN GRANTED, a trip down the M4 to the Madejski is one of the shorter and easier trips of the season for Cardiff fans, but the fact there was 2,348 in the away end at Reading perhaps tells a little story about the feeling around the Bluebirds right now.

There is every sign that this will be a midtable season; relegation worries seem to be firmly behind the team but even Warnock insists that the side aren’t good enough for the play-offs.

That fans are still buying into what’s happening on the pitch is a big tick for Warnock who has done much from his attitude, honesty and making sure its reflected in the performances of his team, something the supporters have seen for themselves and been able to find a far greater connection with that Cardiff sides of the recent past. By CHRIS WATHAN