Cardiff City lose to West Ham

Cardiff City suffered another defeat today, losing 2-0 at home to West Ham United.

The blow comes just one week after they narrowly missed out on the Carling Cup against Liverpool.

After a positive start to the game, the after-effects of their defeat on penalties at Wembley seemed to show in the Bluebirds' display.

They were finished off in the 77th minute when George McCartney beat David Marshall from a tight angle.

Bluebirds boss Malky Mackay lamented his side's defensive display, saying West Ham had been handed chance after chance.

"I'm disappointed with the goals we lost today," he said.

"I'm taking nothing away from the finishes from them obviously, but the first goal was incredibly sloppy.

"Everything was very nip-and-tuck. It was quite tight, and both teams were cancelling each other out. But we lost possession in a poor area and gave away a sloppy goal, and that certainly knocked our confidence at that point.

"In the second period Peter Whittingham hits the post and if that goes in it would change the game.

"But we tried to chase it and we lost, for us, a really uncharacteristic second goal in terms of allowing the player to come so far and be unchallenged.

"So you're up against it against a really experienced team of men, who have got a huge wage bill and can afford to bring on Carlton Cole and Gary O'Neil.

"To gift them things doesn't help, and it certainly gives you a mountain to climb."

Following last week's defeat to Liverpool, Mackay said the experience will make his players 'stronger people' but is now urging them to look to the future, adding: "It's about focusing on the team that are in front of you. Nothing else."