It was a really disappointing day and performance

Last updated : 27 October 2012 By Tony Scholes

Cardiff had scraped through against Watford in midweek to secure their best ever home start to a season but they sailed through this one in a performance that delighted their manager.

“We were up against the top scorers in the division and the top scorer in the division in Charlie Austin and to keep a clean sheet against them was very pleasing,” Mackay said after the game.

“From the first minute to the ninetieth our team gelled today,” he continued. “We worked very hard in terms of winning second ball and after that we made a lot of good decisions, caused them a lot of different problems and were clinical in front of goal. I asked them to be clinical when we got into good areas, because we weren’t on Tuesday night against Watford.”

He added: "We’ve got to keep trying to make it a difficult place for teams to come. We are looking to base ourselves on our home form to begin with and build on that. We get twenty plus thousand people coming here every week and they’ve been fantastic in their support for myself and our team. 

“I think we just keep trying to win as many games as we can. I know the league, I’ve been in it a long time and know exactly how relentless it is and how unforgiving it is. There are times when you think it’s unfair, with a lot of games played over a short space of time in the season. But it’s nice to be up there, in and around it with twelve games gone.

"There’s a lot of football to come and some tough times ahead for everyone in the league. We’ve got to make sure we stay focused on our own job.”

Pashley praised his team last Tuesday when we returned from Bristol City with all three points, but there could be no praise today. In a shocking defensive performance, he felt every goal was avoidable.

"It was a really disappointing day and performance and we were the architects of our own downfall. I thought the first goal set us back at a tough place to play and after that first goal I don’t feel we ever really recovered.

“We were always chasing the game and second best and we went on and had a very tough afternoon. I thought all four goals were avoidable and you can’t give goals away like that and hope to get a result.

“In the second half we tried to be more positive and at 2-0 you always feel the next goal could be the vital one. We started the half better and spent more time in their half of the pitch after Sam Vokes came on and we tried to push Martin Paterson more central and play with three in midfield.

“We knew that would perhaps leave us a little bit more open, but we simply had to try and be more positive. As it was it went 3-0 and then it was a real mountain to climb. In the end, you simply can’t give yourself that much to do in games.”

Asked about his own position, he said: “I’ve really enjoyed the past week, not so much today! But the manager situation is out of my hands and until I hear differently I can’t really comment on it. What will be will be, but the Board will make the best decision for Burnley Football Club.”