No goals in Ricoh stalemate - Cardiff City FC

Cardiff have been credited with 15 efforts on the Coventry goal with 11 of those on target but while City should have put the game to bed in the second half they didn't look like a side creating chances for fun. The Cov keeper made some good saves to deny City and at the other end Roger Johnson blocked Cov's best effort on goal.

Coventry were just shocking in the second half and it was like a City home game with the Bluebirds dominating possession and restricting Coventry to attacking on the break. Most of the Sky Blues' forray's though ended with the lineswoman's flag signalling for offside.

Peter Enckleman started in goal and had very little to do. His handling was fine and he came for a few crosses. That aside he was a spectator for long periods. Some of his kicking went a little wayward in the second half but he was probably just cold as Coventry never warmed his hands all night. The home sides best chance came from a free kick in the first half that whizzed just wide.

Dave Jones also gave Aaron Ramsey a game and he did well. He always looked to go forward and several times duped his marker with clever footwork to allow himself space to attack. I can see no reason why he couldn't do a job against Wolves on Saturday but I imagine Jones will go for the experienced McPhail.

McPhail was a 64th min sub in tonight's game. His involvement was forced after a hamstring injury to Joe Ledley. Ledley will have a scan on Wednesday to determine the damage but it could be a huge blow for an already depleted squad if he's out for a few weeks.

There was no Darcy Blake on the bench. His place taken by Jon Brown and the youngster made his league debut in the final minutes replacing the poor Peter Whittingham. The other sub you can probably guess. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink off for Steve Thompson. This time on 75 mins and not 80.

Glenn Loovens picked up his 10th yellow card of the season and now faces a two match ban.

City are still in play off contention, just 4 points away but with a return of 1 point from 9 things will need to improve or we will just slip into a mid table wind down until the end of the season.

Things should warm up this weekend though with the visit of Wolves in the FA Cup. A place in the 1/4 finals awaits the winners.

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