Mark Hudson has explained the rationale behind taking off Callum Robinson during Cardiff City's defeat by Blackburn Rovers after the Bluebirds forward stormed off down the tunnel following his exit from the pitch.
Cardiff had gone a goal behind after Bradley Dack's second-half strike, however they never truly looked like troubling the Rovers' goal, all things considered.
But many supporters raised their eyebrows when top-scorer Robinson was the one to get the hook after 67 minutes. Goals have been hard to come by for the Bluebirds this season, so taking the most likely scorer off puzzled many onlookers.
Read more: Bluebirds start new year with a whimper as Dack goal extends winless run to seven games
Indeed, Robinson himself appeared perplexed by the decision, appearing to clash with Hudson on the touchline before immediately storming down the tunnel with 25 minutes still left to play.
When quizzed on the decision to pull the former West Brom forward from the firing line, Hudson told Sky Sports after the match: "Well, he missed the last game through injury. And we know how important he is to the club.
"I know we are chasing for a goal, but we have players who are raring to go and try and get on the pitch.
"They brought some impetus into the game, unfortunately not enough cutting edge. If we push Robbo too far then we could lose him for a longer period of time, which is not something the club needs."
It was once again a game which saw City struggle to create any meaningful chances.
It leaves Cardiff in 20th position and that could worsen depending on results over the next 24 hours. Pressure is truly mounting on Hudson and these Cardiff players as the January window kicks off in earnest, with City under an embargo.
Asked for his appraisal of the performance, Hudson added: "We were resilient first half. But I don't think we created too many opportunities in that first half and in the second half we started the way we wanted to. Then we are chasing a game, when we have struggled to create, and it's very difficult to break down a good side.
"Maybe the shape change didn't suit us after the last game. I thought freshening up might bring a bit more impetus towards their own goal. We had a couple of moments, but we didn't create or have that cutting edge or belief around their goal or the edge of the box for someone to take their opportunity.
"It's something we have to work on."
READ NEXT:
The Cardiff City football quiz of 2022 only diehard Bluebirds fans will nail
