Max O'Leary - 6
His handling was excellent throughout as Cardiff concentrated a lot of their attacking efforts on launching balls into the box. The City No1 also swept up well behind the defence but the goalkeeper will be disappointed with Jaden Philogene’s goal which beat him at the near post from outside the box.
George Tanner - 6
Solid enough in a defensive sense and didn’t do a great deal wrong in possession, just didn’t have the required penetration in the final third and subsequently was withdrawn in the second half with Sykes moving into right-back.
Zak Vyner - 6
Looked culpable for Sory Kaba heading Cardiff into the lead and although, for the most part, he was solid and resolute, it was a terrible time to concede as the momentum shifted and the hosts were then able to force a second.
Tomas Kalas - 7
Looked excellent throughout as he was strong in the challenge and consequently alert to any danger around him but sustained an injury midway through the second half which made a bad afternoon for the Robins even worse.
Cam Pring - 6
Didn’t get much joy alongside Mehmeti on the left flank and, in possession, he often had to drift infield. He did cover well in a defensive sense during the first half but was forced increasingly back after half time and finished the match at centre-back due to Kalas’ injury.
Matty James - 6
Did lots of Matty James-like things, winning possession back and keeping the tempo ticking over, but Cardiff were often happy to let him have the ball, standing off and setting their shape. At times it felt the veteran could have driven into space in front of him to raise a few more questions.
Joe Williams - 7
Was City’s brightest player until his injury. All hustle and bustle in midfield and made some telling interceptions to set the Robins on their way. So unfortunate to see him go down again and we can only hope it’s not a long-term issue.
Alex Scott - 6
Anonymous in the first half, as the game largely passed him by leading to the obvious conclusion he was a little tired. But as City searched for a goal he became more influential, getting on the ball, drifting past players and creating.
Mark Sykes - 7
By far City’s best and most consistent attacking force. He enjoyed a lot of the ball down the right, as Cardiff seemed preoccupied in squeezing Bell and keeping an eye on Mehmeti. His energy and fitness levels are remarkable but if there’s an obvious criticism, it’s that he needed a bit more finesse with his final ball.
Sam Bell - 5
Assigned to stretch the Cardiff defence with his pace but was mostly locked down and too many balls into the 20-year-old were to feet, rather than towards the channel to which he wanted to make his runs into.
Anis Mehmeti - 5
A tough afternoon for the playmaker who saw little of the ball - just 11 touches in the first half - and when he did receive possession found himself crowded out. He did, however, have City’s two best chances of the game as he was denied at close range by the face of Ryan Allsop and then blazed over when set free by Scott in the second half.
Substitutes
Andi Weimann (for Williams, 25) - 5
The question as to how he fits into this system won’t go away as the Austrian seems stuck between positions after replacing Williams and moving into the No10 position.
Harry Cornick (for Bell, 61) - 5
Thrown on to try and force an equaliser and although he took up some good positions, his final ball wasn’t efficient enough. There were also some loose passes in there as the Robins tried to force the issue late on.
Nahki Wells (for Tanner, 61) - 5
The Bermudian didn’t get much service nor could he influence the game when he did get it, increasingly frustrated as he wasn’t awarded the free-kicks he felt he was deserving of.
Jay Dasilva (for Kalas, 68) - 5
Allowed Philogene inside for the Cardiff second after replacing Kalas.
Subs not used: Nikita Haikin, Andy King, Omar Taylor-Clarke
