Cardiff City FC

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• Founded:1899
• Manager:Dave Jones

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Jones: Cardiff will be back

04 May 2009 - 10:30:50

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Cardiff City manager Dave Jones has pledged to fight back from a "gut-wrenching" defeat which cost his side their place in the play-offs.

The Bluebirds lost 1-0 at Sheffield Wednesday on the final day of the Championship season to open the door for Preston North End to snatch sixth place and the last play-off spot.

To rub salt into the wounds, the Welsh club lost out on goals scored - heaving been thrashed 6-0 in a shock result at Preston last month.

The two clubs finished the 46-game season level on 74 points and had an identical goal difference.

"It's probably my biggest disappointment," conceded a downbeat Jones.

"Relegation at (former club) Wolves was a hard one to take but, when you're so close and you've been close for a long time - 45 games we've been close - to lose at the death is a gut-wrencher.

"We have to learn from it. It's harsh lesson to learn. We'll pick ourselves up, dust ourselves down and get ready again.

"They're so disappointed it's hard to take in, but the only way of getting rid of it is by going again next year.

"Ability-wise, running, strength, pace, it's all there, but maybe we just lacked that mental strength to see it through."