Cardiff City deserved more than they got from their defeat to Reading and their performance was one of their best in months, believes former QPR manager Ian Holloway.
The Bluebirds went down 1-0 to the Royals courtesy of a blow inflicted by ex-Cardiff man Junior Hoilett.
It's now five defeats on the spin for Mick McCarthy, with pressure now mounting on the veteran boss' shoulders.
In truth it was a much improved performance - certainly on the displays at Blackburn and against West Brom - with the Bluebirds dominating the game at Cardiff City Stadium.
Holloway said that the players responded for their manager and that the outings against Rovers and the Royals were like night and day when compared to each other.
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"Mate, that's chalk and cheese from last week when I was on here," Holloway said on Quest.
"I didn't like the defending (at Blackburn), I know Mick wouldn't have liked it as well.
"That was as good a performance I've seen for the last few months. It's what you get in the Championship.
"I'm ever so sorry a lot teams get three or four games in a row that don't go right.
"His players responded today and they didn't get a result they deserved."
Sometimes, when things aren't going for you, luck seems to dissipate.
It had to be Hoilett, then, who would twist the knife and register the goal that condemned his former employers to another defeat.
"Junior hasn't played in a while, he's just caught that beautifully," added Holloway of the only goal of the game.
"Not a bad header (clearance header), I think the defender could have got tighter to him, but that's a great strike.
"But that was their only shot on target."
Cardiff's next game is the South Wales derby clash against Swansea City after the international break.
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