Cardiff striker Jay Bothroyd says his team were left devastated by their play-off defeat to Blackpool.
Frontman hopeful of making stronger push next season
Cardiff striker Jay Bothroyd says his team were left devastated by their Championship play-off final defeat to Blackpool.
The Bluebirds missed out on a lucrative place in the Premier League after they suffered a 3-2 loss at a scorching Wembley on Saturday afternoon.
Dave Jones' men had led twice through goals from Michael Chopra and Joe Ledley, but Charlie Adam, Gary Taylor-Fletcher and Brett Ormerod ensured it was the Seasiders who emerged victorious.
Bothroyd could not hide his disappointment following the loss, but was gracious in defeat as he offered praise to Ian Holloway's side.
Gutted and heartbroken
He said: "Blackpool were the better team on the day and deserved their win. How big is the disappointment? Massive because we've fallen at the last hurdle. We're gutted and heartbroken.
"For the majority of the season we played really well but we didn't turn up. You have to give credit to Blackpool. They showed the hunger and they stuck in there and they won the game, so well done to Ian Holloway and their boys."
Cardiff's chances were not helped by the early departure of Bothroyd, who was forced off after 15 minutes with a calf strain that meant he had to witness his team's demise from the sidelines.
But the 28-year-old insisted that the Welsh club would look to recover from the setback and pitch in a stronger bid for a Premier League place next season.
He said: "I was helpless after I pulled my calf and I couldn't carry on. After we scored the first goal we didn't keep it tight for long enough.
"We're just gutted right now, but we've got a strong squad and have to come back raring to go next season. This was a painful lesson but hopefully it will make us stronger next season."
Team-mate and left-back Mark Kennedy was equally distraught at the Wembley heartache, although he too conceded that Blackpool were top value for their victory. The 34-year-old defender said: "This is probably the worst day of my career.
Outstanding job
"Blackpool deserved their win so congratulations to Ian and his team. It's just disappointing for us that in such a big game we gave away poor goals and got what we deserved. The goals we conceded were poor, poor goals. There are no excuses and you cannot blame the weather or the pitch."
Kennedy now hopes City retain the services of manager Jones, who has helped transform the club into unlikely top flight candidates amidst financial troubles at the Cardiff City Stadium.
He added: "The manager has done an outstanding job. He's taken the club forward every year and can be very proud of what he's achieved this year. Can we keep the side together?
"I hope so but we have got some very good players who I'm sure teams are looking at. I don't believe we're a selling club and one thing is for sure - if we want to get into the Premier League next year then we'll have to keep those players."
