Cardiff City interim manager Aaron Ramsey gave a message of defiance after his first match in charge, even though the club’s Championship survival hopes are looking increasingly bleak.
“Never say never” was the caretaker’s comment regarding the increasing possibility of relegation, following an encouraging but ultimately damaging 1-1 draw at home to Oxford United.
Most of the build-up to the game was focused on Ramsey occupying a place in the Bluebirds’ dug-out instead of their midfield, following the sacking of Omer Riza.
But despite clear improvement from their last outings, Cardiff were unable to secure three points and had to settle for one, which simply isn’t enough - especially as the other teams in the bottom five positions when the day began, all won.
“We have to win the next game, and take it to the final day,” said Ramsey after his first match as a manager.
“The message is to build on that performance and take it into Saturday. Never say never.”
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Despite the poor result, Ramsey spoke of his enjoyment of the experience and a level of pride from his team’s performance.
“I really enjoyed the experience,” Ramsey said, grinning.
“The level of intensity of the boys was superb, they did everything we asked of them.
“We can be really proud of what we’ve done over the last 24 hours. I could tell from the first session that there was a different feeling around the place.
“We’re trying to bring the club together, so I’m very grateful for the reception that I had.
“We nullified them to nothing and we had a few chances. In general the performance and commitment we were looking for was there.
“But sometimes football can be cruel and it took a worldie from 35 yards, their only shot on target, to deny us. We are in a difficult position but we have to build on this and get a win on Saturday – never say never in football.”
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Ramsey must have thought his side were on the way to three points until the 80th minute.
They were bossing the game and leading 1-0 thanks to a seventh goal of the season from striker Yousef Salech, after he buried a far post header from a Chris Willock cross in the 56th minute.
But then Sivert Mannsvert picked up a yellow card for hauling down Tyler Goodham 35 yards out from goal.
Up stepped Cameron Brannagan to burst Ramey and Cardiff’s bubble with a thunderous shot that flew into the top corner from a tapped free kick.
With relegation rivals Plymouth, Luton, Derby and Hull all winning it meant Cardiff’s task over their last two games against West Brom at home and Norwich away has just got even tougher, while Gary Rowett’s Oxford now have a six point cushion.
Cardiff have been handed favours from rivals in the past few weeks, but it’s typical that in the one game where it’s on them to get themselves out of it, they failed to do so.
They now not only require favours from elsewhere, but also a lot of self-belief that it can be done.
Ramsey’s message and his acknowledgement of the crowd goes some way to rebuilding a fracture between the club and the supporters, on a day where another protest against the owners was staged before kick off.
"This club means a lot to me and I felt like I could get a reaction,” added Ramsey.
“I certainly got that today. I'd like to thank all the fans today, they were brilliant. They gave us that bit extra. I want to thank them for that.”
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Ramsey's current playing contract runs out at the end of this season and the 34-year-old hedged his bets over what he intends to do at the end of the campaign.
He may seek another playing contract, or be keen to continue his coaching ambitions, either at Cardiff or elsewhere.
"I am just taking these three games," he said. "I'm still recovering from a hamstring operation, I'm still in the middle of rehab and I'm focused on getting back to full fitness.
"This is a role where it's going to be an intense 10 days now then I can relax and get back into my rehab. I'm just looking at the next two.
"We have got to win the next game and hopefully we take it into the last game. Results have gone against us, but we can only control what we can control and take it into the last game.”
Strange things can happen in football at this stage of the season, but if Cardiff were to survive from this position, it might be considered one of the strangest in their own history for many a year.
