Weary Bluebirds in recovery mode

SABRI Lamouchi has ordered his Cardiff City players to rest after blaming tiredness for their lacklustre draw.

- Andy Batte

The Bluebirds remain firmly in the grip of the relegation battle after failing to follow up an excellent 3-1 midweek win at Watford.

The Welsh club were lethargic and lacking in ideas for much of the 90 minutes – though Stoke were also very average throughout a match low on quality.

Cardiff were left to rue a 61st-minute penalty miss by Guinean striker Sory Kaba after Connor Taylor brought down Cardiff substitute Jadon Philogene.

Kaba had earlier cancelled out Josh Laurent’s 16th-minute headed opener from Will Smallbone’s corner for the visitors.

Lamouchi said: “We did not see a lot of energy from both teams. We are all tired.

“Of course a point is better than nothing. A few weeks ago, it was terrible for us. I’m happy with the point, but probably my players deserved three points.