Neil Harris admitted he felt relief that Cardiff City are still in the FA Cup but he knows there is huge room for improvement as he looks to rebuild within the January transfer window.
The Bluebirds drew 2-2 at home to League Two Carlisle to earn a third round replay that is likely to fall just days after their derby clash at home to Swansea City on January 12.
Just 5,828 fans watched the tie – only 1,000 above the lowest recorded attendance at Cardiff City Stadium – and although Harris’s side avoided defeat after being 2-0 down, they have now won only once in their last seven matches.
“I couldn’t believe we were 2-0 down at half-time,” said Harris.
“The second goal was a bit of a killer because we gave ourselves a mountain to climb in a cup tie that ultimately we should win.
“I said to the boys at half-time I wasn’t panicked, just disappointed with being behind. I knew the way we played in the first half, if we did it with a bit more tempo, chances would come our way.
“Scoring two early goals, then it was one-way traffic for so long, it was disappointing not to get a third and fourth goal. The game could’ve gone either way at the end – it was a proper cup tie.
“I’m split on how I feel. Two down but still in the draw, so I’m pleased with some individual performances but I think we should’ve won the game.”
The poor crowd figure was reflected elsewhere across the country as the FA Cup continues to struggle to retain the appeal and significance in the football calendar that it once held.
Harris believes one step that should be taken to help the tournament is for the third round ties to replace one of the scheduled league dates across the festive period – reducing the overall fixture load and improving affordability for fans.
He added: “It’s crazy, I know. I’m a father of three myself – it’s expensive taking your kids places.
“I think the amount of fixtures in the schedule over this period makes it very difficult for supporters to support every single game.
“Scrap one of the league games [in the festive period]. The FA Cup is here to stay and is a wonderful competition, everybody in football appreciates the FA Cup.”
Harris, who played for Millwall in their 2004 final defeat against Manchester United, believes the FA Cup should still be cherished.
“British-based players, managers, supporters and foreign owners, managers and players love the FA Cup,” he added.
“To have this many league games is crazy, every manager has said the same thing. It causes nothing but cost for people and injuries.
“The FA Cup will have some good crowds at really exciting games. Today it’s a smaller crowd because it’s not the exciting of games for Cardiff fans or Carlisle fans. It’s a great competition.”
Jack Bridge and Harry McKirdy served up the goals for Carlisle, with their manager Chris Beech revealing the game plan had been cooked up in Birmingham over a top flight menu.
“We’ve been treated like Premier League players this week,” said Beech after Callum Paterson and Gavin Whyte replied for the Bluebirds to force a replay.
“We travelled down to train at Aston Villa thanks to Dean Smith. I rang him and he supported us by keeping his chefs back and they cooked us salmon and pasta, so we were fuelled up for the match.
“We then stayed at a nice hotel in Cardiff and ate well again. We’re trying to improve standards at the football club, they’re little steps, but the boys have had a good 24 hours and they’ve filled their boots.
“They gave a positive performance in front of a loud supporter base, and I’m really proud of the football club.”
The Cumbrians will be cursing their inability to clinch victory late on when substitute Ryan Loft and striker Hallam Hope both missed opportunities.
Cardiff could not have complained. In the first-half they were marginally better than in their last match – a 6-1 defeat at QPR – as they trailed only 2-0, rather than by three goals as they had at Loftus Road.
Bridge headed home after his penalty – awarded for Sol Bamba’s push – had been saved by Alex Smithies.
McKirdy made it 2-0 with an acrobatic header from Hope’s magnificent cross.
But Paterson stabbed the ball home soon after the re-start and then Whyte headed an equaliser as the Cumbrians crumbled slightly.